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Hal Puett

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After two years as a Navy radio instructor, Hal Puett was finally moving toward the action in the Pacific. He was sent to the New London base in Groton to train for amphibious landings, in which he would manage communications once on shore. (This interview made possible with the support of T. RICHARD BARBER, JR.) (3:58)

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It was the end of the war, but Navy Radioman Hal Puett was finally being deployed to the Pacific. After a queasy week of seasickness aboard an LCI, he was put in charge of radio operations on Kwajalein. (This interview made possible with the support of T. RICHARD BARBER, JR.) (6:09)

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On Kwajalein, a tiny atoll in the Pacific, the Naval personnel manning the communications station were very resourceful, says Hal Puett who was in charge there in 1945 at the end of the war. They had some appropriated steaks and some blowtorches, so you can guess how they worked that out. (This interview made possible with the support of T. RICHARD BARBER, JR.) (4:00)

Hal Smith

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Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Hal Smith saw many of his peers avoiding the war and decided to join unlike them. After training, he reported to Vietnam outside of Saigon and thought he was being assigned to Combat Assault. (4:51)

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On his first night in Vietnam, Hal Smith had to sleep out in some difficult conditions that got him quickly acquainted to the country. He soon found out that his assignment to CA meant Civil Affairs, which was a relief to him. During this assignment, he got very involved with the Vietnamese people. (6:50)

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After getting a new assignment in North Vietnam, Hal Smith continued assisting with MEDCAP proceedings in this part of the country. At times, it seemed that there was no point to American involvement in this region. (7:03)

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Hal Smith remembers the extensive medical training that they got in preparing for the elements of Vietnam. After returning home and reflecting on their efforts while deployed, he realizes that the relationships he made were important to him. (6:19)

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After returning home from Vietnam, Hal Smith went into seminary to go into ministry. He studied religion all over the United States before ending up back on the east coast. (4:45)

Hank Sawicki

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Hank Sawicki remembers growing up as the son of Polish immigrants in America. After joining the service in high school, he remembers starting training and deploying onto the U.S.S. Kalinin in the Pacific Ocean. (6:10)

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Hank Sawicki remembers some of the elements of his time on the U.S.S. Kalinin that stick out to him over time. Having to deal with enemy forces was part of being out on the Pacific but luckily they managed to handle these threats successfully. (5:27)