Donald Joseph Purkat
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Photo: Seaman Recruit D.J. Purkat, August 10, 1945 -----
Donald Joseph Purkat Mr. Purkat served in World War II. He served in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Purkat signed up for the Naval Reserve on March 1945 and on June 29, 1945, was activated. He attended boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois, joined the Construction Brigades (CBs or Seabees), and was sent to Camp Parks, California. He helped decommission the base. He went to Camp Aiea, Honolulu, and we assigned to the USS LST-219 (APA-222). Then assigned to USS Pickaway and witnessed atomic test at Eniwetok. He was discharged on August 10, 1946.
Mr. Purkat’s rank was Fireman 1st Class.
Mr. Purkat was born in 1927 to Anton and Anne (Grahek) Purkat. He graduated from Gilbert (Minnesota) High School in 1945.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
“Signed up for two-year Naval Reserve, March 1945, the senior year of high school, Gilbert, Minnesota. Called to active duty, June 29, 1945, fourth week of boot camp. USNTC Great Lakes, Illinois, joined CB and sent to Camp Parks, California. Helped decommission base. Put into regular Navy, to Pearl Harbor aboard battleship Texas to Camp Aiea, Honolulu, and assigned to LST-219 destined for Manus Island, Admiralty Islands. Equipment of shore to Wellington, New Zealand. Back to Manus then aboard APA USS Pickaway to atomic test at Eniwetok, then to Port of Treasure Island, train to Minneapolis, and discharge to inactive Naval Reserve.”
