J. P. Binion

J. P. Binion

EM1

I was born on July 12, 1922, the third child of Arthur and lva Binion, at Pritchett, Texas, Upshur County. I graduated from Gladewater High School in 1941. I went to work for the Texas and Pacific Railroad in east Texas as an electrical lineman in the Signal Department.

In July 1942, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Tyler, Texas. I was accepted as a Third Class Electrician. After completing Boot Camp in San Diego, I was assigned to the aircraft carrier, The U.S.S. Nassau, in the E Division. My battle station was at the Electrical Control Board in the Engine Room. The U.S.S. Nassau was sent to the Pacific area. After six months, I was promoted to Second-Class Electrician; and after nine months, to First Class Electrician.

I was aboard the Nassau until September 1944, at which time I was transferred to the larger aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Saratoga, in Hawaii. I was in E Division and my battle station was at the Remote Control in the Engine Room. I served on the Saratoga during several battles in the Pacific. In the Battle of low Jim, we were hit by approximately four kamikazes, attacked and many torpedoes. There were approximately 400 sailors killed on the U.S.S. Saratoga, and many wounded. We returned to the United States for repairs at Bremerton, Washington.

After repairs to the Saratoga, I was transferred to San Diego and attended the Gyro Compass School in June. In September of 1945, the war ended and I received my discharge in San Diego. While the Saratoga was being repaired in Bremerton, I got leave, returned to Fort Worth and married Nell McKee on March 21, 1945. After I was discharged in September, we returned to Fort Worth to make our home.

I worked for Civil Service at Carswelt AFB as an Electrical Superintendent, and retired in 1979. Since retirement, I've operated a cattle ranch in Weatherford, Texas, where we now live. We raised three daughters and one son, who attended and graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. We have four granddaughters and four grandsons — six have graduated or are attending college, and two granddaughters are in high school.