A Marine boarded Wood's LST looking for the largest U.S. flag he could find. American forces had already fought their way to the top of Mt. Suribachi and had a raised a small flag attached to a piece of water pipe.
U.S. officials called for a larger flag to be raised. It has always been said that the U.S. secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal wanted the original as a momento. Several months earlier, Wood had come across a 37-square foot flag at a Pearl harbor Navy depot and acquired it. This is the flag shown in the famous photo.
Over the years, others have claimed that they were the ones who had given the flag, but Marine Colonel Dave Severance, who commanded the company that took the top of Mt. Suribachi said just this week that the second one was Wood's.
Some 60 people have claimed over the years that they had had a role in the flag/flag-raising.
Wood was born in Pasadena, California, on May 3, 1922.
The Iwo Jima flags are on a rotating basis at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.
The Story of One Really Famous Flag. --GreGen
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.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
The Man Who Provided the Iwo Jima Flag Dies: Alan Wood, 90-- Part 1
From the April 25, 2013, Los Angeles Times by Steve Chawkins.
ALLAN WOOD, 90
Died April 18, 2013. Alan Wood never claimed to be a hero but he certainly had an important supporting role in one of the war's most recognizable photographs, the raising of the second U.S. flag at Iwo Jima.
On February 23, 1945, five Marines and a Navy corpsman planted a flag atop Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi. AP photographer Joe Rosenthal was there and took the photograph. Mr. Wood wasn't there, but it was his flag that they raised.
In 1945, he wrote: "The fact that there were men among us who weer able to face a situation like Iwo where human life is so cheap, is something to make humble those of us who were so very fortunate not to be called upon to endure any such hell."
He was communications officer on LST-779 which had landed very close to Mt. Suribachi that day.
GreGen
ALLAN WOOD, 90
Died April 18, 2013. Alan Wood never claimed to be a hero but he certainly had an important supporting role in one of the war's most recognizable photographs, the raising of the second U.S. flag at Iwo Jima.
On February 23, 1945, five Marines and a Navy corpsman planted a flag atop Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi. AP photographer Joe Rosenthal was there and took the photograph. Mr. Wood wasn't there, but it was his flag that they raised.
In 1945, he wrote: "The fact that there were men among us who weer able to face a situation like Iwo where human life is so cheap, is something to make humble those of us who were so very fortunate not to be called upon to endure any such hell."
He was communications officer on LST-779 which had landed very close to Mt. Suribachi that day.
GreGen
Friday, April 26, 2013
HMS Exeter
From Wikipedia
On April 6th of this month, I wrote about World War II submariner Ernie Platz who was on the USS Perch sunk in March 1942 and spent the rest of the war as a Japanese prisoner. He is still living.
The Perch was found on November 23, 2006, by an expedition looking for the wreck of the HMS Exeter, which is why I am doing this entry.
The cruiser Exeter was commissioned in 1931 and fought the German pocket battleship Graf Spee at the December 13, 1939, Battle of the River Platte where it was hit by seven 11-inch shells and had all three of its 8-inch gun turrets put out of action. Casualties at the battle were 61 killed and 23 wounded.
After repairs, the Exeter did Atlantic convoy duty.
On February 27, 1942, it was severely damaged at the Battle of Java Sea. While withdrawing from it, the Exeter was attacked by four Japanese heavy cruisers and three destroyers. The ship was scuttled and its two escorting destroyers, the HMS Encounter and USS Pope were also sunk.
Its wreck was located in February 2007 at 200 feet deep.
So, They Found It. --GreGen
On April 6th of this month, I wrote about World War II submariner Ernie Platz who was on the USS Perch sunk in March 1942 and spent the rest of the war as a Japanese prisoner. He is still living.
The Perch was found on November 23, 2006, by an expedition looking for the wreck of the HMS Exeter, which is why I am doing this entry.
The cruiser Exeter was commissioned in 1931 and fought the German pocket battleship Graf Spee at the December 13, 1939, Battle of the River Platte where it was hit by seven 11-inch shells and had all three of its 8-inch gun turrets put out of action. Casualties at the battle were 61 killed and 23 wounded.
After repairs, the Exeter did Atlantic convoy duty.
On February 27, 1942, it was severely damaged at the Battle of Java Sea. While withdrawing from it, the Exeter was attacked by four Japanese heavy cruisers and three destroyers. The ship was scuttled and its two escorting destroyers, the HMS Encounter and USS Pope were also sunk.
Its wreck was located in February 2007 at 200 feet deep.
