California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHARLES PRESTON STOKES. Slfc, USN. born April 14, 1921. deceased Feb. 21. 1993. Enlisted in Navy day after Pearl Harbor on Dec. 8. 1941. Date into active service was Dec. 26, 1941. He was stationed at NTS Great Lakes, IL, than transferred to USS Calnfornia for four years. Was wounded Jan. 6, 1945, than transferred to a hospital somewhere in the Pacific. Was discharged, November 1946, from Mare Island Navy Shipyard, Vallejo, CA. , He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with three stars, American Area, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart. He was in Division 12. Married to Vivian Richards on March 2, 1946, and has one son Benny Charles, wife Pamela, and two grandsons Jeffrey and Gregory Stokes. CHARLES L. TIGER STREETER, EMC-RET, USS Calqfornia February 1940 - Dec. 7, 1941. Enlisted in the Navy in April 1938, at Stockton, CA. Boots at San Diego and then on to the USS Utah for duty. Transferred to the Prune Barge in February 1940. Was on the boxing team and had some wild and interesting bouts in the smokers aboard the ships and block arena. Very fond memories of Luet Luettenger, Timor, Grabil, Cortesi, Sweat Shirt Clark, Spud Murphy, and ENS. McGrath. On Dec. 7, 1941, he was an EM2!c and assigned to a repair party outside the shipfitters shop on the 3rd deck. After the bomb and torpedo hits the ship listed to port andjammed the dogs on their exit door the compartment soon filled with fuel oil fumes and their men started passing out. Only three of their repair party were still conscious when a repair party wrenches the dogs off let them out. When he heard abandon ship, he dived off the fan tail and swam to North Island, where he met a very tough and determined Marine, who ordered him back to the ship to fight fire. Back aboard ship hejoined a party working to rescue men trapped in this forward distribution room, and the forward battery locker. The rescuers used cutting torches to get these men out. ENS Gavin, Doty and Mason are names he recalls that were among the rescued. He was later awarded a Commendation and medal for his small part of this action. Transferred to the heavy cruiser USS Chicago, the 13th of December and went through the Coral Sea Battle, Invasion of Guadalcanal, Savo Island where four heavy cruisers were sunk. On the 29th the Chicago was sunk by torpedo planes, 50 miles off Guadalcanal. A He stayed in for his 20, served aboard several ships and stations. Retired in San Diego and did Civil Service in San Diego and Vallejo Ship Yards to get his 30 years. Retired, RV's the country, Alaska, and Canada. Try to make all the reunions ofthe different ships and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. He keeps in touch with several shipmates who are special to him. The Prune Barge was the best. I 04 SHERMAN SUITS, Ci1Vl2If, born Sept. 21 , 1915 Litchfield, lL. Entered active duty Dec. 30, 1941 , and went to Great Lakes Naval Training Center.'1'hen Sherman was sent to Bremerton, WA, and the USS CalU'arnia. He was gunners mate second class in the 4th Division. Sherman received seven ribbons including the American Theater, Pacific Theater and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. Sherman was married to Norma Owens on April 15, 1945, while in Bremerton. Sherman was discharged from active duty Dec. 15, 1946, while at Naval Base in Philadelphia, PA. Sherman worked for Litchfield Grain Elevator for several years and later for Litchfield Grain Elevator for several years and later went to work at Monterey Coal Company where he retired in 1990. Sherman was a past director of USS California Association and enjoyed the reunions very much. Sherman's wife Norma died in 1982. Sherman died on Oct. 16, 1992. They were survived by two daughters, one son and three grandchildren. ROBERT E. SUNDIN, EM1!c, born Mora, MN, Feb. 23, 1920. Enlisted Dec. 29, 1941, USNR, EM1!c, E Division, 42-45. Service includes Great Lakes, IL, Pearl Harbor, USS CaiU'0rnia. Participated in all USS Caliornia engagements between February 1942 - September 