Alex Pohedra – Chief Petty Officer, United States Navy

From a contemporary press report:

Alex Pohedra, 73, who served in the Navy for 27 years before retiring in 1968 as a Chief Petty Officer, died May 6, 1999, at Pentagon City Hospital, where he was being treated for pneumonia and a heart ailment. He lived in Falls Church, Virginia.

Chief Pohedra, who had lived in the Washington area for 34 years, was born in Minersville, Pennsylvania. He served in the Pacific theater during World War II. He was assigned to the carrier Ticonderoga. He was stationed in Washington when he retired from active duty.

He was a member of St. Philips Catholic Church in Falls Church. His decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air medals. His hobbies included polka dancing, gardening and travel.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Vera, of Falls Church; five children, Joe Pohedra of Melbourne, Australia, Mike Pohedra of Herndon, Susan Astin of Atlanta, Mary Adams of Falls Church and Liz Smith of Albuquerque; a sister; and three grandchildren.

POHEDRA, ALEX

On Thursday, May 6, 1999, of Falls Church, VA. Beloved husband of Vera Pohedra; loving father of Joe, Mike, Mary, Susan and Liz; grandfather of Krystal, Dana and Jenny; brother of Louise Herbert. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, May 20, 10:45 a.m. at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel. Interment Arlington National Cemetery.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard