Roman received a visit from Jerry Correll, Steve Mooney and David Downey from the Tin Can Sailors. The National Association of Destroyer Vets Tin Can Sailors Association of N.J. The N.J. Desron 2 Phoenix Squadron.
The gentlemen introduced themselves and sat with Roman as the guys discussed they were all on Destroyers that came out of Brooklyn, NY. Roman started with sharing his story of how he got his tattoo. Roman and Jerry showed their work of art they still had on their arm. Roman started telling his fond memories of being in the service aboard USS Colahan (DD-658).
3rd Class Roman Charkowski, Navy 1942 ~ 1945. Mr. Charkowski enlisted into the Navy at the age of 20 back on November 11, 1942. Roman went through basic training in Rhode Island which lasted only a couple of weeks. Roman was given a choice to either go to Electrical School or Meteorology School. Roman chose to attend Electrical School and right from there he went to the Navy shipping yard. Mr. Charkowski was put on a brand-new ship called the “USS Colahan (DD 658) Destroyer”. After the ship was completed, the ship was sent off to Bermuda for a shakedown to make sure everything was working in order. His ship was sent out on the night before Thanksgiving in 1942 on Lake Cajun. The temperature there was 108°.
Later on, his troop went through the Panama Canal in route to join their fleet that was waiting in line by the island of Oahu. Our duties were mainly to bombard Kwajalein Island in the North Pacific Ocean where we made our attack to make it easier for the Marines to get through to invade the island.
We roamed around the Pacific Ocean waiting for orders from his commanding officers. The battle wagon USS NJ came by to pass over mail for the members of our crew as they did once a month. During the passing of the mail that day, there were high swells and both ships collided. Our ship got damaged and had to be towed back to Pearl Harbor to be repaired. The towing chains snapped twice as we were being towed back to Pearl Harbor. Once the ship was repaired, we were back in business.
While waiting for our next mission we had two small boats aboard our ship. The “Gig” was one of them. It was sent down with two guys with riffles to ward off sharks as the crew dove into shark infested waters from the 5-inch guns that were turned around and used as diving boards.
Roman was sent back on a converted aircraft carrier from the middle of the pacific to Washington, DC to attend a communication school. The professor was amazing, he recalls. The guys in the school formed a softball team and played local teams in the area.
When the war ended, Roman was discharged out of Long Island, NY. While there, they outfitted him with two guns and sent him into New York City to assist with any military skirmishes.
Roman stated, I would go back tomorrow. The Good, the bad and the ugly. You can find our ship located 1000 miles off the West Pacific Coast at the bottom of the ocean.
The guys were very honored to hear Roman’s story of being in the service. The extended an invite for Roman to attend their next meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 12 noon, held at the George P. Vanderveer, American Legion Post 129, 2025 Church Road, Toms River, NJ.
The Jerry, Steve and David ended the visit Honoring Roman with a Challenger Coin, patch and a certificate with an Honorary Membership for his service in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945 during World War II, as a Destroyer man serving aboard the USS Colhan (DD-658) & in recognition of his 100th year of life. Roman was overwhelmed with honor and thanked each one of the gentlemen. It is an Honor.
Roman was bestowed honorary membership by the Tin Can Sailors Association of NJ DESRON2-Phoenix Squadron.
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