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US Naval Aviator's last day.... December 7, 1941


Jack's Son
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Lawrence A. Williams entered the Navy on May 6, 1940 as an enlisted man with the rank of Seaman Second Class. On October 3rd his enlistment was terminated under honorable conditions, and on October 4th, he was appointed a Naval Aviation Cadet, in the Naval Reserve. On May 3, 1941 he was commissioned an Ensign, and May 20, 9141 he was assigned to an active duty post aboard the USS Arizona in Observation Squadron One. This squadron was made up of scout pilots who flew "Kingfisher" planes off of the battleship. There purpose was to scout the seas for enemy shipping, and to observe the accuracy of the Naval Gunners as they fixed onto a target. Battleships often fired at targets that were over the horizon, making it impossible for visual targeting information from the decks of the ships.
It took several months for Ensign Williams to adjust to his professional duties as a Naval Officer, his first fitness report was ALMOST average, and his second, aboard the Arizona was somewhat better.
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There is no mention that Lawrence was raised with a father in the home. He was the only child raised by his mother, and seemed to have been indulged to some degree. He attended and graduated from college, and worked as an engineering assistant until he joined the Navy.
The Arizona was coming into Pearl Harbor in late November, and the crew was looking forward to a couple weeks of liberty before the Christmas Holidays. Ensign Williams was looking forward to going home to see his fiancée, you will read the letters. He never did get leave to enjoy the sights of the city that first week, instead he was aboard ship that fateful morning.
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