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A former Royal Marine Commando from Deal has spoken of the moment he was clubbed with a walking stick in his front garden.
James Hogan, of College Road, suffered two black eyes, cuts and bruises in what has been described as an unprovoked attack.
The 75-year-old veteran said: "I'm embarrassed. I couldn't defend myself and my family."
Mr Hogan, known to friends as Mick from his days in the services, was knocked out after receiving numerous blows to the face.
He said: "There was a bang on the door. It sounded like someone was kicking it in.
"When I opened it, I saw someone by my garden gate. When I asked what was going on I received a smack across the face with a walking stick followed by a flurry of punches.
"I must have been knocked out because the next thing I remember was being in the kitchen with the police."
Mr Hogan has defence wounds up his arms, mainly on his wrists after the attack at 9.45pm on Saturday.
His son Paul, 48, came downstairs and he managed to restrain the man until police arrived.
Three police cars attended and an ambulance took Mr Hogan and his son to the QEQM Hospital in Margate for treatment.
Northern Ireland-born Mr Hogan joined the Royal Marines in Deal in 1959. He completed his basic training in the town before passing his Commando training at Lympstone.
He served in 45 Commando in Aden in 1960 and 1961, 41 Commando in Plymouth between 1961 and 1963 and in Singapore with 40 Commando in 1963.
He moved back to Deal with his wife and has been living in the same house for 45 years.
He said: "People have been coming round with cards saying they are sorry." The pensioner suffers with heart trouble and takes medication for that and osteo-arthritis of the spine and diabetes.
Police spokesman Jon Green said: "Police investigating an alleged assault in College Road, Deal, at 9.45pm on Saturday in which a 75-year-old man suffered a cut to his cheek and facial bruising, arrested a 52-year-old man on suspicion of assault.
"He was questioned and has been released on bail until June 20 while officers make inquiries."
Anyone with information is asked to phone police on 101.
