STANLEY HAMMER, born Dec. 28, 1923 in New York City, joined the USN, Jan. 20, 1941. He received basic training at Newport, RI. Luckily he was hospitalized with "cat fever". Most of his fellow trainees were assigned to USS Reuben James and USS Ellis. Both ships were sunk in North Atlantic early in the war.

He joined the USS Washington as plank owner. He was part of its commissioning. Shared in all of the Luckv W�s actions. Entitled to 16 Battle Stars, American Area, victory Medal American Defense w/star: Philippine Liberation w/2 stars, European Theater Operations w/star; Asiatic Pacific w/12 and Good Conduct.

His most vivid memories include the battle of Guadalcanal: operating with British Fleet on Murmansk Run; kamikaze attack on USS Franklin: collision with Indiana.

He spent six weeks on USNH St. Albans late 1946. Reassigned to ELSM 446. Hammer was discharged at Norfolk on Dec. 29, 1946.

He left New York for California in 1955, went into own business in restaurant kitchen equipment field and retired in 1990. Married his high school girlfriend, Fran, July 1, 1945. They have a son, Robert, daughter, Carol and grandson Cody and granddaughter, Chelsea.

JODIE HAMRICK, JR., CQM, born at Wynne, AR, June 29, 1923, and was sworn into the USN, Jan. 10, 1940 at Nashville, TN and sent to Norfolk, VA for bootcamp.

Upon completion of boot camp was assigned to the USS California for duty. In March 1941 he was transferred to the pre-commissioning detail for the USS Washington (BB-.56) at the naval shipyard Philadelphia and for duty aboard when commissioned May 15. 1941.

When Adm. Willis A. Lee commander of battleships Pacific Fleet came aboard in 1942 and was transferred to his staff and remained with him until October 1944. At this time he was given a leave and transfer orders to stateside.

Upon completion of leave, returned to the West Coast and served on the following ships or stations during the rest of his naval career: USS Pitt (APA-223) in the invasion of Okinawa; Naval shipyard Philadelphia; fleet training center and underway training units at Long Beach and San Diego, CA, Guam, Subic Bay, Japan, USS Conflict (MSO-426), US Naval Gun Factory as tug master and river pilot; amphibious base, Virginia as tug master and harbor pilot; USS Sagamore (ATF-208) from which transferred to Fleet Reserve, Sept. 9, 1960.

He was awarded the Good Conduct, five awards; American Defense, American Theater, FAME, Asiatic Pacific, 13 stars, WWII Victory, Korean, Navy Occupation, China Service, UN Medal and Philippine Liberation.

During leave in 1944 he married Miss Gertrude G. Muir of Philadelphia and had two children, a daughter and son. His family now consists of five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Upon retirement in 1960 he settled in Philadelphia and worked in the Department of Labor and Industry for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He retired from state service in 1985 as a senior manager in the employment service.

DAVID ELMER HANDY, MM1, born June 3, 1923 in East Providence, RI, joined the USN, Feb. 6, 1941 and was assigned to the USS Washington May 15, 1941 at main control #3 engine room.

He participated in all major actions from 1941 to 1945 and received the American Area Ribbon, LAME Ribbon wlBronze Star and Asiatic Pacific Ribbon w/12 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon w/2 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct and American Theatre Ribbon.

Handy has two sons, Bruce and Craig and two granddaughters. He is now retired. He worked for 29 years for W.E Culton Express.

DONALD ARTHUR HANSEN, born Nov. 22, 1922 in Flint, MI, enlisted in the USN. ten days after Pearl Harbor, about Dec. 18, 1941. He was assigned to the USS Washington and worked in sick bay. He participated in major actions and crossed the Arctic Circle. He later returned with the ship to the states and went to pharmacy school. As a hospital apprentice, Hansen then served on the LCI 475 and was in the Philippines.

He came home in 1945 and in August 1946, married Beverly Lind. They had three girls and one boy, Susan, Douglas, Rebecca, and Pamela. Beverly died of cancer at age 41 in 1965. He later married Shirley Justin who had three children and they had one son named after Don. He had become a registered pharmacist and had his own drug store. He and Shirley both died of cancer in 1992. She in January and he in March. Submitted by his sister, Virginia (Hansen) Bertosso, Burton, MI.

JOSEPH H. HARDING, BMCS, born April 22, 1919 in Evansville, MN, joined the USN, April 10, 1940 and attended boot camp in San Diego, CA.

He transferred to the Cincinnati for one year and then transferred to new construction which was the Washington (BB-.56). Transferred to the R Div. to the sail locker, to become a sail maker for the rest of the war; E-4, E-5 and E-6 on the Washington. He went through all the battles the Washington was in, including the collision at sea. During his time on the Washington as a seaman, he was in turret #1 as a powder man in the magazine. Went to R Div. and stood watches on the bridge and in damage control center.

January 31, 1946 after the war, he left the Washington. One year on shore duty at Great Lakes and four months at sea on the 863. Permanent shore duty for two years at Green Bay, WI as an instructor. Transferred to the San Pahalo (AGS-30) in the Oceanographic Div. for three and a half years. While on the San Pahalo was interviewed to be on the crew on the Presidents yacht, but had to turn it down due to his family. Transferred to the Requisite, which was a hydrographic ship, to do survey work. Shore duty in Glenview, IL, as chief in charge of electronic maintenance crew for two years. Transferred to the Pineapple Fleet in Hawaii. Served on the Radford as chief master arms for three years. Shore duty in Hawaii as harbor patrol and then transferred to the fleet post office as operation chief for the whole fleet under one officer and 28 men, for one year. Transferred to the degaussing stations as chief in charge. Transferred to shore duty at Millington, TN, as a brig warden. This is where he finished his Navy career. He was on the Washington when commissioned in Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard and served until it was semi-decommissioned Jan. 31, 1946 at Boston, MA. He served 26+ years in the USN, plus inactive reserves for four years.

Harding received eight Good Conduct awards and all the medals the Washington was awarded. He was discharged July 29, 1966. After his Navy career was over he worked for Sears as a salesman for 13 years. He married Margaret Jerrek in 1946 and they have three children. He is now retired and resides in Northern Wisconsin.