By Deborah Larsen
Clifford Patrick “Pat” Bracey
Clifford Patrick “Pat” Bracey was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on February 6, 1926, the son of Clifford and Alzina Patterson Bracey. From the time he was a small boy, Pat lived in Rochester, Michigan, with his uncle and aunt, James and Mae Hanlon. Pat attended Rochester High School.
In April 1943, Pat entered the U.S. Navy. In July 1945, he was stationed aboard the attack transport USS Sarasota. The Sarasota carried troops from the west coast of the U.S. to join the Allied occupation forces in Japan at the end of the war. She was then tasked with participating in Operation Magic Carpet, bringing American service personnel home from the Pacific Theater. Pat was released from military service in December 1947.
After the war, Pat married, started a family, and worked for an aircraft company in Detroit.
Clifford Patrick Bracey died at age 59 on November 28, 1985.