Lakewood High School - Cardinal Yearbook (Lakewood, NY)

Page 12 text:

MISSING IN ACTIGN ALPH STANLEY BEN- NETT, Radioman Third Class, U. S. N. R., was reported missing in action when his ship, the U. S. De- stroyer Meredith, was sunk in bat- tle in the Solomon Islands on Octo- ber 15, 1942. The destroyer Meredith was in the vicinity of San Cristobal, ISO miles southeast of Guadalcanal. She was loaded with ammunition and other supplies for our forces in Guadal- canal. The Meredith started to sink im- mediately after several hits from tor- pedo planes. Those on board, 300 in number, abandoned the vessel at once. The Japanese planes then re- peatedly machine gunned the sur- vivors in the sea. Ralph is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Bennett, Third Street, Lake- wood. He graduated from Lake- wood High School, in the Class 0f 3 35- On March 6, 1941, he joined the U. S. Naval Reserves as Radioman. After enlisting in the U. S. N. R., he flew home for Easter and after four months' training in Connecticut he returned by train for one more day. After that, came his seven months' trip to Iceland. On his return, the Pearl Harbor disaster occurred and his ship Meredith was ordered into the Pacific area at once.

Page 11 text:

Tedzcaiion . We sincerely dedicate this 1943 Cardinal to Miss Strachan and Mr. Wesley Parish, in gratitude for their gracious advice and friendly cofoperation. Each has en' deayored to their utmost to make our high school years enjoyable as Well as beneficial. The Editors.

Page 13 text:

GCEANS RCDLL When you plan all day to go ashore Then learn the news that makes you sore, Your name turns up on a duty list And you fret and fume at the fun you've missed. Mail comes aboard, but for you there's none. Then the ship lays out-and for days, Seven or more, you pitch and toss Over the ocean's roll. The winds blow like mad-a hun- dred or more! Nights come-and blackout must be observed. At times there is more darkness than light. ' Watches come and watches go, Days, nights-and a week is gone. The world goes on, but little do you know, Not even the latest song! The chow gets poor, the spuds run low. Rice, beans are plentiful tho! Back in port a day, a night. Fuel, take on store-and some sleep Without the roll! Morning comes. General quarters sound Preparations to get under way. Everyone wonders. How long this time? But there's a job to be done. Do it we will. And when it's all over, It's out of this work-and back to the Solid earth-and a house, to live Where there's room to run and move about. Where there's trees and grass! v. 5, Lines written by Ralph Stanley Bennett on his trip to Iceland just preceding his ship Meredith being ordered to the Pacific area.