Experiencing War: One Soldier's Story

Born on the cusp of two generations, my adopted grandfather James Farina embodies many of the principles that many people consider core American values. He has been an integral part of my entire life as an important male figure and role model. I have known Jimmy, as he is more commonly known to his friends and family, my entire life. They have been friends of the family before my birth, since the summer of 1996.  His wife, Betty, would babysit myself and my sisters during the time my parents were at work.  Jimmy would frequently come along with her. To Betty and Jimmy, this was more than just a job, and to my family they were more than just employees. As the years have passed they have truly became grandparents to my sisters and me. They are part of our family. Even while at college, I talk to them frequently. Our families spend holidays, milestones, birthdays, special events, and dinners together. He is one of the kindest and smartest people I know. 

Jimmy was born in September of 1926 in Borough Park Brooklyn, New York to two first generation American parents. His maternal grandparents immigrated from Poland and his paternal grandparents from Italy, and all spoke little English. Just a few years after his birth, the Great Depression was in full swing. His father, a prominent insurance salesman lost his job and was out of work for the majority of the Depression years. Jimmy’s mother, worked as a waitress during this time, becoming the family’s sole source of income. Jimmy recalls, “Every night for dinner, we had plain macaroni, because it was very cheap and what we could afford.”

After graduating high school in 1943 at the age of seventeen, Jimmy enlisted in the navy. He voluntarily enlisted because he was afraid that he was going to get drafted into the army, and he believed he would prefer naval duties over that of the army. Jimmy officially reported to duty and training in 1944.  Jimmy in his naval uniform, 1943, age 17 During his three years in the navy, Jimmy was stationed on the USS Mount McKinley, named for the tallest mountain in North America. The USS Mount McKinley housed 72 naval officers and 568 enlisted men. On board, Jimmy was a high speed radio operator. He had clearance to work with experienced naval officers. They were in charge of trying to decode intercepted messages from the Japanese. It was unusual for someone young and inexperienced to be assigned this job. Jimmy had to take a rigid exam, and he scored a 96%. Due to his high performance, he was allowed to be a radio operator. Another principle duty of his included destroying code books as a precautionary measure, so if the ship was invaded, the Japanese could not access them. Also, Jimmy gathered information from soldiers on mainland Japan about the Japanese living conditions. This information, including the fact that the majority of the houses in Japan were made out of wood, Jimmy collected and passed on to the makers of the atomic bomb. This was done to ensure the destruction from the bomb was as large as possible. Reflecting on this nowadays, Jimmy feels remorseful regarding this aspect of his job. “I was young and naive, and the destruction from the atomic bomb was terrible,” he recalls. “I was just following orders”.

The McKinley was under command of Douglas MacArthur and Roy Graham. The first invasion Jimmy witnessed was the Battle of Leyte in October of 1944. Having control of Leyte, an island of the Philippines, would allow the United States to cut off Japan’s accessibility to oil. The location of Leyte would also give the United States an advantage, as it would provide information to allies about Japanese activity in the area. The US invasion of Leyte was the longest naval battle in US history. While Jimmy did not get off the McKinley in Leyte, he was stationed onboard to decipher incoming codes. He does remember the United States sinking two Japanese cruisers and watching this unfold from the deck of the McKinley. The USS Mount McKinley was only stationed at Leyte for the first few days of the battle, it then continued on.

While en-route to Leyte, the McKinley had to sail through the San Pedro Bay, located between California and Hawaii. The McKinley was under constant air attack, but miraculously, was never hit. Looking back, Jimmy cannot believe how the ship was not decimated. He recalls the roaring sound of airplanes above. “I didn’t think the ship would make it,'' he said.  

USS Mount McKinley, courtesy of Wikipedia

After the invasion of Leyte, the MacArthur ordered the McKinley to sail to Mindoro, an island in the central Philippines. This was an amphibious landing, meaning both naval ships and air power were used to make the landing. Jimmy recalls that the main purpose for the McKinley’s presence here was to guide and aid the planes to Mindoro, as it was rainy. Once the planes were directed to the island, the McKinley sailed away from shore to make room for fellow allied battleships. Jimmy does not recall much from this battle. 

In late March of 1945, the USS Mount McKinley proceeded to Kerama Retto, southwest of mainland Okinawa. Similar to their task in Mindoro, the McKinley aided in the landing of American planes. Once all the American planes and ships arrived at Okinawa, the McKinley was stationed at Kerama Retto for the next two months. Jimmy’s most prominent memory from his time at Okinawa is seeing a Japanese plane being brought down by the United States. “I have never seen anything like it before. There was a loud bang; it was there, and then it wasn’t.” He cannot recall who was responsible for this, but he does remember it was a American battleship off of the coast of the Kerama Islands. 

The McKinley lost two men during the battle of Okinawa. These were the only men that got off the ship at Okinawa. These men were speech officers, responsible for translating for the United States. These men went ashore to direct troops, according to the codes Jimmy and his team intercepted. Once they got off the ship and ran on shore, they were never seen again.

A month before the Battle of Okinawa ended, the McKinley sailed to San Francisco for ship repairs. During this time, the atomic bomb fell on Japan. While Jimmy knew that the United States was planning to drop a bomb, he did not expect the damage to be as destructive as it was. He feels somewhat remorseful, as he aided in data collection regarding the bomb. “I didn’t really think much of it.” 

Fast forward to early September and Japan surrenders. The McKinley departs from San Francisco en route to Japan.  The ship went to pick up troops after the surrender. Here, Jimmy saw firsthand the destruction of Hiroshima. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. Wiped out, everything was wiped out.” Jimmy remembers taking a picture of Hiroshima, but unfortunately cannot find it today. “You wouldn’t believe it.” 

While in Japan, Jimmy and other soldiers on the McKinley gave children they saw in Japan sandwiches and candy. “This was a risk, if we were caught giving them food, we would have gotten in trouble,” he recalls. “They were wary of us at first, but they were hungry.”

After the war concluded, Jimmy worked on Wall Street for over fifty years. Here, he worked the teletype machine and was in charge of placing orders in the commodities market. In 1996, the increased use of computers made Jimmy’s job obsolete and he retired from this career. Jimmy was then a consultant on Wall Street  for four years until 2000. He is very vague about the exact details of his Wall Street Career, but to this day is very interested in IRA’s, stocks, bonds, and anything investment related.  Although over 90, he manages all of his finances, investments, health care paperwork and fills out his own taxes.  He has no computer, so must fill them out on paper, complaining that he must travel to an office in downtown Bethlehem to pick up the paperwork as the IRS will no longer send tax packets through the mail. He credits the war for making him independent. 

A week ago, Jimmy turned 93. I am so very lucky to have Jimmy in my life. He is a very active individual. He does not walk with the assistance of a cane or a walker. Jimmy mows his own lawn, takes care of his ill wife all by himself, and cooks regularly. We talk weekly. He always asks about school, checks to make sure I’m eating enough (can’t take the Great Depression out of him), and gives me investing advice.  Jimmy looks back on his time serving on the naval carrier during WWII fondly. He has an admirable work ethic and it is a privilege having him in my life.

Christmas at the Farinas, December 2018. Every year of my life, we have gone to their house on Christmas for a homecooked Italian feast! Betty is best cook I know.

Works Cited

History.com Editors. (2009, October 29). Battle of Okinawa. Retrieved September 19, 2019, from https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa.

Mount McKinley (AGC-7). (0AD). Retrieved September 19, 2019, from https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/m/mount-mckinley.html.