Re: Hollis Swanson, aboard Bering in Forgotten Convoy
My father was the OIC of the gunnery crew aboard the Beaconhill. In that capacity he had to keep detailed records because he had to file a report upon returning to the US. We still have those records, plus my mother persuaded him to talk in detail before he died in 1987. I have a 38 page account from this project. My father turned 23 during the year there and lost 50 pounds. The ships at Murmansk were bombed daily, which is why they were moved to the White Sea. By the time this happened it had become obvious that they would not be leaving Russia any time soon. I am in the midst of writing a book with the stories that came out of all of this. These men deserve not only to be remembered, but honored for their sacrifices.
|