Growing Up in New Orleans is a series of letters from Alvin G. Gottschall (AGG) to his daughter Anne. He recalls his life from as early as he can remember of his boyhood and its carefree lifestyle, up through his duty as a naval officer in World War II. Games he played and places he explored on land and sea, the people he knew and the friends he made on his walk of life depict what it was like growing up in the first half of the twentieth century in New Orleans. Equally important were his education and social life in high school and college. His participation in the ROTC led him to become an officer in the Navy where he was first assigned to the USS David W. Taylor detail and subsequently stationed on the USS Mertz for almost three years, which provided him with stories to tell, some grave and true to war and others hilariously funny and true to life. 
USS Mertz, DD-691, 1944, The Pacific Ocean ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alvin G. Gottschall was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1922. He attended Tulane University, where he earned his B.E. in mechanical engineering, then served in the U. S. Navy as an engineer officer and commanding officer on the USS Mertz. After active duty and naval reserve service, he retired with a rank of Commander, USNR. He became an engineer with Gulf Oil as well as PPG Industries and held several sales management positions until retirement as a business consultant. He lives on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay at Point Clear, Alabama with his wife, Mary Fran.
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