Susan-Marie Kelly, a Sun City resident, cherishes a few mementos from her father, Lou Shemerdiak, a World War II Veteran.
Kelly said, “My father used to talk about his time in the Navy all the time. He was an American naval officer. Upon graduation from the University of Illinois in the spring of 1942, he enlisted in the Navy.”
Marie Kelly sporting her Father’s Navy WWII Woolen Bridge coat. (Photos by Christine Such/My Sun Day News)
Shemerdiak was initially assigned to the Great Lakes and then to Farragut Naval Station in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. This was the second-largest Naval Training Station in the world. It was built in North Idaho during WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Over 293,000 sailors received basic training at Farragut during its 30 months. The last recruit graduated in March 1945, and the facility was decommissioned in June 1946. The site became Farragut State Park in 1966.
“He trained sailors in water safety, swimming, and boating. The Secretary of War wanted inland training to take place away from possible coaster bombing,” Kelly said.
Shemerdiak indicated on his enlistment papers that he read, wrote, and spoke English and Ukrainian.
Kelly said, “He was second in command on a wooden supply ship on his next assignment in Brisbane, Australia. The government asked him to return to Florida and learn Russian. It is similar to Ukrainian.”
He was transferred to London and then Germany. This was Shemerdiak’s final assignment. The World War II allied conference was held at Potsdam, a suburb of Berlin. The conferees discussed the substance and procedures of the peace settlements in Europe.
“My dad served as one of the several interpreters at that conference,” she said.
Kelly has her father’s U.S. Navy long, wool officers bridge coat. A bridge coat is a pea coat that extends to the thighs and is a uniform exclusively for officers and chief petty officers. It is navy-colored and made from 100 Kersey Wool. This particular coat was made in Chicago by E.V. Prices Co Merchant Tailors.
Adolf Hitler’s stationary recovered from his bunker by Kelly’s father, Lou Shemerdiak, during his service in WWII with the United States Navy.
Kelly said, “This coat brushed against the dusty basement walls as my father went down the stairs to Hitler’s bunker.”
Kelly also has another souvenir of her father’s visit to Hitler’s bunker.
“My dad found some of Hitler’s stationery on his desk. He used that stationery to write home to my mother and one of his professors at the University of Illinois,” she said.
Shemerdiak retired in 1945 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Kelly said, “The skills he learned in the service were applied in raising his five children. We had to ‘hit the deck’ every morning to prepare for school.”
