U.S. NAVY ENLISTMENT AND SERVICE DATES
Here are a couple of Daddy’s military enlistment documents from the World War I era.
Card
American International Shipbuilding Corporation
Daddy did not talk to me about working at the shipbuilding company at Hog Island, but the Registration Card, stamped in Jacksonville, Fla. shows he was domiciled in Barracks #16 at Hog Island, Pa. prior to his active duty in the U.S. Navy.
The Hog Island Ship Yard, Philadelphia PA, 1918.
During World War I, American International Shipbuilding Corporation built the world’s largest shipyard on the banks of the Delaware River just south of Philadelphia. When completed in 1918, Hog Island had 50 slipways.
USS Houston’s Post-war assignment to the Pacific
The USS Houston sailed from New York 4 May 1921, took on cargo and personnel at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Norfolk, and steamed by way of San Francisco, California, Pearl Harbor and Guam to Manila, arriving 22 October 1921. The ship departed Cavite 16 November and arrived San Francisco 11 January 1922.
According to his military record, Daddy joined the USS Houston in Philadelphia in July of 1919 when he enlisted. He left the Navy after two years of service, then re-enlisted 20 June 1921 back onto the USS Houston. He was on the Houston from 20 June 1921 until 27 December 1921 when was transferred to the USS Sunnadin. None of the letters addressed to him that I have in my possession was addressed to the USS Houston. The earliest letter I have is dated 17 March 1921 and is addressed to the USS Charleston.
NOTE 1: I am still trying to sort out Daddy’s service dates and locations. He told me was in Bremerton, WA and took leave in Seattle. He had too much to drink, and rolled down one of Seattle’s hills. He was on a shakedown cruise on one of the ships; he went to Australia and to islands in the south Pacific. I am still researching these times in his Naval service.
NOTE 2: We have a large photo of Daddy towering over shorter men on each side. These are not sailors in sailor uniforms. They appear to be army soldiers in army uniforms. I assume Daddy served for a brief period of time in the US Army before joining the Navy. I do not recall any stories about the picture, but it was on the wall of our home all the time we were in Wildwood. The picture is posted at Daddy with two soldiers.
Armistice Day, ending WWI, was 11 November 1911. According to his official military records, Daddy’s Navy service was as follows:
19-Jul-1919 William Burton Harrison joined the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Houston.
11-Jun-1921 Discharged From USS Charleston, San Diego, Calif.
20-Jun-1921 Re-enlisted and the receiving ship was the USS Houston in Pearl Harbor.
JUNE 20, 1921 TO DECEMBER 27, 1921 ON USS HOUSTON PEARL HARBOR, T.H.
Transferred to the USS Sunnadin, a seagoing tug, on 12/27/1921.
3-Nov-1922 USS SUNNADIN REPORT OF EXAMINATION FOR ADVANCEMENT IN RATING.
7-Nov-1922 USS SUNNADIN at Pearl Harbor, T.H. Advance in Rating to Seaman 1st Class
1-Aug-1923 USS MILWAUKEE TRANSFERRED FROM USS SUNNADIN TO USS MILWAUKEE
1-Sep-1923 USS MILWAUKEE 9/1/1923 GUN POINTER – RELIEVED 5/9/1924 POOR VISION
5/17/2024 USS MILWAUKEE LEAVE FROM 5/17/24 TO 5/31/24
19-Jun-1924 USS MILWAUKEE HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM U.S. NAVY