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Robert (Bob) Higby Interviewer: Melissa Montalvo Q: How old were you when you entered the service? A: I was 18 years old, I was the President of Student Council in Cranford High School, class of 1942 & 1943. Q: What part of the service were you in? A: I was in the navy. Q: When did you enter the Navy? A: November of 1942. Q: Were you in the infantry/tanks/navy ships/airplanes? A: Navy Ships, I was stationed on deck of APA 28. The small boats that landed on the shore of Normandy were called LCVP, which held about 36 people. Q: Did you meet your wife/girlfriend before or after the war? How did you meet? A: We met before the war on New Years Eve. Q: Why did you enter the service? Was it because of feelings of patriotism or pride? A: I did not want to be drafted for the Army because I would rather prefer the Navy. Since I was born on “Navy Day” I wanted to be a sailor. I volunteered right away. . Q: How did your family members feel when you joined? A: My sister was a civilian, my mom was not so eager for me to join the service. My mom worked for General Motors on the assembly line. She worked for a company that created engines of airplanes Q: How much did you know about the war before you entered? A: I didn’t know specific information. The war started on December of 1941 and I joined on November of 1942. Everyone was aware of what Hitler was doing in Germany. Once I was in war, I received newsletters about what was happening in the Pacific. Q: Where did you receive your training? How long? A: My boot camp was in Samson, New York. I was then sent to Richmond, Virginia to Diesel School. Here I learned about the boats engines. Maybe for a year or so Q: What theatre did you serve in & for how long? A: After a few invasions of Sicily, Normandy, Southern France, Ohmah Beach, Okanaway, I was sent to Europe to fight in D-Day on June 6, 1944. I was also sent to Southern France to fight & Ohmah. I was in battle for a total of 3 years. After the first 2 years I returned home and married at the age of 21. I was then sent back to war for another year. Q: Most vivid memories? Battles? Men you served with? A: I was the third wave for D-day invasion. I witnessed many casualties. I had to bring to wounded back on to the LCVP’s to receive morphine and shots. I remember the sounds of bullets hitting the water, the boats, & helmets, especially in Normandy and Omaha Beach. Every year there are reunions with soldiers, we are now 75-80 years old and are considered the “Greatest Generation”. The vets travel nation wide to meet with each other, this year we’re going to Chicago! Q: How much communication with back home did you have? Communication with wife/girlfriend? A: Mrs. Higby wrote me lots of letters. She drew pictures of the Disney characters, the 7 dwarfs. I enjoyed it a lot because it brought I peace, quiet, and humor when he read the letters. Q: What was it like returning home? Feelings? A: Once I returned home, I was sent to the West Coast to prepare for the battle of Ishama. However, Victory in Japan occurred and my wife was relieved to know that I was going to be back home. I was excited to return home. The generals released officers based on a 5-point system. Soldiers received points depending on the amount of battles they served in. I was on of the first men released because I received 5 stars. France gave GI’s metals for helping liberate their country. The vets also received a Higins Memorial. I received many metals, such as America Theater, Pacific Theater, and European African Theater. Q: What are your feelings about the war in Iraq? A: We are astonished that France will not support the United States for the end of terrorism. We saved their butts! They could be speaking German right now if we didn’t suffer thousands of lives to save Europe!