1945. Received all USS Calhfornia Medals earned between February 1942 and September 1945. Discharged Oct. 29, 1945, Minneapolis, MN. Married Dolores on Jan. 16, 1943, and has four children, and five grandchildren. Retired Minneapolis Public Utility, Minneapolis, MN. F.L. PHILLIP SYRACUSE, MM 2nd Class, born Cleveland, OH, Nov. 3, 1920. Enlisted December 1942, Navy, MM 2nd Class, Division M, motor rooms, shaft alleys, generator room. Participated in Tinian, Saipan, Guam, Leyte, Surigao Strait, covered invasion of Philippine Island. Memorable experiences include Calnfornia rammed by USS Tennessee, USS Calyfornia hit by Japanese suicide plane. Discharged Dec. 19, 1945, with the rank of MM 2nd Class. He is retired and has three children and two grandchildren. ALTO ROSS TEMPLETON, BM3!c, Coxswain, bom Collinsville, AL, June 9, 1921. Enlisted Aug. 11, 1942, Birmingham, AL, went to boot camp, San Diego, CA, Bremerton Navel Station, went aboard USS Calijiirnia December 1942. Service included V6 USNR 3rd Division and llth Division USS Califbrnia. Participated in battle at Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Leyte Gulf, Surigao Strait, Lingayen Gulf, East China Sea, Okinawa. Awards!Medals: American Theater Medal, Asiatic-A Pacific Canrpaign Medal with four sluts, Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation. Discharged Dec. 12, 19-15, with the rank ol' BlXl.lit' Coxswain. Vvlarried Vlattre 1,firi an 111433 lla 1 1 'tire tif:-i one yranrlflaughtei Retired painter ffififr traveling fishing and church ,fork ROBERT H. THONIAS .V1V1'6f,f'1, riorr.-Pfirirrat. il! Uct.3, 1922. Enlisted Oct. VG 1942 1, T-tau, lit viator October 30, 1942. Great Lake'-, Naval 'lrainrfrg '-,tart April 1943, Bremerton, WA, ther: assigned to the Calqifmftr . May 1943. Participated rn the trillowlrrg riattle. Sapar.. Guam, Tinian, Leyte, Surigao Strait. Lingayen fruit and Okinawa. Memorable experiences include when a karnikaze :it the super structure and also enjoyed playing ball on tlzez team at Lingayen Gulf. Awards!Medals: Philippine Liberation Ribbon wit two stars, Good Conduct Medal. Victory Medal. America: Area Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with foci stars. Discharged Jan. ll, 1946. with the rank of NINIEC Married Sept. 9. 1950. to Mary Jane. haye one Robert, June 7, 1952. Special agent and insurance broke: for insurance agency. G.L. THORNTON 'CMR T. retired S.-X-SO Teammate, passed away July 23rd after a short illness. Mr. T.joined SA-SO in 1961, after serving 20 years in the US. Navy. During WWII his battleship the USS Califamia was sunk at Pearl Harbor. The surviving crew salvaged the ship and brought her back to the states for repair. Mr. T. vt as also aboard the USS Caljornia when she returned Generi Douglas MacArthur to the Philippines. 1? Tl' is 4, During his 17 years with S.-X-SO George Thornton was instrumental in SA-SO's rapid growth in sales. expanding to new offices in the 1185 108th Street building in 1968. He attained the office ofExecutiy'e Vice President and responsible for the operation of all departments .it SA-SO. Mr. T. will always be remembered for hrs hard work. honesty. understanding. sincerity. patriotism. and fair play. Many procedures instituted by Nlr. T. are still in use at SA-SO today. He retired in 1979 and moy ed to Kingsland. TX. to enjoy a quiet leisurely life on LBJ lake. He is sury'iy'ed by his wife Suez a son Ray: it daughter Diana Presleyg two grandchildren. many relatives and friends. LEO A. TOLZDORF, was born Dec. S. 192-l. in Alpena. Ml. Hcjoined the US. Navy' on Dec. 31. 1941. .it the age of 17. He served at the Great lakes Boot Craig and was later shipped to Pearl Harbor aboard the troop ship. Hrfirtlcrsrvr. llpon arriying in Haw .tii. he worked .ti .tn ammunition factory near Pearl ll.rrbor. lle w .rs assigned to the USS t'r11riiti'r1r'r1ottMarch3. 19-12. to help salt .ige ber He later went to the Navy Ship Xard .it Brernerton. XX -X. to rebuild her for modern warfare later assigned to R Dix ision as fireman. 3.-'e. lle participated in battles .rt Saipan. l'mr.rn. titrarii. l ey tc, Surigao.l ingay en tltrlfaud Okrnaw a Xxx .trdetl w nh fkrnericari l'he.tter. .Xsiatte Pacific tkrrupargn Nletlal xt ith four stars, Philippine Seasl rberatrotr xy ith tw o stars, XX XX ll Xrietory .intl tlootl tlontluet Xletlals

