Arcadia WWII Vet To View His PT Boat At New Exhibit

Press release from the National Museum of the Pacific War:

March 11 2020

(Fredericksburg, Texas) On Friday, March 6, Dale Perry, who turned 94 in January, will see PT (Patrol Torpedo) 309– the actual vessel on which he served over 75 years ago during World War II. This will be the first time Perry has seen it since his service on the boat which began in early December 1943. Perry was a Torpedoman’s Mate Second Class (TM2c) and handled underwater ordinance on board the PT boat. PT 309 was acquired by The Admiral Nimitz Foundation in 1994 and was subsequently put on exhibit at the National Museum of the Pacific War (NMPW).

After being discharged from the Navy in April 1946, Perry returned home to finish high school and marry his sweetheart. Starting as a mail carrier, Perry enjoyed a long career at USPS and retired as postmaster for Arcadia, CA. He retired a second time four years ago from the Huntington Library when their insurance wouldn’t cover employees over the age of 90. He is now a docent at the library a few days each month.

He has been an active member of the PT Boat Association since 1946 and has met with the same group of WWII Veterans monthly since the 1970’s. Perry was recently awarded Veteran of the year from the Mayor of Arcadia.

Perry and his family are traveling here from Arcadia. The trip is Perry’s Christmas gift from his daughter. In addition to seeing PT 309 and likely recounting some stories of his days on the boat, Perry and family will attend the Museum’s “Victory in the Pacific” Living History Performance on Saturday which focuses on the famous Battle of Iwo Jima.

This press release was produced by the National Museum of the Pacific War. The views expressed here are the author’s own.