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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Destroyer Escort Sailors Association Garden State Chapter Oral Histories

Dates: 2002-2003

This collection contains copies of transcripts of oral histories collected by students in a Monmouth University oral history course.  They interviewed veterans who were members of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association Garden State Chapter.  The veterans served onboard destroyer escorts during World War II and the Korean War.

Acer, John
Date of Interview: 23 November 2002
Interviewer: Harow, Laurie Beth
Topics Discussed: John Acer served in Navy in World War II.  He served as a Sonarman in the following areas: American, European, and North African Theaters.

Bulwicz, Leonard
Date of Interview: 12 November 2002
Interviewer: Greene, Thomas
Topics Discussed: Leonard Bulwicz served in World War II.  He served in the Pacific Ocean and was discharged with a rank of Quartermaster Third Class, USN. Discussed Pearl Harbor attack, Kamikaze, an average day on a destroyer, segregated ships, life after the war, and using the GI Bill and the draft.

Capraun, Edward
Date of Interview: 16 November 2002
Interviewer: Greene, Thomas
Topics Discussed: Edward Capraun served in World War II.  He served in the Pacific Ocean and was discharged with the rank of Ship Fitter Third Class. He talks about Pearl Harbor, life on a Destroyer Escort, segregation in the Navy, and about his life after WWII.

Davis, Martin
Date of Interview: 14 November 2002
Interviewer: Ciminiello, Christopher
Topics Discussed: Martin Davis served in World War II and Korean War. He served in the following areas: Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. He was discharged with the rank of Pharmacist Mate Third Class. Joined the Coast Guard. He talks life on Navy destroyer escort. 

Graybeal, David M.
Date of Interview: 18 November 2002
Interviewer: Hanley, Tom
Topics Discussed: David M. Graybeal served in World War II.  He served in the following areas: the Atlantic Ocean and the Port of Gibraltar. He was discharged with the rank of lieutenant.  He was an assistant engineering officer and supply officer. He talks about German U-boats and about the Panama Canal.

Hendricks, Ellwood
Date of Interview: 7 December 2002
Interviewer: Sicignano, Joseph
Topics Discussed: Ellwood Hendricks served in World War II.  Went to North Africa and served on a destroyer. Talks about being in the Mediterranean, about Pearl Harbor, life on ship, and life after he was discharged.

Hickey, Norman W.
Date of Interview: 7 December 2002
Interviewer: Lotito, Michael
Topics Discussed: Norman W. Hickey served in WW II. He served in the following areas:  North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Pacific Ocean, and the China Sea. He was discharged with rank of Gunners mate 2nd class. He discussed his ship the USS GEORGE W. INGRAM (DE-52), Pearl Harbor attack, GI Bill, and when Truman became President.

Higbee, Samuel
Date of Interview: 21 November 2002
Interviewer: Norelli, Chisty
Topics Discussed: Samuel Higbee served in the Korean War. He served in the following areas:  U.S. Naval hospital in Philadelphia, U.S. Marine Corps in Korea, USS WILLIAM SEIVERLING (DE-441) in Japan, South China Sea, and the Korean Sea.  He was discharged with the rank of hospital corps men third class.  He talks about segregation and Presidents Truman and Eisenhower.

Holmgren, Frank
Date of Interview: 15 December 2002
Interviewer: Salisbury, Tiffanie
Topics Discussed: Frank Holgren served in the Navy from March 1942 to December 1945.  He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters of war and was discharged with the rank of Gunner's Mate Third Class. He served on the USS JUNEAU (CL-52) and was onboard the day it was hit 13 November 1942.

Irwin, William
Date of Interview: 27 November 2002
Interviewer: Kozlowski, Melissa
Topics Discussed: William Irwin served in World War II. He served in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters onboard the USS SPANGLER (DE-696). He was discharged with the rank of Chief Machinists Mate. He talks about life onboard the ship, V-mail and censored mail.

Jackson, Harry
Date of Interview: 9 December 2002
Interviewer: Lotito, Michael
Topics Discussed: Harry Jackson served in World War II.  He served in the following areas:  the Pacific Ocean and the Marshal Islands, the South Pacific and the Philippines.  He served on the USS WILLIAM C. COLE (DE-641). He was discharged with the rank of Quartermaster third class.  He talks about Pearl Harbor and his visit to Pearl Harbor.

Johnk, Otto
Date of Interview: 25 November 2002
Interviewer: Hanley, Tom
Topics Discussed: Otto Johnk served before and during the Korean War.  He served in the following areas:  the Atlantic Ocean.  He served on the USS FRANCIS M. ROBINSON (DE-220). He talks about living in Nazi Germany, his father's service in World War I and having spent a year and half as a French POW.

Johnson, Augustus P.
Date of Interview: 29 November 2002
Interviewer: Minton, Thomas
Topics Discussed: Augustus P. Johnson served in the Navy during World War II. Mr. Johnson served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters of the War and was discharged with the rank of Boatswains Mate, 2nd Class. 

Jones, Robert H.
Date of Interview: 20 November 2002
Interviewer: Nardiello, Steven
Topics Discussed: Robert H. Jones served in the Navy in World War II.  He served in the Mediterranean and convoys to Africa.  Mr. Jones served on the USS CARROLL (DE-171) and as a signalman.

Krupinski, Stephen
Date of Interview: 13 December 2002
Interviewer: Nardiello, Steven
Topics Discussed: Steven Krupinski served in Korean War. He served in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean and was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.  Mr. Krupinski joined the Reserve Officers Candidate Program. He served on the USS BLAIR (DE-147).

Lambruschini, Stephen
Date of Interview: 28 July 2002
Interviewer: Raimo, Jennifer
Topics Discussed: Mr. Conrad Lambruschini served in World War II. He served in the South Pacific. Mr. Lambruschini was an Engineer in the Navy. He talks about segregation in the Navy and Presidents Roosevelt and Truman.

Lampe, John
Date of Interview: 16 November 2002
Interviewer: Norelli, Chisty
Topics Discussed: John Lampe served in World War II. He served in the following areas:  The North and South Atlantic, Sicily, Africa, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and was discharged with the rank of third class radioman. Mr. Lampe talks about Pearl Harbor, life ship, V-Mail, and segregation. He also talks about Presidents Roosevelt and Truman.

Lovett, Charles
Date of Interview: 21 November 2002
Interviewer: Kozlowski, Melissa
Topics Discussed: Charles Lovett served in World War II.  He served in the European Theater, Mediterranean Sea, North Africa, The Pacific Ocean, the Philippines and Manchuria. Mr. Lovett served on the USS MCNULTY (DE-581) and earned two bronze stars, one for service in the Mediterranean and the other for service during the invasion of Philippines. He was discharged with the rank of Seaman First Class. 

Marker, Alfred
Date of Interview: 2 December 2002
Interviewer: Ciminiello, Christopher
Topics Discussed: Alfred Marker served in World War II. He had his naval training in Newport, Rhode Island. He served in the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Marker was a Radio Operator and was assigned to the "USS Neversail," a nickname for the landlocked training ship USS RECRUIT (TDE-1). He was discharged with the rank of Third Class Petty Officer. He talks about the war in Europe and his feelings on Pearl Harbor, Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, and segregation in the Navy.   

Maroukis, Manuel
Date of Interview: 19 November 2002
Interviewer: Popowich, Tina
Topics Discussed: Manuel Maroukis served in World War II.  He served in the European, Asiatic Pacific, and Philippines.  Mr. Maroukis served on the USS WISEMAN (DE-667).  He was discharged with the rank of Coxswain 3rd Class. He talked about getting drafted, his typical day in boot camp in Bainbridge, Maryland, and about Presidents Roosevelt and Truman.

Miller, Edward A.
Date of Interview: 14 November 2002
Interviewer: Popowich, Trina
Topics Discussed: Mr. Edward A. Miller served in World War II.   He served in the South Pacific aboard the USS SWEARER (DE-186). Mr. Miller worked in gunfire control. He was discharged with the rank of seaman first class. 

Mitchell, James R.
Date of Interview: 3 November 2002
Interviewer: Sicignano, Joseph
Topics Discussed: Mr. James R. Mitchell served in World War II.  He was a petty officer third class with a radarman striker.  Mr. Mitchell served on the USS ROCHE (DE-197).  He served in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific and talks about his trips across to Europe and his jobs as a radar man.

Papa, Jerry
Date of Interview: 28 November 2002
Topics Discussed: Mr. Jerry Papa served in the Army three years.  Mr. Papa had training in Medical Department.  His first assignment was Camp Landing Florida, the station hospital.  His overseas assignment was in England.  He crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth I.  Mr. Papa was discharged a private first class. 

Robinson, Ken
Date of Interview: 15 November 2002
Interviewer: Raimo, Jennifer
Topics Discussed: Ken Robinson served in World War II.   Mr. Robinson received gunnery school training. He served in the Atlantic Ocean onboard SS Catalina, USS JANSSEN (DE-396), and USS WISCONSIN (BB-64). He was discharged with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Seelig, Frederick
Date of Interview: 25 November 2002
Interviewer: Minton, Thomas
Topics Discussed: Mr. Frederick Seelig served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.  He served on Midway Island, was a veteran of Pearl Harbor attack, and served in the Guadalcanal campaign. He also served in the Solomon Islands campaign.  He was discharged from the United State Marine Corps with the rank of Captain

Soriano, Pelligrino “Bill”
Date of Interview: 3 August 2002
Interviewer: Greene, Thomas
Topics Discussed: Mr. Pelligrino Soriano served in World War II.  He served in the North Atlantic Theater and the Pacific theater. He was trained in diesel engine training. Mr. Soriano served aboard the USS JANSSEN (DE-396) and talks about sinking the USS DAVIS.

Tallau, Edward
Date of Interview: 15 November 2002
Interviewer: Raimo, Jennifer
Topics Discussed: Mr. Edward Tallau served in World War II. He served in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He was discharged with the rank of Electrician's Mate Second Class. Mr. Tallau talks about Presidents Roosevelt and Truman.

Tiedeman, Howard
Date of Interview: 21 November 2002
Interviewer:
Topics Discussed: Mr. Howard Tiedeman served in the Navy for nine years.  He served in World War II and Korean War. Mr Tiedeman served in the Pacific Theater and European Theater.  

Villanella, Joseph
Date of Interview: 28 November 2002
Interviewer: Yirce, William
Topics Discussed: Mr. Joseph Villanella served in World War II.  He served in the Atlantic Ocean.  Mr. Villanella served on the USS CHATELAIN (DE-149).  He was discharged with the rank of Radarman second class.  He talks about the capture of a German submarine off the coast of northwest coast of Africa and segregation in the Navy.

White, Edwin
Date of Interview: 9 December 2002
Interviewer: Harow, Laurie Beth
Topics Discussed: Mr. Ed White served in World War II.  He attended storekeeper school and was assigned to USS COOLBAUGH (DE-217).  He served in the South Pacific Theater. He was discharged with the rank of Storekeeper 2nd class.  He talks about segregation on the ship.

Published: Mon Mar 22 11:11:02 EDT 2021