John L. Skiles

John L. Skiles

RCM1

I was born on February 26, 1922 in Santa Ana, California. Immediately after High School, on July 12, 1941, I joined the Navy for a six-year hitch. I went to Boot Camp in San Diego.

In September of 1941 I was transferred to the Lexington (CV-2) in Bremerton, Washington. I joined the Radar gang, 6th Division, until the "Lex" was sunk on May 8, 1942 and I returned to San Diego.

I was transferred to the U.S.S. Nassau (CVE-16) at Bremerton and I led the Radar gang. I served aboard for 2 years and became a RDM IC.

The next year I attended UCLA for V-12 Officer Training, and then was sent aboard the PCE 902, a weather ship, for 1-1/2 years. I was then transferred to the U.S.S. Katmai, an ammunition ship, until my discharge on July 12, 1947.

I was married in May of 1949, and lost my first wife in 1977. We had two sons together, from which I now have three grandchildren, including twins, a boy and a girl. I married my second wife in 1978 and lost her in 1982. I have been married to my present wife (#3) for 19 years, and still going.