General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: No Choice: Why Harry Truman Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Japan [View all]csziggy
(34,136 posts)Mom was a Navy Nurse and treated the injured from many of the battles on the Pacific Islands including Iwo Jima. Dad was an ensign (j.g.) serving on a submarine (USS Spot) and engaged in action in the Sea of Japan (and earned a Navy and Marine Medal).
Neither of my parents believed that dropping the bombs on Japan were a bad thing. At the time he was in a rotation off patrol as a harbor pilot at Pearl, then posted to a newly arrived sub (USS Menhadin) which never went on patrol. Mom was too busy taking care of the wounded but did not see a chance the war was ending soon.
Dad's letters were about how no end was in sight - even AFTER the bombs were dropped.
They did not meet until well after peace was declared - it was months after that before most of the wounded were shipped back to the mainland. Then Mom was posted back to the mainland where she waited for Dad to arrive so they could get married.
They were not happy with the atomic bombings but saw them as a necessary step to end the war without losing tens of thousands more lives.