LEONARD GATH, EM2/C, born Oct. 19, 1920 in Rhode Island. joined the USN April 29, 1942 and was assigned to the USS Washington August 1942, as electrician E5, turret no. 1. At sea he maintained all electrical in turret No. 1. Discharged Nov. 30, 1945 as EM2/c with 12 Battle Stars.

Attended Bowdoin College July 1946 to 1949 and received an AB degree. Attended Indiana University and received an MS degree in health and safety and Dir HS. He taught high school in Michigan 1952-58. In 1958 appointed to State University of New York at Cortland teaching Health and Safety, retiring in 1985 as associate professor.

He was inducted into the RT Aquatic Hall of Fame because he was New England diving champion, swim coach and official.

He and Louise O`Brien Gath have four children: James, Frances, Elizabeth and Thomas, all college graduates and eight grandchildren.

He and Louise summer in Cortland. NY and winter in sunny Florida.

BARTHOLOMEW R. GAUDIOSO, S1/C, born July 24, 1924 in Bronx, NY. joined the USN May 5, 1943 at Albany. NY. Attended boot camp in Sampson, NY. and was assigned to the USS Washington July 27, 1943, no. 3 turret, 3rd Div., powder room and 20mm gun during air attack.

His memorable experiences include going through Panama Canal; and shooting at torpedo Jap plane. He was awarded the American Theater Victory, Asiatic Ribbon w/nine stars and Philippine Ribbon w/2 Stars. He was discharged Feb. 5, 1945.

Guadioso is married to Gladys and they have seven children and 16 grandchildren. He is now a semi-retired business owner, (pet foods and supplies-retail and wholesale).

ROBERT CLYDE GEISINGER, WT3/C, born Feb. 1, 1921 was drafted into service Sept. 30, 1943. Attended boot camp Coeur D. Alene, Idaho, and attended eight weeks of engineer school at Great Lakes, IL.

Assigned to USS Washington, February 1944 as F1/c then promoted to water-tender third class. Stood watch on #3 and 4 boilers and GQ. Stayed with ship until they brought troops back from England.

He was discharged and was called back to put AO- 00 USS Chickawan in commission. He was discharged on March 31, 1946.

Geisinger drove a truck cross country from May 1946 to January of 1993. He is married and has eight children, 16 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

FRANK E. GENOVESE, SC2/C, born in Peninsula, OH, joined the USN Feb. 3, 1941. Put the USS Washington in commission and stationed as ship cook, achieving the rank of SC2/c. He was on board for all major action and served as original plank owner until the war ended in 1945.

His memorable experience includes the bombardment of Iwo Jima and watching the Marines land on Iwo Jima. He has a lot of respect for them.

He was discharged Sept. 10, 1945 and was awarded 15 Battle Stars, the American Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, EAME Ribbon and Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

Genovese retired from Firestone with 30 years service, the last five years were spent in West Africa. He moved to Georgia and owns and operates a mobile home park with his wife Marion. They have been married 52 years and have sons, Robert and Jim, a daughter, Pam and a grandson, Jimmy.

JOSEPH J. GIANNINI, RDM3/C, born July 25, 1924 in Northampton, MA, joined the service April 12, 1943, and was assigned to USS Washington June 1943 and stationed as radar operator, achieving the rank of RDM3 class.

His action while at sea includes all major action from and including Operation Galvanic.

His memorable experiences include almost getting hit by a kamikaze. If a shipmate hadn't hit the kamikaze, the kamikaze would have hit Giannini.

He was discharged Feb. 3, 1946 and awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Philippine-Liberation Medal w/2 Stars, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal w/11 Stars, American Theater Medal.

He married Theresa Panto, June 1, 1946 and they have four children: Joseph, Gail, Gary and Linda and six grandchildren.