From the USNA.com-- Class of 1940: William Crosswell Croft.
This is the man who selected Barbara Engh to be "Color Girl" of his Color Company in 1940.
After his graduation, William Croft joined the USS California while it was in drydock in Bremerton, Washington, Naval Shipyard. He served as a turret officer until the California was sunk at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. So, he was at Pearl Harbor.
The USS California was anchored by herself on Battleship Row, just south of the Oklahoma. It received two torpedo hits that caused much damage and a 551-pound bomb exploded on her killing about 50 men instantly. The ship sank, but its superstructure was above the water. Total casualties were 100 killed and 62 wounded.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment