World War II Honoree

Paul I. Newsome

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Salt Lake City, Utah

Honored By

Carol Sanford

Relationship

Daughter

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY MARCH 8,1943. HE THEN LEFT FOR FARRAGUT, IDAHO AT BOOT TRAINING CAMP FOR THE NAVY. HE WAS THERE FOR 3 MONTHS. THEN HE WAS GIVEN A 2 WEEK LEAVE TO GO HOME AND RETURNED TO FARRAGUT, AND IMMEDIATELY GIVEN AN ASSIGNMENT TO AVIATION MACHINIST SCHOOL IN NORMAN, OKLAHOMA. HE WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED TO ATTEND A GUNNERY SCHOOL IN WACO, TEXAS. HE WAS IN RAILROAD CARS THAT HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO BUNKS AND TAKEN TO SAN FRANCISCO WHERE HE EVENTUALLY WAS ON THE SHIP, THE USS SHAMROCK BAY, FOR 6 MONTHS. WHEN IN PEARL HARBOR, HE TRANSFERRED TO AN AIRCRAFT SQUADRON WORKING ON AIRPLANES TO KEEP THEM IN TIP-TOP SHAPE AND READY TO FLY. HE GROUP WAS RESPONSIBLE TO KEEP 350 AIRCRAFT READY TO FLY. SERVED IN PEARL HARBOR UNTIL THE END OF WWII.