California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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Married Mary Zickar 1951. Two children: Mark Albert and Mary Kay, one grandchild Mark Jacob and one due in December. Owned and operated a grocery store for 40 years. Now retired and living in LaSalle, IL. Proud to have served aboard USS Calyornia. EUGENE E. POPA, USNR, F2lc, was born June 29, 1924, Detroit. MI. Join the service April 7, 1943, went to Great Lakes, IL, Naval Training Station Camp Porter Co. 489, was assigned to the USS Calyornia, July 1943, in Bremerton, WA. Spent time in X Division before transferred to M Division. He took part in the battle of Marianas Islands. Participated in battles at Saipan, Guam and Tinian. After was transferred to Treasure Island, CA, was assigned to a destroyer pool. He went back to Bremerton, WA, and was assigned to the USS Wiley DD597, was in the Yellow Sea. When the war ended was discharged April 10, 1946. Married Ann Caplea,iSept. 29, 1946, had three children, two boys and a girl: also four grandchildren. AwardslMedals: Good Conduct Medal and two battle stars. Discharged April 10, 1946, with the rank of MM2lc. Retired. JAMES D. POPPE, Electrician's Mate Third Class, bom San Francisco, CA, Dec. 21, 1924. Enlisted Dec. 19, 1942, U.S. Navy, EM3lc, M Division. Service included Farragut, San Diego, USS Calhfornia, Cub 19, Navy 3913 USS Blackhawk, USS APL29, all located Tringtoa, China. Participated in the following battles: Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Conly done two times in historyj Sea Battle of Surigao Strait fCross the Tv six battlewagonsj Philippine Liberation, Battle of Surigao. Memorable experiences: It was early moming, he think it was about 0400. The USS Tennessee rammed the USS Calyfornia broadside, porbow causing a 80' hole. They were steaming toward Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Island. They were suppose to be bait for the Japanese Fleet. The reason the USS Tennessee hit them, was it lost its hydraulic steering. They were using 20 Marines to hand steer the ship. AwardslMedals: Good Conduct, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, American Area, WWII Victory Medal. Discharged Feb. 18, 1946, with the rank of EM3lc. Married with three sons. His wife is a school teacher, oldest son IBEW Elec. and other two general contractors. Retired I.B.E.W. electrician. ROBERT M. PUGH, USNR, SK3C, born Akron, OH, Jan. 3, 1927. Enlisted March 15, 1944, Navy, F 84 S Division. Service included Great Lakes for Boot Camp, OG Unit Shoemaker, CA, USS California, Philadelphia, PA, Navy Yard, USS Monterey. Battles participated in: Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Sea Battle Leyte Gull, Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, Okinawa. Memorable experiences include beer parties on the islands, walking under USS California in dry-dock, ship taking hits in Philippines. Awards!Meda1s: WWII Victory Medal. American Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with lour stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, Philippine Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal. ,Ag . Discharged June 6, 1946, returned June 7, 1946 USNR. Retired Feb. 28, 1969, with rank of DK1. Married and has five children and six grandchildren. Retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, 41 years. He and his wife are Civil War Reenactors. Also repair trains and run 100 acre farm, have helped make four movies: North di South, Glory, Dances With Wolves, Gettysburg. WINSTON E. PULLEN, LTCJGJ, bom Monson, ME, March 12, 1916. Enlisted Aug. 17, 1942, USNR, X Division. Military locations, stations: Midshipmanls School, Columbia University, February 1943 - June 16, 1943. USS Calhfornia Bremerton Navy Yard, Seattle, WA, X Division Officer. War Adjustment School, Harvard University, J une - September 1945. Material Redistribution Office, Hartford, CT, September 1945. Discharged Jan. 2, 1946. Battles participated in: Marinas CSaipan, Tinian, Guamj 1944. Leyte