ALFRED B.K, RODRIGUES, born Feb. 7, 1920 in Kapaa Kauai, HI and was in the USNR when ordered to active duty in November 1940.

Stationed at Bishop's Point, Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He had the 0400-0800 watch. All they had were 30 caliber rifles that they were shooting at the Japanese planes that were strafing the area.

Reported on board the Washington in June 1943 and transferred in February 1945. He was in all the action that occurred while in board.

Joined the regular USN after the war and was discharged in June 1964. He received numerous medals.

Started another career with the General Services Administration in Honolulu and retired after 30 years as a manager of a GSA customer supply center.

Rodrigues married Louise E. Schneider from Douglass, WY. They have nine children and spend time babysitting the grandchildren or playing golf.

ALBERT FRED "AL" ROIZ, PNC, born Dec. 29, 1919 in San Renito, TX, son of Ulpiano and Jacinta Roiz. Enlisted USN Aug. 1, 1939 and attended boot camp at San Diego. Reported aboard USS Washington March 7, 1941 from USS California. Served in various ships and shore commands. Retired as PNC Oct. 31, 1959. On bridge as JA phone talker during both "man overboard" and "Punjabi Ramming" episodes and in conning tower as JF phone talker during "Savo Island Battle".

He earned nine medals during his career. After retirement earned a BS from U of T and later MS from TAMU. Employed with the Social Security Administration, retiring Jan. 19, 1986. Licensed and worked as realtor until 1994.

He married Anne Estelle Daniel Sept. 1, 1945 and was divorced Jan. 26, 1956. He has a son, Jim, and grandsons, Kevin and Jeffrey.

Roiz married his second wife, Betty Jo Jacobson Aug. 14, 1963, and she died March 13, 1995. He then had a daughter Patricia, and granddaughter Katelin and step-daughter, Deanne, step-grandson Joshua and stepson William, and four step-grandchildren.

Now completely retired. Plays golf and poker for leisure but very poorly. For exercise he jumps to conclusions but he doesn't do that too well either.

SAMUEL A. ROSS, SM/C, enlisted in the USN Dec. 15, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA and went to boot camp at Sampson, NY 1943. He reported aboard USS Washington July 15, 1943 at Pearl Harbor and served on the ship from that date until October 1945 Long Beach, CA, participating in all major actions from 1943 to 1945.

His one clear remembrance aboard ship was their collision the USS Indiana. He was on damage control, security watch on the main deck. Their job was to check hatches and lights around the main deck. While walking the main starboard deck, he was knocked down on his side. After getting to his feet, he saw red lights going by him in the opposite direction. He did not know at that time, but he was looking at the red lights on the Indiana S mess hall. Their bow had torn a large long hole in her side. They lost men on both ships. It was their worst damage and loss of life.

The only wound he received from the collision was a large bruise on his right hip from the 45 pistol they had to carry. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, American Campaign, and Philippine Campaign Medals.

Retired in 1980 with his wife Rita who has been with him for 54 years. They have one daughter, Pat Ross, son James Ross and his daughter-in-law Ann.

GILBERT J. ROTH, born Oct. 28, 1921 in Detroit, MI, graduated Hillsdale College and Illinois College of Optometry with bachelor of science and doctor of optometry degrees. Joined the USN V-7 Program on April 25, 1942 and assigned to Midshipman's School at Columbia University, graduating Oct. 20, 1943. Assigned to USS Washington and served aboard until December 1945, in F Div. and 5th Div. as plotting room officer. Transferred to Medical Service Corps in 1946. Assigned to Medical Co. 9-5 in Detroit, serving as XO and CO. Assigned to group command in Detroit as medical senior officer and liaison to Wayne State College of Medicine, and CO of Marine Medical Co. 212. Retired on Oct. 28, 1981.

His awards included two Navy Commendations, Naval Reserve Medals (four) and awards for best medical unit for five years in 9th Naval District. Served as consultant to NAS, Grosse Ile for eight years.

Semi-retired from private practice. Fellow, American Academy of Optometry and past president of Michigan Optometric Association. Police commissioner, Grosse lle Police Department since 1974. He has a son, Edward and daughter, Terry Jo. His wife is deceased.

LORENZO RUSSO, SR., QM1/C, born Nov. 2, 1921 in Utica, NY. joined the USN April 1941 and trained at Norfolk, VA and was assigned to USS Washington for duty May 1941.

Aboard ship he joined the boxing squad trained and fought under the watchful eye of their instructor Tom Manuli, a great boxer. While on duty in North Atlantic, he was assigned duty as a lookout up in the crow's nest. After which he joined the QM gang with duties on the bridge at sea and quarterdeck in port. While with Washington he earned 13 Battle Stars.

After his discharge he went home and married Adeline Pellegrino and was recalled to duty for the Korean War. Assigned to USS Stoddard (DE-566). After discharge went home and started their family, two boys and a girl. Now happily married for 47 years and they have six wonderful grandchildren.

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JOHN JOSEPH RUTTER, PHM1/C, born April 24, 1924, joined the service in 1941 and was assigned to the USS Washington in 1942, pharmacist mate first class.

Wherever the battleship went, so did he for the next four years. He was discharged in 1945 and is now deceased.