[Victoria Delsoul]

Survivors from the Carlton and the Honomu fell into the hands of the Germans and were not liberated until 1945. Nine of these men liberated were survivors from the Carlton Armed Guard.

American Merchant Ships Sunk in WWII

The war would never have been won without the valiant efforts of the heroes who manned these ships, both Merchant Marine and Armed Guard. The Merchant Marine who manned the engine rooms were the most often killed due to the explosions.
-- Captain Arthur R. Moore

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for posting that quote from Captain Moore giving creit to the Merchant Mariners.

[Jen]

Sam - thanks for this terrific thread. I have been gone all day so I have not had time yet to read it but I love these personal stories from the veterans so much. Thanks for all your hard work.

Today was a sad day for me - the funeral for my step-dad. So, I would like to honor him on this Warrior Wednesday.

Kenneth Allen Hicks
Oct. 19, 1932 - Jan. 27, 2003

Ken served in the U.S. Air Force during the 1950s - mostly in Strategic Air Command. He was a Radio Operator, and worked for many bigwigs including General Curtis LeMay.

He told me often that he regretted not making a career of the Air Force, but his family needed him back home and he got a hardship discharge after eight years.

Ken was a Jacksonville, FL native but called Lake Wedowee, AL home. He loved living on a lake and all water-related activities. And he loved the Seminoles of Florida State University.

So many people loved Ken with his outgoing nature and gigantic heart that was buried under his sometimes gruff exterior. I am blessed to have been able to call him my 'dad' for the 27 years he and my mom were married.