PAUL DOANE, LT, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Paul Doane '43

Date of birth: October 8, 1920

Date of death: October 3, 1944

Age: 23

Lucky Bag

From the 1943 Lucky Bag:

1943 Doane LB.jpg

PAUL DOANE

Brockton, Massachusetts

He answers, when awake, to the name Paul, and is a born athlete if ever there was one. Early in his career he had established himself as a swimmer, soccer player and trackman. He specialized in the last two while at the academy, but eventually decided that the soccer field was too far to trek every afternoon. That narrowed his choice to the last, since swimming disturbed the inner workings of his head. When shinsplints claimed another victim he was nonplussed, to say the least. How was he to achieve fame? Ha! Dear readers, his fame lies in this biography - in his efforts lie his renown.


The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

1943 Doane LB.jpg

PAUL DOANE

Brockton, Massachusetts

He answers, when awake, to the name Paul, and is a born athlete if ever there was one. Early in his career he had established himself as a swimmer, soccer player and trackman. He specialized in the last two while at the academy, but eventually decided that the soccer field was too far to trek every afternoon. That narrowed his choice to the last, since swimming disturbed the inner workings of his head. When shinsplints claimed another victim he was nonplussed, to say the least. How was he to achieve fame? Ha! Dear readers, his fame lies in this biography - in his efforts lie his renown.


The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

Paul was lost when USS Seawolf (SS 197) was sunk, likely by friendly fire, on October 3, 1944.

From the Class of 1943 anniversary book "25 years later…":

Paul was born on 8 October 1920 in Ossining, New York. He was appointed from Massachusetts and reported to the Academy on 19 July 1939. After graduation he underwent training in submarines in Key West, Florida and New London, Connecticut and then served in the Submarine S-20 in the Atlantic. In May 1944 he went to the Pacific for further training and there joined the Submarine USS SEAWOLF in July of that year. Paul was lost on 6 October 1944 when the SEAWOLF failed to return because of enemy action from a special mission in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands.

He was awarded the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. He was survived by his wife Jean Ellen and their son Peter. Jean has remarried and her name is Mrs. Ian D. Eaton and was last known to reside at 315 S. Black Street, Syracuse, New York.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Paul attended the Thomas Edison School of Boston, Dedham High School and Dean Academy.

His father was Ernest, a sales executive for a shoe manufacturer, mother Ethel, and brothers John and Carl.

His wife was listed as next of kin. He is listed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.


Class of 1943

Paul is one of 85 members of the Class of 1943 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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