Valley Survivor Recalls Pearl Harbor and Three Sunken Ships

From the December 7, 2010, Arizona Republic by Glen Creno.

Garth Brown, 90, said that the older sailors on his ship, the USS Oklahoma, figured they'd be a war with Japan at some time, and, then it came that day 69 years ago.

Finding it hard to find a job, he joined the Navy in 1940 and was 21 when the attack came.  Several explosions rocked the ship as he scrambled to get to his battle station in the ammunition handling room.  The ship was listing badly and then the lights went out.  Men below decks began to feel their way out.

"Water poured in.  We were having trouble going up because there were still fellas coming down."  Reaching topside, the Oklahoma was listing badly to port.  "The mighty Okie capsized all at once, throwing me clear out away from the ship."

He struggled to the surface through several inches of oil.  It was difficult to see anything because of all that oil on his face and a fire was heading his way.  A piece of wood came floating by and he grabbed it, holding ont it until a boat came by and picked him up.

He remembers sending a telegram to his family saying he was alright.

Two years later, he was on the USS Helena when it was sunk in the Battle of Kula Gulf in the Solomon Islands.  Again, he was rescued.  Later, he also survived the sinking of another small supply boat.

His wife said, "He's a survivor."

I Guess So.  And, a member of the Greatest Generation.  --RoadDog