California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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Theateron Spwwv and U'Bannon. saw 10 Japanese cointnit suicide on small boat. Awardsfmedals: American Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, WWII Occupation f Service Medal, two Presidential Unit Citations , . . ' if .5 National Defense Service ' f w .,- , 4' I Medal. ' Discharged Jan. 19, . 1950, with the rank BMC. Was restaurant manager, deceased Dec. 21, 1989. . WARNER D. CLARK, USNR, born July 23, 1923, at North Liberty, IN. Enlisted at South Bend, IN, on July 2, 1942. Boot Camp at Great Lake Naval Training Center. Assigned to Naval Training School at Dearborn, MI, graduating as SF 3!c. Assigned to USS Calnfornia H t at on May. 5, 1943, and f promoted to SF 2!c. Took part in the invasions of Saipan, Tinian and Guam . Islands. Memorable moments, removing the living and dead after the Tennessee!California collisiong while underway repairing the smoke stack spark arrestor with temp approximately 130 degree, had to enter the stack through inspection hole 12 xl8 . He was one of the smallest in the R Division. Assigned to Advance Welding School at Naval Repair Base, San Diego, CA, on Oct. 5, 1944. Married Iva Smith on Oct. 29, 1944, in Walkerton, IN, while on leave before welding school. Assigned to APL 45 at Portland, OR, in May 1945, and promoted to SF llc. Took 21 days for the APL to go to Pearl Harbor from Portland with a sea going tug. He had 44 l!2 points when they got to Hawaii so back to Great Lakes to be discharged Nov. 20, 1945. They have lived in Walkerton, IN, for the past 40 years. They have one son and two daughters, eight grandchildren and four great-grandsons. After leaving the Navy he went into a family business as president of the Silo Manufacturing Company, North Liberty, IN. Now in poor health with l00'hn service connected disability but try to live each day to the fullest and enjoy the USS Calnfornia Association Reunions. me an 'iff CARL J. CLAUSEN, Seaman First Class, joined the Navy, Sept. 30, 1944, and was sent to boot camp at Farragut, ID. Early in December he injured his back at fire fighting school and spent two months in the hospital. Graduated from boot camp the tirst week of March 1945. After two weeks leave he was sent to Bremerton, WA. and assigned to USS Calnfornia in March 1945. He was assigned to the Lookout CLJ Division, however because he wore glasses, he was moved to the F Division where he served as range setter on 40 millimeter anti-aircraft guns. ln August 1945, he was transferred to the First Division where he was assigned to the Turret Crew and was put to work at getting Turret I ready for the mothball fleet. He received his discharge July 5, 1946, at Bainbridge, MD. For six months after his discharge he heldjobs in the grain harvest in western Washington state, worked at the local lumber mill and a lumber yard, He then went to business college in Spokane, WA, forthe next two years. After graduation he worked as head bookkeeper and office tnanger ol a department store in Potlatch. ID. ln 1951, he went to work for a bank in North ldalto for 10 years. From there, he went into employment in the manufacturing ol' heavy road and canal equipment, He retired after working about 10 years in the sign business. He married in 1947 and from that marriage he have three children, all of whom are now grown and married. He was divorced in 1960. He has five grandchildren and four great-granddaughters. One grandson died in 1992, at the age of 20 years. In 1966, he married Norma Sammy Sampson and they now make their home in Lewiston, ID. ROGER W. COLE, USN, was born in Jackson, TN, on July 17, 1899. He joined the Navy on Jan. 2, 1919. He did his boot training at Great Lakes, IL. His first ship was the USS Vermont then was transferred to the old USS Comfort, the old hospital ship. He then was assigned to the commissioning crew ofthe USS Calyornia BB44 which he put in