Veterans History Project: Richard 'Dick' Ament, U.S. Navy

Richard (Dick) Ament was on the verge of high school graduation in Marcus, Iowa. He knew the Country was at war in several different parts of the world. He also knew that once he left school, the Selective Service System could quickly snatch him up. He had three uncles who served in the U.S. Navy so he sought out the Navy recruiter first. He was initially inducted into the service in March 1944. The Navy offered to wait for him until after graduation.

As the month of June came up, Dick was soon on a train headed for the Great Lakes Navy Training Center, in northern Illinois. It was his first t...