Bill Davidson
Will McDaniel
Personal Interview of Bill Davidson
Bill Davidson is 97 years old and served in the navy during WWII. I met Mr. Davidson through my grandmother who lives in the same nursing home as Mr. Davidson. Mr. Davidson kindly gave me his time and we sat and talked about his memories of serving in a hospital in Guam.
What did you do during the war?
I was a pharmaceutical assistant at a US naval hospital on the island of Guam. I volunteered to serve in Guam because I didn’t want to be drafted and sent to the European front.
Why did you not want to go to the front?
There were many casualties.
Did you ever see any combat?
We had survivors of combat come into the hospital, such as those from the USS
Indianapolis, but never saw any combat at the hospital. We were treated like soldiers, we were “bed-pan commandos.” First we went to boot camp and had basic training in Chicago. When we got there, we all lined up naked and got examined and sized for our uniforms. Our clothes were thrown at us and then we were pretty much done for the day.
What is Guam like?
Guam was a tropical island where native people lived and the United States had a harbor and hospital there.
(shows picture of him age 42 in Guam with a young native child that he sent home to his wife-“my best girl in Guam” it read on the back, “hope you’re not the jealous type!”)
Did you like your job?
I just did my duty.
How was the food?
You’d have to be hungry to eat it.
Did you keep in contact with your wife?
I mailed letters every week.
What was the most exciting thing that happened at Guam?
One night I was in a tent with other guys and a big storm came. The ground was getting real wet so the tent stakes were rising and I had to go out in the storm, naked because all I had was my underwear and I needed to keep them dry, and pound the stakes in with whatever I could find.
How long did you spend in Guam?
Two years. I only signed up for the duration of the war and then I was sent home.
After the war, what did you do?
A few other guys and I arrived on the same night and shared a cab. I was the last to get dropped off but when I got home, the porch was a lit up and a beautiful young lady was standing on the porch, just waiting.
What was your job after the war?
I worked at US Rubber before and after the war.