Personal Data

  • William S. Goldman
  • Retired Lieutenant Commander
  • Tulane NROTC
  • Class of 1942
  • BS Civil Engineering
  • Tulane University

Historical Events

  • WWII, Battle of Mid-Way
  • WWII, Invasion of Guadalcanal
  • WWII, Battle of Santa Cruz

Assignments / Engagements

  • Battle of Mid-Way ship was damaged and had to be taken to Pearl Harbor to get repaired
  • Was hit by 3 Japanese torpedoes on the starboard side of the ship in the Battle of Santa Cruz; was working in the damage control station
  • Became a part of the Task Force 65 which was composed of all different types of ships
  • Transfer to new construction on USS Oakland (CL-95) ended his time in the war
  • Sent to the first damage control school in Philadelphia then the USS Randolph (CV-15) a brand new carrier
  • After the war ended, was transferred from the damage control department to navigation department where he had to be re-qualified as an officer of the deck
  • Made the decision to stay in the military when everyone else around him was getting out: went into the construction business and finished his 20 years in the military
  • After retirement he did 30 years in the Naval Reserve

Other Notable Content

  • Detailed and rich accounts of experiences in Tulane University’s Naval ROTC Plank Class.
  • Noteworthy anecdotes from time served at Paris Island MAS.
  • Interesting insight into service on the home front during World War II.

Prepared by MIDN 4/C Goldston Class of 2014

Tulane Naval ROTC Alumni Association

Where the past meets the present and beyond.