Beaufort’s Harold Doctor, 63, joined the United States Navy in Atlanta in 1980. After Boot Camp in Orlando, Fla., he was assigned as a storekeeper aboard the USS Puget Sound (AD-38) stationed at Gaeta, Italy. After two years he returned to Naval Hospital Philadelphia for treatment. On release he was assigned to USS Inchon (MCS-12) which made two Mediterranean deployments while he was aboard. He next spent three years ashore in Norfolk before being assigned to Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center in Chesapeake. Following this he was an instructor at the Fleet Training Center, Norfolk; while there he married Lillian. He next spent three years aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) making an additional Mediterranean deployment. In 2000 he retired with 20 years of service and began working as a civilian at the Space and Naval Warfare Center, first as a contractor then as a Civil Servant. He then moved to New Orleans and worked for the Headquarters, Naval Reserve. He left government service as a GS-13.
Lillian Doctor, 60, joined the United States Navy in Walterboro in 1988. After Boot Camp in Orlando, Fla., she trained as an Operations Specialist, serving first at Naval Air Station Pensacola and then at Fleet Combat Atlantic Training Center at Dam Neck, Va. She then served two years aboard USS L.Y. Spear (AS-36) based in Norfolk, then with Submarine Group in Norfolk and the aboard USS Teddy Roosevelt (CVN-71) with a Mediterranean deployment. She separated in 1999 with 11 years of service and used tuition assistance and the GI Bill to earn a BS degree and a Masters in Education. She became a teacher in various Va., counties and in New Orleans. Since then she completed a Masters in Divinity Studies from Regent University.
The Doctors moved to Beaufort in 2018. Together they are starting Lillie’s Hope Haven to address issues of homelessness, disability, counseling, housing and other needs, with an emphasis on veterans. See www.lillieshopehaven.org
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
