Peter Mrakitsch entered the US Navy on June 5, 1941 and trained at the Great Lakes Naval base in Gurnee, Illinois. He was stationed at NAS, Corpus Christi, Texas where he received his Printer Third Class & Practical Factors Certification in August 1942. Peter ultimately earned his Gunner's Mate, Third Class ranking. But the commanding officers recognized his painter skills. He painted many aircraft carrier decks -- and a few of the commanding officers homes!

Peter was deployed on a destroyer in the Pacific Ocean, which was blown up. He was in the salt water for several days with another sailor from Michigan. The two young men retrieved the body of a fallen soldier, also from Michigan, and swam to safety bringing the body with them. The two survivors were honored to bring their fellow serviceman home to his family for a proper burial.

Peter received the American Defense Ribbon, the American Area Campaign Ribbon, the World War II Victory Ribbon and the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign ribbon for his service. He was a devout Catholic and died in 2002, a proud veteran. Peter was buried with military honors. The recessional song at his funeral mass was "Anchor's Away". It is my privilege to honor my father.

- Denise Jenkins