Waldeman Czaban, nicknamed Curly, was born of Polish decent in Detroit, Michigan in 1925. His father was employed as an electrician for Packard Motor, and kept his job during the depression. Nevertheless, Czaban remembers there were hardships. He walked to school and winters could be brutal. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Czaban had a friend whose brother was in the Navy aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) there so, unlike so many people, they knew where the place was located. It was a shock, but he could do nothing about it because he was only 16 and in high school. He held a part-time job at the time, as a draftsman for Empire Engineering.

Waldeman Czaban received his draft notice soon after he graduated high school in January 1943, and left home for boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois in April. Czaban wanted to join the Army to become a meteorologist, but was told he was needed in the Navy. It was his first time leaving home, and he had to adjust to adult life, which he hated. He began training at Camp Pendelton, San Diego in diesel mechanics, but was soon working with amphibs at Silver Strand. [Annotator's Note: The Naval Amphibious Base Coronado is a naval installation situated on the Silver Strand, between San Diego, California and the Pacific.] He was shocked to learn that he was being transferred to the Marines to operate amphibious units as an engineer.

Waldeman Czaban’s unit went to Kawaii, the Hawaiian Islands, and helped develop the fledgling base. The Seventh Division was there, preparing for duty, which was good practice for Czaban’s amphibious unit. They were shipped to Pearl Harbor and assigned to the Boliver [Annotrator’s Note: the USS Bolivar (APA-34) was a Bayfield-class attack transport.] On the Bolivar, Czaban was consigned to controlling the speed of the ship, not an easy task on a steam-powered vessel. The first run was the invasion of Guam; the unit had been briefed and trained on amphibious landings, so Czaban’s unit was ready.

Waldeman Czaban recalls the logistics of battles in the Pacific. Supplies and equipment were difficult, and sometimes dangerous, to deliver. After the invasion of Guam, his unit went on to the invasion of Leyte. Engine room temperatures on the ship were hard to cool and control. After returning to Hawaii, they moved on to battle in the Lingayan Gulf, which was nasty, as it involved so many air attacks. [Annotatator's Note: Lingayen Gulf is on northwestern Luzon in the Philippines.] Japanese tactics were changing because of heavy losses, and kamikaze attacks had started. On Luzon, Czaban's unit picked up a great many casualties. Attack transports, such as the Bolivar [Annotator's Note: USS Bolivar (APA-34)], had well-equipped sick bays. Czaban kept a diary, and remarked when he saw his first white woman in several months, but doesn't remember developing any close friendships during this period of his service.

Waldeman Czaban's first experience bringing in casualties was disturbing. He thought about how young the wounded soldiers were, and wondered how they would carry on after such traumatic injuries. But there were glorious moments as well, such as watching the flag raised on Mount Suribachi [Annotator's Note: on Iwo Jima]. He helped the beach parties load the wounded from Iwo Jima. [Annotator's Note: Czaban breathes in deeply.] The Bolivar [Annotator's Note: USS Bolivar (APA-34)] ran an exercise in Caledonia in preparation for the invasion of Japan, then, after several stops, the Bolivar sailed down the Columbia River, flying its homebound pennant. [Annotator's Note: Czaban waves his fist in the air and cries.] He was in Cleveland when the bomb was dropped. He underwent further training, and was stationed at various bases stateside, until his discharge.

Waldeman Czaban was glad to be out of service, but when Korea started he joined the Army Reserves. He had earned a bachelor's degree in Transportation on the G.I. Bill, and was eligible for an Army commission as a Second Lieutenant. His rank at retirement in 1975, after 20 years of military service, was Major. That achievement stands out as one of the most memorable events of his life. His second career was with Purex, where he worked for 35 years, retiring as an executive officer. Czaban didn't think people would remember World War 2 for so long but he is happy about the understanding, attitude, and appreciation they show. He notes that before the Pearl Harbor attack, Americans didn't want to get involved in the war and when the number of German and Japanese soldiers is compared to the number of American soldiers, it is no wonder. The war made Czaban appreciate life. When he survived while other young people around him were dying, he knew he was lucky. Just lucky.