My naval career all began on December 11, 1942, when I joined the Navy at Vancouver, Washington. I was sent to Seattle the same day, where I was officially sworn in, then returned to my home in Camas, Washington, to await orders to report to boot camp. Those came on December 27, 1942, and I was told to report to Farragut, Idaho. Went through boot camp, graduating in the later part of February, 1943, 8 weeks and 2 days after entering.

I was then sent to radio school (at Farragut), and graduated the 3rd of July as a Radioman 3rd Class. I was honor man of my class, and was "requested" to stay as an instructor. Did not exactly want to stay, but had to have an operation taken care of (I had suffered a varicocele injury while playing football my senior year in high school). Soon after I knew I wasn't cut out to be an instructor, but was frozen (in my job). Had my operation, and made 2nd Class on May 1st, 1944. Got home a lot as it was only 400 miles. Had a leave in September of 1943, in which I went to Bad Axe, Michigan to visit. Got another in February of 1944, I went home to Camas, Wash. Kept pleading to get out of the school. I wanted sea duty so bad that I could taste the salt. Fellows who had come in from sea told me I was a fool, but I couldn't see it. Finally, in September of 1944, they came in (my orders to go to sea). It was Friday, September 29, 1944. Quit teaching there as an instructor, checked out and left the next day, Saturday, at 3:30 P.M., for home, Camas, Wash. Was to report into receiving ship, San Francisco at 2400 Tuesday, October 10.