RALPH LESLIE "TOMMIE" THOMAS, LCDR, born Dec. 23, 1920 in Jacksonville, FL, enlisted in the USN in 1940 after graduation from Hillsborough High School in Tampa, FL and attended training school in Norfolk. He served on the USS Washington, original crew (plank owner) May 1941 to April 1943 (including Battle of Guadalcanal) as RM-2 radio operator (standing radio circuit watches). He served on USS Reuben James (DE-153) in similar capacity May 1943-February 1944. The USN put him through school (May 1944-June 1947) as a V-12 student, and he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at Duke University and the University of Louisville. He was commissioned as a Reserve Naval Officer in June 1947.

From late 1947 to mid 1951, he worked in the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, DC and attended law school at George Washington University at night, graduating in 1951. September 1951 to January 1953 (Korean War) he served as a line officer on the USS Bearss (DD-654). Thereafter, he made a career as a lawyer, first as in-house attorney for IBM (during infancy of computer development), and later in private practice in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. He attained the rank of lieutenant commander in 1958, and retired from the USN in 1965. One of his most lasting memories of his time on the USS Washington was hearing the pilots chatter during combat of their hits/victories in the heat of WWII battles. He received numerous merit awards and badges during his service in the USN. He considers his career in the USN, and especially his service on the USS Washington, as his greatest accomplishment.

He married Carol Ward April 15, 1961, and has two sons, Ward and Bryant and three grandchildren He is retired and lives in Nags Head, NC.

He is a tough old salt and never got seasick once.

KENNETH A. TIPPER, born June 27, 1921, in Birmingham, England, joined the Royal Navy on June 5, 1941, and went to HMS Royal Arthur for training as a telegraphist. On Jan. 2, 1942, he joined the tribal class destroyer HMS Punjabi, then under refit. His job was to intercept German radio signals and use a direction finder to locate ships such as the Tirpitz.

On May 1, 1942, while part of a covering force for a convoy to Russia, the Punjabi was rammed and sunk by HMS King George V (the story of which appears elsewhere), and he was returned to his home base of Portsmouth for reassignment. He went to the hunt class destroyer HMS Quorn, which patrolled the coast of Britain on anti-E-boat missions. On Dec. 24, 1943, after training in interception of Japanese radio signals, he joined HMS Anderson, a short station in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka.

He was discharged as a leading telegraphist in February 1946, and on June 1, 1946, married Norah Sollors. They have two children, five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter

The family emigrated to the US in 1957, and Ken and Norah have made their home in Florida for the past 40 years. He retired as a sales manager in 1985, and is a volunteer bailiff, and writes for several publications, also as a volunteer.

FRED L. TUCKER, P2/C, born Sept. 29, 1921, in Richmond, VA (down where the south begins).

Joined the National Maritime Union 1938, sailed merchant tankers, freighters. colliers until 1941.

Enlisted Dec. 8. 1941, boot training Norfolk NTS. Sent to SOWESPAC March 1942 to Base Beacher, Tongatahu. Friendly Islands in Pacific, after six months of going "rock-happy", managed a swap to the newly arrived Washington, had previously found a man on USS Juneau willing to swap, but they sailed before they could complete the paper work.

Assigned to print shop, condition watch station "JA" phone on bridge. Battle station main battery plot.

Served on all actions until Nov. 20, 1944. when transferred to 11th NAVDISHDQ print shop. Dischanged printer second class, March 1946 with usual #1-was-there ribbons.

Retired after 47 years as printer and supervisor. Daily Press. Now handle Honey-Do's. etc., married former Nicholas County. WV, beauty queen Evalyn Huff, son West Point Grad, Class of 1968.

FRANCIS JOSEPH "FRANK" TURZYN, GM3/C, born July 7. 1921, enlisted March 1941 Discharged January 1947.

Upon enlisting in USN, he was told he was too heavy. The doctor gave him a diet and told him to return in a week. He gained two pounds, but was accepted. Trained Newport. RI. Grew to 6 foot 2 inches and gained 20 pounds.

He dove into water on a $5.00 bet. Was accused of disturbing the "King's Fishes," like the real Tarzan, when they crossed the Equator. Enroute to Europe, he was on boar deck and saw a man overboard. not knowing it was the Admiral. Passed through the Panama Canal twice. once after North Atlantic. Duty, back and forth from Murmansk to Island waiting for Von Tirpitz to leave Norway to sink convoys. Participating in every USS Washington Pacific engagements.

When war ended. transferred to 16th fleet in Philadelphia putting ships into mothballs until discharge. Worked for Republic Aviation making jet airplanes for five years. US Post Office. 25 years. Married while in USN. five children. Divorced after 30 years. Married woman with seven children, now grandfather of 24, great-grandfather of one.

HARRY G. VANDERWALKER, BM2/C, born Jan. 13. 1921 in Aurelius. NY. He joined the USN, Feb. 4. 1941 and reported on board the USS Washington May 24. 1941. Served at NTS Newport. RI, USNH Newport. RI: USS Washington; RS Brooklyn. NY. He was injured in the leg by shrapnel and was given morphine twice - once regular time then by a second corpsman who didn't see a tag on him and gave him another shot - for two weeks, he drifted in and out of consciousness.

Vanderwalker was on board for all major actions; the Murmansk runs, collision with USS Indiana; was there when Kirishima and Ayanmi were sunk. Many other bombardments too.

He was awarded the FAME w/Star, Asiatic-pacilic w/12 Stars, Philippine Liberation w/2 Stars, Good Conduct Medal, American Area Medal and the American Defense w/Star.

He married Ann Garbarta (US Army), Feb. 18, 1946.They have been married for 35 years. They had one son, Richard, four daughters: Christine, Carol, Linda and Cindy, four granddaughters, and two grandsons. He is a retired farmer, self-employed auto mechanic. Vanderwalker died Aug. 15, 1981.

BEN VIGIL, born Aug. 20, 1924 in Calcite, CO and moved to Salida, CO at the age of six. He graduated high school May of 1943 and joined the USN in June.

He went through boot camp at Camp Pendleton and Signal School at Farragut, ID and was assigned to the USS Washington in April 1944 while it was being repaired in Bremerton, WA.

Vigil received eight Battle Stars, six Asiatic-Pacific, two Philippine Liberation. He left the USS Washington in Boston in December 1945 and was discharged at Shoemaker, CA March 1946.

He married Clara Lucero May 28, 1947, and they have four children: one son and three daughters and seven grandchildren. In May 1997 it will be their 50th anniversary.

He worked for the US Government for 31 years at Tooele Army Depot in the Security Div. Retired at the present time.