From the Feb. 14, 2013, Bloomberg Business Week "Hurt Locker Bomb Squads Scour Japan 70 Years After World War II" by Jacob Adelmen and Kiyotaka Maysuda.
Makoto Ohashi, 37, Sgt. 1st Class in Japan's Bomb squad said a prayer before twisting off the fuse from a 500 World War II bomb.
About 6,000 tons of explosives have been recovered in Japan records were first kept starting in 1958.
They will be traveling to Hamamatsu in central Japan to detonate an 860-kilo bomb found by a maintenance crew of the Central Japan Railway Company.
About 160,000 tons of bombs were dropped on Japan during the last five months of the war.
--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 6, 2015
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Death of Doolittle Raider Robert Hite-- Part 4
From the New orleans Times-Picayune.
** The Raiders were supposed to land in unoccupied Chinese territory, but because the launch took place farther away, they ran out of fuel and crash landed.
** Three of the Raiders captured by the Japanese were executed, including Robert Hite's pilot and gunner.
** Hite spent 38 of his 40 months captivity in solitary confinement.
--GreGen
** The Raiders were supposed to land in unoccupied Chinese territory, but because the launch took place farther away, they ran out of fuel and crash landed.
** Three of the Raiders captured by the Japanese were executed, including Robert Hite's pilot and gunner.
** Hite spent 38 of his 40 months captivity in solitary confinement.
--GreGen
Death of Doolittle Raider Robert Hite-- Part 3
From the L.A. Times.
** When captured, Robert Hite was a little over 6 feet tall and weighed 175 pounds. On liberation he was down to 76 pounds.
** Born March 3, 1920, in Odell, Texas.
** Joined the Army Air Corps in Lubbock, Texas, at age 20.
** Received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart.
** Last survivor of the eight Raiders captured by the Japanese.
--GreGen
** When captured, Robert Hite was a little over 6 feet tall and weighed 175 pounds. On liberation he was down to 76 pounds.
** Born March 3, 1920, in Odell, Texas.
** Joined the Army Air Corps in Lubbock, Texas, at age 20.
** Received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart.
** Last survivor of the eight Raiders captured by the Japanese.
--GreGen
Death of Doolittle Raider Lt.Col. Robert Hite-- Part 2: Only Two Left
Robert Hite was liberated from his Japanese captors in 1945 after 40 months of brutal captivity. He returned to active duty and fought in the Korean War and remained in service until 1955.
Now, just two Doolittle Raiders remain alive: Lt.Col. Richard "Dick" Cole and Staff Sgt. David Thatcher.
The Raiders will receive a Congressional Gold Medal on April 15th in Washingtton, D.C. and will be presented with it on April 18th, the 73rd anniversary of the raid. This will happen at the national Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. The Gold medal will be on display there.
--GreGen
Now, just two Doolittle Raiders remain alive: Lt.Col. Richard "Dick" Cole and Staff Sgt. David Thatcher.
The Raiders will receive a Congressional Gold Medal on April 15th in Washingtton, D.C. and will be presented with it on April 18th, the 73rd anniversary of the raid. This will happen at the national Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. The Gold medal will be on display there.
--GreGen
Friday, April 3, 2015
Death of Doolittle Raider Lt.Col. Robert Hite-- Part 1
From the March 30, 2015, Fox News "Lt.Col. Robert Hite of Doolittle Tokyo Raiders,' dead at 95.
Mr. Hite died at a nursing facility Sunday, March 29, 2015, in Nashville where he had been battling Alzheimer's.
He was among the 80 raisers in 16 B-25 bombers who took off from the deck of the USS Hornet in April 1942 on their historic attack on Japan. They inflicted little actual damage, but the lift to American morale for this strike back so so after Pearl Harbor was huge.
Of the 80 brave men, eight were captured and of them, three executed and one more died while in prison. Hite was one of those captured and was the last survivor of those.
The Greatest generation. --GreGen
Mr. Hite died at a nursing facility Sunday, March 29, 2015, in Nashville where he had been battling Alzheimer's.
He was among the 80 raisers in 16 B-25 bombers who took off from the deck of the USS Hornet in April 1942 on their historic attack on Japan. They inflicted little actual damage, but the lift to American morale for this strike back so so after Pearl Harbor was huge.
