This book is not a historical document but rather a mini-autobiography detailing some of my adventures as a Navy man with friends, both good and otherwise. It is mainly concerned with the period from September 1941, when I joined the Navy Reserve just before the U.S. entered World War II, to April 1946 when I was honorably discharged from the service. It covers events during two invasions but perhaps more interestingly, the unusual and sometimes bizarre happenings during preparation and training periods. There were happy times when we laughed and times we should have cried and dangerous times when we lived and others died. We associated under close living conditions with many types of men. A very few were both pompous and petty and with whom you had little in common, but most were those whom you admired and who would stand beside you no matter what the danger. This book was written so that my family and friends both known and unknown who might have a free spirit in their midst could view a snapshot of my life during those turbulent years. It has some serious moments but lots of smiles to make you glad you went along with me for the ride.