Bob McPeek grew up during the Depression and talked about coming of age on the home front during World War II. Bob left high school in March, 1945 prior to graduation, and joined the Coast Guard. The war was over by the time he made his first overseas cruise on the USS Howze, a troop transport. He worked as a cook in the galley while on the Howze. During the next year, from mid 1945 to May, 1946 the Howze made one trip to the Philippines to pick up troops, followed by a trip from California to England with a load of German POWs, and then two trips across the Atlantic bringing U.S. Army troops back to the United States.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
German POWs
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Depression years, WW II home front and early service with the Coast Guard
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Coast Guard in Pacific, German POWs and service in Atlantic
Photos
Caption
Robert McPeek’s U.S. Coast Guard Identification Card, issued in 1945.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1945
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Robert McPeek’s official photo taken during Basic Training at Coney Island in the spring of 1945.
Where:
Coney Island
When:
1945
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Bob McPeek relaxes in early 1946 near the time of his release from active duty with the Coast Guard. His location is unknown.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1946
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
McPeek got to spend some time on deck during the USS Howze’s trip through the Panama Canal in January, 1946. This was prior to the time he got a tattoo. The markings on his shoulder are actually fingerprints from handling the photo.
Where:
Panama Canal
When:
1946
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
USS General R. L. Howze – AP-134.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.