Podcasts History Mississippi Moments Podcast MSM 439 Bill Barnes - The Coast Guard during WWII

MSM 439 Bill Barnes - The Coast Guard during WWII

Published: May 22, 2015, 4:59 p.m.

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Bill Barnes of Jackson joined the Coast Guard the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. In this episode, he recalls his time in the Pacific spent aboard a Patrol boat. Barnes also describes the process of arming and testing the new craft before heading out to sea.

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After serving two years in the Pacific Theater, Barnes returned stateside for a new duty: helping develop rescue methods still used by the Coast Guard today.

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Podcast Extra

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At the beginning of the war, the Coast Guard didn\u2019t have enough uniforms, weapons or even beds for the influx of new recruits.

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Barnes recalls going to extremes to try and keep warm.

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