California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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NRS St 1 otiis MO. N1'S leairagiit. 111. 1' Xl1t'lfN S11ot'111.1kc1. LJX. l SS l'.if:tit. 21f1i RS 1.18. l'SNl1 lX!'x'll1C1'lUl1. Vx -X l,.ll'lIClP.llCtl 111 follow ing battles 1 cxtc. 1 ex te killll. lIll1ll1W1Wll1U 1 ibcrattoit. Okinaxx .1. Nlx'1110llllWlC CXPCIICIICCS include ship llll by suicide i'l.l11C 111 lIl11l1P111llC l llX'1'Llll0ll. .laiiiiary 1945. Xxxaids Nlcdals -Xl11Cl'1UAl1l Lfaiiipaigii Medals. Xsiatic llacitiic Medal xx 1111 four battle sta1'sgXX'XX'll Victory N1cd.11. Xaxy Occupatioii Serx rec Medal xx1t11As1aClasp: Pltiiippiiicl 1lWCl'Llll0l1 Ribbon. Philippine Presidential llnit t 1t.1t1o11. l71SCl1Lil'gCtl ixlay 20. 19-16. xx llll the rank of S IC. Xlamed Mildred Bonoxic11.Ap1il 2-1. 19-18. haxc three children and sex en graiidcliildreii. Vwent to I-laxxaii JllllC 983. x isitcd Pearl Harbor Fox 3 Pier. Retired. PETE G. DENNOS. Efxlllc. E Dixision. born Darliiigtoii. SC. March 27. 1921. Enlisted July 1941, Navy. Axx ardsfMeda1s: Philippine Government Liberation, Lnited Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, U.S. Navy Good Conduct Medal. American Defense Service Medal. LYS. Navy American Theater Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal. U.S. Navy Asiatic-Pacihc Campaign Medal. Discharged July 1947. with rank of EM1. Married Jan. -1. 1953. and had one boy and one girl. Retired. Mr. Dennos suffered a stroke and cannot speak. VVILLLXINI DEVRIES, S1lC,bom Spokane, WA, Sept. 16. 1927. Enlisted Caboutj July 1, 1944, Navy, USS Ct1l1jQmiia Store Keeping Dispersing. Service includes Parragut Navel Training Station and USS Calgfornia, South Pacitic Okinawa and into Japan for signing of surrender. Memorable experiences: Crossing the Equator, also to be able to go ashore in Tokyo, Ceylon and Capetown on their way back to the USA new home port of Philadelphia. Discharged approximately July l, 1946, with the rank of Sllc. Married to Patricia June 24. 1950, they have two sons and five daughters. live at the same home they bought when irst married almost 44 years ago. Their two son. Devries and his wife. own Atlas Van Lines agency in Spokane and Seattle. WA. NL-XRSHALL J. DIAMOND, Seaman llc. bom Galax. YA. July 20. 1920. Enlisted Oct. 3, 1942. U.S. Navy. SIC. 3rd Division. Military service included Great Lakes. IL: Bremerton. WA. aboard ship Dec. 5, 1942. Participated in battles at Saipan. June 14. 1944. Tinian, Guam. Leyte Gulf, October 19441 Sea Battle, Oct. 25. 1944: Surigao Strait. Luzon Islands. Okinawa. April 1945. IW , 'vlernorable experiences include hit with suicide plane r 5 1945 ,Av.arfIslfV1eda1s. Ainerican Area.. Atlantic Pacific .3 ri-3 with four 'tar'-Q Philippine Liberation Ribbon with liars flood Vonduct .'VIt:dal. WWII Victory Medal. ljf'-fghijfijfjfli ljfjfl 12 1946 with the rank ol scsirnari 'vlarrifzfl f-flat. 51. 1943 wilt: liifa '-,firis Htzriizird and llaiold. tltllltlllltxl Xfoiicilc. Retired .lo years w1t11 textile. l'cle11rated 511111 fkI1l1lYCI'X2ll'X xx ith three cliildrcn and seven yiatidclitldicti D.-XRVYIN VY. DINGFICIIDER. Sllc. born Fountain Ll1ly.WlS..lllly l 1. 192-1. Enlisted April 1943. U.S. Navy. Stationed at l3l'Cl11Cl'lOll. WA. and South Pacific. Participated 111 battles at Saipan, Tinian. Guain. Luzon. Philippines, Surigao Strait. Memorable experience was going to Tokyo at the end of the War. AwardslMedals: seven RAR six stars. Discharged January 1946, with the rank of S lfc. Married to Leida for 48 years, with two children, Diane and Scott. Also have two grandchildren, Jenna. 7, and Gareth, 7. Retired from driving school bus. JOHN H. DITTMER SR., ENCCSSJ, USN, July 21, 1922. Joined Navy Sept. 16, 1940. Aboard USS Caldornia at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Received head wound when bombs hit the galley. Shipmate saved him by swimming him to shore. 