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.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Sailor Says Decision to Write a Letter Probably Saved His Life-- Part 3

From the Dec.6, 2012, Lake County Journal.  Continued from Dec. 20, 2012.

When asked how he communicated with his family while overseas, Edward Rasmussen said, "Once in a while you could send them a letter.  But, you couldn't tell them where you were.  You could just say that you were doing OK."

What happened when the Porter helped to escort the ship carrying President Roosevelt to North Africa.  "President Roosevelt was on the ship the Iowa.  He was going over to visit [Winston] Churchill and [Joseph] Stalin.  They were going to have a meeting.  Part way over there we were practicing and someone up on the bridge hit a button and the torpedo tubes turned out.

Since we were practicing, they weren't supposed to go out.  And all the sudden, 'Whish!'  We just fired a torpedo at the Iowa.  They aimed all their big guns at us if we did anymore.  It was just the one thing."

More to Come.  --GreGen

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