Posted on 02/16/2020 1:34:20 PM PST by BulletBobCo
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Donald Stratton, a Colorado Springs resident who survived the 1941 attack on the USS Arizona battleship at Pearl Harbor, died on Saturday at 97.
Stratton’s death was announced on his public Facebook page.
” One of Donald’s final wishes was that people remember Pearl Harbor and the men aboard the USS Arizona,” the post reads.
Stratton advocated to award the Bronze Star Medal posthumously to Joe George, who saved six sailors on the doomed battleship.
He wrote an account of his experiences on Dec 7, 1941 and the rest of the war in “All the Gallant Men.” Your local library will hopefully have a copy. Or check with your local bookseller.
RIP fella...
I have a cousin still in the Arizona and another cousin that was an early captain of the Arizona. Most of us have no idea of how many ancestors we have that served this country.
That's the only memoir to have been written by an Arizona survivor.
RIP Donald Stratton.
There aren’t many Arizona survivors left.
Now there are two. This past December 7, and three years before for the 75th, we went to Pearl Harbor with our friend Lou Conter. Periodically I post the link to my so so Eagle Scout Project documentary on this remarkable American. https://youtu.be/T_L0kWTqPiA
There’s a book and professionally produced documentary on Mr Conter coming out later this year. I’ll post info here when these are released. And, yes, we’ve promised to return to Pearl with Mr Conter this year!
God bless all the men of the USS Arizona
“Son’s Eagle Scout Project” not “So So.” Sheesh. https://youtu.be/T_L0kWTqPiA
G-d bless the memory of this brave warrior.
Amen.
RIP dear warrior.
As I recall, there’s a bottle of vintage cognac that they are to open and drink, as the last two survivors.
God bless. Amen
I had the honor of visiting him as well. A friend and I stopped by after his book was published, as he lived in our neighborhood. He and Velma were so gracious and welcoming. He signed our books and told us some stories. We were in awe of the memorabilia he had. When we were leaving there were hugs all around as he told us, “If the flag’s flying I’m still here!”
When I walk the dog I always take note of the flag. I’m a little sad today for Velma and the family. He was an honorable man. With God now. That’s probably a good place to be, compared to this worn out world.
RIP.
Don Stratton’s wife, Velma passed away today. Their 70th wedding anniversary was last week.
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