California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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llc was honorably discliarged Dccciiibei 1945 Married his syyectltcart. Ruth and returned lti yyorls .tt Clitcago North NN est Railroad. until beconiing .1 hobby I.irntci '.-' crane operator HC-s surxty cd by his yyitc. Ruth. of 48 years. his ksIliUgl1lL'l'lQlLlll.SOl1'lll-ILIXX..lL'lTy,LlllLlOllC grandson. Josh. Slllllllllllitf lay Gail llotllifii FRIQDIQRICK I. KUHI.. MMZC. born Springfield. OH..1unc lo. 1923. Enlisted Dec. 12. 1942. Nayy. Service includes Great Lakes Nay al Training Station: Bremerton Nat .tl Xard. Bremerton. WA: USS Ciilifoiwziii, Participated in battles at Saipan. Guam. Leytc Gulf. Surigao Strait. Lingay en Gulf. East China Sea. Okinawa. Occupation Xyakay anta Wan Occupation. Tokyo. AwardslMeda1s: .Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal. Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Discharged Jan. 11. 1946. with the rank of MM2C. Married Opal Salyer. June 29. 19461 two daughters, Saunie and Kristy: three grandchildren: Rusty, Kristopher, Kelsey. Wife deceased .August 1985. Retired and enjoying every minute. HAROLD D. KOZA, AMM3, born Nov. 20, 1921, Bruno. NE. Enlisted May 1940, U.S. Navy, Aviation Machines T Mate 3. V Division. Boarded Long Beach. 1940: Boat Camp. San Diego, NAS Kodiak, enlisted Flight Training. VF89. USS Antietaing flight instructor, Pensacola: .Airborne Radar Controller VW2g VF 82: USS Kersage. LTA pilot. Arctic Flight Snow Goose. AvvardslMeda1s: Campaign Pacific and Good Conduct Medals. Discharged June 30, 1960. Married 1947, Frances Watson: daughters, Rebecca and Karen: son. Don. Retired Medical 1977, Department Army. Aviation Treatment Technical Advisor. DANIEL R. KRAMER, Ensign, DVCGJ, USNR, born Dubuque. IA. Sept. 21, 1916. Enlisted Great Lakes October 1940. Commissioned Ensign, Navy Pier, Chicago. June 12. 1941. Married June 18, 1941, to Mary Jane Kuehnle. Dubuque. IA. Joined USS California July 1941. at Pearl Harbor. On board Dec. 7, 1941, The Day of Infamyx Battle station Captains Conn Cradar plotterj. .Abandoned ship to Ford Island, then back on board to assist in removing dead and injured. l 1 Serv ed at Ft. Shafter. seventh interceptor command. as Na'-.al Liaison Officer for seven months. August 1942 if, IQSS Abaef on KAVP 231. small seaplane tender. at Lake Washington Shipyards. Seattle. Left this shipAugust 1945. as executive officer flieutenant commanderl. Three grown children Daniel. John and Susan. Six grandchildren. .Vlarried 50 years June 18. 1991. Retired 'fum EI du Pont Co in 19756. Clinton. IA. I'QI.fLIN I.. KRIEWALIJ, I-.M 3C l.'SN'R. horn March 9 2924 in Carrington.N1J .Ioinerl Navy May 24. 1943. 'i li zarnp at Iarragut 111 Company 350- lfllflll , '.. 1 ,ft -t'i..'ur- lilmrygrrltifg, f,1 ryr,r,t gdmp ht, AA. f1,s1j,Hefl to lllc f nliffirriffi at Hrernertwn WA llanks held As. S2r... I'2t.. l-lc. lfni it: llc xyas honorably discharged at IISNB, in llrcniciton on lylaicli 24. 1946. Receiving 11576.55 upon discliatgc Medals he reeeiyed were Asiatic-Pacific Area Canipaign Medal t5l. American Area Campaign Medal. Philippine Lilveration Medal. WWII Victory Medal. He was employed as an electrician in Bremerton Naval Shipyard prior to entering the Navy. He was one of the electricians to hook up shore power to the Calyornia when she arrived from Pearl Harbor, after being raised from the Japanese attack. She was put right into dry dock upon arriving at Bremerton for rebuild to re-enter the war. He entered the Navy, went to Boot Camp and was assigned to the USS California straight out of Boot Camp serving his entire enlistment on her. He made a career as a journeyman wireman, and apple orchards in the state of Washington. He and his wife have six children and seven grandchildren in whom they are very proud. They are retired and spend every winter in Apache Junction, AZ, with several of his old Navy buddies. He has a special memory of the Japanese kamikaze that hit them in the after super structure wiping out the surface look-out station just at sunset. As it was getting dark there was a degree indicator light, with the housing broken away from it and the bulb still burning bright. The captain