Earl L. Morris

Earl L. Morris

I was born at Leipsic, Ohio on October 25, 1924. I graduated Leipsic High School in June 1943.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Toledo, Ohio on September 1943; attended Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Base which was followed by two weeks in an O.G.U. In December 1943 I was transferred to the University of Illinois for 14 weeks of training in Communications. On March 11, 1944 I married Margie Baker, and on March 20th I was transferred to Shoemaker, California. On April 1; 1944, I went aboard the U.S.S. Nassau at Alameda Naval Base.

"Looking back, life aboard the Nassau was not that bad. The anxiety everyday, and being separated from my new wife was the difficult part." The excitement of launching and landing aircraft was always thrilling.

Being in "K" Division and on the Bridge most of the time, I always knew what was taking place. Being unable to sleep below deck, I spent as many as 18 hours per day on the Bridge and Flag Bag area.

Three outstanding memories are when I met my twin brother in the Philippine Islands. Anger was the crossing of the Equator and the visit of Day Jones locker. The last was the typhoon we experienced.

I left the Nassau on December 5, 1945, and returned to Shoemaker, California where I was discharged from service on December 7,1945.

Margie and I had 3 children: Scott, who was an attorney, lost his life in an auto accident in march 1995; James has been a teacher and football coach for 30 years; and Cynthia Is also a teacher. We also have 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. "Life and God has been good to us."