California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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The entire I5 months aboard the California was memorable. ft . 0,0 5 ...M it ' it Awardsfmedalsz American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, two battle stars, Philippine Liberation Medal, with two battle stars, Philippine Presidential Citationg WWII Victory Medalg Naval Reserve Medal. Released to inactive duty June 30, 1946, remained in Naval Reserve and retired with rank of commander. Married Velma Sharpe, March 17, 1945, while on leave. Have two children and four grandchildren. Retired CPA tworking part-timej. MARTIN G. BIEDRON, enlisted on Aug. 20, 1943, in Chicago, IL. Had his Boot Training in Farragut, ID, from Boots he was assigned to USS Calnfornia in Bremerton, WA. He was on watch in powder storage compartment for 16 inch gun turret the moming Tennessee collided with their ship. He wondered more of what happened than being worried. That is what he remembers the most. ,., -- 5 He was a crew member for the Saipan, Tinian, Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the Philippine Liberation, came back to USA with ship and was sent to Puget Sound Naval Hospital for surgery, then to San Diego Navel Base, until discharged on Jan. 9, 1946, rank of seaman first class. WILLIAM J. BENNECKER, Yeoman llc USNR, born Knoxville, TN, Dec. 15, 1921. Joined Naval Reserve Tacoma, WA, Oct. 17, 1938. Volunteered active duty July 24, 1940. U.S. Naval Reserve, Tacoma, WA. Served aboard USS Calnfornia, USS Minneapolis, ComServFor CFlagj, ComWestSeaFron fFlagJ. Participated in Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, USS Calhfornia, Bouganville and Salamaua. Memorable experiences include swimming through oil-covered water from USS Caljornia to Ford Island in Pew Harbor. I Awardslmedalsz American Defense one star, Asiatic- Pacific two stars, American Area, WWII Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. , Discharged June 29, 1946, with the rank of yeoman llc. Have been married 46 years, wife Betty, and have three children and five grandchildren. Retired after 30 years with Texaco Inc. and enjoy fishing and other hobbies. B.I'I. IBENNIE HOWARDJ BINGHAIVI, Aviation Division, l.lSN, born Ian. 19, 1913. Enlisted in the Navy 1924, after graduating from high school. After Hoot tfarnp at Norfolk, VA, was assigned to USS California at Long Beach, in the Aviation Division 1924- 1 928. USS California was only ship Mr. Bingham was ever stationed. He signed in for four years, then was discharged. Ile worked all during WWII at Convar in San Diego, until he retired in 1975. He married Zora Wood a Navy nurse in 1937. They had one daughter Janet. H X ' ji' lf... ' ,U . 1 W 4, i I A yi r't 'wS, ' 5 1 'Lt .ii 1 i ' lf fi' ll' ' . , -.Q wi- 1 25 lll, V , i . 'li 'pl' iz' 1 1 .ia-it .-.-1 I . .es 7 . Z. f '1l 1liritit,r ' if 1 ' I -X. March 8, 1990, Mr. Bingham received orders to serve on the staff of the Supreme Commander. Submitted by Bertha M. Bingham Baldwin, a sister C. ARNOLD BLOCK, was a rural Iowa farm boy living in a town of 500 and thought the county seat of 2,000 was a big city. It was the depression and he enlisted in the Navy in 1936. It was pretty awesome taking a train from Great Lakes to Seattle and boarding the Calnfornia in Bremerton. He was assigned to the lst Div. and Brute Owens BM1 took one look at him and said he was going to be in his race boat pulling crew. He had no choice. For the next four years he was a member of a racing crew for the Calyfornia. They came in second, third and fourth many times. They garnered many points toward the Iron Man Trophy which the ship won one year for excellence in athletics. They had never won a major race until 1940, when their crew won the coveted Seattle Times Cup. It was the last race to be held by the battleships in Lake Washington. They set the course record. The Fleet was soon stationed in Pearl. The motor launch rides to Trona Field at San Pedro, to watch their football team play. Rash, Nelson, Fisher, McElroy, Wichman, Axle Bros., Lewicki Bros Jackson and others along with Scott who he played B.B. with and they won