Of the 80 brave men, eight were captured and of them, three executed and one more died while in prison. Hite was one of those captured and was the last survivor of those.
The Greatest generation. --GreGen
Pearl Harbor Survivor Buried With Military Honors in 2013
From the herald "Rock Hills Pearl Harbor survivor buried with military honors."
The last of six local Pearl harbor survivors in York County died Feb. 11, 2013.
L.C. Rice was 18, and a machinist seaman on the USS Pennsylvania that day. He remembered holding a dying sailor, though he never knew his name. The sailor's body was nothing but torn flesh, cracked bones, face missing and a bloody torso. Mr. Rice shouted into the sailor's ear, "You ain't dying for nothing. I promise you."
He served in the military another 32 years and was also in the Korean and Vietnam Wars,
--GreGen
The last of six local Pearl harbor survivors in York County died Feb. 11, 2013.
L.C. Rice was 18, and a machinist seaman on the USS Pennsylvania that day. He remembered holding a dying sailor, though he never knew his name. The sailor's body was nothing but torn flesh, cracked bones, face missing and a bloody torso. Mr. Rice shouted into the sailor's ear, "You ain't dying for nothing. I promise you."
He served in the military another 32 years and was also in the Korean and Vietnam Wars,
--GreGen
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Bits of War: Ration Your Bacon-- Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors
Bits of the war.
1. RATION YOUR BACON-- From the March 8, 2013 Guardian UK "Unthinkable? Ration you bacon second world war style," editorial.
With obesity rates in the U.K. on the rise it is suggested that amounts of bacon be reduced to what they were during World War II. Bacon rationing in the U.K. didn't end until 1954.
2. SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS-- From the Feb. 16, 2013, Highland (Ind.) Times. The Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Indiana Chapter 2, met at Michael's Restaurant. www.sdphs.org. I am glad to see an organization carrying on such as this.
--GreGen
1. RATION YOUR BACON-- From the March 8, 2013 Guardian UK "Unthinkable? Ration you bacon second world war style," editorial.
With obesity rates in the U.K. on the rise it is suggested that amounts of bacon be reduced to what they were during World War II. Bacon rationing in the U.K. didn't end until 1954.
2. SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS-- From the Feb. 16, 2013, Highland (Ind.) Times. The Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Indiana Chapter 2, met at Michael's Restaurant. www.sdphs.org. I am glad to see an organization carrying on such as this.
--GreGen
Two Pearl Harbor Survivors Die in 2013-- Part 2
Don Green was a shipfitter on the ammunition ship USS Pyro in West Loch about half a mile from the battleships. At age 19, he manned guns and started firing. A Japanese dive bomber released a bomb that landed on the dock about 12 feet from the ship. It penetrated the concrete and exploded, jarring the Pyro but caused no damage, fortunately. Being in an ammunition ship and getting hit by a bomb is not a good thing.
The Pyro is credited with damaging one enemy plane.
Gebhard "Jerry" Jensch was born in Germany in 1919 and moved to Saginaw, Michigan in 1928. He joined the Navy in 1939 and served until 1947.
Don Green came from New Bedford, Massachusetts. He and his twin brother joined the Navy on their 18th birthday and served together for awhile on the USS Pyro.
--GreGen
The Pyro is credited with damaging one enemy plane.
Gebhard "Jerry" Jensch was born in Germany in 1919 and moved to Saginaw, Michigan in 1928. He joined the Navy in 1939 and served until 1947.
Don Green came from New Bedford, Massachusetts. He and his twin brother joined the Navy on their 18th birthday and served together for awhile on the USS Pyro.
--GreGen
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
World War Posters for 2015-- Part 6: A Wonderful Opportunity for You
Poster shows a sailor smiling and carry packages with a battleship in the background. The words read "A Wonderful Opportunity For You -- Ashore, On Leave -- United States Navy.
Of course, besides seeing the world in the Navy, one could go shopping for some interesting things to send back home while on liberty in some pretty exotic locales.
"A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU, UNITED STATES NAVY"
"Charles E. Ruttan, 1917.
