Oral History Interview with Frank Boffi, May 11, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Boffi. Boffi joined the Navy in September 1942 and received basic training in Newport. Boffi was assigned to the USS Bernadou (DD-153) as a machinist???s mate. He participated in the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio. In June 1944 he was transferred to Norfolk to oversee the construction of the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774). He joined the ship???s company, working in the engine room. He was badly burned during the kamikaze attack off of Okinawa, when damage to the ship sent hot steam blasting toward him as he escaped the engine room. A corpsman rescued Boffi, administered morphine. Boffi awoke two days later aboard the USS Solace (AH-5) and was transferred to Tinian, where he received the Purple Heart. He spent the next four months recovering and was discharged in November 1945. Boffi worked for the American Society of Safety Engineers until he retired at the age of 84