WWII

Personal Data Conrad Meyer III, USN Tulane Naval ROTC Class of 1942 Commissioned June 1942 Louisiana Native Historical Events World War II, Pacific Theater Assignments / Engagements Commissioned upon graduation in June 1942. Served aboard USS Monssen (DD 436) as a gunnery officer. During Mr. Meyer's service aboard Monssen, and within months following his commissioning, the Monssen was operating in the Pacific Theater, spending 3 months in the area of Guadalcanal and Tulagi, supporting the US Navy's giant amphibious landing.  During its course, in the Battle of Savo Island, three US heavy cruisers and one allied cruiser were lost. [...]

Personal DataJames L. Mcconnell, USNTulane Naval ROTC Class of 1944BS in Geology from Tulane University, 1948Commissioned 1942Historical EventsWorld War IIAssignments / EngagementsAtlantic Theater:Was assigned to a ship in the north Atlantic whose mission was mine sweeping but was there for only two months.Went to Miami anti-sub school to learn how to use sonar for two months.Then was moved to Key West to instruct other officers on submarine warfare if the attack came to the States.Next he was stationed to Columbia University to teach Midshipmen about Navigation for a year and did not enjoy it.Pacific Theater:He tried to apply for submarine [...]

Personal Data Spalding Kenan Manson, JR, LT, USN Tulane Naval ROTC Class of 1942 BS Civil Engineering Commissioned 1942 Historical Events World War II, Atlantic and Pacific Theaters Assignments / Engagements Atlantic Theater: USS TEXAS, BB 35, gunnery junior officer in turret #1. Escort convoys to Freetown, Sierra Leone and Prestwick, Scotland. Assigned to admiral's staff (Commander Battleships Atlantic Fleet - COMBATLANT) as a decoder – Admiral’s staff embarked in USS TEXAS; Escort convoy to Casablanca to reinforce Gen. George Patton;  First amphibious invasion. Transfer with admiral's staff to USS SOUTH DAKOTA, BB 57; Deploy with British Fleet, to [...]

Personal Data Ernest P. Johnson, JR, CAPT USN (Ret) Tulane Naval ROTC Class of 1942 Commissioned 1942 Louisiana Native Historical Events WW II Assignments / Engagements Started active duty in 1942  on the USS Portland along with two other Tulane midshipmen. November 1944 promoted to Lt Junior Grade, was a division officer then an assistant gunnery officer, and later sent to support the 24th regiment in 1945 land invasion with marines. Battle of Salvo Island on 20 October 1945. Embarked on the USS Oakland anti air-craft vessel. Protected carrier enterprise from aerial attack during 5 engagements. On USS Portland [...]

Personal Data Charles W. Frank, JR, CAPT USN (Ret) Tulane Naval ROTC Class of 1943 BS Chemical Engineering Commissioned 1943 Historical Events WWII Southwest Pacific Theater Assignments / Engagements USS New Jersey, BB 62, DEVG (Deck or Engineering Volunteer General) First engagement was Operation Flintlock in the Marshall Islands Sent to take the Marianas Islands, 1st of 9 total career campaigns Assigned to Admiral Halsey’s Staff as a Barge Officer First junior officer to be given command of a division, and among the youngest group of Naval Reserve Officers to achieve the rank of Captain Landed in Japan with [...]

Personal Data Norris L. Fant, LCDR Tulane Naval ROTC Class of 1944 BS Engineering Commissioned February 1944 Louisiana Native Historical Events World War II Short Atlantic Theater Involvement Assignments / Engagements Commanding Officer of OCIL-1033 Helped move Chinese Nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan Active duty for 2.5 years; Received a satisfactory service completion before retirement for 26 year commitment Hauled a regimental combat team to Legaspi, Luzon, Philippines Involved in two operations in 1945 to help land troops in Asian regions Worked for General Douglas MacArthur Did navigation for his ship; forte was ship handling Other Notable Content [...]

Personal Data Albert "Gus" Caire Tulane Naval ROTC Class of 1943 Commissioned 1943 Historical Events World War II Pacific and Philippine Typhoon Assignments / Engagements Assigned to the USS EVENS DD-552 1943-1945 roughly a 2 year deployment. Went to Anti Submarine School and Radar School, although he feels most of his training was from being switched around on jobs on ship. Worked with SECNAV briefly. Other Notable Content During the Battle of the Marianas recovered American pilots, manned guns, directed his gun crew, and warded off submarines.  During the battle his ship was most effective at anti aircraft and [...]