Vernon Hazard Oral History
Object NameRecording, Video
Transcript
Narrator
Vernon E. Hazard
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateAugust 27, 2019
PeriodWorld War II
MediumMTS, PDF
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Vernon Hazard. OHP.204
Object numberOHP.204
DescriptionVernon Hazard served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) as a carpenter’s mate first class (CM1) during World War II, from December 30, 1943 to 1947. While aboard Intrepid, he worked in the carpenter shop and also served as a locksmith and a fresh water king. Hazard was also part of the decommissioning crew. The Intrepid Museum recorded his oral history interview on August 27, 2019.See transcript for complete interview. Below is a summary:
Hazard began his interview by discussing his upbringing in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. He recalled growing up on a farm and noted the opening of Quonset Point Naval Air Station, before stating when he learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hazard then discussed his decision to join the Navy and his subsequent train ride to Sampson for basic training. After describing basic training, Hazard recounted his ride on a troop train to Camp Shoemaker, in California, and discussed his experience there.
Hazard then recalled the first time he saw Intrepid. The ship was in dry dock at the time. He explained how he was assigned to the carpenter shop and described his temporary berthing space. He then discussed the carpenter shop and stated what jobs they performed, specifically noting the boxes they made for shipping the belongings of men who died. Hazard also explained his job as a water king. He recalled times when the captain did not have any water. He also talked about water hours. Hazard then discussed his duties as a water king. While standing watch, he made sure the tanks did not run dry. If a tank began to run dry, he would open another valve to go to another tank. He also noted that running low on water was quite common, as they used too much water, found leaks, and always had someone ready to hook up a hose when they pulled into port.
The interview then shifted back to the carpenter shop. Hazard recalled the shop’s location, noted that two or three people usually stood watch, and stated that work orders came in when a job needed to be done. The shop had a big band saw and a lot of hand tools. He described some of the items they made, again recalling the boxes for someone’s belongings, as well as the salmon boards that were used for burials at sea. Hazard then stated that all of the wood was stored out on the decks because they could not store anything in the ship. He also described flight deck repairs, from cutting the wood, caulking, and pouring pitch, to inserting graving pieces. Hazard also noted that the flight deck was made of yellow pine. He then discussed the carpenter’s mate’s test for advancing in rate. Because they were in repair parties, carpenter’s mates had to know about gas warfare and be able to identify gases. He also stated that they had to carry a gas mask as well as a float, which was strapped to them, because when they went to general quarters, they never knew when they could end up over the rail.
As the interview continued, Hazard recalled when Intrepid was attacked. He began by discussing the last time Intrepid was struck by a kamikaze, stating that he was ordered to go back to number three elevator and see what had happened. Hazard described how he made his way back to the elevator and then explained that he was informed everything was solved and he should return to his initial station. Hazard also described the hangar deck’s appearance, before he recalled the torpedo that struck Intrepid. After taking a brief moment to discuss the role of repair parties and crossing the Equator, Hazard recounted the repairs that were made after the torpedo strike. He also explained how the crew sailed the ship back to Pearl Harbor, noting that the ship was steered using capstans and cables on the fantail and that the carpenters boarded in one side of the fo’c’sle when the sail was used. Hazard then recalled the first kamikaze that struck Intrepid in Gun Tub 10, before discussing burials at sea.
Hazard also described his job as a locksmith, explaining how he unlocked safes, noting a problem he encountered with the safe in the pay office, and stating that he always had keys for padlocks and doors, so there weren’t too many problems. He used to visit the photo lab. During the decommissioning period, he took numerous photographs from the photo lab, which he later donated to the Museum. He also briefly recounted his assignments as a compartment cleaner and a mess cook, specifically noting when he worked with the mechanical cow, which was used to mix dried milk.
The interview then shifted to the war’s end, and Hazard recalled when he learned the war would soon be over. He also discussed going ashore in Yokohama, Japan, stating that he remembered the devastation. The locals wanted cigarettes, toothpaste, and various other items. Hazard then described his return to the United States, which prompted a story about how he had previously met his future wife in San Francisco.
Hazard next discussed Intrepid’s decommissioning, explaining that he was primarily involved with preserving the entire fire main. He also described a memorable watch that involved checking 21 stations throughout the ship. At this time, Hazard also recalled living in California with his wife, before he discussed the rest of his Navy career. Hazard explained that after leaving Intrepid, he was assigned to the Submarine Reserve Fleet at Mare Island and eventually went aboard the submarine tender USS Fulton. He then stated that he was placed in charge of the carpenter shop in New London, before going back to Fulton until he made warrant officer. Hazard continued, noting that he was transferred to Submarine Base Pearl Harbor where he was a docking officer, and that he then made ensign, and was next sent to Fleet Training Center San Diego as the head of the damage control section. Hazard then explained that he was transferred to USS Roosevelt in Mayport, Florida, before he was transferred to Newport, Rhode Island, for fleet training, where he eventually took over the fire school. Hazard then stated that he become the repair officer on USS Cascade before he retired.
As the interview came to an end, Hazard noted that he was invited to attend Intrepid’s final decommissioning in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. He then stated what he hopes visitors will take away from their visit to Intrepid. The interview ended with Hazard discussing two drawings of himself, which were made by a first class who was in charge of Intrepid’s paint locker and also happened to be an artist.
Extent: 15 media files, 40 page transcript
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