Beachheads Secured Volume I

Beachheads Secured Volumes 1 and 2 each tell the detailed history of the 873 PT Boats, after USA construction transferred to the navies of UK, USSR, and the USA; their one hundred thirty bases, nineteen Tenderships, and fiftysix PT Boat Squadrons. This comprehensive work takes the reader to actions and thrilling operations in the North Pacific, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, the Caribbean Sea, South Pacific, Southwest Pacific, Western Pacific, Panama Canal Zone, Australia, Mediterranean Sea, and the English Channel.

HAROLD L. BARBIN, ship's cook first class, motor torpedo Boat Base # 2. Born October 23, 1925, attended St. Anthony's School in Beaumont, Texas. At age eleven worked for Thames Drug Co. Enlisted December 27, 1942. Boot camp at San Diego, California, where he completed cooks and bakers school in July 1943. Assigned receiving ship, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. The first cook during on board USS General G. O. Squier. A US Naval Troop carrying ship. Troop Transport went aboard at Oakland, California. Made three voyages in South and Central Pacific before transferring to PT Base 2, NAB 140, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, in January 1944. Served an Apia Island mine assembly depot from July to September 1944, then base galley, ship repair unit as assistant to the Chief Steward second class from October 1944 to July 1945. Had brief assignments at Pelican Island, Galveston, Texas, and at Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana. Separated at last duty station in Hitchcock, Texas, on April 3, 1946, with the rate of ship's cook first class. Harold was a manager at Loew Drug Co., Beaumont, Texas, until he re-enlisted in USAF on August 10, 1947. Served in supply services-commissaries, food service, clothing stores, base exchanges in Texas, Ohio, and California. Overseas in England, Germany, Spain, and Guam. Retired June 1, 1968, with the rank of chief master sergeant at HQ SAC, Omaha, Nebraska. Since leaving the Air Force he has been employed at Weingarten's supermarkets in Houston, Texas; Woolco division of F. W. Woolworth Co.; Boeing services international with travel to Ankara and Adana, Turkey; the J. C. Penny Co. Harold and his wife Maris they have two daughters, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.