Question:
What did my Gpa do in WWII/ was he insignificant?
anonymous
2010-03-31 21:52:42 UTC
my gpa was an SK 1st class head of aviation on an aircraft carrier U.S.S Tripoli (CVE-64) something idk wt it was dont remember, what do u do in an SK1 job, any good?, qualifications? also he showed me a certificate called King Neptune, what is that? he told me he remembers it was one hell of a time
Six answers:
BoatsBM1
2010-03-31 22:31:04 UTC
USS Tripoli departs Hampton Roads, May 24, 1944 with Composite Squadron 6 (VC-6; 12 Avengers and 9 Wildcats) aboard. She is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 4A (although there are deviations from the original Bureau of Ships design drawing).

http://www.navsource.org/archives/03/0306402.jpg
cloakedstorm
2010-03-31 22:05:36 UTC
A) You grandfather was a Storekeeper 1st Class on board the aircraft carrier

B) One of the oldest Navy Ratings, Storekeepers are tasked with maintaining ship or company military supply stores. Their responsibilities generally include purchasing and procurement, shipping and receiving, and issuing of equipment, tools, consumable items or anything else obtained through the Naval Supply System.

C) aircraft carrier U.S.S Tripoli (CVE-64)

D) King Neptune - Line-Crossing Ceremony = A big party
JP
2010-03-31 22:23:23 UTC
Was he insignificant?! Not by any means. Your Gpa didn't fly planes, or draft war plans, but his job was important. SK1 is the abbreviation for "Storage Keeper, 1st Class," meaning he was in charge of the supply and inventory of aircraft equipment and ordinance. On board the USS Tripoli, this was crucial; CVE-64 were light carriers sometimes dubbed by servicemen as "jeep carriers," because they carried small and unconventional aircraft (and sometimes, in the case of 7th fleet jeep carriers in the Pacific during the Battle of Leyte, extra equipment for landing operations).



The USS Tripoli was commissioned for the Atlantic, however. Your grandfather was charged with keeping track of and ordering the parts, ordinance, and equipment necessary for the operation of the seaplanes that were flying missions around the clock. These seaplanes were not long-range aircraft. They were short-range planes that flew reconnaissance for German U-boats, and were sometimes equipped with the weaponry to sink them (or else radio to a nearby battleship to drop charges).



Your grandfather's "certificate" is interesting. "King Neptune" was a name for a number of things relating to the crossing of a maritime boundary, traditionally the Equator. The origin of the ceremony is found in the British navy, but was adopted by the US navy where it subsequently became more fun. In the US navy, the ceremony was more like a party and was called "Shellback Initiation." Basically, a sailor who never crossed the Equator was considered a rookie, or "Pollywog," and they would have to do the veterans' dirty work. When the Line was crossed, a party was thrown for the rookies where the Pollywogs were subjected to a hearty hazing at the hands of the veterans, or "Shellbacks." The fattest sailor on the ship presided over the ceremony, and he was called "King Neptune."



Though reports exist of some violent instances of hazing in these rituals, most WWII veterans I've had the pleasure of talking to remember it fondly (I've conducted interviews with several of them). No doubt your grandfather does, too.
roshambObama
2010-03-31 21:55:28 UTC
He was probably NCOIC in charge of a logistics/supply shop on board an escort carrier. (Although he may have cross trained or the Navy may have recycled the rate designation.) He crossed the equator.



His boat did serve during WWII.



U.S.S. Tripoli

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Tripoli_(CVE-64)



King Neptune

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line-crossing_ceremony



SK1

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40993
gi am smart
2010-03-31 22:00:30 UTC
Get his DD214 and service #. Check it out with the USN Archives. They have the real records of things like that. You can also go to USN on the WWW, too hit archives for a redirect to their records. Have available all the info you got so they can cross ref. Be sure to have the dates.
HDH
2010-03-31 22:38:14 UTC
Your grandpa was by no means insignificant. He did his part when his country needed him, which is something he is justifiably proud of. Everyone who serves in uniform has a role to play.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...