How The Navy and I Survived Each Other During WWII

About the Book

This book is not a historical document but rather a mini-autobiography detailing some of my adventures as a Navy man with friends, both good and otherwise.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 when 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.

About the Author

    John Kilsheimer was born in Westchester County just north of New York City.  His mother died while he was in high school, but one of her last wishes to his father was that John should be allowed to go to college away from home. The College of the Holy Cross was in Worcester, MA and a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) was just being started, so he enrolled in both in September 1941.

    This led to a commission as a Naval Officer in February 1944. After surviving some challenging times during training missions, he became a small boat officer in the amphibious forces. This book deals with many adventures including two invasions in the South Pacific.

    His top post-war priority was to marry Betts, the love of his life. Together they endured four lean years of graduate school. Their first daughter was born during this period and the G.I. Bill and some housing in an abandoned Army Barracks made it all possible.

With his Ph.D. in  hand, his first industrial position was in West Virginia.  John worked in chemical research for four companies in the Fortune 500 Club and authored twenty-four U.S. patents and over a hundred foreign patents.  He retired as Senior Vice President of the Scotts Company in charge of Research, Manufacturing and Distribution. 

    Betts and John have 6 daughters, all in the education profession, and at last count 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

    John and his Good Buddy, CHASE, a one of a kind miniature schnauzer, have now authored a new book titled Bedtime Stories by CHASE.  It has a story to be read every night for one month of pleasant dreams, each with a valuable lesson from a small dogs point of view.  It is also available from AuthorHouse, the internet, and most national bookstores.