ordered that light out immediately. Being the electrician the order was directed to, he crawled through the crash sight in the dark and put out the light by breaking the bulb with a wrench he had in his hand. The next morning when it was daylight they found a bomb that hadnlt gone off, with his hand print on it. He figured it must be his, since it was in the same path he had taken to put the light out the night before. RAY KUHLOW, Warrant Office, USN, USS CalU'ornia was born March 15, 1922, in Bridgman. MI. completed basic training at the U.S. Navy Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes. IL, in the winter of 1940. , was., ., X I 4 gg . ,M Vis Reported on board the USS California BB44 in June of 1940. On Dec. 7. 1941. was stationed in the 14 Turret 142. moored in Pearl Harbor. HI. Following the attack he was assigned to a crew that removed the anti-aircraft guns from sunken ships and installed them around Pearl Harbor for the island's anti-aircraft defense. In March of 1942. he was assigned to a salvage crew that participated in the salvage of the battleships California and West Virginia and returned them to Bremerton. WA. Navy Yard for repair. In 1943. he went to Washington. D.C. to the Gunnery School and then returned to the USS California when she was recommissioned and returned at active duty. They then traveled to the Marshall Islands. Saipan. Tinian. and Guam. Then on to the Philippines Theater of Operations. Late in 1944. he returned to the Advanced Gunnery School. Washington. D.C.. after which he was assigned to the repair ship USS Coa.s'rz'i'.v HarliorAG74. They went out to Okinawa at the time WWII ended and they went into Saseho. Japan. with the Occupation Force and remained there until August 1946. He then returned to the llnited States and was assigned to a destroyer. the USS Tlioniiis IL. I'iI'll.l'l'Il DM24. in Charleston In 1948 and 1949. he was assigned to the Great Lakes Training Center, training recruits. In September 1949, he was transferred to the first Navy Guided Missile Unit established at John Hopkins, Silver Springs. MD lGuided Missile Unit H21 1. From there the unit was sent to the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake. CA. and on to the USS Norton Sound AVM-1. In 1950. he was promoted to warrant officer and served on the USS Mi.s'.i'i.s'.s'ippi EA6-128. the USS Canberra CAG- 2, and at the Naval Weapons Station, Las Vegas. NV. He retired from the Naval Service as chief warrant officer W-3, in October 1960. He has since been employed in the aerospace industry until 1985. He married his wife Helen in February 1943. and they now reside in Reseda. CA. They have two children and four grandchildren, EMIL KUPCBIK, United States Navy, Motor Machinist Mate, Third Class, SV6, was born in Cleveland, OH. on Aug. 17, 1924. He entered into active service on Wh- t July 14, 1943. and served aboard the USS California NTS Newport, RI, and the USS Oklahoma City. During his service with the U.S. Navy he received the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with three stars. the Victory Medal and the American Area Medal. Emil received his Honorable Discharge on March 13, 1946. He married Veronicalucha on March 13. 1948. and had three daughters. Marcia Wodzisz Karen Caiazza and Donna Kupchik. Unfortunately, Emil died of lung cancer on Feb. 7. 1991. leaving his wife, daughters and two grandsons. Brian and Dennis Wodzisz. VICTOR KUZMIC, Fireman lst Class. born South Bend, IN. Dec. 1. 1925. Enlisted Oct. 6. 1944. Navy. M Division. Service included NTC Great Lakes. IL. USS California BB44. USS Cascade ADI6. USS AlcorAD34. ,If I Memorable experiences include Okinawa. 1945. AwardslMedals: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star. WWII Victory Medal. American Area Campaign Medal. Discharged June 11. 1946. Married and has one son. two daughters and one grandson. Retired. I GERARD DICK LAFFARGUE, FC 3lc, born Groton, CT. May 30. 1926, Enlisted June 6. 1944. USN. Stations included: Naval Training Station. Sampson.

