Oral history interview with John Yetka [sound recording], 2006.

ArchivalResource

Yetka, John, 1918-. Oral history interview with John Yetka [sound recording], 2006.

Oral history interview with John Yetka [sound recording], 2006.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/84911000

John Yetka describes his personal experiences while in Navy service before and during World War II as engineer aboard the USS Louisville and the USS Cape Esperance and subsequent work experiences in Wisconsin following the war. Yetka, growing up in Milwaukee during the depression years, rose to senior foreman in Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) before joining the Navy in 1939 (following in his brother's footsteps). He attended basic training at the Great Lakes Training Center prior to assignment on the Louisville as an engineer in the "black gang." Yetka touches upon USS Louisville's good will cruise to Recife (Brazil) and Montevideo (Uruguay) in time to see the Graf Spee scuttled. Following a mission carrying gold and platinum bullion from South Africa to New York, Yetka's brother came on board the Louisville prior to shipping out to the Philippines. Yetka reflects on providing escort for civilian transport ships from Philippines to American Samoa while not knowing that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. Yetka speaks of their surprise returning to Pearl Harbor and the people's joy on seeing them. After a refit in the States, Yetka mentions his experience at the Battle of Guadalcanal, the Louisville being hit with a dud torpedo in the fire-room and standing watch as the torpedo bounced around while returning to Hawaii. He talks about Japanese activity in New Guinea and some boiler work he did for the British cruiser Sydney before the USS Louisville was sent to the Aleutian Islands to close the channel (sinking all Japanese ships and transports) and his thoughts on the Tarawa (Gilbert Islands) Assault. Yetka mentions his transfer to the USS Cape Esperance, encountering a storm that sunk escorts and destroyers, how USS Cape Esperance's commander was a southern bully only thinking of Dixie, and Yetka's reaction to the Japanese surrender. When on Mare Island, (California), Yetka saw a sign on a civilian residence reading, "Sailors and dogs, keep off," after which he mentions his impression of Americans at that time. After his discharge in 1945 at Walt Chamberlain Field (Minnesota), Yetka describes subsequent work with the Conservation Department, Goodyear Aircraft and General Motors where he gave the final approval for the mechanical portion of the guidance system used on the Apollo spacecraft. He concludes the interview mentioning additional anecdotes about the Louisville's history, naval family life and his family.

Transcript : 16 p.Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 45 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 45 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center