California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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born Dayton, OH. Feb. 26. 1925. Enlisted May 19, 1943 - Feb. 17. 1946, U.S. Navy, M Division. Battles participated in include Saipan. Guam, Tinian, Philippines, Leyte and the Battle of Surigao Strait and Okinawa. Memorable experiences: le was in sickbay when sister ship Tennessee steering went out and she rammed them, I saw her bow come through and I got out of there fast. Discharged Feb. 17, 1946. Married Betty J. McNinch had two sons Donald A. and Jeffrey L., each had two daughters went back to GM, became a model maker and a tool and die maker. Retired with 34 years service. WILLIAM E. MULLANE, was born April 17, 1925, Brooklyn, NY. Served from April 6, 1943-April 6, 1946. Went to boot camp at Great Lakes, IL and Electrical School at Great Lakes, IL. Assigned to the USS Calgfornia from October 1943-April 1946. ' .what He was discharged at Lido Beach, Long Island, NY and served in the Reserves from May 16, 1947-May 1, 1952. Worked as an electrician for Western Electric in New York City. Was lab technician for Induction Heating Corp., Brooklyn, NY and lab director for Taylor Winfield Corp., Warren, OH. He retired May 1, 1990. Married Adelaide T. Petrik on June 4, 19523 they have three children: William, James and Daniel. GEORGE SAMUEL MURRAY, born in Oakland, CA, on April 19, 1917. Went to the public schools in Long Beach, CA, and on into the U.S. Marine Corps, on July 24, 1934, after finishing Boot Camp in San Diego, it was on to what at that time was known as the Destroyer Base, where row after row of old four stack destroyers were berthed. On Marine Corps Birthday, Nov. 10, 1934, was assigned to USS Calyfornia BB44. Two years later, back to San Diego and the FMF, on to China with the 6th Marines and upon re-enlistment, guess what, it was back to sea and again coming home to the Prune Barge. Two more years and a lot of water under the keel, found him on Recruiting Duty in Long Beach. Promoted to lst Sgt. and a short stay at the ammo depot in Hawthorne, NV, led to one of the most memorable tours of duty a person can have, was assigned to the Staff of Admiral Nimitz and an assignment as the Fleet Sergeant Major and duties in the War Plans Section. Next stop along the way was the Okinawa Operation and from too many different posts and stations to relate. He was fortunate enough to be commissioned in 1952, and was placed on the Retired List Aug. 1, 1964, with the rank of captain. He was married in May 1941, and during the next 44 years was blessed with three great daughters and seven grandchildren. After the death of his wife in November 1985, he became very active in Masonic activities and some three years later was married to a great lady, Jeannette, and the two ol' them have served as matron and patron of their Eastern Star Chapter. LOUIS H. MURRAY, BM 2nd Class, born Oct. 10. 1897. Enlisted Cass Lake, MN, Navy 2nd Division, Long Beach, CA, 1932-37. Enlisted Feb. 27, 1919 and was discharged in 1949. ROBERT E. MURRAY, GM 3fc, USNR, born Sept. 9, 1925, at Chicago, IL. Entered the Navy June 3, 1943, at Great Lakes, IL. Shipped to Bremerton, WA, and assigned to the USS Culyfornia Ts 9th Division tstarboard 40MM anti- aircraft batteryj. , a 1 Z Z7 ff , 1 aka . . ,f . . f 4 f . f . Mg .1 Z w. aa. X . ,WZ ,,,,,.,,.. ,, . .. f 2' nf Wartime service includes all battles BB44, participated in following its return to the fleet in 1944. His ribbons and battlestars reflect that time period. Discharged at Great Lakes on Feb. 19, 1946, he retumed to Chicago found employment with Illinois Bell Telephone Company and married his wife Janet. Together they raised eight children and presently have 19 grandchildren. After 39 years employment at the phone company, Bob retired in 1984. He and Janet like to Elderhostel, go birding and attend legitimate theater. ,JIM V. NAPOLITANO, bom Chicago, IL, July 22, 1925. Enlisted in the Navy sometime in 1943. Discharged in either 1945 or 1946. He and his wife Beverly have a son Jim and a daughter Cindy. Their son has two children, Stewart and Krista. Napolitano died Oct. 20, 1987. FRANK E. NEAL, CDR, Ret., born Nanson, Elk County, PA, April 9, 1910. Enlisted U.S. Navy March 6, 1932, at Pittsburgh, PA, classification: GM, Division 5. He saw action at Pearl Harbor, Pelileu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Took a shrapnel wound in the arm while serving on the Calnfornia at Pearl Harbor, transferred to Johnson Island naval air station, and later Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, and Terminal Island, CA, before being transferred to the USS Idaho in 1944. W. ,.. I ' J f ..,. 