California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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GQ, Main Motor Drive Room, broke both knees in air attack. f ii? 2 f .1 Discharged July 1945, Navy Pier, Chicago. Married in 1950, have seven children, six grandchildren. Married in 1979, have step-daughter and three granddaughters. ' Retired from TV repair business. HOWARD W. ENGBERG, USNR, S lfc, born Nov. 12, 1925, Sacramento, CA. Enlisted March 23, 1943, and ,attended boot Camp at Farragut, ID. Shipped abroad the USS Calyfornia in July 1943, at Bremerton, WA. Assigned to the 10th Division and in May 1944, became Gun Captain and in charge of maintenance and repair of Quad 8 - 40 MM. Saw action at Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Leyte Gulf, Surigao Strait, and was wounded at Lingayen Gulf. Was transferred to a Troop Ship, Hospital Ship and then to a Field Hospital in Hollandia, New Guinea. Returned to the USS Calnfornia in March 1945, at Bremerton, WA. In May 1945, was transferred to shore duty at U.S. Naval Hospital, Aiea Heights, Hawaii and served there until discharged on Feb. 10, 1946. Retired in 1986, after working 40 years in Architecture in Northern Califomia. Married 43 years, wife, Ann, two children, five grandchildren. Ann and he have been traveling full time in their RV for the last seven years and his hobby is wood carving. GAIL FREDERICK FOERCH, EM lc, born St. John's, MI, Aug. 30, 1912. Enlisted Aug. 23, 1930, U.S. Navy. Stationed at Long Beach, CA. Memorable experience includes crossing the Equator in 1937, while on the USS Calnfornia. Discharged Dec. 4, 1941, with the rank of EM1!c. Married in 1934, two children while in Navy, three after discharged. Totally disabled, double amputee and nearly blind and deaf. WILLIAM L. FOLEY, was born Sept. 6, 1925, Stanford, CT. Enlisted Feb. 26, 1943, and trained at Great Lakes, NTS. 'D , 'tr , I A i Joined the USS Culifinnia at Bremerton, WA. Served 1943444 as S llc, Division 7. Participated in invasions of Saipan, Tinian, Guam, the Philippines. Also, battle ol' Surigao Strait and the Marianas Turkey Shoot. I.ater translerred to llSSllr'nzlr'rsrm IJIJ71s5,as UNI 3!c. Awarded WWII Victory Ribbon. Asiatic Pacific.. Campaign Medal with three stars, American 'lheater Ribbon, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star. Memorable experiences aboard the California included rejoining the lleet in Pearl Harbor, the typhoon, losing to Al Head, 8th Division in a three round Middle Weight Division after the Leyte GulfAction, the collision with the USS Hfririessee, and on to Espiritu Santo Islands for repairs. Discharged February 1946. Retumed to school and obtained a BS and MA degree. Bill Foley married Eileen Ann Hagerty in Scarsdale, NY. They have five sons and eight grandchildren. Alter 35 years as an administrator and manager in village, city and county government, he retired in 1986. They now reside in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, where he is executive director of the PGA Property Owners Association, eight years at PGA National. JOHN FORD, Slc, reported aboard Calgfornia as first new crew in October 1942, age 18. When the newly remodeled ship returned to war, John was a gun pointer, .wt Sth Division. His watch station was Sky Lookout Bridge portside. On a 12 to 4 watch at 0200 hours he reported 'fThe Tennessee is going to ram us. An incredible experience! John became acquainted with Chaplain Kenealy, his real life war hero who convinced him to become the ship's Sports Reporter. He edited the boxing column Round-the Bouts. John participated in every war action in Calnfornials golden history, from Saipan to the Surigao Strait Sea Battle, the Philippine invasions, and on to warls end. His medals: American Campaign, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Presidential