Infantry Scout’s Perspective
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92-year-old Joe Harden of Hilmar, CA appears on episode #545 of Hometown Heroes, airing November 1-4, 2018. A native of Marin County, north of San Francisco, Harden witnessed the Golden Gate Bridge being built, and even walked across it before it was open to vehicle traffic. He turned 16 three days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Before long, he had dropped out of school to join the Merchant Marines.
Joe Harden during World War II. For more photos, visit the Hometown Heroes facebook page.
You’ll hear about his experiences at sea, first on an ammunition ship, then an oil tanker, and also what he faced while serving in the 24th Infantry Division after being drafted into the Army.
Paul, I’m 85 and my brother was born on December 10, 1941. When my mother felt labor pains that evening about 9:00pm my father took her to the hospital. We lived 8 miles west of Bakersfield in the country and on their way to the hospital the police pulled them over on three separate occasions to make them turn off their car lights so that the Japanese wouldn’t see and shoot at their car was the reason given to them.
I also remember that our church installed window coverings made of quarter inch plywood with tight fitting turn buckle fasteners to keep any light from being seen by Japanese bombers. During the war the speed limit was 35 miles per hour. Rationing coupons were given out which determined how much fuel you could buy. Farmers were given more fuel for their tractors. Some food products like sugar were rationed. My wife had dresses made from printed flour sacks.