California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 76 text:

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

Page 75 text:

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

Page 77 text:

8 ri SNK Qi. .is 5.111 age Ollrcei on w reekcd I S I S until he retiiinetl in 'Nlav 1945.1el ong llC1lt'll.kl.A,Ull the l'SS llrrrir'o1'A llc w as ll'.l11SlCl'l'Ctl in the Rcscrv e llct' 15. 1945 llc rcriiaiiietl .relive in thc Reserve ioining .1 B11 Ships l'1iit in long lic.1cl1.ki X.Hc1'ctir'ed111.11113 1975. asl CDR after 4lye.1rs 101.11 serv ice Was the N I 1' LN isually liitpaircd llcrsonl with tltc w has cane .ll the l'uscon Reunion. IEONXRD A. DTISZYNSKI. BM Nc. born Calumet City. II. Mig 21. 1922. Fnlisted Aug. 30. 1942. USNR X G Stationed .ll Great lakes Nav al Training Center. Great I akes. 11 . Puget Sound Navy lard. Brcinerton. WA lT.l1T1C1PdlCtl in battles at Tinian. Saipan. Guam. Ley te Gulf. Surigao Strait. Okinaw 11. Lingay en Gull. Luzon. Memorable experiences include Battle at Lcytc Gulf. being raninied by LSS 7l'iziit's.vce. rough South China Seas: .5 phoons of Okinaw a. Aw ardsf'Medalsi Bronze Star w ith V Clasp. Asiatic- Pacitic Canipargn Medal with one silver and two Bronze stars. American Campaign Medal. WWII Victory Medal. Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asian Clasp. Philippine Liberation w ith tw o stars. Philippine Presidential Lnit Citation Discharged Dec. 12. 1945. with the rank of BM 3!c. Married Irene Kirker. and have three children, two sons and one daughter: and two grandchildren. Retired 12 years. Active in Local VFW Post Tend Bar. now watch grass grow. ROBERT D. DUVALL, USN. BM2, bom Dec. 21, 1920.111 McKinney. TX. Hejoined the Navy Aug. 1. 1940. in Ft. Worth. TX. He trained in San Diego, Company 4065. He w as transported bythe destroyer USS Crain to the USS 5.11-aroga and then taken to Pearl Harbor to board the USS Caiirbivzrtz. Battles he participated in were Pearl Harbor, Saipan. Tinian. Guam. Leyte. and Surigao. His medals are American Defense Service Medal with one star, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars, Good Conduct Medal with two stars. Philippine Liberation Ribbon and WWII Victory Medal. He was discharged in June 1950. In 1952. he married Lee Elliott and they have two children, Duncan and Ann: two grandsons, Dwayne and Taylor. He w as self-employed in the family ranch for 35 years and is now retired and enjoys hunting, fishing and wood carving. He resides in Highland Village. TX. RALPH HSHORTYP C. DYE, born Dec. 20, 1925, in Rantoul. IL.joined the Navy January of 1942. The battles participated in were Saipan. Guam, Lenian, Leyte, Luzon, the invasion of Okinawa. and the patrol of the China Seas. Also landed troops in Japan and was in the sea battle of Surigao Strait. He was a radioman 3rd class. His medals were WWII Victory Meal, American Theater Medal, American Defense Service Medal. Philippine Presidential Citation. Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal. He was discharged on Feb. 5. 1946. After the war Ralph became ajoumeyman ironworker out of Springfield Local 46. He married Margaret Blaze on June 30. 1946. they had 12 children, nine boys. three girls. Three sons Howard. Harvey and Paul all served in the Navy A nephew Charles Johnson also served and a grandson Matthew Richards willjoin in September of 1994. Ralph belonged to Hume Christian Church. he was post commander of Roth William American Post 369. He was a 32nd Mason of the Hume Masonic Lodge. At the time of his death he was mayor of Brocton. IL. where he and Marge lived. she still resides in Brocton. also Ralphs union book was one of the 19th oldest active Jcarneyman classifications. Ralph passed away Nov. ll, riff.. LYLE VV. EADS, born June 29. 1916. in Ida Grove. IA. Entered Navy on June 15. 1934. Recruit training at USNTS San llrcgo Assigned to t't1li'fornm in November' 19.14, served 111 R llivisioit. also editor ol clllllffllilllll f'IllI. l'1'a1isle1'i'edtoiiuani1nNove1i1ber 1939. as tl VIC. Captured by Japanese on Dec. 10, 1941. taken to Japan and released in September 1945. Coiitinued in service. commissioned i11 .1 unc 1946. Retired alter 30 years service oi1 July 1. 1964. as a Cdr. Back in Navy in May 1966. as a civilian. Served as assistant inspector general in the Naval Sea Systems Cornmand. Retired May 31. 1984. after 48 years Federal Serv ice. Wrote a book S11ri'i1'ril Aniirlxr the A.l'llt'.l'. relating experiences as a POW for three years, nine months. Special awards: Navy Commendation Medal. Purple Heart. Merito Naval by Brazil in 1951. Member of Masons. DAV, AL. American Ex-POWs. Included in Personalities ofAmerica and Wliolv' Wlio in the World. Retired and living in Melbourne. FL. CHARLES J. EDEBURN, Sllc, USNR. born Nov. 30. 