Richard enlisted in the U.S.Navy at Du Bois Pennsylvania in
October of 1942. He was 17 years of age.
After basic training, Richard was assigned to the Fletcher
class destroyer U.S.S. Converse. It was a new ship, coming out of the shipyards
in August 1942.
His job on the destroyer was that of being a coxswain of the
boat. He also had the chance to be a gunner on one of the destroyer’s many
on-board cannons or anti-aircraft guns.
The Converse participated in many campaigns in the Pacific.
These included the Solomon Island campaign including the island of Guadalcanal
from May 1943 to March 1944.
The destroyer was then assigned screening duties in the
Central Pacific from March-August 1944. Several months later the ship saw
action in the Philippines Islands and the island of Okinawa from November 1944
to August 1945. The Converse receives 11 battle stars total. The ship was later
sold to Spain, and was scrapped in 1959.
Richard was awarded 7campaign stars, the Purple Heart and
the Good Conduct medal.
He was discharged from the Navy on January 6, 1946 with the
rank of 2nd Class Boatswain.
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