Gulf, crossed enemy's T at Surigao Strait. Rammed by USS Tennessee, repaired at floating dry- dock, Espiritu Santo. Battle of Lingayen Gulf, hit by suicide planes retumed to Bremerton Navy Yard. Awards: American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, Victory Ribbon. He is married and has five children and six grandchildren. Retired Professor and Associate Dean of Life Sciences and Agr., University of Maineg volunteer activities through Kiwanis, Developing an agricultural museum on University of Maine Campus. ROLAND L. RABER, USN, bom Corvallis, OR, May 3, 1920. Enlisted, NTC San Diego, CA, Jan. 13, 1942. Vessels and Stations: NTC, San Diego, CAL DD Base. San Diego, CAL USS Helena, USS California, USS Chandeleurg RS NB Philadelphia, PA. Rate: Firecontrolman First Class. Awards: American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with 13 stars, American Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Navy Unit Citation, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, WWII Victory Medal. Assigned USS Calihirnia in 1943. as a survivor of USS Helena, served on USS California until she was decommissioned, then to USS Clmnrlelenr for further mothballing of various fleet ships. Married Barbara in 1946, one daughter. Separated frotn service Nov. 14, 1947. Now retired after 40 more years of hard work! GERALD L. REESE, COXtBM3l USN, born April 12, 1921. Enlisted Oct. 6, 1939, San Diego, CA. Reported USS California Dec. 15, 1939. On Dec. 7, 1941, he was on the boat deck near his battle station. He saw the lirst Japanese aircraft bomb Ilford Island. He also saw those that torpcdocd his ship, t'ulitoriiitr. As a rnetnbcr of CtlllflJI't1lill lv 6th Division anti -aircral't gun crews. lie engaged the enemy lor thc duration ol' thc attack. The ship was scriously damaged, atire and sinking. 2 . ' ' . WW ., . . , 'iii WW I f f When engaged personnel were ordered to leave the ship, he swam to Ford Island towing a shiprnate who cot- not swim. Under strafing attack, he and shiprnate voluritarll. retumed to the ship. There, they cleared still loaded 4.1. guns and relocated ammunition threatened by ire. He remained aboard ship through the night. rnanr.ir.g still operable AA guns. His parents received offigza, telegram notice that he had been killed in action. Later assigned to Naval AA batteries at Puuloa Point. Fifi Kamehameha and Hickam Field. While at Hickam he tiew a mission as a gunner in a B-18 Bolo bomber. In July 1942, he was assigned to IQSS Alabama. Advanced to BM2C. Served as Mount Capt. -LONINI .-XA. quad mounts. Alabamajoined US and British Naval Units moving in Atlantic, North Atlantic and .Arctic Oceans protecting Murmansk bound convoys and performing other strategies: among them, the Norway Invasion Feint and search for the Von Tirpitz. Mid 1943, Alabama entered South Pacific Operations. In late 1943, he was transferred to Y-12 Nav al Officer Training. Graduated and commissioned July 19-15. After warls end he was released to an organized reser- e unit. Left service April 1953. Graduated UCLA 1950. Graduated Southwestern University Law School January 1959. career covered private and public sectors ending in Washington. D.C. Retired from U.S. Govemment Service. 1985. and from own firm, 1987. Relocated from Northern Virginia to California Central Coast. Now married to Sally Marie. have three children, four grandchildren. Medals: American Defense Service Medal with Fleer Clasp, American Campaign with Foreign Service. Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star. European- African-Middle East with Bronze Star. WWII Victory Medal, and Special Congressional Medal - Pearl Harbor. THOMAS JAMES REEVES, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Reeves of Thomaston. CT. He attended local schools and before entering service was the chief operator for Western Union at Waterbury. CT. Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 10. 