DONALD ALFRED CLARK, BTC, born Oct. 10, 1921, Frazee, MN, enlisted in the USN Nov. 7, 1939. He was assigned to BB-56 Feb. 2, 1941, as boiler fireman. Left the ship in November 1944 for new construction as boilerman first class.

His memorable experiences: when Adm. Wilcox was lost overboard in February 1942. North Atlantic King George V cut a destroyer in half. (Punjabi) stern, sunk on their portside. Nine depth charges went off. Was on watch in forward mach-space. Scary!! !

Action while at sea included Torpedo Junction, North Atlantic and Pacific.

Clark was awarded 13 medals. He served on seven ships. Honorably discharged in October 1959 as chief boilerman.

Married the former Evelyn Cooke Feb. 12, 1942. They had two sons, Donald Jr. and George M. In 1989 he remarried to Twila Handcock. Retired from LA Airport as senior BOE (building operating engineer) Oct. 10, 1979.

He used to think USS stood for United States ship. But after duty on seven ships found USS meant underway - Saturday and Sunday. Amen!

ROBERT G. CLARK, born Jan. 9, 1924, Berkley, MI, enlisted in the USN Feb. 25, 1941, in Port Jervis, NY; boot camp Newport, RI. Assigned to the USS Washington May 15, 1941, in 1st Div., made boilerman first class and reassigned to 5th Div. as leading petty officer. Left Washington short time before decommissioning. Discharged for 89 days of 90 and re-enlisted for shore duty in Atlantic City, NY.

Married the former Irene Boiler Feb. 17, 1948. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Served aboard USS Robert L. Wilson (DD-847); USS Massey (DD-778) and USS Sierra (AD-18). Made BMC. Shore duty Norfolk, VA at Shore Patrol Hq. Went to A/C and Refrigeration Night School for two and one-half years, and worked for Civil Service 16 years in A/C & Refrigeration shop. Made leadingman supervisor; retired and started his own business for 14 years.

WILLIAM NELSON "BILL" CLINGER, CPL, born Oct. 5, 1917, Columbus, OH, son of Nelson and Janet Burke Clinger. Volunteered for the USMC in January 1943 because he wanted to fight the Japanese. Was assigned a berth on the USS Washington, July 12, 1943. He stood various gun watches from 20mm to the 5-inch mark 38 director. Cpl. Clinger found it ironical that he was prepared for landings on the Pacific Islands, however, the only island on which he landed was Pegerian Island on the Majuro Atoll. There he served on the firing squad at funeral services for Lt. Turner who was killed in the USS Washington USS Indiana collision.

Following the war Clinger attended Optometry School in Chicago and practiced optometry for many years. He enjoyed the Washington reunions, especially liked to recall the Covington reunion he helped host. Adm. Lee was honored at that reunion.

He married the former Doris Davis Sept. 12, 1942, has two daughters, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

THOMAS GAETANO COLASANTO, born Nov. 20, 1927, Brooklyn, NY, graduated Machine and Metal Trade School, New York. Enlisted in the USN Nov. 1 ,1945, and reported to boot camp at Camp Ferry, Williamsburg, VA on Nov. 2, 1945. Boarded the USS Washington at South Boston Navy Yard. Was assigned to the R Div. They picked up midshipmen from Anapolis Naval Academy, and as part of their ship board training, took them on cruises to the Caribbean. Guantanamo Bay. Cuba and Colon Panama.

One memorable experience he had was one night during gunnery practice, he was relieved of damage control watch and decided to have a smoke top side. Not realizing the main battery 16-inch guns were ready to fire broad side. The impact of all three turrets firing knocked him down up against the life lines. This caused him momentarily to lose his vision. When his sight returned he crawled on his belly to the hatch. back to safety. below deck.

Another memorable experience was when the ship was in dry dock at the Brooklyn Navy Yard he walked under the hull. The ship was being decommissioned. The saddest experience was being towed by 12 tug boats to Bayonne. NJ to join the moth ball fleet.

He received the WWII Victory Medal, and was honorably discharged Oct. 11, 1947. Married the Former Dorothy Motola, has four children: Patricia, Steven, Thomas and Dominick; five grandchildren: and one great-grandson. Since 1949 he has operated and owned Able Welding Co. For two consecutive years, 1995-97. has been the commander of the George Washington Memorial Post 1872 in Brooklyn. NY. He is active in community services and various charities. He is currently on the board of directors of the Ben-Bay Kiwanis Club.

For several years he has enjoyed the USS Washington reunions where he met some interesting people, and enjoyed hearing their stories about their services on the USS Washington. Hopes to see them soon. They look forward to the next reunion.

