I graduated from High School in Bad Axe, Michigan, in June of 1942. My father had owned the Huron County Tribune, a weekly newspaper (purchasing it in 1936), but in November of 1941, just weeks prior to Pearl Harbor, he sold the paper and bought another weekly in Camas, Washington. Since I had just 6 months until graduation, I decided to stay and finish high school. I lived in a rooming house along with Clyde Dawe, the football and baseball coach.

Upon graduating, I took the train west, joining my parents and two sisters in Camas, Washington. I immediately went to work at the Crown Zellerbach paper mill, starting by sweeping floors, but within a few weeks I was made operator of a toilet tissue machine. Work hours were changed every week, i.e., the first week you would work days, next the swing shift, and the 3rd week to the graveyard shift. I lived at home. In September I decided to start college at the University of Washington. My father took me to Seattle, and we found a home where I could get room and board. I did register in college, but never attended any classes, as at about the same time I received my notice that I was 1-A in the Selective Service Draft and would be getting a notice soon to report for induction.

Not wanting to go into the Army, I had learned of a Navy program which would allow me to go to a civilian trade school, which taught a radio technical course, and upon graduation I would receive a rating in the Navy. I was unable to qualify for Naval Officer's Training because of my eyesight. The school was being taught in Seattle, at Edison Trade Tech, and I could live in the same home as I had for the University. But after about 2 months I knew the schooling material was too technical for my background, and I dropped out. I returned to Camas, and awaited the Navy to call me into the service, since I was committed to them even though I had not qualified as a graduate of the technical school.

The following is a transcription of the Diary I started writing on board the U.S.S. Talladega, in Honolulu.