Profiles trip #10 HFDFW

 

Calvin enlisted in the U.S.Navy in May of 1943. He was 18 years old at the time, and since many of his friends were joining up after high school, he felt like it was the right thing to do as well.

Like so many others who joined the Navy at that time, the obvious theater to join the battle was in the South Pacific. The American government officially placed Germany ahead of Japan in order of importance in the attempt to defeat that country. But to most Americans, since the attack on Pearl Harbor, it was felt that it was the Japanese that needed to be paid back first and foremost.  

Calvin was assigned to the U.S.S.Ashland, LSD #1. This was the first, and the largest ship designated as a (Landing Ship Dock) in the Navy up until that time. There is still a U.S.Navy ship with the name Ashland, the second to do so.

He was also stationed on the U.S.S.Vella Gulf CVE-111, which was a jeep carrier. The carrier served with the U.S.Navy until 1970.

Calvin participated in many Pacific campaigns including the landings on Saipan in 1944, Tinian that same year, Tarawa in the Gilberts, Kwajalein in the Marshall Island group, and finally Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall’s.

This sailor’s most memorable moment was that of being aboard ship in Tokyo Bay in September 1945 when the Japanese surrendered to the allies.

He was discharged from the Navy in February of 1946.