commission on Aug. 10, 1921. The commanding officer was Henry Zigmyer, the XO was Walter A. Smeadg the f 5 gunnery officer was CDR r Bradley who late became an admiral. While on the Caljornia, a crew member smuggled a baby bear which weighted less than 10 pounds. The crew fed him milk with a nipple and ice-cream. They named the bear Prunes and he became the mascot of the ship. They raised this baby bear from 10 pounds to approximately 450 pounds. This bear never tumed violent. Prunes the bear was transferred from the USS Calhfornia to the Los Angles zoo. The crew first thought he was a honey bear but he turned out to be a grisly bear. The USS California excelled in all sports participation. One of the members of the baseball team Dick Moudy played in the Pacific Coast League and later became a pitcher in the major leagues. Jack Silverstein became a Navy lightweight champion and turned professional and fought under the name of Jackie Silvers and he fought for the light-weight championship. They also had a great basketball team. After transferring from the Calnfornia, he did duty on the following ships: USS Pyro, an ammunition ship, shore duty at the Naval Base, Norfolk, VA, USS Henderson, a troop transportg USS Wright, a plane tender, was a plank owner on the USS Saratoga CV3, USS Teal, an aviation minesweeper and the USS Brush DD745 during WWII. While on the USS Henderson participated in the landing of Marines in Nicaragua in the year 1926, in the over taking of dictator Sandino. Later the Henderson participated in landing of Marines in Shanghai, China when the Japanese invaded Shanghai in 1927. While on the USS Brush DD745, participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was transferred to the Fleet Reserve in May 1936. and recalled back in the Navy and placed on active dulty in April 1941, and retired in July 1945, at Shoemaker. CA. MICHAEL N. COLEMAN, S llc, USNR. born Chicago, IL, Oct. 30, 1925. Enlisted Sept. 7, 1943. USNR FOT Division. Boot Camp, Farragut, ID, USS California. Participated in battles at Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Leyte, Surigao Strait, Lingayen Okinawa. 'nfl' Memorable experiences includc all the battles, air and surface. Avvardsflvledalsi Philippine liberation Ribbon xxith t-,t,f1,',tnr1, XX ,t:ittr, lJLi',iltC.' 2itttt12taf'f'i-fl'L'ld. rf WW11Vir,tory Nledal Atrtertnar .farea lJ1',t,lt7tIQfgrl Nlutilt ill! Iflflfi ffrltt ' J I I, .Vlarrted 'Iherepa and ha ff: ,tl i,rrt.r,.:r. Wl.. lanet, Bruce. Neil. Dave Vlary and fi :fP1ft'iL' lanothet wari '3pent'14 yearn wtthf rnf Pot-ff.: as sergeant RALPH WARREN COLLINS SK 7'f',lf,n51. . Omaha, Nh, Oct. 16. 1923. Izrilisted lan 22 Hia' .2 . S Division. Boot Camp, Farragut. ID. ir, Sept ,er Ja assigned to USS California transferred after If campaign then assigned to 1,83 ABSD 7 Part.: battles at Marianas Campaign, Saipan. 'Imran fr-lar: Memorable experiences include when 2 5 .tier 1 I hit a fire control tower and one ofhtz sritpmatee 2153K rec Received ribbons given to those who se. ,ed if South Pacific. Discharged Dec. 21, 1945. with the rank of L 3 Married Joyce Yergey Jan. 27, 1945. sort Steuer. daughter Connie. Retired from IC. Penney Compaq. DURRELL E. CONNER, CTC LSN. born Sept. 1918. Enlisted March 10. 1938. and assigned eompan: f , 9 at Naval Training Station, San Diego. Assigned to USS California in July 1938. assigned to 5th Division. In 1939. was transferred to the stat? of Commands Battleforce. Conner was Yeoman 2nd class at the time of the ana: on Pearl Harbor. The Calnfomia caught her first torpedo a 8:05. He watched it come from his station in the Fla communication office. where he was wrapping x-ma presents. Captain Bunkley gave the order to abandon ship 4 10:02 a.m. and the men swarrned ashore. Fifteen minute later, the wind blew the burning oil clear and the captain was calling everybody back on board to fight the tires Conner noted the flag had not been raised. He grabbed seaman and together they hoisted the colors on the fantail A big cheer went up and men began streaming back. Retired as CTC in 1962. ROBERT C. CONSTANCE. QM 3i'c. born Mansfield OH, March 2. 