California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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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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December 7. 1941, he was BMC 2fc. Was on deck when bomb dropped five feet from his 413 gun station. As order to abandon ship was given. a seaman below deck was trying to get topside through the bomb hole. Cutting away splinters around the hole, Breedlove was able to pull him up to the gallery deck. He spent most ol' the day operating a 50' boat making trips from the ship to the hospital-landing with causalities. He helped raise the ship and take her to the Bremerton Naval Yard for refitting, and then back to sea for the Marianas Islands campaigns. He was transferred to the amphibious fleet in late 1944, serving through the Korean War. He retired from the Navy on April 1, 1954. Other ships he served on are: USS Shenandoah Ad 26, USS Manchester CL 83, USS Glynn APA 239. He also spent two years in recruiting duty in Muncie, IN. He and his wife, Pat, have three children. Breedlove worked 10 years at Boeing Co. in Seattleg owned and operated 1,200 acre cattlefwheat ranch in Oregong owned and operated commercial fishing vessels along the Pacific coast. The Breedloves now reside in North Bend, OR. KENNETH J. BRETHAUER, USN, bam in Portland, OR, April 16, 1922. Joined the Navy Jan. 2, 1941, and trained at San Diego, CA. Attended Machinist School at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and Ford Navy Machinist School in Detroit, MI, before being assigned to the USS Yorktown at Norfolk, VA. Took part in north Atlantic patrols against German submarines before Dec. 7, 1941. Participated in actions at Marshal and Gilbert islands, Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Corral Sea Battle, and Battle of Midway where the USS Yorktown was lost in action. He was then assigned to the USS Calnfornia, in July of 1942, and took part in all of the actions the ship was in for the rest of WWII. During his cruise on the Calnfornia he attained the rate of Chief Machinist Mate and was very active playing baseball for the ships team. After the ship was mothballed he was transferred to a LCFF until he was discharged December 1946. He retired from Mobil Oil as Superintendent of Electrical and Instrumentation Department. Ethel his wife of 51 years and he have two sons and four grandchildren. He is active in building precision models. GRAYDON L. BROWN, Slfc CSFJ R Division, born April 23, 1926. Joined the Navy March 18, 1944. Basic training at San Diego, CA. Went aboard the USS Calnfornia 1 f , I ' - .. , 4 W J f Q at Manus in the Admiralty Islands in September 1944. Battles participated in were Leyte, Surigao, Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. Left the ship at Philadelphia' in February 1944, when ship was put in mothballs. Awarded Good Conduct, Philippine Liberation, Asiatic-Pacific and WWII Victory Medals. Discharged Feb. 20, 1946, at Memphis, TN. Lifelong resident of North Little Rock, AR. Betty, his wife of 50 years, and he have three sons and six grandchildren. Retired electrician. HURSHEL F. BROWN, WT 2!c, born Liberty, KY, July 22. 1923. Enlisted April 7, 1943. USN. llivizion ll Service includes USNTS Great Lakes, Il.. and USS California. Participated in following battles: Saipan, Guarn. Tinian, Philippines, Surigao Strait, Lingayen llashi Krasln attack, burial at sea. f ,p-.rw -. Y Memorable experiences include crossing equator, Battle of Surigao Strait, visit Tokyo Bay, Japan. Awards!Meda1s: Pacific Theater Ribbon with four starsg Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, Victory Ribbong American Ribbon. Discharged March 18, 1946, with ranks AS, S2lc, F2! c, Fllc, WT3!c, WT2!c. He and his wife Mary L. Brown, have son Roy Wayne and daughter Connie Sue. He is self-employed, Brown's TV 84 Appliance, Versailles, KY. WILLIAM DANIEL BROWN, Flfc E Division, bom Roosevelt County, NM, Nov. 20, 1924. Enlisted June 5, 1944, Navy CUSNRJ. Military locations