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tltlitlu-rim, 8th CS Diiiston. Participated in battles at -Xsiatic-Pacific and Philippine Liberation. .5 Y Memorable experiences include being rammed by USS Tenriessee. and being in Tokyo during signing of peace treaty. Married in Seattle April 18. 1945. AwardslMeda1s: WWII Victory Medal. Navy Occupation Service Medal. American Victory Medal with one star. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. Discharged Dec. 12. 1945. Married. two sons. three granddaughters, one great- granddaughter. one great-grandson. Retired, volunteer work. bowling travel. IRA C. STAMM, S llc. bom Gardner, IL, Jan. 22, 1922. Enlisted Feb. 6. 1940. Navy, Seaman 3rd Division. Service include USS Calmnrnia BB4-4. Hawaiian Sea Frontier, USS Pringle 477. Treasure Island. Panicipated in battles at Pearl Harbor. Solomon Island and Bougainville. wg' Memorable experiences include USS Calyfornia ship service driver, chauffeured Capt. Moman Fraxtion Hawaiian Sea. AwardslMedals: Good Conduct Medal, South Pacihc, Solomon Island. Discharged Feb. 6, 1946, BMllc. Married to Elaine Walker, November 1944, three children Bruce, Janet and Kristi. Retired helping his son on two acres near Placerville. LOY L. STAPLES JR., USN, born Sept. 26, 1920. Enlisted in the Navy July 28, 1942. He served aboard the USS Calnfornia in Division 12 as Seaman llc. He trained in CalU'ornia and then went to Idaho to Radio School. Some of the battles they took part in were Hawaiian, Marinas, Marshall. New Hebrides, Solomon, Philippine, Peleliu, and Caroline Islands. One thing he will never forget was the time they were in a surface engagement at night in the Lingayen Gulf when someone noticed their sister ship, the Tanne.sns'aa, had their guns pointed at the Caljomia preparing to open fire on them. He was awarded the APO Ribbon with five battle stars. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star. Purple Heart. Presidential Citation. Victory Medal, GC and American Campaign Ribbon. He was wounded in battle at Luzon in 1945, when they took a suicide plane. He was discharged Dec. 10, 1945. He manicd Kathleen in June 1947, they have two daughters and three sons, they also have nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They lived on a small chicken farm and raised broilers for about 25 years. also he was president of a community Wallet' system for 32 years. His regular job was in maintenance with the Lincoln Parish School Board for 16 years, had to take early retirement because of his health. VIRGIL ALEXANDER STARR, born March 27, 1916, near Smithville. OH. Enlisted Oct. 8. 1935, at Cleveland, OH, Boot training at Great Lakes, IL. To GRP ll School NTS San Diego, graduatedJune 1936, designated yeoman striker. iff X W cw Z .farm Ordered to COMBATFOR Flag unit, aboard temporary flagship USS New Mexico and to the USS Calyornia in August upon retum from overhaul. tat Great Lakes and aboard New Mexico, it was L' sea bag and hammock Navy the overhauled Prune Barge was locker and bunk Navy.J Requested and was transferred to the Flag - Aerological unit early 1937, his career CSlc to CWO2l. In 1937 was a full year War Games cruise to Hawaii area, Lahaina liberty and pineapple juice. Ughl After War Games, Seattle Potlatch San Francisco, Oakland bridge opening. Continued weather and shipboard training. In 1938, Primary Class Aerographer School. Promoted to AG3c as fleet sailed for Panama and the East Coast, German sub scare. Guantanamo area war games then Orders to Aleutians Aero Unit. Fleet sailed north at Norfolk, he was met by soon to be wife and parents. His Prune Barge adventure at it's end. April 1939. Family, wife of 55 years, one daughter and three grandchildren. Currently enjoying memories. GEORGE J. STEGER, born Chicago July 18, 1920, raised in suburban Westmont, IL. Joined the Navy Dec. 26, 1941, three weeks of training