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Jack Williams - World War II

World War II broke out during Jack Williams's first year of college at the University of Illinois. He decided to join the U.S. Navy and trained at the Great Lakes Naval Air Base as a gunner. Williams served in the Pacific theater from 1944 to 1945, and was assigned to the U.S.S. Petrof Bay (CVE 80), an escort carrier. Williams served as a gunner in a Grumman TBF Avenger, a carrier based torpedo bomber. The ship saw action in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and at both Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

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Caption
Seaman Jack Williams during his service in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1945. Williams served on the U.S.S. Petrof Bay as a gunner on a TBF Avenger.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Circa 1944

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
A Grumman TBF-1 Avenger (torpedo bomber), the type of aircraft on which Williams served as a turret gunner in the Pacific theater. The aircraft had a three man crew.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption
U.S.S. Petrof Bay (CVE-80), an escort carrier. Williams served on this ship during from 1944 to 1945.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Circa 1944

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption
Jack Williams, on the day of his interview in February, 2014 at the Bickford House, Springfield, Illinois.

Where:
Bickford House, Springfield, Illinois

When:
February 2014

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo



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