So, They Found It. --GreGen
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Indiana Pearl Harbor Survivor Passes Away
From March 21, 2013.
It would seem that this blog is really having a lot of news about the deaths of Pearl Harbor survivors. So be it. That is fitting.
James Moore, 94, of Peru and a member of the Indiana pearl harbor Survivors Association Chapter 2 has died. James Laud, Sr., of Highland is the Indiana State Chairmean of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors says there are only about 40 survivors left in the state.
In 1940, James Moore was on the USS Arkansas, battleship, and in 1941 became senior officer on the USS Antares which was at the mouth of Pearl Harbor during the attack.
Later, he was commanding officer on the USS Pembina during World War II and commanded the USS Burlington during the Korean War.
GreGen
It would seem that this blog is really having a lot of news about the deaths of Pearl Harbor survivors. So be it. That is fitting.
James Moore, 94, of Peru and a member of the Indiana pearl harbor Survivors Association Chapter 2 has died. James Laud, Sr., of Highland is the Indiana State Chairmean of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors says there are only about 40 survivors left in the state.
In 1940, James Moore was on the USS Arkansas, battleship, and in 1941 became senior officer on the USS Antares which was at the mouth of Pearl Harbor during the attack.
Later, he was commanding officer on the USS Pembina during World War II and commanded the USS Burlington during the Korean War.
GreGen
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Mal Middlesworth Speaks About Pearl Harbor
From the March 23, 2013, Cooper Museum in Upland, California.
Mal Middlesworth was the national president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association from 2005-2008 and also has been the editor of the of the Pearl Harbor Gram.
He joined the USMC in April 1841 in Chicago, Illinois and graduated boot camp in June of that year. He then joined the Marine detachment on the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco in October. The ship was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
In 1942, he participated in fighting at Wake Island, Midway and Samoa as well as the Gilbert and Marshall Islands.
In August 1942 the ship was at the Guadalcanal landings, the Battle of Cape Esperance and the naval battle of Guadalcanal.
GreGen
Mal Middlesworth was the national president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association from 2005-2008 and also has been the editor of the of the Pearl Harbor Gram.
He joined the USMC in April 1841 in Chicago, Illinois and graduated boot camp in June of that year. He then joined the Marine detachment on the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco in October. The ship was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
In 1942, he participated in fighting at Wake Island, Midway and Samoa as well as the Gilbert and Marshall Islands.
In August 1942 the ship was at the Guadalcanal landings, the Battle of Cape Esperance and the naval battle of Guadalcanal.
GreGen
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Sad to See Them Go: The USS West Virginia's Deaths
From the USS West Virginia Organization site.
This is a list of sailors and Marines who had died between the 2011 and 2012 reunions. The next reunion this September in San Diego, California, may be the last one. Of course, the West Virginia was sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack, raised, rebuilt and later participated in other battles in the Pacific.
Taps were played at the 2012 Reunion in Charleston, West Virginia, for these men who had served on the ship and passed away:
Donald B. Wilkins
Ralph Batchelor
Charles Shea
David Franklin Jones
Albert J. Gleason, Jr.
Anthony Sereno
Esla E. Gates
Joseph B. Keziah
John J. Mikottis
William V. Stein
Ernest R. Wilson
Ray Stevens
Heinz Volz
Herman H. Schlaefer
Claude B. Knox
Robert A. Jones
Richard Jesson
Robert R. Cony
Sorry to See Them Go. --GreGen
This is a list of sailors and Marines who had died between the 2011 and 2012 reunions. The next reunion this September in San Diego, California, may be the last one. Of course, the West Virginia was sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack, raised, rebuilt and later participated in other battles in the Pacific.
Taps were played at the 2012 Reunion in Charleston, West Virginia, for these men who had served on the ship and passed away:
Donald B. Wilkins
Ralph Batchelor
Charles Shea
David Franklin Jones
Albert J. Gleason, Jr.
Anthony Sereno
Esla E. Gates
Joseph B. Keziah
John J. Mikottis
William V. Stein
Ernest R. Wilson
Ray Stevens
Heinz Volz
Herman H. Schlaefer
Claude B. Knox
Robert A. Jones
Richard Jesson
Robert R. Cony
Sorry to See Them Go. --GreGen
Monday, April 22, 2013
Battleship North Carolina's Sound and Light Show: Dad's Friend Rudely Awakened
From the April 16, 2013, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Back Then" by Scott Nunn.
