
Radioman Ray Daves, 23, in the Navy Chief Petty Officer's "aviation green" uniform
he acquired upon arrival at NAS (Naval Air Station) Kodiak in January 1944.
Above photo illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 180
Source of Photo: Ray Daves Collection
Cover of the menu at the base coffee shop, NAS Kodiak, January 1944
Above document illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 180
Source of Document: Ray Daves Collection
Inside pages of the same menu, NAS Kodiak, January 1944.
Back cover of the same menu, NAS Kodiak, January 1944
Bob Hope's first of many subsequent USO tours to bases overseas during World War II was a series of shows for the
troops in Alaska. Above, from left, comedian Jerry Colonna, musician Tony Romano, actor/comedian Bob Hope,
actress/singer Frances Langford. September 1942. (Radioman Ray Daves found this photo posted inside the radio
shack when he arrived at NAS Kodiak in January 1944.)
Above photo illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 182
Source of Photo: Ray Daves Collection
Chief Radioman Ray Daves, 23, center, meets USO entertainers on the runway
at NAS Kodiak, Winter 1944. (Plane in background is a Navy PBY.)
Above photo illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 182
Source of Photo: Ray Daves Collection
A "USO girl" sings and dances at a camp show for sailors at the US Naval Air Station on the island of Kodiak in the Gulf of
Alaska. NAS Kodiak, Winter 1944.
Above photos illustrate Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 182
Source of Photos: Ray Daves Collection
Chief Radioman (CRM) Ray Daves, 23, and the new Mrs. Daves (Adeline Bentz), 24.
February 1944. (Uniform is the US Navy Chief Petty Officer's "dress blue.")
Above photo illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 183
Source of Photo: Ray Daves Collection
Radioman Ray Daves's parents, A.V. (Arthur Verna) and Brantie
Daves. Vilonia, Arkansas. March 1944.
Above photo illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 183
Source of Photo: Ray Daves Collection
Three days prior to their February 26, 1944, wartime wedding, Chief Radioman Ray Daves
and his fiance Adeline Bentz acquired a marriage license in Spokane County, Washington.
[Of the 13 couples listed in The Spokesman Review newspaper's above court records, the
grooms' addresses indicate at least 6 were in the military.]
Above document illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 182
Source of Document: Ray Daves Collection
After receiving his temporary field commission to Ensign at NAS Kodiak, Ray Daves is issued
this "Japanese Hunting License," shown above in its original size and color, Spring 1944.
Above document illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 184
Source of Document: Ray Daves Collection
The Russian pilot known as "Lt. B.B.", front, second from right, and other Soviet Air Force
officers meet USO entertainers backstage after a camp show at NAS Kodiak, April/May 1944.
Above photo illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 187
Source of Photo: Ray Daves Collection
Radioman Ray Daves at NAS Kodiak learned that his brother in the US Army survived the ground battles in
Europe that followed D-Day, June 6, 1944,only after his family received this "V-Mail" from Lloyd Daves
postmarked October 1944. (V-Mail envelope and content are shown actual size.)
Above documents illustrate Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 186
Source of Documents: Ray Daves Collection
Adeline Bentz Daves, 24, enjoys a day at the beach with her new husband, Chief Radioman Ray
Daves. Pebble Beach, Washington. March 1944.
Above photos illustrate Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 184
Source of Photos: Ray Daves Collection
The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1941, preserves the habitat of the world's largest
bear. (The Kodiak bear is a unique sub-species of grizzly bear, also known as the Kodiak brown bear.)
Above photo illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 189
Source of Photo: Ray Daves Collection
The main street of Kodiak Town, winter 1944.
In 1940, the population of this community on Kodiak Island was 840.
Above photo illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 189
Source of Photo: Ray Daves Collection
Children of Kodiak residents pose for a photo outside their school in Kodiak Town, Fall 1944
Above photo illustrates Radioman, Chapter 20 ("Kodiak"), page 189
Source of Photo: Ray Daves Collection