Hello My wife and I are putting together shadow boxes for our dads. Her dad was Navy and served 05-29-44 (7 days after he turned 18) to 06-04-46 Water Tender 3rd class. My dad was army and served 01-12-42 to 04-14-43 corporal (basic through OCS) and 04-15-43 to 03-19-46, 1st Lt. For both of them we're looking to figure out (if we can) some of the places they were using their service record and other memorabilia we have. For both, we have their separation papers. So I will be searching and asking questions in the applicable sub forums Thanks for reading.
This file will tell you what a water tender did to earn his three hots and a cot. HyperWar: Destroyers--Enlisted Billet Descriptions (NAVPERS 16,486)
Google "boiler room usn wwii" images. This will give you an idea of where he worked. Often hot, always rather dirty, and permanently dangerous.