December 7, 1941, 71 years ago this date Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and war was declared. I signed up for the US Navy on Dec 8th and was Norfolk Boot Camp on the 15th. By Jan 10, 1942 I was assigned to the Armed Guard and gunnery training at Little Creek, VA; Jan 22 to the Armed Guard Center Brooklyn, NY; Jan 24th assigned to the SS Eldena as gunner on 50 Cal guns; by Feb 11th we were loaded and destined for the Murmansk Run via Halafax, Scotland and Iceland. We arrived in Murmansk March 30th. I had been in the Navy just 3.5 months. Events happened fast. I still marvel and thank God that I am still here to be able to remember. John Haynes
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