Citation, the WWII Victory Medal, and seven Bronze Stars. Honorably discharged December 1945. Now owns a business in Austin, TX. ALBERT P. FRANKS, USNR, bom Jan. 22, 1920, Boston, MA. Enlisted Jan. 3, 1942. After 18 days' training. Newport, RI, assigned, in Boston, to DD434, USS Meredith. Accompanied the USS Hornet to the West Coast. Participated in the Doolittle Raid, April 18, 1942. The Meredith was sunk Oct. 15, 1942, off Guadalcanal. Spent 77 hours in the water until picked up by the USS Grayson. Spent 14 months in a tent in Noumea, New Caledonia. Retumed to San Francisco Jan. 5, 1944. Assigned to USS Califbrnizi March 1944, and served there in F 8a X Divisions until Dec. 7, 1945. Was in the first group off the C'alifi1i'11iz1 for discharge, Dcc. S, 1945. Discharged Dec. 10. 1945, in Boston. Retired from Weyerhaeuser Company in 1979. Now living in West Yarmouth. MA. with one vvife. Rita and one dog, Tippy. HERSCHEI. C. FREEMAN, Seaman First Class, born Nov. 9, 1925, Blulllon, IN. Iinlisted Feb. 5. 1943. Navy. Stationed Great 1.alves and Chicago, ll .. llartieipatcd in battles at Saipan, Guam, Olvinavva, Philippines, South Paciliic. Z 4 Q Memorable experience includes suicide oiane atigagf Discharged April 14. 1945. Wife deceased, three sons. Retired, '10 quarry, Ft. Wayne, IN. WILLIAM D. FLVHRINIAN, Ylc. IQSNR. nerr. ttf, 19, 1923, at Logan, UT. Enlisted as apprentice seams NRS, Salt Lake City, LT. Aug. 31. 1942. transferred ' USNTS, Great Lakes, IL. October 13. 1942, transferee in Receiving Station, Puget Sound. WA. On Dec. 25. Q94- transferred to USS California and served on b continuously receiving an Honorable Discharge Philadelphia Navy Yard. Dec. 3. 1946. . , .. . . ffak fl .Q Served in the Captains Office in the CC Division. As he knew short-hand would take dictation from :he Skipper and other of5cers. record General and Summajv Court Martials. Boards of Investigation. Court of lnquiies. battle and of5cer's fitness reports and receive and send all official mail. During General Quarters their division would mai two 20mm anti-aircraft guns, serve as talkers and recorders for the Skipper on the Bridge. Navigating Officer. Gunners Officer. Forward and Aft Sky Control. Damage Control and other posts. which they would change off during certain actions. Following discharge. married Dalma Barkdull ai Logan. UT. In 1950. they purchased a cattle ranch at Downey. ID. where they have lived since. and have added a couple more ranches through the years and vvith their family have been engaged in beef and dairy livestock and farming operations. Have tvvo sons and tvvo daughters and Dalma and he have been mmied 48 years still xv orking on the Fuhriman Ranch. Downey. ID. RICHARD RICK E. GARCIA. USN, born July 14, 1921. Tucson. AZ. Joined Navy July 14. 1939. and trained at San Diego. CA. Assigned to USS Cr:z'frLv '::.: BB44 at Long Beach. C.-X. Fleet transferred to Pearl Harbor xv as .iboard Dec i 19-1 l. had the duty setting up for ehnreh serv tee. up lietvv .ii rl on attack reported to battle station povv dei' in.ig.i.'ine room itll. 16 1'nrret. after nas assigned to Rec. Sta l'1l ther' assi2nedto1'SS l.YItl I'tl L'-.X-.14 llvv. Ciser Participated in -Xetion Nlarslial .intl Gilbert lslanti Coral Sea. lvlnlvvay. t1uat1.ile.ni.i1.Sax o lsl.nid.1'SS lv.-' '. lost in Battle ol' Sato Island llit the vvatei picked nt' bv USS Htlgfta Il'QlllSP0l'lCtl101,88f 't'.v ,I.l.'fQv,vti xllffll lgtitltgtg

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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

