On June 29, 1942 Dad, who was now
19 years old, enlisted in the US Navy. While on leave from his basic training
in August, Dad met his future wife at Kennywood Amusement Park in
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. "Blondie", as she was called, caught Dad's
eye and their romance began. During his short time home Dad
visited Blondie on several occasions by combining a trip on the trolley
from Braddock with a walk to her home in Baldwin. After his initial
training in Newport, RI, Dad went to Cooks and Bakers School in Algiers
(New Orleans), Louisiana from August - December 1942.
After graduation from Cooks and Bakers School, he served as a ship's
cook aboard the Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) (L) 229, for the Flotilla
Two Staff (pool), and the LCI (L) 35 where he participated in 3 major
invasions including, Salerno, Anzio and Normandy.
After his ship was decommissioned in November 1944, he returned to
the States where he married his sweetheart "Blondie" in January 1945.
He finished his military service in Washington, DC in October 1945.
STAN AND FRIEND GIBBY
Photo taken in August 1942 shortly after enlistment
