Grandpa died in March 2024 at age 97. He didn't talk much about his Naval service. His V-J Day letter was the most fulsome description of his military time that my family has. So I dove in. That's what happens when you hand a reporter and history major a primary source document.
His letter has a detailed description of life on board the USS William P. Biddle in the final two months of the war, sailing from San Francisco across the Pacific for the final operations in the Philippines.
Doing research, I found information on the lone time Grandpa saw combat. The Biddle was attacked in the Philippines in Jan. 1945 by enemy aircraft. Seven months later in the same waters, the officers threw the crew an on-shore social. “I had all of four cans of beer.” Whatever you say, Grandpa.
I thought I was done writing a relatively brief and dry -- but new to me -- family history. Then my dad and I found another letter. Grandpa was on board staring down peacetime. And a new world.
So this is it -- "The great day" 80 years later. I hope you'll give it read. And this is my newsletter, which I seldom use, but a good way to keep in touch on important/interesting things if you don't spend a ton of time on social media. Thanks for following along. /🧵
lovely, and such an important reminder of the real world thanks for sharing it