APRIL 9, 1963, The North Carolina Battleship Commission was studying the possibility of beginning a $400,000 sound and light spectacular which would show the building of the ship, its launching, life on board, news of Pearl Harbor, training, the battles of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and arrival in Tokyo Bay just after the war's end.
They did have it and I was fortunate to see it a couple times. Quite impressive. The audience sat on bleacher seats and the sound and lights took you right back. Everyone would jump when the torpedo explosion happened, sending a plume of water up beside the ship.
Dad used to laugh about it saying once he was there with family friends and the man had been a World War II sailor, but prone to falling asleep whenever he watched something. The "torpedo" almost caused him to fall out of the stands when it went off and awoke him.
Unfortunately, they don't have it anymore. Perhaps it is time to bring it back, only minus the mosquitoes.
Wonder if he had ever seen the North Carolina during the war?
Like, BOOM!!!!!! --GreGen
APRIL 9, 1963, The North Carolina Battleship Commission was studying the possibility of beginning a $400,000 sound and light spectacular which would show the building of the ship, its launching, life on board, news of Pearl Harbor, training, the battles of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and arrival in Tokyo Bay just after the war's end.
They did have it and I was fortunate to see it a couple times. Quite impressive. The audience sat on bleacher seats and the sound and lights took you right back. Everyone would jump when the torpedo explosion happened, sending a plume of water up beside the ship.
Dad used to laugh about it saying once he was there with family friends and the man had been a World War II sailor, but prone to falling asleep whenever he watched something. The "torpedo" almost caused him to fall out of the stands when it went off and awoke him.
Unfortunately, they don't have it anymore. Perhaps it is time to bring it back, only minus the mosquitoes.
Wonder if he had ever seen the North Carolina during the war?
Like, BOOM!!!!!! --GreGen
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Funeral Service Held for Pearl Harbor Survivor
From the March 28, 2013 WSAW 7 CBS.
John Weindorfer, 89, died March 27th. He arrived at Pearl Harbor on November19, 1941 on the destroyer escort USS Cassin which was scheduled for drydock. While the ship was there, Weindorfer was assigned to the Ford Island Naval Station as an aviation mechanic.
December 7th he was on mess hall duty. It quickly became an emergency first aid station and he helped provide aid to the wounded.
It was fortunate for him as his ship was destroyed in the drydock and he lost 43 shipmates.
Starting in April 1942, he was assigned to PBYs (sea planes) operating out of a variety of bases throughout the Pacific including Midway. During the course of the war, he survived three airplane crashes.
The Greatest Generation. --GreGen
John Weindorfer, 89, died March 27th. He arrived at Pearl Harbor on November19, 1941 on the destroyer escort USS Cassin which was scheduled for drydock. While the ship was there, Weindorfer was assigned to the Ford Island Naval Station as an aviation mechanic.
December 7th he was on mess hall duty. It quickly became an emergency first aid station and he helped provide aid to the wounded.
It was fortunate for him as his ship was destroyed in the drydock and he lost 43 shipmates.
Starting in April 1942, he was assigned to PBYs (sea planes) operating out of a variety of bases throughout the Pacific including Midway. During the course of the war, he survived three airplane crashes.
The Greatest Generation. --GreGen
Friday, April 19, 2013
We Lose the "Chief"-- Pearl Harbor Survivor
From the April 11, 2013, Sheboygan (Wi) Press "'Chief' Schleusner was one of two Pearl Harbor survivors in Sheboygan County."
Known as "Schlea," "Bud," and "Dutch" but mostly just by "Chief." Harry Schleusner, 93, died March 29th. he was one of only two known Pearl Harbor survivors still alive in the county. The other one is Stuart "Bud" Sweeney, of Plymouth.
Chief Schlea spent 40 years in the Navy and became a chief petty officer. He grew up in Bruce, Wisconsin, and joined the Navy at age 18 and served as an aviation machinist and pilot and was 21 when the attack came. He was sleeping in his barracks when awakened by his commander and recalled being told that the Japanese planes were flying so low that he should just grab anything to fight, even if it was just to throw it.
He was almost always seen wearing a hat with the word "Chief" on it.
Another One Gone. --GreGen
Known as "Schlea," "Bud," and "Dutch" but mostly just by "Chief." Harry Schleusner, 93, died March 29th. he was one of only two known Pearl Harbor survivors still alive in the county. The other one is Stuart "Bud" Sweeney, of Plymouth.
