California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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Jon HORKY '-iw-' RAY HORN, SFC, DIV R, just an Iowa farm boy, enlisted Dec. 6, 1941, sworn in Dec. 9, 1941, Apprentice Seaman. Boot Camp, San Diego, landed in Pearl Harbor Jan. 7, 1942, attacked to Calqbrnia, but served on 5 in. Anti Aircraft gun on the Island. Sometime in April when aboard ship went into ship fitter shortly after he went aboard ship as a striker. August 1945 made chief SJ. Discharged Dec. 11, 1945. His entire Navy career on the Calnforrtia. EDWIN DARWIN HUGHES, Radioman First Class, bom Mankato, MN. April 4, 1904. Enlisted Dec. 22, 1920, Navy age bom 1903 as guardian had to lie about his age, 16. Service includes: Radio, USS Calyfornia Division, NTS, San Francisco, Radio Tatoosh Island. He may be one, or the last of the original crew as he was 16. Upon discharge he became a linotype 0p6ratOr and back shop foreman of country newspapers. Upon retirement Dec. 10, 1969, they opened an agate shop. Am 90, married July 29, 1925, 69 years, three children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. His three years on Caliornia were great. You leamed discipline and to make something of yourself. Viva! the Navy! Discharged Nov. 7, 1924, with the rank of RM1!c. WILLARD BILL', HULSMEYER, SF2C, USN, bom Dec. 17, 1923, Kettlersville, OH, entered U.S. Navy, February 1943, Boot Camp at Great Lakes, shipped out on troop train headed west July 43, landed at Bremerton Navy Yard, Bremerton, WA. Soon attached to USS Caljornia in dry dock for repairs, from action at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. Headed back out to sea in the fall of 1943, and later while anchoring somewhere in the Pacific the doesnlt recall wherej. He was assigned to the anchor locker below decks, the wench went in reserve the anchor was dropped. This day it went out faster and faster until only one link was left fastened to the chain locker bulkhead. Later he found out that some deck hand ptrt a liberal coating of grease on the anchor brake top-side lto avoid rustj. Luckily they had two hefty R Div. people on the brake that day, they pulled hard as they could and finally l in a cloud of smokej got the brake to hold. Never had that problem again. Spent entire duty time on Cftrlifbrrrirr until landing back in Philadelphia January 1946. Married May 1946. have three daughters, good wife, and one grarrtldaughter, one grandson. Retired in 1986, bttt fill sometime asa Realtor. MELVIN HUNKER, FIC, born Sterling, CU. Jan, 6. 1927. Enlisted Jan. 4, 1945, Navy, 6th Division. Service included Boot Camp, Great Lakes: OGU Shoemaker, CA, Bremerton, WA, boarded Calybrnia. Participated in battles at Okinawa, China Sea, and Occupation oflapan. Awards! Medals: American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal with one star, WWII Victory Medal. Discharged July 10, 1946, with the rank ofF1C. Married, two children and one grandchild. Retired, traveling USA in motorhome. CHARLES B. HUNSUCKER JR, SNC, bom Mt. Glead, NC, Montgomery County, March 16, 1922. Enlisted Aug. 28, 1940, Raleigh, NC, U.S. Navy, 5th Division. Went on board USS Calyfornia Nov. 20, 1940, departed Dec. 7, 1941 , wounded in left leg, four other men were also wounded. In Casemate 4119, stayed in dispensary and hospitals until Dec. 17, 1941, went to USS Chester. Served on USS ships: Calnfornia BB44, Chester CA24, Carteret APA 70, Knight DMS, YMS 325, Albany CA9, Ticonderoga CVA 14, Essex CVA9, Albemarle AVP, Boxer CVA, Aucilla AO56. Shore duty: NTC, Naval Station, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba: FTC Norfolk, VA. He was a Seaman first class when the Japanese sneak attack on Dec. 7, 1941. He was in the 5th Division, shellmate BMl!c, was the Division P.O. Breedlove BM2 was his leader he was on the starboard deck out side the Casemate when he saw the first planes coming in, when the first bombs hit land. GQ sounded and he went to his battle station casemate 419, 5 inch 55 broadside guns. He was wounded and went ashore to the dispensary adjacent to ship in a motor launch. The injury was not serious in his left leg, shrapnel was removed at the Army dispensary. Awards!Medals: WWII Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five stars, Good Conduct Medal for 30 years, Purple Heart. Discharged Aug. 31, 1970, FTC Norfolk, VA, with the rank of BMCS, 30 years and three days. Married hometown sweet heart, Maxine Warner. July 6, 1947, one daughter, two sons, four grandchildren. Retired from city Norfolk, VA, April 1984. Today he does what he please when he pleases, hunt. fish and enjoy grandchildren. HAROLD J. HUNTLEY, SM lst!C, born Kokomo. IN, May 24, 1923. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 10, 1940: he served on the USS Calihirnia, 3rd Division and was aboard her on Dec. 7, 1941. Strttionslvessels served on include: USNTS Great Lakes, 11.3 USS C'trlif0i'irr'tr.' USRS Pearl llrtrbor: USS llkxvt Virgiiritrp SCTC' Miami. 191.3 USS SC' 1502, USNt'i1't' Mizuni, 151.3 l1SS PGM 9g l1SS I.S'l' S-19. Aafarfl'-,lrrieflal1, lllilllflfl 'Wffli iff Area Ribbon fisiatir. l'ati1if..5.rea Pibbori Arnerieari llefertne -,t:t'ri','p Vlefla tforrtrrieridation flood f.orif.1ucf Vledai lle was diseharged in Vlay 1946 with vm CBM. lle and wife. Nflary have daughter Pai ar sons, Bill and 'llrorrrap He retired from 1. S i Service. ARTHUR .JACKSON HL'N'l'SNlAN. LS'-if M born Feb. 2, 1927, in Srnithvrlle. N40 and ti ,ed ri: s ,ite Dearborn. MO. Jackjoined the Navy on lan 56 1945 was sent to NTC, Great Lakes, lL. He had several trari ,ff before being assigned to the LBS California 'in Arm. li 1945. Q Jack received awards for his participation in ir.: bombardment of Okinawa and the occupation of Jape: He received the American Campaign Medal: the Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze starsz and the WWII Victory Medal. He received an Honorable Dischtdge on Aug. 22, 1946. He missed the USS Caljornra because it left poi without him and he had to catch the next ship that came IQ port, therefore he was transferred to the LCI iLf 883. 1-le told a story of having been lost at sea on the LCI and if being the first ship to port after the drop of the bomb Hiroshima. Jack married Betty Marie Crane on March 15. 19-ii. and had three daughters: Opal Katherine. Velta Marie Connie Jean. Jack worked for the Carters 81 Waters I-lady te Plant. He retired at age 62. Jack passed away on Dec. IS. 1992, at the age of 65. With Jacks passing it is as if an ever buming candle has been extinguished and he will be sorely missed by all those that knew him. FRANK R. HURLEY, USNR. born Sept. 3. 1922. Enlisted USN, Pittsburgh. PA. Jan. 25. 19-13. after tinishing boot camp Sampson. was trained at rangetinder school -. is Washington. D.C. Nyd. then transferred to A.-XTC near San Diego for further training as range setter on .r computer for a 40mm bofors single rnobile .-X.-X gun. Then sent to Whidbey lsland NAS. for ftrrther transfer to Adak. Al.. Destined to be a landlocked sailor. After the fall of Risks and Attu. their batteries where no longer needed so thex were sent to Brernenon Nyd. Upon arrix al he w tts .rssrgned to the USS Ctrlifirriritr Fox Division. Reporting .rboard the ship in dry dock he did not know .rt this trrne the ship had been stink at Pearl btrt soon found otrt rn the final stages ot' chipping rust in the void eornpartrnents. Rerrrairred .tboard during the Mirrianas and Philippine Cgrtrrpargrrs -Xtter surx'ix'ing the katnikaze attack that hit the .tfter control tow CY just six feet below Spot 2. were he w .rs stationed .rs director bointer. Was later trxtrrsferretl to .idx .tneed fire control seboo' at San Diego destroyer bgtse. NV-.1 Day terrnirr.tted their school and he w .ts transferred to Sarnpson Setxrrariowx V , . , 1 -1 , , , . . . tt nit r. NX. lot drselrarge lreb. . 19-lo. 1-ull circle eonrpleted .ts this w .ts the place he started his Nos three years ago. Returned home to Xlelxeespoit PX Worked for US. Steel 1'orp. lrx ut works. .ts .rn eleeltxnrn repgtirrrrarr lor 15 rears until retrr'etrtent l9SI

