California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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Volume 03 Quote: Following front Eagle Against Sun: The code breaking unit was so shorthanded it was re-enforced by musicians from the band off the crippled battleship USS Cnlyornia. They proved to be such able and natural cryptanalysts that Naval Intelligence began to pay special attention to recruiting more musicians. I understand the crew of the band from USS Calyornia broke the Japanese Code at Pearl Harbor. Can any of 1941 band members verify this? Would like to hear front you. Volume 04 Quote: Letter from a member in regards to write-up in last edition newsletter. LCDR L.B. Luckenbach former bandmaster of USS Calyornia Band in 1941. Am writing in regards to an article in Calmirnia Cub tlast editionl. This is in regards to battleship Calnfornia band. Article stated it was from Eagle Against the Sun. Am not acquainted with that paper. I know more about the Calnfornia band than anyone. I was bandmaster of band until they were sunk at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. Even after that, they remained with me for several years. December 7, 1941, they were all transferred to 14th Nav Dist. Combat Intelligence? As to the article, Every Word is true. But he has not confirmed this information until now. After 50 years have passed, he believes it is permissible to discuss this. They were given a special citation with an award medal from the commander-in-chief of Pacific Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz. The medal was supposedly put in their records along with the Citation, but have seen neither since it was announced on their bulletin board shortly after the Battle of Midway. For security reasons they were not allowed to discuss it, a senior oversight in the Csicj the code breaking was a group effort in an extremely difficult Code 8a Cypher. Each was a volume of 100,000 5-di git groups, that changed and all had to be recovered again. Thank God enough were recovered to prepare for the Battle of Midway. Our Senior officer achieved the rank of captain. Our boss was Joe Rochefort, the chief cryptanalyst was Tommy Dyer and Jack Holtwick, Ham Wright and their Senior tsicj Cprovided: officer Willis Thomasj. All are dead now, but they were fine and capable men. LCDR L.K. Luckenbach, former bandmaster USS Calyfornia 1941, Hemet, CA, End of Quotes. Stations: Pearl Harbor, Washington, D.C., Japan, Arlington, VA, Germany, USS Northampton, England, Ft. Meade, MD. Awards: American Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Testimonial, WWII Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal. Discharged July 15, 1960, rank achieved: CWO-2. Married to Mary Louise Polly Elder, have son Kirk and daughter Ann. Retired from all employment and enjoy personal computer operations, music appreciation, and on occasion playing the trumpet. J.D. PALMER, born Feb. 12, 1922. Enlisted in service June 17, 1942. Trained in Navy Training Station San Diego, CA. He went aboard the USS Calnfornia in December 1942, at Bremerton, WA. After reconditioning, off to the Pacific in support of landing troops at Saipan, Guam and Tinian. f L Collision of USS Tennessee and USS Calnfornia on Aug. 22, 1944, Stamo Stamos and he were in starboard forward washroom. Suddenly there was an awful crash and all went pitch dark. They could hear the sound of water coming in. Stamo said, Palmer, we've got to get out of here. They were fortunate to reach safety through what was left of passage way to main deck. The port washroom was completely destroyed along with about 75ft. of four deck. On to New Hebrides, repairs, then Philippines, Leyte Gulf, battle ofSurigao Strait, then Luzon tlsingayen Gulfj. kamikaze plane crashed into Sky Alt, while he was on quad 9, steel fragments and gasoline fire resulted many killed, burned and wounded. After repairs, on to Okinawa, Tokyo, then USA by round-'world-trip to Philadelphia. Arrived Dec. 7, 1945. He now lives in Johnson City. TN. He has two daughters and two grandsons. EARL DANNENBERG PATTON, USNR, boatswainls mate 2nd class, born April 3, 1916, in Stilwell, OK,joined Navy May 28, 1943. Boot camp at San Diego, 'K CA, then Bremerton, WA, assigned to USS Calnfornia, 8th Division. Participated in Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Leyte, Surigao Strait, Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. Awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. tBeing part ofthe crew that sailed BB44 back to her original berth, Fox 3, Pearl Harborl. Discharged