Jamse enlisted into the U.S.Navy in December, 1944 at the
age of 17. He had always wanted to be a sailor and to see the world. He did
just that!
He sailed on the U.S.S. Chester; a heavy cruiser that was
launched in the late 1920’s and eventually received 11 battle stars. The
cruiser was assigned to the 16th fleet and had participated in many
campaigns during WWII, including operating out of the gigantic anchorage at
Ulithi. From November 1944 to February 1945 the Chester was involved in the
bombardment of the island of Iwo Jima and also the Bonin Islands.
During the spring of 1945 the Chester patrolled off the
island of Okinawa during the battle that involved both Marines and soldiers of
the U.S. Army.
In August, 1945 the Chester sailed to the Aleutian Islands.
In September, 1945 the Chester sailed to the Japanese home islands, which
according to John, was one his most memorable experiences. The cruiser
participated in the occupation landings of the Japanese islands of Ominato,
Hakodate and Otaru during September and October, 1945. The cruiser also
transported troops from the Pacific back to the States after the end of the
war.
Jamse crossed the equator on September 2, 1945 on the U.S.S.
Chester. This was an important time in the life of a sailor in the U.S.Navy and
he remembers the ceremony well!
Jamse received the Asiatic- Pacific Theater medal, and the
World War II Victory medal. He was discharged from the Navy on August 8, 1946
with the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer.
The U.S.S. Chester, as happens to most naval vessels and after
a long and honorable career with the U.S. Navy, was sold for scrap in 1959.
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