05/25/2026
The third—and final—veteran in my life is my friend, Doyle.
Doyle enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 when he was just 17 years old. He stood all of 5'2" and weighed 120 pounds.
While attending radio school in Los Angeles, he noticed a bulletin board posting asking for volunteers for submarine service. Out of 34 volunteers—including Doyle—only four were accepted. He went on to complete submarine school in Connecticut and sonar school in San Diego, where he trained on then cutting-edge FM sonar, learning to map minefields around Japan.
It was July 1945. Just one month later, President Truman authorized the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and within weeks, World War II came to an end.
Doyle was stationed in Pearl Harbor and later in Guam, where he completed his service.
Today, Doyle may hold the distinction of being one of the longest-tenured members of the American Legion, recently recognized for an incredible 80 years of membership.
After the war, he returned to Iowa and worked as a rural postal carrier. He retired in 1991—and this year, Doyle turns 100 years old.
I feel like I know a celebrity 🙂.
Thank you for your service, Doyle.
