Lieutenant Willis Steward Keith, the last captain of the Caine, says, “Every hour spent on the Caine was a great hour in all our lives –– if you don’t think so now you will later on, more and more” in Herman Wouk’s novel, The Caine Mutiny (526-527). This novel is the story of the life of a young man, Willie Keith, and his career in the United States Navy. The novel is set during World War II, a time of great struggle and hardship for Americans. The life of a naval officer in the World War II era, as portrayed in The Caine Mutiny, had many hardships, some similar to those experienced by present-day naval officers and some different.
Willie Keith begins his naval career by being constantly on the move. From the east coast, to the west coast, to Hawaii, and finally to the Caine, Keith moves from place to place even before his true naval career begins. Due to the drastic reduction of jobs during the Great Depression, many people joined the military to achieve financial security (Bernatitus). The economic climate of the nation was very unstable at the time, even in the military. As a result of this instability, morale of the servicemen diminished incrementally. Another cause of low morale was the incessant feeling of danger, especially for those on vessels in a combat theater. Scientists and researchers, who allowed wartime science and technology to advance rapidly, reduced this feeling of danger (Brinkley 746). To increase morale, the United Service Organizations provided servicemen with leisure activities and shows conducted by women (Brinkley 753). For many servicemen, their loved ones met them when they were in port. May Wynn, Keith’s significant other, often meets up with Keith at the ports where he stops. This causes her to in...
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Wouk, Herman. The Caine Mutiny: A Novel of World War II. New York: Back Bay, 2003.
Admiral Husband E. Kimmel grew up in Henderson, Kentucky as one of seven children, and graduated as valedictorian of his high school. Although it was originally his plan to attend West Point, he was not accepted, so he entered the United States Naval Academy in May 1900. Kimmel graduated from the Naval Academy on February 1, 1904 and was then sent to serve in the gunnery department on the battleship USS Kentucky. He continued to rise in rank in the years following, and then, in 1914, after being named lieutenant, he was named “the aide and fleet gunnery officer on the staff of the commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet.” (pg 58, Betrayed). In World War I, Kimmel reached the rank of lieutenant commander, in addition to serving as a squadron gunnery officer, executive officer of the Arkansas, production officer of the Naval Gun Factory, and commander of the Destroyer Division 45. Kimmel was thought of very highly by his superiors, being described as “an all-around officer of great promise” and “a splendid officer of high character.” (Betrayed, 59). The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral William V. Pratt even said of Kimmel, “He is a driver and a worker most effici...
During and after the Great War blacks and left the rural South of Jim Crow Laws, lynching’s, and oppressive economic conditions also known as the Great Migration. “On a political front, participation in WW1 did little to directly advance the equal rights of African Americans.” (National Archives)
...hought it was interesting learning the various ways people had fought out in the sea, including the ways the young officers would eventually end up becoming the only Five-Star Fleet Admirals. In the book The Admirals the officers (Nimetz, King, Halsey, Leahy) prove that men should not be ranked on their skills or technology alone, but on both areas in a synchronized manner to overcome obstacles and rise above all other elements that stand in the way. The ships that the men grew fond of had become an inspiration to keep moving forward and succeed when it came to the battlefield. This thought would later become the thought that America has adopted to move forward when it comes to technology and build upon what has been learned. Anything from the structure of sea vessels to the artillery it carried did not only aid in war, but it aided in a country that could progress.
Brandt, Nat. Harlem at War: The Black Experience in WWII. New York: Syracuse UP, 1996.
James Baldwin uncovers a few misconceptions in his essay, ?Notes of a Native Son?, about the discrimination that occurred with in the American Armed Forces during World War II. These misconceptions were not unintentional?the government, to look more political, created these perceptions. The government treated the African Americans unfairly and segregation and discrimination were still not uncommon. Not only were African-Americans rarely let into the army but once in the army they were not given the same opportunities as the other soldiers. This was not only unfair to the African-American soldiers who were willing to put their lives on the line for their country but also for all American citizens who lost their lives in World War II.
