Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
1:37 | Alfred reveals how his ship would bombard the Pacific island beaches and defenses prior to the Marines landing.
Keywords : Naval artillery Amphibious Warfare
Alfred reveals how his ship would bombard the Pacific island beaches and defenses prior to the Marines landing.
Alfred explains his various roles upon ship, that of a Steward's Mate and Heavy Gun Loader.
Alfred discusses how his ship would fire upon Japanese ships that were out of sight. When the Japanese ships were hit, they lit up the night sky.
Alfred's ship was frequently attacked by Japanese Kamikaze planes, submarines and individual Japanese soldiers swimming up to the ship with explosive devices..
While Alfred's ship was anchored near Truk Lagoon in the Caroline Islands, a group of Japanese officers surrendered aboard his ship in early September 1945.
Alfred's ship, the USS Portland, is delayed from returning home due to its sister ships, the USS Indianapolis and USS Louisville being hit.
Alfred, while aboard ship, witnesses Marines attacking the beaches. Once an island was secured, he and other sailors were allowed to go ashore for recreation.
