July 10, 1945 - August 2, 1946

 

I have chosen to do my report on the World War II experiences of my grandfather,  Melroy Junior Peterson, of Gunnison, Utah. 

 Melroy was 14 years old when Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese.  Upon completion of high school he was drafted and was excited about the opportunity to do  his part in preserving our freedom.  He traveled to Salt Lake City and reported to the Induction Center on July 10, 1945. He expected that he was being drafted into the army and was surprised when he was asked which branch of service he preferred.  He chose to serve in the U.S. Navy.  From there he was sent to Fort Douglas where he spent one night and then the next morning he was put on a train and sent to San Diego, California for basic training. 

He remembers riding the train along the California coast and seeing the big waves crashing against the coast line and wondered if he had made a mistake in choosing the Navy. Basic training lasted three or four months.  It wasn’t long before his fears were calmed and he was excited about his choice and found he enjoyed being on a ship at sea.  He did recall however, that when they stopped at the various ports of call and were allowed to spend a day or two on land, it was hard for the first little while to get their sea legs back once they were allowed to return back to the ship.   He remembers being sea sick for two or three days after such stops.  Some of their ports of call included, Saipan, Guam, Okinawa, and Luzon in the Philippines.  One of his most vivid memories was being at sea during rough weather.  He was often assigned watchmen duty from the crows nest and when it was stormy weather he did his watch from the bow of the ship.

Everyone had their assigned duties on the ship.  He recalls that one of his first assignments was that of dishwasher, which was also his least favorite duty.  He recalls the frustration of just getting everything put away and hitting rough water and having to restack the dishes and straighten the kitchen back up.  They had two basic uniforms.  One was white and was worn during warmer weather.  The other was navy blue.  They were also allowed to wear dungarees or better know to us as Levis, and other normal clothes during a routine day. 

He recalls, August 14, 1945,  the day the war ended.  He was still in basic training and because they had been practicing at the rifle range he couldn't  really hear what was being broadcast over the loud speaker when the first announcement was made.  His duties didn’t end just because the war had ended. 

He was station on the U.S.S. Cabell when it was decommissioned on July 19, 1946.  This was a war ship that was being used to transport supplies to and from the war zone.   It had one 3 inch gun on board and he said that on the way in to port where it was being decommissioned, ¾ of the men wanted to shoot the 3 inch gun, as a form of  celebration, but the gunners mate wouldn’t allow it because he would have to clean the gun again.  So they threw the ammo overboard.  The ship was tied up and left with a long row of other ships that were being decommissioned because the war had ended. 

My grandfather received an honorable discharged on August 2, 1946, as a seaman first class.   He was qualified to advance to Coxswain at the time of discharge.  My grandfather quoted, “These war experiences strengthened my love for the flag and our country.  I now more fully appreciate our freedom.  I remember those veterans who served and those who died, in all wars, to preserve all of our freedoms”. My grandfather hopes that we will all remember the sacrifices of all who have served and the many who gave their lives so that we can be free.  He hopes we will show respect to them and always show respect to our flag. 

These experiences have allowed him to make several life long friends and he has continued to exchange cards and letters with Stanley Sersen of Baltimore Maryland and James Meyers from Tennessee. As a Veteran my grandfather is a member of the American Legion Post 104.  While he was serving as Commander in 1959 the post acquired a Gun mount, 40 millimeter twin barrel gun on display at the Gunnison City Park.  Another post member, Lester Hill and my grandfather went to the Navy Distribution Center in Clearfield, Utah in Lester Hills truck, and brought it home.  Member, Don Anderson, designed the cement pad for it.  Other members helped in this undertaking.  It took two forks lifts to lift the gun from Lester’s truck and place it on the cement pad.

The gun is still owned by the U.S. Navy and is on loan to Post 104 American Legion of Gunnison, Utah. 

Generations of families stop by daily and play on the gun and enjoying pretending they are defending this great county as they roll around the stirring controls and look out through the gunning sites.  It is painted navy ship gray, which is its original color