Walter A. Latola
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Walter A. Latola of Aurora, Minnesota was inducted into the Naval Reserve on March 7, 1943.
He was a Machinist's Mate 1st Class and heavy equipment operator with the 71st Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) in the Pacific Theater.
"Arrived on Guadalcanal [on] Oct. 5, 1943. D-Day on Bougainville November 1. 71st Seabees landed with Marines. First job to build airstrip. Mar. 25, 1944 we boarded Dutch ship Poelaulaut, arrived in Admiralty group April 24. Built airfield, roads, rec area and any work that was needed around a Naval base."
Also served with 71st Battalion on Los Negros. "Arrived on Okinawa Apr. 1, 1945. I stayed aboard (USS Dickman) another day operating winches for the unloading crew, heavy equipment, guns, pallets, etc.
"Our work the first three months was mostly road work, widening roads and building bridges. The Japs had wrecked most of the bridges. Kept the road open during the rainy season to the front....
"The next job started July 15 was a runway on Yontan airfield, 7,000 feet long and 100 feet wide."
He was honorably discharged on October 28, 1945 at Minneapolis, Minn.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 169.