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Shiplcx lr . 17 li Saiidcis .uid others, g.ixc hriri trrsi gmt, tx lttrh ltclpcd s.txc his lite Vtcnl to ti hospital ship, xx here .tic doctor rcurox cd .r spark plug trorrt his ircck. xx hich carrie front the plane Went to .i hospital base iii Ncxx tltirirea. .rttcr sex eral uiotrths there. returned to the States. Axx .rrded the Purple Heart. Recerx ed a Medical Discharged .August 1945. from Camp Adair in Corvallis, OR. xxith the rank of EM 3!c. Married to Marilyn Hickley. live in Bend. OR. Retired trout PNB 1976. ELNIER HITCHCOCK. Turret Captain lst Class. LSS Colorado BB-15. USS Ctzlifornizt BB44, USS Idaho 42. LSS Rturtlolph CY-15. born in Van Lear, KY. Dropped out of school to go to xv ork in the coal mines with his brother.Hersche1. Pound out coal mining was not for him, so he enlisted the Amty in 1938. at Ft. Thomas, KY. 5th Dix. the 10th Inf.. H Co. as a machine gunner. He left the Army. was out about one month, then enlisted in the Navy. Was to take training at Great Lakes, IL. but because of the short time he was out of the Army, vv as at Great Lakes from Dec. 3rd to Dec. 30. 1941, that is the day reported aboard the USS Colorado in Bremerton, VVA. Stayed on the USS Colorado until 1944, then was put on the CSS Calnfornia until the end of the War. Received following Navy Medals and Citations: Bronze Star. Commendations with one Star. Purple Heart, Good Conduct .American Defense with one Star, American Campaign. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with 10 stars, WWII 'Victory Medal. Navy Occupation Service Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon Medal with three stars, Philippines Presidential Citation. Navy Occupation Medal Asia. LYS. Presidential Unit Citation and WWII Victory Medal. Left the CSS CUlJOVlIl'U after they entered Japan. Was put on the CSS Idaho to Pearl Harbor. there was put on the CSS Carrier Randolph South to the Panama Canal, on to Norfolk. VA. and on to Great Lakes. IL. for discharge and home to San Francisco. CA, where his wife Jane, was living. For 32 years had own business, two Chevron Gas Stations in San Francisco. His wife Jane and he retired on 'he same day. They had picked the town ofBrookings. OR, J. here they have lived for the past 18 years. He was elected mayor of Brookings in 1978-80. IQSS Colorado Awards. in addition to earning the 1. Occupation Service fvledal tAsia1 for her services from Sept 2-25. 1945. earned the following battle stars on 1l1cAsta11f,-Pacific Area Service Ribbon for participating 'ne following campaigns: One star fvlarshall Islands Operation: Occupation of K ffajalein and fV1aiuroAtol1s:Jan.29.-Feb.X. 1944. One star Marianas Operation: Capture and occupation ml Saipan. Jan. l1AAug 101944. Une star Gilben Islands Operation: Nov, 19-Dec, 8. 'yfi 1 4 f IJUNALD A. HUBART, RfvI2f., IQSN V6 was born Aug 'tl 1925 in Delia, KS Joined the Navy on Dec 28. U42 He attended Recruit 'I raining and Radrornan Service SClltIU1.l1klIk'l11l .tkcs 'ltaritiiig Station trorrr Dec 111, 19-12, lo Mtg .7. 1941 IIClk'PU1'lCLlLllltlllllllllt'1'SSfltlllfHl'lIlfl11l the llrcirtcrtoii. WA. Nax y Yard on Sept. 4, 1943, and was assigned to the CR Dix ision. if Front Jan. 16, 1944. to Dec. 7, 1945, the Caljornia steamed 100,150 miles crossing the Equator in the Pacific, lndian and Atlantic Oceans, the Intemational Date Line and circumnavigated the Globe. Participated in the bombardment and occupation of Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Leyte, Luzon and Okinawa. The California was instrumental in the destruction of a Japanese battleship dtrring the Battle of Surigao Strait. