Donald Schroeder, a Manitowoc, Wisconsin native, describes his Navy service as a quartermaster aboard the USS Sangamon in World War II. Schroeder talks about entering the service after high school graduation, his draft examination, and how he managed to actually get into the branch of service he requested. He mentions boot camp at Farragut Naval Station (Idaho) and reveals he paid someone to take his swimming test for him. He touches on getting over seasickness and stopping at Tent City at Pearl Harbor. Schroeder describes crew and armaments of the USS Sangamon (CVE-26) and his duties keeping the log and performing special sea details. Part of MacArthur's Navy, he mentions participation in the invasions of the northern New Guinea Coast, Saipan, Guam, and Tinian. He describes recreation ashore and the ship's captain, Captain Browder. He recalls gathering at Manus Island (Admiralty Islands) for the invasion of Leyte Gulf and seeing hundreds of ships. He talks about seeing some of the first kamikaze planes, defeating the Japanese navy, and witnessing the capture of a kamikaze pilot. While at Bremerton (Washington) for overhaul, he remembers visiting home and freezing. Schroeder discusses the ship's mission to keep island air fields from operating at the invasion of Okinawa (Japan). He details being attacked by planes while in a narrow channel, getting hit by a kamikaze, fighting fires, seeing the ship devastated, and witnessing the burial at sea of eighteen men. He expresses disgust at the smell of burning flesh and the crew's fear while withdrawing without escort. He describes the deluxe rest camp at Norfolk (Virginia) and attending fire school. Granted a thirty-day leave, Schroeder expresses shame at finding his mother worried after hearing about the attack but not receiving word he was okay. He recalls spending his entire leave drinking with two buddies from the Air Force. After returning to Norfolk, he mentions his ship was deactivated and his subsequent assignment to a M215, a minesweeper. Docked in New York on New Year's Eve, Schroeder talks about being put in charge of the ship while most of the crew was ashore and being unable to restrain the remaining crew from drinking and making trouble. Passing through the Panama Canal, he confesses to almost hitting a tanker because he was so busy taking photos. Upon discharge, he speaks of joining the 52-20 Club and suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Schroeder sketches his career path, his marriage and his offspring, and being a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Escort Carrier Association. He describes working with the Escort Carrier Association to fill out a roster, recruit members, and, as the Sangamon Group Historian, contribute information to the "Sangy" News.
