I looked up Mr. Kongslie's name after I posted the last entry and am sad to report that he died December 17, 2013.
He was on the USS St. Louis, a heavy cruiser at Pearl Harbor. The ship got underway and a Japanese submarine fired two torpedoes at it, but fortunately missed.
After seeing the men jumping overboard from the liberty boat, he then saw the Japanese Zero strafing them. His battle station was manning a 5-inch anti-aircraft gun..
--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.
Showing posts with label USS Saint Louis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USS Saint Louis. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Staten Island Pearl Harbor Survivor Visits Fleet Wekk
From the May 27, 2012, Military News by MC1 Patrick Gordon.
The last-known Staten island Pearl Harbor survivor, former Chief Boatswain's Mate Alf Kongslie, 91, was on his ship, the USS Saint Louis (CL-49) and recalls the day began like so many others on that December 7, 1941.
"I saw guys going across the harbor in a liberty boat. I figured they were going to church. Then I saw them jumping into the water. I didn't know what was going on.
"I kept trying to climb my way up the ladder to get to my battle station, but guys kept knocking me off coming down the other way. I finally got to my station and got to work."
He served in the Navy until 1947.
--GreGen
The last-known Staten island Pearl Harbor survivor, former Chief Boatswain's Mate Alf Kongslie, 91, was on his ship, the USS Saint Louis (CL-49) and recalls the day began like so many others on that December 7, 1941.
"I saw guys going across the harbor in a liberty boat. I figured they were going to church. Then I saw them jumping into the water. I didn't know what was going on.
"I kept trying to climb my way up the ladder to get to my battle station, but guys kept knocking me off coming down the other way. I finally got to my station and got to work."
He served in the Navy until 1947.
--GreGen
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