The Rotary Club of Enfield is honoring Enfield’s veterans by sponsoring military tribute banners that will be displayed in Higgins Park, the Town Green, Freshwater Walkway, North Main Street and Hazardville between Memorial Day and Veterans Day in 2026 and 2027. The Enfield Public Library partnered with Enfield Rotary to preserve digital versions of these banners as well as biographical information about each veteran.
Francis Eugene Gorman
United States coast guard 1942-1945
world war ii
po2
asiatic-pacific campaign medal
EAME campaign medal
Francis E. Gorman was born on April 5, 1922, in Morgan City, La. At the age of 20 he joined the US Coast Guard in New Orleans La on July 17, 1942. They sent him by train to his duty station at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, in Brooklyn, NY. to pick up his troop ship. He moved troops both to the European Theater and also to the Pacific Theater.
Sometime in 1943 while at the Brooklyn Navy Yard with 2 other Coast Guard Sailors walking in uniform saw 3 Navy Wives walking on the other side of the street in uniform. The sailors crossed the road and asked the Navy Wives if they would like to go to the movies. They all went to the movies and continued with their friendship. Two of the 3 couples married. My father and mother were married in Orient LI, NY on September 9, 1944.
Francis was discharged on November 11, 1945, at the rank of 2nd class Mechanist Mate. He earned 6 medals the United States Coast Guard Metal, American Campaign Metal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Metal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign, World War II Metal, Asia Occupation Service Medal.
