A Reunion Seven Decades in the Making-- Part 3: The Flag After the War

What happened to the flag after the war? //// The flag was put in storage after it was given to the state. In 1992, the California Department of Veterans Affairs offices were remodeled and then-Governor Pete Wilson suggested it be displayed there. At one time in the past, it must have been at the VFW Post 1267 in Sacramento as they fortunately added a plaque to the flag. //// The USS California was raised in 1942 and underwent two years of repairs and modernization. It returned to World War II servuice in time to participate at Saipan, Guam, Tinian and Leyte Gulf before it was decommissioned in 1947. Seven sailors received posthumous Medals of Honor at Pearl Harbor. //// The flag is now in a display case. //// Duvrell Connor thinks the flag looks bigger than he remembers it, though. Tony Palumbo of the California State Military Museum says the flag at the veterans center is the ship's ceremonial flag, different and larger than the duty flag which was used on a day-to-day basis. //// Either way, this is a great story. There is a picture of the USS California shortly after Mr. Connor raised the flag. //// I Wonder What happened to the Other Sailor? --GreGen