1925. Enlisted June 10. 19-13. USNR. S 1 c N Division. then QM 3!c. Military locations and station Great Lakes Boot Camp. QM School. IQSS Ctzi'tr2n-tri.: Bremerton. WA. Participated in battles at Saipan. Tinian Guam. Leyte. Lingayen. Surigao Strait. Philippine Liberation AX WN duiys IC Singapore and especially Capctoxxn. South -Xfrica. .alone with crossing thc equator and lntcrn.ition.il Date l inc Awards.flX1cdals: Mari.in.is Cainpaigii, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Guani, -Xsiatic Theater Discharged March 6. 19-16, xx ith thc rank otiQN1 F c Married and has thrcc sons ot ix hich txxo .irc in ins Retired. live in -Xrizoiia and Missouri, RN' tigix clcr During his high school scars. one ol' his tondcs tlrcaiiis nas to bc .i spccd boat pilot llc bclicxcs that tha Memorable experiences included liberty ir

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xx x' Nx'xl1lx'x1.l1It1.l1Nx'.l1 1'1iilippiuc 1 i1ici.uioii xx iili 'fx x'l'1'x'Nt1ix'l1. be-ite lut lxx .i .l.l11.ll1t'Nt'k1Ul1l-1 .sj5'i.ix1x'.xi.S.t1'1tftg1liS5 l 'ii.i.lt1.l111 llicx ictuincd .115 3l.ilk'S.x'1x1x'111x'l'1x111,VN X.,lg,llll10l repairs Rr-tiiiiir-rl txitx .trxtiiv 'oi x'1c.inui' opcititioiiout1lxiu.ixx.t Was that . xx Tico sX1x'l111x' lioutli xx .is dropped in ,lapan . 7 Wav' V YK I D :Q After signing of the Peace Treaty xxith Japan. USS i'h r:z.: deported again from Bremerton. WA. and sailed into Tokx o. Japan: Singapore. China: Cape Toxxn. Africa: Cex ion. liidia and there to Atlantic Ocean into Philadelphia. PA. s1iipxards.We receix ed Libertx in each of these ports. Discharged from the Naxy Feb. 5. 1946. with rank of storekeeper 3rd class. He spent his entire Navy service .board LSS cstlfflllflllhtl. except for Basic Training. He and ins xx ife Lois xx ere married March 25. 1945. They have six children and 11 grandchildren. He has been a registered barber since 19-18 and still in business. .-Xxxards.Meda1s: American Area. WWII Victory Medal. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon. KRANIER JOHN BURK, USN. Boatswain's Mate 2l Q. bom Max 21. 1914. in Chandler, AZ. Joined the Navy Jan. 9. 1940. at the Los Angles recruiting station. Went zhrough boot camp at the Navy Training Station at San Diego. CA. Was assigned to the USS Calnfornia at Long Beach. CA. rank on the Calnfornia was seaman llc. His rattle station was operating a powder hoist in one ofthe 14 inch guns. After the Pearl Harbor Attack was temporarily assigned to a antiaircraft battery setup around Pearl Harbor. Later xx as assigned to the destroyer USS McCalla DD488 xx hich attained the rank of boatswain's mate second class. Also served aboard USS McDonough and NOB Pearl Harbor. . N 5 . X ' 4. Battles participated Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal. Fhiippine Liberation. Medals and awards: American Dezense with one Bronze Star. American Theater, Asiatic- Paczfic Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, Pizlippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, WWII gurl. Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal. His memorable experience occurred while he was on if: CSS Califormu at the time of Pearl Harbor was attacked. saw. some of the first Japanese plans drop bombs on Fira Island and 'will nexer forget the big red circles on 'rf- r -J. Qngs. He wx as in the 4th Division and his battle station I in No 4 Turret operating the powder hoist for one of :ic fi .nch guns. Dr'-.charged from Navy on Jan. 10, 1946, at wefnaker. CA. He is a life member of Pearl Harbor are Association 1'ff:r.a'-.three sisters and a brother. Burk has retired as c '.',',r' 'lfr Wil' .IANIIQS B. BIQRROW. 1,'SfN'.Captain was born Jan. Q 3. . fr. Perrsacuia l'l. 'Crossing the l.rne'i Ceremony ' f 1.23 ffllifnrnm H1344 circa l934l5l6. 