Earl Lamb

Earl Lamb

RT2

I joined the Navy in April 1944. After Boot Camp at Great Lakes, I spent time in Gulfport, Mississippi and Navy Pier, Chicago learning how to operate and repair shipboard radio and radar equipment.

Between June and August 1944, my time was spent in various bases, camps, a troop transport to Pearl Harbor, and Fort Island to meet the U.S.S. Nassau.

I vividly remember the big celebration on August 13th in Pearl Harbor as the news that the Japs had accepted surrender terms.

Between August 21, 1945 and arrival at Tacoma, Washington on May 16, 1946, the Nassau covered 65,000 nautical miles (at 17 knots) ferrying planes, and Navy and Marine personnel between the states, Pearl Harbor, Guam, Okinawa, Tsingtao China and the Philippines. My memories include typhoon winds between Guam and Okinawa, loosing an anchor at midnight and colliding with a PC in Okinawa harbor, and a visit to the U.S.S. Missouri in Pearl Harbor.

In December 1945, three Radio (Electronics) Technicians: Bowe, Van Blooys and VanderMuelen, had enough points to be transferred off for discharge, and Goodwin, Stringfellow, and Lamb were left to fill their expert shoes.

On March 21, Art Stringfellow was married in a church in Glendale, California, attended by his Radio II buddies.

In May 1946, the Nassau left San Diego and Alameda for the last time, proceeding sadly up the coast to Todd Shipyards in Tacoma, Washington for decommissioning. A train trip back to Great Lakes, discharge on May 28, and a welcome home followed.

During the following two years, I finished my electrical engineering studies, and met and married Dotty. Our family consists of a daughter, two sons, and nine grandchildren.

Looking back, it was an interesting time, but certainly many shipmates have stories of much greater interest. I have enjoyed immensely hearing some of these tales at each of the reunions over the past twelve years, and having the opportunity to renew many old friendships.