#26 Postby Janice » Sun May 28, 2006 2:23 pm
My father was an FC3, 18 years old, third class assigned to the Navy repair ship, Vestal, and was actually a survivor of two ships during the Pearl Harbor attacks. Just two days prior, on Dec. 5th, the Vestal had anchored by the battleship Arizona to do routine repair work. Shortly before 6 am, on Dec. 7th, he was topside the Vestal. At 6 am the Vestal was the first ship to take a hit during the attack, blowing him off the Vestal onto the Arizona. A second blast aboard the Arizona blew him off the battleship into the water. He boarded the Vestal once more as she was moved from the Arizona. His records lists 87 documented air raids in the Pacific Theater with ll major campaign ribbons.
This per an article written about him. I hope I have the dates right, the print is very small and hard for me to read.
I am so proud.
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