Clinton R. Hawkinson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Clinton R. Hawkinson served in World War II in the Pacific Theater in the U.S. Navy and was discharged on July 16, 1943.
He was assigned to CASU (Carrier Service Unit) 12, CASU 40, and the USS Beatty (DD-756).
He served on Guadalcanal and later on the island of Bougainville, helping to defend the “Cactus Fighter Command” led by flying ace Joseph Foss, the U.S. Marine Corps pilot with the most kills in the Pacific Theater.
Mr. Hawkinson’s rank was Machinists Mate 3rd Class.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran’s account (see below)
"Had boot camp training at Farragut, Idaho. Was shipped overseas after boot camp to New Hebrides, South Pacific. They had lost my records, so they put me in with the CBs [Construction Brigades]. Then they shipped me to Guadalcanal.
"After we secured the island, they shipped me to Bougainville. I can’t remember how long I was living in a foxhole. I was with the soldier Marines and Fiji Island Warriors. CASU-12 was who I was with. We took care of Joe Foss’s airplane squadron [Cactus Fighter Command]; he shot down the most Japs during the war at that time.
"They finally got my records straight, and then I got to go home on leave. And was assigned to the USS Beatty (DD-756) for the rest of the time in the service.
"I remember 62 air raids and 14 days of shelling during the time at Bougainville."
