Murl Mauser WWII

I don’t have a lot of information on Murl Mauser’s WWII service, but we do have a few things that are interesting.

Murl is my Grandfather on my paternal side

What do we know about Murl’s service?

• Murl filled out the Consent and Declaration form for minors under 21 years of age on April 14, 1945 to enter the US Navy as an apprentice seaman, he was almost 18 years old per his service records. I’m not posting the service records here, but can share with anyone interested.
• Murl’s son Kent stated that Murl enlisted in the Navy instead of any other branch because that’s what one of his friends was doing, so they went together and enlisted.
• At the time of his enlistment for a period of two years he was a college student playing football at the University of Nebraska (that’s another post)
• Murl reported for training on June 15, 1945 to Great Lakes Training Center
• He was assigned to the USS Harrier (AM-366), a minesweep ship for duty
• On March 28, 1946 he was transferred to the USS Motive (AM-102) to be transported back to the United States for discharge
• Murl was official discharged from the US Navy on April 9, 1946
• At the time of discharge he had earned the Victory Medal and was part of the Asiatic Pacific campaign
• Murl was released from service before his two years were up because of a hardship discharge. Walter Kallsen, Virgil Waterman, Clyde Pulley and Cecil Stanley all submitted letters to the Navy stating that Murl’s father Ben was unable to carry on the farming operation without help, and that there was no other help to be found with all the young men away in the war.
• Murl had a perfect 4.0 score for conduct while in the service
• Murl then went back to the farm in Big Springs, NE instead of back to the University of Nebraska, where he had been working on a pharmacy degree and playing football.