Pokryfka, Donald Martin
Navy Reserves Seaman 2nd class
Donald Martin Pokryfka from Detroit, Michigan, Wayne county.
Parents: Leo Pokryfka
Service era: World War II
Date of death: Monday, July 30, 1945
Death details: Died aboard the USS Indianapolis
Source: National Archives, ussindianapolis.org
Donald was my Dad’s youngest brother. He joined the Navy like his older brothers. He was on the ship only 15 days and then it was sunk. His life leading up to this was just as tragic. His mother died when he was 5 years old, was kicked out of his stepmom’s house when he was 8. Was found wondering the streets of Detroit by a policeman and ended up in St. Francis Home for Boy’s reunited with his older brothers. Was there until the age of 14.