7,1 L Z 4 i',- 2 . After recovering, served aboard USS Portland during Pacific campaigns 1942-1944. Transferred to the Silent Service, serving on the subs USS Brill, USS Bugam. USS Sabalo, and USS Jallao. Retired in 1960. as chief engineman. Received the following awards: the Purple Heart, WWII Victory Medal. Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal. National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal. American Defense Service Medal. American Campaign Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation. Served as DOD Policeman at SUBBASE Groton. CT. retiring police chief in 1978. Afterwards. worked as a real estate broker until he died on Oct. 22. 1989. Survived by his wife. Gertrude. son Lt. John H. Dittmer Jr.. USN. and step-son Andrew J. Pappas Jr. CLEVELAND DODGE, SlVl2lc. born Sayre. PA. May 25. 1920. Enlisted Dec. 1 1. 1939. USN. Communications. Served at Marianas. Okinawa, Hawaii, Marshall. Philippines. Tokyo Harbor. Participated in battles aboard USS Californm. transferred to USS Owen DD536. f ,- 1 .1 .1 Air' 1 f.-lg. -. iz. -xx ex 1 1 Y. he 2 1, XX .111 1 lax. Memorable experiences include being reported missing in action at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7. 1941. found on battery detail in Pearl llarbor. AwardslMedaIs: WWII Victory Medal, American fatnpaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Canipaign Medal with nine battle stars. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with five Bronze and o11c Silver stars. Good Conduct Medal. Discharged Dec. 21, 1945, with rank of signalman 27 c. lvlarried Grace Wulfken, June 1 1. 1946. four children. Margaret, Cleveland Jr., William L.. Joseph P., and one grandchild, Patricia. Retired from U.S. Post Office. RICHARD A. DONAHUE, Signalman llc, USN, bom Iowa City, lA. 1922. Enlisted Aug. 21, 1941. Graduated Boot Camp, Company 41-107, San Diego. Assigned to California at San Pedro Oct. 19, l94lg Deck Force, 6th Starboard Division. Battle station was third loader, No. 2-5 D.P. Gun, Starboard Boat Deck. Wounded by 9 flash burns from bomb hit I entering starboard boat deck sv that ignited 5 ammunition being passed topside by hand from mid-ships hatch. Abandoned ship from starboard boat boom to Ford Islandg confined two weeks in Naval Hospital Pearl. His tour aboard ship was very brief. no thanks to the attackg and as an apprentice seaman, he was learning all the rules, and where he stood in the pecking order. Married 40 years to Jean Ludy. four children. four grandchildren. Member of California Reunion Association, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Mine Warfare Association. We reside in Whittier, CA. ROBERT R. DORRIS, MM 3lC. bom Tacoma. WA. He enlisted in the USN on Aug. 1 1. 1940, he served for six years, with 14 years active in the reserves. He Hnally retired Nov. 1. 1960. with the rank of AD!l. In addition to the CalU'brnia, his duty stations included NAS JAX. NAS Trinidad. and NAS Miami. He is widowed with five children. ages 37 to 49. He is fully retired with 3051 disability. DONALD R. DOUGLAS. Signalman. llc. bom Hume. IL. 1924. Enlisted Feb. 23. 1943. U.S. Navy. C-S or Signalman Division. Service included USS California and Bremerton Navy Yardg battles at Saipan. Tinian. Guam. Leyte. Luzon. Surigao Strait. Okinawa. Memorable experience: Jerry O'Conne1l and he were just finishi11g the end of a very boring mid-watch and had exhausted about all of their ability to hold a conversation. They were standing on the outside catwalk just aft of the captain bridge. At about the same moment they saw the Teziize.r.ree out of position. the officer of the deck spotted the problem. Douglass first thought was that she was a destroyer changing position and was crossing their bow to take position on the starboard side of the formation. He then realized they were on a collision course. On the impact there appeared to be nojarring or shaking. As the Tennessee was traveling a slower rate of speed she started ripping down the side of the ship. It appeared to him a wall of xvater went up between the ships about a 100 feet high. The llfiiizessee moved slowly back tearing the side with its anchor. Shortly General Quarters sounded and he left the bridge. Discharged Jan. 19. 