Small WW2 & Korean War Navy Grouping to a Master Chief Petty Officer Gunner's Mate

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A recent find that has been a fun research project.

 

Master Chief Petty Officer Gunner’s Mate Wayne Kenneth Thornbrugh (1922-2009)

SN: 3601910

 

He saw extensive combat aboard the USS San Francisco in WW2 (17 Battle Stars and a Presidential Unit Citation). He was present at Pearl Harbor and served aboard the San Francisco until her return to Pearl Harbor in 1943 for extensive repairs after the Battle of Guadalcanal. He would again see combat in Korea aboard the USS Frank Knox participating I believe in all three of her Korean War cruises. He fell in love with Montana and became an avid hunter and fisherman, settling down in Montana after his service. He passed in 2009 in the Eastern Montana Veteran's Home. I still have a few holes to try and fill but here is the bulk of his service; 

 

1940                   Enlisted US Navy

                            Naval Training Station, San Diego

                            USS Hull (DD-350)

                            USS San Francisco (CA-38)

1941                   Promoted to Sea1c

                            USS San Francisco (CA-38)

1942                   USS San Francisco (CA-38)

1943                   Promoted to GM2c

                            USS San Francisco (CA-38)

1944                   Promoted to GM1c

                            USS Valve (ARS-28)

1945                   Pacific Flight School, Admin duty

1946                   Galveston, TX and San Diego, CA (training?)

                            Promoted to CGM(AA)

                            USS LSM(R)-407

1947                   Helena, MT Recruiting Station

                            Butte, MT Recruiting Station

                            Promoted to CPO

1949                   Butte, MT Recruiting Station

1950-54             USS Frank Knox (DD-742)

1955                   Butte, MT Recruiting Station

                            Enlisted for additional 6 years

1956                   Butte, MT Recruiting Station

                            No more records found after 1956

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Two pictures found online;

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His jacket was in rough shape, something had even smashed most of the buttons, but the insignia survived intact so has been removed.

 

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Thank you to users 29navy and KurtA for your assistance!