1'rJ' year: at the 1, S. Naval Acaderriy. he 'Ira '.',r'7l:rfis.aion as an ensigrr in lunc 1933. 'l hal ifgvzrtcfi luuarfi 1111. 1ir.t ship IQSS I ulijornm fl-,,.'f,r,3 llilgf if mi, 112 IUIIIQ1 officer :incl as Alssis1.tI1l iiuuiicix tV11lLlCl Slioitlx alter lt'lNll1l11g1 tlllxhllklf'illllt'1'I1Irl. during a port xisit to Seattle. VY.-X, lic 11101Qi1l1iU11llL'X'lll1k'.tlIUXCIN coed attending thc Uiiixcrsitx of Wasliington. .111 trtiiisferred from Cltlllfllflllrl in August 1936, and on tlic 29111 of that niontli. 1icandl'aroline xx erc married in Seattle. JB. served as at Naval Officer for 30 years. primarily at sea aboard cruisers and destroyers. During and immediately after WWII. he served as executive officer aboard the cruisers Richmond and .-1.x'ror1'r1 and as commanding officer of the destroyer Frank Kno.x. During the War he received several personal medals, including the Bronze Star. as well as campaign and service ribbons. Following his second command tour. aboard USS Estes AGC12, J.B. served as Chief of Staff. 13th Naval District. headquartered in Seattle, WA, and subsequently retired in June 1963. J.B. passed away in April 1985. leaving Caroline, two sons and six grandchildren. Both his sons, Jim and Barry, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, received commissions as ensigns and served aboard cruisers and destroyers throughout their Navy careers. Barry a captain in the Navy, commanded the modem day nuclear propulsion cruiser USS Caliornia CGN36, from 1988 to 1991, and proudly flew the Battle Flag from BB44 as well as his father's personal U.S. Flag from the mast of CGN 36 throughout his command tour. ELMER BUTRAM, USN, was bom Nov. 1, 1920, in Hickman, KY. Joined service July 16, 1940 tsix yearsl Paducah, KY. Trained Great Lakes Naval Training Center, IL. Dec. 7, 1941, serving aboard USS Calyfornia. That morning was assigned to K.P. duty in spud locker working on potato eyes when general quarters sounded. Went to battle station below as second loader on anti aircraft guns. When they took a torpedo hit and everything went black, abandon ship was ordered. Looked for a glimmer of light from above and climbed ladder with only saving his Bible, tstill have itj. Transferred to USS West Wrginia for salvage duty. After attack parents were notified by telegram that he was missing in action. While in Pearl he notified his family he was O.K. After West Virginia was raised they sailed her to Bremerton Navy Yard, WA. While attending church in Bremerton, his future wife saw him singing a solo, and two years later they mel accidentally in Connecticut and year later 1945, married in Oakland. CA. Discharged July 16, 1946, Naval Station San Diego, CA. Have two daughters and four grandchildren achieved rank EM2lc. ,. we - ,fn . f. '- ff X ' 5. , , rp A. 5 . ' f ZA f W z 1 , '. 'W ff,.f . f .,-iz.. .Y nj 1 ., 13'-H4 ' f f 1.. ff J' Gm Z. I ss0y, , SN 4, ff 0,0 .4,Mf: . , S JW!! 495205 ,fr ' Sophia his wife of 48 years is submitting this material from details he told her while he was well. since unfortunately he now has Alzheimer. JAMES A. BUTTERFIELD, USN, bom Aug. 15. 1917. in Springfield, MA. Enlisted in the Navy. Aug. 15, 1935. U.S. Training Center, Newport. RI. August 1935 to December 1935, USS Calrfarnia BB44, January 1936 to August 15. 1939. A Division USS Calnfornia small boats. Brooklyn Navy Yard winter of 1939, shoveled coal for heating USSSez1r1le receiving ship. USS Cherokee ATF66, 1940 to 1943, USS Lugori ARG4. 1943 to 1944. Commissioned Ensign October 1944 LST 1053, 1944 to 1946. LSTI 123, 1946 to 1947. Shore duty San Diego, CA. 1948 to 1950. USS Gr11i11gc'rAK184, 1950 to 1952. t Olx!lNAV Marianas Guam, 1952 to 1953. Industrial Repair Astoria, OR, 1953-1955. USS Kermit R0n.x'c'i't'll Aug. 16, 1955 to 1956. Participated in Battle of the North Atlantic. landing in North Africa. Nov. 2. 1942. D Day Landing in lricliori. Korea. Medals: Good Conduct, American ----uuun ' me if f f 1 Y 1 am 4 . Defense with Navy Occupation with Asian Clasp. European-Africa with star. WWII Victory Medal. Korean with star. Retired LT USN, Feb. 1. 