Current data for Contributor
Smither, James (Interviewer)
Current data for Description
Harvey Davelaar was born in Wyoming Township, Michigan, on December 23, 1923. After graduating high school in June 1941, he worked in a war factory until he enlisted in the Navy in summer 1942. He reported for basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois, in November 1942. He went to Naval Aviation Metalsmith School at Navy Pier in downtown Chicago and trained there until June 1943. From there, he went to Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island, where he outfitted fighter planes and torpedo bombers with rocket racks to attack U-Boats as part of convoy escort. When the Battle of the Atlantic effectively came to an end he was sent to Naval Station Treasure Island, California, where he maintained seaplanes used for the transportation of troops and material. He was at Treasure Island until after the war’s end, then went to Moffett Field, California, as his final duty station. He was discharged on March 2, 1946.
