World War II: From a Veteran’s Perspective
My Grandpa's Story
My maternal grandfather J.T. Johnson (pictured above) was a proud World World Two veteran who served in the U.S. Navy. Like so many in his generation, he signed up for military service on December 8th, 1941 after Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese the day before. Much like Karen’s father is described in A Veterans Day Tribute to My Daddy , he easily made the sacrifice of time away from his family. He didn’t even get to see my mother for the first time until she was seven months’ old.
Fortunately, he made it home unlike so many others. He was one of those veterans who talked a lot about his time in World War Two. I’m glad that I got to hear his stories during my visits with him over the years.
Keeping Important Memories Alive
As he neared the end of his life, he began to write down his life story. I’ve included a few excerpts from his written story that pertains to his military service. It is important to keep these memories alive as a reminder of all veterans who have served. The world we live in now could have been a very different place if not for the courage of the men and women who served in World War Two.
In His Own Words
“In 1941 a group of girls where Dot worked went to Pensacola Naval Air Station to see their boyfriends. Dot stopped off at Vicksburg on Wednesday June 18 and we decided late Friday we would get married on Saturday and we did and sent her parents a telegram. I was making $60 a month plus car expenses and a 7-day expense account. Then on December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor happened. We went back to St. Louis and our son, Tom, was born. I joined the Navy December 8, 1941 as a 3rd Class Diesel Mechanic and went to Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL.
I taught Diesel School in Chicago Navy Pier and then on to Gulfport, MS. Dot and son Tom were able to be with me lots. Then on to Coronado, CA for Amphibious Training. I was assigned to the USS Randall APA 224 in Richmond, CA and served in the Pacific from November 1944 to January 1946. Tom and Dot went back to Salisbury to live with her parents since she was pregnant with our second child. During this time overseas, we picked up Marines off Iwo Jima and Okinawa and took Chinese Nationalist Troops from Hong Kong to Tsingtao and North.
After the “Big One” was dropped and during the truce, I received the Red Cross telegram about our first daughter, Sylvia, being born July 26, 1945. I did not get to see and hold her until she was 7 months old. We were sitting in the Ulithi chain of Islands off Japan (180 miles) waiting for the invasion when Truman said “drop it”. We were scheduled in the second wave of assault for the invasion. Japanese gun placements were so large it was said that 92% of anything that approached this Island would be blown out of the water. My ship, the USS Randall (named after Amarillo, TX Senator Randall) had several reunions which Dot and I enjoyed over the years. A movie was made later called “Away All Boats” with Cliff Montgomery which is about our ship.
With Gratitude
My Grandma and Grandpa were married for 67 years. I’m grateful that he was able to return home to his family, and I’m glad that he spent time going to his Navy reunions over the years. It was something he really enjoyed, and he was so proud to be a World War Two veteran.
As a student of history, I have read many books and articles on World War Two. With so few left now, I’m glad that I personally knew a World War Two veteran.
Remembering and honoring the service of all veterans is something that has always been important to me. With both my grandpa and my dad serving in the Navy, I grew up respecting those in military service. So thank you to anyone reading this if you served our country. I have nothing but the highest respect and appreciation for you.
With gratitude,
Kristi
Keeping History Alive
In addition to the World War Two Memorial in Washington, D.C., there is also a National World War II Museum in New Orleans that I would love to visit. My grandfather has a brick in his honor there which he was so pleased to have. For more information about the National World War II Museum, please visit their website here.
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