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Circum-navigated the Globe. Accepted tnember Ancient Order ol' the Deep, Sacred Order of the Golden Dragon. Eamed six battle stars and Presidential Unit Citation. Participated in last sea battle between surface ships in which the Caliornia sank Japanese battle ship in direct exchange of fire at Surigao Strait in Philippines. California covered landings of first troops landing on Japan at WWII end. Was mile off shore Leyte Gulf day MacArthur landed. Was asleep last bunk forward main deck when Tennessee rammed Calnfornia, killing several men 5th Division directly below. Was at battle station 01 deck when hit by Japanese plane, also hit by shell fire at Saipan. Discharged Dec. 13, 1945, Norman, OK. Married Elizabeth J. Orange Feb. 19, 1945, three children and seven grandchildren. Retired Wichita, KS, Fire Department, Captain, living in Andover, KS. ALONZO W. KIRBY, USNR, born Jan. 29, 1923, joined the Navy February of 1943. Trained at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. They sent him to Poinloma, CA, for five weeks of radar operator. That was after being assigned to the Calnfornia. They saw action in Marianas, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. They headed for Okinawa when the Tennessee rammed them one night during a storm. There was a floating dry-dock there that could handle them so they Went to the New Hebrides for a patch job. Espiritu Santo from there they went to Okinawa and the Philippines. A suicide plane hit them in super structure, after that sent them back to Bremerton, WA, for a 25 day leave. In the Great Sea Battle in Leyte Gulf the old Prune Barge Sent one Japanese battleship to the bottom solo and helped sink other ships of the Japanese Fleet. He was BM2!c when he left the Navy. He had three brothers in, Alan - Army, Paul - Navy, and Noble - Army. He has eight Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. He is now a retired builder. He left the Navy January 1946. ROBERT C. KLAG, ENC, USN, born April 11, 1918, New York. Enlisted Jan. 28, 1941, U.S. Navy. Was a Merchant Marine prior to his Naval History. Went to sea in 1934. Worked as a fireman and oiler on various ships. Burnt coal on some of them. He enlisted in the Navy in Bellingham, WA, right after Christmas 1940. Went through training in San Diego. To the it California June 1941. Served in the forward - engines room in the W Division. He loved that L , ship, she was his home, He never had a home, she was his life. He saw the Japanese planes over Ford Island he 'just came of the 4 to 8 watch, was at his bunk on the 2nd deck starboard side. He pulled on his pants and shoes and dove for the engine room after the bugle sounded, lle remembers the bombing and torpedoes. lt was awful when .Af you are down below under attack. Went on board .'m1'rllr1,:gff as soon as she arrived from the States. .lun Winters and Jolm De Long went there too. Lett the .Srtrrzlrigrf a year later and put USS Ulf' AT76 in Frisco. Went on her to the invasion of Attu in the Aleutian Islands. Did various salvage work and on and off served as a radar beacon lor planes. After the Aleutian Campaign was finished they went to the invasion of Philippine Islands, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Got transferred to the States and arrived there V.J. Day, did various duty on the East Coast, USS to Maui in Panama then duty in Greenland. Re-enlisted in 1947, and served on USS Kyne as shipkeeper. Went to St. Albans Hospital found he had ulcer and nervous stomach. Retired as engineman lst class. Went and worked in various power plants and as a fireman and later learned stationary engineering. Married and has two daughters. Today he is retired stationary engineer, logging contractor. STANLEY P. KLEIN, USN, joined the Navy Jan. 7, 1941, and was sent to Great Lakes, IL, for eight weeks of training. After finishing Boot Camp. He was shipped to Bremerton, WA, and boarded the California on Sunday, March 30th on his 18th Birthday. Assigned to the 2nd Division. They got to Pearl about the end of April. So the whole summer of 1941, they would go out to sea, maneuvers and gun practice, on the Friday before December 7, coming into Pearl, they reported enemy submarines. He never did know what happened to their report. On Sunday, December 7, he had the 8 to 12 messenger watch on the starboard quarter deck, GQ was sounded. All hands went to their battle station and