My stepfather enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 15, in 1934, to get out of a life of poverty

[slackmaster]

He served a four-year tour and reenlisted in 1934, hoping to get out in 1942 and go to school.

Things didn't go according to plan. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor just a few months before his second tour was to end. He was in the war for the duration, serving as a Radio Man. He finally retired from the service in 1956, and took a job as an electronic systems engineer at General Dynamics. He worked there until he retired in 1987.

He was frighteningly close to a lot of action in the South Pacific. When he and my mom were married in 1967 they went to Hawaii for their honeymoon. Mom says that when they went to the USS Arizona memorial, he went down the list of names of men killed in the attack saying over and over "I knew him, and him, and him...." He came out of the war physically uninjured but changed for life. He never lost his compassion for poor people. On occasion he'd pick up some destitute migrant farm worker and bring him home for a meal.

His ashes were scattered at sea by the Navy. By now there are traces of him all over the world. I only have to look at the ocean to see his grave.

[Faygo Kid]

1. Thanks.

My Dad served in WWII, too. Unfortunately, he split when I was 9. Saw him once more, when I was 22, then he died.

Not much else to say. You are fortunate to have good memories.

[Paladin]

2. I Personally Think The Term "Hero" Is Overused On Memorial Day.....

....but it sounds like your stepfather qualifies. RIP.

[tularetom]

3. Sounds remarkably similar to my dad

He also enlisted in the Navy in 1934 after coming to California and finding no work. Got out in 38, met and married my mom and had 2 kids. I was born 3 months before Pearl Harbor. He reenlisted early in 1942 wound up in the Marines and my mom enlisted later that year as a nurse's aid. They both served until 1946 while my sister and I lived with our maternal grandparents in TN. My dad would never talk about his experiences in the Pacific. We knew he was injured by a mine, had some shrapnel in his leg and received a Purple Heart, but he was uncomfortable talking about it.

Even today it's hard for me to imagine the sacrifices endured by them and others of their generation during these times.