U.S. Navy 1943–1946

 

As the United States prepared for war, the U.S. Navy recruited Douglas Kingston for top-secret work at the Underwater Sound Laboratory at Harvard University. After being drafted, Kingston’s experience on that project had the Navy after him to serve at sea. On the U.S.S. Hambleton, Sonarman First Class Kingston helped chase German U-Boats in the Atlantic and shell Nazi artillery on the coast of France as part of D-Day. After a stop in officer training school, Kingston went to the U.S.S. Nicholas in the Pacific. The “Nick” joined Task Force 38 commanded by Admiral William “Bull” Halsey and spent 56 days off the coast of Japan on picket patrol, dodging mines and kamikazes as the Allies charged to Japan. From the start of the great invasion in Europe to bringing people to the U.S.S. Missouri for the surrender of the Japanese and the end of the war, Douglas Kingston was an eyewitness to some of the greatest moments of World War II.

 

Douglas Kingston on board the “Nick”

 

Doug Kinsgton in uniform

 

A view of the surrender of the Japanese
The crew with Japanese sailors

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