the battle ship competition. Only to see Scott be awarded the Medal of Honor Post Humously for remaining on his station during the attack. He refused to leave his station when ordered to abandon ship. The finest of Naval Traditions. After he was rated BM3 he was assigned to the MAA Force in the R Division. He was in charge of the mess cooks and food handlers. As such, it was his duty to see that church was rigged on the forecastle for the Chaplain. They had finished and he was standing on the port side this perfectly lovely moming, looking over at Ford Island when a few of them saw the bombs hit the run way. His first reaction, they were water bombs and do they have to play war games on Sunday morning. Moments later, he like many others saw the Japanese torpedo planes coming down the channel headed for the battle ships. Two of his fellow MAA Kaufman Bml and Carpenter Bml were killed during the attack along with many other fine and courageous shipmates. After the torpedo hits and aerial bomb the ship slowly settled to the bottom. The order was given to abandon ship and many of them swam to Ford Island. Before srrnset, many of them went back to man AA guns as rumors were flying high. A couple of planes from one of their carriers came in to land on Ford Island and every AA gun in the area let loose. He remembers one pilot being shot down, brit didn't lose his life. After breakfast on December 8, many of them went back tothe ship to recover what they could, Ile rernernber's tfointt on hoard rulhr behind lotta. Hurt f 1 4 P1 til IU yours, a real salt a crusty 'ilfl ,eterar fl Yroff ' tiara: a mari You could write a book about A than 'if:rr:?Y emotion. 'I his rnorning as he crossed the ldfilifldfff lflfifl ... H., f,.1 and saluted the flag. the one they ily at f1'i',ifi,,ir,i J vffff rvr' paused and mumbled the pride ot the fleet na. , mic- J and a tear rolled down his cheek. Block paid , risfreeit mari is human 'Io this day when he thinks of tha' inf he can get a little emotional It was a great If ie an 1 years. A sad way to end it. Later that day the feansrf: war hit home again as some of us formed pair . and car ,, pf out the charred bodies in blankets. Only their ID Q. idert: :c them. Being almost 614' he was assigned as prirn-....ar D.-4,. in til turret. A primerman unlocks the breech and meer . 5 primer about the size of a 30Ca1. That ignites the 1.14 1 of powder, that hurls l400LB's of destruction througr. i air. You would stand aside as the breech recoiis back bet. ue your head. The pointer and trainer sit up further under ive guns. Miller GM3 would be called to the turret moot: occasion. And on occasion as he climbed the ladder tc g out ofthe pit, he would pinch Blocks cheek and sal.. preiil. tender kid. Block thought he would get even with him v.: he came back down the ladder. He saw a pair of dungarees and as the cheek of the butt got along side of his head. Ki grabbed a handful and said how do you like that you 11235 SOB. It tumed out when those pair of dungarees i bottom of the pit. it was LT. Smith their division ofricer He mumbled something about it being Johnny Miller. L: Smith never said a word. He thought he had. had it. He probably somehow understood. He profess to be the sailor to have pinched a Naval Academy Ofticer in the bu. and got away with it, this may not sound like much ir today's society with all that goes on in TY and monies But it was pretty wild then. ARCHIE A. BOEK, entered the US. Navy on Jan. 1- 1938, while 17 years of age. Training at Station COIFIDERL- 3 San Diego, out of boot camp onto USS Ilriglzt and went to Alaska. Returned to San Diego. transferred into YJ. Squadron from there to the L'SS Calubrnia. His threes choices out of boot camp were Aviation. California Aviation. Was on the USS Caljornia until the middle of November 1941.He was put in the Y Division which vs as the aviation gang so he got both of his original choices he made in boot camp. He was put in charge of the plane on top of number three gun turret. Made t2i'c AMM1 seconc class mechanist mate prior to being transferred off. X Transferred into a flying boat squadron at Kanahoe Bay, VP-1 1. the Catalina. the