...played an excellent model of military ethics. Finally, I showed how my leadership decisions, although not combat related, bear some similarity in vision and ethics to Chesty’s standard, as set seven decades earlier. I can think of no better leader for today’s officers, both commissioned and noncommissioned, to emulate than the most decorated and idolized marine in history.
World War II." Civil Rights for Minorities During and After World War II. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. .
Those studying the experience of African Americans in World War II consistently ask one central question: “Was World War II a turning point for African Americans?” In elaboration, does World War II symbolize a prolongation of policies of segregation and discrimination both on the home front and the war front, or does it represent the start of the Civil Rights Movement that brought racial equality? The data points to the war experience being a transition leading to the civil rights upheavals of the 1960s.
...en << Red Tail Squadron Red Tail Squadron.” Rd Tail Squadron. Accessed March 29, 2014. http://www.redtail.org/the-airmen-a-brief-history/.
In the 1940‘s racial segregation gripped southern American life. The notion of separating blacks from whites created immense tension. Separate water fountains, bathrooms, restaurants, etc. were variables that helped keep races apart. “Jim Crow” laws in the south were intended to prevent blacks from voting. These laws, combined with the segregated educational system, instilled the sense that blacks were “separate” but not equal (174). Many people of color weren‘t able to survive through this time period because of the actions of whites. One individual who overcame the relentless struggles was Ralph Ellison. Ellison, a famous author, depicted racial segregation in the 1940’s through a fictional short story entitled “Battle Royal.” Battle Royal symbolized the actions of what “other” people became accustomed to. Blacks were thought to be socially inferior and live in the shadows of whites. The idea which Ellison uses to paint “Battle Royal” consists of that when one sex or race treats another as an object or animal, both become dehumanized (174). Ellison’s use of hidden meanings conveys his theme more effectively.
The 1940s represent a decade of turmoil for the United States in general. Perhaps no group of people struggled more during that time period, however, than African Americans. With racial segregation prevalent, particularly in the South, opportunity was lacking for African-Americans. However, Ralph Ellison suggests in “Battle Royal” that due to the lack of racial unity among black men as well as a certain amount of naiveté, black men prevented themselves from succeeding more so than their white oppressors.
Captain Aubrey exhibits and demonstrates leadership characteristics that inspire his crew to be the best that they can be. One of the most important leadership traits that Captain Jack has is a single-minded focus on his purpose. All of his decisions are held up against the g...
Murphy’s law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. As someone who bears the name I can attest the truth in that statement. I have an extremely blessed life and do not endure the suffering that many people do on a daily basis. However, I have bizarre connections to small misfortunes and circumstances that follow me back as far as I can remember. Any acquaintance of mine will attest that things in my life never go as planned and anything that can happen will. Yet through a collection of misfortune, one can still find solace and benefit through their tribulation and see that negative experience could actually be positive.
There are many things that have impacted my life in a positive way as a result of my military service. For starters, joining the Navy was huge. It got me organized and opened my eyes to an entirely new world, and not just the military service world. The variety of experiences that I’ve had in the service interacting with people from all over the world has helped me grow as a person. However, from the day I entered service, one item or one rank in the structure of the Navy struck me as critical to the operation of the Navy. That item or rank was the position of the Chief Petty Officer. As I entered service I quickly discovered that the Chief was the go to guy and the old saying “ask a chief” had a profound meaning. The Chief was a leader, mentor, and an expert in just about everything, all qualities that I lacked at the time. Then, twelve or so years later, the life changing event for me of being selected as a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy came to fruition.
Army life can be very challenging and a life changing experience. It was very challenging and life changing for me. I was raised by my Grandparents they did everything for me so this was a wakeup call for me on life. An independent person was not I, so I had problems with the changes about to come. Army life is constantly demanding and constantly changing without notice. Although the travel was exciting, army life for me was very challenging because I had to learn to adapt to a new system, to share my life with other soldiers, and to give up many of the comforts of home.