2 V i 3... X If . . 41. He served on the USS Idaho until he helped decommission her at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He retired 1962. The members of his immediate family are deceased. Today he engages in both vegetable and flower gardening. EARL E. NEHL, CWO4, A-S Division. USN tRet.J. born June 29, 1916, at Watauga, SD. Joined the service Nov. 15, 1938. Went through NTC, Great Lakes. IL. upon leaving NTC, in February 1939, transfened to RIS Nobnor, VA. Reported aboard the USS California BB44 at Norfolk, VA, was aboard the battleship until the summer of 1941. while at Bremerton, WA, was transferrecl to USS Spirit AKI6 as a SK 2!c, then February 1943. was appointed warrant pay clerk and transterred to the USS l 21rmir1AGP- 5, a MTB tender as their disbursing otl'icet'. The lflirinm was at Eniirau in the Southwest Pacific area going to Hollandia, New Guinea coast, Wakde Island. Bink lsland, Green Island. Rendova, Bougainville, Mios Woendi, Morotai, in the l-laltnaheras on to Sainar and lseyte Gull in the Philippines. and ended the war at Balikpapan. Borneo. By this time was appointed commissioned it arrant olfieer. Returned to the USA in March 1946, lelt the regular Navy andtransferretltoSSOD-1.141 sltips supply oltieet dit iston then Lll's.DIJI'illI2gI1llIf,Cl' ul a 309 lighter'-.ti'iaflF':r1 ff' Point. Seattle Retired lane 29 1176 trwnf 'ne Service. , . . 'ft W f f Awardsflvledalsz American Defense Ser-.ice N1 with one star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one six Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals with six stare. V'!'ff Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medals with one star Married Jane Nehl. and have children Tim Marty, Roy and Nancy. ROBERT NEHL, joined the Navy in 1936 and ser. tl on board from 1937 until early 1941. when h' 'ff transferred to the USS Ariole. In the late 1930s, three brothers from the community ofWatauga, SD, served onboard the USS Ca!U'0rnia. John Nehl joined the Navy in January 1938.After I boot camp, he joined his 41,41 brother Robert on the USS Calqfornia. He was on board when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. When the CLIZJOFHIU was sunk, he was picked up by the USS Tangier as it got underway during the attack. Earl Nehl joined the Navy in November 1938. and after boot campjoined Robert and John in February 1939. He was transferred to the USS Spica in late 19-ll when :he Calgfornia was in the Bremerton Navy Yard. Robert still resides in Watauga. John passed away f August 1987, and Earl lives in Edmonds. WA. ERNEST J. NELSON. born Prince Albert. Canada. Sept. 22, 1920. Joined Navy Oct. 12. 1937. Boot Camp NTS Great Lakes. IL. ,.,1.,,..-----I-' Reported aboard USS Culirkvrniti February 1938. ADRaft of one Bro. aboard. assigned lst Division. Was on boxing squad and lst Division pulling xvhale boat. Did .1 wee bit in helping to win their lron Man for the ship in sports in 1939. He has a medal for it. Was seantan lfc. Dee. 7. 19-ll. sea duty station heltnsntan. Cleaning station coxswain No. 1. motor launch. gunnery station gun captain right gun turret No. 1 Was comtnended for Meritorious Service Dee. 7. 19-11. Was rated coxswain for it. Was trattsteiretl to ISS llifsl lirgiriiti BB48. after training soldiers to take over 5 inch .25 AA guns. Battles: Pearl llarbor. Leyte Gulf. l ingayett Gull Surigao Strait. lit o Jima, Okinaxx .t. blade ehiet' bos'ns lltdlt' 19-1-1. Retired after 10 years in 1957. Nou' living in Stockton. U.-X. -Xettxe in Pearl llarbor. Sur. Mother l ode tltapter In l'SS t'.z.'.'t.v'-:..: BB-14 Reunions. ROBERT A. NELSON, born Sept. Stl. 1920 liutisieo Sept. ff. 19-ll, Naxy.l'SSt'.1lifQ 'mtiS lloisiou Sei x ire i - , ' '. Y . . . s int ludt d San Diego. luntagut. lieastue lsland. lwreittertoo f f 9 .4 Y j 4 f W

