ROBERT M. RAYBURN, LTJG, born Dec. 28, 1916 in NYC, graduate of Columbia University, directly commissioned as ensign USNR March 13, 1944. Served as CO aboard USS Washington from October 1944 to December 1945. Participated in Leyte, Luaon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa operations and the first carrier based air strike on Tokyo, February 1945.

Released to inactive duty March 22, 1946 and honorably discharged Feb. 3, 1954.

Rayburn received four Battle Stars, the American Defense and Philippine Liberation Medals.

Before retirement in 1991 he was an optometrist and maintained an active practice in Manchester, CT for 45 years. He married Shirley Mandell in August 1945. They have one daughter, Barbara Ellen.

JAMES ALLEN REISER, PFC, born July 26, 1926 in Carleton, MI, joined the USMC Nov. 8, 1943 and trained at San Diego, CA, boot camp. Assigned to Washington, AA machine gun crew 606.

He was awarded the American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign w/Silver and Bronze Star, EAME Campaign, WWII Victory, Philippine Liberation w/2 Bronze Stars, Philippine Independence and, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

He began working for the Detroit Edison Co. in June of 1948, retiring in 1987. He married Patricia Dugan on April 10, 1948 and they had two daughters and two grandchildren. He died on May 1, 1993.

WALTER N. RESSLER, born April 3, 1926 in Sunbury, PA, enlisted in the USN Aug. 13, 1943 and attended boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. After arriving in the Marshall Islands via San Francisco, the USAT Willard A. Holbrook and the USS Rixie. He boarded the USS Washington on Dec. 18, 1943 and was assigned to the 3rd Div.

He participated in 15 operations beginning with the Kavieng raids in late December 1943 and ending with the Okinawan Operation in April and May 1945. Battle station for air defense - a 20mm machine gun, and for surface engagements/bombarments - a cradleman in the #3 turret, center gun.

He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon w/8 Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon w/2 Bronze Stars and the American Defense Ribbon. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 6, 1945 from Bainbridge, MD.

He began working for the Federal Prison System in 1955 and retired in 1980 with 25 years service as a correctional counselor. He resides in Northumberland, PA and enjoys fishing and hunting in his free time.

WILLIAM "BILL" JOHN REYNAR, PHM1/C, born Dec. 21. 1923 in Los Angeles, CA, joined the USN Jan. 12, 1942. Served aboard the USS Washington in 1943 and 1944 in H Div., and was honorably discharged Nov. 15, 1947.

He was awarded the Philippine Independence, American Area, Asiatic-Pacific w/4 Stars, WWII Victory Medal and Philippine Liberation w/Star.

He married Gwen F. Krater April 2, 1944, while on leave after the collision of the USS Washington and the USS Indiana. After WWII he graduated from the University of Southern California and was employed in the wholesale fine paper business.

Bill passed away Dec. 13, 1996 and Gwen is still living in Beaverton, OR. He is also survived by one daughter, one son and two grandchildren.

VERLYN RICE, S1/C, born April 3, 1927 at Creston, IA. joined the USN in February of 1945. going to Great Lakes Naval Station for boot camp training. After boot camp he was sent to Washington State For S.P duty and was assigned to the USS Washington in 1945 at Bremerton. WA, with 9th Div.

After going through the canal and on to Philly For Navy Day in October 1945 the Washington then transferred troops from England. Rice was then assigned to the Naval District in the Aleutian Island where he served as Adm. Daubin's personal aid until late 1946 when he was discharged as S1/c in Minneapolis, MN.

Today he serves as a county supervisor for Adams County, IA. He has been married to Alice Thompson for 50 years, has one son and four grandchildren.

KING RICHESON, MM2/C, born Sept. 25, 1920 in Hartford, KY, enlisted Aug. 13, 1940. Attended boot camp and metalsmith school at Norfolk. Played on base basketball team that won 21 of 25.

Assigned to Washington April 28, 1941 Div. A, evaporators. He was a member of ships basketball team which won all five games before being interrupted by war.

Richeson was aboard during Murmansk Runs and Savo Island. He was machinist mate second class when transferred March 1943 to Midshipman School. Commissioned ensign July 28, 1943. Served on LST 179 during Gilbert Islands action until it was sunk on West Loch and Pearl Harbor May 21, 1944.

Next served on LST 889. Aboard AKA-7 Alcyone supplying the fleet at sea when war ended. He was discharged Nov. 25, 1945 as lieutenant (jg)

His memorable experiences include the Punjabi incident and seeing Washington and South Dakota cruising without escorts after Savo Island encounter.

He retired after 35 years teaching. Volunteers for Central Kentucky Blood Center, and is DAV van driver. He married Jean Sudduth June 13, 1949, has two daughters, Margaret Macemon and Sue Finley and three grandchildren.

EUGENE B. NEWLAND

USS Washington from Nov. 1942 to Dec. 18, 1945 - I division.