Pisarczyk, Donald

BM2 DONALD L. PISARCZYK – 9 September 1950 TO 1954

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I Donald L. Pisarczyk, “Donski” was born 8 February 1932 at Trinidad, Colorado. I had brown hair and eyes. I enlisted in the Navy at Denver, Colorado on 12 June 1950, and went to boot camp, Company 135, at San Diego, California.

Upon graduation from Boot Camp on 6 September 1950, 10 men from Company 135, including myself, were assigned to USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) at the San Diego Naval Destroyer Base. We went to FRANK E. EVANS directly, without any leave to go home. Our assignment began on 9 September 1950 to de-mothball and commission FRANK E. EVANS back to the active fleet. There was an immediate need for destroyers because of the war in Korea.

On 11 September 1951, when we returned to San Diego from Korea, we did receive two weeks extra pay for our first leave home. Also, the men who joined the Navy before the outbreak of the Korean War on 25 June 1950, were allowed two months early discharge from their four year sign up date.

While aboard FRANK E. EVANS I wound up a BM2.This is what I did: Powder Man on the right gun barrel, Gun Mount 52; Coxswain on the Captains Gig; Gun Captain on Gun Mount 52 Condition 3 Watch; Master at Arms (ship’s mess.) I was on the motor whaleboat crew that rescued three aircraft carrier pilots. The boat crew was recommended for a commendation, or Life Saving Medal, for their efficacy and quick time it took to rescue the pilots in heavy sea and ice cold waters in the Sea of Japan, but the recommendation must have fallen on deaf ears or got lost someplace. I guess the best reward was the good hardy hand shake, and “thank you” we got from the pilots before returning them to the carrier by high line.

It was 3 April 1954. FRANK E. EVANS was in dry dock at the Mare Island Naval Ship Yard in Vallejo, California, which was my third and last trip there. I left FRANK E. EVANS after spending 3 years, 6 months, and 28 days. Boy, that was a long time.( Ha, ha.) I was discharged at the Treasure Island Naval Center, San Francisco on 6 April 1954.

I graduated from Pueblo Junior College in 1956 and went to work for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad where I retired on a disability in 1987.

“Donski” currently resides at 27454 Preston Road, Pueblo, Colorado 81006-9750. You can reach him at 719-543-3408.