Top Grade Anthology of Naval Experiences in World War II, it took in Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.
The Anthology or series of unrelated stories, usually bound together by a particular Host/M.C. or by a limitation to one particular theme. This would be the case as it applies to this "NAVY LOG" (1955-58).
The series concentrated its attentions on the true stories of men in the Naval end of World War II. Because of their being so intertwined with the Navy and indeed being an independent Armed Service, but under the Department of the Navy, many of the stories are those of the "Leathernecks" or "Devil Dogs" or "Jarheads", or whatever affectionate nickname that you'd prefer to use.. And because that during time of Declared War, they are detailed to the Navy, some of the stories may also feature the stories of Coast Guardsmen.
Each story was of course, a complete telling of one single man's War Experiences. It didn't, to our knowledge, ever refer to nor have any relation to another. The subject could vary from the story of say, Admiral Halsey to any draftee Marine or Sailor, like my Pop, Clem Ryan (1914-74) draftee to the Navy, who served as an Electrician's Mate stationed in Southampton, England in 1944-45.
We can well remember on story which a young man is brought up on the family farm, but is unable to shoot any deer during hunting season. During his service in the Navy, circumstances demand that he use a B.A.A.R. in battling with Japanese forces. For this action he is recipient of awards for his valor under fire during extreme conditions.
And upon his return home, when out on the hunt, he finds that he still cannot use his gun to bag any deer. Supportive, his father understands.
In another, a Naval or Marine Aviator is shot down and is stranded all by himself behind Japanese lines on some unnamed Pacific Atoll. While being concealed in a position both behind the enemy and slightly above them, the downed flyer made use of his passing arm on the gridiron to "pass" a hand grenade. Into enemy Fox Holes, during time of Allied Air Attacks, thus creating the illusion that the American and British Planes were causing the damage.
"NAVY LOG" provided us with a straight forward, realistic and unglamorized portrait of mostly "regular fellers" in the Naval Operations of World War II. We sure miss it and wish that we had it out in DVD now.
