Clifford was an Electrician’s Mate aboard the USS Calvert from December 5, 1942 to August 4, 1943. He participated in the Invasion of Sicily while aboard the Calvert.

Appreciation to Clifford E. Trout’s granddaughter, Melissa, for providing the photographs and biographical information below.

Biography

Clifford Edward Trout, a farmer residing in Philbrook, Todd County, MN, registered for selective service on July 1, 1941. As World War II broke out, the likelihood of being drafted into service increased. Instead of undergoing an involuntary assignment, Trout wanted to choose his path himself, and, as he told his family for years afterward, he had heard the Navy had the best food. He chose a four-year enlistment, and, with 200 fellow recruits, officially took the oath of enlistment administered by Governor Harold Stassen at the Minnesota State Capitol on June 7, 1942.

Following basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, he attended electrical school at Iowa State College and graduated with a rating of electrician’s mate.

He joined the crew of the USS Calvert on December 5, 1942, when the ship was in Norfolk, VA. He was able to travel to MN briefly to visit his parents for Easter Sunday while the Calvert was docked in New York City for wartime improvements in April 1943. He was on board the Calvert when it participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily.

On November 26, 1943, Trout transferred to the USS Newman, where he remained a part of the crew, participating in transatlantic voyages and campaigns in the Pacific, until it returned to the US in 1946. Trout, who had by that time earned the rank of first class, was honorably discharged from service on January 11, 1946, two days after the Newman arrived in port in New York City.

During his time in the Navy, he earned the following service ribbons: 

• American Area Ribbon with one bronze star
• European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon
• Asiatic, Pacific Campaign Ribbon with three bronze stars
• Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star
• World War II Victory Medal
• Good Conduct Medal

Trout married Geneva Kohanek just four months after his honorable discharge, and spent a few months driving a milk truck before working briefly at the Ford plant in St. Paul. He returned to farming in the fall of 1946, working at a farm in Lakeville, MN, before buying a dairy farm in Wadena, MN, which he operated until his retirement in 1985. He was a loving father to eight children and several grandchildren until his death on April 15, 1993.

Damage Control Cards

The following cards were likely given to Clifford while aboard the USS Calvert. The first card references Chief Delgazio (#3 – Delgazio), who was a senior enlisted member of the Calvert’s deck division and boat crews.

Ratings Description Card