California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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EUGENE B. GREEN, Coxswain, born Stuttgart, AR, Feb. 5, 1920. Enlisted Sept. 30, 1940, Navy, 5th Division, before the War ended lst Division. Service includes: NTS San Diego, CA, USS Oklahoniag USS CalUbrnia RS Pearl Harbor, TH: USNH Philadelphia, PA. Participated in battles at Pearl Harbor, Asiatic-Pacific Philippine Liberation, American Theater. Memorable experiences include bringing up ammunition from below and bomb struck killing several bearers. While below orders given to abandon ship, he was sent over to island to guard guns, and was forgotten. Went several days without food. Awards!Medals: American Theater, WWII Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with one star, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. He and his wife had a daughter, son, one grandson, and three granddaughters. Retired. GEORGE B. GRIFFIN, AS S2lc, 4th Division, bom Holmes County, FL, Jan. 4, 1919. Volunteered April 28, 1944, Miami, FL, USNR V6. S . WA April 29, 1944, Boot Camp Perry, VAQ July 3, 1944, USAT Sea Perch, Sept. 10, 1944 - Dec. 15, 1945, USS Calnfornia Espiritu, NH. Participated in battles at Leyte, Luzon, Surigao Strait, Lingayen Gulf, Okinawa, Tokyo Bay. Memorable experience: A frightful experience! late in the War, at sea in the South Pacific in a severe storm, three men from 4th Division were ordered out on port quarter-deck to secure motor whale boats to bulkhead. John Marscia, Robert Weeks, and George B. Griffin, the sea broke over the 02 deck, tore their life line from their hands. All three were injured, his life flashed before his eyes, he thought they were gone. His body hit the 14 gun turret and knocked him out, he woke up in sick bay, hours later, Marscia and Weeks, were rescued also, but with serious injury. Discharged Dec. 17, 1945, Jax, FL, with the rank of Sllc. Married Ruby Blaneo Griffins, April 16, 1939, and have one son, December 1940, two daughters, Jannette, 52, and Barbara, 50 years. Celebrated 55 Anniversary April 16, 1994. Retired March 1, 1980, 30 years local Chevrolet Dealership, as NC-NT, salesman. ROBERT K. GRINTON, EM3!c, born Loisi, CA. Enlisted July 1943, Navy, USS Calybrnia, E Division, served Electric Shop, Bridge Electrician. Participated in Saipan, Tinian, Guam, and Okinawa battles. Memorable experience includes seeing pans of the world. ' Discharged Dee. 24, 1945, with the rank of EM 3rd class. He is a widower with three children, two boys and one girl. Retired 1981. .JEROME TENNIS GROTTE, F3lc to CMM, born Nov. 22, 1915. Enlisted Navy lfriday Dec. I3,1935g trained USNTS San 1.Jiego,CA,Co. 35-37. MM School at NOB, Norfolk, VA, then to destroyer base at San Diego, transferred to USS California BB44 at Long Beach, Assigned Division, to the Steam Heat Gang, under J. Burns MMl!c, lce Machines under C. Granna, CMM, then Boat Shop and Ship Boats, Taravella, MMl!c, then Flag Allowance as Engineer Flag Boats, then back to the Boat Shop to operate the shop under Harry Henry Groth, CMM, who was a veteran of WW1. Temporary Duty on USS Vestal while having diesel engines installed in Ships Boats, Panama Canal and to Guantanamo for fleet maneuvers. Was isolated for Polio contact on USS Relief with 10 other boat crew from the Calgfornia, for two weeks. Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, heard and saw dive bombers crossing the ship's stern while bombing the Ford Island Hangars. Headed for his battle station in the Center Thrust Block room while the bugle was sounding GQ. He took in four other Shft Alley watch standers who could not get their battle stations. They took two torpedoes, the second right outboard of their area. They lost lights and ventilation. Then Abandon Ship was sounded, they climbed to 3rd deck, but it was pitch dark, and the air was foul so they went back down, dogged the watertight door, and a few minutes after that the Trunk filled with water. They were trapped. But the crew retumed to the ship and they could communicate by shouting, and shipmates removed a large shaft gland panel so they escaped through the Motor room. They saw sunshine at about 1545. Three of his Boat Shop Crew were killed that morning, Saffel, Ball, and Hildebrand. He was retained on board as part of the salvage crew. He stayed with the ship until 1943, at which time he was sent to Engine School and then assigned to the CVE 71, a new ship. F3!c to CMM on Calyforniag ensign on CVE 71 g LTCJGJ on Cve 98 where he was senior assistant engineer then chief engineer. Left the Navy January 24, 1946. Married Vivian, have son