My Grandfather(really Step Grandfather, but only one I ever knew), Lyle E Gorman.
He was a Machinist Mate 2nd Class on Destroyers & Escorts.
When I was growing up, he used to take a Ball-Pean Hammer and
hit himself in the left Shin. He would give me the hammer and say
"Go ahead, hit as hard as you can". He had a Steel Plate that ran from his Knee to top of Foot.
He wouldn't tell me the story behind it, nor talk much until I was in the Army.
I found out from him and my Grandma that he was in the N. Atlantic,
and had 4 different ships sunk that he was on in 42. He said they would always get Survivors Liberty (leave) afterwards.
After leave, they would go to Philly, or NY and get on another ship.
The story where he was hurt goes; On the day of his injury, he and his best friend were topside, running to Battle Station.
They were being bombed and strafed by German planes. He was behind his friend when, on strafing run, his best
friend was cut in half right in front of him, and my Grandfather got hit in leg. (He was told he would never walk right again)
He was discharged from Navy after recovering, right away he joined the Merchant Marines.
He had a picture he used to show me from Paris in 44 or 45, outside of a Brothel. He was standing in front of a sign
that read "Off Limits to US Personnel",lol. He was from North Dakota

Oz