1917. He saw service in WWI in the Transportation Service. In the following years he had service in the USS American. Whipple. Seattle. Tevas. C hicago. .91tllfYltll1t1'. New Mexico and California. He also served in Staff Headquarters of the 3rd Naval District and with the Naval Mission to Brazil. He also taught radio in Rio de Janiero. Thomas intended to retire in 1939. with more than IZ years of service completed. He had accepted an appointment as ground engineer with the Civil Service. The day before his retirement was to take effect President Rooscv elt declared a Limited Emergency and all persons xv ere prohibited from leaving the Navy. Thomas then re-enlisted at San Pedro for another four years. At thc time ot' Pcarl Harbor he was on the Admirals staff on board USS Ctilitoririri. The President of the l'nited States takes plcasttrc in presenting the Congressional Medal of Honor to Thomas James Rccvcs CRM tP.-Xi USN, Deceased. For Service during an attack on thc l'uucd States lflcct in Pearl Harbor. TH. .rs set forth in the follow mg lfor Distinguished Serv ice in thc line ot' his protcsstou. with extraordinary courage .uid disregard of his ow n safctv during thc attack ou thcl'.S 1-'lcct ru Pearl llarbor. lcouorv of llawan by .lapancsc forces on Dec . 19-ll Xttct the ntccliamzctl anuntuutiou hoists xt crc put out olcoinnussiot'

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during stnreitdet eerenionies. prepared to tow ISS llixxttiui .i YICCCSMIIN Retired 1960 in San ltieptxh tffx XII -XX H. PI'fI'I'IRSUN. Seanian lfitst Class. Dixiszons 1- .intl 1 .tlxoartl ISS t'.:t'1ltu'rii.1 trout :Xing 28. 94-1 to Nlax 2. 1946 nv- He and his txx in sister xx ere borrt in a farm hottie in CJSICITI North Dakota on Oct. 9. 1925. He xvas drafted into the Naxx on Jart. 17. 194-1. at Fort Snelling. MN. He was sent to Farragut. ID. for seven xx eeks of boot camp. went home for I5 dax leave. then to Fire Control School, at San Diego for six weeks. frotn there to Treasure Islartd, CA, for txx o weeks temporary duty. On July 1. 1944, boarded a troop ship to New Hebrides. At New Hebrides from July 17. to .-Xug. 28. 1944. On Aug. 28. 1944. was assigned to the F Division on the LSS Ctzlirbriiia until attending a three day Radar- Counter Measure School at Hawaii then assigned to the I Dix ision. served aboard the Calnfbnzia for about 20 months. His most memorable experience probably was being a talker for the gunnery officer. Commander Mandelkom during the sea battle at Lingayen Gulf. On May 2, 1946, left the Ctriitimiirz at Philadelphia for Minneapolis to be discharged. Lpon discharge. he attended Concordia College at Moorehead. MN. graduated in 1950, taught rural schools in eastern Montana for 10 years and then taught small town schools in North Dakota. for 26 years. He retired in 1987. He was married to Beverly Gullingsrud in 1963. They are now living at Mandan. ND. ALFRED C.,I. PETRALIA, ENS. bom Sept. 2. 1923, Law renee. MA. Enlisted Dec. 8. 1942. USNR, line officer, I 1 th Division. Service included Asbury Park Pre- Midshipman School. Northwestern Mil'n School, Miami Sub-chaser. USS Calgfomia. MK37 Dir. School Anacoastia. Battles: Okinawa. South China Sea. Memorable experience: V-J Day, covering 6th Army landing Tokyo Bay. Avxards!Meda1s: America Theater, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star. Good Conduct Medal. Discharged July 2. 1946, with the rank of LTtJGl. Widowed. one daughter. Alyson. Retired. RICHARD L. PHELAN. USMC. born to Mary and Richard Phelan. 1920. Winter. WI, Sawyer County. Last of nine children. five sisters, four brothers, including a set of twins. Father was a combination logger and farmer. Mother was a schoolteacher and managed a small hotel that catered to railroad employees and lumbermen. Father and older boys managed the livery stable in connection with the hotel. LMWZW, Nflox ed to Watersmeet. MI. and parents took over the Kelly Hotel. Father passed away in 1925. Mother, brothers and sisters operated hotel until depression. 