GRANDSON-PARK

Bud grew up in Duluth and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve (USNR) on March 15, 1945, at the age of 18. He completed his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois and was assigned to various naval vessels. As a Seaman Second Class (S2c), he served on the USS Satyr ARL-23, USS San Marcos LSD-25, USS Shadwell LSD-15, and USS Catamount LSD-17.

 

Bud served during the final stages of World War II in the Pacific. Serving when some of the most significant battles of the Pacific theater, such as the Battle of Okinawa, which was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific during World War II. The battle was significant because it provided the Allies with a strategic base for further operations against Japan.

 

Bud also served during the planning of the invasion of Japan's mainland, Operation Downfall, which was set to take place in two stages: Operation Olympic and Operation Coronet. These operations were canceled after Japan surrendered following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6, 1945, and August 9, 1945, respectively. These bombings led to Japan's surrender, and the war in the Pacific officially ended on August 15, 1945, which is known as V-J Day.