Gene Aldrich
US NAVY HERO.
One of Prince Jordans many immediate Grandparents. Paternal “Step grandpa” / additional family. (Gene Aldrich) with Uncle Tony Pastula. Both men are stars of the Book, “The Raft” (published 12 times) since 1945. The most recently published is: 2022. – Additionally BOTH MEN are stars of the Movie entitled: “Against the sun.” A permanent monument has been dedicated to these heros. Located inside the “National Naval Aviation Historical Museum,” since 1945. (Naval Medal Recipients)
The Navy cross is the Second Highest Award given to US Naval Service Personnel.
Gene Aldrich and Tony Pastula both Prince Jordan’s (step-additional-family) Grandpa and Uncle were awarded along with their superior Harold Dixon. Once they made it back to shore from the Raft incident, Gene Aldrich saved everyone’s life on the Raft. The Navy Cross was given to all 3 men, but officially to Harold Dixon although he was not the Hero. Gene was!
Famous Names:
Even, Prince Jordans name came about as a result of a famous event. His paternal (Step-additional-Family) Grandpa, Gene Aldrich and (uncle) Tony Pastula were both on this raft. They promised each other, that if they lived, they would name their children after each other.
That promise was kept, Gene named his first born son “Anthony” (after) Anthony Pastula. (Tony). When Genes son grew up and had a child of his own, he too named his son “Anthony” (aka) Prince Jordan, carrying on traditional family values.
* Prince was mentioned in one version of this book; “as a baby in his mothers belly” (approximately page 210). That version of the book was published and written, in 1972 or 1973. Yes, Prince was famous, in print, before he was even born.
