I joined the US Navy on July 7, 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the time my home was in Twin Falls, Idaho. I was a field man for the Agriculture Administration Act.

After Boot camp in San Diego, CA., I was transferred to Long Beach, CA. and there I met Comdr. James T. Brewer and found out we were both headed for the USS Salt Lake City on Sept. 1st, 1940. There I was given the nickname of "Red".

I served in the 1st Division and was assigned to be Bow Hook on Capt. E. M. Zacharias gig. On March 1st, 1941 I was assigned to the Commissary as Cook Striker.

On March 1st, 1943, I was promoted to Chief Commissary Steward, where I encountered how we could keep the crew fed. When the menu was written, we had to have enough of everything to last for 120 days.

I got to go ashore many places for supplies. I enjoyed Australia, New Zealand, New Heberdes, New Caldonia, Saipan, Dutch Harbor, Kiska & Leyte.

After Komandorski, we went to Valljo, CA. for ship repairs. While there, a young lady from Kansas City came to CA. and we were married April 25th, 1943. I had met her in my Senior year at high school.

After the repairs were made on the ship, we went back on patrol duty striking Islands, backing up landings, until we went to Leyte Gulf where we were preparing the last straw on Japan, July 1945.

I left Leyte to go to San Diego, CA. Naval Training Station to be Math & S & A Forms instructor, where I remained until July 7, 1946.

I spent 6 years in active duty and in the Reserves until age 35, then the Navy sent me my "Honorable Discharge".

Delbert L. "Red" Bartlett

Radio Men List from James Murphy