Donald Ralph Sorlie, Sr.
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Donald Ralph Sorlie, Sr. served in World War II in the European and Pacific Theaters. He enlisted in the Navy on October 12, 1943.
He had basic training at Farragut, Idaho and then went to Navy Pier, Chicago. He was sent for amphibious training in Norfolk, Virginia, and for diesel engine training in Boston.
Mr. Sorlie was assigned to the USS Landing Ship Tank 995 (USS LST-995). He participated in the shakedown cruise of this vessel, which then went to the Mediterranean; among other places, his unit served in Sicily and in France. Later, Mr. Sorlie was part of the 143rd Naval Construction Battalion. He was assigned to Naval Supply Depot (NSD) 926 Guam.
He was discharged on April 20, 1946. His rank was Fireman 1st Class.
Mr. Sorlie was born in 1926 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of John and Harriet Sorlie.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s family member’s account (below):
“Donald began his military career at Farragut, Idaho, in 1943. From there, he went to the Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, and then was sent to Norfolk, Virginia, for amphibious training. He attended diesel engine training in Boston, Massachusetts, before boarding the LST-995. “Donald’s unit made a shakedown cruise [of the LST-995] along the East Coast before being deployed to the Mediterranean. His unit took part in the invasion of Sicily, where they set up a supply depot.
From there, they invaded southern France. “Following a brief stint back in the United States, Donald deployed to the Philippines and set up an advanced base construction depot. He was stationed there when the Japanese surrendered. Donald then went on to work in the Fleet Service Boat Patrol in Guam, where he had the honor of escorting the USS Boxer’s supply officer back to ship on its first trip in from the States. “Donald was honorably discharged from the Navy on April 20, 1946, and returned to Minnesota to marry and raise a family. He still resides there.”
