The City of Glen Cove 2007 Veterans Day honoree is James (Jimmy) Doran, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He will be honored on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. in front of the Doughboy Monument adjacent to the public library. Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi invites everyone in our community to the ceremony during which Jimmy and all our nation's veterans will be thanked for their service.

Jimmy Doran was born in New York City, however his family moved to Glen Cove when he was 5 years old. Jimmy left Glen Cove High School and volunteered to serve in the United States Navy during World War II. Jimmy was assigned to guarding Japanese prisoners in a POW detention center on the island of Guam. With the end of World War II, he returned to the United States having received an honorable discharge.

In January 1948, Jimmy re-enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to a large aircraft carrier, the USS Kearsarge, which was the flagship of the fleet. The USS Kearsarge's tour of duty was in the Mediterranean to ensure peace in the Middle East. The patrol also included France, Italy and Cuba. During the Cold War the carrier was assigned to patrol the Atlantic Coast and in the Caribbean Sea. When the Kearsarge was decommissioned for refitting to accommodate new jet aircraft, Jimmy was assigned to the USS Juneau, an anti-aircraft light cruiser. It was assigned to the Far East and joined other United Nations forces stationed there. Two days after the Korean War began on June 25, 1950, the Juneau patrolled the coastal waters off Korea and conducted the first shore bombardment at Bokuko Ko, destroying enemy shore installations.

The sailors were engaged in the first naval action in July 1950 when they came in contact with four enemy torpedo boats and two enemy gunboats that had slipped undetected through radar. The boats were spotted by a crewmate of Jim's and their prompt action probably saved many lives among those in the United Nations Task Force. The Juneau landed the first Americans in Korea and sent the first raiding party ashore.

Upon returning to the U.S. in late 1951, Jimmy again received an honorable discharge as Petty Officer, Third Class. He earned the following Campaign Medals: American Theater, Asiatic Pacific Theater, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Korea Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal, United Nations Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Jimmy and his wife Barbara live in Glen Cove and have been married for 52 years. They have four children and two grandchildren. Jimmy is an active member of the VFW Post 347 in Glen Cove.