Earl Havlin Selover was born 08 March 1917 in Wildwood, NJ. Joined Navy 11 June 1934 four days after graduation from Wildwood High School. Following recruit training at Naval Training Center, Norfolk, VA was assigned to the USS Idaho for duty. Having an amateur radio operator's license enabled him to get in the radio gang quickly. In February of 1938 RM2c Selover was transferred to the staff of Commander Battleships Pacific Fleet for duty. On 07 December 1941 he was the Flag CRM on board USS Maryland at Pearl Harbor.
In early February 1942 he was transferred to the pre-commissioning detail of the USS Indiana at the Naval Station Norfolk, arriving on 28 February 1942. As the leading chief of CR Division he was responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the radio gang which numbered about 75 people. This included providing a training program, watch standing and general quarters assignments; recommending personnel for advancement; publishing a daily newspaper for the crew; and various other tasks related to communications to and from the ship.
His most memorable experience was the collision at sea between the Indiana and the Washington. He was transferred to shore duty on 21 September 1944. He retired from the Navy following 20 years of service in January 1954. Medals received: American Campaign; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with two silver stars for ten major engagements; WWII Victory; National Defense Service; American Defense; Good Conduct.
On 06 April 1940 he married Ella Mae Shaffer in South Philadelphia, PA. They have four children - Earl Jr., David, Diane, and Barbara; nine grandchildren and five great gramdchildren. He retired from civilian employment in March 1979. He was the Quality Control Manager at a Naval Electronics Overhaul facility in Norfolk, VA. His hobbies include "ham" radio, gardening and travel.
