DESMOND – Patrick Allen Desmond, 95, was born Oct. 15, 1926, in Nantucket, Mass., and died June 26, 2022, in Henderson, Nev.
A World War II combat veteran, Pat entered the U.S. Navy from West Haven, Conn., in October 1943. His military career spanned 10 years, leaving the service in 1953 as a chief fire control technician. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV13) as a member of the pre-commissioning detail at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and remained aboard "Big Ben" during her short, but highly decorated service to our nation.
Pat saw combat in the South Pacific on numerous occasions, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. Later, while attacking Japan's Honshu Island and Kobe Harbor on March 19, 1945, the USS Franklin (CV13) suffered a devastating Japanese bomber attack in which two 500-pound armor-piercing bombs resulted in the ship being dead in the water less than 50 miles from the Japanese's mainland. Casualties that day were 724 killed and 264 wounded. Pat was one of 704 members to return to the United States aboard the injured USS Franklin (CV13), which was cited as the most badly damaged U.S. Navy ship to ever return under her own power, arriving at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on April 28, 1945.
Pat was later assigned as an instructor at the Gunnery Officer Ordnance School in Washington, D.C., where he taught fire control systems to U.S. Naval officers, as well as foreign naval officers for many years.
Pat's civilian work experience subsequent to his leaving the Navy spanned 36 years with three employers, Corvey Engineering Company of Washington, D.C., RCA Service Company of Alexandria, Va., and Vitro Laboratories of Silver Spring, Md. Pat spent 30 years with Vitro Laboratories, eventually retiring in 1986 as a vice president from their 600-person facility in Oxnard, Calif.
Following retirement, Pat and his wife Janet relocated to Bullhead City, Ariz., and later, eventually settling down in Henderson, Nev., in 2000.
Pat was most proud of his two sons, Patrick and Michael. Patrick retired from the U.S. Army Special Forces as a major; Michael retired from the U.S. Navy as a master chief petty officer.
Pat hoped to be remembered for his pride of his Irish heritage, his love of Irish jokes, his fondness for Guinness, and his exhortation of Jeeze Peeze.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet B. Desmond of Henderson, Nev.; former wife, Laura C. Desmond of St. Marys, Ga.; sisters Barbara Desmond McDonnell of New Haven, Conn., and Anne Desmond Abele of Mesa, Ariz.; and beloved grandson, Patrick W. Desmond of Viera, Fla.
He is survived by his brothers, Donald D. (Hazel) Desmond of Melbourne, Fla., and Brian H. (Louise) Desmond of Warrenton, Va.; sons, Patrick C. (Colleen) Desmond of Viera, Fla., and Michael D. (Susan) Desmond of Henderson, Nev.; stepson, Robert A. Gonano III of Johns Island, S.C.; grandchildren, Julie Desmond Daily of Viera, Fla., Jamie Desmond Thurston of Hudson, N.H., and Andrew M. Desmond of Eugene, Ore.; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to University Medical Center Children’s Hospital Foundation, Attn: Destiny Hampton, 1800 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 508, Las Vegas, NV 89012. Checks should be payable to: UMC Foundation. Online donation option available.
Pat will be interred at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Clark County, Nev. Arrangements entrusted to the Boulder City Family Mortuary, Boulder City, NV 89005.