about 11:30 a.m. the word was passed to abandon ship. When they left the lower handling room of turret 2, they were ankle deep in oil. He stayed attached to the ship, after the refit, they went back out on the Pacific to fight the Japanese, until the war was over. They made a world tour to Capetown, South Africa, and back to the states, and got into Philadelphia on December 1945. Then they mothballed the ship and on July 3, 1946, he was transferred to Key West, FL, on LCI 656, as care taking crew and stand watches, on Sept. 28, he was sent to Jacksonville, FL, for discharge, he stayed at Jacksonville till November 9, for discharge. LYLE A.E. KLEMP, SIC, born July 10, 1925, Richfield, WI. Enlisted June 1943, in Milwaukee, WI, trained at Great Lakes, 28 days, sent to Bremerton, WA, assigned to USS Wichita, later transferred to USS Calnfornia. f One thing that really stands out is the Okinawa Typhoon. Five from 2nd Division went to get supplies at Okinawa. Next thing waves are getting higher, all ships leaving. Lost their barge, water all over island. Lost his shoes, got foot infection run a nail under his big toe. Five days the ship came back to pick them up. They all looked like foreign tramps. AwardsfMedals: Third Fleet China Sea and Japan, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation. Nine Stars: Asiatic-Pacific, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Leyte Operation, Leyte Landings, Battle of Surigao Strait, Lingayen Gulf, Okinawa. Discharged March 30, 1946. Married Estelle. three adopted children, Mary. Robert, Zona, two grandchildren, Tracy, 19, and Johnathan, 2, one more on the way. Retired from Merrill Fire Department 3.1 lfl years. EDDIE A. KLUSMICIER,lISN,G1y1,3rt1t'tass, USS f.'ulifbrr1iri. 5111 Division, born Louisville, KY, Nos. 2-1, 1920. lxnlisted March 12, 1940. l'articipated in battles at Pearl llarhor, Philippines and Asiatic 'l'lteater, hleinorahle 1 fi W . ' Wt' 71. I f . ' A experiences include tropical storms and typrtooris His experience aboard Battleship LBS Crni,rf,rr 1 Bremerton, WA. Puget Sound P-'anal Shtpy ard. He was assigned to 5th Diuision. just in time air supply chipping hammers over the side. They at two men to a scaffold with block and tackle and a ig? line tied around their waists. They had to tie tackle ltrr properly or hang in mid air. and it was a long may down to the bottom of dry-dock. 1941 Pearl Harbor He had last ammunition magazine security w atch 0400 to 0800 Sunday morning, Dec. 19-11. The w atch was secured at breakfast. He went below to w ash up. Oy er the loud speaker he heard that the Japanese were bombing them. Set conditions: Yoke, X-Ray. Zebra. He raced to Casemate 441. his gun station. Looking out to Ford Island Air Force Base. he could see smoke and fire. A plane banked its wings and he saw a big orange circle. They watched bombs hit and explode. When torpedoes hit them they shook and rocked. Explosions were taking place below. Outside their gun station Atl and Turret 22 a hole the width of a water bucket was 10-15ft from them. It had to explode below or he wouldnt be here to w rite this With the ship listing portside they heard Abandon Ship Call. Hejumped over side and swam to Ford Island. Orders came to return to ship and try to save her from capsizing. They kept doubling up lines from ship to key 5 so she would settle on bottom upright. and she did. Transfer to EWA Marine Base to install 5 inch .35 caliber anti-aircraft guns while living in woods and tents. They manned the anti-aircraft guns and trained Marines to take over. He returned to San Francisco on L'SS Henderson. He was assigned mine sweeping duty on YNIS 313 arid 314, with the 7th Fleet. Duty in New Guinea. New Britain. Celebes. Admiralty Islands. and Philippines as escort. patrol, mine sweep. and tow barges. Returned to Ads anced Gunnery School. Washington. D.C. Received hospital discharge on Aug. 9. 1945. Discharged Aug. 9. 19-15. with the rank of gunners mate, lfc. Married. two children. daughter and son. three grandchildren. Today retired. staying around home. JACK R. KNOX. USN. born Jan. 31. 1923. Fulda. MN. Joined the Navy March 26. 1943. and served .is machinist in the engine room. His daughter wrote this biography for her Dad. as he passed away Jan. lo. 1905. He was always proud of having served his country and of being on the USS Ciilirbriizu. ,,,,,as . I v0lhlNlhmmQ He had a journal telling about botnhardtng S.np.iti. Tinian, the mines at ley te Gul1',hattles l1lSLll'lg.l0 Strait. the China Sea and lingay en Gulf. The enemy attacks they surx iyed causing tninry .intl death to friends and shipmates made her ery She ts grateful to her Dad and all of youg xt tthour your lwraxerx and sacrifices life xxouldn't he .ts good .ts it ts Dad belonged to the Ancietit Order ot' the Deep .ind the Sacred Order ot' the Golden Dragon, and steamed 100. 150 ntiles.