1932. Graduated from St. Norberts High School. DcPere. VMI During the summer and vacation employed by Kings 2'ratev.a'. Hotel and Inn as bus boy. waiter. bartender. desk plerlr and anything else that needed attention. Attended Tm fefait .1 ol Wisconsin and worked as a salesman in f igaggf, klvriigy, war was derlarerl in 1941. he enlisted in l1nitetlSt.iles lxlarnie Corps on the 18t1iol llecentlier. 1941. llte next lout xeais were spent in the Pacific lheater and p.trticipatetl in various battles and mopping-up exercises. Receix etl battles star s for Saipan. Tinian. Guam. Leyte Gull and I ingaxen Gull' in tlte Philippine Islands. Also Okinawa and Occupation of Southern Island of llonshu. Hoitorably discliarged at Camp Stnall. Great Lakes. IL. Decetnber 20. as sergeant. with 40mm machine gun experieitce. Resutned sales in Chicago: was married to Dorothy lxlacdonald in 19-16. Returned to Rhinelander. WI. 1946. Ifather of six cltildreng three boys. three girls: Charles. Madison. WI3 Richard. Geneva, ILL Timothy. Rhinelander, WI: Patty Reitner. Appleton. WI: Mary Baron. Naperville. IL: Maureen Fisher. Appleton. WI. Was employed as sales representative for Celotex Corp.. Johns Manville Corp.. for 16 years. Continued as self-employed manufacturers representative for Grand Rapids Gypsum, Evans Homes. Capp Homes. and other manufacturers until semi-retirement in 1980. Served on Oneida County Board of Supervisors from 1972, until death in April 1993. DONALD FREDERICK PHILLIPS, C SK, Everett, MA. April 6. 1916. Enlisted Dec. 8. 1941, USNR, CSK, S Division. Training in San Diego, CA, and on San Clemente. Island. Boarded the USS Calyfornia in San Francisco during her shake down cruise preparing for her retum to war. He stayed aboard everyday thereafter except for 10-14 days while in dry-dock in Branerton Naval Yard. He was the first person to leave ship after the war in Tokyo Bay. His most vital recollectionslexperiences were: Their first bombardment at the Marianas of Saipan, Tinian and Guam. Their first shore leave on a tiny island with two cans of beer and most buried up to their chins in the sand. The day they shot down their Hrst kamikaze. The day a kamikaze followed another Japanese plane that was shot down but the second plane crashed into theirs after fire control tower. He was ordered top side from his station below deck and the first turret he saw had a gunner leaning against the side and said he needed help. He started up the steel steps and blistered the inside of his hands. One of his legs was blown away and the other was bleeding profusely. They got him down to sick bay and was soon transferred to the hospital ship with every chance of living. They were in convoy one night when their sister ships. the USS Teitizcfssee decided to cross their bow from the pon side. He was asleep itnmediately behind the sail locker and just ahead of an area occupied by 18-20 sailors who shared the stairs up to the next desk. The T6'l1l16A'.l'6'6' had rolled the steel skin back approxintately 30 feet and sealed offtheir stairs. The collision sent him to the deck and water rushed in and out as the ship plowed through the sea. He was able to crawl over the side of the ship and make his way to CPO mess. After reporting the condition of the sailors sealed in he poured a cup of coffee when his legs suddenly went out from under him. They were not able to release the men in the sealed offcharnber and all drowned. He was discharged at Okinawa shortly after the Japanese surrendered and caught the USS Admiral Ma-v0 back to the States with 599 Seabees, five of whom ended up with all the money from the other 594. Participated in all battles from the USS California shake down cruise until the end of the war at Okinawa. Received all tnedals given for action between the time the California reentered the war after Pearl Harbor to the end of the war. Married 1945. three children. one boy and two girls. llis wife died Jan. 27, 1987. remarried 1988. Has two grandchildren, one boy, 5 in October. and one girl, 3 in November. KENNETH P. PHILLIPS, Slfc. born Hillsboro, IL. 1'eb. 25. 1924. Enlisted June 1. 