Warren Dale Burkett on Getting Into the Navy
I was in the Navy from September 1943 to September 1946, plus 3 years in the Reserve. I spent most of my time on an aviation supply ship; however I wound up in various places including Tokyo.I was a radioman and thoroughly enjoyed the Navy. I do not remember too many painful things going on and those that did are not being mentioned. Was I in battles? Yes, at one time we were at Battle Stations for 50 hours and were lucky to get out alive. The first time I got out of the navy at Norman, OK, and the second time at Pier 90 in Seattle, WA. Getting into the Navy was the hard part. I had wanted and tried to join just as I was getting out of high school. They refused to take me because I was too heavy (260 lbs.). Finally they drafted me. I went to Fort Leavenworth where I passed my physical and an old Navy Capt. was telling men where they were going. He said, “Congratulations son, you’re in the army.” I said,” You can’t do that to me as I have a brother in the Army and he said the Navy isn’t worth a Damn.” The old Navy Captain said, “Congratulations son, you’re in the Navy,” and I was on my way to Farragut, Idaho for boot training. I fully intended to make a career out of the Navy but circumstances did not allow. Dale (8/13/1998)
Dale served on the USS Grumium in the Pacific during World War II. He participated in the battle of Okinawa.
I was in the Navy from September 1943 to September 1946, plus 3 years in the Reserve. I spent most of my time on an aviation supply ship; however I wound up in various places including Tokyo.I was a radioman and thoroughly enjoyed the Navy. I do not remember too many painful things going on and those that did are not being mentioned. Was I in battles? Yes, at one time we were at Battle Stations for 50 hours and were lucky to get out alive. The first time I got out of the navy at Norman, OK, and the second time at Pier 90 in Seattle, WA. Getting into the Navy was the hard part. I had wanted and tried to join just as I was getting out of high school. They refused to take me because I was too heavy (260 lbs.). Finally they drafted me. I went to Fort Leavenworth where I passed my physical and an old Navy Capt. was telling men where they were going. He said, “Congratulations son, you’re in the army.” I said,” You can’t do that to me as I have a brother in the Army and he said the Navy isn’t worth a Damn.” The old Navy Captain said, “Congratulations son, you’re in the Navy,” and I was on my way to Farragut, Idaho for boot training. I fully intended to make a career out of the Navy but circumstances did not allow. Dale (8/13/1998)
Dale served on the USS Grumium in the Pacific during World War II. He participated in the battle of Okinawa.
Warren Dale Burkett on Getting Into the Navy
I was in the Navy from September 1943 to September 1946, plus 3 years in the Reserve. I spent most of my time on an aviation supply ship; however I wound up in various places including Tokyo.I was a radioman and thoroughly enjoyed the Navy. I do not remember too many painful things going on and those that did are not being mentioned. Was I in battles? Yes, at one time we were at Battle Stations for 50 hours and were lucky to get out alive. The first time I got out of the navy at Norman, OK, and the second time at Pier 90 in Seattle, WA. Getting into the Navy was the hard part. I had wanted and tried to join just as I was getting out of high school. They refused to take me because I was too heavy (260 lbs.). Finally they drafted me. I went to Fort Leavenworth where I passed my physical and an old Navy Capt. was telling men where they were going. He said, “Congratulations son, you’re in the army.” I said,” You can’t do that to me as I have a brother in the Army and he said the Navy isn’t worth a Damn.” The old Navy Captain said, “Congratulations son, you’re in the Navy,” and I was on my way to Farragut, Idaho for boot training. I fully intended to make a career out of the Navy but circumstances did not allow. Dale (8/13/1998)
Dale served on the USS Grumium in the Pacific during World War II. He participated in the battle of Okinawa.
I was in the Navy from September 1943 to September 1946, plus 3 years in the Reserve. I spent most of my time on an aviation supply ship; however I wound up in various places including Tokyo.I was a radioman and thoroughly enjoyed the Navy. I do not remember too many painful things going on and those that did are not being mentioned. Was I in battles? Yes, at one time we were at Battle Stations for 50 hours and were lucky to get out alive. The first time I got out of the navy at Norman, OK, and the second time at Pier 90 in Seattle, WA. Getting into the Navy was the hard part. I had wanted and tried to join just as I was getting out of high school. They refused to take me because I was too heavy (260 lbs.). Finally they drafted me. I went to Fort Leavenworth where I passed my physical and an old Navy Capt. was telling men where they were going. He said, “Congratulations son, you’re in the army.” I said,” You can’t do that to me as I have a brother in the Army and he said the Navy isn’t worth a Damn.” The old Navy Captain said, “Congratulations son, you’re in the Navy,” and I was on my way to Farragut, Idaho for boot training. I fully intended to make a career out of the Navy but circumstances did not allow. Dale (8/13/1998)
Dale served on the USS Grumium in the Pacific during World War II. He participated in the battle of Okinawa.
