Known Information
Ernest lists his occupation as a cleaner and dryer on his WW II Draft Card.
Sources
World War II Draft Card
The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 241
Internment Card
U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962
Muster Rolls
Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities, 1/1/1939 – 1/1/1949
Ernest Wedge served in the US Navy during World War II. He had the rank of Stewards Mate 1/C. He enlisted in 1943 and was honorably discharged in December of 1945. He died in 1949; he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, section 34. His muster records indicate that he first came aboard in 14 Mar 1944, indicating he attended training between November 1943 and March 1944.
World War II
Ernest served on the USS Raleigh, a light cruiser that had been damaged at Pearl Harbor. It was overhauled and repaired. In 1942 it was returned to service in the Aleutian Islands.
The Japanese invaded the islands in 1942 and American forces recaptured Attu in June of 1943. U.S. troops remained in the Aleutians until the end of the war in 1945.
Messman/Steward Branch
The US Navy only allowed non-white sailors to serve in the Messman/Steward Branch, which was responsible for feeding and serving officers. Ernest served as a Steward’s Mate First Class. This rank was originally called a mess attendant.
Further Research Needed:
- Locate more detailed service records from the National Archives
stories of Then 