A recruiter once told me the Navy would give me room and board, free health care, a trip around the world and $21.00 cash money per month. Just sign here and step on the scales. Well, I did and they did. I still have a $2.00 bill from my first payday. I sent four dollars home, repaid four dollars to the paymaster, caught a bus to San Diego and blew the other eleven.

I went to Boot Camp in Co. 41-62 and boarded the Salt Lake City in August 1941. My GCT in Boot Camp revealed that I'd be a great Aviation Radioman....and sure enough, I was immediately assigned to the 2nd Division and introduced to the "Holy Stone" and "Paint Scraper". I became a pointer in 8" Turret II and enjoyed some of the war though my scope sight.

In late '42, I transferred to the "S" Division and became associated with some men called "Storekeepers". They were known by names like
G. E. Farlow, CSK,  W. E. "Andy" Anderson, SK2,   Oscar W. Silleman, SK2,   Pat Monteleone, SK2,
  George M. Oyster, SK2,   C. L. "Chuck" Boland, Jr., CSKD,   Russ P. Iverson, CSK,
  Sandy Oppenheimer, SK3,  E. J. "Dutch" Vanderleest, SK2, and a Chief Pay Clerk, George Lott, CPC. They all went on to greater things.

I operated Clothing and Small Stores for some time and also, the Ship's Store which was near the gedunk stand. My last job after making SK1c was the Commissary Office, across the passageway from the Supply & Disbursing Offices.

I was among the skeleton crew to ride the "Maru" to Bikini for the Atomic Bomb test in March, 1946, where I later saw her take two bombs and remain afloat. Some of us were sent back aboard for damage inspection, but had to leave soon because of intense radiation. She was a total wreck.... but afloat. The Well deck was depressed about four feet; stood full of water like a backyard swimming pool.

I was aboard the old Swayback almost 5 years and was one of a dozen men aboard Dec. 7, 1941, and still there when the war ended.

My six year enlistment ended in May 1947. I worked for Bank of America for some time before returning home to Arkansas. Then I did accounting for Armour & Co., and a General Motors Agency, then got into Auto Claims Adjusting and my Insurance Agency until I retired.

H. L. "Hank" Graves, CTC, gave me a name to call on when I passed through Little Rock before I left the ship. Her name was Joan and she's been my wife 50 years last September. We have raised four children and have seven grandchildren. This could not have happened but for the Salt Lake City.

We all must be proud to have served our country aboard the Salt Lake City, and with each other.

Bon M. Morgan