The Reminiscences of Mr. John B. Vaessen, Pearl Harbor Survivor: 1916-2018

Mr. Vaessen grew up in California in the 1920s and 1930s. During the Depression he worked steadily at a variety of jobs to support himself and his family. Around 1938 he joined the Naval Reserve. This memoir describes the informal atmosphere of the program in that era. He worked at the Mare Island Navy Yard in 1940—41 as an electrician's helper. When he reported for active duty in 1941, he was stationed at the San Diego Destroyer Base. He opted for duty as a Fireman Second Class on board th...