PBY's the vvorkhorses of the Navy. The plane reminded him of a football team. The line makes it possible for things to happen. the backticld gets the glory. The PBYS air sea. rescue. submarine patrol. torpedo runs, bombing tracking. His plane crew made a night bombing raid on Talogie across from Guadalcanal. before the marines took it. rescued three men of only 12 or 13. that survived the sinking of the USS .linnrzr The squadron was involved in one of the longest torpedo attacks in the history of the Navy, from Espiritu Santo to the Island of Truck. Squadron relieved late in 1943. tlcvx to New Caledonia where he had the surprise of his life. he inet to o of his younger brothers who were on the FSS S.l. tZ'.'kQrl. Walter and Cleo. Was rated ACNIM. Ilpon arriving in San Diego. he was put in charge of a inspection erevv .rr Consolidated Aircraft Plant. After' being there for several months, he had the opportunity to go to tlunp liernnv outside of San Diego as a duty chief. duty every fourth day, rest of the time off. That lasted for .r vvhile, when .r squadron was formed to go to the Philippine Island. The squadron conrrnandcr. tr L'ornrn.inder Balls approached hun about being the engineering chief for the squadron. hc accepted his offer. and they left for the Philippines on the 15th of December' 19-1-1. The planes were the Nav x x ersron of the Rf 14, referred to as the Priviucer PH-IX 's l .uidetl

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.K at .X taiiiit- stats. mi it x it-ian twist-ii.ii-gt-it -tug is. nuts. i eonian. llc Nlarried Plivllis in 1950. three daughters. one son. .ine gi'.nidclnldi'en Was an .tutornotiv e parts nianagei tor ' - ' w .4 years and tlien .tn engineerin.nntenanee tor -tl years. Today lie ls retired in NN'oodbut'y. MN .JOHN T. BASHAN1. S lac. born Yt1baCity.CA. Sept. l'. 191-1 Fnlisted May 27. 19-l3.l'SNR.1Nlilitary locations and stations lie served vs ere NTS. Farracut. ID. 5 WRC. L SS kldfIltlI'!1IiI 1943 to December 1946. All battles USS tltritortzitr was in after Bremerton. NSY. WA. until niotliballed in Plnllv Avi ardsfmedals: Asiatic-Pacific four stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star. Discharged Feb. 21. 1946. Shoemaker. CA, with the rank of Src. Married Ruth J. Mogg. Aug. 13. 1947, one son, Jim R. Basham. bom 1952: tvvo grandchildren, Jim and Terry. Retired from Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3. after 35 years. NILRRAY D. BAXTER, Chief Yeoman QPAJ. born Bravvley. CA. July 24. 1922. Enlisted Aug. 9, 1940, U.S. Navy. C Div. USS Calnbrnia CBB-443. Locations served: CSS Calrtbrnia receiving station, Pearl Harbor, T.H., USS rm-rn tDD 7941 Nav Barracks. Washington D.C., Fleet Service School. Naval Repair Base, San Diego, CA, HQ llth Nas al District San Diego, CA. Battles participated include Pearl Harbor. Midway, Eniwetok, Philippine, etc. Everything throughout South Pacific while on board USS Irwin tDD 7941. 1 Jw F A ' B 7 1 .Sign .X .67 Z f 4 . 1 W! Z e ,t -. , X , , if 4 355.5 ' , Q -5 it 1. '- af ak gy if z 35 I y f - -as 1 ' 0 fa W , ff fy f , gg., 1... I ' 7 'L . ' gf , ar X . Av. ardsfmedalsz American Area, Asiatic-Pacific. Philippine Liberation. American Defense. WWII Victory Medal. Good Conduct. Air Force Commendation Medal. Bronze Star. Discharged from USN Aug. 9, 1946. retired from IQSAF June 30. 1967. as CMSgt KE-91. Married Sammie Lee Poore. two sons and one daughter. still have same wife. Today spends his time playing golf. fishing, travel, goofing off. enjoying life, etc. Celebrated 50th Wedding Anniversary Feb. 10. 19941 HAROLD ALLEN BEAM, Corporal, born Hooks. TX. Feb. 3. 1919. Enlisted May 9. 1940. U.S. Marine Corps. Cpl G Division. Served aboard USS California, USS fltllllllfltlllltl..lIltllVl11llllCl,ll. Marine Recruit Depot San l1iego.l X.C'ainpl1lliotl'anip MeCay. New Zealand. Battles participated include Pearl Harbor and tiuadalcanal Discharged Jan. 25. 