Violet,

You should be able to obtain the military service record of your father. See this page from the website I manage: http://www.armed-guard.com/searchmil.html, in particular see section A.1. Records of Individuals - U.S. Military. This provides details about requesting a copy of your father's service record. You will have to contact the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO, providing as much identifying information as you have.

The service record should include such information as:
* enlistment
* duty stations and assignments (including the names of ships to which assigned)
* training, qualifications, performance
* awards and medals
* separation/discharge/retirement
* applicable dates for any of the above
* other personnel actions

Good luck.

Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website
www.armed-guard.com