In the fall of 2015, we were proud to welcome U.S. Navy veteran Seth Burgess back to The King and Prince Resort. Mr. Burgess’s last visit with us was during World War II – all through the summer and fall of 1945, he was stationed on St Simons Island to attend Radar School. We were happy to be able to sit with Mr. Burgess and his wife in ECHO to chat about his time here 70 years ago.
Seth Burgess November 1945
We talked about how the rooms in the Historic Building were fashioned with bunk beds to accommodate all the Navy men here for their radar training. Some of his best memories included riding bikes around the island, listening to bands playing at a club near the Village, and a funny story about being his bunkman’s wingman because the girl he was taking on a date would only go if her friend had a date too.
The Radar room at The King and Prince
Aerial of The King and Prince with radar towers in 1944
While Mr. Burgess was here, our General Manager Michael Johnson took him on a tour, showing him our history wall. He also posed for photos in front of ECHO, named to remember our naval radar connection to World War II.
Seth Burgess and Michael Johnson discussing Resort history
Seth Burgess and his wife at ECHO in October 2015
Tags: Naval Reserve Radar Training Station, St. Simons Island hi, St. Simons Island Radar Station