1945. with the rank sergeant. lklarried Anti Babcock June 1955, four children. three sons and one daughter. and seven grandchildren. Retired after 35 years in teaching and administration in the public schools. Currently teaching part-time in Vernon Junior College. HAROLD BEAN. National Chairman, USS Culmfrnia Association. born June 1925, in Sorento, IL. One of nine children of Fletcher and Irene Bean. Eight boys and one girl. which were two sets of twins. which he and his twin Gerald were of older set. Bruce and Burl younger set, Burl died at six months of pneumonia. Their father passed away at age 43 in 1932. All eight children were still at home, oldest being 20 youngest being 3. Five of the boys served in military. First three went to the Army. he broke tradition and followed by another brother in the Navy. His twin Gerald and he, are only two left of the family. Was bom in 1925, in small town of Sorento, IL, with three older brothers in Army, when he reached 18, he volunteered for service, without his twin knowing, and when given choice of branch he wanted, he broke tradition and went Navy. To Boot training Farragut, ID, Co. 747 Camp Scott in September - October 1943. Then to Bremerton to BB 44 USS Calyfornia where he spent rest of his Navy career. Was in lower powder room of Turret 142. Until kamikaze hit in Lingayon Gulf, transferred to 10th to Quad 10 above turret 413. Where the kamikaze plane hit the control tower above. Later transferred to L Div. His memories of his first visit to Hawaii. The first day in action at Saipan. Where they bombarded most of day. And the first hit they took from shore battery, killing one. Then of after bombardments of Guam and Tinian on way to New Hebredes, the USS Tennessee collided with us killing numerous number of crew. The large floating dry-dock there, where repairs were made. Then on to the Philippines with invasion of Leyte, then the historic sea battle of Surigao Strait. Where Calyfornia is credited with sinking of Japanese's battleship. Then to Lingayen Gulf where again suffered casualties from kamikaze hit. Back to states, back to Okinawa, China Seas and War End. Their trip and visit to Japan and Tokyo Bay and Tokyo itself. The around the world cruise via stops at Singapore, Ceylon and Cape Town to Philadelphia Navy Yard arriving Dec. 7, 1945, discharged at Great Lakes March 20, 1946. Returned home to work rest of his life on different railroads with last 30 with Nickle Plate and Norfolk and Westem Railways. USS Calyfornia Association. Idea of keeping the crew together came to him while he was still aboard ship. He was S lfc in 2nd Div. t14 gunsj then to 10th Div. 140mm gunsl. He met with LCDR Kenealy-Chaplain: his ideas of reunions which he was IHOSI supportive of. He arranged for Bean to meet and give his ideas to CDR Mayfield Exec- officer. After the discussions, CDR Mayfield advised he would do his utmost to see Bean received a complete list of all that served aboard beginning Jan. 1, 1944. That he would receive this list before ship arrived states. and before all were discharged. After War. they arrived in Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard. Where ship was to be mothballed and placed in Atlantic Reserve Fleet. He went to meet with CDR Mayfield in regards to this list, only to learn he had already departed on arrival. tHe was toldb. No one in his office knew of the roster. Bean almost gave up the idea. In 1953, with the idea of getting the crew back together. he visited a former shipmate S lfc Michael Coleman F Div. 43-46. who had a list of 120 names and addresses. List was about seven years old. His initial idea was to contact only 43-46 crew, those that were aboard after ship was rebuilt. As he had no idea, as how to contact those that served aboard earlier. The response was a most pleasant surprise. As most wrote they were interested. But more surprising was. when he had notices placed in Military magaaines. He not only heard from the 43-46 crew, but Pearl Harbor crew those ofthe 1930s. 1920s. and yes even 10 of original crew. Plus also the Marines. This was very exciting to him. DORCIE GLENN BEA RBOWER, discharge rating S.l'.1. Born in Brandon, IA, June 3, 1902. Enlisted Dec. 29, 1924. Went to Great Lakes for training, To New York to board the USS C 'ulrforniu and down through the Panama Canal to lionie port San Pedro. In-and-out lor battle practice. In 1925, trip to Honolulu - had a