Dorman Ellett Frazier honored with Patriot of the Month certificate

During the March 4 Ozark Spring National Society Daughters of the American Revolution meeting, Dorman E. Frazier was honored with the Patriot of the Month certificate in recognition of his outstanding patriotic service and dedication to his country. Frazier passed away on January 27, 2023 at the age of 97. His wife, Cletta Belle Bates Frazier, surrounded by family, accepted the honors and award on his behalf.

Dorman Frazier was born and raised in Texas. When Pearl Harbor was bombed, he was just 16 years old and, in his words, “he knew that World Warr II was eminent.” Following his graduation from  Marble Falls High School at the age of 18, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 21, 1943. He completed basic training and Sea School at Mare Island in California, and was then deployed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

During World War II, he was stationed for 18 months aboard the USS Indiana as part of Task Force 58 (the long-range naval striking arm of the US Pacific Fleet during the offensive against Japan) where he participated in several battles. A few of the engagements included the bombing of Ponape in the Caroline Islands, the bombing of Saipan, and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. During these attacks, they shot down several Japanese aircraft and experienced narrow misses from torpedoes – routinely coming under attack by Kamikaze planes.  

During an interview just prior to his death, Dorman related that “some of the planes flew low enough that he could recognize the nationality of the pilots and could literally see the whites of their eyes.” In January 1945, the USS Indiana was sent to bomb Iwo Jima, and in July and August they sailed to Honshu, Japan where they bombed coastal targets, with a final bombing of ironworks at Kamaishi. While still at sea he learned of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and “felt that the war was nearing an end and hoped he would return safely home.” 

Frazier was discharged from the Marine Corps on November 8, 1945 and returned to Texas. On April 9, 1948 he married Cletta Bates and they would have been married for 75 years next month. Dorman and Cletta moved their family to Pottersville, MO in 1962. Dorman worked most of his civilian life farming and as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, served as a deacon for many years, was active in the Greater Ozark Marine Corp League, constructed homes with Habitat for Humanity, and was known to be quite the storyteller.

Frazier is survived by his wife Cletta, daughter Debra Peachee and husband Tim of West Plains, MO, son Jeff Frazier and wife Jennifer of Cabool, MO, daughter-in-law, Linda Frazier of West Plains, MO, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren, and one sister, Cleo Dulls of San Antonio, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jackson and Susie Frazier and one son, Larry Frazier.

 

 

 

The Patriot of the Month program was initiated by Honorary State Regent, Sally Napier Bueno, in 2004. Daughters of the American Revolution may nominate their personal “heroes”–those men and women who have contributed to preserving and protecting the freedom and values of our American way of life. https://mssdar.org/patriots-of-the-month/