Sabrina De La Rosa and Courtney Ferris
Period 3
Laurel Carlson
Coast Guard
1943-1946
Laurel Carlson
ESLR W CST 11.5
“Good times, scary at times, and some good memories; but that’s just speaking for myself” (Laurel Carlson). March 15, 2013, students at Martin Luther King High School had the honor of meeting and speaking with U.S veterans in an event called King
High Remembers (KHR). Our country’s heroes do not get enough recognition and gratitude for risking their lives to fight for the nation because many times young Americans learn about the wars of America, but don’t have the chance to put a face on history.
KHR gives students the opportunity to have an insight on the lives of someone who served our country, such as Laurel Carlson.
Carlson was born June 14, 1923 in Minot, ND where he was raised on a wheat farm with his two older brothers. In 1933, the
Depression and the drought caused his family to move to the city. After graduating from Minot High School in 1941, he moved to California for work. At the age of 18 Carlson was employed by Douglas Aircraft and met his wife to be, Ruth. However, his life would shift after December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
December of 1942, Carlson received a letter from the United States President that read, “Greetings from the President, You have been selected by your fellow citizens to serve in the armed forces.” The following February he and his brothers enlisted at the same time; Carlson enrolled into the U.S.C.G boot camp at Curtis Bay MD and became a U.S Coast Guard, seaman first class on the LST 205 in the Pacific. April 1943 he was stationed in the supply depot in New York City where he worked an 8 hour work day for 18 months. On the LST 205, Carlson found himself as the barber on the ship and apart of the “Black Gang” which were men who worked below the deck. Friendship was valued a great deal in the service to Carlson, who befriended two other US
Coast Guards. Carlson was not in combat, but there was a lot of action and he spent most of his time on watch. When it needed repairs, the LST 205 arrived in Seattle and he proposed to Ruth. Carlson planned the whole marriage and in 7 days they were married on May 24, 1945. Carlson shared a very comical story about how he was caught taking some meat from the kitchen on the LST 205 after they got married because meat was ration during the war.
He continued his service soon after in July for the invasion of Japan, consisting of the first and second A bomb. Before the LST 205 left Japan, Laurel and a couple of his sailor acquaintances went exploring around Japan. Laurel showed us pictures he took of Japan; the photos showed how the destruction was immense and Japan was nothing more then ruble. Carlson explained how the Japanese citizens believed that Americans wanted to capture them and cut open the men’s stomachs eat their livers, and that they wanted to rape the women. This perception that the Japanese had of Americans was common during the war but Laurel and his crew showed the Japanese that they weren’t interested in harming them. The following January 26, 1946,
Laurel Carlson received his letter of discharge from the U.S Coast Guard and was relieved that the war was finally over.
“I’m just as happy now than when I ever was.” Carlson adjusted well after his time serving for the country. He happily began his life with his wife and worked as an engineer for the Huntington Park for 20 years and the Los Angeles Fire department for 9 years. They have three children, a boy and two girls, together: one living in Missouri, one in Nevada and one in California.
Carlson will be retired from the Fire Department for 35 years and it will be 67 years since he has served the country. Carlson and
Ruth have 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren now reside in a senior community in Corona, CA.
“I've lived a happy life; if the good lord wants to take me, here I am” (Carlson). Carlson spent 2 years 11 months and 9 days in the service. He wasn’t awarded any specific metals, but he was rewarded a great experience and great life. Although times weren’t always the best, he surrounded himself with great people and never let the bad times get to him. Even after losing people who were important to him, he could still put a smile on his face and be proud of the life he lived. After participating in
KHR and having the honor to speak with Laurel Carlson we learned to look at life in a better perspective and always be grateful for the things we have especially family and friends.