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🇺🇲 WWII uncovered: Kirk Douglas Veteran of the Pacific Theater

"Born Issur Danielovitch Demsky in Amsterdam, New York to Jewish immigrant parents Kirk Douglas, had a childhood filled with extreme poverty. Being the fourth of seven children, Izzy Demsky worked endlessly to help support his family. He was an excellent student -graduating from Amsterdam High School in 1934 and again in 1939 from St. Lawrence University in Canton New York. He legally changed his name to Kirk Douglas upon graduation.

During his college career Kirk was a standout wrestler and a natural on the stage, participating in numerous theater productions. He would go on to study on scholarship at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan, New York. During this time he would befriend Lauren Bacall and his future wife Diana Dill.

On December 10, 1942 Kirk enlisted with the US Navy Reserve. According to the Veterans Administration (VAntage Point): "Upon joining the Navy, Kirk received training as a communications officer in anti-submarine warfare. He was then assigned to PC-1139, a PC-461 class submarine chaser, and sent to the Pacific. There, Kirk served as both a Gunnery and Communication Officer and was responsible for hunting down and destroying Japanese submarines."

"On February 7, 1943, Kirk and his crew were alerted by sonar to the presence of a Japanese submarine. Upon confirming the location of the submarine, Kirk and his fellow sailors fired and positioned themselves to drop depth charges. As a fellow sailor went to launch a depth charge marker, he accidentally fired a live depth charge. Once the charge hit the water, it exploded, launching PC-1139 and its crew into the air. Kirk was thrown against the ship and suffered severe abdominal injuries. After being sent to a Naval hospital to recover from his injuries, it was found that Kirk was also suffering from chronic amoebic dysentery. As a result, Kirk was discharged in 1944 with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade." (VAntage Point March 21, 2019)

After the war Kirk returned to New York and continued his career in entertainment. Still working on stage he added radio to his resume and would begin his infamous film career with a debuting role in the film The Strange Love of Martha Ivers in 1946.

Douglas would receive his first Academy Award nomination for the 1949 film Champion after which he would form his own film production company - Bryna Productions - on September 28, 1949.

Douglas would go on to star in countless films; earning three Academy Award nominations, an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Some of his most notable performances include roles in the following: Spartacus, Paths of Glory, Lonely are the Brave, Ace in the Hole, Seven Days in May, The Vikings, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, In Harm's Way and The Fury.

Philanthropy was an important part of Douglas's life. He and his second wife Anne donated the greater portion of their wealth to a number of charities and endowments. Kirk has been honored by governments and organizations of various countries, including France, Italy, Portugal, Israel and Germany for his philanthropic work. Kirk Douglas had four sons: Michael, Eric, Joel and Peter.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Kirk Douglas, of the US Navy, passed away on February 5, 2020 at the age of 103 years old. He lies in rest next to his son Eric and wife Anne at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles California. Lest We Forget.



WWII uncovered©️ Original description and photos sourced by the US National Archive, VAntage Point March 21, 2019) and The US Naval institute. (Fair Use Photos)