Page 133 - Anthology

After that, I was sent to Puerto Rico. I was there for about two years, but I was sent on temporary duty to
other places. One of those places was Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Base. Naval Station Roosevelt
Roads was named for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who conceived the idea
in 1919 on a surveying trip. It would eventually become one of the largest naval facilities in the world.

For some unknown reason, we were sent home on an Army troop transport ship; the U.S.S. Henry
Gibbins.

USAT Henry Gibbins during World War II

I was discharged in New York. I was put on a bus to return to Kentucky. When I got home, I went back
to work for the water company, got married to a good woman and we have a daughter.

My military service made a man out of me. I came home a changed person.

My message to today’s kids is simple: Get an education – don’t drop out. I also think they should serve
in the military for at least two years. Maybe I can help someone by them knowing what I went through.