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Navy Occupation Service Medal. WWII Victory Medal. He was discharged from active duty on Jan. 19, 1946. Hejoined the Naval Reserve on Sept. 6, 1949, and advanced to the rate of senior chief radioman. Hobart was discharged from the Naval Reserve on April 13, 1984. Hobart is married to the former Ola Mae Cutshall and have four children, James, Jannette, Irene, Helen and two step-children, Zachary and Amy. He is now retired from the Department of Transportation and living in Iuka. MS. They both enjoy travel and boating. DALE C. HOBBS, GM 3!c, born near Nickerson, KS, June 1, 1922. Enlisted July 1942, U.S. Navy, USS Calnfornia Division 4. Went to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Navy Yard, Bremerton, WA, Gun School, Washington, D.C. Participated in battle on the USS Idaho to Aleutian Island, USS California - Saipan. Guam, Philippines. Lingayen Gulf and Leyte Gulf. 'Z WDM if all Memorable experiences include crossing the International Dateline Aug. 21,1944 Around the world to Philadelphia. Awards!Medals: Campaign bars for battles. Navy Training Course Certificate, GM3lc Sept. 25, 1944, signed by E.A. Pannos, LTCJGJ and ER. Bunker, Commander of USS Calljbrnia. Discharged Dec. 13, 1945. U.S. Naval Personnel Separation Center. Norman, OK. with the rank of GM3! c. Married Mary Alice Wilson, May 2, 1942. Three children, two boys and one girl, and six grandchildren. Retired from Consolidated Manttfacturing Company, Hutchinson, KS, after 36 years. Passed away Jan. 27, 1992. at Joplin. MO. CHARLES N. HODGE, CFC-AAT, USN. born Marceline. MO, Nov. 24, 1918. Enlisted Jan. 26. 1940, USN. Fire Control. F Division. Service included Great Lakes, IL, USS CllllpIl'lIl!1,USRS Pearl Harbor. RSNYD New York, RS Philadelphia. Memorable experiences include Pearl Harbor on BB44. at surrender in Tokyo Bay on BB44. AwardslMedals: Arrierican Area Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with tive stars. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, American Defense Service Medal. Good Conduct Medal. Discharged Jan. 26, 1946. Married Louise A. Hodge, and have four children, Janet Jones. Ted Hodge, Karen Pendola, Wendy Sue Reams. Retired. 37 years pest control business. HOWARD A. HOFER, RMllc, was born April 19, 1921. at Williamsburg, NY. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1939 to 1945. He was aboard the USS Helena at the time of attack at Pearl Harbor and was transferred to the USS Calnfornia until the end of the war. After the war, he studied law at Hofstra University on Long Island and graduated from St. John's University in New York City in 1952. He was subsequently employed with Transamerica Insurance in Chicago as claims manager. He retired in 1983. and died ofa heart attack on Nov. 22, 1985. He was active in the Optimist Club and the United Arts Council, serving as a board member and representative. He and his wife Geraldine had two daughters, Theresa and Helena. He composed an ode, the Man O' War. a chronology of the Calgfornia after Pearl Harbor. GERHARD N. HOLM, born in Everett. WA, Oct. 2, 1914. From boot camp, at San Diego, he was assigned to the USS Calnfornia in September 1940. and served on it until November 1944. On arriving to his ship at Pearl, he was assigned to the F Division and his first job was to scrub paint in the warrant officers quarters. if .wr 1 4 Hy When they were attacked on Dec. 7. 1941, he was on the focsle deck so he could see the first three planes drop bombs on Ford Island. They were so close to him that he could see the pilots in their planes. The captain ordered abandon ship. On jumping over the side into oil and water he went to Ford Island but soon they were called back to remove the deadand all the food they could get to. After the ship settled to the bottom they removed all the anti aircraft guns they could get to and set them up around the Island. He went with some of them to an ammo depot, stayed with them for about 40 days then was sent back to the ship to help raise and clean ll. They arrived in Bremerton about November 1942. the ship was repaired and rebuilt by December 1943. and went to the Pacific in early 1944 to do their part in the war. In November 1944, he asked for a transfer to fire control school in Washington, D.C. They gave him the transfer but on arriving in the states, an oil tanker. A080 USS Escambia, needed him so right back over seas he went. It was a good ship and no harm was done to it or Holm. They were about 500 miles from Japan when the war ended and he was able to see Tokyo and all its devastation. He helped decomrnission the oil tanker in Richmond, CA, and was discharged Aug. 8. 1946. in Minneapolis, MN. He was 25 years oldjoining the Navy. so. being older' than most, he was given the name of Pappy. Still called Pappy at their reunions. He likes that. 79

