On Three Ships Sunk in the South Pacific-- Part 2

He spent three months in hospitals in Noumea, New Caledonia, and California being treated for both physical injuries and what is today called post-traumatic stress disorder.

When the USS John Penn was sunk, Jim Maurais ended up in the water for hours surrounded by a sea of fire and sharks

After his release from hospital, he met his future wife, Maggie, on a blind date.  They remained married for 62 years until her death in 2006.  He would often say, "For every misfortune, there is a seed of equivalent benefit.  If that ship (the Penn) hadn't gone down, I'd never have met my beloved Maggie."

In August 1945, he was declared fit for duty and reassigned to the USS Trapper, a  minelayer that assisted in the clearing of mines in the Sea of Japan.  He was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered, but pretty far away.

With Canadians Like This, No Wonder We Won.  --GreGen