Aviation Chief Radioman Theodore Kenneth Dorak 6180637 KIA

Aviation Chief Radioman Theodore Kenneth Dorak 6180637 KIA US Navy. Born 4 July 1920 in Denver, Colorado. He attended Garden Place and North High School in Denver, and was a railroad employee prior to entering service on 8 December 1941, at the age of 21. He trained at San Diego, California, and Norfolk, Virginia; and served in the Southwest Pacific aboard the USS (CV-10), taking part in 14 major bombing missions from Marcus to Guam. He was later attached to Squadron VT-5 aboard the USS FRANKLIN (CV-13), and flew in bombing raids against the Philippines, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Formosa, and Japan. Aviation Radioman Dorak lost his life on 19 March 1945, at the age of 24, in the daring rescue operations which saved the shattered FRANKLIN when the carrier was blasted by enemy bombs close off the southeast coast of Kyushu. His awards included the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific (PTO) Ribbon with 10 Battle Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Stars, Purple Heart (PHM) Medal with Gold Star, Good Conduct Medal and Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Dorak of Denver. He is also the brother of Aviation Metalsmith, Second Class Edward John Dorak.

Source:

1- THE FIGHTING MEN OF Colorado – Asiatic-Pacific Theater World War Two – 1948