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IUNH-.1N'lsSl1N.t-wit XVIII ltt.l9'-I.Of.tt'k.lN1O nits then assigned to the IISS tfttliforriia at Htcntcrton. A 'ixlm WE? il- IQ-I 1. N-tw. .iid lhxtston l'.ti'ticip.ttctI VSA f fpiieix tttg lxttttcs Xstgttit' Ixitcitic l'Iic.ttet. Satpitn. .lttnc J tl 2913. tltiatii Xitg I 9. I9-I-I1 lintittt. .ltilx .II - Mtg. I9-ll. I cxtc tlpciytttotis. Suttgao Sttittt. October - Nvwtttltet I9-I-1.1 tttg.txeitUttI1. .lan J - IS. I9-15:OIttn.tvttt Nssatttt .Inns I' 30. I9-45. l'hn'd Iflect Cltina Sea and I.EQ'.l12..ll1If 10 -Xttgttst '. 19-15, - N E X s skvunrlwxf s I 9 I 3 t Discharged Feb. 20. 19-18. vtith the rank of SSMT3. Nlanied Shirley Brovvn.N1ay 14. 1948. have one son. Nlr. Jackson died Oct. lo. 1991. VERNON O. SWYEDE JENSEN, Division F. born Pemberton. RIN. Dec. 20. 1920. Joined the Navy, March ll. 1938. Mason City. IA. Boot Training: NTS, Great L.1Itcs.II.. . Q. 'X aj . 1 as . L i 'Q , , XX '. 9 Q , Q. 1 aww, gif if ly! in ,U Transferred to USS California August 1938, at Bremerton. Was aboard ship at Pearl on December 7. At Pearl until August 1942. when CalU'0rnia retumed to the states. He was assigned to the USS Sirius AK-15: from :here to French frigate schools as GM 2lc in 1943. Other stations: Pearl Harbor Repair Base: San Diego Repair Base: LaMesa Retraining Command: Terminal island: Port Director Inspection Crew: shipped to Guam, Nov ember 1946 to February 1948, discharged as Chief GM. Feb. 27. 1948. Married March 18, 1945. to Alverag one sort and tvvin grandsorts. He is retired. ,JAMES E. JERNIGAN, WT1lc. USN, USS Calitimzia. was born May 14. 1920. in Petersburg, VA. Jained the Navy Jan. 23. 1939. Trained at NOB Norfolk, I-A. Assigned to CSS California from May 1939 to Dec. '. 1941. when it sank at Pearl Harborl USS Astoria from Dec. 13. 1941 to Aug. 9. 1942. when itsank atSavoIslandg USS .Santa Fe from November 1942, through June 1945. He three years. six months. and seven days of combat Participated in battles at Coral Sea May 7. 1942: my lcrif: 3-6. fiuadalcartal August 7-9. Discharged i I IL' 26.174, Vlarrierf Vlariort A Jernigan ,IA LK VS. JESSIP, ISNR. GFVl3lc.. born June 17, 1924. zf blbffft near?-f1erril.1!1. 'lried to loin the Navy in 1941. i.,fy,iLg Iff,wl'5 Vviii draltetl April 10 1943. and kb ., 'look liofit 'lratnsng at larragtit IIJ and He was assigned to the 6th Division standing fire watch most of the time in dry-dock. Battles participated in were Saipan, Tinian. Guam, Leyte, Surigao, Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. Medals are WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Stars, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars. Was discharged Feb. 5, 1946, at Minneapolis, MN. Married 1947, have two children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Retired in 1976, after working for city of Sivier City for 30 years. ELLIS K. JETT, USNR, RDM, 2lc, Division I, born April 10, 1925, in Mt. Sterling, IL, moved to Colorado Springs, CO, at age six months, liked it, so stayed. Enlisted in the Navy April 9, 1943, and woke up to cold salt-free oatmeal at 0400 in Farragut, ID. From there to duty on USS Calnfornia, radar school at Point Loma, CA, then back to the Prune Barge in time for shakedown cruise and sea duty. Received gunnery and damage control training and trained as small group portable radar operator for special landing forces. YU' Participated in all actions of the ship from Saipan in the Marianas to Okinawa and the China Sea. Aboard during the machine-gunning from a Sampan, shelling from a Japanese tank, kamikaze hit followed by a five