at GLNTC. to Hawaii of SNS to help restore the ships sunk by the Japanese. Assigned to USS California, arrived in Bremerton 1942, was there over a year. Shortly thereafter he met Donalda Sather, married in December 1943. In 1944, sailed for the South Pacific and was in battles at Midway and the Philippines among others where he was awarded several ribbons. He received four Bronze Stars and Ribbons for the Asiatic and Pacific Theaters. May 1945, he was transferred to the USS Iowa when it was deemed that brothers should not serve aboard the same ship. Saw the signing of the surrender of Japan from the USS Iowa. He was part of the temporary occupation of Japan. He told how they were interested in eating when on duty and the Japanese were scared but through hand motions they understood they just wanted to eat. He was discharged in Seattle on Oct. 22. 1945. He returned to the Chicago area but George missed the great outdoors of the Pacific NW and he returned to Seattle. He enjoyed pursuing his hobbies of hunting tmostly birdsl and fishing with one or two Labradors by his side. He had three children, Carlton, Dan and Susan with one granddaughter, Danielle. born in 1983. George passed away on Nov. 30, 1973, from lung cancer. November 30, 1973 to Jan. 10, 1978. Their son, Dan passed away on Jan. 10, 1978. Submitted by Donalda Stegerp his wife. JOHN E. STERLE JR., F 2lc, born Cleveland, OH, Oct. 10, 1920. Enlisted Dec. 26, 1941, U.S. Navy Res. V- 6, A-M Division, February 1942 - December 1945. Service included Navy Pier, Chicago. Great Lakes, Pearl Harbor, Bremerton Etc. Battles: Marianas Campaign, June l944g Philippine Liberation, Leyte, The Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 19443 Luzon. The Battle of Lingayen Gulf, January 1945: Damaged by kamikaze Attack, Jan. 6. l945g Return to Bremerton for Repairs, March 1945, Okinawa, May l945g Sortie East China Sea, July 1945. Memorable experiences: Raising Calyornia from mud of Pearl Harbor, 1942. Commended along with Anthony Jess EM2lc for regaining control of steering mechanisms which had fused together losing steerage which narrowly resulted in collision with ships of task force August 1944. Commended with two others for repair of radio communication parts by Adm. Jesse B. Olendorf after kamikaze attack, January 1945. VJ Day off Samar Island in the Philippine Islands August 1945. Awards!Meda1s: American Area Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars: Philippine Liberation Medal with two SIHFS, Presidential Unit Citation with one starg Good Conduct Medal: Victory Medal. Discharged Dec. 12, 1945, with the rank of machinist mate first class. Married Marie, and have a son Gary. and daughters Constance and Sandra. Retired. RICHARD W. STOIBER, SF1lc R Division, bom Aug. 31, 1921, in Kenosha, WI. Joined service Oct. 22, 1940, Oshkosh, WI, Naval Recruiting Station. Trained Great Lakes NTS. Co. 96, 1940. Attended Naval trade schools at Great Lakes and Henry Ford's River Rouge Plant Dearbom, MI. December 7, 1941 , aboard USS Calnfornia. Reported missing in action by Navy Department. Commended for meritorious performance of duty Dec. 7, 1941, and advanced one pay grade to shipfitter 2lc, Jan. 12, 1942. Received Citation for exceptional courage and judgment and performance of duty in the California during attack of Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces. Auth. Board of Awards Pacific Fleet July 3, 1942. Remained with ship during salvage operations and rebuilding. Participated later in striking heavy blows to enemy at Saipan. Tinian, Guam, Leyte Gulf, the great sea battle of Surigao Strait, and Lingayen Gulf. Assigned to USS ARD July 16. 1945, in the Philippines. Advanced to grade of Chief Shipfitter Dec. 1, 1945. Discharged at Mare Island Dec. 12, 1946. Pursued plumbing and heating trade in civilian life and made Wausau, WI, home. Married in Bremerton. WA, Oct. 2, 1943. Have two wonderful daughters and two beautiful grandchildren. Am a charter member Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Retired 1983. 103