mock battle to take Pearl Harbor, but No Can Dol Then on to Sydney Australia, Auckland, New Zealand. and back to San Pedro. Then up and down the coast to Bremerton Navy Yard to trade their hammocks for those nice hunks and locker and many more happy experiences. In 1927,just before being paid off with a honorable discharge twith a Good Conduct Medall, he helped to get stell from the repair ship Medusa, to install a catapult on top of the 413 turret. Also had orders to take caulking gun to eaulk any rivet that showed a leak at the keel or elsewhere. Their chief and captain had been concerned about this for sometime. ......i.-J., In December of 1941, right after Pearl Harbor, his wife Martha twho was expectingl, their daughters Stacy Lee, age 7, and Sharon Dee, age 5, went to Des Moines, IA, so he could re-enlist in the Navy. The Hospital Corpsman who did his examination was from the USS Calyfornia. He told him that due to his age, 39, they couldn't take him, but that he could get in the First Battalion of the Sea Bees. He signed up on Dec. 29, 1941, and again went to Great Lakes for training. Then on to Quonset Point, RI, for extensive schooling, then on to Camp Allen-Norfolk, VA, for final training with a very strict Marine. then their final graduation, After graduation, in May they boarded the USS Nevelle for the Southwest Pacific. via the Panama Canal. After days they were approached by a USS destroyer that shot a message to them for the captain. He came down from the bridge and read the message to all hands. The next night, which was their 31st day out, they went ashore at Tonga Asmall Island, in a nice gentle rain. Some of the crew had tents. but his buddies and he found three coconut trees, especially for them in order to hang their hammocks and their rifles, of course they had Ponchos to keep them dry-HAI HAI He thinks it rained some time during the day for a month or more while they were unloading the ship. Their cook would prepare the food and some of the boat crew and he would take chow to the crew. They worked two 12- hour shifts until the ship was unloaded. One of his duties also, was to wake up each person on the night shift. He must say. they had men of all ages who really got in there and got the job done, NOW! They did all kinds of work at Tonga. After a year and better they went on further to New Hebrides to join the other half of their First Battalion. This is where he was severely injured and sent to Auckland. and met Marvin Shector from the USS CaIU'0rnia 1927, then on to Pearl Harbor for further repairs. After a month or so he was sent to Seattle, WA, and the Navy Hospital. Dr. Haven. a commander really did the job by installing a Tantalum plate in his skull. The plate is approximately 2 in diameter and .064 thick. will not rust or corrode. What a Doctor! He was the best, and was from his home-town. Waterloo, IA. He was discharged March 1944. He has survived to be 92 years old with the same wife, Martha tfor 66 yearsl and their two lovely daughters Stacy and Sharon, their children, and their son D. Wayne, bom May 29. 1942. while he was still in Tonga Tabu. and his children. He woulf like to thank all of the doctors who made this possible, and above all, our Gracious Loving, Healing Father. HUGH WINSTON BEDINGFIELD, Ens. USNR. bom Bartow, GA. Jan. 15. 1923. Enlisted November 1942, Navy V7 Program, USN. EVG. while on Calmzrnia was in B Division and later A Division. July - October 1943. Vl2. Program at GA Techy November 1943 - February 1944, Midshipman's School. Colombia UniversityL March 1944 - June 1945, USS Calijbrniug July 45 - June 1946, NAS Dallas and NAS Corpus Christi. Participated in battles at Saipan. Tinian. Guam. Leyte Gulf. Surigao Strait. Lingayen Gulf.