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X111 Bl R lf. NTOLTNF. XMM 311 ISN. born April 9. 193 '. tu St Paul. MN. brit inovcd with his parents to a .irui near t.mnoir1'.ills. in 1918 linlistcd ut thc Navv at Nliimcapolis Xpril 19. l9.iS. vvith rccrttit training at NTS Great 1 alvcs. ll .Iss h ix Reported aboard the CSS Crilifiuvirtr BB-14. Atig. 20. 2935. assigned to the 5th Division. A transfer to the V- Div rsion Av ration. June 26. 1939. including duty at NAS San Pedro. Terminal Island. vs hen ship's aircraft based Lhere. On March 29. 19-10. as a sea llc was accepted for Flrght School. Detached March 20. 19-11. with orders to NAS Pensacola. FL. Graduated as a Naval Aviation Pilot vs ith rating of AMM3,fc NAP. Oct. 27. 1941, receiving his rv ings from Capt. A.C. Read. the first pilot to fly across the Atlantic in 1919. December 26. 1941. reported to VP-21. at Pearl Harbor. February 7. 1942. transferred to NAS Puunene. Maui. T.H. with temporary duty with VJ-3. Rated CAP on Dec. 1. 19-12. and commissioned LTtJGlon May 15, 1943. Subsequent duties: BAMRtED1 Norfolk, NAS Norfolk, YA. YR-3 Patuxent River. MD. VR-8 in Germany with Berlin Air Lift. Completed 117 trips to Berlin. VR-8 Hickam Field. TH.. TCC ComPacDivMats T.H. NAS Pensacola. FL. YP-10 Brunswick. ME, VR-24 Port Lyautey -Kenitrai. Morocco. Decorations: Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star, National Defense Service Medal. American Campaign Medal, Navy Occupation Medal with Air Lift Device. American Defense Service Medal. Medal for Humane Action, WWII Victory Medal. Retired as lieutenant commander June 1, 1958, after 20 years service. Qualified in 26 different military aircraft us ith total of 7705 flight hours. ARTHUR B. NIONTAGNE, born Oct. 19, 1920, enlisted in the Navy on Sept. 8. 1939. He attended recruit :raining at Great Lakes and completed radio school at San Diego. He reported aboard the USS Calnfornia for duty in the radio division in February 1940. As a proud veteran of the battleship Navy. he can list several of the many memories he has of his time on the Prune Barge. 1 As a seaman. he experienced the pride and fatigue of pzhrczpatrng in the pulling-whaleboat races down battleship rf 1. while the battleships swung at anchor in Long Beach Harbor He recalls as a RM3C standing radio watch on the fag bridge he could look down and watch the ship's bow 2.7. 'leep inte the waves and scoop water across 1116 1100148 ,fire steaming through a Pacific storm. lt was then that 'r.xCf1r'iff,rnra could with minimum roll and strong pitch 'lf. .'iV.'s11'Z1C her massive strength as she plowed through ff TCE 7 F6812 Later. as a RV12f' on the flag bridge on Dec 7. 1941. iagri compare this seaworihy strength ol the ffrzliforrim ter iarnentable heaving and shudrlering when sbt WHS 'f ,gy ,, .fr t mi torpedoes and a bomb when attacked while f flf -,ngfjry ir, 5 fvriraretrf pier at Pearl Harbor. lie rigr his feeling of frustration and sense ol rage as ,,1,',rg5 their f,ouririefl and dying shipiriates oil the l'rurrf- liarpe wrtriout haxrriu any rrfa1opp'tV1U't1'Y to use their superb training to employ their ship and repel the ciiciuy attack ln lfcltrtiary 1942. hc was transferred from thc Pacific lflccl lleadquartcrs at the Submarine Base. Pearl Harbor, to thc USS Neil' illvtrro where as a RMIC. he served on the communication staff of Commander Task Force One in thc Central and South Pacific Theater of Operations. ln May 1943. he vt as transferred to thc Navy V-12!NROTC Officers Training Program. Upon completion of the NROTC Program at the University of New Mexico in June 1945. hc was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. ln May 1946. he was integrated from the Reserve to the Regular U.S. Marine Corps. ln 1950-51. he served ll months with the First Marine Division in combat in Korea. As a platoon leader with a Marine Infantry Battalion, he earned four battle stars, the Presidential Unit Citation and in June 1951, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V for action against the North Koreans. He served at various Marine Corps posts and stations until he retired as Major. U.S. Marine Corps on Oct. 1. 