Young Navy Seals Perspective Of World War II

Courtesy of Mr. William F. Stuckey Jr.

I interviewed Mr. William F. Stuckey Jr. My relation to this man is he is my grandfather. When I told Mr. Stuckey that I would like to interview him his reaction was positive. He was also very willing to help me in any way possible. The event that Mr. Stuckey went through was World War II. During this time he was drafted into the navy without any say so. He was aboard the Sheridan Ship, along with about five hundred other men from all around. "He said he was not all that happy about the whole deal but had to go through with it." Many would have thought that being involved with something such as the navy would require no play but strictly work only. But this was not the case what at all.

They had sports that they could be involved in. One sport played while aboard the ship was boxing. This would relieve some anger the inmates had against each other. Other sports were played on land. For example: Baseball and basketball were played. When I asked about Mr. William F. Stuckey Jr. most vivid memories about the war he said, "They made six invasions." He also said, "that the ships had left them on the other side of the world." Everyone felt upset and pretty much mad at the captain of his or her ship. Mr. William F. Stuckey was 19 years old when he was drafted to the navy. He had no steady relationship with anyone but he said, "He had to leave some pretty little ladies behind." When I asked him if his perspective changed since that tragic moment, he replied "not really." He told me if the United States were compared to the rest of the world he would have to say that we live like kings and queens.

Courtesy of Mr. William F. Stuckey Jr.

Courtesy of Mr. William F. Stuckey Jr.

Courtesy of Mr. William F. Stuckey Jr.

They have only had two reunions since they arrived home. The first reunion was located in Desmonies, Iowa. The second reunion was located in Mobile, Alabama, which they had just recently attended. It was attended on November tenth through the fourteenth year, 2001. Only 50 out of 250 men attended. During this reunion the men talked about things they had done together. The Sheridan (APA-51) was laid down on 5 August 1942 under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 290) by the Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, Calif., as SS Messenger; renamed Sheridan and designated AP-94 by the Navy on 5 October 1942; launched on 11 November 1942. Which was sponsored by Mrs. Thomas Rolph, and commissioned the same day, Comdr. John J. Mockrish, USNR in command. The Sheridan was decommissioned on 5 March 1946, delivered to the Maritime Commission on 7 April 1946, and struck from the Navy list on 12 April 1946. The Maritime Commission, to the United States Lines on 24 October 1947, sold it and she was briefly named Pioneer Sun and then served as American Scientist from 1947 until damaged by an explosion in July 1969 and scrapped. The Sheridan received six battle stars for her World War II service.

For more information on World War II click on one of the links below. World War II World War II History The History Net