The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Sailor Says Decision to Write a Letter Probably Saved His Life-- Part 1

From the Lake County (Il) Journal "World War II Navy veteran recalls days at sea" by Cassandra Dowell.

Edward Rasmussen, 88, of Gurnee, Illinois, is sure that his decision to write a letter rather to go up on deck probably saved his life.  He was aboard the destroyer USS William D. Porter (DD-578) when the ship was almost hit by a kamikaze on June 10, 1945. However, the plane exploded by the ship and caused it to sink. "If I was sitting on the deck I'd probably have my spine broke," said Rasmussen.

His ship sank, but all aboard were able to get off safely.

He enlisted in the Navy on Feb. 13, 1942 and first served aboard the destroyer USS Kearny (DD-432) docked in Boston and served there until transferred to the Porter in July 1943.


ALMOST SANK THE PRESIDENT'S BATTLESHIP

Before the kamikaze, the Porter was assigned to escort the battleship USS Iowa across the Atlantic while it was carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Cairo and Teheran Conferences.

During a torpedo drill, the Porter accidentally fired one toward the Iowa on Nov. 12, 1943.  No one was injured, but the Porter's captain and entire crew were put under arrest until Roosevelt intervened that it had been an accident.

More to Come.  --GreGen

No comments:

Post a Comment