1959. He spent the next 25 years engaged as a civil engineer in construction management. He retired in 1985, after serving for seven years as construction director on a large construction project in Saudi Arabia. JOHN K. MONTGOMERY, Sllc, bom Baltimore, MD. Aug. 20, 1925. Enlisted Oct. 9, 1943, USNR, 3rd Division CGun Crewl. Service included Great Lakes, ILg Camp Green Bay, Bremerton Navy Yard, WAQ battles: Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Leyte Gulf, Surigao Strait, Kossol Passage. Memorable experiences included crossing ofEquator in Pacific, Indiana and Atlantic Oceans. Awards!Meda1s: Good Conduct Medal with one star. Pacific Theater, Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Discharged Dec. 17, 1945, with the rank of GM 3!c. Married March 22. 1945, two daughters. Sharon and Constance. Retired, living in Baltimore, MD. THOMAS K. MOORE, Seaman Radioman. born Wapanucka, OK, May 30, 1921. Enlisted January 1941. sent to San Diego for recruit training and radio school in August 1941 sent to serve aboard USS Calihirnia assigned to CR Division on Dec. 7. 1941. Had just completed 12-8 watch in Radio 1. was getting ready for breakfast when first torpedo hit them and shortly thereafter general quarters were sounded. went to his battle station on the bridge. Oklalmma was already capsized, all their transmitting equipment was out. all they had was intercom. not much they could do except watch, saw the USS Nevada bombed as she passed on Port Berv. the only battleship to get underway and was sunk nearby, but tug got her out of main channel before she sank. Swain to Ford Island after abandon ship was sounded, assigned to submarine base and Makalapa Radio Station. for sometime later was assigned to USS New Mexico in ComBatFor flag allowance. ff ,, 'WT f M 17 One interesting event was that he had just recently been assigned to the topside radio station, before that was at general quarter station on third deck below in transmitter room where all hands were lost. He was assigned to t'omBatFor llag allowance and served aboard seven other battleships as part of ComBatPac, flag allowance serving in all island campaigns up to occupation of lwo Jima, had shore duty from August 1945, till discharged in 1947 at the end of six year hitch. AwardsfMeda1s: WWII Victory Medal, American Medal. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Pearl Harbor Commendation Medal. American Defense Service Medal with one star. four bronze stars. Good Conduct Medal. Discharged January 1947, with the rank of RM2!c. Married Pearl Copen 1945, one son. one granddaughter, two great-grandchildren. Retired construction worker. WILLIAM E. MORGAN, USN, was born on Aug. 28, 1917, in Lampasas, TX. Hejoined the Navy on Sept. 4, 1940, in Austin, TX. He trained at the San Diego Naval Training Center and was then assigned to the USS Caljornia in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While on the USS Calnfornia, he served in the Gunnery Department Division 4, as a seaman and retired as a chief boatswains mate. He earned the following medals while serving his country: WWII Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic Area Campaign Medal and Good Conduct Medal with three stars. gfngwff I f 5 , . In 1952, he married Sallie Gillespie. They have five children. Jack, Skipper, Chad and twins. Judith and Zaundra. They have six grandchildren. He is currently residing in Seguin. TX. with his wife. THOMAS REDMOND MORRIS. Gunners Mate 3rd Class, born Hope. MD. Dec. 31. 1921. Enlisted September 1940. U.S. Navy. GM3rd Class. gun captain of 3 inch anti-aircraft gun. Service includes Norfolk Training Station and Pearl Harbor Dec. 7. 1941. W :W 3 f , , f G 'f 7 Memorable experiences were on USS Calnfornia that moming. December 7. wounded. carried to hospital by truck. Awards!Medals: WWII Victory Medal, Pacific Theater Medal with one star. and Purple Heart. Discharged June 1942. Married Sarah Luella Stufft, one daughter Helen Patricia Morris. Retired. THEODORE LOWELL MOX, Fireman lst Class, 11,4 499' 91

