As some of you may know I have written a few times about my father in law Being a WWII Navy vet serving on the USS Pasadena CL-65. 1944-45
During his time in WWII they earned 5 Battle stars, including but not limited to operations against Luzon and Formosa, Participated in the bombardment of Iwo Jima, survived Pacifc Typhoon, Cobra December 18 1944 in which three destroyers were lost. USS Hull (DD-350),USS Monaghan (DD-354),USS Spence (DD-512) at the cost of 790 lives.
He's told me several times of the event saying that they had the crew running back and forth across the fantail to keep the ship upright. in his words "I dont know if we were doing any good or not or if they were just trying to keep us busy. But thats what they told us we were doing it for. Back and forth back and forth. ehhh what the hell did we know. We were only 18"
His ship was also not only present in the harbor. But docked right next to the USS MISSOURI (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender where he witnessed it first hand
He told me a story about what happened during this attack which I have written about somewhere here I think in the General discussion. I will repost if I can find it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IDV_Yn8qcgWell it seems we are near loosing this treasure as he ended up in the hospital last week with congestive heart failure and has since been diagnosed with Mesothelioma
And a great deal of fluid on the lings They say there isnt anything they can do for him and are suggesting Hospas care. So its really just a matter of a waiting game now.
For all his faults and there are many. I am proud to say he is my father in law and that I know him as a person. I have nothing but the utmost respect for this man and for what he has had to deal with in his life. Lord knows it hasnt been an easy one. Nor always particularly kind one.
I feel particularly honored that he has chosen only me over the years to talk about and tell his wartime stories to in any great detail. Like many veterans. Other then a very brief overview or some occasional humorous incident. He has always been reluctant at best to discuss the war in any depth. And any information his family has received. They have gotten through me,from him as I have been able to piece the stories together over the years.
In fact. untill I came along and he decided to start telling me. the only thing they knew was what I've heard him say in front of them 100 times (often when drunk)
CL-65, 44-45, Jap surrender Tokyo Bay. And that during their first battle he tried going to sick bay, thinking he was going to get in trouble then looking behind him and seeing half the crew all trying to do the same thing. (to which he would always laugh)
But thats pretty much it.
So as I've said. I've had the honor of being the one he talked to.
In any event
What I am asking for is not prayers. Though they are certainly welcome.
But information.
I'd like to know what upon his death. He is entitled to from the military by way of services And what we will need to do to acquire those services when that time comes
Which is looking more and more to be sooner rather then later now.
Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated
