August 14, 1945. Just another day at sea. I was sound asleep in my bunk on the destroyer USS Taylor. We were part of Task Force 38, the renowned US Navy fast-carrier assault group of warships that had played a major role in winning control of the Pacific Ocean from the formidable Imperial Japanese Navy. We were ninety miles off the coast of Japan in our sixth week of audacious carrier air strikes against Tokyo, major airfields and industrial targets. I was 21, the Taylor’s “boot” ensign, her youngest officer.
   I awoke abruptly when a shipmate sailed one of my shoes up against the ship’s hull twelve inches from my head, shouting “The war is over!” Having gotten my attention, he added that “Bull” Halsey was going on our voice radio in ten minutes with an important announcement.
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