Death of USS Arizona Survivor Donald Stratton-- Part 4: Despite His Injuries, He Got Back Into the War

During his long recovery, Stratton's military surgeons urged him to let them amputate his burned limbs, but he refused and forced himself  through the pain and agony of learning how to walk again.

He was medically discharged from the Navy in 1941 and that could have been it for his World War II service.  But, a year later, he got back into the Navy through his draft board, which meant that he had to go through boot camp again to prove that eh could still serve.

He graduated, and afterwards was stationed Naval Station Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay where he drew orders to report to the destroyer USS Stack as a gunner's mate 3rd class.

This ship participated in action off New Guinea, the Philippines and did picket duty off Okinawa.

He survived America's first battle of the war and its last.

But, he never forgot the sailor on the USS Vestal, who saved his life on December 7, 1941.  That man's name was Joseph Leon George.  He wanted recognition for him.

Like I've said before, the Greatest Generation.

--GreGen