Pooli was born in the Navy yard at Pearl Harbor. She was then taken aboard the USS Fremont where she saw action at the Marianas, the Palau group, the Philippines and Iwo Jima. When battle stations rang, Pooli would head for the mail room and curl up in a mail sack.
This photo was taken in 1959 on Pooli's 15th birthday. By now a WWII veteran, her uniform is adorned with three service ribbons and four battle stars.
Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Times.
