Where did you serve and what did you do?
I am a WWII veteran and at 96 years old have published a book ” Forgotten Warriors II”. I served in the Pacific and survived 4 D-Day invasions at Saipan, Tinian, Leyte and Okinawa as a gunners mate on the USS J Franklin Bell. I never talked about my experience in the war to family, friends and associates for 65 years. But, when I retired in 1985 and discovered that Normandy is mentioned nearly every year but you never hear about Peleliu, Tarawa, Tinian etc. I had to write a book to show what my comrades went through during the Amphibious march across the Pacific and, defeating a barbaric enemy. Proceeds from my book have gone to the VFW and others for several years on a monthly basis. The A-Bomb brought Japan out of a barbaric society into the 20th century where they have prosperous unbelievably with our help. I continue to speak on the War in the Pacific to groups. Before COVID I was making about two talks every week to Historical Societies, Schools, and groups. I plan to continue when COVID allows groups to assemble and this is already underway, with several scheduled.
How are you #StillServing?
Writing books and speaking on the war in the Pacific and contributing monthly to VFW, DAV, American Legion etc.
Why do you do it?
Because I am proud to have been a part of the Greatest Generation. WWII enabled me to get an education that otherwise would never have happened. It is my way of paying back to the greatest Nation on the face of this earth.