Chief Schlea spent 40 years in the Navy and became a chief petty officer. He grew up in Bruce, Wisconsin, and joined the Navy at age 18 and served as an aviation machinist and pilot and was 21 when the attack came. He was sleeping in his barracks when awakened by his commander and recalled being told that the Japanese planes were flying so low that he should just grab anything to fight, even if it was just to throw it.
He was almost always seen wearing a hat with the word "Chief" on it.
Another One Gone. --GreGen
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Lt. Robert R. Hatch, USAAF-- Part 4
On the June 9th raid, the Dixie carried General W.F. Marquat. The crew consisted of :
2nd Lt. R.R. Hatch
2nd Lt. C.A. Soffern
2nd Lt. G.D. Barnhill
1st Lt. N.A. Wright
Corp. R.I. Slater
Corp. Rorbinson
Corp. J.F. Shemberger.
I do not know why thy were carrying the general. Perhaps as an observer or perhaps they were transporting him.
GreGen
2nd Lt. R.R. Hatch
2nd Lt. C.A. Soffern
2nd Lt. G.D. Barnhill
1st Lt. N.A. Wright
Corp. R.I. Slater
Corp. Rorbinson
Corp. J.F. Shemberger.
I do not know why thy were carrying the general. Perhaps as an observer or perhaps they were transporting him.
GreGen
Star Trek's George Takei Recalls His World War II Internment
From the Dec. 21, 2011, 90.9 WBUR Boston.
Executive Order 9066 caused 120,000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans from the west coast to be relocated to what were called internment camps, but much more like prison. The actor played Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek and was 5 years old at the time. he and his family were forced to board a bus. Their neighbors waited until they were gone and then looted their house.
His family spent three months in a temporary camp and then were moved to Arkansas.
His father told him that he was going on a long vacation. "I remember the barbed wire fence that we were told not to go near. And I remember the sentry towers that had machine guns pointed at us. And I remember the searchlight that followed me when I made night runs from out barracks to the latrine."
A Hard Life For Them. --GreGen
Executive Order 9066 caused 120,000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans from the west coast to be relocated to what were called internment camps, but much more like prison. The actor played Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek and was 5 years old at the time. he and his family were forced to board a bus. Their neighbors waited until they were gone and then looted their house.
His family spent three months in a temporary camp and then were moved to Arkansas.
His father told him that he was going on a long vacation. "I remember the barbed wire fence that we were told not to go near. And I remember the sentry towers that had machine guns pointed at us. And I remember the searchlight that followed me when I made night runs from out barracks to the latrine."
A Hard Life For Them. --GreGen
Local Pearl Harbor Chapter Closes Down
From the Oct. 3, 2011, CBS47 TV News, Fresno, California.
The Central California Pearl Harbor Survivors Association chapter held its last meeting in October and will officially close December 7, 2011, the 70th anniversary of the event.
Chapetr 8 lost several members this year to what the Japanese were unable to do all those years ago. The remaining six survivors decided to close it.
They used to meet monthly and had more than one hundred members.
Elijah Richardson, 90, was on the USS Pennsylvania and said, "You weren't safe no place."
Always Sad to Have This Happen. --GreGen
The Central California Pearl Harbor Survivors Association chapter held its last meeting in October and will officially close December 7, 2011, the 70th anniversary of the event.
Chapetr 8 lost several members this year to what the Japanese were unable to do all those years ago. The remaining six survivors decided to close it.
They used to meet monthly and had more than one hundred members.
Elijah Richardson, 90, was on the USS Pennsylvania and said, "You weren't safe no place."
Always Sad to Have This Happen. --GreGen
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Lt. Robert R. Hatch, USAAF-- Part 3: The "Dixie" Crashes
From Oz at War site.
On August 7, 1942, the Dixie crashed near Wu Wu after missing Port Moresby and running out of fuel. The crew escaped injury and returned to Port Moresby six days later. The pilot of the plane was Lt. Robert Hatch.
In a photo taken of Dixie's crew after the Raid on Rabaul Harbor on April 6, 1942, the crew was listed as:
Pfc James F. Shemberger (turret gunner)
Pfc L.G. Robinson (radio operator)
Private L.R. Ware (bombadier)
2nd Lt. J. Seamer Jr. (copilot)
2nd Lt. Richard R. Hatch (pilot)
2nd Lt. C.W. Castel (navigator)
They are listed left to right in the accompanying photo.
GreGen
On August 7, 1942, the Dixie crashed near Wu Wu after missing Port Moresby and running out of fuel. The crew escaped injury and returned to Port Moresby six days later. The pilot of the plane was Lt. Robert Hatch.
