Embedded Files
World War II Veteran
Interviewed by:
Cecilia Savage and Sophia Britt
1946
2012
"I volunteered for about everything, and I never knew what I was getting into next, and it was …
it wasn't fear, it was just apprehension." (5:58)
~ George Lucier
Name:
George Lucier
Date of Birth:
April 30, 1924 -
July 4, 2017
Branch of Service:
Navy
Dates of Service:
Spring of 1942 - December 26, 1942
Location of Military Service:
Newport, RI and San Diego, CA
Residence at Time of Interview:
South Yarmouth, MA
George Lucier's Story
George Lucier was an ambitious adolescent when he chose to volunteer his services to the Navy. George was well-aware that joining the Navy would be a life changing experience and that was exactly what he was looking for. Also, George felt like if there was going to be a war involving the United States, then he should be there fighting for his country.
George's mother passed away when he was only nine years old, but when he was preparing to go into the service he was provided with copious amounts of support from his father. When George reminisces on the time he spent in the service, he only recalls all of positive experiences. His positive outlook on life is what makes people realize that although many bad things do happen during wars, there is still a good reason behind all the fighting.
George mostly enjoyed all the new people he was able to meet, since he was used to living in a small town his whole childhood. All the associations George made in the service made a big impact on his life. This is obvious because, during the interview, he mentioned that he still wonders what happened to some of the good friends he made while in the Navy.
Submarine Statistics
Many U.S Submarine Veterans feel that their activities were not made public enough to let the population know how much they accomplished during World War II.
Less than 2% of U.S sailors served in submarines, yet that small percentage sank 201 Japanese war ships including:
1 Battleship
4 Large Aircraft Carriers
4 Small Aircraft Carriers
3 Heavy Cruisers
8 Light Cruisers
43 Destroyers
23 Submarines
Plus
1,113 Merchant ships of more than 500 tons.
At peak they sank Japanese ships 3 times faster than the Japanese could build them.
Why were merchant ships so important?
REMEMBER: The Japanese empire was an island empire and if all those ships got though with all that food, fuel, tanks, trucks, troops, planes, guns, and ammunition, thousands and thousands more American Sailors, soldiers, Marines and fliers would have been maimed or killed,
In all, the submarines sank more than 55% of all ships sunk. More than surface ships, Navy Air, and the Air Corp combined.
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