RDM1C Karl S. Gass

U.S. Navy 1942 - 1945

Good Conduct
Medal		 American Campaign
Medal		 Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal WWII Victory
Medal

Karl entered the U.S. Navy on September 19, 1942 and received his basic training at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California.  After boot-camp he attended Radar School in San Diego.  Karl served on the USS Hobby (DD-610), the USS Tarbel (DD-142) and the USS Jack W. Wilke (DE-800). The primary duty of these ships was escorting convoys from the United States to African ports.  These ships also escorted aircraft carriers searching for German submarines.  During his service aboard the USS Tarbell, he became a Qualified Signalman and a Sonar Operator.

While Karl's ship, the USS Hobby, was in San Diego, California on a "shake-down" cruise, he had the good fortune of being able to visit with Burton Braun, another Zion veteran, in Los Angeles.  This was in December of 1942 to the best of Karl's recollection.  On his first trip into Casablanca, Morroco, he got to see two of his former schoolmates from Burbank High School in San Antonio.  They were aboard ships in the convoy his ship was escorting.

Karl was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with one bronze star and the WWII Victory Medal.  The bronze star mentioned above was for a probable kill of a German U-Boat during convoy duty from New York to Casablanca during the period March 12th to 18th, 1943.

Karl attained the grade of Radarman 1st Class during his service.  He was discharged from the Navy on September 26, 1945.

He was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict; however, he was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in San Antonio at that time.

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