|
Site Dedicated to the Memory of
My Father - Stanley Galik, Ship's Cook, 2C, US Navy - World War II
I undertook this project to learn as
much as I could about my father's military service, what his life
was like during the war, and what impact the war had on his dreams
and plans for the future. I also wanted answers to the many questions
that I had about the people, places and stories behind the photos,
post cards, and memorabilia he saved for all these years. I have spent
countless hours doing research for this project, speaking with a number
of my father's former shipmates and friends, visiting the National
Archives, and reading many articles, books and other materials on
the subject.
National Archives
I am deeply indebted to so many individuals who helped make this tribute
to my father's memory a reality. I am especially grateful to the staff
of the National Archives
in helping me in researching the Muster Rolls, Deck Logs, War Diaries,
Action Reports and other materials pertaining to the LCI (L) 229 and
LCI (L) 35.
I also want to thank the
USS Landing Craft Association
and Richard Bischoff for sparking my interest in undertaking this task.
The Naval History and Photographic
Images available provided another valuable source of information
for this site.
Shipmates
I deeply appreciated the willingness of my father's surviving shipmates
to talk to me openly about my father and their own experiences during
the war including Wally Holman, John Finnerty, Earl Eichorn, William
"Jack" Lee, Richard "Mike" Michaelson, Philip Reed, and Clarence Robins
of the USS LCI 35 and to Ralph Carlson (deceased) and Frank Carchedi
from the LCI 229. I am also grateful for their sharing photographs,
stories, and insight into their life during the war and what it was
like to serve on board an LCI. Without their assistance some of the
information provided in these pages would never have been available.
Friend
I am also indebted to Robert "Bob" Pigman, a close personal friend
of my father. Bob, who knew Dad when they were both 15 years of
age, shared many experiences with my father during their formative
years. Bob added so much to my knowledge regarding my father's teenage
years in Braddock, PA and of his time spent in the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC).
Authors
I have also used information contained in published works from authors
Stephen E. Ambrose, Gerald Astor, Tom Brokaw, Richard Melzer, and
Samuel Eliot Morison among others. I have cited appropriate references
in the website when using material from these sources.
Family
I would be remiss if I did not thank my son Mark for his skill and
ability in making these pages in honor of his grandfather come alive
and who above all encouraged me to tackle this website project without
his initial assistance. I ask you to visit his company's
site at www.slashmedia.com to view some of his other work. Finally, I want to especially
thank my wife Mickie, for her perseverance in enduring many hours
as an Internet widow while I worked on this project. Without
her patience and understanding, this project would never have been
completed.
|