Paul, daugthers, Emily and Marie. Retired from civil service. HERBERT W. GRUBER, USMCR, t34l841D, bom Sept. 29, 1921, in St. Louis, MO. Volunteered Dec. 13, 1941, enlisted Dec. 27, 1941. Went through USMC Boot Camp San Diego, CA. Left Feb. 21, 1942, arrived Pearl Harbor, assigned to Navy Yard Guard Company March 2. WV? Volunteered for Sea Duty tfleet needed replacementsjg May 6, 1942, transferred to the Marine Detachment, USS California BB44. The California vvas in dry-dock a short time, still messed up. Duties were security watches, chipping paintg cleaning oil and debris, etc. Made gunstriker on 20mms worked under GM2c Goldsmith. October 10, 1942, USS Callfkirnia left Pearl llarhor on her own, complete with one 5 inch each side: eight 20mmg about 15 .30 call.50 cal machine gtmsg and five tlegrec list! Arrived at Bremerton's Puget sound Navy Yard Oct. 20, 1942. Made corporal, May 16, 1943. When tlrnhcr returned from leave, MlSgt. Cl .. Davidson told him that he was ttttl ol' uniform! Thcn the first sargc gave him his promotion papers. .and told him to the llllltl flip 1 hack so he could 'paste them on' 'I he California remodeled, rnodetriifed I fleet. Gruberls gun station was a Zflrntn single 11247 the highest, just lieltiw 'alCy'2'Jl'Sif'Ql l'i7 nal sergeant., June 3, 1944. ll day'-. before Saipan' Was aboard USS California during 'saina a direct hit on June l4Q Guam, Tinian Rarnroed Tertnessee, Aug. 23, 1944, Leytei Battle of Surigao Sv Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, hit by lcarnikafe. lan 6 .947 The Prune Barge returned stateside Peo 1 5 .95 Furloughs for alll! Gruber got rnarried March 24 L945 Q Aliceann Nolan his girlfriend of five years Aliceanr. garb to East Port Orchard for the short time that the C.'a'ifoffn. was to stay. The California left Bremerton. April 29 for Pear Harbor via Long Beach, CA. Grubers new duties g, . captain of a 40mm quad. Arrived Pearl Harbor Oahu. TP: May 16, 1945. Gruber transferred May 19, 1945, to Casual Cornpa Force Special Troops Garrison Forces, Oahu. Arri u ed J' 1, 1945, R8cR Center, San Diego. Reassigned to Marine Barracks. Great Lakes. lL. ls., 13, 1945. Sept. 8, 1945, was dischargedi First St. Lou.. Marine discharged on points...eight in L'SA...D.T. POP Stewart was seventh...he had been wounded aboard tr. Calgbrnia ...Gruber hadn't. Gruber re-enlisted in the inactive Marine Reser: Class 1I1tbiDec. 9, 1947. received orders Sept. 28. i95-3. Reactivated for advance infantry retraining. Carxg Pendleton, CA. Transferred to lst Division. USMC. Ptlxif.. Korea. Assigned lst Engineer Battalion. HQ. Cc. S- Section. CAs replacements for those Marines lost at Chosgi Reservoirj. Made SlSUt. May 22. 1951. was acting head cf C Section couple months tReplaced N1fSgt. rotated. Participated in many reconnaissance betvveen lines. li Korea from January 5, through Oct. 19. 195l...actualacti1.e time Sept. 28, 1950. through Nov. 10. 1951. Enlistmen. involuntarily extended one yearmreceived dischzage Dec. 8, 1952. Herb Gruber has an architectural certificate tearnec at night collegej but worked mainly general construction estimating cost. Aliceann and Herb have four daughters and lu grandchildren. The Grubers live in the St. Louis area :mu keep in touch with many old shipmates tblarines Sailorsj mainly through BB4-1 USS California Reunion Association. They made 16 of the 18 reunions to date. Herb is life member and a director of the association. He was 1993 Reunion Chairman in St. Louis. NIO. WILLIAM J. HAAS. born New Bedford. MA. Dec. 18, 1923. Enlisted Dec. 11. 19-ll. served three years then sent to V-12 and commissioned in 19-15 and sent to ship as an ensign. assigned to Division 10. as MBLQ then ensign. USNR Heavy Machine Gun Control Officer. Dix ision 10. In Panama with a degaussing unit for three years then Pacific. Attended Tufts University and Columbia Midshipmen School. V-12. Participated in Okinawa battle. sw' N Awards!Medals: Atlantic Theater. Pacific xxith one star. Good Conduct Medal, NX'NN'll Victory Nletlal. After leaving ship hcjoined .1 Stibinarnic Dix ision .ts active reservist and made tivo cruises. Scp.ir.tted 1il'Ufl1 service Dec. 21. 19-15. resigned commission .ts 11110 tit 1950. He and his xvife hav e one son and one .latightct .ind three grantltlaugltters. Retired in NSS .iftcr -10 xcats teaching and selling textbooks. MARTIN I.. HAEHN, 1'SN.1YS.4XRlf1' Nl St! 11 horn in .-Xlbcrtx illc. MN. Nov 30. 1920. lfnlistcd itil SN .l.tntt.nv 19-1-1, and trained at farragnt. 1D Xsstgncd to thc 1 SS Stokes which xx as torpedocd .ind stmlv thrcc days latct ln 0 May 1 -14. nas assigned to the l'SS t'.i.fn'o+n.-.Q to fad