WWII Navy Veteran Recounts Life on USS Missouri and Heading Towards Japan

Joining the Navy and Life Aboard the USS "Mighty Mo"

• 👶 Edgar Buffman joined the Navy at 18, with his mother signing for him, and initially served on the USS Missouri during its construction in Brooklyn.
• 🎯 His role was Gunner's Mate, Third Class, equivalent to a sergeant in the Army, responsible for operating and maintaining weaponry.
• 🚢 The ship underwent shakedown cruises, including one to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to test its systems before heading to the Pacific.

Facing War and Combat Conditions

• 🛡️ Buffman states he was never afraid during the war, attributing this to a generation that did what needed to be done without dwelling on fear.
• 💥 He describes combat conditions, including manning 20mm batteries and the need for helmets and life preservers, though these were often discarded for practicality.
• ⚠️ The crew was instructed to wear makeup to mask flashes from larger guns, but this was quickly abandoned.

Witnessing a Kamikaze Attack

• 💥 Buffman vividly recalls a kamikaze attack on the USS Missouri, where a plane struck the starboard side, causing significant damage and fire.
• 🤕 The pilot was killed and dismembered, with parts of the plane embedding in the ship's structure.
• 😟 Despite the chaos and flames, Buffman focused on reassuring his 25-man crew that everything was under control, prioritizing their morale.

The Japanese Surrender and Landing Operations

• 🇯🇵 Upon hearing of Japan's surrender on August 15th, Captain Callahan ordered a landing force, and Buffman volunteered to be part of the first sailors to land on the Japanese mainland.
• ⛰️ This mission involved clearing caves and destroying ammunition, a task that was described as