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Nl.ni.ui.ts. .l.tp.mcsc Naval Battle. lvvo .lima. Olvtuavva. Vliiltppines Memorable experiences include working in tiisbursnig office and serv ed as division petty officer of supply during 1944-45. The most liairovving experience vi as battle of Lingay en Gulf. Awards Medals: Good Conduct Medal. WWII X tctory Medal with tvs o stars. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. Arnericaii Theater. Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Discharged March 6. 1946. with the rank ofSKD lfc. Married Jan and have three children and six grandchildren. Retired. KARL J. NIELSON. served aboard the USS Calpfornia from 1943 until 19-16. In 1943. he thought the war would be over and lost if he were not in it. School wasn't going 1 iff 3 'fm gf - , '1 ff Z 6 if , -F3 , X Z ll. 1 Z - Z vs ell and he was a pain in his mother's side. Besides the va ar might be over if he didn't convince his mother to sign the induction papers. There was only one problem, he was only 15 years of age. He guess she thought that the war would be lost and after asking 100 times she signed the papers and he became two years older automatically and being now 17 could help save his country. He went to boot camp in San Diego. CA. and after boot camp was sent to Bremerton. WA. and then assigned to the USS Calyfornia. He was first assigned to the lst Division and his battle station was in Turret One. He asked to be assigned to S Div ision as a storekeeper and this happened in 1944. For a time he had the ships store and waited upon you for all of the good things which made cruising on the prune barge tolerable. He did get to see a lot of wanting faces. After they docked in Philadelphia he was discharged in Bainbridge. MD. and retumed to his home in Arizona. He vt ent back to school and opened a body shop in Phoenix. AZ. He met his wife Georgia and after making this perfect choice for the past 47 years and with seven children, four boys and three girls not to mention 16 grandchildren, am spending his later years in the same town and state that he was born in. Mesa. AZ. .IOHN A. NIQNN, USN, born Dec. 30. 1904. in Winthrop. AR. joined Navy Oct. 29, 1924. Boot camp at San Diego. CA. Assigned to USS Annoslnok and USS ffm, .fm Ufgffgflj serxirig in M Division on USS Clllfffllfflllfl iff f .mfg 26 1931. tower 15. 1939 Attained rank ol chief wi f,ffif,f-gr 2 in 1944 lfecwfefl flood ffonduct Medal .uid liars tot 'Xtnerican Defense C Jccupatton Service Medal. VYVVII. National Dclcnse Service Medal. Korean Service. liuropcan .Nntcrican Middle liast Campaign. Asiatic-Pacific l'anipaigu Medal and American Campaign. Retired Dee. l. 1954. while onboard USS lf.s.w.t'. Employed in Engineering Department of Everett. WA. General Hospital for 15 years. Married Violet Cutter. had three children. ll grandchildren and four great-grandchildren at the time of his death on May 13. 1989. CORNELIUS J. O'DONNELL. Neil born Feb. 26. 1921. Milwaukee. Enlisted April 13. 1938. Great Lakes. reported aboard USS California BB44, Aug. 8. 1938. and was assigned to lst Division nortnal duties. deck force, boat crew and gun crew. was aboard the Calqfornia Dec. 7. 1941. in Pearl Harbor. in the duty status as master at arms BM3. and in repair party three. December 13. 1941. was transferred to USS 1!MS 102 and remained in West PAC for 2 years and nine months, before retuming to USA for 30 days leave. Then back to Leyte, Philippine, for all of WWII. then two years short duty TI cal. Then USS Suisun KA UP53j and all of the Korean War. in West PACK at sea. Retired U.S. Navy, Oct. 1. 