Person:Harold Gaynor (2)

Harold (Pat) Gaynor served with the U. S. Marine Corps during World War II, enlisting at the age of 19 years old. He was critically injured on Iwo Jima on 3-15-1945 when his patrol of twelve marines was struck with mortar fire. Nine Marines in the patrol were killed instantly, but Pat and another wounded were saved by an uninjured comrade, Jimmy Fisher, who now resides in Tell City, Indiana.

After emergency treatment was administered in the field, Pat was transferred to Field Hospital, where surgery was done in 1 1/2 hours after the injury. He was transferred to Guam on 3-21-45. He arrived at Great Lakes Naval Hospital 505045, with gunshot wounds of abdomen, and left thigh, leaving Pat with partial paralysis of left sciatic nere with foot drop. Both the posterior tibial and peroneal nerve were completely severed and embedded in scar tissue. Shrapnel was embedded in the spine and inoperable. His sstay in the hospital at Great Lakes was 13 months. Pat received an Honorable/medical discharge in 1946.

Pat had purchased a farm in KY while in the service and after his discharge, he returned to Hawesville to his farm and in October 1949, married Iantha Lamar. Through the years, they raised 4 children; 1 girl, Patriia Starr, and three boys, Stephen Brent, Randall Bruce and Richard Douglas. After farming and working at public work, Pat was required to take early retirement in 1967. He sold the farm and built a home near Hawesville, moving into the new home in the fall of 1968.

Pat was in a lot of pain most of the time but enjoyed his family, his church and his hobbies, which were fishing and playing pool. He was a very jolly person and complained very little. He spent his time after retirement with his family, church and hobbies until his death on 10-24-76.