1946. Married June and has three children. Retired. SCOTT E. DOVER. USNR. born March 17. 1922. Charlotte. NC. Enlisted in the Navy Sept. 29. 1942. to Dec. 17. 1945. Took six weeks training in Great Lakes. IL. He was assigned to the USS Califbrnia in Bremerton. WA. ,ma

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barring was out on the electric motor. He reported to Lt. Wilson and Lt. Dulling that he could fix the gun with the help of the machine shop on the ship, which they did. So they had 12 working guns, instead of ll. He wanted all grins in working order if at all possible, in the situation the way it was. The battles he was in were Guam. Tinian, Leyte, Surigao, Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. His medals are: American Defense Service Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon ttwo Bronze Starsl. He was discharged on Oct. 15, 1945, as a electrians mate lst class. CEMllcJ. In 1946, he married Doris Paul. They had seven children, one deceased at birth, six surviving children, Corliss, Doris, Mary, Betty, Brenda and Clyde. Several grandchildren. He is a retired lineman and is enjoying gardening and growing old. Submitted by daughlen Betty Williams. ROBERT L. CROYLE, USNR, was bom June 21, 1922, in Spokane, WA, joined the Navy in October 1942, and went on active duty in February 1943. He went to boot camp at NTS, San Diego, W and was selected for training , 'suggg as a radiolradar technician jj ' ,W f which led to training f ' Z 1 assignments at the Naval s P Reserve Armory, Chicago, IL, University of Houston and the Fleet Electronics , .K-Q- , I fy l fffhf f Q ff . 14 School, Treasure Island, A f CA, graduating with the rating of RT2lc. X In April 1944, was assigned to USS Calgfornia, C-R Division, just prior to her deployment from San Francisco to the Saipan Operation. He remained aboard BB44 for the balance of his Navy career having been re-assignment to I Division prior to his discharge at PSC, Bremerton, WA, February 8, 1946, with the rating of ETM1lc. After the WWII, he earned a BSEE degree and worked for Philco Corp, G.E. Co., and Honeywell Inc., retiring in 1982. He married Ann on April ll, 1953, and they have two daughters Karen and Nancy. WILLARD DANLEY, Corporal, USMC, born Bismarck, ND, March 11, 1924. Enlisted July 2, 1942, USMC, Anti Aircraft Battery, G Division, USS Calnfornia. Served the following locations: Boot Camp Navel Air Station Sea School, San Diego, Navy Yard, Bremerton, WA, USS Calyforniag Aleutians Adack, Dutch Harbor, Great Lakes, Norfolk, VA. Participated in following battles Marianas, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Philippines, Leyte Gulf, Surigao Strait, Luzon, Okinawa. nr' Memorable experiences include hit by Japanese shell offSaipan, Sea Battle Surigao Strait, and the day hit by the kamikaze oll Luzon. AwardslMedals1 American 'lheaterg Asiatic Pacilit. Service Medal with four stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, flood Conduct Medal. Discharged July 2, 1946, with the rank of corporal. He is married and has two children. Retired. EDWARD A. DAVIS, leirecontrolrrian, USN, 1' Division. Enlisted Aug. 14, 1940. Served aboard Califorrziu March 1941. Reported missing after Pearl Harbor. Put on guard duty around fuel tanks. Must have missed a muster. Transferred USS Louisville for three campaigns, then Aleutians. Transferred to