1943. Navy. 7th Division. Serx ice included Great Lakes. ll... NTS, Balboa Park. CA. Iirenierton. WA. Battles: Saipan. Tinian. Guam. 1,eytc. Surigao Strait. Lingayen Gulf, Okinawa. 1 I-L IHIV all sf? -f s gs 1' . . ,I Memorable experiences include coming back after war, stopping in Japan, Singapore. Colombo Ceylon, South Africa, the battle all experiences. most memorable sea battle. AwardsfMedals: Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, American Area Campaign, WWII Victory Medal. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars. Discharged Feb. 22, 1946. Married to Helen for 43 years. son Terry, stepson Mike Wright, granddaughter Wendy Baker. Grandson Jason Wright CUSMCJ. Retired from federal govemment after 32 years. also worked for Western Electric three and a half years as installer of telephone equipment. was in electronics and was electrician at Marine Corp Logistics Base. Two year ago had three bypass operations of heart. ROBERT BOB PITCOLE,joined Navy MACCN. 1943, spent eight weeks Great Lakes Training Station. spent 8-10 weeks at Balboa Park. San Diego. before transfer to Bremerton, WA. Assigned to USS Califbrnia September 1943. Before joining the Navy. he had never been further west than Chicago. he didn't know at the time he would end up seeing foreign lands and going half way around the world before tying up in Philadelphia Navy Yard. His life aboard the California was great. he met a great bunch of guys. made his rate aboard ship. seen many wonderful places and played on one of the fleets best baseball teams with a great group ofguys. Received all axvards from 1943- l945. Married his wife Barbara in 1974. between them they have 21 grandchildren. Retired. still enjoying fishing. golfing, biking and traveling. It was a honor to serve aboard the USS California and its crew. ALBERT L. PLANTAN, USNR, bom May 2, 1925, LaSalle. IL. Joined service Sept. 20, 1943. Discharged March 20, 1946. Boot camp at Farragut, ID. Assigned to USS Caljornia Bremerton, WA. SIC 2nd Division Turret II. 1 - v . I .4 .- 2.-- . Medals: American Area Victory Medal. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal four stars. Battles participated in: Saipan. Guam, Tinian, Leyte. Surigao. Lingayen Gulf. Okinawa. 95

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in the ISS Kitiillltllllltl. Recxcs on his oxxn nnttatixe. in a burning passagcxx ax. assisted in thc maintenance ot an .nnniuintion supplx bx hand to the anti aircraft guns tintil be xx as ox ereonie hx smoke and llanics xx hich resulted in ltts tlcatllt The llhonias J Rcex es Memorial Wall in the Thoniaston Toxxn Hall xx as conceixed and built by Mario llellccol xx ith the assistance ofthe Thomaston Rotatx Club. lt xx as dedicated pnor to the 50th Annix ersaix of Pearl Harbor. It xx as attended bx one ofthe txx o suix ix ing nieces ol'Tliomas Recxcs Thomas Reex es did not marry and had no children. YINCENT R. REINSMITH. USN. born Sept. 3. 1921 Enlisted Oct. 23. 19-10. Allcntoxxn recruiting station. Boot camp at NTS Nexxpoit. Rl. Boarded USS Cizlifornia in Bremerton. WA. Was aboard ship Sunday moming xxthen Japanese attacked. Saxx the first bomb drop on Ford Island xx hen xx alking to his cleaning station on the Quarter-deck. When the order carrie to abandon ship. swam through burning oil slick to Ford Island. Received change of clothing and title. Sent to north side of Island to protect the beach from inx asion. Was reported killed in action. Not until December 3 1 st had the Navy Department notified his parents ofthe mistake. It was very traumatic for his mother. His whole Navy career was with the Calyfarnia fPrune Barget. Started in the 4th Division. Spent a few months with the Radio Gang and went back up top side to the 4th Division. just in time before the attack. Was glad not to trapped below deck as the ship was sinking. The 5 inch anti-aircraft guns were taken off the ship and set up at Hickam Field. They stood watch on the guns at night and worked to re-tloat the ship during the day. Came back with the ship to Bremerton, WA, for complete over-hall. Achieved the rank