Pt 3: A Complex Life of Family, Faith and Unending Love
The Story of Louis J. Corbo (my grandfather)
In part 2, Louis met and began courting his one true love, Vivian. From the beginning, their romance was intense but when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the world seemed inflamed and frightening. At age 20, Louis proposed to pregnant 16-year old Vivian and the couple married on Valentine’s Day 1942. He joined the Navy shortly thereafter and was shipped to the island of Trinidad in the southern Caribbean.
If you missed the previous installments, you can catch up: Part 2, Part 1
Heat, humidity and heartsickness
Just north of the equator and off the coast of Venezuela, the island of Trinidad’s temperatures remain fairly steady throughout the year, averaging 75°F-85°F. It was no tropical vacation though. Humidity averaged 82%, spiking much higher in the summer and autumn months. Although the bulk of the naval war was being fought in the Pacific, patrol and protection in this part of the Atlantic was crucial to the success of the Allies because together, three Caribbean islands – Aruba, Curaçao, and Trinidad – were home to the largest refining complex in the world. Nothing was more important than protecting the fuel of the Allies. The base did fueling, loading and unloading of cargo ships, making it a constant threat from German U-boats. The base also became a repair depot, with auxiliary floating dry docks that were able to repair boats and ships in the field.
As a Carpenter’s Mate 3rd Class (and later CM 2nd Class), Louis was responsible for the repair of ship ventilation systems, painting, watertight control, and drainage. He would have needed to understand shoring and dry docking as well. It’s not clear if Louis knew anyone from “back home,” but photos that he kept from his time in the Navy do show that there were fellow petty officers with whom he was friendly.
During Louis’ service on the island, it’s likely that he and Vivian frequently exchanged letters — probably passionate letters given their newlywed status and their young age — though all of those have disappeared. Some of Louis’ notes in his Bluejacket Manual indicate how much he loved and missed her. It wasn’t until March of 1944 — sixteen months after first arriving in Trinidad — when Louis was transferred stateside, did he have the opportunity to see his wife and baby again. While in Boston, Louis had a short leave and headed back to Minnesota to see baby David and his now 19-year-old wife. They left the baby with Vivian’s mother and took a short delayed honeymoon to Chicago. Since Louis was technically still employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad, they had free passes! Vivian recalled they had a trout dinner at the hotel and went to the Chicago Zoo the next day before heading back to St. Paul on the train. They had been married two and half years, but hadn’t seen each other for most of that time. The reunion must have been joyful, because Vivian visited him in Boston via train several times, often bringing baby David along. One such trip resulted in a harrowing experience for the couple when Vivian was separated from Louis and David on a train from Chicago to New York!
Louis served for about a year in Boston before he transferred to Rhode Island in April of 1945 where he probably would have served for another year and possibly even re-enlisted had the war not ended in September. So, he was honorably discharged and sent home in October of 1945. Returning home would be a blessing for Louis not only to see Viv and David, but to experience the rituals of regular church attendance and enjoy the company of his Italian-speaking friends and extended family.
In part 4, the realities of lives as adults with children sets in!
Heard stories before but not as detailed, good work as always !
That is so cool that you found that article.