In a photo taken of Dixie's crew after the Raid on Rabaul Harbor on April 6, 1942, the crew was listed as:
Pfc James F. Shemberger (turret gunner)
Pfc L.G. Robinson (radio operator)
Private L.R. Ware (bombadier)
2nd Lt. J. Seamer Jr. (copilot)
2nd Lt. Richard R. Hatch (pilot)
2nd Lt. C.W. Castel (navigator)
They are listed left to right in the accompanying photo.
GreGen
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Lt. Robert R. Hatch, USAAF-- Part 2: Flew Lyndon Johnson on Raid
One source said that Robert Hatch flew a B-26 Marauder named "Dixie" #01496 on 12 missions with the 19th Bomb Squadron of the 22nd Bomb Group against the Japanese at Rabaul, Lae and Salamua.
The plane was lost October 1, 1943.
This goes against his death being Jan. 10, 1943.
I found out that on 8 June 1942, the "Dixie" was one of eleven B-26 Marauders that raided Lae on June 9th. On board as an observer was one Lt. Cmdr. Lyndon Baines Johnson, USNR, the future 36th president of the United States.
Of course, Lt. Hatch was from North Carolina which may have had something to do with the "Dixie" name of the plane.
Digging Deeper. --GreGen
The plane was lost October 1, 1943.
This goes against his death being Jan. 10, 1943.
I found out that on 8 June 1942, the "Dixie" was one of eleven B-26 Marauders that raided Lae on June 9th. On board as an observer was one Lt. Cmdr. Lyndon Baines Johnson, USNR, the future 36th president of the United States.
Of course, Lt. Hatch was from North Carolina which may have had something to do with the "Dixie" name of the plane.
Digging Deeper. --GreGen
Two Other Goldsboro/Wayne County Men Killed During the War in the Pacific
I looked through the whole book on war dead which had quite a few pages. I was particularly looking for residents who had been killed in the Pacific Theater besides Robert Hatch.
I found two:
Robert E. Abel, Lt. died March 19, 1945 in the aircraft carrier USS Franklin.
William Z. Holland, EM 2/c Died December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor.
I'll have to do some research on these men as well.
GreGen
I found two:
Robert E. Abel, Lt. died March 19, 1945 in the aircraft carrier USS Franklin.
William Z. Holland, EM 2/c Died December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor.
I'll have to do some research on these men as well.
GreGen
LT. Robert R. Hatch, USAAF-- Part 1
Back in March, I went to a presentation about North Carolina's Tuscarora Indians at the Wayne County Museum (an old USO from the war) in Goldsboro, North Carolina. After the presentation, I was touring the museum and came across a book about Goldsboro and Wayne County men who had died during World War II.
It was opened to a page and one of the names was that of Robert R. Hatch who died January 10, 1943 in the Pacific area. He was the son of Mrs. James J. Hatch of N. George Street in Goldsboro.
Well, of course, this sparked my interest in the man so had to do some more research on him. My father was so impressed with the man that he named my brother after him. When my parents took him over to meet Mrs. Hatch, she started crying according to my mom.
Now, that is just quite a coincidence. --GreGen
It was opened to a page and one of the names was that of Robert R. Hatch who died January 10, 1943 in the Pacific area. He was the son of Mrs. James J. Hatch of N. George Street in Goldsboro.
Well, of course, this sparked my interest in the man so had to do some more research on him. My father was so impressed with the man that he named my brother after him. When my parents took him over to meet Mrs. Hatch, she started crying according to my mom.
Now, that is just quite a coincidence. --GreGen
Monday, April 15, 2013
Pearl Harbor Purple Heart Found in California and Returned to Family in Texas
From the March 27, 2013, ABC 13 News, Texas.
Thanks to the students in Ken Hooper's history studies class at Bakersfield High School in Bakersfield, California, a purple heart given to the family of Robert Bates, who was on the USS Arizona. His body was never recovered.
The Purple Heart medal was likely given to his mother, but was lost sometime after she died in 1945. It was found last month by a trucker outside the VFW Post in Bakersfield. The post turned it over to Mr. Hooper's class.
Robert Alvin Bates was a pharmacsts mate 3rd class. Records show that his body was never recovered and his name on the Arizona is misspelled as Tobert and his home state listed as Indiana instead of Texas.
A great experience for the students and some real historical research. And getting in touch with a lost one for a family.
