We were truly honored to have this story to share. Paul Robbins and his son, Jack, reached out upon their purchase of the IOWA Class Hoodie—USS New Jersey. For Paul, who served on this very ship when he was 17 years old, this hoodie has significance only few alive today can truly understand. While World War II ended in September 1945, Paul continued to serve aboard the USS New Jersey until he returned to the USA in February 1946. We’re grateful for his service and for him sharing his experience and some pictures from his time serving on the USS New Jersey.
RiserUnited [RU]: When did you serve, and how old were you when you joined?
Paul Robbins: I was 17 when I went in. I served 37 months during World War II—January 21, 1943, through February 1946. I traveled over 200,000 miles on the sea in the Pacific. I had three other brothers in the war as well. I saw all of them at different times in the Pacific during the war.
RU: Amazing. Was there something specifically that made you want to join?
Paul Robbins: My brothers were in. I said, “That’s where I’m going to go.” I commissioned the ship and also graduated from high school the same day. My mother got the diploma, and I got the ship.
RU: I’ve seen pictures and videos of the New Jersey. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to serve on something that massive. Do you remember how it felt boarding the ship and heading off to war?
Paul Robbins: I lived in a small town. A group of us went down to Des Moines, Iowa, and said we’d join when they called us. Five of us went to boot camp together in 1943 at Great Lakes. I was assigned to the USS New Jersey, which was brand new at the time. I was part of the original crew—we called that being a “plank owner” in Navy terms. That ship was the biggest battleship in the world then. I thought, “Boy, I’ll get lost on that.”
RU: That’s a great photo of you and your brothers together. What was it like with your brothers also serving?
Paul Robbins: We operated out of Ulithi Atoll. That’s where we’d refuel and restock—food, oil, ammunition. After we’d strike the Japanese, we’d return and prep for the next mission. Sometimes my brothers' ships would come in, and they’d visit me. Once, I saw two of my brothers on Mog Mog Island during recreation time. Somebody told one of them, “Your brother wants to see you.” The next day, the three of us were together. We got two hot cokes and two hot beers—no ice, but that’s what they had.
I was on a 5-inch gun mount. The projectile weighed 52 pounds and the powder case was 18 pounds. I worked in the handling room, sending ammo up to the gun. It got really hot—no air conditioning. My brother came over once thinking we had A/C, but we were just as hot as he was.
RU: Did you ever go through any storms out at sea?
Paul Robbins: Yes, a really bad one—a typhoon. There’s a book called Typhoon: The Other Enemy. We lost three destroyers and 790 men, plus 150 planes. But I was on a big ship—we rode it out well. Others weren’t so lucky.
RU: The photos you have are a real treasure.
Paul Robbins: One of my shipmates had a camera and sold photos for a dime—made over $1,000. Very rare pictures. Some were taken at Pearl Harbor, others in Tokyo Bay after the war. One shows a Christmas tree on the ship, another the battleship Nagato, the only Japanese battleship left afloat. Last September, I got to fire a 3-inch gun at a reunion.
Paul Robbins: The New Jersey was the flagship of the Pacific fleet—third and fifth fleets. On my 100th birthday, February 15, 2025, a flag that flew on the ship was sent to me along with a piece of original teak wood from the deck, laser-etched by a Vietnam vet.
The plaque says I’m the only man who was at the commissioning of the battleship in 1943 and also at the commissioning of the New Jersey nuclear submarine in 2024—81 years apart.
Paul Robbins: If you want to see more pictures, check out the website: USS New Jersey Veterans, Inc. Click on “Pictures,” go to “1940s,” and scroll to the next-to-last entry. All my photos are there, plus some from the reunions. It’s a walk through time. The reunions and the people are really something.
RU: Thank you so much for sharing your story and your service, Paul. It’s a true honor.
We’re humbled by Paul’s story and are honored to share it to help commemorate and recognize the legacy of service and sacrifice of Mr. Robbins and all those who served with him on this great ship.
Forever grateful.
