Beschreibung:

The archive includes a manuscript log by Decker, his discharge certificate, a form letter from Harry S Truman, a photograph of his ship, etc., as listed below. Interesting archive relating to the service of a navy seaman in World War II, in the Pacific Theater. Decker served aboard the USS Key, a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort, launched on Feb. 12, 1944, and commission on June 5th of that year. After a trip across the Atlantic, she returned to New York, where Decker seems to have joined the crew, then through the Panama Canal to the Pacific, joining the U.S. 7th Fleet. Includes: Panoramic photograph with two images of the ship flanking a map showing the War Cruise of the U.S.S. Key DE 348. Handwritten log/journal of the voyage, tracing the route and describing events, as on Jan. 20th, 1945, "Had another raid at 4:00 a.m. One of our party of D.E.s the 421 was hit by a jap suicide plane which hit it and blew up between bridge and stacks. The 421 then badly damages and having suffered may casualties went to Australia for repairs. They are sure crazy buggers those japs. They drop their bombs on land installations and then pick out a ship in the harbor and crash it." 12 leaves, written in ink on rectos only, covering from Nov. 8th, 1944, to Sept. 26, 1945. Mimeographed typescript "History of the United States Ship Key Destroyer Escort No. 348", 4 leaves on rectos only. Darkened, splitting at od folds. Certificate of Honorable Discharge of Vincent Decker on Jan. 8, 1946. Typed orders instructing Decker's commander to arrange discharge for 12 of his men in Lido Beach, New York, with Decker on the list, dated Jan. 5, 1946. Notice of Separationn from U.S. Naval Service, filled out, signed by Decker, with his thumbprint. Typed letter signed by James Forrestal as Secretary of the Navy, bidding Decker farewell from the service with the "greatest Navy in the world." Feb. 6, 1946. Form letter from Harry S Truman, with rubberstamped signature, thanking Decker for his service.