of Coxswain. Was Master-At-Anns until assigned to 12th Division as Division Petty Ofhcer with the rank of Boatswains Mate 2nd Class. Went back to sea. Battle station for his division as the 20mm gun mounts. Thirteen of his men were killed when Japanese kamikaze hit. On the way to the Philippines the ship was rammed by the USS Tennessee. Repaired off New Guinea in floating dry-dock. Crossed the Equator on all three oceans. On ship when not in battle he was on the boxing team. sat in on the drums for Micky Pallamary of Ships Band. was assistant editor of The Cub, studied for OTC. On record for Boatswains Mate lst Class. The California assisted in seven island landings, shot down ses en Japanese planes. sank one Japanese battleship. After the surrender they sailed around the world to put the Grand Old Lady in moth balls at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Discharged Dec. 30, 1946. after six years, two months and eight days. Medals are American Area Ribbon. WWII Victory Ribbon. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal five stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. Good Conduct Ribbon. American Defense Ribbon with one star. Married Lorraine in 1947. Four children: Danny, Gail, Lee. Mark. Six grandchildren: Philip. Jessica, Mike, Laura. Jasmine, Jade. Reinsmith. Still working in his own cabinet shop. GLENN H. RHEA, bom Aug. 26. 1925. Enlisted July 2. 1942. Long Beach, CA. IJSNT. San Diego, CA, Co. 42- 337 Fleet Fire Control Course, San Diego. CA, completed Oct. 10. 1942. Class it 2-43. promoted Sllc. F.C. tM1 to USS California Bremerton. WA. Division F. 3-43-20MM AA School Long Beach. WA. 1943. Radar School, San Diego. CA. TR to I tFYEi Division. 1944. C.R. Radarman Eff, +'T,. Dec 6. 1945. from ship at Philadelphia to San Pedro. CA. September CTR. Remember collision at sea. enemy shore battery hit. Saipan karnikaze attack. Lingayen Gull. crossing the T ol enemy ta'-,lf force. Surigao Strait. burial at sea ot brave xhiprnates Lasting friendship. respect for all members ot 'feta txt to last Algfjhflflllilfef if, was ttfimfatsitf iiischaigc, wwtt Yictorx Medal. Aiiierican Area xxitlt three stars. Asia Pacific xx ith tout stars. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. tlootl Conduct Medal. my 1 USNR, Ready Reserve, August 1947 - December 1948. organized submarine division November 7, San Pedro, CA, inactive same unit December 1948 - December 1952. Honorable Discharge. ROM 3lc. Now retired following major cancer surgery. Wife, Ruth and son, Glenn Jr. GARLAND E. RICE, Electrician mate 3rd C1ass.born Las Amimas, CO, Nov. 16, 1913. Enlisted April 24, 1933, U.S. Navy, EM3rd Class, E Division. Stations: Recruiting Station Denver, CO, and San Diego Naval Training Station. Served aboard USS Relief and USS Caliornia. Memorable experience was passing through the Panama Canal, crossing the Intemational Dateline. After completion of boot training went aboard the USS Langley for transferring to San Francisco and to board the USS Calybrnia on the way up to San Francisco as recruits spent their time down in the hole chipping and releading, some experience for a country boy. Went aboard the Caljornia and was assigned to 2nd Division Deck Gang. One Sunday some one asked if any of them new boots wanted to go out in the whale boat, he said sure so they go out in the San Francisco Bay, man it was rough and did he get sick. That was the first and last time he got sea sick, no more whale boat parties for him ha! Made S2C, but Deck Division wasnlt what he wanted and as he had studied electrical through a correspondence course, he wanted to transfer to the E Division. He became acquainted with some ofthe E Division personnel through the wrestling team. There were 3 EM mates on the team. Whitey Young, Tony 7, but he was assigned to the ICC Division. He applied for transfer to the E Division, passed F3C and F2C and then EM 3C. His nickname was Fuzzy to all in the E Division. Tony was 3rd Turret EM2C he transferred and lucked out and was assigned to 4413 Turret, Tony left a very clean and neat electrical system, and he continued and kept avery clean and neat system, never a failure during gunnery drills. Had he not married prior to his normal discharge. He would have shipped over as he liked the Navy. Discharged March 18, 1937, with the rank of EM3rd Class. Twice married, two sons and three grandchildren from present wife. Retired with 37 years of Federal Civil Service and Military time. ROBERT A. RIES, Corporal, USMC, born Nov. 13. 