Kenneth Erger Oral History
Object NameRecording, Video
Transcript
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateApril 11, 2019
PeriodWorld War II
MediumMTS, PDF
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Kenneth Erger. OHP.193
Object numberOHP.193
DescriptionKenneth Erger served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) from 1944 to 1946 as a fire controlman third class (FC3). The Museum interviewed Erger for our oral history collection on April 11, 2019.See transcript for complete interview. Below is a summary:
Kenneth Erger began his interview with a summary of his childhood in a rural farming community in Iowa and his decision to join the Navy as a minor. He described his boot camp experience, including a serious illness (mumps) and ways he filled his time waiting for his first assignment.
Next, he discussed his early experiences on Intrepid. He joined the ship after it was repaired in San Francisco and was a part of its shakedown cruise. He recalled adjusting to the ship, watching air operations and practicing fire control for the ship's anti-aircraft guns. Then he explained the role of the gun director and the fire controlman. He also talked about off-duty work, recreation (including the ship’s basketball team) and selling cigarettes for a profit on shore.
Then Erger described the two kamikaze attacks he witnessed. He recalled the October 1944 attack that killed many of the Black stewards stationed on Gun Tub 10 and their burial at sea. He also recalled the November 1944 attack that crashed through the flight deck and killed many crew members. Erger was wounded during this attack. He mentioned a kamikaze pilot who landed on the ship. He also explained that small ships would rescue downed Intrepid pilots from the water, and sometimes these smaller ships would “ransom” pilots for ice cream, mail or other services provided by larger ships.
Erger turned next to the ship’s journey home for repairs and his own time on leave. He recounted a date with a hometown girl who eventually became his wife. Then the interview returned to his experiences on the ship, where he described his time recovering in sick bay, a fight with another crew member, living in close quarters, going through a typhoon, liberty in Ulithi and California, food on the ship and the end of the war.
Towards the end of his interview, Erger discussed his life and career after the Navy and he reflected on the war and his generation.
Extent: 11 video files, 28 page transcript
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