Jerome LeRoy Kleven
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Jerome LeRoy Kleven served during World War II in the U.S. Navy from June 9, 1945 until July 19, 1946.
He was assigned to the USS Edwards. His rank was Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class.
Mr. Kleven was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 24, 192_. He graduated from Braham High School in 1945.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall, Veteran History Form; “Jerry’s Navy Experience” (see below)
“Entered the Navy in Jun 1945 and was discharged July 1946
“Took initial training for Navy in Great Lakes Training Center Jun 20, 1945 (near Chicago, Illinois). Sent by train to Shoemaker, California, in September 1945. Spent some time waiting for transport ship at Treasure Island. We were headed for Okinawa as replacements, but the ship had trouble so had to go to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in October 1945.
“Arrived in Okinawa in November 1945, but severe hurricane delayed us again to pick up our new ship. Spent a few days on the Island of Okinawa and had to sleep in tents while waiting for the new ship. I was assigned to the U.S.S. Edwards in November 1945. I worked in the electrical room. This ship was powered by steam turbine which produced electricity to power the two electric motors for the propellers. I worked on this and the electrical switchboard – no special training, but rather trained on-the-job. At one time, as I recall, nearly all of the crew was sick with dysentery for several days but I was fortunate and did not get sick.
“We visited several harbors in Japan – Sasebo, Wakayama, Yawta, and Kobe. In Kobe, I recall seeing people digging in our garbage cans looking for food.
“In March 1946, I was assigned to a large transport ship which was to be a target ship for the A-bomb test at Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. There were several types of ships in this test. A small crew was used to bring several ships to see what effect the A-bomb would have. After leaving this ship at Eniwetok the crew was sent back to the United States. I was sent back by way of Hawaii and expected to be reassigned, but I was lucky instead and was sent back to San Francisco and then discharged – others were sent to other ships and then discharged in the fall of 1946.
“Shoemaker, Calif., September 1945; Treasure Island, September 1945; Pearl Harbor, October 1945; Okinawa, November 1945; Hiroshima, November 1945; Sasebo, Japan, December 1945; Wakayama, December 1945; Yawta, December 1945; Kobe, February 1946; Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, March 1946; Pearl Harbor, March 1946; Pearl Harbor, April 1946; Pearl Harbor, May 1946; Bikini, Marshall Islands, June 1946; Stateside, June 1946 (6-24-46).”
