Most people, when they think of being drafted in WWII think
that one was always sent to the Army. This was not always the case. Harold is
one such example. He was drafted into the U.S.Navy on September 3, 1943. He was
18 years old.
After basic training, Harold was sent to the south Pacific
and became a coxswain on a UP or (VP) boat.
Harold participated in the invasion of the island of Okinawa
by soldiers and Marines in the Spring of 1945. He also was present during the
infamous typhoon that hit Task Group 38 east of Okinawa in June of 1945. This
task force was built around the aircraft carriers Hornet (new) and the
Bennington. Because of faulty communication and not-so-precise weather forecasting
at the time the fleet was hit hard by the front and sailors were lost. Many
ships were damaged including a cruiser losing part of its bow, and an aircraft
carrier having an aircraft elevator destroyed.
Harold was discharged on January 6, 1946. He had been
awarded the Pacific Commendation medal.
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