Jack joined the U.S.Navy and reported for basic training on
October 25, 1943. Jack was 17 years old and decided to join the Navy in part
because he didn’t want to wear a tie!
After basic training he was assigned to what is arguably the
most famous battleship of all time, the U.S.S. New Jersey. The New Jersey was
an Iowa class battleship that was launched in 1943. She received a total of 19
battle stars up to and including the Persian Gulf War.
Truman had the job of crewing a 40mm anti-aircraft gun on
the “Big J.” He took part in all the major campaigns that the New Jersey fought
in during World War II. These included but not limited to action off New Guinea
and later the “Marianas Turkey Shoot” where the Japanese Army and Naval air
forces were effectively destroyed.
The New Jersey was unfortunately at sea during “Typhoon
Cobra,” in December, 1944. At a time when the fleet was caught unawares of an
approaching storm, the typhoon hit as many ships were refueling at sea. After
the devastating storm, more than 790 officers and crew were killed as a result
of the storm.
Jack also was on board during the battle of the Philippine
Sea. He witnessed the horrific massive suicide attack on the aircraft carrier
U.S.S. Intrepid when she was hit by a kamikaze aircraft. The New Jersey, and Jack
as part of the ships anti-aircraft crew, fought off wave after wave of aircraft
trying to take out as many ships as possible in these desperate attacks that
seemed unstoppable.
The New Jersey had the honor of being in Tokyo Bay in
September, 1945 where the Japanese government came on board and walked the teak deck to surrender their
forces to the Allies.
Jack was awarded the American Theater medal, as well as the
Asiatic-Pacific Theater medal with 4 stars. He received the Philippine Campaign
medal with 1 star, the WWII Victory medal and the Japanese Occupation medal.
Later he was awarded the Korean Campaign with 1 star, the China Services ribbon
and the United Nations medal.
Jack was discharged from active service on April 15, 1946
with the rank of FC/2, but was called up again during the Korean War.
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