V12 Officer Training. Back to USS Wisconsin, then USS AJ. Luke. Discharged Aug. 10, 1946. Recalled October 1950, USS Essex, then USS Antiezam. Discharged August 1951. NAPA Parts salesman in Pendleton, OR. Retired in 1987. , fu f 7 f f'.,Qv'Z, ' . ,, ff f, , 'f M f . C ., 531 ,f f :fe wi ' 0 7 ff W f sf 4 Qf fl Mn -Y ff f f isa f N f ' em' f J 1 a , Q I v f l ,r , 'Y ' I f f. la if ,uf , 4 1, . ,fiwf - ff :Tw iff' 9. ,, ' Q7 ' I H af 4 , ,ya A I - t 7 f 8 L fy 1 Davis married in 1945. He and his wife moved to cattle ranch near Long Creek, OR, next door to their daughter. Have two daughters and five grandchildren. Member of Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and USS Calqbrnia Association. Awarded usual service ribbons with five campaign stars for WWII. ERNEST E. DAVISON, MMCR, bom Dalton, NE, Aug. 16, 1919. Enlisted Sept. 8, 1939, U.S. Navy, Division A-B-M. Served following locations: Naval Training Station San Diego, CA, Nov. 10, 1939-Aug. 20, 1946, USS Calnfornia BB44, USS Delta AR9, Philadelphia Group Atlantic Reserve Fleet SubGrpTwo, Civil Administration Unit, Yap Island, Bremerton Group Pacific Reserve Fleet, U.S. Naval Group, Jammat, Golcuk, Turkey, USS M.J. Manuel DE351, USS Wilkinson DL5, U.S. Naval Missile Vlarritzil llorr. lrioriipzrtr. f'ifl'1 'ft Mrarult,hitr1reri and one great yraiitlmri . .fa .. CA, Vvfryrlqgrl lryr ll'it,1 ',lly ffl l,'i',fkt1Lfl.:if' , lfff X. lanuary 19962 MORRIS Al.l.IIi DAWSUN, 'W'lf1f', li Ina it born Pittsyl-xariia VA, 'vlarch ffl' 19223 lm-i 1941, Navy Boot fjarrip Norfolk VA prispja aboard USS Yurklnwri, 194142 Pearl l larl'i'fr WA, and Long Beach. CA Participated fri fulfil... ,i USS lvirklown, Coral Sea Midway island 1, SS f fififof 194245, Nflarianas Operations. Saipan. Tinian firf' Leyte Gulf, Philippine Liberation and Ukiria iid 'UW ' Memorable experiences include some good times with shipmates in ports abroad and LSA. AwardsfMedals: received eight major battle stars. th American Defense Service Medal and Asiatic Campaigr. Medal. Discharged Oct. 21. 1945.Norfo1k.VA. vviththe ran of WT 2!c. Morris married Helen Feb. 25. 1945. They hav e three girls and seven grandchildren. Morris vvorked for ADT Securities as sales representative for -10 years. He retired 1988, taken sick Feb. 2, 1990. died July 12. 1990. Morris had asbestosis, he acquired while re-furbishing th CalU'0rnic1. It stayed dormant 45 years. EARL R. DEANER. WT!2. born Lancaster. PA.Api1 20, 1920. Enlisted October 19-ll . Navy. B Division. Sem ed at Norfolk Naval Station. ESS lfbrkroivzi. USS Califbwzttz. USS Wisconsin, USS F0rI.lfIf11ra'01z. Participated in Ccral Sea Battle. Midway Battle. Surigao Strait. Center, Point Mugu, CA. Participated in following battles: Pearl Harbor. Marianas Operation, Leyte Operation tSurigao Straitj, Luzon Operation, Okinawa Operation, Third Fleet Operation against Japan. Memorable experience occurred on Dec. 7, 1941. when they were hit, he was at his GQ station in the shaft alley, with four other men when the word was passed to abandon ship, they tried to get out, but the deck above was flooded. When they came back aboard, someone checked all sound powered phone and contacted us. The only space around them not flooded was the central control room. They couldn't use a torch and ctit them out because of the oil fumes, so they removed the seal over the propeller shaft. they were all thin so they were able to squeeze through the opening. He was one ofthe original crew that remained aboard and helped relloat the ship and bring it back to Bremerton. Awards!Medals: Good Conduct, seven awards, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign, six stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, American Defense, with one star, American Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Occupation Service Medal, WWll Victory Medal, Pearl