"After that, it was common knowledge, someone was always getting hurt." (Video Interview, 15:01)

Manuel Castro Perez

Manuel Perez [2003] War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Navy Unit: Navy Amphibious Service, 38th Task Force Service Location: South Pacific Rank: Seaman First Class Place of Birth: **

Manuel Perez enlisted in the Navy in 1943, despite the initial reservations of his wife, and the pain of leaving his two small children. A recent immigrant to the United States, he felt a sense of duty to his new country; he chose the Navy because he wanted to see some action in the Pacific. He got his wish while working on a small Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) ship: he and his crew witnessed some of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific while patrolling the waters off Tinian, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, and Pelelieu.