Once Upon a Wagon

About the Book

Once Upon a Wagon-Book One is a young sailor's light-hearted story about his life in the US Navy at the close of WWII. It covers his first six months of service as portrayed through his letters to his family along with an accompanying narrative. It begins and ends in his home state of New Hampshire and includes his Boot Camp training, life aboard a battleship, and experiences in foreign countries.

It is not a war story and does not include traumatic experiences that are often associated with the military. It is, however, a rather different kind of navy memoir that includes letters, a narrative, anecdotes, Navy publications and a travel log.

The characters portrayed in this story were real people, however their surnames have been omitted. In some cases, the full names of foreign dignitaries, high level military, and well-known figures are included.

About the Author

John M. Jewett enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 18 at the close of World War II. He received his Boot training at Bainbridge, MD and served 19 months aboard the U.S.S. Wisconsin, BB-64.

His Once Upon a Wagon- Book One is the first of a two-part series; in Book Two the U.S.S. Wisconsin goes to Europe.

He was educated at the University of Maine and was employed as a Highway Surveyor and Design Engineer by the New Hampshire Dept. of Transportation and retired in 1988. He is a registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor.

John M. Jewett is also an accomplished musician and currently plays drums in a senior volunteer combo. He and his wife Pauline are natives of Laconia, NH and are now residing in Socorro, NM.