Transcript of an oral monologue by John A. Hugghins. Hugghins finished high school in Bryan, Texas in May, 1041, and went to Baylor University that fall on a football scholarship. He joined the Navy and was called to active duty in July, 1943. In the meantime, he stayed in school. Once he received the call, he reported to stations in Mississippi and New York for training. When he finished midshipman school in Plattsburgh, New York, he was commissioned an ensign in June, 1944. He immediately reported to Charleston, South Carolina, where LSM-152 was under construciton. Before long, he was made gunnery and supply officer assigned to USS LSM-201, which became his home for the duration of the war. Aboard USS LSM-201, Hugghins passed through the Panama Canal on the way to Pearl Harbor, where tanks were loaded aboard the vessel for transport to Iwo Jima. Hugghins speaks about his first impression of Iwo Jima, the naval bombardment prior to the invasion and making a landing there. He also discusses the flag-raising and what it felt like to witness that. Hugghins visited the island one day and got a tour from a Marine in a jeep. He also visited the Marine cemeteries. Throughout the transcript, a few of Higghins' original poems appear. Hugghins also mentions how Jack Lummus, a Medal of Honor recipient and fellow Baylor Bear, died at Iwo Jima. USS USS LSM-201made over 70 landing at Iwo Jima, and after the battle, had to be towed back to Pearl Harbor for repairs.