South Pacific at Seventeen

About the Book

Finally convincing his parents to sign his papers at the age of seventeen, James Snellen enlisted in the Navy in 1944-the middle of World War II. A young farm boy from rural Kentucky, James was anxious to see some action! His boat crew was assigned to an Armed Personnel Destroyer, USS Cofer (APD-62). Being assigned the position of gunner, signalman, and radioman aboard a LCVP landing craft that would put assault troops ashore onto the enemy beaches in the South Pacific, he certainly saw more "action" than he had bargained for. His role later included sweeping for mines in between the Japanese boat docks before any other Navy ship could enter the enemy harbors.

James Snellen successfully landed troops in all eight of the United States invasions in the South Pacific that led up to the surrender of the Japanese. From Balikipapan to Bora Bora, Okinawa, Japan to Fusan, Korea, he received two bronze starts and many other medals for his bravery and for "doing his part." "Even though I was awarded two bronze stars, the things that I did were the same things being done by countless others.'

James is now the historian and coordinator representing the Cofer's association. Sixty-one years later, his remaining shipmates and families still get together yearly for a reunion to reminisce and renew old friendships.

About the Author

Jim Snellen currently lives near Jacksonville, Florida with his wife Dorothy. He remains active in the organization of annual Coffer reunions. Jim grew up in rural Bullitt County near Louisville, KY. At the age of seventeen, he persuaded his parents to let him join the Navy. South Pacific at Seventeen is the story of his experiences during World War II.

Jim joined the Navy three weeks before his high school graduation. Upon returning, he got his G.E.D. and later attended The University of Louisville and Oklahoma City University. Jim tried various occupations such as a brief stint in the Air Force and later working as a milkman, but for most of his life he worked in marketing in the heating and air conditioning divisions of various companies such as GM Delco, American Standard and Amana. He and Dorothy have one daughter, three grandchildren and one great-grandson. They have lived in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Ohio, Iowa, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. Jim is proud of the fact that beyond his war travels, he has also visited 49 states and 20 countries. He stays active golfing, doing yard work, working part-time, and meeting people from all over the world while volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame near St. Augustine.