Dec. 13, 1945. Married Jessie Flucard, four children tCaroIyn, David, Joseph, Johnj, five grandchildren. Retired linotype operator. JEROME J. PAVLICEK, Sllc, USNR, born April 7, 1925, Chicago, IL. Graduated high school June 1943. Joined Navy July 14, 1943. Had training at Great Lakes, IL. Completed training Aug. 24, 1943. Then shipped to Bremerton, WA, Naval Yard. There assigned to the USS California 7th Division. The California was in for modernization and refitting after Pearl Harbor mishap. Had shake down cruise along West Coast then on to the Pacific. First battles were in Saipan, Tinian, Guam. Then on to Surigao Strait sea battle and the battle of the Philippines. The last battle was Okinawa. Then on to Japan. After the war left Japan for the East Coast of the United States by way of South Africa. The Calnfornia, Tennessee, six destroyers and a fleet tanker were in their task group. Made stops in Singapore, Colombo Ceylon and Capetown, South Africa. Then good old USA. Was discharged March 7, 1946. Awarded WWII Victory Medal, American Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze stars. ' ,, .fi J ,gif . f . , i I S .. fn li S357 ,f ff 4 is 1' f ff, TIT, ' X J ff My f Married Joan Vykruta Aug. 16, 1947. Children. Pamala Todd and Paul Pavlicek. Four grandchildren. Moved to Arizona 1960, and retired from Motorla in 1985. Attend local Arizona USS California reunion also USS Calwirnia Association Reunions. ORVILLE JACKSON PELFREE, L Division, born Bloomington, IN, Feb. 26, 1926. Enlisted May 20. 19-13, I . . , , Navy. Sllc V-6 LSNP serfice included Urea! lata . Diego. Bremerton Navy Yard f,,rfi1.,f.:d the lgduator .fi Pacilic, Indian, and Atlantic Ocean'-. the liiflllt Nl-:ral and has cireurnnavigated the globe Awarflslhfletlal'-,Z WWII Asiatic Pacific farrlpa Medal with lout bronze stars. American 'I heater Pr.iitpgl.rri Liberation Ribbon with two stars. Discharged Dec. 12, 1945. Great Lakes Il. -nit ranks of AS, S2C, SIC Married Lucille, N1arch29. 1947, has three sons l.lf,,f' Lee, Lester Lyle, Larry Lind I-'elfree one daughter Lit Pelfree Milakis, Also seven grandchildren, four girls a three boys. Retired from auto mechanic. drzue pan-2.7.9 for Ace Rent a Car. JACK W. PENHOLLUVV, born Wyornrng Sept 1921. Enlisted Sept. 20. 1939, and sent to boot earrp Chicago, IL. Served aboard LISS Calzhrnia until Septem- r 1941, with his brother. He requested China duty. He had make 3lc signalman before his chief would GK. ir. transfer. While in transit aboard the USS Chalrnon: Japanese declared war and bombed Pearl Harbor. at sef he transferred to the cruiser Pensacola and then tc t Marblehead in the Dutch East Indies. After being bad. damaged in the battle ofthe beach of BalaBala they returned to the Indies. While in dry-dock he was transferred tc ine flagship H.M.S. DeReuter Admiral Doorrnen rieedeg signalmen for communicating with all allied ships. All QT the ships were sunk Feb. 27. 1942. in the battle ofthe Jax a Sea. It involved the cruisers Houston, DeReiiier Jae Perth, Exeter Batavia and 12 destroyers. He was reported missing in action. He was able to get into a lifeboat along with 55 others. The following day the L'.S. Submarine S- 37 rescued him and another American sailor. They needed a signalman. After RSLR time, he was transferred to the S- 37 for duty. He had always wanted submarine duty. He made three more war patrols before leaving Brisbane. Australia. In 1943, the S-37 was to be a training submanne stationed in San Diego, CA. is He married his wonderful wife. Sally. Nov. 27. 19-13. They have three great sons. John. James and Patriclq 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is a retired salesman and lives in Indio. CA. They celebrated their 50th year together with all of their family last month. MURRAY D. PENHOLLOYY. CWO-3. KSN Ret.. born Jan. 14. 1919. in Wayne. NE. Joined the Naxy in April 1938. Went aboard the USS California after training at Great Lakes. remaining on board trntil Dec. 7. 19-ll. ss . NX' -givin . ao At Pearl Harbor he was a Sbllic and superxrsor ot the signal watch. With Prep in the .iir they heard bombs exploding and obserx ed torpedo planes approaching battleship row. filflflfilflllltl receix ed tw o of rhtssi- roms,-,ings She was later hit with one lix e bomb and triachme gun fire When Abandon Ship was ortlered sw am to lord Island. Reported killed in action. Rtxissignetl to the ISS Sm' E no City for some of the first otliensixe action of the war 'l'rans1'err'et1 to the lflcct Marine l-'orce in S.mro.i for about six months very interesting duty Was in Tokyo Bay aboard ISS lfthirlttl X11 lrlo

