Leonard Guptil

SK1

I was born on a homestead in the eastern part of Montana on December 18, 1917. My parents took up land there in 1914. I was the 7th of eight children. We lived In a log house with a sod roof. There was no plumbing, electricity, telephone or central heating. Water was hauled in barrels from a spring about a mile away. You might say we were dirt poor. My Dad had attempted to dig several wells on the place, but never found water. In spite of the hardship, I thing we were a very happy family. Since there was no radio or television, in those days, we had to rely on ourselves for entertainment. I can remember all the family gathered In the living room while my Mother read aloud to us.

In 1924, due to drought conditions, we left Montana and moved to Oregon. In 1927, my folks were divorced and the family split up. My younger brother and I remained with our Mother, while the rest of the family, who were quite a bit older, went their various ways. The Depression came and times became very hard. I was passed back and forth between my Father, who had moved to the state of Washington, and my Mother. Part of the time, I worked for a neighbor for my room and board while I went to school. I finally finished high school and after a couple of years at various jobs, I decided to join the Navy.

On February 13, 1940 I enlisted at Portland, Oregon, and was sent to San Diego Naval Training Station. Following Basic Training, I was assigned to Radio School, but soon found I had no ear for taking Morse Code, and so was sent to the U.S.S. Dorsey, an old W.W. I destroyer for transport to Pearl Harbor. I was assigned to the U.S.S. Mississippi in July 1940. After a couple of months, as a Deck Hand, I asked for a transfer to the Supply Department as a Storekeeper. After completing the time requirements, I was promoted to 3rd Class. In May of 1941, the U.S.S. Mississippi was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet to the so-called "neutrality patrols" in the area between the east coast and Iceland.

On December 7, 1941, the U.S.S. Mississippi was in Hvalfjordur, Iceland. In January 1942, she was again transferred to the Pacific Fleet. In July, I was promoted to Storekeeper 1st class, and assigned to the U.S.S. Nassau. At that time the Nassau was being outfitted for duty in Bremerton, Washington. I was promoted to Chief Storekeeper in 1942. As Senior Storekeeper, it was my duty to order supplies for the ship, as there hadn't been a Supply Officer assigned. After the Nassau was considered seaworthy, we were assigned to transport planes to the South Pacific combat areas.

After the battle at Tarawa, due to medical reasons, I was transferred to the hospital, and returned to the states. After a six months stay in the hospital, I was transferred to Clearfield, Utah Naval Supply Depot. It was at Clearfield Naval Supply Depot that I met my wife, Lorayne, who was stationed there as a W.A.V.E.

After the Japanese surrender, I Was transferred to Glenwood Springs, Colorado Naval Hospital from where I was discharged on November 2,1945.

After a short stint at the naval Supply Depot in Oakland, California, we moved to Idaho and started to farm. After two years in Idaho, I leased land near Colfax, Washington and farmed there until 1968 when I sold out. During the time I was farming, I had also been employed at the Colfax Post Office. I eventually became Assistant Postmaster, and because of time restrictions I quit farming. I was assigned as Postmaster at Saint John, Washington in 1974. I worked there until I retired inseptember of 1978. Lorayne also worked for the Postal Service as a rural letter carrier after our children were in school. She retired in 1983, and since that time we have divided our time between Arizona and Washington. We have three children, two boys and one girl. All of our children have graduated from college. They alt worked to pay their own way through college. We have seven grandchildren, two adopted grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

We will celebrate our fifty-sixth wedding anniversary on July 31st of this year.