Harv

Most of us have come to a point in our lives where recalling those many years past is becoming more difficult. There was a time when each and every event was branded into our memory tank and could be brought forth with out any effort. I imagine there are still those, like this old salt, who can recall events...but not the time table in which they took place, or even where. Even some of the events that took place are getting dim. I suppose that things are meant to be.

What we were we can clearly define...we were the young men from 17 to the early 30s who for some unknown reason chose to serve in the Navy. All of us who ended up in the Amphibious Forces did so because that's where they sent us. When I went in the service I wasn't even aware that there was an Amphibious Force... never heard of an LSM, LCT, LSD and all the others that I can't even remember. This was something new and we were a part of it. What we did shaped how the war was fought. Through each engagement we learned from our mistakes... and fought a type of Naval warfare that was new and untried. What we had was basically on the job training.

There were no ports or harbors that we could pull into and unload at our leisure... We had to land on beaches into areas that were mainly uncharted. With no facilities there that we could out to use to assist us. We were the ones who made all the landings... on all those beaches. We were the untrained soldiers who very quickly became skilled in the tasks that were given to us. Most of us didn't have the foggiest notion what to expect. Those of us that went to the Naval Training Schools learned our trade and were adept at it. But what we were to do and how we were to do it as members of the Amphibious Forces... only time would unfold this process before us... like I said... on the job training.

But, we soon became a part of a lean, mean, fighting machine. Point us in the direction you wanted us to go and we did the rest.

It took each and every one of us working together on each individual ship as a whole unit. We were the Amphibious Forces...and we got the job done. So what does it matter that we sometimes can remember all that we did and when. Without us, things surely would have turned out differently. That was a magnificent era of your life... you were part of something grand. Something that probably will never occur again.

We came from all walks of life...from every part of the States...from big metropolitan cities to small rural areas and farm lands... some quit school, as I did, to join... others finished high school and then joined. There were those in college who dropped out to enlist. The Navy was primarily a group of volunteers... they chose the Navy... they were a unique group of men. They were then and still are. Though memories are faded... in your hearts you know who you were and what you did. Knowing that will help each and every one of you through many a tough time as we walk through this life. Those were some of the greatest moments of your life. You did good!!!!

What are you? You are the product of all your life's experiences. Some of you, when you finally returned to what they called the life of a civilian again, went on back to school... some had definite plans as to what they wanted out of life. Some of you went back to jobs that you had before. Some of you farm boys and ranchers went back to what you new best. Most of us had no training in anything except as a part of the Amphibious Forces... Which we didn't find much demand for. Many went from one job to another trying to find the spot that fitted in best.

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