1956. Worked for 18 years in engineering Local Hospital Donald N. Sharp. One daughter, two grandchildren. one son killed in service U.S. Army. Widower, travel, sail and ballroom dancing. Live in San Diego. CA. DONALD LAWRENCE CAMPBELL, Seaman, ll c, V-6 USNR. born Portland, OR, Nov. 21, 1926. Enlisted Nov. 1 1, 1944, C-R Radio Division. Service included NTS Farragut, ID, and USS Calyfornia. 'lt M . .r l Q, Memorable experiences include crossing the equator in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Also Capetown. AwardslMeda1s: American Theater Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon and honorable discharge. Discharged July 19, 1946. Bainbridge, MD. with the rank seaman llc. V-6 USNR. Married July 31, 1948, to Clara Caroline Carol have two daughters, Diane and Cynthia. two grandchildren. Collin and April Strid. Worked in accounting. retired May 1989. died Oct. 20, 1992. Submitted by wife, Carol Campbell. BILL CARTER, USN. WT 3rd Class. born Weatherford. TX. Sept. 23. 1924. Enlisted June 7, 1944. USN. Water Tender 3rd Class. Division B. Basic Training, Camp Pendleton. transport ship to transfer to USS California Battleship leaving from West Coast of USA and retuming to the East Coast Philadelphia where it was put in mothballs. Participated in following battles: Surigao Strait. Leyte Gulf, Okinawa, Luzon, Philippine Liberation. the invasion of Okinawa, Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and the Philippines. Memorable experiences include Liberty in Singapore, Capetown, South Africa, and Colombo. Coming around Africa's Cape Hom and on to Philadelphia. AwardslMeda1s: seven Battle Stars. Presidential Citation. personal Citation for Philippine defense and bars and stripes. Discharged April 8, 1946, with the rank of water tender 3rd class. Married Virginia Phillips, have four children and nine grandchildren, married 48 years. Still living in Weatherford, TX, and working at his life time trade building homes. at 70 years old. EDWARD F. CHURCHILL JR., Coxswain. born June 7, 1920. Enlisted Oct. 29, 1937. served Asterion USS 0'l3cuinon and USS Slwrrve. Served aboard USS Mr'Crrf7l'e-x', Narsarsuak, Greenland, Great Lakes. Miami. FL, Argentina, Newfoundland, Korea. Memorable experiences include many battles. Pacific

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f.1111.1s1 11.1s 1111111111111 111 111111 111 111111. .ts 1111 11115 j1r111l11gQ11 111111l1111111s111a1111111111'1'SS1i.:iit11t'r11.11111 11ett1'1 1111111 11111 1 11.1rs 11111'111g V1 1111 lt is .1 great 1111111 111 1111 sta11111ng 1111 the 111'111g1' 111,11 JI 11111111111 111ss111 11111111111 the steering 11 heel .11111 11111111 111.11 NN 11.11 1 KJLJ 1111 11 111 guide that great ship and itis fine 1'r1'11 111 'ts 111's1111.1t11111 HFRBI-1R'l' E. COONS. 80111111111 lst Class. born 1N.1lWe11.1.MN.Ap1'1l 1. l9l4.F11lis1e11 May 25. 19-13.178, N111 1.8611111111 1s11'lass.D11. 1. l.11111111t1t. SCl'XC1lL11l:11ITi1g1l1. 111 131'e111e111111 N1111 Base. WA. Partie1pa1e11 111 battles at Rel. Saipan. li11i11et1111. Guam. Surigao Strait. Espiritu S.111lU5. Tinian. Mantis. Ley te Gulf. liossol Passage. Memorable experiences: aboard the Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Japan. signing of Peace Treaty by Lt. Gen, Sutherland. Mac.-Xrthur's Chief of Staff. .-X11 arded the Presidential Citation. Discharged Feb. 19. 1946. with the rank ofcoxswain. He and his wife of 46 years, Grace. have four children and five grandchildren. Retired. DLAHNE VV. COOPER, bom Sept. 15. 