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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Navy Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
RM2 Vincent Verdolini, US Navy (1943-1951)
WHAT PERSUADED YOU TO JOIN THE SERVICE?
 My father traveled from Italy with my godfather in 1917 through Ellis Island. They both joined the Army during the World War II era. My older brother served as an Army medic during World War II. But, I actually wanted to join the Navy since 1937 when my pop took me to a Philadelphia Navy yard, and took me aboard ships. That did it for me. I was eleven years old at the time. I wanted to join the Navy as soon as I could, but was only sixteen when the war started, so I had to wait a year.
BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH IN THE SERVICE?
I was a Radioman. I treasure my time in the service. I made dear friends, and lost many more.
I told both of my boys that when they joined the Navy, to never write a girl back home. They asked me why. I told them that when my enlistment ended, I went home to find out that I was engaged to three different women. I didn't even know it. I immediately ran to the nearest recruiter’s office and re-upped.
Seriously though, as I get older I think that it is important for the stories of World War II to be passed down. We are losing World War II Veterans at an ever increasing number. I encourage everyone that has a World War II Veteran in their family to sit down with them & get their story before it is too late. This is why I started a website called The Navy's Vanishing Generation.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
The date was March 11th,1945 at Ulithi Atoll, in the Western Carolines. The USS Randolph (CV-15) was anchored there and Task Force 58 was getting ready for the Okinawa Campaign.
I had just gotten off watch in Radio 1, up in the island structure. It was 20:00 hours, (8 PM). I went down onto the flight deck. I would normally walk aft to Radio 3, my battle station, where I slept, because it was cooler. Radio 3 was just under the flight deck, on the starboard side above the fantail.
Before I started aft, I heard music from the movie playing on the hangar deck. They were playing the Polonaise, and I liked that song, so I went down the ladder to the hangar deck, stood at the rear, until 20:07.
When the movie ended, I started to walk aft on the hangar deck toward Radio 3. Suddenly, there was a tremendous explosion from the rear of the hangar deck, and a brilliant, white flash. It threw me backwards and knocked me down. I was not hurt. I picked myself up and saw men lying all around, wounded, and bleeding. They called Battle Stations, and I spoke to a Marine Lieutenant, telling him that my battle station was in flames. I asked him if I should go up to Radio 1. He said no, that I needed to help push the planes out of the fire and help the wounded.
We still did not know what had happened. I helped for a while pushing planes forward, and then a Pharmacist Mate [corpsman] told two of us to help him with some wounded guys. We then found out that a twin engine Japanese suicide plane had hit us right between Radio 3 and Radio 5. The white flash we saw was a 2000 lb. bomb exploding. Everyone back there was dead. If I had not stopped to listen to the music, I would have been back there too. All I got was a bruised backside, and flash burn.
I will never forget that night, when I stopped to listen to music. That stop delayed me from getting back to Radio 3, probably listening to Tokyo Rose or writing letters, when the plane crashed into us. When we got into Radio 3 after the fires were out, the place was completely burned out. We could not even identify the guys in there.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU...AND WHY?
 Captain Gallery, Skipper of the USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) by far had more impact on me than anyone. I was seventeen years old and hunting U-Boats and being a radio man was in CIC [Combat Information]. I listened to him talking to other officers, and just liked him. When I was standing next to him, he called "Away Boarders" when we captured U-505. I was listening to him and watching him. He impressed me so much. He was my first Hero
DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULARLY FUNNY STORY FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Ask for one, I’ll give you a few. In 1946 when I re-enlisted, I was in Rome, Italy. I met a beautiful Italian gal. We roamed around the city all day. She took me home to meet her family. Well, the first thing her mom said was, “Vincenzo, you give Maria a baby, and we will all go to America.” I excused myself to go to bathroom. I had noticed that the window in there opened up on a fire escape. So I went down the fire escape and the only thing they had of mine, was my hat.
Another story . . . it was day 102 of operations with the fleet off Okinawa. It was a really tough time.
When General Quarters sounded, we had four minutes to get to our Battle Station before they locked the Zebra doors. Seven of us Radiomen and Signalmen were running through Officer’s Country, which was okay only for running to your battle station.
Well, we did not get there in time, and were locked in. The Essex class carriers had 200 guns, 5 inch, 40mm, and 20mm, all going like mad. The 1MC [1 Main Circuit is the term for the shipboard public address circuits on naval vessels of the United States.] was squaking like mad and loud too. It was announcing “Bogies diving on the Task group”, “Splash one bogie’ and the like. [Bogies are unidentifiable and possibly enemy aircraft]
We would jump up and down, yelling, “Woohoo! Go get ‘em!” Suddenly an officer came in, saying, “What is all the  commotion?” We wondered what kind of nut he was. Then he said, “You are all on report. What are your names?” We couldn’t believe this guy was trying to put us on report in the middle of a battle, so we gave him the normal fake names such as Kilroy, Shakespeare, or whatever we could think of. He did not go for that. So he got our names off our skivvies.
Two days later, we were in a humongous storm and there was no threat of battle stations that morning. The seven of us had to go to Executive Officers Mast. He had us for gambling and having a conversation in Officers Country. I told the Executive Officer that we had no dice nor cards, but to no avail. Each of us received seven liberty days restriction. We only got a liberty day once every two or three months, when there wasn’t much going on.
We would pull into a small island, like MogMog at Ulithi, our fleet anchorage. The officers would call it a beer party; but it was actually more like Grog Grog. We would have 2% beer, green beer, or almost beer, not quite beer. But at least we had our feet on the ground.
We never could go swimming because the coral reefs were nasty and would cut your feet when you walked on it. At that time, penicillin had just come out. We had very little of it and what we did have went for emergencies only.
