William Kyer

William Kyer

I enlisted in the United States Navy at Newport, Rhode Island on October 8, 1941, and retired on November 17, 1945 at Washington, D.C.

All my service was in the South Pacific. I served on three different ships. The first ship was the U.S.S. Atlanta; the second, was LCI Number 1057; and, the third, the U.S.S. Nassau. I was engaged in several battles, from the Coral Sea to lwo Jima.

After my discharge from the Navy, I signed up in the U.S. Army, and was a Sergeant from April 1948 to 1964. I still have my Navy and Army uniforms, and I was very proud and honored to wear them.

I was a Gunners Mate on the Nassau. We had a great crew, and we trained pilots, on carrier landing, off of San Diego. One incident I remember welt was during Flight Operations. A plane had lost its tail hook, crashed into the bridge and kilted a Nassau shipmate. His burial was at sea.

I also have a plaque signed by FOR. It is as precious as a brick of gold to me. I get very emotional when I think of my memories on board the U.S.S. Nassau.

My wife, Grace, and I have been married for 56 years.