Doing Your Duty

Troy Goodrich

History 1700
Professor Clark
04/24/16

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The Second World War was the largest and arguably the most violent armed conflict in
recorded history. With a massive amounts of bloodshedleaving over sixty million people
worldwide dead, and twenty five million wounded. World War II Americans fought on multiple
fronts, with soldiers being stationed in both the Pacific, European theater, and some never even
left the states. The war lasted from September 1, 1939 to September 2, 1945, and soldiers of all
ages were either drafted or volunteered. After all of the devastation and loss that World War II
caused its curious if Americans understand the lifestyle that war creates, also if they appreciate
the psychological and physical toll that the soldiers go through to keep this country safe? Each
individual World War II soldier has their own way of looking at the war, and this provides a
perspective unique to the area and time period they served. Through listening to interviews given
by American World War II Veterans I will be able to analyze their perspective on the war, and
their view on what doing their duty truly was.
What do you think of when someone does their duty in war? I think of men fearlessly
charging into battle to defeat their enemy, but there are other war time jobs that need attention so
that the ones fighting have adequate supplies to suit their needs. Every soldier has a duty.
However duty can be viewed in multiple ways. Every soldier has a different job and preside in a
different local. The Everett Cooley collection of oral histories was the platform for the interviews
in this essay. When there is a quote introduced it is from the oral histories done by Everett
Cooley, and Tim Larson. The oral history reviews throughout this essay are unique in their own
way. Each veteran had a different view of what doing their duty entailed.
Ralph Margrits, Served 1941-1947, Navy:
Ralph Margrits served from 1941 to 1947 and was a renowned railroad scheduling
specialist. He was in charge of scheduling train reservations that would transport large sums of

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troops to different Armed Guard Centers throughout the country. During Ralphs service he sent
a group of about five hundred men to the New York Armed Guard Center. The men were put
aboard ships that planned to make the Murmansk run. When Ralph discovered that only a few of
these five hundred men survived the run, and Ralph volunteered for service in the South Pacific
shortly, but his superiors wouldnt let him because of the title he held. Known for his work as a
scheduler Ralph said, I was the only enlisted man who could sign travel requests and have his
signature recognized and honored1
Ralph served as a rail officer for almost seven years and never saw an ounce of combat.
He never even left the states. On top of that he was in San Francisco for roughly ninety percent
of his time served. Ralph tried to be discharged after the war had ended using his points earned
while serving, but his superiors wouldnt allow it because they said he was needed.2 I believe that
Ralph Margrits didnt realize that he was doing his duty by having the job as a rail management
officer, but he was. He tries multiple times to leave his position to help in other ways.
Considering he served longer than he needed to because his superiors saw talent in his abilities.
Ralph was doing his duty by using his talents as a rail officer to conduct the traffic that wartime
creates.
Harold Woolley, Served 1942-1946, Navy:
Harold Woolley was a very studious pupil and planned to receive a degree in political
science and history when the war broke out in Europe. This changed his plans and he decided to

1 Ralph E. Margetts, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Everett L. Cooley by Everett

Cooley, Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014

http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/19616 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)
2 Ibid.

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get involved in an officer training program.3 I think that he felt if he was going to have to serve
in the military it would be better to get into a higher ranking position, rather than getting drafted
and being placed in the Army infantry. When Harold finished his training he was stationed on a
Pacific Destroyer for his entire time spent in service, and worked the radios and radar as a
communication officer.4 On the one hand Harold gave me the impression that he was doing his
duty by using his skills with radios and radar to aid the war effort. However he didnt seem
enthusiastic towards patriotism, he seemed very content with serving in the position he did, and
got out as soon as he could.
Seeing the horrific carnage of the war, and experiencing the physical and mental stress left
its mark on American soldiers. Being in the middle of life and death situations calls one's duty
into question.
Ray Canning, Served 1943-1945, Army:
With World War II starting Ray Canning wasnt able to serve his LDS mission like he had
planned, but he was able to turn it around and make it positive by saying, I had served my
mission among the natives of Germany, as a warrior. Ray was a rifle platoon leader in the
Fourth Infantry Division where he received training, and was then shipped out at the beginning
of 1945. Almost instantly seeing combat Ray Canning led a platoon from eighteen to forty men,
but was never up to the full force of forty men because he was losing half of them every two
weeks. In the interview Ray said, They took hills, swept woods, and destroyed towns. Ray was

3 Harold Woolley, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Tim Larson by Tim Larson,

Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014

http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/36273 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)
4 Ibid.

