Carol Pressnall

Carol Dean Pressnall was born August 17, 1927, at home in Wichita, Kansas. In 1940, he was living with the family on a 160 acre farm owned by his grandfather near Winfield. Pressnall was only 12 years old when his father passed. After his father's death in March of 1940, the family auctioned off what they had and moved into Winfield, Kansas. Pressnall started high school that same year. The war began his sophomore year, and, being too young, he stayed in school and graduated in 1944. A teacher suggested he go to the Chilicother Business College, and Pressnall graduated from the course in 6 months. He began work with a railroad knowing at 18 he would be drafted.

Pressnall decided to join the service June 28, 1945. His mother signed the papers but he was not called to active duty until August 3, 1945. Pressnall picked the Navy because his father had been in the Navy, his best friend at business college had joined the Navy, and he was always told that in the Navy you did not have to sleep in the mud. It did not occur to him until later that he could not swim.

A troop train in Kansas City took him to San Diego for boot camp. One drill included climbing a 50 ft. tower, tying your trouser legs together, holding them over your head as a life preserver, and jumping into a pool. Even though he could not swim, Pressnall managed to pass the "abandon ship" drill.

During boot camp, Pressnall did not remember being told the United States dropped the bomb on Japan but did remember hearing of the Japanese surrender during a training exercise.

Pressnall continued his service in San Diego, assigned to the Welfare Department office. In early 1946, orders were received that all Navy Reserves in his section were to be discharged in three groups. It was Pressnall's job to prepare discharge rosters. He thought he should not go with group one, so he put in to go home with group two. Unfortunately, he only had served 360 days (not a full year), which made him eligible for the future draft. Pressnall was drafted into the Army and served in Korea for a time.

Pressnall used the G.I. Bill to get a BA in Business.