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WWII uncovered: Honoring the Service of Paul Newman: Veteran of the Battle of Okinawa
After graduating from Shaker Heights High School, near Cleveland Ohio, Paul Newman enlisted in the Navy on January 22, 1943 just 4 days before his 18th birthday. According to his autobiography Paul Newman enlisted with hopes of becoming an aviator. While waiting for his application for officer training to go through, Newman attended Ohio University in Athens.
On July 1, 1943 Paul was sent to the Navy V-12 program at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Upon completing his flight physical it was found that Paul was color blind which eliminated his chances of becoming an aviator. During basic training at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Jacksonville, Florida in January of 1944 he qualified as a rear seat radioman and gunner for torpedo bombers. In 1944 Newman was sent to Barbers Point in Hawaii where he was trained as a replacement pilot for torpedo bomber squadrons.
According to Naval History and Heritage Command records Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Newman was later ordered aboard the USS Bunker Hill which took part in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
"Operating from Saipan, Newman and a number of other aircrews from his squadron had been ordered with their TBM Avenger aircraft to be replacements onboard the Essex-class aircraft carrier Bunker Hill operating off Okinawa. But Newman's pilot suffered from an ear infection thus grounding the aircraft and crew until he could recover. On May 11, two Japanese kamikaze aircraft hit the ship within 30 seconds and in the resulting fires and explosions 346 sailors lost their lives — among them, the entire contingent from Newman's squadron. Returning home after the Japanese surrender, Newman served with Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 7 in Seattle, Washington before being Honorably Discharged on January 21, 1946." - Naval History and Heritage Command and Ancestry Database
Paul Newman was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal and his aviation wings.
After the war Paul earned his bachelor degree in drama from Kenyon College in Ohio. He soon went on to study at the Actor's Studio in New York City under the direction of Lee Strasberg. In 1958 Paul married Joanne Woodward and the couple would remain married for 50 years until his passing.
Paul Newman would go on to star in such classic films as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "The Hustler," "Cool Hand Luke,"The Verdict, "Harry and Son," "The Sting," "The Color of Money" in addition to lending his iconic voice to the character of Doc Hudson in the Disney Pixar's animated film "Cars."
Newman was the recipient of numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Paul Newman was also known for his philanthropy. Through the Newman's Own Foundation numerous charities have benefited from his generosity over his lifetime. In addition to all of this he was an avid race car enthusiast honing numerous National Championships as a driver competing in with the Sports Car Club of America.
Paul Newman passed away on September 26, 2008 at the age of 83. Rest in peace Mr Newman. A grateful Nation thanks you for a lifetime of service. Lest We Forget.
After graduating from Shaker Heights High School, near Cleveland Ohio, Paul Newman enlisted in the Navy on January 22, 1943 just 4 days before his 18th birthday. According to his autobiography Paul Newman enlisted with hopes of becoming an aviator. While waiting for his application for officer training to go through, Newman attended Ohio University in Athens.
On July 1, 1943 Paul was sent to the Navy V-12 program at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Upon completing his flight physical it was found that Paul was color blind which eliminated his chances of becoming an aviator. During basic training at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Jacksonville, Florida in January of 1944 he qualified as a rear seat radioman and gunner for torpedo bombers. In 1944 Newman was sent to Barbers Point in Hawaii where he was trained as a replacement pilot for torpedo bomber squadrons.
According to Naval History and Heritage Command records Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Newman was later ordered aboard the USS Bunker Hill which took part in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
"Operating from Saipan, Newman and a number of other aircrews from his squadron had been ordered with their TBM Avenger aircraft to be replacements onboard the Essex-class aircraft carrier Bunker Hill operating off Okinawa. But Newman's pilot suffered from an ear infection thus grounding the aircraft and crew until he could recover. On May 11, two Japanese kamikaze aircraft hit the ship within 30 seconds and in the resulting fires and explosions 346 sailors lost their lives — among them, the entire contingent from Newman's squadron. Returning home after the Japanese surrender, Newman served with Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 7 in Seattle, Washington before being Honorably Discharged on January 21, 1946." - Naval History and Heritage Command and Ancestry Database
Paul Newman was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal and his aviation wings.
After the war Paul earned his bachelor degree in drama from Kenyon College in Ohio. He soon went on to study at the Actor's Studio in New York City under the direction of Lee Strasberg. In 1958 Paul married Joanne Woodward and the couple would remain married for 50 years until his passing.
Paul Newman would go on to star in such classic films as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "The Hustler," "Cool Hand Luke,"The Verdict, "Harry and Son," "The Sting," "The Color of Money" in addition to lending his iconic voice to the character of Doc Hudson in the Disney Pixar's animated film "Cars."
Newman was the recipient of numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Paul Newman was also known for his philanthropy. Through the Newman's Own Foundation numerous charities have benefited from his generosity over his lifetime. In addition to all of this he was an avid race car enthusiast honing numerous National Championships as a driver competing in with the Sports Car Club of America.
Paul Newman passed away on September 26, 2008 at the age of 83. Rest in peace Mr Newman. A grateful Nation thanks you for a lifetime of service. Lest We Forget.
