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STORIES Kenneth Anderson
| Charles C. Hinson My military service was with the U.S. Navy during World War II. I volunteered May 21, 1944 just 22 days after my 18th birthday. I was in boot camp at Camp Peary, Va., at the time of the invasion of France on June 6, 1944. After my training, I was sent to England to pick up my assignment, LST 508, in Southampton. This ship was home for me for almost a year while we ferried troops and other personnel across the English Channel. At times we would unload directly on the beach or at a dock. The LST, or Landing Ship Tanks, was a flat-bottomed vessel. It had two doors on the bow that opened up and a ramp lowered on which vehicles could be driven on and off the vessel. The LST could go to the beach, load or unload and reverse off the beach at high tide. Its flat bottom also allowed the LST to navigate most rivers. We made trips to Ostende, Belgium; Oslo, Norway; Hamburg, Germany; Rouen, France and other points along the French coast to pick up prisoners or injured U.S. soldiers and return them to England. I crossed the English Channel 35 times during my service in Europe. It was rough, especially in bad weather. On my trips to various cities and beaches, I could see the devastation, hardships and sorrow war could cause. After V-E Day, we left England with the 508, destination New York City. Crossing the Atlantic was very rough on an LST. We arrived in New York July 25, 1945. It was so good to see Miss Liberty and the USA. We went ashore, and the first thing I wanted was an ice cream cone. We only stayed in New York for a few days. We left for Norfolk that would be our home base in the states. From Norfolk, we made trips to Rhode Island, Jacksonville, Fla., and St. Louis. The trip to St. Louis was to have the 508 on public display in celebration of veterans’ appreciation. In February 1946, I was sent to Memphis, Tenn., to be discharged from the Navy. I returned to my hometown of Hohenwald, Tenn. I would not have traded anything for all my experiences in the Navy, but it was good to be home. Service to my country was a great and rewarding experience for an old country boy from Tennessee. I am proud to have been given the opportunity to serve my country in time of war. May God continue to bless America. |