Harbor Commcmorntion Medal. Disclrargetl Fleet Reserve .luly 7, 1960, with the rank of MMC. Retired .ltrly 1, 1969. ,se Memorable experiences in Battle of Surigao Strait and also the Good Will Tour. The suicide dive at Leyte Gulf. going into floating dry-dock and being rammed bv USS Tennessee. Awardsllvledalsz Good Conduct N ledal and others ship earned. Discharged Nov. 10, 19-15. xv ith the rank ot'WT l. Married 4-l years and have one son. Retired after' -ll years from Pennsylvania Railroad. enjoying gardening. some traveling. etc. CONCETTO JAY DELUCA. SlC. St. Louis. NIO. Feb. 20. 1926. Enlisted April Ib, 19-1-1. Navy. Povvder Room. 2nd Division. Military locatioiis served include

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and took part in all the action the ship was in tor the duration ofWW1l. Being in the 5th Division, his closest call was when they were rammed. His bunk was twisted in a knot. He only received a little back strain helping a shipmate front drowning. He still. to this day, has a strong feeling for those that gave their life in this terrible tragedy. His battle station was First Loader on a 5 38. Once when a Japanese was diving down on the ship, the barrel of his gun was shot off. He stayed aboard the ship until he returned to the states. His honorable discharge came in December of 1945, in Bainbridge, MD. His wife of 46 years passed away one year ago. He has a wonderful step-daughter, two grandchildren, one great-grandson and one on the way! He has been retired for 12 years from Southem Railroad. His most enjoyable hobby is playing golf. . ALBERT A. DRAPEAU, S IIC, born Bridgeport, CT, Oct. 17, 1921. Enlisted Dec. 12, 1939, NTS, Newport, RI, USN, Seaman, lst and 2nd Division. Service included USS Calnfornia Portland, Indiana, Bradford, SCTC, Miami, FL, PGM I 9-USS Ozark. Participated in battles at Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, Truk. Guam, Coral Sea, Midway, New Hebrides, Okinawa, etc. Memorable experiences include picking up Yorktown survivors from sea, pulled up buddy who talked him into enlisting! Awards!Medals: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five starsg American Defense Service Medal with one star, WWII Victory Medal. Discharged Dec. 14, 1945, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY, with the rank of S IC. Married Katherine Conrad, June 1943, four children. I2 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Retired U.S. Postal Service, now reading and golfing. On Dec. 7, 1941, he had the Quarter Deck Watch, he was ready to raise the colors when Ford Island was bombed, he sounded the alarm and ran to his battle station in Powder Room Gun 2. When torpedo hit, water rushed into Powder Room they escaped through the Powder Hoist. JOSEPH W. DRAWHORN, FC3!c USN, born April 1919, Georgia. Enlisted September 1937, NHCON, GA. Took Boot Training Norfolk, VA. Sailed for West Coast February 1938, on USS Henderson. March 1938, assigned duty aboard USS Cainbrnia F Division. Work and battle station was MK XIX AA Battery Director, under able supervision of L.C. Doc'I Miller. Served entire cruise aboard the 'LCal and discharged October 1941. 'Yi ll. Drafted into Army July 1942. because of outbreak of WWII. Went to officers Artillery School Ft. Sill, OK, in 1943. April 1944, assigned to 977th Artillery on Anzio Beachhead, August 1944, invaded South France then transferred to 634th Artillery Battalion at Bruyeres, France. When war ended in Europe sailed for U.S. October 1945, from La Havre, France. aboard SS Argentina. Discharged December 1945. October 1947, married Geraldine Hobbs. February 1951 , recalled to active duty and served one year in Korean War with 58th Artillery 3rd Int. Div. THEODORE DROZDENKO, MM 3fC, born March 29, 1919, Torrington. CT. He enlisted in the USN on Sept. 21, 19373 he served on the USS