Robert Gerald DeVries

 

Birth date

October 19, 1925  Chicago, Illinois

Age they entered the service

 

18 years & 42 days

Hometown

Roseland, Illinois

Branch of the service

U.S. Navy

Rank

Yeoman 2nd class

Name of their unit

U.S.S. Oconto (APA 187, U.S.S. Comet (APA 166)

When they served

Enlisted December 1, l943 - Discharged June 13, 1946

Where did you serve?

Farragut, Idaho (Boot Camp)

USNTS San Diego,  California (Class A School)

USNS Seaside Oregon (Commissioning Detail)

U.S.S. Oconto (APA l87) Plank owner

U.S.S. Comet (APA l66) Logged approximately 80,000 miles, at sea.

 

Did you enlist or were you drafted

Enlisted

How did you feel about going to war

At the time, everyone I knew was entering some branch of the military.

Some members of my senior class enlisted before graduation. I was not

anxious to go to war but I felt I had to do my duty.

Did you have any family members that went to war. If so, did they survive?

A number of my cousins, on both sides of my family enlisted or were

drafted into the Army, Navy, and Marines.  Fortunately, although some

were wounded in action, they all survived to return home. My younger

brother was sworn in early in the month of August just before the

Japanese surrender.

Were you ever wounded? How and where?

I was never wounded.  However, I had three very disagreeable encounters

with food poisoning and to this day I rarely eat ham.

Did you receive any medals?

American Campaign Medal

Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal w/ one star*

World War II Victory Medal

Navy Occupation Service Medal w Asia Clasp

China Service Medal

Philippine Liberation Medal

A serviceman was eligible for this medal after participating in any

action against the enemy. A star was added for each additional action

he/she participated in.

Do you have a war story you would like to tell?

While anchored in an island harbor in the Philippines, one morning I

felt some kind of concussion on the hull of the ship. Along with

everyone else I rushed topside to see what had occurred.  Not too far

from the ship were a couple of small boats and the men were paddling

around that area recovering fish that were floating on the surface.

When they had them all, we saw a man heave something 30-40 yards out and

shortly felt the concussion again and saw the water erupt. They were

fishing with hand grenades!! They gathered up all the fish and headed for

shore. I’m sure every one in that village had a good meal that day.

 

What was your reaction when you found out the war was over?

 

My ship was part of a large fleet that was gathering in Seattle,

Washington, for the eminent landing on Japan.  I was overjoyed that the

war was over but probably more relieved that anything else.

What was the most frightening event of the war for you?

After the landing in Lingayen Gulf, the Philippines we were scheduled to

steam out in convoy with other attack transports and a destroyer escort.

Unfortunately our anchor winch malfunctioned and we could not lift up

our anchor.  The convoy sailed without us.

The next day our winch repaired the anchor was retrieved.  However, the

only ships sailing out of the harbor were LST’s (Landing Ship-tanks) and

we were to sail with them.

We had word that the convoy we should have gone with had been attacked

by Kamikaze

planes. We were 20 times bigger than an LST so we knew we’d be the

target if any Japanese planes showed up.  We made it and never saw any

planes or ships. Later we learned that the convoy that followed us had

been Kamakazied.

What was the most cherished memory of the war for you?

I think I cherish the fact that I never was personally responsible for

the injury or death of an enemy soldier or sailor.  As part of the crew

of my ship we delivered soldiers, weapons and gun fire against the

enemy.

 

Do you have regrets about your service in World War II?

At the time I was not happy that two and half years were gone but as

time passed I realized that I had seen a lot of the world, met people

from all over the country and with the G.I. Bill was able to enter and

complete my college education.

 

How do you feel about America today?

I am proud of my country and am glad I had the opportunity to serve. I

think every young man and young woman should serve, in some capacity,

not necessarily in the military.  Somewhere away from home where they

can gain some useful experience and see how other people in this county

live.

How do you feel about the war on terrorism?

I regret that we are engaged in this war against terrorism but we cannot

let anyone dictate our way of life.  We have worked and fought too long

and hard to give in to anyone now.

Too many servicemen and women and civilians have sacrificed their lives

for us to quit now.

How do you feel about the World War II monument finally being built in Washington D.C.?

 

I think that the monument is probably long overdue