Time is right for Carteret’s ‘WW II Heritage’ resolution

Now, when weighing all the reasons why Carteret County, North Carolina, U.S.A., deserves to be listed among America’s “World War II Heritage Communities,” and in preparation of a formal resolution to that effect…we need to stress the “heart of the matter.”

Bob Guthrie and other members and friends of the Morehead City Historical Preservation Society have ensured that the three World War II British seamen whose bodies were buried in Morehead City’s Bayview Cemetery are revered and not forgotten.

 

“Here rests, in honored glory, three sailors of their King, laid in American soil, hallowed by British blood,” Guthrie always mentions at the annual “Day of Remembrance Service” that occurs in connection with the Veterans Day holiday each year.

“We gather to pay great homage to these three men because they died defending, not their own native land but ours, their American ally,” Guthrie said.

 

Now, therefore, be it resolved: In recognition of Carteret County’s rich heritage and vast contributions to World War II, we the people believe it is vital that Carteret County be designated as an American “World War II Heritage Community.”

Be it further resolved: Carteret County is proud of its various and assorted contributions toward victory by the Allies in World War II.

Be it further resolved: Carteret County continues to celebrate its cultural connections with all branches of military service, especially the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps, which have active installations and training facilities within the boundaries of Carteret County.

“Loose Lips Sink Ships” was a slogan developed for the U.S. Office of War Information in 1942. Posters featuring the wartime expression were printed on posters and hung in many public places, such as schools and churches, according to the Voice of America (VOA) organization, based in Washington, D.C.

 

It was feared that “unguarded talk may give useful information to the enemy,” wrote the VOA’s Anna Matteo and Kelly Jean Kelly.

The first VOA broadcast aired on Feb. 24, 1942, to combat German propaganda with accurate and unbiased news and information. Ever since, VOA has served the world with “a consistent message of truth, hope and inspiration.”

 

Some suggest that in 2024, we “crank up the volume” of VOA as the need is greater than ever.

As an aside, VOA’s first director was Romanian-born John Houseman (shown below), an experienced radio broadcaster. His name is instantly recognized within the motion picture industry. Houseman portrayed Professor Charles Kingsfield in the 1973 comedy drama titled “The Paper Chase” and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

 

Other recognizable past directors of VOA include veteran television newsman John Chancellor and television game show host John Charles Daly.

 

“Loose lips sink ships.”

You didn’t hear any World War II whisperings in Carteret County…except maybe at Davis Shore in Down East Carteret County.

But these oral expressions weren’t attributed to the locals. Rather, they were coming from the soldiers assigned to the secretive Army encampment that was established at Davis Shore almost immediately after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941.

Davis Shore resident Ed Pond remarked that some of the Army soldiers stationed at the Davis Shore Army Camp were overheard whispering about spotting German U-boats in Core Sound.

“The soldiers, lacking local knowledge, didn’t realize that Core Sound in its maximum depth was only about eight feet deep,” Pond said.

So, any U-boat in Core Sound would have required wheels, he said laughingly.

The crowd at Davis Shore smiled at the soldiers and muttered “bless their hearts.”