This Is a Real Nice Stry. --GreGen
Thanks to the students in Ken Hooper's history studies class at Bakersfield High School in Bakersfield, California, a purple heart given to the family of Robert Bates, who was on the USS Arizona. His body was never recovered.
The Purple Heart medal was likely given to his mother, but was lost sometime after she died in 1945. It was found last month by a trucker outside the VFW Post in Bakersfield. The post turned it over to Mr. Hooper's class.
Robert Alvin Bates was a pharmacsts mate 3rd class. Records show that his body was never recovered and his name on the Arizona is misspelled as Tobert and his home state listed as Indiana instead of Texas.
A great experience for the students and some real historical research. And getting in touch with a lost one for a family.
This Is a Real Nice Stry. --GreGen
Area's Last Pearl Harbor Survivor Dies at 91
From the March 26, 2013, Mason County (Michigan) Press.
Leo Petrosky of Ludington died March 16th. Born in Helvetia, Pennsylvania, he joined the Navy in 1940 on his 18th birthday. He was assigned to the battleship USS Pennsylvania and served as an aviation mechanic and worked on the ship's reconnaissance planes.
The Pennsylvania was damaged in a November 1941 storm and had gone to pearl Harbor for repairs in drydock.
While that was going on, Mr. Petrosky was assigned to a PBY Catalina seaplane crew on Ford Island where he was during the attack.
We Lose Another One.
Leo Petrosky of Ludington died March 16th. Born in Helvetia, Pennsylvania, he joined the Navy in 1940 on his 18th birthday. He was assigned to the battleship USS Pennsylvania and served as an aviation mechanic and worked on the ship's reconnaissance planes.
The Pennsylvania was damaged in a November 1941 storm and had gone to pearl Harbor for repairs in drydock.
While that was going on, Mr. Petrosky was assigned to a PBY Catalina seaplane crew on Ford Island where he was during the attack.
We Lose Another One.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
USS Arizona Survivor Dies
From the February 18, 2013Waterloo-Cedar Falls (Iowa) Courier by Pat Kinney.
Eddie Welter died Tuesday. As of last April, according the the USS Arizona Organization, there were only 13 survivors of that ship from Pearl Harbor still alive of the 330 sailors and Marines who did not die. Mr. Welter is believed to be the last survivor living in Iowa..
He was born in Minnesota and grew up in Waterloo. In recent years, he had been a resident of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.
When the attack came, he was an 18-year-old seaman below deck in the laundry room when General Quarters sounded. He went topside and to his battle station. After the explosion, he remembered going down a gangplank and suffered ruptured eardrums and received splinters from the deck.
He was able to get to an aid station where he administered morphine to the wounded. "I'll never forget the guys whose legs and arms were as black as tar. Their skin already peeling."
He served out the war in Hawaii as a cook.
Sad to See Them Go. --GreGen
Eddie Welter died Tuesday. As of last April, according the the USS Arizona Organization, there were only 13 survivors of that ship from Pearl Harbor still alive of the 330 sailors and Marines who did not die. Mr. Welter is believed to be the last survivor living in Iowa..
He was born in Minnesota and grew up in Waterloo. In recent years, he had been a resident of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.
When the attack came, he was an 18-year-old seaman below deck in the laundry room when General Quarters sounded. He went topside and to his battle station. After the explosion, he remembered going down a gangplank and suffered ruptured eardrums and received splinters from the deck.
He was able to get to an aid station where he administered morphine to the wounded. "I'll never forget the guys whose legs and arms were as black as tar. Their skin already peeling."
He served out the war in Hawaii as a cook.
Sad to See Them Go. --GreGen
Friday, April 12, 2013
The Japanese Submarine I-70-- Part 4
When Dickinson returned to the scene, he saw four Japanese sailors floating in the water and a bubble of oil appear on the surface of the water, followed by two others containing more oil and debris.
This was the first enemy combatant ship sunk by U.S. aircraft during the young war and the first Japanese fleet submarine lost.
The US Sixth Fleet continued to try to make contact with the I-70. The ship is to presumed to be a loss with all 93 hands. The submarine never returned to port or contacted any other Japanese fleet so was also considered a loss by them.
More to Come on the Loss of the I-70. --GreGen
This was the first enemy combatant ship sunk by U.S. aircraft during the young war and the first Japanese fleet submarine lost.
The US Sixth Fleet continued to try to make contact with the I-70. The ship is to presumed to be a loss with all 93 hands. The submarine never returned to port or contacted any other Japanese fleet so was also considered a loss by them.
More to Come on the Loss of the I-70. --GreGen
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