inch round from a friendly destroyer, and ramming by an unfriendly sister-ship, the Temzessee. Awarded the European Theater Ribbon. Pacific Theater with four stars, American Theater, Victory Medal and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. Also earned tsuitable for framingj an official Certificate Awarding Membership in Ancient Order of the Deep signed by Davy Jones himself. Married Agnes Mott in 1950. produced two line knee- bouncers and one they sent to sea. He has a great daughter- in-law and two unmatched sons-in-law. plus nine top-of- the-line grandchildren. Retired in 1982 after 35 years as director of maintenance and operations with local school district. HAROLD J. JOHNSON, F llc, born Tulare, CA, May 19. 1920. Enlisted in U.S. Navy, Nov. 9, 1939. Trained at San Diego. Company 39-37. Assigned to USS California, Long Beach. February 1940. Served in B Division 40 and 41. Firerooms I and 3. during the December 7, attack at Pearl Harbor. Reported Missing in Action. Assigned to USS Aimria. Dee. 13. 1941. After Coral Sea and Midway. he was assigned to new construction on the USS Titania in Robins Dry Dock. NY. Sailed to Norfolk, VA. to train troops for invasion. Chesapeake Bay. VA, they were a cargo attack ship carrying 23 landing crafts and 300 assault troops. Made invasion SAFI AFRICA November 1942, back to Norfolk, VA. sailed for Salanions Islands, December 1942. operated otit of Iispirittt Santo, New Hebrides and Nottntia. New Caledonia. Carried 500 pounds of bombs, torpctlocs, aviation gas for lighting force outside Cittadalcanal. Made ltlture invasions ol Georgia Islands. Alltel invasion ol Mttnda, he was intttretl and sent the hospital in Auckland. New Zealand. MOB - 4. Then traits1'et'ted to Oak Knoll to be operated on, and then to Corona lor Rehab. Then onto San Diego. limited duty, Med Surveyed ottt MM-2C. Nov. 9. 1944. five years tothe day. wr .R . 0.44. '-iff Married. four children, nine grandchildren, 10 great- grandchildren. Retired in 1977. hobbies, motor-homing. fishing and golf. Motor-homed in U.S., Canada. Baha, Mexico. Loved every moment of it. Proud to have been a part of the Old B-44. HARRY NOLAND .JOHNSON JR., Sllc. born Great Bend, KS. Oct. 12, 1925. Enlisted December 1942. Los Angeles. CA. U.S. Navy. N Division C3. Boot Camp. Farragut, ID: Bremerton, WA, USS Calnfornia, 1943 - January 1945, died on hospital ship, USS Bolivar Jan. 12, 1945. Participated in battles at Leyte Gulf. Surigao Strait, Lingayen 5 Gulf, kamikaze Hit: all II? I battles from X '-Lf Recommissioning until , January 1945. Q M M e m o r a ble I' experiences include good friends: Don Zieglar, Bill Silvers, Jim Hissom, Ken Fields. Bunking with the Band. AwardslMedals: Commendation Sky Lookout. Invasion of Leyte. Died as result of burns received when Japanese plane struck his duty station. Sllc. Lingayen Gulf. Jan. 6. 1945. His father. H.N. Johnson Sr.. CEM. USNCB: mother. Vera A. Williams. Los Angeles. CA: sister. Joanne: Johnson Haaker, now of Roach. MO. Buried at sea. Jan. 12. 1945. Mindoro Deep. He has a map his brother made showing the route the Calmmiia took from the time it left the States. showing battles. etc. until he was injured. PAUL JOHNNY JOHNSON, CWO USN. tRet.1. born Beverly. MA. Feb. 2. 1910. Enlisted Dec. 7. 1928. Transferred to BB44 on Aug. 6. 1935: Fllc. M Division: transferred B Division. as WT2lc other ships: CA-2 Rac'lie.s'tt'r. CL-I3 Menipliis. ML-1. Ogalala. BB44. California ATO. 26 Iwllllfflllk. DD 389. Mugjbrd. CL-43 Na.vln'ille, DD-422 Mayo. ADMS. Staff as CWT, ATR-76 as CH, Eng. ,I -Y Ll. AO58 as M Division officer: CA-124 as CWT. Retired on Sept. 8, 1948: recalled Oct. 20. 1950. Trained recruits Newport, RI. Bainbridge, MD. Re-retired Oct. 19. 1952. They were known as Metal Men. silver in their hair. gold in their teeth. and lead in their butts. Retired as chief warrant machinist. March 1. 1958. Holloways Staff on AD-20. 1943. Married Jan. 24. 1932. while on CL-13. USS Mrfnipliis, French Canadian Irene S. Boudreau. two daughters. Joan 1933 and Paula 1938.