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then transferred to a new platoon who had gone through ten platoon leaders since they landed on
the Omaha beach on D-Day. His commanding officer who was known as Blood-and-Guts
Lanham greeted him, by saying, Glad to have you here, Canning. If you do your job, you'll be
killed or wounded in one month.5 This was shocking to him, but Ray had to realize what was at
stake, and what he was up against. Receiving orders to sweep the woods for enemy snipers Ray
led his platoon into combat, and lost two men he landed with on D-Day. Pinned on the edge of a
railroad bank under constant gunfire Ray questioned his leadership abilities when his plan of
action failed resulting in one of his soldiers nearly dyeing. His platoon looked at him wondering
what to do next, and he said, Don't ask me, look what I did.6
Rays situation threw lots of responsibility at him after being placed into command, and
combat so abruptly. This scared him, like it would anyone, but doing your duty was listening to
your superiors and following commands given. Ray Canning used his men to his advantage, by
asking for advice on what decisions to make, rather than following his own instinct. Ray relied
on his men more that they relied on him. He was doing his duty the best way he knew how, by
following up with orders given, and staying alive.
A.J. Wann, Served 1943-1945, Army:
Obtaining a fair amount of schooling in political science and history A.J. Wann was
considered a likely candidate for a higher position in the service. Starting out as an engineer he
was also given several temporary jobs. Moving with the First Army toward Germany. A.J.

5 Ray R. Canning, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Everett L. Cooley by Everett Cooley,

Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014

http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/34925 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)
6 Ibid.

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trained as an engineer, field officer, and saw combat as well as occasionally handling court
martial cases.7 Throughout A.J.s time moving from city to city pushing back the Germans, A.J.
loved every opportunity he could get working as an investigating officer, and handling court
cases as a temporary acting court martial. Along came V-E Day and the war in Europe was over;
but A.J. knew that his time in the military wasnt over. He had a wide array of skills and he heard
that there was a need for engineers, so he didnt get his hopes up and expect to head home just
yet. A.J.s commander unexpectedly gave him the news that he would be needed as a court
martial in the Civil Affairs Unit in Germany. A.J. was more excited than ever when he heard the
news. He enjoyed handling court cases within the military government.8 I feel like A.J. Wann
saw that being an engineer was doing his duty, but always was seeking more glory than that.
Through working in various jobs he helped in any way he could, but was truly fit to be a court
martial. Discovering the truth in hundreds of court cases throughout his service. After the war in
Europe had ended, he was able to truly do his duty. I believe that A.J. didnt want to make a big
deal about what his job was even though he was an exceptional court martial.
Elzy Bird, Served 1944-1945, Navy:
Nearing the end of the war; the American cause was still looking or more men, and Elzy
Bird was thirty one and ended up getting drafted. He had no children so he was more vulnerable.
Elzy said, They were really scraping the bottom. On his first night at Fort Douglas he met a
man in the bunk next to him who only had one eye. Like he said they were really scraping the
bottom. Elzy Bird was a fairly famous artist who documented Indian pictographs, and
7 A. J. Wann, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Everett L. Cooley by Everett Cooley,

Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014

http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/34377 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)
8 Ibid.

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petroglyphs at the Barrier Canyon, but the army didnt take advantage of his talents as an artist in
his service. Since he had a couple years of college chemistry under his belt he was thrown in
with the medics. His commanding officer noticed his abilities as an artists and questioned why he
was placed in the medics so Elzy was shipped off. Going through various training programs, and
working in different barracks Elzy struggled to find a place where he fit. Finally he was placed
in the 1903rd Aviation Engineers division where his role was building airfields and roadway
systems. Stationed in the Pacific theater in 1945 Elzys platoon was tasked first with clearing
Nanaa small island off the coast of Okinawaof some nine thousand Japanese soldiers.9 This
was a horrific sight for Elzy, he said:
We walked through dead people, both civilians and military, until we got to our camping
spot. We dug a little foxhole each and sat there, and then machine guns opened up on us
and we were pinned there all night long in these stupid little holes.
After Elzy and the infantry cleared the island he began building airfields, roadways, and
bunkers across the island. After a few months of work Elzy was removed from Nana along with
most of his platoon, and was taken to Okinawa to be part of the invasion force that was planning
to attack the mainland of Japan. Elzy along with many other men were dreading the thought of
what carnage would take place. Then the atomic bomb was dropped, and he was one of the first
troops to go into Japan after the peace treaty was signed.10 I think Elzy experienced some very
horrific sights in his service which called his duty into action. Elzy was given the task of
invading Japan which questioned his duty. Though what was his duty really? He never enlisted
9 Elzy J. Bird, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Everett L. Cooley by Everett Cooley,

Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014

http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/41198 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)
10 Ibid.

