I once went to the Coast Guard Academy, to visit for some reason, and they had a map on the wall of all the ships, of all the Navies, that were sunk in the Pacific theater, of just WW2. There were little spots, of different colors for the ships of Britain, of Japan, of USA, and others. I stood there for ages, nearly in tears. The whole map was awash with spots. It was horrible.
Some things don't change. Sailors and ships don't change much. I gave the thought to Captain Keene. 'War is a waste and waste is a sin.'
Nice to see, on a more cheerful note that sailors are inclined to lounge around in their underoos...
I look at that accordian player and wonder what his song was and what the boys were dreaming of ... and wonder if George had his bassoon on board and if Joseph E played sad songs and stirring ones as they sailed enemy waters...
and of Ned and what the name Saratoga meant for him ...
OK I admit it - that was not the first thing that caught my eye *goo* Archie icon expresses thoughts on the latter!
An early version of "steel beach picnic!" Although this Saratoga's flightdeck would have been of wood. (My last at sea experience was a short at sea period aboard the more recent USS Saratoga, CV-60. Also got my one and only helo flight from her deck.) Dave
99% of my at sea time was aboard Constellation (CV-64) and Forrestal (CV-59). After my last deployment on Forrestal, the aviation squadron I was attached to was scheduled to deploy in Saratoga. I and a couple other individuals went aboard Saratoga to evaluate squadron spaces. The ship had just come out of the yard and was on sea trials. Dave
I wonder how many returned ...I had a quick look to see Sartogas list of WW2 casualties unsuccessfully for a quick search but I did discover this elderly gentleman whose shipmates these were he was 100 in 2009 so surely is gone by now but thought people might like to see http://www.troyrecord.com/general-news/20090723/oldest-vet-served-on-uss-saratoga
Thanks for sharing this. I know very little about the war in the Pacific. I wonder what it feels like to be the last of the veterans, like George Cadogan?
I realised on that quick look that I also know very little about it too though I think my naval uncle- by- marriage was out there -sadly he is long since gone.
yes it was George of whom I was thinking too- if only his correspondence archives had survived!
the USS Saratoga was a successful ship I think in those war years -she brought home over 29000 returning soldiers to their families at the end of the war apparently:)
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Chilling thought indeed...
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Some things don't change. Sailors and ships don't change much. I gave the thought to Captain Keene. 'War is a waste and waste is a sin.'
Nice to see, on a more cheerful note that sailors are inclined to lounge around in their underoos...
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But yes, sailors lounging in their unmentionables always raise a smile.
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and of Ned and what the name Saratoga meant for him ...
OK I admit it - that was not the first thing that caught my eye *goo*
Archie icon expresses thoughts on the latter!
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of Ned and what the name Saratoga meant for him ...
Gosh yes, I hadn't thought of that.
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Dave
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Dave
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he was 100 in 2009 so surely is gone by now but thought people might like to see
http://www.troyrecord.com/general-news/20090723/oldest-vet-served-on-uss-saratoga
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yes it was George of whom I was thinking too- if only his correspondence archives had survived!
the USS Saratoga was a successful ship I think in those war years -she brought home over 29000 returning soldiers to their families at the end of the war apparently:)
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