Norman E. Seekins Carpenter's Mate First Class USS Salt Lake City CA25 1942-1945

USS SLC...USN...Norman E. Seekins, CM1c Norman enlisted in the US NAVY on October 7th, 1942 and received his Honorable Discharged from the US NAVY on October 17th, 1945. He completed boot camp quickly. They were pushing the guys through a lot faster than usual due to supply and demand. His uniforms were two sizes too big, boots two sizes too small, and the cap didn't fit right. It was all they had. They needed the guys run through Basic quick. Upon graduation and a quick leave to come home, he immediately received orders and was sent by train from boot camp in Great Lakes Michigan directly to San Francisco. Upon arrival he immediately received orders to board the USS ANDERSON (DD411). After some time in the Pacific, he was suddenly ordered to report to the forecastle. He said he had no idea what was going on. As he waited on deck with his sea bag, he said the ship quickly came about... and suddenly in front of him was the SLC. That was the first time he saw the USS SALT LAKE CITY. He said it took his breath away... the grandeur and immensity of it. He was awestruck. The ANDERSON maneuvered quickly alongside the Salt Lake City long enough to transfer him. He still cannot believe that they went through all that trouble just to get him aboard the SLC. As soon as he stepped aboard, the ANDERSON turned and departed. That was December 29th, 1942. He was injured in the Battle of the Komandorskis Islands. That is where he received the shrapnel that is still stuck in him. He woke up 6 days later in a hospital with a skull fracture. I know he suffered terrible headaches for a long time. He eventually attended Notre Dame courtesy of Uncle Sam, but the headaches interfered with his studies. He is a wonderful story teller Sandy, and so vivid. He could tell you what he had for breakfast on the morning of the battle most likely! Great job. Thanks again!!! Joel If anyone remembers Norman, please contact Sandy Eskew List of Injured on March 26th, 1943 SLC Deck Logs Dec. 1942  May 1943

Norman E. & Dorothy M. Seekins Dorothy served in the WAAC's during WWII

SLC MAIN INDEX     SLC MAIN ROSTER     WEBSITE UPDATES     ARTICLE INDEX LG. GROUPS     MISC. PICTURES     SHIP PICTURES     SCOUT PLANES     HELPFUL INFORMATION VETERAN'S STORIES     SHIP'S STORE     SLC ASSOCIATION     OFFICIAL DECKLOGS     SLC HISTORIAN

The address of this page is seekins.htm Send Questions, Comments or Report Problems to Website Curator, Sandy Eskew Return to SLC Main Index for Email Address ©Copyright