| Summary: | Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Roger B. Jeanfaivre enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18. He chose the Navy because he did not want to live in a foxhole like World War I soldiers in the movies had. He went to basic training in Newport, RI, and then went to Dam Neck, VA to train as an electrician for the navy. He was part of the Navy Mobile Anti-aircraft Battery #411, and his job as electrician was to power the generators that ran the large guns that the unit used. When training was completed the sailors were sent to the Aleutian Islands, and the Invasion of Attu. Jeanfaivre describes what it was like to be part of the invasion and the role that the anti-aircraft battery played in the battle. Just after that invasion Jeanfaivre’s unit went on to the Invasion of Kiska, where they remained until December of 1944. On Kiska, a base was established and it was Jeanfaivre’s job to ensure that the generators that provided the base with electricity were maintained. After the assignment on Kiska ended, Jeanfaivre was reassigned to an amphibious unit that was stationed in China, in order to prepare for the invasion of Japan. On the way to China, the unit stopped in Hawaii for 3 months for additional training and preparation. His unit was travelling to China on board the U.S.S. Adair when they ran into a typhoon, which Jeanfaivre describes in detail, as well as a large minefield in the China Sea. Jeanfaivre’s job on the base in China was to rewire the buildings on base. He was discharged in January of 1946, and he returned to Connecticut. During the interview Jeanfaivre also discusses the living conditions, stress, food, mail service, and what the soldiers did for entertainment. United States. Navy. Navy Mobile Anti-aircraft Battery 411. United States. Navy. Growpack 13. Electricians Mate 3rd Class (EM3/C) Veteran
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