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1' Vltaitppiiics lic inidcistood. thc d.ix .iltci tlic .Iripatncsc xx etc clc.ircd ironi t'l.nk Iicld. xx .is tlicic until thc end ol if .IE Returned to St.itcs. .intl bcc.nnc leading chief ol' the 'ist Nix x Iluiitc.inc Chaser Squadron tlunc doxx n xx nh ti scxc-c .ntack ot .u'thritis. xx as scnt to .laclxsonxillc Ntixcl llospiial 'X t'onnnandei Scroiou decided hc xx as going to i.ikc some nictal embedded in the muscle of his left Icg Ile fctiescd to alloxx it and got booted out. IIFRISLIRVII I.. BULTZ. AS to Shllc. born Northeast Missouri. Feb 9. 1912. Fnhstcd March 1936. St. I.ouis. MO. Great lakes Iii' Nax 5. assigned CAI. tSigna1l Dix ision. Scrxcd .iboard LSS tlt:f.gf.'r't1t: 1930-59. L55 x'xg.iii.a BB39 1939-19-IOL ISS Roc 1315418 1940- 19-t-1. LSS Full Rix'crCA-'J 194-1-19-15. Participated in Battle of Atlantic 19-10- 19-1-lg Marianas Island xx ith s may lask Force 56. Memorable experiences include corix oy dutx in the north Atlantic. When in the Mediterranean Sea in July 1943. knoxxing his brothers tHoxvard F. Boltzl ship was nearby. he went LC it and learned his brother had been killed by a direct torpedo hit txvo xveeks before. Axvardsi' medals: Navy Good Conduct with four stars, American Defense Service Medal with starg American Theater Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalg WWII Victory Medal. Retired in 1956 with 20 years. achieved the rank of CSM. Married Martha Haffarnan of Baring, MO, and had :xx o children. Worked after retirement in a dairy, until his death on June 3. 1972. in Davenport, IA. PAUL VV. BOLTZ, LCDR USN Ret., bom Oct. 8, 1919, northeast Missouri. Enlisted Oct. 8, 1937. San Diego boot camp. Assigned USS California C-L Div. tSignalJ. Served four years all rates AS to SM1!c. As a new striker he was ordered one day to clear the fouled Admls flag. Climbing the pole mast above the main top, with the ship rolling, seeing the ocean below on one side and then on the other, he was terrified! Over 120 feet in the air and no lifelines. wi, , fi My y mon X M f fa ,- ,- Transferred Asiatic Fleet November 1941. En route on December 7. the ship diverted to Australia. February 1942. xolunteered for Filipino ship running supplies to Corrigedor. Ship was sunk by dive bombers 150 miles north of Australia. After 18 hours in the water. rescued and returned to HQ SWPACAREA. In May 1943. assigned to newly commissioned USS Haggard DD555. Took part in Marshall and Marianas operations. Later in South Pacific they sank Japanese sub. Promoted to CSM and then Ensign. Transferred to COMPHIBGR 12 Staff. In Okinawa fnxaeion April 1 to June 12. Countless air attacks and ifarnikazes Took first ground forces into Japan, landing 'f'rUDYYf2liUl'18lT1?1 Sept. 2. 1945. A Most interesting duty was on Staff'JCS under Gen. eradlel. and Adm Radford. Post WWII served xarious duties including: Staff'JCS Pentagon. CO of TVISTS Office Okinawa and CO Mildep af 'VISTS passenger ships Pe'iredAug 1 l955S.Avxarr1edthefollowingmedals! r,r,f,r,q Na. froodConr1uc,t JVlUfl2Jll American Defense .fzrsetg Vledal with star and clasp1 American fampaign 'fleoar Apiatif. Panifit. 'xfledal with six stars. Victory Medal 22. wt! ,Ng , 3 fjK,!,taf,P1llf1f1 Ser1,ic,eMerfal with Asia f lamp V-atiopaz Ileferire Wlerlal. Philippine Liberation Ribbon Jfzpanrfierit of ljeferixfg ldfzirt liadge Married Iltuiti icc .lolnisoti ol Port Urtlitirtl, WA, lrclt ' 1. 19-ll lflaxc six children Retired to Ilorida in 1979. .ittci second c.n'cct as tcticlict and prnicipail at secondary school lcxcl. St. louis Co. MO. YY. KICNNHVIIH BULTZ. AS to SM1!c. born Nov. 4. 1920. in northeast lxlissouri. Enlisted Navy 19-10, C-I. tSignalt Dixision. Served aboard USS California 1940- 1946 Participated in Battle of Philippinesl Surigao Straitg Lingayen Gulf and the Marianas at Guam. Memorial experience includes being on the signal bridge when the Japanese attacked. First thought was that U.S. Arrriy Air Corps was having mock air raid. Watched bomb fall and one man commented that a man had fallen out of the plane. With the explosion it was realized it was war. Swam to Ford Island. Assigned signal tower, Pearl Harbor, until California was floated and returned to Bremenon. Awardsfmedalsz American Defense Medal, American Theaterg Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Occupation Japan, WWII Victory Medalg Philippine Liberation Ribbong Navy Occupation with Asia Clasp. Discharged June 1946, with the rank of SM lfc. Married Patricia Brace of Quincy, IL, had three children. Died Feb. 8, 1978, Quincy, IL. Submitted by Paul W Boltz, brother: HENRY T. BOWMAN, SF1!c, R Division, born Prince Edward County, VA, June 11, 1920. Enlisted Oct. 26, 1942, USNR, Shipfitter First Class R Division. Naval Training Station Great Lakes, Dearborn, MI. Participated in Saipan. Tinian, Guam, Leyte Operation, Luzon Operation, Okinawa Gunto Operation, 3rd Fleet Operation against Japan. 