Carl A. Carlson

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Army

Carl A. Carlson

Mr. Carlson entered the Army on August 6, 1942, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

He served as a Sergeant and supply clerk in Lae, New Guinea and Leyte, Bataan, Philippine Islands.

Mr. Carlson shared the following: "After spending about six months working at the Induction Center, I was transferred into the 441st Engineers, San Bernardino, California for six months. Then over to New Guinea for the invasion of the Philippine Islands at Leyte on October 22nd. We waded ashore with General MacArthur and soldiers from an armada of close to 1,000 ships.

"For several weeks we were bombed and strafed as we were trying to supply the fighting forces with supplies, which included landing mats for the air strip. On January 29, 1945, we were in Olongapo in Subic Bay, on through the Zigg Zagg Pass and on to Manila. After the Japanese surrender, we went to Japan. On October 25, 1945, I left Yokohama, Japan, on November 29th arriving home on December 17th, for a very happy and merry Christmas, after two and a half years overseas."

Mr. Carlson was honorably discharged on December 16, 1945, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 352.