"Although recruitment posters were intended for men eighteen and older, the Naval Act of 1916 did not specify gender which made it possible for women to enlist. Loretta Walsh became the first woman to join the Navy in an active duty position other than as a nurse.
"She served for two years obtaining the rank of Chief Yeoman."
I will be writing about her in my Cooter's History Thing Blog tomorrow since she is actually World War I.
--Cooter
Of course, besides seeing the world in the Navy, one could go shopping for some interesting things to send back home while on liberty in some pretty exotic locales.
"A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU, UNITED STATES NAVY"
"Charles E. Ruttan, 1917.
"Although recruitment posters were intended for men eighteen and older, the Naval Act of 1916 did not specify gender which made it possible for women to enlist. Loretta Walsh became the first woman to join the Navy in an active duty position other than as a nurse.
"She served for two years obtaining the rank of Chief Yeoman."
I will be writing about her in my Cooter's History Thing Blog tomorrow since she is actually World War I.
--Cooter
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Two Pearl Harbor Survivors Die in 2013
From the Feb. 27, 2013, Kitsup (Washington) Sun by Ed Friedrich.
Gebhard "Jerry" Jensch of Poulsbo, 93, died Feb. 21 and Don Green, 90, of Allyn died Feb. 25th.
Also, Joseph Stenstrom, 92, of Poulsbo, died Dec. 20, 2012.
The Kitsap Sun can only confirm eight remaining Pearl Harbor survivors in Kitsap County.
Jensch was a gunners mate on the USS California which had 105 killed in the battle. He manned a 5-inch anti-aircraft gun and swam to Ford Island. Though he wasn't hit, the Navy thought he'd died and notified his parents. His obituary appeared on the front page of his hometown paper in Saginaw, Michigan. When the Navy found he was alive, they quickly notified his parents by telegraph.
--GreGen.
Gebhard "Jerry" Jensch of Poulsbo, 93, died Feb. 21 and Don Green, 90, of Allyn died Feb. 25th.
Also, Joseph Stenstrom, 92, of Poulsbo, died Dec. 20, 2012.
The Kitsap Sun can only confirm eight remaining Pearl Harbor survivors in Kitsap County.
Jensch was a gunners mate on the USS California which had 105 killed in the battle. He manned a 5-inch anti-aircraft gun and swam to Ford Island. Though he wasn't hit, the Navy thought he'd died and notified his parents. His obituary appeared on the front page of his hometown paper in Saginaw, Michigan. When the Navy found he was alive, they quickly notified his parents by telegraph.
--GreGen.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Pearl Harbor Survivor and Wife Buried on the Same Day
From the Feb. 27, 2013, CBS 47 TV by Kathryn Herr.
From Sanger, California.
Roy and Juanita Molder had quite a love story, beginning shortly after Pearl Harbor, where Roy was stationed on the USS Rigel the day of the attack.
he was active in the PHSA and often talked to area school children about it.
They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this August. They spent their who;e lives together and died just hours apart. Roy died Feb. 23 at age 89. Juanita, 88, died the next day.
He always called her "Bright Eyes," the name he called her on the day they met.
The burial was with full military honors.
Quite a Story. --GreGen
From Sanger, California.
Roy and Juanita Molder had quite a love story, beginning shortly after Pearl Harbor, where Roy was stationed on the USS Rigel the day of the attack.
he was active in the PHSA and often talked to area school children about it.
They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this August. They spent their who;e lives together and died just hours apart. Roy died Feb. 23 at age 89. Juanita, 88, died the next day.
He always called her "Bright Eyes," the name he called her on the day they met.
The burial was with full military honors.
Quite a Story. --GreGen
SS Cape Girardeau, 1943
From the Feb. 18, 2013, Southeast Missourian.
From the Nov. 8, 1943 Southeast Missourian which had a picture of te launch of the SS Cape Girardeau, a cargo and passenger ship launched on a Sunday in Wilmington, California, by the Consolidated Steel Corporation. the event was witnessed by 25,000 shipbuilders, employers and former residents of Cape Girardeau. It was 417 feet long and weighed 12,900 tons.