1924. at Alliance. OH. Enlisted September 1942, Boot Camp. Great Lakes. Went aboard USS California, F Division December 1942, at Bremerton, WA. Served aboard through amphibious campaigns in the Marianas. Philippines, Okinawa and the great battle of Surigao Strait, the latter was a memorable experience. They proceeded to end their round the world trip from Tokyo Bay via South Africa to Philadelphia. Awarded WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Stars. Discharged December 1945, married, two daughters, retired from Kaiser Stl. 1982. KEITH E. EDELEN, GM3!c, born Aug. 29, 1924, in Grinnell. Enlisted 1942, 3rd Division. Discharged 1945. lf In . .WW 53, ,iii 1 Z 7 7 Q yd' Z Married Evelyn DeMen1enaere, Eve children: Joseph. Therese. Diane. Don and Eugene. Died Oct. 25. 1993. LINTON A. EDWARDS, corvr, usiv. born sept. is 1918. Portland. OR. Enlisted, USN, May 17. 1938. Assigned to USS California in 1939. Became a member ofthe wrestling team. Served aboard California in Turret 141 as GM in charge of lower handling room. December 7. 1941. during the attack by the Japanese, the lower handling room took on water. Abandon ship was ordered. but Edwards stayed on the phone until allowed to leave. when water was up to his waist. 1942. Commissioned YMS 122. built in Bend. OR. and operated out of San lraiicisco. 1945. Commissioned USS Arwim' IAPA 1281 Transported Marines to and from Okinawa. May 14. 1946. Honorably discharged as chief gunners mate. with eight years service. October 17. 1941. not long before the Japanese attack. he married Jackie Washburn Edwards. They have three children: Terri. Bob and Carl. Plus grandchildren and great- grandchildren. HOWARD J. EINHORN, USNR. MMl!c, enlisted Aug. 31. 1942. Attended boot camp at Great Lakes Training Center. Assigned to Bremerton for salvage duty on the USS CalUornia for 14 months. it 'QW 4 3 .Q iw ,ff if Participated in the campaigns in the Marianas, Philippines, Okinawa, and the battle of Surigao Strait. Most memorable event: entering the Leyte Gulf on the way to the Philippines he recalls. a mine surfacedjust below the deck where he was standing. With fascination. he watched the crusty. horned mine pop to the surface with little concern. He later realized what a close call it was when one of the other ships in the fleet destroyed the mine. The explosion created a tower of water that could be seen for miles. followed by a concussion felt throughout the ship. Awarded the Good Conduct Medal. American Area Campaign Medal. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five stars. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars and the WWII Victory Medal. JOHN C. ELLIOTT, Sllc. USNR. bom Blue River. WI, June 4. 1923. Joined Navy on March 16. 1943. Trained at Farragut. ID. Transferred to Shelton Navy Air Station in Washington. Transferred to USS Caljornia in September 1943. Assigned to 10th Division. Took part in getting ship ready to sail in January 1944. Took part in all the action the ship was in for the rest of WWII. Left ship Jan. 19. 1946. at Philadelphia. Participated in battles at Saipan. Guam. Tinian. Battle of Leyte Gulf. Surigao Strait. Lingayen Gulf. Discharged January 1946. with the rank of S llc. Pat. wife of 47 years. have two sons and two daughters. Now retired company driver. EUGENE D. ELTON, born Nov. 25. 1921. at Spirit Lake. ID. Graduated from high school in May 1940. Enlisted at Spokane. WA. in September 1940. Went to San Diego for training. Then onto the USS Oklahoma. then to the USS California and out to the islands in February 1940. Was standing at AA gun all and saw the first bombs hit Ford Island. Ran around the deck shouting the Japanese are bombing Ford Island. Got the cover offof his gun CAAD 4118 about that time they took a torpedo and lost power. From then on it was mayhem. Set up the AA guns at the mouth of Pearl Harbor. Back to Calyfornia after it was raised and came back to the states. Went to Gunnery School at Washington. D.C.. and remained on the ship until it went back to sea. Engaged in Saipan, Tinian, Philippines. Left the ship just before Iwo Jima. Back to San Diego, then to Treasure Island for assignment to the USS Hmbalier at Seattle. Put it in commission and went to the Panama Canal and up to New York. where he was discharged. Dec. 27. 1946. honorable. with the rank of GM 2lc. Married. raised two step-children. Retired. today dry wash for gold prospect tgold and silverl. DONALD WAYNE EMERY, Fllc. Electrical Striker. bom Minneapolis. MN,April 2. 1925. Enlisted March 1943. Navy. Electrical Division. Stationed at Farragut, ID: Bremerton.WA1 USS Callforriizn Naval Hospital Hawaii: Naval Hospital Seattleg Naval Hospital Chicago: Great Lakes. Ottumwa. IA. Memorable experiences include Saipan. fell going to