Doyen Klein

DOYEN KLEIN

Captain, U.S. Navy (Age 90)

Born on March 14, 1914 in San Francisco, California and passed away March 6, 2005 in Collington Life Residence in Mitchellville, Maryland of pneumonia.

He is survived by his wife, Frances of Mitchellville; son, Doyen Taylor Klein; daughter-in-law, Sarah Pugh Klein and granddaughter, Hannah Jane Klein of Los Angeles, California.

Captain Klein was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1935. He served a distinguished career in the Navy and retired with the rand of Captain. Before the United States entered World War II, he served as an advisor with British forces and helped establish the first U.S. Navy Mine Recovery school. During World War II, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Minneapolis as Gunnary Officer. Among the campaigns in which he participated were the 1943 Pacific Raids (Wake), Gilbert Island Operations, Marshall Island Operations including the air attack and the occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro; Asiatic Pacific Raids including the Truk attack, the Mariannas attack, the Palau, Yak, Ulithi, Woleai, Satawan and Ponape raids; the Mariannas Operation including the capture and occupation of Saipan, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the capture and occupation of Guam; the Western Caroline Island Operation with the capture and occupation of the Southern Palau Island; the Leyte Operations including the Leyte Landings, the Battle of Surgao Strait and the Luzon attacks; the Luzon Operation with the Lingayen Gulf Landing; the Okinawa Gunto Operation including the assault and occupation of Okinawa; the Hollandia Operation, the Manila Bay-Bicol Operation and the Marivales- Corregidor Operation. For his dedication and valor, he was awarded a number of medals including the Bronze Star with Combat ""V""; American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp; European- African-Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal (11 Enemy Engagement Stars); World War II Victory Medal; China Service Medal; Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon (2 Bronze Stars). His final assignment as a Naval officer was with the United States Atomic Energy Commission as Assistant Director for Plans and Military Cooperation, where he was responsible for negotiating program coordination with the Department of Defense and representative of foreign nations.

Upon retirement, he moved to Southern California where he began a second career in the aerospace industry and a third as a real estate broker. He kept active sailing and participating in the Episcopal Church, Kiwanis, Power Squadron and Toastmasters. He moved to Collington, where he remained active as president of the residents association and with the Episcopal Church and attending reunions with his Navy shipmates from the U.S.S. Minneapolis, Mount Baker, Utah, Brian and George Clymer.

In 1996, his wife of 54 years, Rebecca Jane Taylor passed away. He later met and married, Frances Melloy in 1998. A devout man who served his church, country, family and community with courage and dedication, he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Services with Full Honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on May 11, 2005 at 1 p.m.

Arrangements by BEALL FUNERAL HOME, Bowie.