Maui VA Welcomes Latest Centennial Veteran

George H. Pendergast, the newest century old Veteran, presented at the Maui VA clinic served in the Navy for three years and worked aboard the USS Mahan, DD-364 said, “I was lucky, and it was a great experience.”  “It helped me to get up in the morning…it was good development for a person his age,” said Pendergast. 

As an 18-year-old from Ashland, Wisconsin, he was stationed and lived aboard this ship that eventually sunk under enemy fire during a WW II battle on Dec 7, 1944.

This Veteran, worked as a skilled fireman below deck in the sweltering hot boil rooms during this onslaught and was unaware of the events topside.  The only gauge was the necessary use of the ships 20-millimeter guns which meant that the enemy was upon them and in fact time for concern. 

On this fateful day, when this valiant ship and crewmen saw their fate amidst the Philippine islands and met its end under fierce kamikaze attack. 

“It was a sobering experience,” when having to abandon ship over the side of the immense vessel into Ormoc Bay, where thankfully another U.S. destroyer pulled him and his shipmates aboard.  Eventually, they reached Pearl Harbor then went to California. 

After his time in service ended, Pendergast retired from a government career as an auditor and accountant. He has also worked as an editor for Wikipedia for the last 14 years. 

Pendergast had nice things to say about the Maui VA clinic in that it was, “Really fantastic…in their responsiveness…people there are so nice and helpful,” and said that he was impressed with everyone he talked to.  He was contacted by Maui VA social worker, Julie Patry, who called and informed him of the November 4th Resource Fair & Town Hall event where Pendergast was recognized and awarded with a letter and coin from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.