Irving Lichter was born in Napierville, Illinois and entered the US Navy 16 June 1944. He received his boot training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois and then went to the Armed Guard School in Gulfport, Mississippi and was assigned to the Armed Guard Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was assigned to the SS Charles F Amidon and later went to the Armed Guard Gunnery School in Camp Shelton, Virginia. He was then sent to Treasure Island, Armed Guard Center, Pacific. He was assigned to the SS Ralph T. O'Neil and later transferred from the Armed Guard to the fleet and was assigned to the USS Shoshone (AKA-65), an Attack Cargo ship. Irving was always well liked and dedicated to his duties, wherever he was assigned.