Jake enlisted in the U.S.Navy on December 17, 1941, ten days
after Pearl Harbor. He enlisted in the Navy because he thought that it was the
best branch to belong to. He goes on to say “I was correct!”
He was trained as a sonar man but also describes himself as
a swab jockey and a paint chipper!
Jake also had the job of being the helmsman while on battle
stations on the U.S.S. Hubbard, DE-211 while on anti-submarine patrol in the
North Atlantic. The Hubbard sunk at least two U-boats in the Atlantic,
including the U-248 and the U-546, which was brought back to the Boston navy
yard.
Jake was also assigned to the U.S.S.Honolulu which was
awarded four battle stars while serving in the Pacific. The Honolulu was a
light cruiser that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war, Jake
served aboard the patrol craft U.S.S. PC-1232.
While awaiting discharge, Jake worked in the “Chiefs Club,”
which he describes as the best duty ever!
Jake was awarded the American Theater medal, as well as the
Asiatic-Pacific and European-African theater medals. He also received the WWII
Victory medal and the Good Conduct medal.
He was discharged as a Seaman Third Class in March 1947.
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