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Gus Mathews enlisted in the US Navy on November 16, 1942. He was an electrician aboard the heavy cruiser USS Boston (CA-69), sailing over 150,000 miles, spending 3 Christmas’, and earning 10 battle stars while aboard the ship. Gus didn’t set foot on land for over 17 months and mentioned that also meant he didn’t see a woman for that long either. He was also proud to say that not a single ship was damaged under his protection. Hut Gus’s proudest moment of WWII did not occur during his time at sea but before he started his service. Gus made the decision to enlist into the Navy rather than be drafted; a decision he is deeply proud of. So proud in fact, that he carries his discharge papers with him in his wallet stating he enlisted into the Navy.