and stations: San Diego, CAL St. Louis, MOQ and Oakland, CA, BB44. Participated in battle at Okinawa. ' 724 'V f Y W f f 0 f X . f, .WZ ' . , 4 a G I f Q Z , . U if f . ' liv- Discharged March 5, 1946, with the rank of fireman first class. Married 50 years, Feb. 14, 1944, wife, Rhymogean, three sons, Daniel, Michael and Randy. Has been in electrical contracting in Midland, TX, for 34 years. DONALD K. BRUMBACK, S lfc USNR, born June 19, 1925, drafted in the Navy Sept. 5, 1943, sent to U.S. Naval Training Station at Farrugut, ID, Company 750-43, for Boot Training, sent to Bremerton, WA, Craven Center, sent from Craven Center to USS Calhfornia, which was in dry dock after being sunk at Pearl Harbor. The ship then went to San Pedro, CA, for a training period then to San Francisco for final inspection, then to Pearl Harbor then on to Saipan Guam and Tinian, Leyte Gulf, Surigao Strait, Luzon and was hit by a suicide plane there, and went back to Bremerton, WA, for repair. After being repaired back to Okinawa. After Japan's surrender went to Tokyo then to Singapore on to Colombo, Ceylon, then to Cape Town, South Africa then on to Philadelphia, PA, he was then transferred to Shoemaker, CA, for discharge on Dec. 24, 1945. Awards!Metlals: WWII Victory Mcdal, Anicricaii Area, Asiatic-Pacific with two stars. Philippine with two stars. llc and tis. Ml f 1,'VJ,1Ilf.l'.l'lllIlI'QlI l-Qctiretl THOMAS It. HIgfQKl.I',Y, lff. r. uf . Joined Navy lan 17 l'14l and fra 1 tat uar.i1:e,f'. Attended rnat,hinif.t school at the 'treat larch '- lrortl Machinist School in llctrot' l41rkzown at Norfolk. Saw action at Vlarxiaii f 'I Islands, Guadalcanal New Guinea Loral H1 ltr ol' Midway where the LBS Mrlffown wap iv: 4 Transferred to the USS Cfolifomio laiy 1942 'Q . aboard ijll grid ol WWII. Wax discharged Fen LL 'ff with rate of.VIM-lfc. , ,, Q 1 4 Live in Houston, TX. with wife. Margaret, and two sons and a daughter. Hobby woodworking. KURT R. BULIVIER, S lfc. 8th Division. born Qi. Lingle, WY, May 31, 1927. Enlisted L'SN. Feb. 13. E9-15. trained at Sampson. NY. Served aboard L'SS Coizltbrfzrg. and USS Arrio. Participated in battle at Okinawa. 55 1. 4. ,. H 'gr - 1 I L Memorable experiences include returning to San Francisco under the Golden Gate Bridge when War ended. The finest people he ever met were the men aboard the L55 California. When on the .-trrio they were in a severe tx phoon while towing an APL and it snapped the 5 inch how ser and they lost the tow. The engine room was flooded and they were completely disabled. They drifted many day s until at plane spotted them and sent a destroyer to tow them into Pearl Harbor and then a tug towed them to San Francisco. Awards!Medals: American Theater Medal. WWII Victory Medal. Asiatic-Pacific Medal with one star. Discharged July 28, 1946. with the rank ofthird class petty officer. Married in 1956. and have three daughters .ind four grandchildren. Today. semi-retired salesman. traxeling. hunting and fishing. FLOYD E. BURCH. Coxswain. born Wier. RS. Feb. 6. 1924. Enlisted Max' I9-13. USN, lst Dixision. Serx ed aboard the USS Ctzlifbrizitz. Participated in the folloxx ing battles: Saipan. Tinian. Guam. Lcxte. Surigao. Lingay en Gulf and Okinawa. lylemorablc experiences include sailing around the world. Awards!lX1edals: WWII Victory Nledal. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. American Area Catnpatgii Medal. Pacific Campaign Medal xx ith four stars. Discharged Dec. 12. 19-15.xxiththcrtntkofcoxsxxatft Hc and his xx ite, Dorothx haxc txx o daughters. Nlarx and Jackie. Retired hcaxw cqtnpincnt operator. RAYMOND H. BllRl'HYl1l'IlT. PSN, born Jan. IS. 1925. Enlisted in scrxicc Sept S. 1943. Reccixed Basic Training at Fanagut. ID. Ile xx .is scnt dircctlx to Brcincrton. WA. for duty on USS f'tlfI'fll!'!Iltl. which was rcccixing repairs froin Pearl lflarbor -Xttaclx USS Clilititnirn rcturncd to dutx with nannng off coast of Caltl'oinia and thcx rcturncd to Pearl llarboi for training. llc scixcd on l'SS t'ti,lirr-vii.: when Nl.n't.in.is ,,,..-..-..Y.... ,..... .,