Men And Women In Service
Wilford Jung, petty officer second class, whose wife resides at 1122 12th Street, who had been serving on a destroyer in the Pacific, now is doing shore duty. The destroyer on which he had served eight months was sunk early this month in a Pacific battle.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, July 23, 1943
Unconscious After Destroyer Torpedoed Sioux Cityan Lives to Spend Leave Here
Saved by Another Ship’s Crew in Solomons Waters
Unconscious after the destroyer was torpedoed but rescued by the crew of another destroyer, Wilford Jung, baker second class, is spending a 30-day leave here with his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Jung, 1122 12th Street.
The sinking of the Strong July 5 was but one of several exciting experiences for Jung, who has been in the Navy about a year and who said he was on his way to Casablanca on convey duty six weeks after entering service.
Jung’s ship was under attack on one other occasion and he witnessed a mighty air battle at Guadalcanal.
Bomb Jap Positions
At the time of its sinking, the Strong was engaged in a bombardment of Japanese installations at Vila and Bairoko on Kula gulf, which lies between New Georgia Island and Kolombangara Island in the Munda air base area.
Jung said he was knocked out for a time when the ship was struck by a torpedo in the galley, but was uninjured and was picked up by another destroyer after about 10 minutes in the water.
Shortly after he was picked up, Jung said the Japs began shooting star shells all around the, but scored no hits.
Attacked by Jap Planes
In another battle, he said, which took place about 35 miles from the Marshall Islands, the destroyer he served on was attacked by Japanese dive bombers and torpedo planes. No hits were scored, he said, but some were “Too close for comfort.” His ship, he said, was credited with sinking several Japanese submarines.
At Guadalcanal, he said, he witnessed a battle in which 72 out of 100 Japanese planes were shot down. The Japanese Zeros, he said, are flimsy and burn like paper when hit.
Jung said that sailors sleep with their clothes on at all times and are ready for action on short notice. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jung, are former Sioux Cityans now residing at Wausa, Wis.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, August 25, 1943
In Uniform
Wilford W. Jung, petty officer first class is spending a 30-day rehabilitation leave with his wife at their home, 2401 Rebecca Street. He returned recently from overseas where he spent 11 months in the South Pacific area on a United States destroyer, and took part in the invasion of the Marshall, Saipan, Tinin, Palau and Leyte Islands. He has been awarded stars for eight major engagements. Previous to his service in the islands he served on a destroyer which was sunk in the battle of Kula Gulf.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, January 24, 1945
