World War II Veteran 'Nick' Joswiak Turns 101: How Did He Become 'Nick'?

From the Feb. 15, C&G Newspapers, Michigan by Brian Louwers.

He received his second dose of virus medicine Feb. 15 and also celebrated birthday number 101.  Just a few days earlier he had bought lunch for 130 people in his building at Park Place Heritage Village in Warren, Michigan.

"Nick" Joswiak was born in Texas in 1920 and his family suffered during the Great Depression so at age 16. he left them and moved to Detroit where he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps.  After Pearl Harbor, he knew exactly what he wanted to do and enlisted in the Marines which he did in 1942.

This is when he received his "new nickname."  When asked what his name was, he replied "Adolph Joswiak."  They told him, "You can't have a name like that and join the Marine Corps."  He told them to give him a nickname and that was when he became "Nick."   The name stuck.

He fought the Japanese for the next three years in the Pacific.

He landed with the Marines on Guam, New Caledonia and Okinawa.  Much of his time was with the 2nd Marines.

--GreGen

USS Jaguar (IX-120)-- Part 2: Delivered Diesel Oil, Fuel Gasoline and Minesweeping Gear

The Jaguar arrived at New Caledonia 19 January 1944 via Wellington, New Zealand , and from there transported vital  diesel oil, aviation gasoline and minesweeping gear to the New Hebrides and Solomon Islands

It returned to the U.S. West Coast in 1946  and then to Norfolk Navy Yard via the Panama Canal on April 20, 1946, and was decommissioned there June 10 and turned over to the Maritime Commission.

It later served as a tanker for various shipping lines under the name Harry Peer in 1948 and Tini in 1949.

The ship was transferred over to the Panamanian flag  in February 1951.

There are warning of asbestos threat as the ship had it.

--GreGen

WW II Vet Ray "Pops" Merrick Turns 95-- Part 1: From Chicago to Burma

You very likely have seen "Pops" around the Legion, enjoying his gambling, beer and occasional blackberry brandy.  Most people, including myself just call him "Pops."  His sidekick is his son Ken.

He was born in Chicago on September 5, 1923, and was a member of the Army Air Corps during the war.  He was drafted right out of high school at age 19 and spent his boot camp training at places in Florida and Georgia.

During the war he served in New Caledonia, India, Burma and Australia and received a concussion from something, he doesn't know what, while in Burma.  Much of the time he was in the service, he was in charge of traffic control and security.

Even as an enlisted man, he could swear at officers if they goofed up as long as he said, "Sir."

Sir!!!   --GreGen

USS Dent (APD-9)-- Part 2: Lightning Strike Forces

The USS Dent was at San Diego during the attack on Pearl Harbor and immediately got underway to screen the USS Saratoga in a high speed run to Pearl Harbor.  It returned to San Diego 29 December 1941, and then did convoy duty along the West Coast and then went to Alaska until January 1943 when it was converted into a high speed transport 7 March 1943.

It was at New Caledonia 20 April 1943.  Landed troops for assaults on New Georgia, Rendora, Vella Lavella, and Cape Torokina, Bougainville.

It then had an overhaul in Sydney, Australia.

It next landed the 4th Marines on Emirau Island 20 March and then it was at the Altape Islands.  It patrolled off Saipan and Tinian.

From 8 November 19444 to the end of the war, the dent served in San Diego as part of the Amphibious Landing Force.  20 October 1945, it sailed to the East Coast of the U.S. and was decommissioned 4 December 1945 and sold 13 June 1946.

--GreGen