Ralph Annibale

I was born on July 29, 1926 on Stanten Island, New York. I enlisted in July 1943 on Stanten Island and sworn in on August II, 1943 in New York City.  I went to boot camp at Newport, Rhode Island from August 12 to October 4, 1943. I attended Gunnery School in Camp Shetton, VA from October II to November 5, 1943. In November 9, 1943 until November 13, 1944, I was assigned to my first ship, John Louis Luckenbach, a Merchant Ship, in the capacity of The Armed Guard. The second ship I was assigned to was the U.S.S. Nassau. On board the Nassau I was assigned to the Flight Deck. At the time I came aboard we were a supply ship bringing engine parts to the different islands in the Pacific.  We also were a hospital and a troop ship.  On one occasion, we qualified pilots off the Island of Guam. The Nassau also crossed the Equator.