206172 Sea. First Class Dominic "Dago" Corsaro US Navy 53rd Combat CB's from:Cleveland, USA Dominic Corsaro, Cleveland, Ohio
When I was just a young boy of 13 I sat in local restaurant on St Clair and 156 St. in Cleveland,Ohio. I heard the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor; I did not even know where it was back then.
A few years later at 16 I wanted to serve as my father did in WWI. I used some creative maths and with my father's blessings, I got in to the Merchant Marines. I started on a Liberty Ship; at the time it was considered an attack ship. With one small gun on the front and the ship made of plywood I think the title they told us “Attack Ship” was more of morale builder for those of us on the ship. We transported German Pilots from Europe back to the U.S. for imprisonment. I guarded one pilot and gave him smokes as I didn't smoke. He said: "you are a good man" and he gave me his belt with the eagle carrying a swastika on the buckle as a souvenir. Even in my 80's I still remember he had metal tips on his boots.
In 1944 I transferred to the Navy and served with the 53rd Combat CBs. I was all over the Pacific Theater finally ended up on Bikini Atoll to take part in the Atomic Bomb test in 1946.
God kept me safe throughout the war and I have taught my son the importance of duty, honor and integrity. He has grown up to make me proud.
On my 80th birthday my son took the time to get all my service awards and decorations sent to him then had them framed. My first resonance was surprise as I had earned many medals and ribbons that I never got at the end of the war. A the time I just wanted to go home and see my family and my sweet heart Angie(to whom I have been married for 66 years in July of 2010). Then I told my family many men made the ultimate sacrifice for us to be here today. God Bless all our Military. I served on two fronts, got to see the world in just a few years and it just confirmed what I already know, I love America....Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.
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