WWII Navy Veteran Recounts Life on USS Missouri and Kamikaze Attack Aftermath

Service Aboard the USS "Mighty Mo"

• ⚓ Robert Somrak enlisted in the Navy seeking a "clean bed and good food," loving the sea and water, and opted for the Navy over the Army.
• 🚢 As a Fire Controlman Second Class, Somrak served in the gun tower of the USS Missouri, a role he found manageable and not overly stressful.
• 🚢 He was a "plank owner" of the USS Missouri, serving on the ship from its very beginning, including a memorable transit through the Panama Canal.
• 🍽️ The ship, nicknamed "Mighty Mo," was known for its good food, partly due to President Truman's connection to Missouri.

Witnessing History and Conflict

• ✈️ During a kamikaze attack, Somrak was in an armored gun turret and later found a piece of the plane, which he fashioned into a letter opener as a memento.
• 💡 He reflects that while he enjoyed his time and didn't feel overly anxious during the journey to Japan, he now realizes the historical significance of those moments.
• 🍫 Somrak shares a story about keeping his chocolate bars hard by storing them in the air-conditioned planning room, a luxury compared to others whose chocolate melted in the heat.

The Surrender Ceremony and Post-War Life

• 📜 Somrak was an eyewitness to the Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945, feeling honored to be part of the event.
• 🎖️ He recalls being part of the honor guard, witnessing figures like General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz, and believes he may appear in some historical photographs.
• 🤔 While his wartime experiences were significant, Somrak feels his time on the Missouri was primarily a growing-up experience that didn't drastically alter his post-war life.
• 🇺🇸 He expresses gratitude for being alive to attend the 80th anniversary of the surrender and to see his ship again after so many years.
• 🚬 Somrak also reminisces about stashing cigarettes under a steel deck plate to avoid lines, a practice he continued until quitting smoking in 1980.

Reflections on a Long Life

• 🌟 At 100 years old, Somrak feels blessed and grateful for his life, which included running a business until recently.
• 🌊 His return to look out at the Pacific Ocean after 1946 is a deeply meaningful experience, highlighting the profound impact of his service and the passage of time.