PHILIP JAMES RYAN, born Salem, MA, March 6, 1924, joined the USN March 7, 1941 and was assigned to the USS Washington in May 1941 and departed April 18, 1943, stationed with the 5th Div.

His memorable experiences include the third Battle of Savo Islands; recovering from open heart surgeries (one in 1955 and two in 1996). Participated with gun crew, mount 51. He was discharged Jan. 1, 1961.

Married to same girl since March 1951. They have one daughter, an RN and a son. chief engineer on sealands performance largest class container ship under US flag. He is now retired.

VINCENT JOSEPH SABATINI, CMM, born to Italian immigrant parents Dec. 19, 1919 in the small town of Bunkie, LA. He joined the USN in 1937 and three years later was transferred to the battleship USS Washington for commissioning of the ship. His tours included the US naval station, Hawaii on board the Langley and Bremrrton in addition to the Washington.

In 1941, he was assigned to a small task force which joined the English Fleet in the European Theater of the war. He became machinist first class on the USS Washington and subsequently routed to the South Pacific during which time he made chief machinist mate. That tour included invasions and combat missions in Guam, Saipan, and Tinian. During his service in the USN Vincent endured seven years without shore duty. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 4, 1947.

Following his discharge from the USN, he joined the USA for which he served 10 years until his retirement and then entered the civilian world as a professional engineer.

His awards and decorations include the American Campaign Ribbon, European Theater of Operations Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon w/3 Battle Stars, American Defense and National Defense Service Medals and the WWII Victory Medal.

He married Willa M. Kohler on April 5, 1944 and had two daughters, two sons and eventually two grandsons. He died on Nov. 14, 1983, after a brief struggle with leukemia. Vincent is buried in Houston, TX where many of his surviving family members reside.

CHARLES M. "CHARLIE" SANDWICK JR., RDM3/C, born Oct. 3, 1926 in Bethlehem, PA, enlisted in the USN, Sept. 28, 1944. Attended boot camp at Great Lakes NTC: radar school at Point Loma, San Diego and assigned to USS Washington April 1945, 1 Div., S1/c, CIC room during GQ.

Participated in Okinawa campaign and Kyushu air strikes. After arrival at Puget Sound in June 1945 he was transferred to PT boat base at Melville, RI until September 1945. Rejoined the crew of USS Washington after arrival in Philadelphia for Navy Day, Oct. 27, 1945. Enjoyed the opportunity to escort two former female classmates on board the ship on Navy Day.

Transferred to USS Helena for Good-will tour of Europe, Middle East and Asia. Last served in Tsingtao, China. Discharged Aug. 6, 1946 with RDM3/c rating.

He received the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, China Service, Occupation Service and WWII Victory Medal.

Sandwick received a BA from Lehigh University and a MS from Temple University. He taught high school science and coached track and cross-country for 30 years. He also sold life insurance. He married "Maisie" Steckel in 1968. They have two daughters and nine grandchildren.

JAMES H. "JIMMY" SATTERFIELD, AM2/C born April 21, 1924 in Atlanta, GA, enlisted in the USN Aug. 11, 1941. After boot camp in Norfolk, attended aviation metalsmith school in Jacksonville, FL and was assigned to USS Washington Feb. 1, 1942, stationed aft on the OS2U aircraft. Attained the rating of AM2/c.

He participated in all campaigns from Russian convoy operations to Philippine Sea battle. Received all WWII campaign medals, Good Conduct and Philippine Liberation Medal. He was discharged April 20, 1947.

Satterfield attended law school earning LLB and LLM. After graduation he was in law enforcement for 37 years with 30 years as special agent with Bureau of ATE Retired Jan. 12, 1979.

His most memorable experiences were going around the North Cape of Iceland, the Panama Canal, flying over and around an active volcano in the Hebrides Islands; the battle of Savo observed from gun mount of fantail and being catapulted off and recovering of OS2U aircraft.

He married Margaret L. Thomas June 6, 1946 and they had one son and two grandchildren. Margaret died Feb. 24, 1980. He is now presently married to Barbara Peters Satterfield.

KARL D. SAURER, born Oct. 26, 1922, joined the USN January 1941 and went to Norfolk NTS. Assigned to the USS Washington March 1, 1941 and was aboard for her commissioning April 1941.

He went to the North Atlantic Theater from July 1941 to November 1941 and was on convoy duty from Iceland to Russia. He went to South Pacific Theater and was in all major battles. Returned to the USA in December 1944.

Saurer was stationed at USN Air Station from January 1945 to March and was sent to US Naval Hospital and discharged April 1945.

He was married and had two children. Employed with trucking company in Ohio for 10 years. He moved to Arizona in 1960 and went to work for a warehouse company. His first wife went back to Ohio in 1970. He met and married his present wife at his place of work and they have been happily married for 26 years. Both retired after 25 years with the company.

He is proud to have been a member of the crew of the USS Washington the best ship of the fleet.

SAM SCALZO, CMC born July 25, 1921 in Danbury, CT, joined the USN March 13, 1941 and went to Rhode island boot camp, assigned to USS Washington on May 1941 and served in 3rd Div., turret 3 as gunners mate striker. September 1941, USS Washington participated in test firing 16" guns for the first time to check structural damage. He was part of the gun crew. It was a great thrill.

April 30, 1942 he crossed the Arctic Circle to become a blue nose during Atlantic convoy duty. Iceland to Murmansk to Scapa Flow, rough ocean.

Nov. 15, 1942 participated in the battle of Guadalcanal. sinking Japanese battleship, Kirishima and Ayanami, eyeball to eyeball, night action, range 85,000 to 11,000 yards.

Served Central Pacific offensive in 1943 as left gun captain during bombardment of Nauru, Kwajalein, Saipan. After 3 1/2 years aboard the USS Washington was transferred to advance gunnery school in Washington, DC. After war served on various ships. In January 1961 assigned to NROTC unit University of Illinois as instructor. Transferred to Hawaii aboard the USS Radford. Discharged and retired November 1964 as gunners mate chief.

He was awarded the American Area, WWII Victory Medal, American Defense, EAME w/star, Philippine Liberation, Asiatic-Pacific w/7 Stars, Good Conduct w/Stars.

He has been a real estate broker since 1965. He married Shirley Hayes Aug. 17, 1962 and has one son, Dr. David Scalzo, neuroadiologist University of Mississippi Medical Center. Jackson Mississippi and three grandchildren.