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if 'diurnal One memorable experience ofthe war occurred when Hairy lselekien demanded his smoke watch one morning at Saipan Kelekien was later killed that same day by enemy gun fire from the beach. Had it not been for this switch. Tolzdorf w ould have been the first casualty. His brother Harry was also on the Cullforzziu from 1942 to 1944. before being transferred. Discharged as a WT. 2lc December 1945. He re-enlisted for two years and served on the U.S. llirelt S48 and US. Piirdy 734 in the Atlantic. He married Dorothy Shorkey in 1950. They have four children: Lee. Ann. Kay and Amy, eight grandchildren and one great-grandson. Leo worked for Wyandotte Chemical Company and National Gypsum Company for 38 years. He is now retired and taking life easy! JAINIES E. TOTH, USNR, born March 22, 1923, in Bedford. OH. Enlisted in the service Nov. 27, 1942, at the Nay y Recruiting Station. Cleveland, OH. Trained Navy Training Station. Great Lakes. IL, followed by 16 weeks at Signalman School. Farragut, ID. Upon completion assigned to USS Calutornia. While aboard the USS Caljbrfzia, Division 11, he served in the South Pacific as Gunner's Mate Third Class V-6 manning an antiaircraft gun. His most lasting memory of this time happened during the kamikaze attack in the Lingayen Gulf where 203 casualties occurred. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal. Asiatic- Pacihc Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars. American Area Medal. Philippine Liberation Medal with two Bronze Stars and Good Conduct Medal. Discharged Jan. 19. 1946. Married Dec. 26. 1945. to Sp.lPl Second Class Lillian A. Obermeyer. WAVES. Resided in Bedford raising one daughter and three sons. the youngest ofwhom is presently serving in Nav al Aviation as a Lieutenant Commander. Passed away on March 31. 1985. Survivors also included two grandchildren. .JANIES L. TREHERN, CSKlPAJ USN. born Jan. 22. f920. Pascagoula. NIS. Joined Oct. 19. 1940. New Orleans. si! years. Co. 40-82. NTS. San Diego. Assigned Disbursing Office there in December from T Unit. Requested sea duty Januar? 1942. Detailed to commission Treasure Island. San Francisco. thence to Cub Three. Moffett Field for training. Ternporarily in Fiji Island and NSD. Noumea. Caledonia. ff li A - .... I .Xssigued USS tlrlrfoniio, aboard at lzspiritu Santo wliile dry tlockctl. mid 1944 NN as through Pliilippiiies. back to Brenicrton and Yallcjo lor repairs. 'l'ranslerretl from BB44 to NSD. tlkmitw a. at Cease liirc. Aug. 14. 1945. Alter six months assigned USS li'exmr. APA237. did A-bomb tests at liikmi1 discharged Dec. 29. 1946. Lived in Alameda. C.-X. worked Realty till 1957. Retired from Fed. Civil Service in 1972. Worked in motel business in Reno until 1984. He is married to Helen Have lived in Oceanside since. EDWVARD D. TUNGATE, born Sept. 17. 1920, in Biddeford. ME. Joined the Navy in Cincinnati November 1937. Recruit training at Great Lakes, joined the USS California at Long Beach, March 1938. Assigned to the 5th Division as a deck hand, member of gun crew 443 casemate. Bowhook in itll motorboat Bugs Breedlove, coxswain. Made seaman in 1939. Coxswain in 1940. Went to Sail Locker, R Division. Made BM2 in 1941. Transferred to USS Harris APA2 October 1941, at Tacoma. Made Anphib landings at North Africa, Attu and Kiska, and Tarawa. Made BMI. Transferred to new construction, USS Takanis Bay CVE89. made CBM 1943. Transferred to USS Kalinin Bay CVE68, bringing troops and sailors home for discharge. In 1945 went to Recruit Training Center, San Diego, training recruits. In 1949, promoted to Warrant Boatswain, and assigned to USS Uvalde AKA88, carrying groceries to West PAC. Advanced to CW02 in 1952. and was assigned to Pacific Reserve Fleet San Diego. late 1955, went to USS Mississinewa A0144 homeport Naples, replenishment oiler for 6th Fleet. Retired in 1961 to San Diego as CW03. ROBERT M. TURNER, PFC. bom Alexandria. VA. March 19. 1927. Enlisted Dec. 8. 1944, USMC, Spec. 606 G Division. Service includes PISC Camp Lejeune, NC. San Diego, CA, Pearl Harbor. USS Caljornia, USS Wisconsin and Okinawa. Memorable experiences: Each and every day from Dec. 8. 