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NY, Ft. Lauderdale Fire Control Schoolg AATRA CenPoint. Montara. CAL TAD Cen Shoemaker, CA. He served on the USS California from May 1944, Bremerton, to June 1946, Philadelphia. Battles he participated in include Okinawa. Medals! awards: American Theater Medal: Victory Medalg Asiatic- Pacific Medal with one star. Discharged on June 7, 1946. Married to Janette, he has a daughter. a son, and a step- son. He retired from General Dynamics in 1986, after 24 years. ROBERT D. LAIRD, EM3C, E Division, born Feb. 15, 1925, Yakima, WA. Enlisted Sept. 28, 1943, in Navy in Yakima, WA. Basic training at Farragut, ID, Electrical Service School at Wahpeton, ND. Assigned to USS Calnfornia at sea 1944, for six major Asiatic-Pacific Invasions, Philippine Liberation, Leyte, Luzon, Surigao Strait Sea Battle, sank Fuso Class Battleship, downed seven Japanese Aircraft. Awarded seven battle stars. Awarded Presidential Unit Citation. Discharged May 20, 1946, in Bainbridge, MD. Married 1947, wife Mary Ellen. Lived and worked in Yakima retired now and spend winters in Arizona. Chairman for USS Calnfornia Reunion Association, reunions in Seattle, WA, 1960, Sparks, NV, 1987, and Tucson, AZ, 1995. CHESTER O. CHET LANE, USNR, born Dec. 12, 1925, Blair, OK. A native American, he joined the Navy, Oct. 5, 1943, at the Hoodriver, OR, Navy Recruiting Station. Trained at the Navy Training Center in Farragut, ID. While assigned for a short period at the Utah Clearfield Navy Supply Depot, he met and married Donna Smith. Put aboard a Navy transportg when it reached the New Hebrides Islands, he was assigned to the USS California as a Sllc and later as gunnery striker. Participated in the battles ofGuam, Tinian, Saipan, Leyte, Battle of Surigao Strait, Lingayen Gulf, Okinawa, Yellow River-China Sea, the occupation of Japan. He received the WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, two stars, American Area Campaign Medalg Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal, four stars: Good Conduct Medal with one star and the biggest star of all, Tokyo Bay. He was discharged from the Navy on Jan. 14, 1946, at Bremerton, WA. He then returned to Ogden, UT, to make his home. He has been married for over 50 years, has three children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Retired from U.S. West Telephone Company with 34 years service and the last 25 years in management, he is now working in the field of video photography. This Navy veteran is very proud to have served and been a part of history of the USS California and would do it again should the occasion arise. DONALD F. LANG, CSKtPA1, USN, born Des Moine, IA, Jan. 19, 1920, enlisted May 4, 1938, discharged Sept. ll, 1945. From NTS Great Lakes assigned to USS California, Bremerton, WA. .Joined 1 I . N---s-.........s,-... '-at A l 1 I Q Z .ai V M., .v V . f2f' Supply Department, made all rates SK3!c to chief petty officer on this ship. December 7th, reading newspaper in commissary office when GQ sounded. Assumed it was mock attack, until torpedoes hit. GQ station was ammunition hoist on 3rd Deck which flooded with fuel oil in short time. Injured in bomb blast amidships. Abandoned ship to Ford Island with injured left leg. Hospital stay was two months. Assigned to salvage personal belongings from enlisted men's lockers as the ship was being raised. Returned with USS Caljornia to Bremerton Navy Yard, August 1942, promoted to chief petty officer shortly thereafter, transferred to seaplane tender USS Unimak. Reported for shore duty in Bremerton, WA, the day the war was