California, leaving her on Oct. 21, 1941. He held various posts, arnortg them lst Division for a year, Turret itll lor six months, and the distilling plant for two years. Battles participated in include: Bougainville, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and a bunch of little islands. His decorations include the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged June 27, 1957, with the rank of MMXC. He and his wife had a daughter and a son. His wife passed away in September 1993, today, he is Hretired and trying to stay alive. LEONARD F. DUFFY, Chief Machinist Mate PA, USN, USS Calnfornia, enlisted in the U.S. Navy January 1940. Attended boot camp at Great Lakes Training Center. Assigned May 1940, to USS California at Bremerton, WA. In 1941, joined the Pacific Fleet. In port at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. Attacked-sunk and swam to Ford Island after word passed to abandon ship. Work Parties 7th and 8th to Navy Yard Center, assigned to USS Astoria. December 14, 1941, left on mission to save Wake Island, Wake fell, back to Pearl Harbor, then to South Pacific with Task Group, with Yorktown, then Coral Sea Battle, May 1942, Lexington damaged, assigned to take to Australia, but caught fire again, had to abandon. Took a lot of crew to New Caledonia, then north to Tonga Island. For RSLR only one day back to Pearl Harbor, in over night. Back to sea to meet the Yorktown at sea. Then the Midway Battle. June 1942, lost Yorktown Took Adm. CB1ack Jackj Fletcher, staff and crew members off to Pearl Harbor, supplies then trained Marines, landing, etc., on islands, then to South Pacific for the invasion of Guadalcanal Aug. 7, 1942. Covered landings and ships of group-air raids, etc. Moming ofAug. 9, 1942, around 2 a.m. Salvo Island battles No. 1, the USS Astoria, his ship sunk, his cousin Warren Duffy, was killed, went down with the ship. Also USS Quincy, USS Wncennes and HMS Canberra. Duffy was wounded, put on USS American Legion. Operated on to remove shrapnel from left arm, side, back and leg. Went to New Caledonia, to USS Wharton and then to Pearl Harbor and back to the States and Treasure Island. Leave and ship assignment to USS Core under construction at Tacoma, WA. November 1942, commissioned early. 1943 through Panama Canal to Norfork, VA. Assigned to convoy duty and hunting Gemaan submarines. Took convoy in for the Sicily invasion. 1943 assigned to new construction of a new carrier. the USS San Jacinto at Camden, NJ. August 1943, commissioned. December 1943, Caribbean and Trinidad shake down. Trained crew and new air groups, Air Group 51. One of the young pilots, their president today. Back to Philadelphia for shake down leave. Left for Panama Canal, San Diego. then to Pearl Harbor. Made chief machinist mate at stop. then on to Marshall Islands, Majuro. May 8, 1944, the 3rd and 5th Fleet- Marcus, the Marianas chaing Pagaon. Saipan. Tinian, Rota and Guam the Turkey Shoot June 19, 1944. The Palaus campaign then Leyte. President George H. W. Bush stayed with the ship until he was shot down. September 2, 1944 with tJG1W.G. White and J.L. Delaney. ARM 2!c on 58th mission. Got the President back after two months, on submarine. His two crew members were killed. Air Group 51 was relieved by Air Group 45 in Apra Harbor November 30. The first carrier to visit that port since recapture of Guam. 1 On to support the recapture of Mindoro and Luzon. Then they ran into bad weather. Went into Ulithi on December 21. Alongside of USS Hector frotn December 22 to 27 to complete repairs. Then Iwo Jima and first Tokyo raids, Okinawa Campaign. many suicide planes, many ships hit by suieiders. The atom bombs dropped August 1945. Ceased fire Aug. 15. 1945. Signed Peace Treaty on battle ship Mirwinri Sept. 2. 