1914. to a German immigrant mother and an Oklahoma Cherokee father. Duahne Cooper spent his early childhood years on .1 high desert Oregon ranch homesteaded by his parents. After high school graduation in 1932. in Drain, Oregon, he sera ed a tour of duty in the Navy as an enlisted man before returning to complete his bachelor's degree at Oregon State Lniversity. After completion of Officer Training School, he was transferred to the USS California and was aboard when the ship was attacked at Pearl Harbor. He was transferred ts the CSS Ralph Talbot, then later to the USS Hamntona' and the L'SS Tennessee. He was involved in 17 major Naval engagements. and by the end of WWII was entitled to wear the following nbbons. medals. and insignia: American Defense. one star: Asiatic-Pacific. I7 stars: Philippine Liberation. one star. He w as recalled to service during the Korean Conflict and serued at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, ending his Na . al career with the rank of commander. He returned to Oregon State University to acquire me masters degree. later taking sabbatical leave from 1 rn' ersity of California Extension Service to pursue a PHD. at Cniyersity of California Berkeley. After a 20 years career as county farm advisor with L r.:.ers1tj. of California Extension Service. he retired with rf' v. ile Nelsie to Yuma. AZ. spending some months each ,ear in the hill country of Texas and fishing from South Padre lsland He was a member of the American Legion. Survivors ' Pearl Harbor. ljrntcd We Stand. and was a former tzflent of the Society for Range Management. l1ed1edAug 28. l993.1nYuma.AZ.l1e1s survived I nf. wife Nelsie. sorts 'lhorrtas ol Glasgow. Scotland. 47,13 1131, ,rj 1,1 Clhlfdfi CA. daughter Leslie of lzureka. CA' Atfgr,-fiaugliters Lorratrte llagnerol TVl1.Aller1. 'l X, and Kelly lgy,m,,y,p f,t Pagigjjrjgjv C A s,tt5pfst1r1Sq,olt l't:ll'1I111'1tilAtlslltt. 'lf M.l1'Rl1IlD l.0YlCl.l. COPl'l.IQ1't.lti1 USN. born Dee 14. 1909. S1lX1l1lI1111l. UA. k1l'11LlllL11L'kl front the U.S. Naval .1X1'a11c1111. .lune 2. 1932. Ensign. llc served 111 the regular USN.l.1l1Ctlll1lCS.k,i1llIIlClij. 'llurtet ll. 31111 llivtsion Ol'fice1'. lioxing Officer, SLll1lllgOllilL'CI'.111111l.L11lLl1llg lforee Officer. aboard the 1'SS California front March ll. 1938 to March 3. 1940. During this period they were stationetl at Long Beach. CA. 111a11e a trip via Panama Canal to East Coast, operations en route New York. Upon detachment ffOI1l the CalzjQ1rnia, reported to the USS Blue DD387. as gunnery officer. On Dec. 7, 1941 , during Japanese air attack went alongside Calyfornia in a motor whale boat. Calnfornia very low in water. Called over to Lt. Foley who was on low forecastle deck to inquire whereabouts of the USS Blue. lt had put to sea so he reported aboard USS SeUridge as gunnery officer. Late participated in Blue in Marshall and Gilberts raid with task force. Also. made logistics trip to Midway Island. During night battle practice, steaming Darkened Ship the USS Pennsylvania lost all power while steaming 300 yards ahead and drifted alongside the California tnext asternj as officer of the deck, he missed Pennsy and called CalU'ornia Capt., who was shocked by emergency. Served most of the war in LTA anti-submarine warfare. Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross and Commendation Medal. On June l, l960, he retired as captain, USN. He was married to Esther A. Moyer for 49 years, and who died March 8, 1986. They had three sons, one daughter, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He married Elizabeth Burns December 1987. Two sons served in the service, Vietnam, Helio Pilots. One son, Navy Flight Surgeon, Japan. Today he is KHB tkeeping home fires burningl. For 26, after retirement, Gen DynamicslAstromanticsg Components Corp., and Manager, Rancho Santa Fe Association. Now traveling and trying not to get involved! . Z , 1 if JERRY A. COSTACOS, SKtDJ3lc, bom Longview, WA, Aug. 28, 1926. Enlisted Aug. 26, 1944, U.S. Navy. 5 Division. Served at Farragut. ID, Bremerton, WA. USS Calzfornia, USS Augusta, APL56. USS Consolation. Participated in the battle of Okinawa. Memorable experiences include sailing around the world on USS California. AwardslMedals: Asiatic-Pacific. American Theater. WWII Victory Medal. European Theater. Discharged June 20. 