So, our punishment meant that we were not going to have a liberty for about a year.
Later, we found out that the officer was a ‘Mustang,’ meaning an enlisted that had gone up through the ranks to officer. We knew other ‘Mustangs.’ Of course they were officers, so there was no buddy business. But they weren’t like other officers. These other mustangs were nice. They always said “Good morning”, etc. There was no buddy buddy talk, just nice guys. What made things worse, was we found out this particular mustang was a Pilot!
The crew always knew what place our guys were bombing, but we never knew what they were after. That was a nunya - none of your business. But, when the pilots came back from their strikes, they would always tell their air crew workers about their ‘adventures’ as they would call it. Their tales spread through the ship like wildfire. But we enjoyed hearing them, so we liked the pilots. We couldn’t understand why this one pilot decided that we deserved to be written up. He was a ‘Throw Back.’
 They gave us a USO show with Dennis Day and Jackie Cooper. Then our skipper got on the 1MC and said for every division [ie radiomen were K1, signalmen K2, etc.] who had 100% war bonds, would have a real liberty on Tacloban Island.
He also said that we would see Filipino girls. I hadn’t seen a girl in long time.
Well, the seven of us told the Communications Officer that K1 and K2 would not be going on liberty. We would not buy an $18.50 war bond since we were restricted anyway. The Communications Officer said he would be right back. He came back and told us that all records were purged! So finally, we all went on a real liberty, but they lied! There was not a Filipino girl within fifty miles. Needless to say, we did eventually get even with that mustang airdale who got us restricted.
And the last one, not really funny, but worth the telling. The battle for Okinawa was finally over and the lucky ships got to go back to Leyte Gulf to get ready for the ‘Invasion of Japan.’
There we were anchored, with ammo barges all around us, bombs all over our hangar deck, guys lying all over flight deck, getting sun tans because we had no kamikaze to worry about.
Then here come two Army P-38 fighter planes. I can just imagine what they were thinking. It was probably something like “Oh  there is a carrier. Let’s go practice.” WRONG!
They had to see our Baker pennant hoisted, a red flag which means “fueling”, or “ammo” stay away! Also they couldn’t help but see the bomb barges all around us.
One of the planes made a dive, and started showing off. He tried to do a roll, but missed and hit us forward on the flight deck, going right across taking our planes and fifteen of my shipmates over the side. The Captain told us to shoot the other one down. After the first few shots were fired, he sure took off over the jungle. Just wonder what kind of ‘adventure’ he told his aircraft crew and his CO.
We wound up with a big hole in the flight deck and luckily the concussion from the air crash didn’t blow up our bombs on the hangar deck. We were repaired and back in service in one week.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
 I am now retired. I volunteer as a tour guide at Patriots Point Naval Museum, in the Charleston Harbor. I do enjoy taking people on tours and passing on our Navy history.
The things I remember the most about the Navy is camaraderie, loyalty, and discipline. I found friends in the Navy that you find nowhere else. I guess we formed a closer bond because we never knew from one day to the next if we would survive the day or not. It saddens me to think that most of my friends are gone now.
HOW HAS SERVING IN THE US NAVY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU NOW APPROACH YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
 I grew up fast, and learned that those kids were giving their lives for our Country. Additionally, it taught me honesty, integrity & loyalty. I passed that onto my kids.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL CURRENTLY SERVING?
What would I tell today’s guys and gals who are serving? Well I would tell them thanks for taking over the helm to protect the country and to be careful. The inmates run the asylum in D.C. and we were lucky. D.C. watched over us! They don't today.
HOW HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU TO MAINTAIN A BOND WITH THE SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
Together We Served has helped me to find people who may not have been shipmates at the time, but who feel the way I feel. Actually, I feel that no matter when they served or on what ship, I feel they are still my shipmates.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact the Diane Ruth, TWS Military Heritage Director HERE.
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My father traveled from Italy with my godfather in 1917 through Ellis Island. They both joined the Army during the World War II era. My older brother served as an Army medic during World War II. But, I actually wanted to join the Navy since 1937 when my pop took me to a Philadelphia Navy yard, and took me aboard ships. That did it for me. I was eleven years old at the time. I wanted to join the Navy as soon as I could, but was only sixteen when the war started, so I had to wait a year.
not hurt. I picked myself up and saw men lying all around, wounded, and bleeding. They called Battle Stations, and I spoke to a Marine Lieutenant, telling him that my battle station was in flames. I asked him if I should go up to Radio 1. He said no, that I needed to help push the planes out of the fire and help the wounded. 
Captain Gallery, Skipper of the USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) by far had more impact on me than anyone. I was seventeen years old and hunting U-Boats and being a radio man was in CIC [Combat Information]. I listened to him talking to other officers, and just liked him. When I was standing next to him, he called "Away Boarders" when we captured U-505. I was listening to him and watching him. He impressed me so much. He was my first Hero
commotion?” We wondered what kind of nut he was. Then he said, “You are all on report. What are your names?” We couldn’t believe this guy was trying to put us on report in the middle of a battle, so we gave him the normal fake names such as Kilroy, Shakespeare, or whatever we could think of. He did not go for that. So he got our names off our skivvies.
They gave us a USO show with Dennis Day and Jackie Cooper. Then our skipper got on the 1MC and said for every division [ie radiomen were K1, signalmen K2, etc.] who had 100% war bonds, would have a real liberty on Tacloban Island.
there is a carrier. Let’s go practice.” WRONG!
I am now retired. I volunteer as a tour guide at Patriots Point Naval Museum, in the Charleston Harbor. I do enjoy taking people on tours and passing on our Navy history.
I grew up fast, and learned that those kids were giving their lives for our Country. Additionally, it taught me honesty, integrity & loyalty. I passed that onto my kids.