Wikipedia
The SS Cape Girardeau was a Type C1-S-AY-1 Infantry Landing Ship chartered by the British Ministry of War during World War II. It had been completed as the SS Empire Spearhead in 1944. In June 1944, it was transferred to the Royal Navy and took part in Operation Overlord.
In 1947, it was returned to the U.S. Maritime Commission and renamed the Cape Girardeau. In 1950, it was laid up in the James River and renamed the Empire Spearhead before being scrapped in 1966.
The name Cape Girardeau came because Mrs. Bergland of the company office wanted a ship named after her home city. Cape Girardeau is the only inland cape in the U.S.. Then the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce got the names of more than 200 former residents in the Los Angeles area and sent them invitations.
How sweet. --GreGen
From the Nov. 8, 1943 Southeast Missourian which had a picture of te launch of the SS Cape Girardeau, a cargo and passenger ship launched on a Sunday in Wilmington, California, by the Consolidated Steel Corporation. the event was witnessed by 25,000 shipbuilders, employers and former residents of Cape Girardeau. It was 417 feet long and weighed 12,900 tons.
Wikipedia
The SS Cape Girardeau was a Type C1-S-AY-1 Infantry Landing Ship chartered by the British Ministry of War during World War II. It had been completed as the SS Empire Spearhead in 1944. In June 1944, it was transferred to the Royal Navy and took part in Operation Overlord.
In 1947, it was returned to the U.S. Maritime Commission and renamed the Cape Girardeau. In 1950, it was laid up in the James River and renamed the Empire Spearhead before being scrapped in 1966.
The name Cape Girardeau came because Mrs. Bergland of the company office wanted a ship named after her home city. Cape Girardeau is the only inland cape in the U.S.. Then the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce got the names of more than 200 former residents in the Los Angeles area and sent them invitations.
How sweet. --GreGen
Saturday, March 28, 2015
The Brutal Murmansk Run-- Part 4: "It Looked Like He Was Doing Some Kind of Crazy Dance"
In the Battle of the Atlantic there were 1,600 Canadian merchant mariners killed, the highest casualty rate of any Canadian service during the war. The Royal Canadian Navy lost 2,000 and Royal Canadian Air Force lost 752.
One of Mr. Polowi's memories of the Murmansk Run was watching the helmsmen in the wheelhouse during a storm trying to dick gushes of water shooting out of the speaking tube. "It looked as if he was doing some kind of crazy dance."
Mr. Polowi is a regular speaker at schools recounting his World War II experiences.
--GreGen
One of Mr. Polowi's memories of the Murmansk Run was watching the helmsmen in the wheelhouse during a storm trying to dick gushes of water shooting out of the speaking tube. "It looked as if he was doing some kind of crazy dance."
Mr. Polowi is a regular speaker at schools recounting his World War II experiences.
--GreGen
The Brutal Murmansk Run-- Part 3: Loved Crow's Nest Duty
Overriding most everything was the fear of that mighty cold water. If you were unfortunate enough to go in, you only had three minutes to live. Then there were near-constant alerts where you had to stand battle stations in usually wet and freezing conditions. Mr. Polowin recalled one time at his station for a whole day.
Sometimes they would get a break with what was called "reduced alerts", where, to keep the crew alert, the heating inside the ship was turned off.
With luck, they would make it back to Scapa Flow (which was closed in 1956) and then the process would be repeated. In total, he made four of these trips.
In rough seas, they would stick knives in wooden tables to hold their plates in place. Being young often meant crow's nest duty for Polowi, but he liked it, "You were above the spray and usually didn't get wet."
--GreGen
Sometimes they would get a break with what was called "reduced alerts", where, to keep the crew alert, the heating inside the ship was turned off.
With luck, they would make it back to Scapa Flow (which was closed in 1956) and then the process would be repeated. In total, he made four of these trips.
In rough seas, they would stick knives in wooden tables to hold their plates in place. Being young often meant crow's nest duty for Polowi, but he liked it, "You were above the spray and usually didn't get wet."
--GreGen
Friday, March 27, 2015
The Brutal Murmansk Run-- Part 2: "If They Intended to Terrify, They Did"
They would receive orders to escort a convoy across the Atlantic. The ships would oil up in Iceland then join the convoy which was usually so large they couldn't see all the ships.