1925. in Luck, WI. Enlisted in the Marine Corps in Minneapolis. Nov. 11. 1943. Entered Basic Training in JMX January 1944, in San Diego. Attended sea school after basic and was assigned to the Calwirnia in April 1944. He served on a 20 MM gun crew. In November they crossed the Equator and he was initiated as a trusty shellback. January 6th at Lingayen Gulfthey were hit by a kamikaze. He was severely burned. He was transferred to Navy hospitals in New Guinea, Guam. Pearl Harbor and then to Farragut. llJ. After six months he was discharged and sent to Bainbridge, MD, and discharged from the Marines November 1945. His wife Lois and he were married July 1949. They have two married sons and five grandchildren. They all live in the Minneapolis Area. LAWRENCE H. RIESTENBERG, Corp., born Cincinnati, OH, Dec. 23. 1913. Enlisted May 22, 1943, Marine Corps,'AA Machine Gunner, Division G. Stations: Sea School San Diego, assigned to Calihzrnia Bremerton. Participated in the following battles: Asiatic-Pacific, Leyte Gulf. Marianas, Philippines. Lingayen Gulf. Saipan, Tinian. Memorable experiences include being wounded in action tLingayen Battle, ship was hit by kamikazej. listed as missing in action for three days. awarded the Purple Heart. AwardslMedals: Sharpshooter. Good Conduct Medal with stars, Purple Heart, all Pacific Asiatic Battles of Calnfornia January of 1944 - October of 1945. Discharged Dec. 13, 1945, Bainbridge, MD, after trip around the world on California Marine Corporal at discharge. Married May 1946. six children. two girls and four boys. Proudest moment - his daughters wedding September 1974, first grandson. October 1977, would be so proud of present 12 grandchildren. Diagnosed with cancer shortly after daughters wedding, passed away March 15. 1978. Proudest trip of his lifetime: after planning for two years, making reservations tpaying ahead when possiblej started out in July of 1973. with wife and four youngest children, in a new station wagon. for sightseeing trip across country, northern route, to Seattle, WA. To attend USS Calyfornia Reunion, on to Hawaii for a week. back to Seattle, down coast of Califomia, southern route, back to Ohio in late August in time for school to start, 8.000 miles on land, 2-3 days at each stop. his grown children still talk about the trip. EARL A. ROBEY, EMC. USN tRet.1bom Morgantown, WV, Oct. 17, 1918. Enlisted in the service Sept. 28. 1940, for six years. training at NOB Norfolk. VA. Sent to duty USS Arizona Bremerton Navy Yard. December 1940. Transferred to USS Caljornia Bethlehem Steel Ship Yard. Hunters Point. CA. Completed all dry-dock work in two days all hands. He worked dry-dock as electrician ships force did all work and painted bottom. Had ships party at Hilton Hotel. Long Beach. before leaving for Pearl Harbor. December 7. 1941. was on main deck when general quarters were sounded manned his G2 station repair four port boats and airplane crane electrician torpedoes hit aft and fwd of their passage and lost all power and lights, reported all tank soundings to Central Station until they said abandon ship. When they got the armor deck hatch open he swam to Ford Island. December 11. 1941 , at 2400 hours. he and several of his California shipmates reported for duty on USS Portland at anchorage. They were issued part of their clothes as they lost all of ours and they were glad to have a home. he went through the Coral Sea Battle and the Midway Battle on the USS Portland task force 17 USS lizrkrawn. on their return to Pearl Harbor he volunteered for sub duty. went to New 97