Loading...
Interviewee
Radosevich, Walter
Document Type
Oral History
Date of Interview
11-29-2001
Abstract
Walt Radosevich was born 4 January 1921 in the industrial city of Lorain, Ohio, near Cleveland. After graduating from high school he worked for a short period before enlisting in June 1942 in the US Marine Corps. Walt's three brothers also served in the military during World War II—one in the Army, one in the Navy, and one in the Army Air Corps. For Walt, Basic Training at Paris Island, South Carolina, was followed by several short assignments and then sea school; in February 1943 he was posted to the 137-man Marine contingent on board the newly commissioned USS Iowa (BB-61). Walt remained on the Iowa for the remainder of his enlistment, until June 1946. The USS Iowa was a 45,000 ton battleship with a complement of 2,800. She served briefly in the Atlantic (1943) before transferring in early 1944 to the Pacific Theater; there she was involved in campaigns in the Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands, and the Philippines (all 1944); Okinawa, and off the coast of Japan (both 1945). The Iowa entered Tokyo Bay with the occupation forces on 29 August 1945, and served in Japan as flagship of the US Navy's 5th Fleet from January to March 1946 before returning to the US; this ended her World War II-related service. Following his military service Walt returned to Ohio. In 1946 he married Dorothy Rosenwald (d. 2002), and in 1948 the couple relocated to Minnesota, settling in St. Louis Park. There Walt worked as a carpenter and helped to raise four children. He officially retired in 1982, but continued to work part-time, stay active in his church, Aldersgate United Methodist in St. Louis Park (where he has been a member since 1953), and enjoy hobbies, including fishing and golfing. Walt passed away on 29 January 2009.
Copyright
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced without the written permission of Concordia University Library or Thomas Saylor, Department of History, Concordia University, St. Paul.
Recommended Citation
Saylor, Thomas, "Oral History Project World War II Years, 1941-1946 - Walt Radosevich" (2001). Oral History Project: World War II Years, 1941-1946. 172.
https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/oral-history_ww2/172
PDF Transcript of Interview with Walt Radosevich