About the book
A World War II Sailor’s Journey is the story of one young man’s
wartime experiences and his desire now – over sixty years later – to reflect
on those historic times and to remind us to pay tribute to all who serve
their country and to honor and pray for those who do not return. Enlisting
in the U.S. Coast Guard when he was seventeen years old, the author takes
us with him on his journey. And now – years later – the memories are still
with him. The loss of USS Leopold DE-319, torpedoed near Iceland… sinking
the German submarine U-550… the terrible hurricane of ’44… the occupation
of Japan…and much more. It was as though a time capsule had been cracked
wide-open and the years of memories flowed freely.
Various Excerpts
On the ninth day, just south of Iceland, contact was made with an enemy
submarine that was “shadowing” the convoy. It was the beginning of a long
and tragic night.
Our Division Commander’s strategy was to have all six destroyer escorts
drop depth charges, at pre-determined times, in order to prevent the U-boats
from gaining a firing position.
Thus began the most terrifying fifteen hours of my life. We lost the
race to avoid the hurricane. Now we had no choice but to ride the raging
storm out and hope to survive. Fifty-foot mountainous seas and blinding
sheets of water battered the KIRKPATRICK, making visibility practically
impossible.
We were on maneuvers with U.S. submarines and other naval ships, training
for the planned invasion of the Japanese mainland, when news of the surrender
was announced over the ship’s intercom system.
The surrender immediately set into motion a tremendous task – the occupation
of Japan. The USS KIRKPATRICK was assigned to escort ships that were carrying
soldiers, marines and supplies to Kyushu, the southernmost of the Japanese
home islands.
About the Author
The author entered the newspaper business in 1958 and published a local
weekly in New Jersey for many years. He also established an advertising
firm and was in business until he retired in 1990. He now lives with his
wife in Northwest New Jersey.
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