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slttt' Xsstgtlxkl lt' slttltk' 111113 R611 IIQ.1t'l1 kixlfllts I tmgo, working xv ttli lst llix rsion M.u'uies August 9 to I-'eb lf. 'Tif lln on Utt.tdaIe.m.t1. ttartsfeired to I sptritu Santo. tliletlotua. and then I S Naval Ilospttal fXuelsland. New ie.ti.tnd. .intl then to Wellington Nav al Ilospital. tlien San Diego Nav .il Ilospital eante back to States aboard lurlim' .otrrist passenger ship Assigned as a hospital ship. resigned .e ISS Naval llospital Brentetton. V1 A. given a medical 'iseftarge tlionorablel in 1944 Xlairietl in 194'. two sons and one daughter. Civil S rv ree I5 years. retired. Li. ROBERT GARDNER. ISN. 1.I'.tRet.1. was .lsstgttedlollleCr1lllit1'tIt'iJ0t1Nla1l'Cl129. 1938. as a seaman I e llc joined the signal div ision to learn seamansliip etc. .pfter inaking seaman lst lieioined the electrical propulsion uoisiott. Sept. 21. 1939. and in August 1941. passed flip steal for tlight training. fl 2 2 Iva.. L4 In November 1941. he made the list for flight training in Texas. but the Japanese visit at Pearl Harbor changed the rest of his life as well as thousands of others. He spent most of 1942. 1943. 1944 and part of 1945, in the Solomon Islands and vicinity as an engineering officer and his luck ran out April 18. 1945. when he was lngtured. After two plus years in Navy Hospitals and various surgeries. he was placed on retired retainer list. After 20 some operations and over four years in military hospitals, nes still in pretty good condition. EDWARD A. GIBBOM GIBBY,', born New Orleans. LA. Aug. 21. 1921. Enlisted Feb. 7, 1940. U.S. Navy. GM3lc. lst Division. Service included USS Pyro. CSS Calnfomia. Cow Piers. Boliti.APAl48. USS Crockett. Participated in battles in Southwest Pacific Forces, New Guinea LAR. Wewak. Moccamdia. Biak. Wadke. Cimtisi Paciic Forces. Kawasalein. Poi Mamur. Bomiam Island. Iwo Jima. Philippine Sea. Leyte Gulf. Saipan. Tinian. Guam. San Bernardino Strait. Truk. Special memory. before war. pulling whale boat races. Pearl Harbor. Miti. wrestling. boxing. July 4th. Molida. Mests night engagement San Bernardino Strait. Japanese I-leaxy Cruiser. AwardsfMedals: Army Commendation Medal. American Defense Service Medal with one star. Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with five stars. Philippine .gneration Ribbon with two stars. WWII Victory Medal. nil. Good Conduct Medal. Korean Service Medal. - 'etnarn Ser. ice Medal. Discharged Feb 6. 1946. with the rank of Turret f aptazn llc , . He has lour sons. two daughters. three marriages. 1 'gtna Cfarlota. Georgania Retired. living Costa Rica. CHARLES C. GILBERT, born York. PA. lan. 13. 1.4 11n1tzt,t:dOt.t 23. 19411. lfSN ,'1.f-cf,rf1irig to separation papers service includes NRS. l'l..hflf:l17lTlh.lJA.1,785 fnlffnrnm. N'1S.Newport RIL If S. Va-.az lluspital 1'ear1l1arbor.'l ll 'IfLZC.lfl'v'1l11:' SlJ1lIfJII.l'1fIlfl 1t:,rhf,r '1 11, 1,88 Kuhn: lj 2, Naval Receiving Station '-aw: lzaxe llhtlaflelphta 1'A ' M ti 'QI 1 si ' it-I Q . .. 4 5- tgp F .W w uns Hr. M 'r' '-. U '. 5531: gif. --r if El.. 3 1 AvvardslMedals: WWII Victory Ribbon. American Theater Ribbon. American Defense Ribbon Ill. Asiatic- Pacilic Ribbon 171. Philippine Liberation Ribbon 621, Purple Heart. Good Conduct Ribbon. Discharged Dec. 12. 1946. CBM. Today he spends time fishing. shopping and going to doctors for himself and wife. WM. HOWARD GILLETTE, born Boise. ID, Nov. ll, 1918. rs i .js S s is s as f N A . C . . 'sy si f sh ag Q 2 I Joined Navy September 1940, went aboard USS Calyfornia, E Division, in Bremerton, WA. We were at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. USS Caljornia, was moored at Fox 3 near Ford Island Naval Air Station. Rank: E1ectrian's Mate llc. Joined Underwater Demolition Team tf23E. Discharged April 1946. Medals: Asiatic-Pacific Theater, American Defense Service Medal. American Theater, WWII Victory Medal. Good Conduct Medal, Unit Citation, Pearl Harbor Survivors. Married Naomi Wiseman, has two sons. John R. and Delbert. and has four grandchildren. After coming home he did cabinet, stone and carpenter work but emphysema soon ended his working. WILLIAM STANLEY STAN,' GOSSARD. Machinist Mate 2C, North Mankato. MN. Feb. 2. 