John R. Kaspari
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
John R. Kaspari served in World War II in the Pacific Theater.
He served in the U.S. Navy from October 1944 until July 1946. He attended boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois. He was assigned to the destroyer escort ship Earl V. Johnson in the Philippines and South Pacific.
His rank was Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class.
Mr. Kaspari was born in 1926 in Lisbon, North Dakota, the son of John and Florence Kaspari. He graduated from high school in 1944.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran reminiscences (see below)
“I volunteered out of high school. Did boots at Great Lakes, Electrician School at Purdue. Over on a troop ship and picked up the 702 overseas. We did convoy duty (mostly LST’s). Several sonar contacts and ensuing depth charge attacks. One confirmed. Returned for Christmas ’45. Spent remainder of time mothballing DES at New Smyrna Beach, Florida. They were later scrapped.”