1946. with the rank ofSKtD13!c. He and his wife Eva have sons. Constantine. John, and daughter. Marianne. Owner of car rental company and parking garages in Seattle. CURTIS O. COY. USNR. was bom Jan. 7. 1925, in Keytesville. MO. He joined the service March 1943. He trained in Farragut. ID. After boot camp. he was stationed on an Air Base by Arlington. WA, for a short time. Assigned to the USS California in Bremerton. WA. He was a fireman lst class. Fllc. Battles he participated in were Saipan, Guam, Tinian. Leyte. Surigao, Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. He was discharged in 1946. at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. ln 1945. he married Varine Capps. They have four childreni Teresa l,yllIl.Ji1lIlCS, Mark an1l Kimberly and six griintltrlttldren ln 1948. they started Coy's Moving and Storage an1l 1lJ1tlt1lllLL'Slll.lCll1TfN1llJfill1y.Mflicwlllllllihlll.MfJ,SC1lZl1ll1, tv MOL and Springfield. MO. ln 1989. they sold Sedalia, MO, and Springfield, MO. They still have an office and three warehouses in Jefferson City, MO. and an office and warehouse in Columbia, MO. Coy's Moving 8: Storage is an agent for Allied Van Lines. Coy's has straight vans and tractor-trailers that travel nationwide and also ship and receive overseas shipments. JOHN H. CRAIG, born Nov. 9. 1923, San Pedro. CA. Joined Navy December 1940, reported aboard the USS Caljornia BB44, May 1941. On Dec. 7. 1941, he was a CM Stricker and in the shop at the time ofthe alama. Shop was on the third deck aft on port side. When GO sounded he ran down the Starboard passage way on the third deck to repair 1112 fwd., where he was a phone talker in repair 112. The hatch above on the third deck was still open when they took their first two hits port side fwd. Reports were made to central station, but like most stations they were not fully manned. They started to list and the compartment was flooding with oil and kept getting deeper. It was hard to see his shipmates pass out with the oil fumes and sink in the oil, the first he remember was a shipfitter 3c who was going home in a week for discharge. When the repair party came to close the hatch above they pulled three sailors out and he was lucky to be one of them. another was a painter stricker, and the third he does not remember. He passed out and came to in front of the ship's store on the main deck. One of the shipmates and he went aft to get some fresh air and clean the oil off their face and body. The Japanese planes were strahng the deck. so they got under the turret. The Chief Warrant Bosn. came by and asked if they were O.K. and to take a Motor Launch to l0ll0 dock and pick up any officers and crew and bring back to the ship. That was one hell of a trip from the ship to the liberty dock and back. When back on board ship he joined the repair party to get sailors out from below deck. Then the word came to abandon ship and over the starboard side he went and swam to Ford Island. Three days later transferred to the USS Chicago Ca,29. lost her Jan. 29. 1943. another story. Discharged 1946 CCM tal. EDGAR R. CRAIN, USNR. LTCJGJ Staff. born Bicknell. IN. Boot Camp Coeuvr'd Alene. ID. COMM School Harvard. Participated in Surigao Strait. Lingayen Gulf Landings. Memorable experiences include passage through Surigao Strait. daytime with kamikazes. Discharged April 1946. with the rank of lieutenant junior grade. His wife's name is Virginia. Retired attorney tGuam1. have lived in Guam since 1946. JESSE L. CROW, USNR. EM llc. Serial on file ff 624- 05-49. born Nov. 18. 19191 in Hondo. TX. He joined the Navy on Sept. 5. 1941. in Houston, TX. He trained at the Navy Training Station at San Diego, CA. After his electrical training. he was sent to Pearl Harbor, where he was assigned to the USS California repair crew. to help raise the ship after it was sunk. Sometime between landing at Leyte and the Battle ol'Surigao Strait and Luzon Landing. the middle gun in Turret IV was not in worl1ing order. The motor