These Americans, both in and out of uniform, also made sacrifices and many shared the risks. Many of us have heard about Rosie the Riveter, a symbol of the American factory worker, "..she's makin' history, workin' for victory..".

But there were others...

Men like John Zuzik, who was aboard the Mizar at the same time as my grandfather. John's daughter Pat Powell was kind enough to share some family photos from John's time in the service.

My grandfather, George, pictured above holding my dad, served aboard the USS Mizar. He never spoke in detail about his time in the Navy. Over twenty years after his death, I have been able to learn something of his military service during World War II.

The National Archives operates records center in St Louis, where it is possible for family members to request service records. In this case it consists only of his DD-214, Notice of Separation from the US Navy.

With the name of the ship, I was able to use the Internet to locate a shipmate in California, who served aboard the Mizar prior to George. Charlie was kind enough to send me more detailed information about the ship and it's travels.

Charlie's childhood friend and USS Mizar shipmate, Everette Johnson has committed to paper his war time experiences. The scanned documents can be viewed at the Library of Congress Veteran's History Project. It's well worth the time.

In May, 1941, the 17th Division received orders to active duty. 70 men of the Division left by train from Union Station on May 21st and after brief layovers in Toledo, OH and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, boarded the Navy store ship USS Mizar.

For the next five years, first in the Atlantic, and then the Pacific, the Mizar carried personnel and cargo to front line bases and ships.

Named for a star in the handle of the Big Dipper constellation, the Mizar was placed in commission June 14, 1941 at Staten Island, NY on the same day that most of the crew reported for duty.

Built in 1932 and owned by United Fruit Co., the ship was originally named SS Quirigua, a fast mail steamer operating between New York City and Caribbean ports. She had accommodations for passengers and all four holds were refrigerated to handle perishable cargo.

The 17th Division supplied almost 30 percent of the entire crew which numbered 238 officers and men. The remainder were regular Navy or Fleet Reserve retirees called to active duty, as well as individual Naval Reservists from other locations.

Lt. (JG) Leroy H. Higenbotham, former commander of the Indianapolis Reserve Unit, was appointed Gunnery Officer and other 17th Division men were assigned to various ship divisions above and below deck.

The Mizar joined the Atlantic Fleet for the first of three voyages to Iceland which established the American base near Reykjavik. She visited many Atlantic coast ports from Norfolk, VA to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Mizar also sailed to Caribbean ports including a voyage to bring servicemen's families from foreign bases back to the USA. The early part of 1942 was particularly hazardous because of German submarines.

The Mizar is mentioned in connection with an incident involving the battleship USS Washington BB-56 and two ships of the royal navy. It was also part of Task Force 16, which included the carrier USS Wasp CV-7.

June 10, 1942 the USS Mizar sailed with Task Force 39 from Norfolk, VA to Wellington New Zealand with a battalion of Marines who later landed on Guadalcanal.

The Mizar was then assigned to the small group of ships in Gen. MacArthur's command and commenced operations from Australian ports to ships and bases in New Guinea.

One of the interesting items I turned up during my research was the narrative of Lt. James K Nance of Texas.

It seems that during his time aboard the USS Whitehurst he was on duty while escorting a convoy that included the Mizar. One night radar reported ships on a collision course. As it turned out, the ships passed each other without incident.

Lt. Nance passed away in November 2009 after a distinguished legal career in Houston. His passing was noted by former President Bush and his wife Barbara.

In July 1943, at age 33, my grandfather entered the US Navy. After basic training at NTS Great Lakes, IL, he was assigned to the USS Mizar, where he served until his discharge in late 1945.

During his time aboard ship, the Mizar made several trips between Australia, New Guinea and Admiralty Island. At the same time American Forces were engaged in the Solomon Islands, Tarawa, Kwajelein and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

After the war he returned home and went back to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad, where remained until his retirement in the 1970's.