Happy Veteran's Day, Dad!

At my school, we have a wall to commemorate the service of our military, present and past. Posted are photos of fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, and daughters of our staff members. I asked Dad for pictures and his military service particulars. Here's what he sent to me:

Don't have too many pictures, there is a formal one around somewhere that was taken just after I was commissioned in March of 1945. One picture was taken in San Mateo at my folks home, I probably had just come from Notre Dame for leave. The second picture was on the bridge of the SC 1279 in Panama making like I am giving instructions to the helmsman below.

Joined the Navy on 1 July 1943 as an Apprentice Seaman and was sent to Butte Montana to Montana School of mines to get two years of college credits and qualify to go to Midshipman School at Notre Dame Indiana. Got my commission on 8 March 1945. Went to several navy trade schools then, one being Sonar School for submarine detection.

I was then transferred in August 1945 to the Sub Chaser SC 1279 which was stationed at the eastern end of the Panama Canal where I served as Third Officer and then Executive Officer.

We patrolled the entrance of the canal until we were released from duty at the Canal and sent to Charleston SC for decommissioning of the ship.

Left Charleston on 1 Feb 1946 and after a leave was sent to the Pacific theatre, the atoll of Eniwetok to the Patrol Craft PC 1142. Served on this ship as a Gunnery Officer. While we were at Eniwetok they were preparing for the atomic bomb tests Bikini Atoll nearby. I had the chance to visit a Japanese battleship that was anchored nearby awaiting transfer to Bikini and the blast test. The war was over for some time, so we were ordered back to Pearl Harbor for repairs and then to San Diego where I was transfered to San Francisco and was released from active duty on 10 August 1946. While on inactive duty and going to school I was promoted to Lieut. (jg). I resigned 29 Nov 1954.