Great Lakes Caring Hospice to honor World War II veteran

ROCKVILLE -- As the August birthday of 87-year-old Rockville native and World War II veteran Paul Hobson approaches, he looks back on his life in a very humble manner.

This Saturday, July 19, the staff of Great Lakes Caring Hospice and Home Health will host a special recognition ceremony and present Hobson with a military Challenge Pin to show just appreciation for the sacrifices he made defending our country during the "Great War."

Hobson's Military Challenge Coin ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday in his home at 3332 E. 275 North St. in Rockville.

During World War II, Hobson volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy as a third-class seaman on the USS Bunker Hill in the Pacific Theater.

From early April until mid-June 1945, the USS Bunker Hill and its crew fought in the Battle of Okinawa, the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific during World War II.

On the morning of May 11, 1945, Hobson was the third loader on a 40-millimeter anti-aircraft gun on a raised platform approximately 14 feet off the flight deck when two kamikaze pilots hit the ship within 30 seconds of each other.

Hobson recalls the first plane "hitting the deck and bouncing into the ocean while the second plane hit the base of the superstructure."

Both planes heavily damaged the ship. Hobson said he was ordered to toss his ammunition into the ocean to prevent an explosion and spent two nights in a room below the gun mount until help arrived.

The USS Bunker Hill lost 346 sailors and airmen that day, 43 more went missing and were never found, while 264 were wounded.

"It is important for us to acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by men like Paul Hobson," Great Lakes Caring Hospice and Health Care CEO William Deary said.

"Ceremonies

like this give us an opportunity to allow veterans like Paul to share part of his story and allow the staff and volunteers the opportunity to give their thanks and gratitude."

The history of the Challenge Coin dates back to World War I when a lieutenant ordered bronze coins for the men in his squadron. The Germans captured one of the men, who kept the coin in a leather pouch around his neck. The enemy took everything from him except the leather pouch.

When he later escaped, he avoided execution by the French when they recognized the unit insignia on the coin. It then became tradition for military members to carry Challenge Coins.

Today, Challenge Coins are popular throughout all branches of the military, and most military members have at least one coin in their possession at all times.

The coin is used for a variety of reasons, from recognition to morale. Military members carry it to display pride and to ensure they are always ready when another member of their unit initiates a coin challenge.