Veteran earned sea legs serving on Navy carrier

When Alvin Little entered the U.S. Navy in June 1945 at age 18, six of his brothers were already serving in the military.

“My mother, Louella Little, had seven sons in the service in World War II,” Little said.

One brother, Ernest Little, was killed in an F-4U plane during overhead gunnery training near Jacksonville, Fla.

“Ernie was 31/2

His brother, wearing aviation gear, smiles in a photo hanging in Little's home.

Little, a seaman 1st class, served on the USS Altamaha, an escort aircraft carrier — also known as a Jeep carrier because of its smaller size.

The carrier was involved in post-war operations, ferrying planes, supplies, fuel and troops to destinations all around the Pacific — including Guam, Saipan and Midway Island.

“We were winding down the war,” he said.

Aboard ship, Little volunteered for the gunnery division.

“That role included taking care of the guns of the ship and the ammo, where it's stored (which was) clear down in the bottom of the ship, below the water line,” Little said.

When big, rolling waves hit the ship, Little had to make sure all that firepower was secure.

“I'd crawl down this little ladder two to three times a week, depending on the weather,” he said.

In a heavy storm, “You'd go down every two hours and check to see if any ammunition came out of its racks,” he said.

“An 18-year-old kid doesn't know any better,” Little said, chuckling. “That's why wars are for young people.”

Other duties included wheel watch — the gunnery division was responsible for steering the ship, he said.

The men would man the wheel in four-hour shifts.

“We were two decks above the flight deck,” Little said. “You're trying to keep the ship on course. In a storm, it's going to get a little bit scary. You're 40 to 50 feet above the water” and you're swinging back and forth from the top of the ship, Little said.