As was customary at the time, Leonard Patinsky enlisted in the Army several months after he graduated from Minersville High School in 1943.
Little did he know that, less than two years later, the then-20-year-old would find himself on the front lines of history.
In August 1945, Patinsky recalls, he was on the island of Tinian when Col. Paul Tibbets piloted the B-29 Superfortress “Enola Gay” on its historic mission to drop the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
At his 97th birthday party Friday night, Patinsky took a few moments to reflect on the incredible coincidence that landed him in the Northern Mariana Islands during that fateful time that changed history.
Patinsky, who lives in Minersville, does not claim to be present when the Enola Gay embarked on its mission on Aug. 6, 1945.
“It was hush, hush,” he recalled, saying he was entirely unaware of the mission to drop “Little Boy” on Hiroshima.
The Empire of Japan surrendered when, three days later, the U.S. dropped a second A-bomb on Nagasaki — ending World War II.
Patinsky claims, however, to have met Tibbets on occasion.
“He was a lot older than me,” he recalled.
As for his war record, First Lt. Patinsky was co-pilot of a B-29 Superfortress bomber on 17 bombing missions over Japan, he said.
Tokyo was one of the cities bombed by his B-29 Superfortress, dubbed “Overnight Bag.”
“Those bombing missions were 17-hour round trips,” he said.
Patinsky remained in the Army Air Corps after WWII ended. He was discharged in 1949.
Like so many Schuylkill County boys returning from war, Patinsky left and settled in southern New Jersey.
He dreamed of becoming a pilot with a major airline, Patinsky said, but it was next to impossible because of the glut of former military pilots being discharged after the war.
He worked as a salesman for a vending machine company in New Jersey for more than 30 years. He also owned a charter boat, Nomad II, out of Cape May, New Jersey.
An accomplished bowler, Patinsky is listed in the South Jersey Bowling Hall of Fame for achieving a perfect score of 300 some 33 times.
After retiring, he returned to Minersville in 2010.
Patinsky was lured to the Norwegian Twp. home of Elizabeth Stacey, where friends and family threw a surprise party.
Beneath two large “9” and “7” balloons, Patinsky was feted for his longevity and service to his country.
Charles Rhode, his nephew, made the trip from his home in Biglerville, Adams County, to attend the party.
“It’s amazing that they allowed kids right out of school to join the military back then,” said Rhode, who served in the Army from 1974-80.
“But back then,” he said, “everybody wanted to go.”
Michael Acinapura, also a nephew, said what his uncle did at a time when his country needed him was awesome.
His service defined him, and imbued in him a spirit that endures 73 years after he last wore a serviceman’s uniform.
“He’s 97,” Acinapura said, “but he’s more of a man than any man today.”
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