World War II Honoree

Domenic P. Gentile

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Pine Hill, New Jersey

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

HE ENLISTED IN THE MARINES AT AGE 19 AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE FOURTH DEFENSE BATTALION AND WAS STATIONED AT PEARL HARBOR WHEN THE JAPANESE PLANES ATTACKED THE PACIFIC FLEET. HE WAS ORDERED TO THE DOCKS TO RESCUE SAILORS FROM THE 19 SHIPS BOMBED OR TORPEDOED THAT DAY AND AS HIS TRUCK WAS PULLING UP TO THE DOCK, THE DESTROYER USS SHAW EXPLODED. AFTER THE ATTACK, GENTILE SAILED ABOARD A SHIP HEADED FOR MIDWAY ISLAND, SCENE OF THE NEXT BIG BATTLE IN THE PACIFIC ON JUNE 4, 1942. HE WAS ALSO ON TINIAN ISLAND IN AUGUST, 1945 WHEN THE AIRPLANE CARRYING THE FIRST ATOMIC BOMB TOOK OFF FOR HIROSHIMA.