Boys to Men

About the Book

Boys to Men is a fascinating account of life in America from before the great depression through World War II and beyond. A common thread is present, due to the fact that all these stories are vividly depicted by some of the crew, as well as a former Lieutenant on the USS Perkins during the war.

Each author brings a different background and flavor to the book. From life aboard the ship during normal operations, to the horrors of battle and her ultimate sinking in 1943, these pages are a tribute to the brave men that served aboard the USS Perkins. Stories include everything from slices of life in America during hard, but simpler times, to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Inside is a moving first hand account by a Lieutenant of the Perkins, who also served aboard the USS Oklahoma during the Pearl Harbor attack and narrowly escaped with his life.

Detailed descriptions of combat at sea, to life after the Navy, paint a complete picture of a generation filled with great difficulties and even greater successes.

The Perkins was a vessel instrumental in transporting her crew on vast journeys to and from exotic and not so exotic destinations. Like the ship, these stories cover a great deal of time and territory. Although she slipped into the darkness to rest forever in depths of a silent watery grave, the Perkins first took these men on perhaps the greatest journey of all
the journey from boys to men.

About the Author

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, 1919 Served in U.S. Navy 1938-1945. Married in June 1944. Returned to Fort Worth and raised three children. Spent 28-1/2 years in Civil Service engineering. Retired from government service June 1974; wrote technical manuals for wastewater treatment plants. Finally retired in 1982 at age 63.