April 22, 1945

[Nemont]

Off the coast of Okinawa near the Ryukyu Islands the Destroyers USS Van Valkenburgh and USS Wickes were on radar picket station 14. These destroyers were escorted by a tiny destroyer escort called the USS LCS(L)-15. At 1700 hours three Kamikazes aimed for the USS Van Valkenburgh, two of the Kamikazes were shot down but the third changed course and slammed into the tiny escort the LCS(L)-15.

The bomb went through the engine room and blew both sides of the ship out. Down in the engine room my grand father was knocked to the floor and then had to swim out the hole the bomb made to escape the burning ship. The ship went down in less than three minutes and my grandfather was able to find a floating ammo can and was picked up by the USS Wickes.

He lived the rest of his years with the scars from the burns he got that day, 68 years ago. He raised 3 sons and ranched on the Milk River the rest of his days, I miss him greatly to this day even though he has been gone for 19 years now.

Thanks for listening,

Nemont

 

[Bulldog0156]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[idnative1948]

Nice story. Thank you.

 

[jryoung]

Few things capture my attention like stories from War. Thanks for sharing, and cheers to your grandfather.

 

[1_pointer]

Glad he made it home and thankfull for his service. Thank you for sharing that story.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Amazing story. That generation had a lot to teach in terms of what tough really meant. Both on the battlefield and off.

4/45 my grandfather was liberating Buchenwald. http://life.time.com/history/buchenwald-photos-from-the-liberation-of-the-camp-april-1945/#1

He has several photos in the National Holocaust Museum. We still have his "war trophy" book that he liberated from an estate somewhere in Germany. Photos of the Nazi officers had been torn out so that people couldn't identify those responsible.

 

[Big Fin]

Wow. Incredible story. And many more like that story were brought home with the people who surely were our Greatest Generation.

Thanks for sharing with us, Nemont. Always given a quick reality check when I hear those stories.

 

[oldman357]

cheers the tough old guy! thanks for sharing your story with us.

 

[Rat Fink]

Good story Nemont. I think about the stories my Grandpa told me about his days in the Navy stationed in the same area on the escort carrier CVE 102 USS Attu. The Kamikaze attacks those men endured were relentless and killed a lot of sailors, but it could have been much worse. I'm glad your grandfather survived it as did mine.

 

[putm2sleep]

Refreshing and AMAZING! Thanks Nemont.
note: I loved hearing the stories my grandfather (Air Force) would tell about the war. And, the one's my grandma would tell me too. She was a nurse. They were incredible!!!! I miss them every second.

 

[idahofishnhunt]

Thanks for sharing that, a good reminder of those that really made a great sacrifice.

 

[Deleted member 16864]

Thanks for sharing, my grandpa was badly burned when his ship was hit by a kamikaze. He died of cancer in his early 50's, probably related to his injurys.

 

[noharleyyet]

The things men like your grandfather did for the freedoms we have. Awesome legacy Nemont, thanks for sharing.

 

[RUT JUNKEY]

nice story Nemont. I miss hearing all of those stories from my Grandpa too. .He was in the Navy ( a SeeBee) sp? Some tough guys for sure.

 

[krshntr81]

Thanks for sharing! My grandfather was on the USS Mullany during the Okinawa invasion which was hit by a kamikaze plane and he had to abondon ship. There is definatly a reason they called them THE GREATEST GENERATION!

 

[recon6036]

Great story. Thank you for sharing!

 

[fowladdict]

I always enjoy reading the things that shaped our country, thanks for sharing.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Great story about a great generation of worthy men, not to ever be forgotten. I am certain you will never forget your grandfather.

 

[fishing4sanity]

Thanks for sharing a great story. I think there was a level patriotism and dedication then, that is getting all to rare today.

 

[spook12]

Sounds like he lived an interesting life.

Thanks for sharing his story.