1944 until July 3. l946. Discharged July 3. 1946. with the rank of PFC. Married Margaret. one son and one grandson. Retired U.S. Secret Service. U.D.. Sept. 1. 1969. ROBERT J. ULRICH. USN. born Dec. 4. 1923. Enlisted June 17. 1941. trained at Great Lakes. IL. Transferred USS Oklcrlroma, SEA2C. August 1941. Transferred USS California. F3C September 1941. Survived Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Dec. 7. 1941. Lost brother. George Vernon Ulrich. FIC. USS California. same day. Transferred to USS Lexirrgrori Dec. 13. 1941. Participated in Marshall and Gilbert Island battle. Salamua and Lac action and Coral Sea where Lexrzigrorr was sunk May X. 1942. Promoted to F2C. Trained at diesel school. Nav y Pier. Chicago. June - July 1942. Transferred to USS .Sitmlvol August 1942. as FIC. promoted December 1942. to MM2C January -July 1943. participated in escort duty. Iceland. Protnoted June 1943. MMIC. Jtily 1943. participated in Mediterranean invasions at Salerno. Anzio and Southern France serving escort and picket duty between imne sweeping duties. Returned Svnrhol to the states January 1945. lor repairs and transferred to USS l'7'l'5 March 6. 1945. Honorable discharge issued Sept. 12. 1945. Bainbridge, MD. Awards!Medals issued: American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacihc Campaign Medal with three stars, American Campaign Medal, African-Mediterranean- Middle Eastern with three stars, Navy Good Conduct. WWII Victory. Order of Golden Dragons. Shipwrecked Sailors of the South Seas, Shellbacks, Polar Bear and FBI lFrozen Bastards of Icelandl. Now living in Lisbon. IA. Retired from FMC Corp. as maintenance superintendent. Byrdena, wife of 49 years. one son, one daughter, six grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. Bob's hobbies include gardening and woodworking. MICHAEL J. URBAN, USN. was born Oct. 5. 1922. in West Nanticoke. PA. Hejoined the Navy Oct. 23. 1940: trained at Newport. RI. and was assigned to the USS California in Bremerton. WA. ...I ,W ,W W... V. , . . Z, kv. fs, ,A W K A, .... 1 4,310 ' .f , .W 1 af During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. he witnessed the first bomb blast of WWII on PBY hangar on Ford Island. After the first abandon ship order was given. Urban was in the middle of many survivors trying to swim ashore. A request by the O.D. was relayed to the sailors near Vice Admiral Pye's whale boat to pass his uniform jacket as he was in civilian clothes. The jacket was finally passed to Urban as he was nearest to the whale boat. The jacket became completely soiled when it was placed on top of the whale boat engine. Admiral Pye remarked Don't worry about it son. carry on. Urban was a GM First Class prior to entering the Navy V- 1 2 Officer Training Program in late May 1944. and was subsequently discharged on Nov. 22. 1946. Awarded the American Defense Medal. Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with one star. Good Conduct Medal with one star. WWII Victory Medal and Fifty Year Pearl Harbor Attack Survivors Medal. He married in 1946, has three children and four grandchildren. He earned a BS degree in 1948. from Franklin and Marshall College. Lancaster. PA. and a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1952. Urban retired from the Veterans Administration Hospital System as a chief psychiatric social worker after 33 years of service. JAMES R. VANDIVIER, USMC. was born Aug. 5. 1925. in Franklin. IN. He enlisted in 1943. and completed boot camp and sea school training at MCB. San Diego. CA. Reported aboard USS California March 24. 1944. at Long Beach. CA. had served aboard continuously until War's end and final benhing in Philadelphia. Served as AA gun specialist. guard duties and was a corporal at time of honorable discharge Dec. 13. 1945. Returning home Vandivier graduated from Franklin lINDl College and in 1951. entered the Foreign Service of the Department ol'State as a Diplomatic Courier. His duties entailed safe-hand carriage and delivery of highly classified government documents and materials tolfrom some 120