MEL SUDA

Mel was 18 years old when he went into the Navy in May of 1943.

He spent 2 months in Boot Camp at Farragut, Idaho and from there to the Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa to study diesel engines. Those that ranked in the top half of the class came out as a Motor Machinist Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer (Fireman 3rd Class). From there it was to an advanced school at the San Diego Naval Repair Base where in the morning they studied engines and in the afternoon went to Coronado Beach for amphibious training. The Coxwains were trained to handle the safe landing of a barge through the high surf with Marines aboard. They went to Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu), New Helijides, and Tulagi (Solomon Islands) for another month of amphibious training.

From there it was aboard the USS President Adams (APA 19) in January, 1944. This ship made nine invasions starting with Guadalcanal, the first island taken back from Japan. Mel was on the last four invasions: Cape Gloucester, New Britain; Guam; Lingayen Gulf, Philippines; and Iwo Jima. After the first three landings under heavy enemy fire, he felt that his luck was running out, but by the grace of God he made it through. He changed his classification rate from Motor Machinist 3rd Class to Water Tender 3rd Petty Officer and went into the boiler room. After six months, he made Water Tender 2nd Class. The ship broke down at Iwo Jima and was dead in the water for nine days until they changed their high speed turbine over to a low speed turbine. While in the water, they had two destroyer escorts and a cruiser with them as all ships go out to sea at night and rendezvous. The ship headed back to Portland, Oregon for repair and that is where they were when the war ended on September 2. 1945.

Mel was discharged in April of 1946 after serving in World War II.