Jack Dorigo enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and was sent to Great Lakes, Illinois for basic training. Then, he attended Naval Training School (Machinists Mates) at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, which he completed on November 8, 1943. He wrapped up his training at York Naval Training School in Pennsylvania and received his certificate in January, 1944. After that, Jack was assigned to the USS Golden City which eventually steamed out of San Francisco, California on June 17, 1944.

His port of call was Pearl Harbor. It was then on to Guam and eventually the Philippine island of Leyte. The Battle of Leyte Gulf which began three days after the USS Golden City arrived there is considered to have been the largest naval battle of World War II, and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.

- The family of Jack Dorigo