Lawrence C. Foster

U.S. Navy 1939–1945

Having learned Morse Code and Semaphore in Boy Scout Camp, Larry Foster was a perfect match for Navy Signalmen during World War II. Entering the service right out of high school, his duties took him to France, North Africa, India, the Caribbean, Cuba and Aruba on cargo tanker convoys carrying everything from fuel to tanks and jeeps. He recalls one particularly harrowing experience when the tanker, SS Elizabeth Kellogg, was torpedoed and sunk by a German sub. Larry spent 36 hours at sea covered in oil awaiting rescue. Larry speaks with candor and thoughtfulness of the loss of life, his recovery, his Purple Heart and his time on the tankers and ocean-going tugs.

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