Kenneth G. Davidson, U.S. Navy

DAVIDSON, KENNETH, G. (U.S. NAVY, SI/C - WWII)

SERVED ABOARD LCI(L)47 AMPHIBIOUS FORCE IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA (JUNE 13, 1944-JUNE 13, 1946

My date of entry into the U.S Navy was June 13, 1944. Because our country was at war, thoughts of enlistment came often. The sound advice of a recruiting team sealed my decision and that night I shared it with my family. My Dad was the first to approve and then all the family - including my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. They promised prayers/letters and those promises were not broken. My grandparents gave me the famous Heart-Shield Bible to wear in my uniform pocket. It was always there - a reminder of God's love and has a special place in our home today.

Upon completion of my basic training at Camp Wallace, TX, I boarded a transport carrier in Norfolk, VA for North Africa. From there, a railway cattle car, and then a truck, carried us on to Tunisia. (Along this route, we saw the havoc war brings upon innocent laborers for our trek took us across grape vineyards. Those workers could only jump, scream and clasp their hands. It was heart-wrenching as several of us were also farm boys.) At Tunisia, a carrier took us to Palermo, Sicily. Within a short while, we were transported to our USS LCI(L)47 (Landing Craft Infantry) in the Mediterranean Sea.

Our captain was unforgettable in so many ways. He gave his best to his military career; he expected the same in us individually. Our duties were to transport military personnel to assigned lo¬cations and we also transported prisoners of war to designated areas. (This captain had an understanding that we were never to mistreat any prisoner and reminded us they did not want war either. One day his compassion was shown by reserving a shipment of sauerkraut for our German prisoners. When we witnessed the joy these captives experienced in that meal, our respect for that captain soared.)

All of us had scheduled night watch time at our conning tower. One night during my watch, a floating enemy mine was seen and I reported it to my commanding officer. He asked me to detonate it immediately and the performance of my 20 MM Anti-Aircraft averted any damage to our ship. I felt God had protected us that night.

Another time God took care of me was during a night fire within our sleeping quarters. The fire erupted from an oil heater and immediate panic spread among the crew. Two new sailors had come aboard that day and were helpless. Their screams urged me to rescue them and God led us out safely. The fire was extinguished.

When we learned of the war ending, it wasn't long before our ship sailed us out of the Mediterranean, by the Azores Islands and into New York. It was more than a welcome sight to be greeted by Lady Liberty. I was so thankful for the freedom we had preserved and for the protection God had provided. He was with me during my World War II tenure. He is with me today. God is so good!

Kenneth G. Davidson - (972)226-1772