California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 110 text:

diplomatic posts and military commands throughout the world, including many of the locations visited by the ship in wartime. Vandivier was named chief of the Diplomatic Courier Service in 1974, and served in that capacity for three years. He also held administrative positions in Moscow, Oslo, Manila, Frankfurt, and Washington, D.C. He retired from the Foreign Service in 1985, and now lives in Franklin, IN. B. if , Mi.. K7 ff i 2 I. I In 1954, Vandivier married Maryellen Evans. They have two children, Stephen and Dianne and two granddaughters all presently living in the Washington, D.C. area. MILTON VAN EPPS, Slfc, Gunners Mate Striker, 10th Division, joined the Calyfornia while it was in dry- dock, Bremerton, WA, December 1943. Graduated GM School, Newport, RI, member of gun crew, 40mm quad mt, port side. Survived kamikaze hit, Jan. 6, 1945, Luzon. Lost his good buddy Joe Horky at that time. Was a member of the Burial Party at sea, late at night. Was aboard when the Tennessee rammed them, crossed the 180th Meridian June 5, 1944, and the Equator Aug. 21, 1944. Received a fleet appointment to Annapolis, but arrived back in the states too late to join the current class. Assigned to the M.C. Fox, DD829, and took part in the surrender and occupation of Japan. He thanks God for the atomic bombs. Awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with six stars, Lingayen Gulf with one star, Philippines Presidential Unit Citation etc. RALPH T. VAN VLEET, Chief Electricians Mate, USN, USS Caliornia was born June 1, 1919, near Pretty Prairie, KS. Graduated from high school in Langdon, KS. Enlisted in Navy Nov. 20, 1939, at Wichita, KS, and was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Reported aboard the USS Caljornia on Feb. 10, 1940. When the bombing started, he was on his battle station, and had the station battle ready when the rest of the station crew arrived. He was transferred to USS Chicago a week after the raid. The USS Chicago went to Australia and joined the ANZAC force, and operated with them until the ship was torpedoed at Guadalcanal. The USS Chicago returned to Mare Island for repairs, at which time he was transferred to USS Es.rex. He served on the Essex until discharged as a chiefclectricians mate Nov. 27, 1945. After leaving the Navy, he worked in electronic manufacturing anti later in real estate sales. He retired in 1986. He married in 1944, has six children, and eight grandchildren. AwardslMeda1s include: Good Conduct Medal, 106 American Defense Service Medal, American Theater Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 15 stars. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, WWII Victory Medal and Presidential Unit Citation THOMAS W. VERBRICK, PFC, Marine, born Kaukauna, WI, Sept. 5, 1925. Enlisted Feb. 24, 1943, U.S. Marine G Division. Service included boot camp at San Diego, and USS Calwzrniu Oct. 21, 1943. Participated in the following battles: Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Philippines, Surigao Strait, Okinawa. Awards!Medals: Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars, PAC Area Campaign Medal with four stars. Discharged Dec. 16, 1945, with the rank of PFC. He and his wife of 47 years, Millie, have four children and five grandchildren. Retired after 37 years from Wisconsin Telephone Company. Today enjoying grandchildren, and beautiful Wisconsin weather. BENJAMIN A. VERMILLION, MM2C, born West Terre Haute, IN, April 14, 1924. Enlisted Dec. 10, 1941, served on the USS CalU'0rnia April 1942 - June 1946. Stations: NTS Great Lakes, ILQ USS Calnforniag USS Taconicg NAS Norvag USS Coral Sea, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Battles: participated in bombardment and occupation of Saipan, Guam, Tinian. Participated in the initial landing operation on Leyte Island, P.I. and engaged enemy surface forces in the Battle of Surigao. Z 1 -.a W . ,, an 21 f f 2 M l ' 1 .5.2 ... , s if 3' Memorable experiences: Served with a great crew. AwardslMeda1s: American Area Medal, WWII Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two stars. Discharged Aug. 1, 1949, with the rank of MM2. Married in 1947, and has five children and