1958. with the rank of CWO! W3, then became a master locksmith. that never lets one retire from. WALTER W. OSBORN OZZIE FTC, born Louisvi1le.KY. Oct. 5, 1919. Enlisted Nov. 27, 1937, USN, Seaman F Division. From Great Lakes to the USS Calnfornia to the USS Horner. CPut in Commissionj The South Pacific was only home once, for short time. Listed as missing, was trapped below waterline on USS Calyfornia, for 12 hours at Pearl Harbor. Discharged July 1, 1957. in San Diego. CA. with the rank of chief FTC. When Walter W. Osborn, Chief FTC. retired from the Navy in San Diego. CA, he went to work for the Long Beach Naval Shipyard and worked for them for the next 18 and a half years. He had a total of 38 and a half years of government service. He loved trout fishing in the High Sierras and loved his family. He is missed a lot. Married Jean, Oct. 27. 1941. and have three children and four grandchildren. Deceased March 30, 1989. from cancer at home in Lakewood, CA. MARVIN A. OTTE, Slfc. USNR. born Oct. 17. 1925. He was inducted into the Navy Nov. ll. 1943. He was assigned to USS Calmwrnia Oct. 25. 1944. Arrived Oct. 17, 1944. for the Invasion of Leyte and the Battle of Surigao Strait Oct. 25. 1944. Military locations and stations: Farragut. ID: Clearfield. UT: Shoemaker. CA: Treasure Island: New Caledoniag New Hebrides: USS Culihnrnin Oct. 25. 1944. Battles participated int Battle ofSurigao Strait. Sept. lo. 1944: June 17. 1945. Okinawa: Invasion of Leyte Philippines Oct. 17. 1944-Jan. 6. 1945: arrived Lingayen Gulf Invasion of Luzon at Leyte. His most memorable experience was when a kamikale crashed off their star-board how at Leyte. The pilot's chute opened as he was blown up in the air: all he could see in the chute harness was his riddled torso. He settled in the water and went under immediately from the wake of the ship. Another experience was when a kamikaze hit sky-aft on the arrival at Lingayen Gulf for the invasion of Luzon. Awardlmedals received: Victory Medal: American Campaign. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with three Bronze Stars: and Philippine Liberation with two stars. He was discharged April 19. 1946. with the rate of Slfc. He married his wife. Leona. on Nov. 4. 1946. They have four children: Gary. Janis. Richard. Lori and 12 grandchildren. GERALD E. OXFORD, born Feb. 22. 1926. at Blytheville. AR. Graduated from high school May 1944. and entered boot camp September 1944. Went aboard ship April 1945. radio operator striker. War time action at Okinawa. Circumnavigated the globe. leaving the states from Puget Sound Navy Yard and docking stateside after war, at Philadelphia, PA, Navy Yard. Discharged June 21. 1946, at Millington. TN. Manied June 7. 1947. to Margaret Rose Buttrey. Have son. daughter and one granddaughter. First attended Indiana State University at age 31 as freshman. Attended four years continuously while working full time at U.S. Post Office. Transferred to a better position with the Veterans Administration Regional Office in Indianapolis. IN. August 1961. Completed 35 plus years in Civil Service with last 19 years as Disability Rating Specialist. GS-12. Retired March 3. 1989. Events tmemorable to himb associated with the Prune Barge. First Sunday moming off Okinawa. attended church service on quarter-deck and watched U.S. planes dive and bomb a part of the island. One of 300 plus lowly pollywogs initiated as they crossed the equator in the Indian Ocean. The honor of serving as one of the national directors and as the national chaplain. since 1984. of their USS California Reunion Association. MIKE PALCHEFSKY, MUS2!c tEquiva1ent to SEA2! cl. Youngstown. OH. Sept. 29. 1922. Enlisted Oct. 2. 1940. Graduated U.S. Navy School of Music. member of Band 16. Band 16 reported aboard USS Calyornia June 1941. Division N. g ld- QAM - it On Dec. 7. 1941. the ship's band was on the quarter- deck to play the National Anthem for morning colors. Hearing the din of aircraft engines. he looked up at the clouds and saw the war begin as the hrst Japanese dive bombers broke through the clouds and dropped bombs exploding on Ford Island. The USS Califbmia was torpedoed and bombed. It sank. settling upright on the bottom. Quotes from Califomia Cub 1991. Volumes 03 and 04: 93