7 ww. 'IX'-1 cfs Memorable experiences include the first time they engaged in battle, the bombardment of Saipan and the shore battery that zeroed in on them. His battle station was top side. which he liked. Then the occasion of helping to save the lives of several shipmates who were trapped in their compartment of the damaged portion caused by the crash of the USS Teniiessee. The first time to have used the underwater cutting apparatus to have saved a shipmate. The crash of the kamikaze plane on the ship was to be sure the most memorable of on board experiences. The fighting of fires, helping some wounded shipmates to the ladders leading down into mess halls where first aid was available. He and J.W. Plum. Seaman First Class USNR of Parsons, WV, were both commended for outstanding action. Of course there were more memorable occasions of- a inore personal nature, but he won't dwell on those. Awards!Medals: Asiatic-Pacific Area and five stars: Philippine Liberation Ribbon and two stars: American Area, WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp, and Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation. Discharged Dec. 12, 1945. with the rank of first class petty officer SF1!c. Married in 1954 and have five children. Retired. He has one son in the U.S. Navy. At present time he is stationed in San Diego, CA. He has 14 years of service with present rating of E8 Chief Fire Control Missile Radar. The following is expert from the Nmjizlk-Virginian l'iio1,.lu1y 28. 1945. Risk of Explosion Dared Three men went into a burning gun mount to pull out wounded despite ai warning of impending explosion. They were l.eonard A. Dusfynski. coxswain. Calumet City, lltl R .I l,tiniat'. sczunan lirst class, Roosevelt. NY and l,eo V. lizigsby, private lirst class, Easton, ll. Twenty other officers and men also were coinrnended lor outstanding action. Among the many men who fought fires. repaired damage or rescued shipniates were H.T. Bowman. shipfitter second class. USNR. ol Route 1. Rice. Prince Edward County. VA. and J.W. Pltirn. seaman first class USNR. of Parsons. WV. Both were commended for outstanding action. WILIJIAM C. BOYAN. USN, horn Aug. ll. 1921. Newark. NJ. Enlisted April 10, 1940. for six years. Attended boot camp at NTC. San Diego, then assigned to USS California. Upon reponing aboard at Bremerton Navy Yard was assigned to 3rd Division but soon transferred to CZQR Division as yeoman striker in First Lieutenant's Office. December 7. 1941, went to battle station in Damage Control Central. Upon hearing abandon ship order escaped through conning tower tube. Reassigned to heavy cruiser USS Astoria and served in Captains Office. USS Astoria was involved in Battles of Coral Sea and Midway before being sunk in first Battle of Savo Island. Reassigned to Comsopac in Noumea, New Caledonia. Subsequently assigned to Steno School. NTC. San Diego. Discharged April 9, 1946. as CYCPAJ. Married wife Colleen in 1958. and has two daughters. Resides in Santa Rosa. CA. Plays golfthree times a week. NICKOLAS BRAND, Boatswain Mate. lfc, born Willow Lake Township, Redwood County, MN. Aug. 4. 1914. Enlisted April 10, 1940. Navy, MMA 6th Division. Service included NTS Great Lakes. IL, USS Caliornia BB44. Participated in battles Antiwitoh Saipan, Tinian. Iwo Jima, Leyte Gulf, Okinawa, Pearl Harbor. Inner Island Transport. Awards!Medals: Good Conduct Medal. ' Discharged April 12, 1946, with the rank of boatswain's mate lfc. Married, seven children and ll grandchildren. Is retired today. ,I.lVl. BREEDLOVE. BMC USN Ret.. bom on July 28. 1914. He enlisted in the Navy on April 23. 1934. at Norfolk. VA. Was transferred to USS Langley CVI tU.S. first aircraft carrierl and made a trip through the Panama Canal. He transferred to the USS Caljornia on Nov. 27. 1934. and served on her until 1944.