six grandchildren. Retired, residing in West Chester, PA, from United States Steel Corporation. JOSEPH A. VHELSZKI, S llc, bom Detroit, MI, March 4, 1925. Enlisted May 17, 1943, U.S. Navy QRJ, USNTS. Great Lakes, IL. Participated in battles at Marianas, Saipan, Guam, Rota, Tinian, Philippine Islands, Leyte, Sea Battle of Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, and Okinawa. t 1 . Memorable experiences: The apprehension prior to the sea battle of leyte Gull. Afterwards, tht-joy and relief alter the victorious conclusion of the siiccessful sea battle Awardslfvledal'-, Pacific 'Iheater 'Milli tour Hrorw. Stars,Arriericanf1 heater Ribbon Victory Vledal Ptirlrppirif. 1,ibcrat.ion Ribbon with two star, Discharged feb. 17, 1946 Married wife lylifabeth Nou. 211, 19439 'wo daughter ,lanet and Joann. Retired from lord Motor fforrtpariy are 40 years and eight months. HARRY J. VOLLMER, USN, born Oc' 16. 1921 it Omaha, NE. Enlisted Omaha recruiting center Feb 24 1934. Trained at Norfolk, VA, Naval Training Sfatzor. Completion of training was assigned guard duty at the officers swimming beach on base. .Assigned LSS Calnfornia visiting at Newport, RI, travel to ship vt as by Navy tanker. Assigned to the engineer division. His shipboard duties were the evaporators. ice machines and then to the engineer maintenance and repair shop. Participated as a member of the whale boat racing team and the championship swim team of the California. Attended welding school USS Rigel April 30. 1933. Ratings held A.S., Sea, 2!c, F 3!c. F 2!c. F llc. N131 lic. MSMTH 2!c, MSMTH llc. Extended enlistment for tvs ct years, was recommend and took the exams for promotion to warrant officer. Awarded, American Theater. ASI PAC 1 Star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon. .American Defense Service Medal with star. Good Conduct with star. Victory Medal. Honorable Discharged USN Feb. 23. 19-10. Voluntarily re-enlisted Sept. 3. 1943. IQSNRS Minneapolis, MN. Indoctrinated. Farragut. ID. A.S. Then to MSMTH llc and to warrant officer W-1 June 15. 19-L-L. Assigned sea duty USS Dobbin AD 3. ships carpenter and assistant repair officer hull 10th Division officer. Honorable release from active duty June 2-1. 19-16. Honorable discharge Jan. 31. 1950. Enlisted USAR June 23, 1953. Retiring commissioned CW-4 USAR Active Reserve Oct. 16. 1971. Civilian vocation. pipetitter vvelder journeyman steam and hot water heating. Complete retirement 1975. LEO R. VRANA, trained at NTS. San Diego. CA. Assigned to USS Calnfornia November 1940. Gunnery Striker, main battery Turret 151 also battle station. During attack on Pearl Harbor was sent belovv for gas masks. Lights and power went off reaching third deck. Worked way back up to topside crouching under overhang of Turret I-'1. Witnessed two Japanese planes release torpedoes each hitting the California. .Abandoned ship and svvam ashore. After attack was sent to Ewa to help set up salvaged 5 inch anti aircraft guns from California. Back to the ship for salvage duty. Oct. 10. 1942. left P.H. under ovv n povvcr for Bremerton Navy Yard. While ship was being retitted .ind modernized attended gunnery school. Washington. D.C. Returned to ship for trial mins in maneuv cring. gtrnnery and machinery tests. Resurrected from bottom of Pearl Harbor they rejoined the xvar with an assault on Saipan. Tinian and Guam and on across the Pacific to Tokyo engaging in numerous operations earning six battle stars. Pearl llarbortbltdxvay, Nlat'iarr.is. S.rip.iu. li'irti.iit. t 1 Guam. l cvtcOpcration, l.lI1gllfCllkilill-,kllxl1l.lXX.l.Killlllv. Third lflect operation against .lapair

Page 109 text:

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

Page 111 text:

Xlso P11111 1X11111xc1's.1ty 110311 Harbor Cotigrcssiotitil K1Oll1ll1C1l1t'1'LI1lX c Nlcdal. Returned to Pliiladclpliia Naxy Yard. Dec. 7, 1945. 11.1111 liokx o. N111 Siiigaporc. Coloiiibia and Capcton 11. The sltlll u.1s tiiotlihallcd. l'1'a11sfc1Tcd to USS Colianlvia for inoililxill duty Discliatgcd Scptcinhcr 1946. X1.I1T1Ct1 1IC1l1'1C11Ll1lI'OC1l1IS1s11.1i0lIl'C1ll1C1fCll. Suzanne. 'X1.1lN. Slcpltclt and Cit'Cgo1'y. 11111 g1',111dtj,111gl11Q1- ,md gmc g1u.11'g1'.1111lso11. Rctircd after successful General t onstnictioii business 111 Corpus Christi. TX. Xcry proud to have serx ed their country aboard a g.l11.ll11 xx ar ship with gallant and patriotic IIICII. let history rscoixi they are unlike the 42nd president tdraft dodgerh occtipy ing thc White House at this writing. who refused to M-NC. JOHN R. VYAI,SH. QM1lc. USN. bor11 St. Louis. X1O..1a11. 23. 1924. Enlisted Dec. 30, 1941. U.S. Navy. N D11isio11..-Xttended Training Station at Great Lakes. Went aboard the California early in February 1942. Raised her fro111 seven and a half fathoms of water, soaped and wire-brushed for a month. Brought her back to the States for remodeling and they did a fantastic sob. Made shake down drills down ir1 California and then returned to Pearl Harbor to rejoin the fleet. Went front Saipan and Tinian. Then to Guam and on to the Philippines Liberation. Took hit from a shore battery .11 Saipan. then a kamikaze knocked it out a little bit. Lost 50 men and over a 150 wounded. Were at the battle of Surigao Strait and were credited with the sinking of a .Japanese battleship of the Fuso Class. Received a Presidential Citation for her victory in the Philippine. She really was the Pride of the Fleet and she will always be a proud memory in his young life. Left the USS California in 1946. She went on to be in Tokyo waters for the signing of the Surrender Treaty. . 2.1 Discharged Dec. 9, 1946. Married and has three children, two girls and one son. Also has 7 grandchildren. Today has real good health and is retired. HAROLD WHITCOMB JR., TC1lc, born Gaines, MI. Sept. 3. 1922. Enlisted in December 1941, U.S. Navy, Turret Captain. First Class. 3rd Division. Arrived at Pearl Harbor right after the bombing and helped raise the USS Maid if California from the bottom and helped restore her. Discharged in January 1946. He and his wife Leona have a son Michael and a daughter Darlene. Also have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. After the service he drove trucks. first in a lumber yard, than a milk truck. and ended up driving a 151 'fiheeler with a 30 years safe driving record. In 19811 he lost his left leg and in 1992 suffered a stroke, paralyzing 191'-fl'igfl1SldC.HC now resides at Shawasse County Medical Care Facility CHRISTIAN LEON WILDHAGEN, WT2. USN, born San Jose. CA. Sept. 29. 1921. Enlisted July 27. 1942. LVSN' VVT2 Statioried at 1JSNTCfGrcat Lakes. 11.1 USS Can 12111511 IQSS California. USS ltll. Roosrfwlt. Participated 111 battles at Asiatic-Pacific and the Philippine l.ihc1'atio11. Memorable experiences include crossing the T in the Big Battle. AwardslMeda1s: American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Paciic Campaign Medal with three stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal. Discharged Feb. 14, 1947. Married and had five children and 12 grandchildren. Chris was a retired machinist one week when he had a massive M.I. and died Oct. 23, 1983. He and his Calnfornia Navy buddy were planning to attend the Reunion in 1983. His close friend was H.R. Summersgill of Spanish Fort, AL, who was also a W.T. on the Calyfornia. Submitted by Bernice Wildhagen, his widow. DONALD W. WILSON, EMllc, CEM, bom Guthrie Center, IA, Sept. 14, 1916. Enlisted Feb. 10, 1934, USN, Electricians Mate E Division. Service included NTS Norfolk, VA, USS Chicago CA29g EIC School, Material Lab, Washington, D.C.g USS Yorktown CV-5, Camp Gatling USS Caliornia Pearl Harbor to Bremerton, USS Hancock CV-19, USS Leo AKA-60. 4 I L iff, Participated battles at Coral Sea. Midway, Philippines. Rykus Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Japan Etc. Cseven totaly. Memorable experiences: His steering motor room ride, in the Coral Sea Battle, on Yorktown. CV-5. abandonment, No. 2, off CV-5, member of salvage crew. all U.S.N. service. AwardslMeda1s: Commendation, Navy Unit. American Defense Service Medal, American Area Campaign Medal. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. Asiatic-Pacihc Campaign Medal with seven stars. China Service Medal. Occupation of Japan, Good Conduct Medal. Discharged Dec. 26, 1946. CEM KPAJ I.C. USN. Married Rose Erickson, Jan. 18. 1943. 