Chester Johnson, Leslie McNeese. William “Bo” Warren. They were teammates on the 1941-42 Bi-District Championship Dragon football team. Two years later, they found each other on the shores of Okinawa while unloading supplies – teammates again – this time while members of the U.S. Navy.
On April 1, 1945 Johnson, McNeese and Warren landed in separate LCM’s (Landing Craft Mechanisms) on the shore of Okinawa carrying Marines, landing craft, tanks and other supplies for the what turned out to be the largest land invasion of the Pacific front.
Apparently, Johnson was having trouble getting the loading ramp back upright so he could return to his ship for more supplies. Leslie McNeese and Bo Warren were with their crews nearby also unloading supplies and unaware of each other’s presence. McNeese saw a fellow sailor who needed help – as did Warren – and they both went over to assist Johnson. That’s the story of how three boys from Round Rock, Texas found each other over 7,500 miles from home.
William “Bo” Warren served on the USS Casa Grande. It is unknown what ships McNeese and Johnson served on.
Chester Johnson, Number 41; William “Bo” Warren, number 34; and Leslie McNeese, number 25 met again on April 1, 1945 when they landed in Okinawa.
