Page 22 November 2014 Phoenician one of few to witness monumental moment By Alyssa Hillman Navy veteran Marshall Roberts is one of the few who witnessed the surrendering of the Japanese in World War II. Roberts joined the Navy shortly after graduating from high school in Tolleson, Arizona. In 1942, he and a friend drove to Buckeye with intentions of enlisting in the Marines, but with one eye lacking 20/20 vision, he was ineligible. However, Roberts was determined to serve, leading him to join the Navy and attend boot camp on January 1, 1943. After finishing boot camp in San Diego, California, he was sent to San Francisco and positioned on the USS Portland. Roberts and his crew boarded the ship that was recently repaired after being struck by a Japanese torpedo, and were then deployed to their first stop: Alaska. “They called our boat the Sweet Pea because the ship got along so well,” said Roberts. Since Roberts was trained in typing, he was positioned as “storekeeper,” which meant he was in charge of tracking provisions and recording the supplies needed for the crew. He also assisted in logging payroll for the 1,200-manned ship. Standing on the starboard side from midnight to 4 a.m., Roberts’ night post was to watch for enemy ships. “It was so foggy and cold up there, you just almost froze. You couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. ” After two years, the USS Portland embarked on what would be its last “big mission.” On April 1, 1945, the ship went to Okinawa to complete more operations. However their assignments were cut short, because in August Japan announced their formal surrender to the United States. Roberts was on one of the two vessels Japanese surrender parties boarded and he witnessed the action. “I still remember the whole ship cheering when, over the loud speakers aboard ship, they said that the Japanese had surrendered,” Roberts stated. “We thought it was fantastic, now maybe we could go home. I didn’t know I was going to get in on the trips to France to bring troops back.” During their travels from France to New York, a storm hit causing non-repairable damages to the cruiser. Fortunately, it was able to finish the trip to the States; however, it never sailed again and was scrapped. While enlisted, Roberts met his wife, Lenore Walters, who was also in the Navy. He too was in San F leave her for m “I’d write night, and sh everyday, I “When my s maybe once e 60 days, we’d all at one tim bundle of lett The two ma he returned t However, due the storm, he until about then took a t Tolleson wher for a wedding waiting, they Following leave was ov Philadelphia months. Roberts wa returning to h and was offic 1946. “I was alw because I wo wife and our said Roberts. During WWII Marshall Roberts was positioned on the USS Portland, which became a vital entity of the War. Continued on page 23 Family Owned & Operated Licensed, Bonded & Insured Service & Install on all Makes & Models Free Estimates on New Equipment RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL • Residential & Commercial • A/C, Heating, Low Temp, Ice Machine • Family Owned & Operated • Licensed, Bonded, & Insured • www.AccuTempAZ.com • Service & Install All Makes & Models • Free Estimates on New Equipment SUMMER IS HERE! IS YOUR AC OPERATING EFFECTIVELY? Rebates/ Credits over $ 3000 available R E F R I G E R AT I O N  A I R C O N D I T I O N I N G  R E S I D E N T I A L  C O M M E R C I A L ROC Licenses: 80131, 80132, 80133 3231 East Washington • 602-957-3745 Install a new environmentally friendly A/C system! REBATES & CREDITS AVAILABLE! ��S���L A N�W �N�I���M�N����Y FRIENDLY A/C SYSTEM! 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Page 23 November 2014 Navy. He took her on one date while he was in San Francisco, before having to leave her for months. “I’d write to her practically every night, and she’d write to me practically everyday, I guess,” explained Roberts. “When my ship would come into port maybe once every 30 days or once every 60 days, we’d be in harbor and get mail all at one time. There would always be a bundle of letters.” The two made plans to get married when he returned to the States for Christmas. However, due to the setbacks caused by the storm, he did not arrive in Arizona until about January 3, 1946. Walters then took a train from San Francisco to Tolleson where Roberts took her shopping for a wedding dress. After a long time of waiting, they were married on January 6. Following their wedding, Roberts’ leave was over and he had to return to Philadelphia where he stayed for two months. Roberts was offered a promotion upon returning to his base, to which he declined and was officially discharged March 20, 1946. “I was always glad I didn’t sign over because I would’ve been away from my wife and our new daughter on the way,” said Roberts. Lenore and Marshall were married for 63 years before Walters passed away in October 2009. Today, Roberts, 90, currently resides in Phoenix, which keeps him close to his kids and grandchildren. Along with other mementos from his serving days, he displays his late wife’s Navy photo next to the burial flag presented to him at her funeral above his fireplace. “I was always glad I went into the Navy,” said Roberts. d on page 23 Now 90 years old, Roberts lives in Phoenix. Veteran Continued from page 22 STI Physical Therapy | 4840 E. Indian School Suite 103 | Phone 602.956.2850 | Fax 602.956.2877 SERVICES PROVIDED BY STI Pre & Post Operative Care Post Motor Vehicle Accident Rehabilitation Work Related Injuries ASTYM Soft Tissue Technique Kinesiotaping