151+ yearsl Downtown Methodist Church. Seattle, WA. and has one son. Careers: USN, Construction Elec.. Commercial Fisherman. Retired fron1 Washington State Highway Department tD.O.T.J. September 1978. Main hobby since retiring is spon fishing. He does this today. along. with senior club, Honey Do Jobs. and home and yard maintenance. WILLIAM C. WILSON, RM2lc, USNR, was born March 31, 1925. at Charlotte. NC. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Sept. 30. 1942. and was assigned to the USS California at Bremerton, WA. In 1945. when the Calihirnia returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs. he was transferred to the Naval Aviation Program. In 1946, he was assigned to the Moffett Field Naval Air Station. San Jose. CA. After the war, he was allowed a discharge under the point system. A QQ- During the next 20 years. he served in law enforcement with city, county and state police agencies. including 10 years. with the NC Bureau of Investigation. ln 1964, he started his own investigative agency for business and industry. which he continues to operate from Charlotte. NC. He was married in 1946, and has two sons. a daughter and two grandchildren. ALVIN L. WINTER, USNR. was born May 8, 1925. at Nashville, KS. Joined Navy February 1944. He trained at Farragut, ID, after being inducted in Kansas City, MO. After training he was shipped to Shoemaker. CA. Later to Treasure Island and on to troop transport over to were the USS Calqfornia was anchored at the Marshall Islands. Went aboard the USS California, June 1944. just after invasion of Saipan in the Marianas Islands. ti -fa , v 'Qi He was aboard the ship for the following combats. Guam. Tinian, Palau's, Leyte Gulf, Surigao Strait Sea Battle, Lingayen Gulf. Luzon. A kamikaze hit sent them back to USA for repairs. He was aboard when USS Tennessee, USS Calnfornia, collided at sea while crossing the Equator which sent them to Espiritu Santo Islands for dry-dock repairs in readiment for Philippines Tike Back. Invasions. Retumed to Paciic Action for Okinawa Invasion and end of war with Japan. Was aboard when a Fleet of ships were assigned new East Coast home ports. Philadelphia. PA, which formed the Good Will Cruise around the world with several day stopovers in Tokyo. Japan: Singapore. Malyag Colombo, India lnow Sri Lankijg Capetown. South Africa and Philadelphia. PA. He attained rank of disbursing clerk 3rd Class P.O. He was sent for discharge in April 1946. and by train arrived at Newton. KS, going West. where he boarded a train months earlier. going from leave to go overseas. going West to the USS California. He believes he has a Guinness record for a boy under 20 years of age going around the world Newton. KS. to Newton. KS. He was enroute to Norman. OK. his discharge center. The above was purely happen stance. He worked for Santa Fe Trail and Continental Trailways until his organized Reserve Unit was back from Wichita. KS. He boarded a large carrier USS Bon Homme Richard CV-31. at Bremerton. WA. in January 1951 . They did patrol duty on coast of Korea and was sent home on hardship discharge. September 1952. Worked for Boeing tBoeing Computer Servicesb Company and retired there October 1987. after 35 years service. AwardslMedals: WWII Victory Medal. American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. Korean Conflict Medal with three stars, United Nations Medal. He was married to Florence C. Meyer, Nov. 16, 1947, and they had two sons Rodney Alan and Craig Darr. deceased 1985. ROBERT W. WOLFE, WTllc, bom Bryantown, MD, Dec. 3, 1922. Enlisted Dec. 29, 1941, USN. B Division. Attended boot camp Great Lakes, seven days. and USS Calnfornia. Participated in battles at Saipan. Tinian, Guam. Philippines. Surigao Strait, Leyte, Tokyo Bay. Graduated from Hughesville High School in Maryland 1939. Moved to Ashland. KY, and went to work for Davey Tree Company. in Ohio. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, He left for Ashland, KY. so his father could sign for him tojoin Navy in December 1941. Great Lakes was a very short stay and they were shipped to Pearl to begin the job of raising the California from the bottom. They slept in oil. tile in oil. pulled bodies from the ship in parts and pieces. After raising ship sailed to Bremerton, WA, for a complete remodel job. Boiler School and Fire Watches along with short leaves home.