Vincent Frank Mazzola
Vincent Frank Mazzola was born on 5-Dec 1925, in St Louis, MO. His parents were Maria (Mamie) Correnti (1896-1971) and Joseph M. Mazzola (1892-1951). Vincent attended Shaw Public Grade School. He had one sister: Angeline, and two brothers: Peter and Nicholas. In 1930, Vincent was living with his family on at 2251 Cooper Street in St. Louis MO. Vincent was four. By 1940, the family had moved to 2207 Marconi in St. Louis.
When Vincent was 18, he registered for the draft. Vincent was inducted in the Navy on 3-Mar 1943. He attended basic naval training at Farragut Naval Training Center in Idaho. Farragut was divided into six camps. Each camp accommodated 5,000 recruits and was nearly self-sufficient with twenty barracks, mess hall, admin building, drill field, sick bay, rec hall, drill hall and swimming pool. Vincent’s service number was 872-70-91. He had reported on his enlistment documents that he was a machinist apprentice as a civilian and had last worked for Emerson Electric. He had completed 8 years of grammar school and two years of high school. When asked for a “Job Preference” Vincent indicated “Undecided.”
Upon entry into the Navy, sailors were often assigned as either a Seaman or a Fireman, with Fireman being an entry-level engineering rating. They would progress to Fireman 2nd class and 1st Class as they gained experience. In World War II, a U.S. Navy Fireman worked in the engineering department, performing maintenance and operating machinery, including ship’s engines and boilers, to keep the ship running. Firemen were essentially engine room technicians and trainees, responsible for engineering watches, cleaning and repairing equipment, and recording instrument readings under the supervision of officers.
In March 1943, Vincent was assigned to Landing Force Equipment Depot Naval Repair Base San Diego, California and then to the Amphibious Operating Base, Waipio Hawaii. The Amphibious Operating Base, Waipio was a U.S. Navy base located on the Waipio Peninsula near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, that served as a critical training ground for Pacific island-hopping campaigns during World War II. At the time he was a FM2C.
On 25-June 1943 he was at Landing Force Equipment Depot Naval Repair Base San Diego, His rank was FM3C. On 18-Aug 1943, Fireman 3rd Class Vincent received a Navy Training Certificate for having completed Fireman 2nd Class (F2C) and Fireman 1st Class (F1C) Training. His grade was 3.65. From 1-Apr 1943 to 30-Sep 1943 Vincent was a FM2c. Vincent trained in San Diego at the Navy Equipment Depot at the Landing Craft School. At Pearl Harbor with #22 Stand Landing Craft unit and later with the U.S.S Marmora IX. Vincent served on multiple ships while serving in the Navy.
Vincent’s story includes letters he wrote home.
For more of his story, click on the pdf below:
