Robin Hardy Online
GM2 Julian Dodson, USN

Since Robin comes from a Navy family, she has a special place in her heart for the military. Turns out her good friend author DeAnna Julie Dodson is also a Navy brat: Her father Julian Dodson served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. DeAnna and Mr. Dodson graciously allowed us to post a few of his photos here.

Seaman Dodson enlisted March 10, 1943, a 17-year-old and the youngest of ten children. He served almost three years, eventually being promoted to Gunners Mate 2nd Class. Below is LST 118, the ship on which he served the longest, from February until December 1944.

LST-118

Left: GM2 Dodson (at top right) and shipmates in Hawaii in 1944. (DeAnna thinks he looks like a young Kevin Costner, and we tend to agree.)

Below: A Christmas postcard Dodson sent home to his mother. Note the censor's stamp of approval.

"we have him well in hand"

Left: Another ship that GM2 Dodson served on: USS Walsh, APD-111. (Pointing to the prow-mounted armaments, Mr. Dodson explained, "Those were my guns.")

Incidentally, DeAnna, an avid quilter, created this military-themed quilt for her dad for his birthday in 2006. See a larger photo and description, along with her other beautiful quilts, here.

Page updated 1-18-07

Back to top

Back to War Stories