Once upon a time
Random items from my past, present, and future.Sunday, May 22, 2005
Hansel Hawkins's Navy Service
I got some information from the National Personnel Records Center that indicate that Dad crossed the International Date Line on October 28, 1944, just four days before I was born. He was assigned to CUB 12, Unit 431, which was a Communications Unit put together for the purpose of the invasion of Leyte Island of the central Phillipine Islands. His record shows that he participated in the initial landing on Leyte Island on October 20, 1944. I found this webpage that lists some of the Operation Plan for the invastion of Leyte Island.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep/Leyte/OpPlan/13-44-K.html
I'm guessing Dad was assigned to one of the Radio Station Operating Bases listed under unit 431. That would mean that he went ashore to set up a radio station. He was listed as being assigned to CUB 12, Unit 431 from August 14, 1944 until December 21, 1944. He was assigned to Naval Station Navy 3149 from January 11, 1945 until November 15, 1945. I haven't yet found any information about this assignment. He was separated from the Navy on December 17, 1945.
A summary of his Service as shown in his offical records is:
Headquarters, Eighth Naval District fromDecember 9, 1942 until July 21, 1943. He enlisted on December 9, 1942 and went on active duty January 12, 1943. I guess he was assigned to the Eighth Naval District pending going on active duty. His ranks during this time period were AS & M-1 (whatever they mean).
RecSta., New Orleans, La. from July 20, 1943 through October 5, 1943. His rank was S2c.
NavTraScol, Pre-Radio, College Station, Texas from October 1943 through February 29, 1944. His rank was RM3c. Since February 1, 1944 is nine months before I was born, I assume I also spent a few days at College Station although I've never seen it.
USNABPD, San Bruno, California from March 5, 1944 through May 11, 1944. His rank was RM3c.
Comm. Scol. PhiTrainPac from May 12, 1944 through June 24, 1944. His rank was RM3c.
Comm Unit 43 from August 1, 1944 through August 11, 1944. His rank was RM3c.
Then CUB 12 and 3149 as mentioned above. His rank was RM3c (Radioman 3rd class). His discharge papers also show he held the temporary rank of Radioman 2nd class at the time of his discharge. Back then they gave temporary promotions to give a pay raise but you would go back to your permanent rank in the event of a reduction in the number of military people needed.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep/Leyte/OpPlan/13-44-K.html
I'm guessing Dad was assigned to one of the Radio Station Operating Bases listed under unit 431. That would mean that he went ashore to set up a radio station. He was listed as being assigned to CUB 12, Unit 431 from August 14, 1944 until December 21, 1944. He was assigned to Naval Station Navy 3149 from January 11, 1945 until November 15, 1945. I haven't yet found any information about this assignment. He was separated from the Navy on December 17, 1945.
A summary of his Service as shown in his offical records is:
Headquarters, Eighth Naval District fromDecember 9, 1942 until July 21, 1943. He enlisted on December 9, 1942 and went on active duty January 12, 1943. I guess he was assigned to the Eighth Naval District pending going on active duty. His ranks during this time period were AS & M-1 (whatever they mean).
RecSta., New Orleans, La. from July 20, 1943 through October 5, 1943. His rank was S2c.
NavTraScol, Pre-Radio, College Station, Texas from October 1943 through February 29, 1944. His rank was RM3c. Since February 1, 1944 is nine months before I was born, I assume I also spent a few days at College Station although I've never seen it.
USNABPD, San Bruno, California from March 5, 1944 through May 11, 1944. His rank was RM3c.
Comm. Scol. PhiTrainPac from May 12, 1944 through June 24, 1944. His rank was RM3c.
Comm Unit 43 from August 1, 1944 through August 11, 1944. His rank was RM3c.
Then CUB 12 and 3149 as mentioned above. His rank was RM3c (Radioman 3rd class). His discharge papers also show he held the temporary rank of Radioman 2nd class at the time of his discharge. Back then they gave temporary promotions to give a pay raise but you would go back to your permanent rank in the event of a reduction in the number of military people needed.
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