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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

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during stnreitdet eerenionies. prepared to tow ISS llixxttiui .i YICCCSMIIN Retired 1960 in San ltieptxh tffx XII -XX H. PI'fI'I'IRSUN. Seanian lfitst Class. Dixiszons 1- .intl 1 .tlxoartl ISS t'.:t'1ltu'rii.1 trout :Xing 28. 94-1 to Nlax 2. 1946 nv- He and his txx in sister xx ere borrt in a farm hottie in CJSICITI North Dakota on Oct. 9. 1925. He xvas drafted into the Naxx on Jart. 17. 194-1. at Fort Snelling. MN. He was sent to Farragut. ID. for seven xx eeks of boot camp. went home for I5 dax leave. then to Fire Control School, at San Diego for six weeks. frotn there to Treasure Islartd, CA, for txx o weeks temporary duty. On July 1. 1944, boarded a troop ship to New Hebrides. At New Hebrides from July 17. to .-Xug. 28. 1944. On Aug. 28. 1944. was assigned to the F Division on the LSS Ctzlirbriiia until attending a three day Radar- Counter Measure School at Hawaii then assigned to the I Dix ision. served aboard the Calnfbnzia for about 20 months. His most memorable experience probably was being a talker for the gunnery officer. Commander Mandelkom during the sea battle at Lingayen Gulf. On May 2, 1946, left the Ctriitimiirz at Philadelphia for Minneapolis to be discharged. Lpon discharge. he attended Concordia College at Moorehead. MN. graduated in 1950, taught rural schools in eastern Montana for 10 years and then taught small town schools in North Dakota. for 26 years. He retired in 1987. He was married to Beverly Gullingsrud in 1963. They are now living at Mandan. ND. ALFRED C.,I. PETRALIA, ENS. bom Sept. 2. 1923, Law renee. MA. Enlisted Dec. 8. 1942. USNR, line officer, I 1 th Division. Service included Asbury Park Pre- Midshipman School. Northwestern Mil'n School, Miami Sub-chaser. USS Calgfomia. MK37 Dir. School Anacoastia. Battles: Okinawa. South China Sea. Memorable experience: V-J Day, covering 6th Army landing Tokyo Bay. Avxards!Meda1s: America Theater, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star. Good Conduct Medal. Discharged July 2. 1946, with the rank of LTtJGl. Widowed. one daughter. Alyson. Retired. RICHARD L. PHELAN. USMC. born to Mary and Richard Phelan. 1920. Winter. WI, Sawyer County. Last of nine children. five sisters, four brothers, including a set of twins. Father was a combination logger and farmer. Mother was a schoolteacher and managed a small hotel that catered to railroad employees and lumbermen. Father and older boys managed the livery stable in connection with the hotel. LMWZW, Nflox ed to Watersmeet. MI. and parents took over the Kelly Hotel. Father passed away in 1925. Mother, brothers and sisters operated hotel until depression. 1932. Graduated from St. Norberts High School. DcPere. VMI During the summer and vacation employed by Kings 2'ratev.a'. Hotel and Inn as bus boy. waiter. bartender. desk plerlr and anything else that needed attention. Attended Tm fefait .1 ol Wisconsin and worked as a salesman in f igaggf, klvriigy, war was derlarerl in 1941. he enlisted in l1nitetlSt.iles lxlarnie Corps on the 18t1iol llecentlier. 1941. llte next lout xeais were spent in the Pacific lheater and p.trticipatetl in various battles and mopping-up exercises. Receix etl battles star s for Saipan. Tinian. Guam. Leyte Gull and I ingaxen Gull' in tlte Philippine Islands. Also Okinawa and Occupation of Southern Island of llonshu. Hoitorably discliarged at Camp Stnall. Great Lakes. IL. Decetnber 20. as sergeant. with 40mm machine gun experieitce. Resutned sales in Chicago: was married to Dorothy lxlacdonald in 19-16. Returned to Rhinelander. WI. 1946. Ifather of six cltildreng three boys. three girls: Charles. Madison. WI3 Richard. Geneva, ILL Timothy. Rhinelander, WI: Patty Reitner. Appleton. WI: Mary Baron. Naperville. IL: Maureen Fisher. Appleton. WI. Was employed as sales representative for Celotex Corp.. Johns Manville Corp.. for 16 years. Continued as self-employed manufacturers representative for Grand Rapids Gypsum, Evans Homes. Capp Homes. and other manufacturers until semi-retirement in 1980. Served on Oneida County Board of Supervisors from 1972, until death in April 1993. DONALD FREDERICK PHILLIPS, C SK, Everett, MA. April 6. 1916. Enlisted Dec. 8. 