Wilmette Public Library Local History Digital Collection

Joseph Fleischer oral history

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Track 1: Track 1
Transcription: TRACK 1 Joseph Fleischer p. 1 JF: My name is Joseph Fleisher and I reside at 236 Hibbard Road in the village of Wilmette. I've been asked to make this tape giving my experience, having served in the armed forces of the United States twice. RF: (Indistinct) JF: I was born in Chicago, Illinois and my parents who are now deceased were Sophie and Ben Fleischer. At the time I was first called into service, I resided at 4750 North Kedzie Avenue in Albany Park in Chicago, Illinois. At that time I was extremely patriotic and desired to do my part to fight for my country as most of my peers felt at that time. Approximately at the age of 17 I enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, but was rejected because I was 118 pounds which is about 5 pounds under the required weight. Approximately 6 months later, as the war was speeding up, I received my draft notice. I enlisted in the United States Navy. I entered naval service July 12, 1943 and received my orders to report to the Farragut Idaho Naval Training Station.
Creators: Fleischer, Joseph, Interviewee; Fleischer, Regina
, Interviewer
Media Type: Audio; Image; Text
Item Type: Audiocassettes
Description: Interview with Joseph Fleischer by Regina Fleischer in Wilmette, Illinois, in March 1982.

ABSTRACT:

• Name and location of present home - birthplace and life in Albany Park area - Chicago

• Joined U.S. Navy in July, 1943 - training received at Farragut, Idaho — 30 day leave before entering active service — graduation — assigned to Pleasonton, Ca. — USS MORRIS DD4 17 - seasick -300 men assigned - duties - recreation aboard ship — part of Admiral “Bull” Halsey’s fleet

• Battles — Mariannas — Makin — Tawara — description of injuries resulting from battles — returned to Treasure Island (in San Francisco Bay)

• Assigned to a new destroyer and returned to Halsey’s Fleet — Marianna’s — Guam and Saipan — This was the largest fleet in history — describes men’s assignments in a battle — team work, “bonded brotherhood” - friends within each department — officers and men on ship - description of Battle of Saipan - sea and air - awarded ribbons for eleven Pacific battles - different ways the men were killed at sea — end of war in Pacific - Japanese continued dive bombing - Admiral Halsey’s directive — “Shoot them down, in a friendly manner.”

• Second ship to enter Tokyo Bay - guided by a Japanese pilot (a graduate of University of California) - through the mine fields - ship remained in Tokyo Harbor until after General McArthur accepted the Japanese surrender aboard the battleship MISSOURI

• Were permitted shore leave on Japanese islands — found civilians sweet gentle people — contrasted Japanese military - souvenirs — pictures (by official ship’s photographer), swords, epaulettes, buttons, pencils, razor blades - anything with Japanese writings on it - picked up at source

• Homeward bound—San Francisco Harbor — furlough — discharged April 23, 1946 — vacationed in Mexico — after almost three years in South Pacific returned to Chicago — 40 degree temperature in May — after spending most of time near turbines in 170 degree temperature

• Had been graduated from Roosevelt College -- enrolled at Northwestern University night classes in graduate school in MBA program - married in April, 1949 reenlisted Naval Reserve May, 1950 — recalled to active duty June, 1950 but deferred to January, 1951

• Sent to Green Cove Spring, Fla. aboard decommissioned USS OSBURN — a destroyer escort (in “moth balls”) to prepare it for sea duty - reported to Brooklyn Navy Yard

• Operated in Atlantic out of Brooklyn Navy Yard - training reservists from Third Naval District — returned to Chicago after serving 18 months and received discharge April 23, 1954

• Lived in Hyde Park, Hazelcrest, Illinois — family of four - when children reached school age family moved to Wilmette - children educated in local schools
Place of Publication: Wilmette, Illinois
Date of Original: 1982
Subject(s): Veterans
World War, 1939-1945
Oral histories
Wilmette (Ill.) -- Residents
Personal Name(s): Fleischer, Joseph ; Fleischer, Regina
Language of Item: English
Copyright Statement: Protected by copyright: Uses other than research or private study require the permission of the rightsholder(s). Responsibility for obtaining permissions and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Copyright Date: 1982
Copyright Holder: Wilmette Public Library
Copyright Holder Contact Information: 1242 Wilmette Ave.
Wilmette, IL 60091
U.S.A.
Contact: Wilmette Public Library
Email:refdesk@wilmettelibrary.info
Website:
https://www.wilmettelibrary.info/

Agency street/mail address:
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Wilmette, IL
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