It took ten days to get to Murmansk and then unloading. The ships would get more oil. There was nothing to do ashore.
During each ten day trip over the top of Europe, "One's mind was so focused by fear and discomfort, and the body carrying an adrenaline load, that entertainment wasn't a thought.
Mr. Polowin would hear booms and see flashes on the horizon and knew that ships had been torpedoed. he heard air attacks but didn't see much in the near darkness, adding, "Stuka (dive bombers) made an awful sound when they attacked. If they intended to terrify, they did."
--GreGen
It took ten days to get to Murmansk and then unloading. The ships would get more oil. There was nothing to do ashore.
During each ten day trip over the top of Europe, "One's mind was so focused by fear and discomfort, and the body carrying an adrenaline load, that entertainment wasn't a thought.
Mr. Polowin would hear booms and see flashes on the horizon and knew that ships had been torpedoed. he heard air attacks but didn't see much in the near darkness, adding, "Stuka (dive bombers) made an awful sound when they attacked. If they intended to terrify, they did."
--GreGen
The Brutal Murmansk Run-- Part 1: 45 Minutes of Daylight
From the Feb. 17, 2013, Ottawa (Canada) Citizen "Brutal Murmansk Run kept Russian supplied during Second World War" by Dave Brown.
The Arctic Ocean across the top of Europe gets 45 minutes of winter daylight in what is referred to as the Murmansk Run. Earlier this year, the Russian Embassy in Ottawa put out a call asking for veterans who made the run to come forward. In most cases, family members of deceased showed up, but also one actual veteran did.
Alex Polowin, 88, was an underaged Royal Canadian Navy volunteer for the Murmansk Run. Here is his memories of it:
He was one of 275 crew members on the HMCS Huron, a Tribal-class destroyer. Murmansk duty started at Scapa Flow, the home base of British Grand Fleet located at the top of the British Isles. They would spend many boring weeks at anchor in bleak landscape. There was little entertainment ashore.
The Murmansk Run usually only took place during the winter to take advantage of the lack of sunlight.
--HreGen
The Arctic Ocean across the top of Europe gets 45 minutes of winter daylight in what is referred to as the Murmansk Run. Earlier this year, the Russian Embassy in Ottawa put out a call asking for veterans who made the run to come forward. In most cases, family members of deceased showed up, but also one actual veteran did.
Alex Polowin, 88, was an underaged Royal Canadian Navy volunteer for the Murmansk Run. Here is his memories of it:
He was one of 275 crew members on the HMCS Huron, a Tribal-class destroyer. Murmansk duty started at Scapa Flow, the home base of British Grand Fleet located at the top of the British Isles. They would spend many boring weeks at anchor in bleak landscape. There was little entertainment ashore.
The Murmansk Run usually only took place during the winter to take advantage of the lack of sunlight.
--HreGen
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Judge George N. Leighton's World War II Service: the 93rd Infantry Division
From Wikipedia.
George N. leighton served in the 93rd Infantry Division which was a "colored" unit in the very much segregated U.S. Army, serving in both world wars.
During World War I, the unit acquired the name "Blue Helmets" from the French army while serving alongside French units an the Battle of the Marne. Their shoulder patch bore a blue French Adrian helmet.
They were reactivated 15 May 1942, at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and most of the division saw service in the Pacific Theater where they were primarily used in construction units and defensive operations. Campaigns they participated in were New Guinea, Northern Solomons and Bismarck Archipelago.
They were inactivated in 1945 but some of its units continued in the Illinois and Maryland National Guard.
--GreGen
George N. leighton served in the 93rd Infantry Division which was a "colored" unit in the very much segregated U.S. Army, serving in both world wars.
During World War I, the unit acquired the name "Blue Helmets" from the French army while serving alongside French units an the Battle of the Marne. Their shoulder patch bore a blue French Adrian helmet.
They were reactivated 15 May 1942, at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and most of the division saw service in the Pacific Theater where they were primarily used in construction units and defensive operations. Campaigns they participated in were New Guinea, Northern Solomons and Bismarck Archipelago.
They were inactivated in 1945 but some of its units continued in the Illinois and Maryland National Guard.
