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Paul Scott Duesterdick's avatar

Every Memorial Day I think of my father, a high school graduate who enlisted in the Navy, went to Torpedo School in Newport, RI, took a train across the country to Washington State and was initially assigned as a torpedo man on the USS Spence.

Turns out they had too many torpedo men on the Spence so they “ drew straws” to determine who left- my father “ lost” and was reassigned to the USS Cushing in the USS Missouri’s fleet.

Thereafter, Admiral Halsey took his part of the fleet through a typhoon and the Hull, the Spence and the Monahan, all destroyers were swamped and sunk. So “losing “ the “ short straw” event saved his life.

He ultimately ended up on the USS Missouri for medical treatment and was present on the superstructure when Hirohito surrendered to General MacArthur in Toyko.

He rarely talked about the war and only shared stories in his later life and while I inherited many things and assets when he passed away the most precious thing he left me was his diary from being on the ship in the middle of the conflict.

He was a loyal American, proud of his service, loved his country and taught his three children to cherish liberty and to be kind to your neighbors.

Scott Duesterdick

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David Onion's avatar

On this day, I think of my father in law who was a Navy pilot in WWII. He flew PBYs (surveillance/ sea planes) which flew primarily at night to identify enemy formations. They carried 4 (yes only 4) rounds of ammunition in case of emergency. He never drank or smoked so his squadron called him grandpa. In fact, he never even took aspirin until a serious injury at age 76. Upon returning after the war, his former employer asked if he’d like his accounting job back. He said “no, that would make me way too nervous”

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