1941, USNR, CSK, S Division. Training in San Diego, CA, and on San Clemente. Island. Boarded the USS Calyfornia in San Francisco during her shake down cruise preparing for her retum to war. He stayed aboard everyday thereafter except for 10-14 days while in dry-dock in Branerton Naval Yard. He was the first person to leave ship after the war in Tokyo Bay. His most vital recollectionslexperiences were: Their first bombardment at the Marianas of Saipan, Tinian and Guam. Their first shore leave on a tiny island with two cans of beer and most buried up to their chins in the sand. The day they shot down their Hrst kamikaze. The day a kamikaze followed another Japanese plane that was shot down but the second plane crashed into theirs after fire control tower. He was ordered top side from his station below deck and the first turret he saw had a gunner leaning against the side and said he needed help. He started up the steel steps and blistered the inside of his hands. One of his legs was blown away and the other was bleeding profusely. They got him down to sick bay and was soon transferred to the hospital ship with every chance of living. They were in convoy one night when their sister ships. the USS Teitizcfssee decided to cross their bow from the pon side. He was asleep itnmediately behind the sail locker and just ahead of an area occupied by 18-20 sailors who shared the stairs up to the next desk. The T6'l1l16A'.l'6'6' had rolled the steel skin back approxintately 30 feet and sealed offtheir stairs. The collision sent him to the deck and water rushed in and out as the ship plowed through the sea. He was able to crawl over the side of the ship and make his way to CPO mess. After reporting the condition of the sailors sealed in he poured a cup of coffee when his legs suddenly went out from under him. They were not able to release the men in the sealed offcharnber and all drowned. He was discharged at Okinawa shortly after the Japanese surrendered and caught the USS Admiral Ma-v0 back to the States with 599 Seabees, five of whom ended up with all the money from the other 594. Participated in all battles from the USS California shake down cruise until the end of the war at Okinawa. Received all tnedals given for action between the time the California reentered the war after Pearl Harbor to the end of the war. Married 1945. three children. one boy and two girls. llis wife died Jan. 27, 1987. remarried 1988. Has two grandchildren, one boy, 5 in October. and one girl, 3 in November. KENNETH P. PHILLIPS, Slfc. born Hillsboro, IL. 1'eb. 25. 1924. Enlisted June 1. 1943. Navy. 7th Division. Serx ice included Great Lakes. ll... NTS, Balboa Park. CA. Iirenierton. WA. Battles: Saipan. Tinian. Guam. 1,eytc. Surigao Strait. Lingayen Gulf, Okinawa. 1 I-L IHIV all sf? -f s gs 1' . . ,I Memorable experiences include coming back after war, stopping in Japan, Singapore. Colombo Ceylon, South Africa, the battle all experiences. most memorable sea battle. AwardsfMedals: Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, American Area Campaign, WWII Victory Medal. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars. Discharged Feb. 22, 1946. Married to Helen for 43 years. son Terry, stepson Mike Wright, granddaughter Wendy Baker. Grandson Jason Wright CUSMCJ. Retired from federal govemment after 32 years. also worked for Western Electric three and a half years as installer of telephone equipment. was in electronics and was electrician at Marine Corp Logistics Base. Two year ago had three bypass operations of heart. ROBERT BOB PITCOLE,joined Navy MACCN. 1943, spent eight weeks Great Lakes Training Station. spent 8-10 weeks at Balboa Park. San Diego. before transfer to Bremerton, WA. Assigned to USS Califbrnia September 1943. Before joining the Navy. he had never been further west than Chicago. he didn't know at the time he would end up seeing foreign lands and going half way around the world before tying up in Philadelphia Navy Yard. His life aboard the California was great. he met a great bunch of guys. made his rate aboard ship. seen many wonderful places and played on one of the fleets best baseball teams with a great group ofguys. Received all axvards from 1943- l945. Married his wife Barbara in 1974. between them they have 21 grandchildren. Retired. still enjoying fishing. golfing, biking and traveling. It was a honor to serve aboard the USS California and its crew. ALBERT L. PLANTAN, USNR, bom May 2, 1925, LaSalle. IL. Joined service Sept. 20, 1943. Discharged March 20, 1946. Boot camp at Farragut, ID. Assigned to USS Caljornia Bremerton, WA. SIC 2nd Division Turret II. 1 - v . I .4 .- 2.-- . Medals: American Area Victory Medal. Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal four stars. Battles participated in: Saipan. Guam, Tinian, Leyte. Surigao. Lingayen Gulf. Okinawa. 95