--GreGen
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Judge George N. Leighton's World War II Service-- Part 2
Unfortunately, i wasn't able to find out much about his service in the war other than in passing.
On March 10, 1942, George Leighton was ordered to active duty and reported to Fort Benning, Georgia. On June 13, 1943, he reported to the 93rd Infantry Division in Arizona and from there he served in the Pacific Theater, rising to the rank of captain.
Since he was black, I had to figure that the 93rd Infantry Division must also be a black outfit as he never would have been made an officer to command white troops.
More research was necessary.
--GreGen
On March 10, 1942, George Leighton was ordered to active duty and reported to Fort Benning, Georgia. On June 13, 1943, he reported to the 93rd Infantry Division in Arizona and from there he served in the Pacific Theater, rising to the rank of captain.
Since he was black, I had to figure that the 93rd Infantry Division must also be a black outfit as he never would have been made an officer to command white troops.
More research was necessary.
--GreGen
Judge George N. Leighton's World War Service: The Black Experience-- Part 1
Earlier this month, I wrote about Chicago Judge George N. Leighton's highly controversial decision on March 5, 1965, Two policemen had arrested Simon Suarez after he refused to do what they told them then got into a fight and slashed one officer in the face with a broken bottle and beat the other one.
Judge Leighton ruled that the arrest wasn't lawful and that the officers shouldn't have drawn their guns. This decision set off shock and outrage among many Chicagoans.
This, however, didn't cause Judge Leighton problems two years later when he was nominated for a federal judgeship. Then, in 2012, the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and Cal was renamed in his honor.
I'd never heard of the man before, so looked him up on Wikipedia and other sources and found out he was a captain during World War II. Then, it became apparent he was also a black man and this was a period in the U.S. military when blacks were extremely discriminated against.
There must be something to this story.
--GreGen
Judge Leighton ruled that the arrest wasn't lawful and that the officers shouldn't have drawn their guns. This decision set off shock and outrage among many Chicagoans.
This, however, didn't cause Judge Leighton problems two years later when he was nominated for a federal judgeship. Then, in 2012, the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and Cal was renamed in his honor.
I'd never heard of the man before, so looked him up on Wikipedia and other sources and found out he was a captain during World War II. Then, it became apparent he was also a black man and this was a period in the U.S. military when blacks were extremely discriminated against.
There must be something to this story.
--GreGen
Death of Arctic Convoy Veteran in England: "The Worst Journey in the World"
From the Feb. 26, 2013, Grimsby (U.K.) Telegraph "Tribute to war veteran Neville Boden who battled 'the worst journey in the world'...and survived
Former Merchant Navy officer Neville Boden, who sailed on "notoriously treacherous Arctic Convoys" has died at age 86. He died Feb. 16th after a long illness.
During the war, he served on the MV Marathon carrying aircraft fuel to the Soviet Union in 1943, facing icy conditions, the threat of constant attack from the air and, of course, German U-boats. Winston Churchill called it "The worst journey in the world." Mr. Boden also served on the HMLSI Empire Lance, a ship that brought British troops to Normandy during the D-Day landings. He also sailed on ships from the United States and Caribbean carrying petrol before they joined the Arctic Convoy.
He was born in Lancaster in 1926
Last year, one of the Arctic Veterans was denied the Russian Silver Ushakov Medal for Bravery because of British rules concerning military decorations.
--GreGen
Former Merchant Navy officer Neville Boden, who sailed on "notoriously treacherous Arctic Convoys" has died at age 86. He died Feb. 16th after a long illness.
During the war, he served on the MV Marathon carrying aircraft fuel to the Soviet Union in 1943, facing icy conditions, the threat of constant attack from the air and, of course, German U-boats. Winston Churchill called it "The worst journey in the world." Mr. Boden also served on the HMLSI Empire Lance, a ship that brought British troops to Normandy during the D-Day landings. He also sailed on ships from the United States and Caribbean carrying petrol before they joined the Arctic Convoy.
He was born in Lancaster in 1926
Last year, one of the Arctic Veterans was denied the Russian Silver Ushakov Medal for Bravery because of British rules concerning military decorations.
--GreGen
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