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and was a drafted towards the end of the war. Elzy didnt plan on fighting and was nearly placed
in an invasion force thats devastation would compare to or maybe even surpass the devastation
on D-Day. Elzy was riding out the wave doing his duty by taking orders, and carrying those
orders out. Then he was put in the invasion force where he questioned his duty, until the bomb
was dropped ending the war.
Wayne Nelsen, Served 1943-1945, Army:
Wayne Nelsen was 18 when he graduated high school and as soon as he was eligible he
was drafted. He was placed in the Army infantry, and was a part of the relief efforts because the
war ended about ten days after he arrived on Okinawa. Although Wayne was surprised with how
extensive the occupation effort was. In the book written by Ronald H. Spector he wrote about the
occupation up Japanese territory in immediate response to the conclusion of the atomic bomb.
Allied occupiers came into the area for the nonpolitical task of disarming and removing the
Japanese, but they quickly found themselves in the middle of insurgencies or civil wars, because
the basic political future of these countries remained undecided.11
Wayne spent most of his time serving as a supply Sergeant, and was in charge of
collecting all of the riffles and samurai swords from Japanese families. He had compassion
toward the Japanese civilians. After seeing the devastation the atomic bomb caused he felt
sympathetic towards the Japanese people, and helped them any way he could. Even though the
war had ended there was still Japanese hideouts and tunnel systems on the island of Okinawa.
There was an instance where Waynes commanding officer was shot directly in the head right in
front of him by a sniper hiding in the hills. This experience advised Wayne against making any
11 Spector, Ronald H. 2005. After Hiroshima: Allied Military Occupations and the Fate of

Japan's Empire, 1945-1947. The Journal of Military History 69 (4): 112136.

http://www.jstor.org.libprox1.slcc.edu/stable/3397181.

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serious friends saying, I didnt want to commit myself to a deep friendship because you never
knew day to day, how long you lasted.12 My grandfather was Wayne Nelsen, and he believed he
was doing his duty by being the best person he could. He was ready for the death toll to reach a
close. My grandpa even went to the lengths of trying to return the rifle and samurai sword to
their Japanese ownerwhich were considered treasured items in the Japanese culture, and had
been passed down through their family for generations. Since the war was over there was no
more need for bloodshed and both sides had suffered enough. My grandfather said, I think you
have to learn to appreciate other people and other cultures and try to understand them. I think a
lot of things can be settled without war if we were more understanding.13
Throughout the conditions of war there is a demand for various different jobs. The jobs
each Veteran were given determined their duty. All of the men were expected to do their duty by
doing their job to the best of their ability. Ralph Margrits served as an at home hero equipped
with the skill he had of maintaining the military railroad system. Harold Woolley fulfilled his
duties as by just doing his job. He never showed an enthusiastic attitude toward paying his dues
in his service. Ray Canning was a platoon leader who seemed doubtful toward leading his men,
but was doing his duty by completing his assignments through whatever means necessary, no
matter his pride. A.J. Wann was doing his duty as a renowned court martial, and more. He was
constantly seeking out extra responsibilities, and looked at them as opportunities. Elzy Birds
duty was strictly trying to stay alive. He saw lots of combat, and was very reluctant when he was
drafted in the first place. My grandfather Wayne Nelsen, was a part of the occupation force of
Japan and was determined to do the most good he could since the fighting had ended. He was
12 Wayne Nelson, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Stacie Roe by Stacie Roe,

transcribed by Stacie Roe, Jan, 5 2008. Word Document (accessed Feb 28, 2016)
13 Ibid.

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able to base his duties on his own principles of bettering the earth, rather than having to be
forced to develop a goal that resulted in destruction of other humans.
There isnt really a way of detecting if someone has done their duty, or if the soldier feels they
have done their duty. Although I feel all they have done their duty by serving and protecting us,
some rise to the occasion, and others feel content with the cards they are dealt.
Bibliography
A. J. Wann, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Everett L. Cooley by Everett Cooley,
Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/34377 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)
Ralph E. Margetts, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Everett L. Cooley by Everett Cooley,
Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/19616 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)
Ray R. Canning, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Everett L. Cooley by Everett Cooley,
Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/34925 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)
Elzy J. Bird, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Everett L. Cooley by Everett Cooley,
Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/41198 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)
Harold Woolley, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Tim Larson by Tim Larson, Digitized
by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Sep, 16 2014
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uu-elc/id/36273 (accessed Feb. 28, 2016)

Goodrich 11
Wayne Nelson, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Stacie Roe by Stacie Roe, transcribed by
Stacie Roe, Jan, 5 2008. Word Document (accessed Feb 28, 2016)
Spector, Ronald H. 2005. After Hiroshima: Allied Military Occupations and the Fate of Japan's
Empire, 1945-1947. The Journal of Military History 69 (4): 112136.
http://www.jstor.org.libprox1.slcc.edu/stable/3397181.