ABRAHAM JUNGNITSCH, CGM, born Feb. 12, 1920 in Page, ND, joined the USN Sept. 15, 1937 and was assigned to the USS Washington, March 1, 1941, as mount captain, 5" mount 1.

He served on the Washington from mid March 1941 to mid March 1943. Being a crew member of the Washington was the greatest adventure of his life. At the commissioning ceremony when the Honorable Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy made the statement that the Washington was the most powerful ship in the world, they proved it on Nov. 15, 1942, by single handedly trashing a Jap task force. He had one of the best gun crews and was very proud of the way they performed in time of battle. He was saddended to hear the Washington ended up in the scrap yard, for it more than did its duty to save the world from Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito.

After he left the Washington, he was assigned to the USS Meredith (DD-726) and participated in the invasion of Normandy. He lost his ship there due to a mine, but not until they had put down a lot of Nazis.

He retired in 1957 as CGM. He is married to Vivian and they have five children. He is now 77 years old and retired.

JOSEPH KASUNICK, S1/C, born Oct. 27, 1925 in Elton, OH, was the second youngest of ten children. He was orphaned at the age of six. When he turned 15, he moved to Cleveland, OH and got a job with the New York Central Railroad (NYCRR). In February 1944, when he was 17, he enlisted in the USN. After boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Base, he was assigned to the USS Washington.

He was in every major battle and received the Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon w/6 Bronze Stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon w/2 Bronze Stars.

On May 8, 1946 he was discharged and returned to Cleveland and his job at the railroad. In 1947, he met his soon to be bride, Rose Albertino. On May 24, 1948, they were married and on May 27, 1987, after 39 years of marriage, Joe passed away from heart disease. He left five children: Maryanne, Philip, Joseph, Judy and Fred and six grandchildren. He was very proud to be a part of the USS Washington and its colorful history.

ROBERT PETER KAROW, F2/C, born May 5, 1927 in Faribault, MN, joined the USN, April 24, 1945 and was assigned to the USS Washington, July 27, 1945 as fireman. He was discharged July 26, 1946. Married June Fredenburg, June 17, 1952 and had four children and five grandchildren. Karow died Aug. 28, 1996 and is buried in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

JOSEPH D. "JOE" KELLER, MM3/C, born May 5, 1926 in Williamsport, PA. He joined the USN June 1944 and was trained at Bainbridge, MD and then received basic engineering training at Gulfport, MS.

In January 1945 he boarded the USS Washington at Ulithi South Pacific Island and remained aboard until his discharge February 1946. As a MM3/c he served at Okinawa and Iwo Jima and also participated in Japan air strikes

The most memorable experience for him was participating in anti-aircraft firings and watching the kamikaze hits on the Ticonderoga and Bunker Hill, both within a few hours of each hit.

His awards include several Battle Stars, American Theater and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals. His USN awards include several Battle Stars, American Theater and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals.

After the USN he graduated with engineering honors from Syracuse University June 1951. He is a licensed professional engineer and owner of a consulting company. He has written a book and lectures intentionally on electronics. He is also an inventor. He resides with his wife at Plantation, FL. Due to the great amount of five inch gun firing he lost his hearing and has been disabled through the VA since February 1946.

FRANK R. KENFIELD, of Dade City, FL, Oct. 5, 1924 joined the USN on his 17th birthday and attended boot camp at Norfolk then overland to Key West. Boarded USS Washington offshore Jan. 12, 1942 and was picked for Radio Gang (CR Div.). He made radioman third and second in 1943 and left December 1943 for new construction and commissioned USS Wisconsin April 1944.

Returning to Pacific transferred to Adm. Lee's flag as RMI aboard USS South Dakota then under Adm. Shafroth and Adm. Denfield to USS Alabama then USS Iowa. Postwar sea duty with Vice Adm. Delaney on USS St. Paul then to USS Springfield finishing up to 8 1/2 years with shore duty Radio San Fran. Out in March 1950 but recalled for Korean War and 19 months at Radio Guam.

During and after college made career in transportation, port and chamber of commerce work in Amarillo, Dallas and Houston. Retired to Central Texas with 29 acres of woods and wild critters with civilization nearby in Waco, Bryan-College Station and Custin.