1922. Enlisted May 22. 1940. U.S. Navy, A Division, Engineering Department. Served on the USS California August 1940 to January l942g USS Indianapolis from January 1942 to February 19431 USS Columbia frotn February 1943 to February 1944. Participated in following battlesQ Pearl Harbor and Solomon Island. unix., Memorable experiences include getting ready to leave for motor machinist school at Norfolk when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Reponed killed in action. Discharged June 25. 1945. with the rank of machinist mate 2C Married Lorna. has three sons and two grandsons and two granddaughters. Retired from Honeywell 1985. lznioying life in West Mpls. loves hunting. fishing and baseball. Active in Babe Ruth Baseball last 40 years as roach. committee member. state official. 'IIUIVI If. GRACE, USMC. lRcI.1 was born Nov. 25. 1919 in lranklin. TX. Ile enlisted in the llnited States Marine Corps on Dec. 5. 1941 at the Houston. 'TX Marine Corps Recruiting Station. On Dec. 7.1941 'Iom was shipped to San Diego. CA. lor recruit training. the same day that Pearl Harbor was bombed. Tom's thought at the time was What have I got myself into. After recruit training he was transferred to Pearl Harbor arriving on Feb. 2. 1942. What a sight! Sometime around the first of April 1942. Tom received orders for assignment to the USS California. Marine Corps Detachment. G. Division. The ship was still on the bottom at Pearl Harbor. The California was floated and moved to Dry-dock the first of May 1942. October 1942 the Culyorniu was under way to Bremerton. WA. for overhaul. While aboard Tom was assigned to the 40 MM guns as Gun Captain. He also served as Orderly for the Ship's Captain. In October 1943. Tom transferred off the ship to Marine Barracks. Bremerton. WA where he was stationed until January 1944. Other tours of duty included: Marine Barracks - Kodiak. AKQ Recruiting Duty - Dallas and Tyler. TX: Marine Corps Base - Camp Lejeune. NC: Inspector Instructor Duty - Muskegon, MI. Marine Corps Air Station - Iwakina. Japan: Marine Corps Base - Camp Pendleton. CA and Marine Corps Air Station - E Toro. CA. While on Recruiting Duty in Tyler. TX. met and married Evelyn Skidmore twife of47 yearsl. Two children. Patricia and Tom. Jr. and two granddaughters. Retired from the Marine Corps Oct. 30. 1966 after 25 years. Retired from the College of Medicine. University of Califomia. Irvine CA. Jan. 2. 1986. Interests include RV motorhome traveling fishing and gardening. Currently reside in Tustin. CA. MARVIN B. GRAHAM. bom Fredicktown. MO. Aug. 18. 1925. took boot camp in Farragut. ID. late 1943. Electrical School same place shipped out ofTreasure Island. CA. on troop ship to Marshall Islands. where he boarded USS California. .Glyn Zip . 45114 First battle Saipan - Tinian. aboard all battles till end of war. Came around word at close of war to Philadelphia ship yards for discharge. Married a wonderful lady named LaVern and raised seven fine children. Spent life in Chaffee. MO. building own business in electrical. plumbing. heating and cooling business. Now retired due to two bypass surgeries and problems due to Gulliand Barr Syndrome. Now following his hobby of restoring antique clocks and trying to serve his Lord for saving his life by seconds during the suicide plane attack on the California. HAROLD GRANT, Air M 2!c. bom Aug. 25. 1922. Enlisted Dec. 8. 1941. Navy. Stationed at Sand Point Naval Air Station. Pat. Wing 4. VR2. VR4. USS Rio CVEIO3. USS California BB44. Oakland Naval Res. Air Station. Participated in Philippines and East China Sea battles. Memorable experiences include going aboard the California on a boatman's chair from a DE in East China Sea. Discharged Oct. 13. 1945. Shoemaker. CA. with the rank o1'Air M llc. Retired educator. part-time larmer. 75 ..- H41