By the beginning of 1942, the initial shock of Pearl Harbor and the United States' entry into World War II were beginning to fade, and the hard realities of wartime life were beginning to set in.
As 22-year-old Dow Meek stood on the deck of the USS Saratoga sailing off to war on Dec. 8, 1941, his mind carried him to dark places.
'Memories of War' project
seeks readers' help
Seventy-five years ago on Dec. 7, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor prompted America's formal entry in to World War II, a conflict that would transform the nation and along with it Oklahoma and its people.
Almost 5,500 Oklahoma service members would die in the conflict. Those who survived the battles are either long-grayed or gone now.
To commemorate this landmark anniversary, The Oklahoman presents the series “Memories of War,” which will include photos, videos, archival accounts, interviews and other elements that seek to recreate those turbulent times as they unfolded.
More than anything, we want to tell your stories, to share your memories. To do that, we need your help.
Do you have photos, letters, diaries, mementos or a good tale you'd like to share with our readers related to World War II? If so, drop us a line at mpatterson@oklahoman.com or poconnor@oklahoman.com.
Juliana Keeping is on the enterprise reporting team for The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com.
Keeping joined the staff of The Oklahoman in 2012. Prior to that time, she worked in the Chicago media at the SouthtownStar, winning a Peter Lisagor Award...
Read more ›