over. Discharged Sept. 11, 1945. Member of the Pearl Harbor Survivor's Association. Retired from Federal Service January 1972. Now reside, Battle Creek, MI. JACK W. LANGFORD, EM1!c, Division E, USS CalU'ornia, born Aug. 31, 1919, Asheville, NC. Enlisted U.S. Navy, Sept. 23, 1940. Trained Norfolk, VA. After training went to Bremerton. WA, assigned to USS Caljornia. Stayed on the Caljornia until Pearl Harbor. He was trapped below deck until rescued later that day. Was listed missing in action for a time. Later assigned to USS Portland, which participated in many Pacific battles. In 1943, was assigned to Naval Mine Warfare School, Yorktown, VA, and made Plankowner of USS instill AM252, and saw duty clearing Atlantic channels until ship was put out of commission. Was discharged November 1946. Retired steamfitter, now living in Orlando, FL. Married to former Gertrude Bladen and has five children and four grandchildren. LYAL LAUTH JR. USN, was born March 31, 1924, in Pontiac, IL. Was inducted into the Navy, Dec. 27, 1941. Served boot camp at the Great Lakes Training Station. In March 1942, he was assigned to the USS Calnfornia. He was discharged from Philadelphia, PA, on March 31, 1947. , ,Hx L' U za ff While serving on the California, he was in the 4th Division. His battle station was on the center gun turret 34, he was the gun captain. They loaded and fired this gun 320 times. In February of 1945, he was transferred to the boatswain locker. Two months later he was promoted to BM lst class and was put in charge of the boatswain locker. He was married on November 7, 1943, in Port Orchard, WA. They have three children, two boys and one girl and six grandchildren. Today they are semi retired from a heating and air conditioning business. ,JOSEPH R. LAVENZ, USN IISNRV6, born in Waterloo, IA, June 14, 1916, joined Navy, Feb, 9, 1937, to learn a trade. Boot Camp in San Diego, CA. Boarded BB-14 in June. Started in 5th Division active on whale boat and cutter crews. BB-14 came in second in 1938 and lst place in 1939. Volunteered again June 24. 19-1-1. lsoot Camp in Farragut, ID, and six months as camp electrician, then to Sainar, Philippines, ASD3 149, via Sltoetnaker. t '.-X. Till end ot' war. llischarged Nov. I, 19-15, on point st stem ffl Married Mabel Murray of Waterloo IA. Sept. 7 E939 They had three children, Mabel passed away June Q7 1986. Between hitches Joe worked as matntenarm electrician, also on construction. post mar he worked at John Deere, on maintenance and construction. Zn' construction on a steel mill, hired to mill iz, hen complete, as maintenance man, and retired from it in 1982. 1 years. During each hitch passed exam for EN12i'e out ta to get the rate because was discharged before rate wa effect. Moved back to birthplace in 1983. and enjogir relatives, woodworking. etc. Discharged Jan. 28, 1941. His wife died June 17, 1986. have three children. CHARLES A. LAW, Fireman llc. CSN. bom Sayre. OK,Apri1 14, 1925. Enlisted July 13. 1942. IQSN Pi 3. E Division, San Diego. CA. Training Boot Camp. Serred on USS CalU'ornia, Sept, 15. 19-12-Nov. 2. 194-1: CSS Oklahoma City, CL91.Dec. 22. 1944-April 19. 19-16. I . , ,H ,W iz! Awards!Medals: WWII Victory Medal. American Area Occupation of Japan. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with six stars. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. Memorable experiences include being the youngest man aboard in 1942. and his best friend was James E. Stieman B Division. Discharged April 19. 19-16. with the rank of tireman llc. Worked 27 years for Douglas Aircraft. Nlarried .t wonderful woman. June. Had an operation Nov 4. 1993. was left paralyzed from waist down. VICTOR H. LUCKY LEFFLER. Seaman. Ind Class, born June 27. 191-1,Mil1field.OH. Enlisted Feb 12. 1941. BMCXI. 3rd Division. Participated in battle of Pearl Harbor. Memorable experiences include Pearl llarbot. staying at his gun station xx hile the ship was sinking llc couldn't get out and couldn't fire the guns. Awart1s!Medals3 Pearl llarbor Xledal Discharged in 19-lo. xx ith the rank of ho.itstn.tte lst class. lNlarried Barbara Putn,nn 19-11. hate three etnltiren and three grantlchildren. Retired. 1 wwjw - , ,,,, iltl ,ll'5.x.lil'.l'lNl'.,5li1'k.120lllNl0llllx',ll.NOX