Speaking to the Future:
Henry Hiddinga
Henry Hiddinga related his military experiences during World War II, where he served as a quartermaster aboard a submarine tender, the USS Howard W. Gilmore. Prior to his enlistment in the U. S. Navy, Hiddinga wanted to become a fighter pilot in the Air Force, but a farming accident, which resulted in the loss of one of his fingers, disqualified him. Following boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago, Hiddinga received further training at Treasure Island and Mare Island in California. He described his duties and activities while serving aboard the Gilmore, which operated in the Marshall Islands, Australia, Pearl Harbor, the Coral Sea, and Subic Bay in the Philippines. In addition to his military experiences, Hiddinga also discussed the importance of his faith, which resulted in his becoming a minister after his discharge.