1945. They left for States, Sept. 3, 1945. After steaming 153,000 miles. spent -171 days in combat from tlte time they were cotntnissioncd in C'amden. NJ. Sixteen months and seven major campaigns to 1-lttntet' Point Navy Yard '1 hirty 'lay . lea fe Stripped -,hip to haul troops lrorn fiuarri to Shoemaker IA rnade t wo trip. lbtzt translerred to Shoernaker then to ISS Ztfffffft llecorrtrnissioried at lpvertt, WA Went hack to Snoernarw CA, for discharge Jan 24. 1946. lrorn regular Na., reserve at Waterloo, IA, horne ol the Su1lt.anlirothf:r for a total of 31 years. HC received thy Good flonduct Points. S, 11512. Citation frornAdmiral Halsey. American Theater Xsrriertca: Defense. Asiatic-Pacific fl2 starsi Euro-Alrtean on .1 Bronze Star, Philippine Liberation with two Bronze Star. Presidential Unit Citation, Purple Heart. Victory Nleda. Pearl Harbor Cornrnemorative Medal 11991 i. He is a life member of Pearl Harbor Sur.: wt Association, and the U.S. Navy Nlernorial Foundation Married to Margaret, Sept. 2. 1943. have three children, raised a niece, I3 grandchildren tour greaie grandchildren. After discharge, January 1946. worked for railroad, farmed, retired in 1983. Have winter home in Sur. City, AZ. Summer home in Oelwein, IA. WILLIAM H. '4.IACK DUNLAP, Water Tender 1. c, bom Stanley, VA, April 15. 1921. Enlisted October 1941. USNR, USS Calnornia, B Division. Basic 'Training Greag Lakes, ILg Troop train Navy Yard Bremerton. WA: assignee to USS Calnfornia in dry dock, shake dow n cruise off Long Beach, CA. Left Pearl Harbor in May 1944. J, J f 9 ' Q 4 , , ,, V 5 U fi.- Battles: Saipan, Guam. Tinian. Leyte Gulf. Surigao Strait, Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. Hit by Japanese kamikaze killing 203 men on ship. Back to Puget Sound. WA. via Pearl Harbor for repairs. After Victory at Okinawa. proceeded to East China Sea. Sailed to Japan August 1945. to support landing of occupation troops. Proceeded to Singapore. Colombo. Capetown, SA. Arrived in Philadelphia Dec. 7. 19-15. Discharged Dec. 17. 1945. Awards!Medals: WWII Victory Medal. America Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star. Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars. Philippine Liberation Medal with two Bronze Stars. Good Conduct Medal. Married Coceile Butt. sons Derrick Dunlap and Kevin Dunlap tdeceasedlz three grandchildren: Ryan. Megan and Tyler Dunlap. Retired Cente1iSprint engineer. MAURICE RAYINIOND DUNN. LSXR tRetft. enlisted Oct. 17. 1933. in Denver. CO. along vv ith his step- brother Richard G. Weston. Walter Davis and John Bechtold. all graduates from Lafayette High School. Lafayette. CO. They were all in Company 33-20. at the Naval Training Center. San Diego. After completion of training, Davis and Dun were ordered to the LSS California. Davis went into the oth Division and Dunn to the 4th. Red Hinson was the -lth Division BNI 1.-'c. His brother went to the-USS 72'.vtis and Bechtold to the LSS PC'l1ll.YvYf1'I1IlllI. He made S llc in November 1934 and transferred to the E Division as a striker in the IC Gang. H.C. Overstreet was their W.O. and Kttnold EM lic. Summers ENI lc. Sweet EM 1ic.Meck. Kosley and Olson FRI lic. NN'illi.nns and Plazhiak EM 3ic and Lawrence Cttstance. also a striker. were some of his shipmates. He was discharged October 1937. as an ERI lic .md entered the Reserve. He was recalled to Active Dtttv in October 1941 and reported to the San Diego Repair Base. He was commissioned as Ensign in .lanttary 19-13. .ind stayed on the Base ttntil 1944. when he vvas assigned to Lion S. a Ship Repair llnit. After training at San Bruno. Port Httenetne and Camp Elliot he was returned to the San Diego Repair Base ttntil ordered to report to L'.tpt.ttn tlatcr Admiralt Hyman G. Rickovcr at Pearl Harbor ln .lime 1945. he went to Okinawa vvith CDR Bethea their lfvecttttvc Officer to set up their Repair Base. llc worked tv ith the Clls setting tip their camp and