Step into Johnny’s early journey, and rediscover how challenge and curiosity shape who we become.
Born in 1938 in Valparaiso, Indiana, Little Johnny Corboy’s early life was filled with movement, resilience, and curiosity. His father, a naval reserve physician, was called to active duty on December 7, 1941, the day of the Pearl Harbor attack, and spent the war serving on hospital ships throughout the Pacific.
While his father was at sea, Johnny’s New Zealand-born mother raised Johnny, his brother Bob, and his sister Sally. In late 1944, with the war moving farther west, military families were finally allowed to join their loved ones overseas. In early 1945, the Corboy family sailed to Hawaii aboard a troop ship, traveling under the watch of a submarine escort and constantly alert for enemy threats.
In Hawaii, life was governed by martial law and strict regulations. Johnny adapted quickly, going barefoot, speaking local pidgin English, and attending Punahou School. After being suspended for misbehavior, he transferred to St. Louis High School where he met a mentor who introduced him to broadcasting, public speaking, and essay writing.
Johnny soon became a teen broadcaster, hosting a popular Top 40 hit parade show. His talent for speech and writing earned him multiple honors, including scholarships from two national organizations. One opportunity took him to Germany as an exchange student. Another selected him to represent Hawaii at the National Encampment for Citizenship.
Providence in the Pacific tells the compelling story of Johnny’s first 18 years, tracing his path through war, culture, discovery, and the early shaping of a unique voice.
Step into John’s world through this compelling series—where every book is a doorway to a different chapter of a life marked by grit, growth, and grace. Immerse yourself fully to feel the heartbeat of his experiences, the quiet struggles, and soaring triumphs that connect us all. Let his story ignite your own courage and curiosity to navigate life’s complexities with renewed purpose.
Don’t wait! Claim your place on this journey now and unlock the wisdom that only unfolds when you travel the whole path.
