Where did you serve and what did you do?
I served in the Pacific and was with the D-Day invasions of Saipan, Tinian, Leyte and Okinawa as a GM3c on the USS J Franklin Bell (APA 16). I served on beach party for Saipan and Tinian.
How are you #StillServing?
I am on a campaign to recognize all of my comrades who served in the Pacific. Before COVID-19, I was speaking at least twice a week to any group that would listen to my story of the Amphibious March Across the Pacific. I wrote two books Forgotten Warriors and Forgotten Warriors II. Since 2016 all profits from my book have gone to the VFW, AL, DAV and St. Jude.
Why do you do it?
After 65 years of not talking to my family, my working employees or anyone, I decided I needed to do this for me and my comrades who fought a barbaric enemy where we were five times more likely to be killed than our counterparts in Europe. Yet, Normandy gets mention nearly every year but you never hear about Peleliu. Tinian, Okinawa, etc. Normandy veterans deserve the recognition but so do those who fought in the Pacific. It is not fair and I have to speak out about this subject.