ROBERT A. COLBY, CAPT, born Nov. 18, 1909. Buffalo, NY, was commissioned as a lieutenant (junior grade), USN. March 18, 1940. Served aboard USS Elliott in the Caribbean until transferred to BB- . 56 July 13, 1941. In Iceland he Fractured a leg while mountain climbing. Dr. Prevost carried him down the mountain to an Icelandic home and eventually a British ambulance got him to the ship. In 48 hours Drs. Canty and Prevost had him in a walking cast and working. He was aboard for the Murmansk run, the Punjabi incident, and the King's visit. After the historic Savo island battle in the Pacific he was detached Dec. 28, 1942. Noumea, NC for transportation to USNH Memphis for duty. He later served aboard USS Intrepid and at NAS Honolulu; USNTTC Jacksonville; NDS Bethesda (eight years); Yokosuka Japan; and AFIP Washington, D.C. Promoted to captain July 1, 1955. Received the Legion of Merit March 1, 1957, for professional accomplishments. Was physically retired June 30, 1960.

He wed the former Mary Sherman July 3. 1936. They are still celebrating. They live in southern Florida and have two sons, Charles and John, and three grandchildren.

CLAUDE C. COLLINS, MM 2/C, born June 5, 1919, Corbin, KY, joined the USN Nov. 18, 1940. and was assigned to the USS Washington March 15, 1941. Station/job on ship: All system on 150 Ib. line.

Action while at sea included everything the Washington took part in. His memorable experiences: Sinking of Kirishima and Ayanami and all the other battles. Awarded the Good Conduct Medal twice. Collins was discharged Jan.6,1947.

He has one son, one grandson and two granddaughters. Presently retired.

RAYMOND W. COLLINS, SN 1/C, born March 21, 1928, Mt. Vernon, MD, joined the USN March 20, 1946, and was assigned to the USS Washington about June 1, 1946

Station/job on ship: 5th Div., C-R Div. Action while at sea included cruises to Caribbean, Cuba, Panama. and Southern Drill Grounds. Discharged Jan. 21, 1948.

He was very proud to serve on the USS Washington. He missed all the real action, but wishes he could have been there, through all of it.

He remembers a few good times. They picked up 600 midshipmen from Annapolis, steamed down the coast to Cuba and Panama and who could ever forget that party, on the beach at Guantanamo Bay. All the memories he has of the Washington are good. He really loved that ship. The only sad thing he remembers was having to paint that beautiful teak deck, with him, being in the paint gang, just happened to be the unlucky one to he the last man off. He painted himself right off the ship, sad to say, that was the last time he saw the BB-56.

Married the former Thelma V. Ward Dec. 31, 1955. They have one son, two grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchiIdren. Collins is presently retired.

THOMAS M. COOLMAN, CMM, born Jan. 22, 1920, Thorntown, IN, enlisted in the USN in August 1940 in Detroit, M1. Assigned to the USS Washington May 15, 1941. Discharged from the USS Washington and the USN in August 1946 as chief machinist mate, spending five years and three months in the machine shop. He was also a Lead Hard Hat Diver for the ship. He received all of the service medals and battle stars the USS Washington was awarded.

He has worked various jobs including owning a hardware store. He has spent the last 15 years running his own machine shop. Has been married to Beverly for 55 years and they have two children, a boy and a girl, and five grandchildren.

WALTER COPELAND, served with the USMC aboard the USS Washington from May 1941-Nov. 22, 1942. He was a member of the Marine detachment when Washington was commissioned. While stationed in Philadelphia he became engaged to a lovely girl, whom he later married. They have two children and three grandchildren.

After serving two years aboard Washington he was transferred to the Fleet Marine Force, reporting to 1st Marine Div., later to Guadalcanal.

While aboard Washington he had the honor of being orderly to King George of England. Later transferred to Adm. Wilcox, USN staff, serving with Robert Montgomery and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

While in the Pacific they engaged the Japanese navy at Savo Island on the night of Nov. 14-15, 1942.

He later was rotated to the USA where he very quickly married the young lady that had been waiting for his return.

Discharged in January 1945 (medical) and returned to civilian life a real misfit. Upon returning to civilian life he became interested in the food business. Pursuing his line of thought in that field he became a distributor of imported gourmet foods, staying in that field for 30 years when he retired.

In retrospect he's had a ball. He made friends while in the service and they remain friends today. No regrets. Best of luck and good health to you all.

JOHN A COTE, RM 2/C, born Jan. 19, 1925, Stamford, TX, joined the USN July 13, 1943. Completed Radio School and boarded BB-56 CR Div. in February 1944. Stood eight hour watches sending/receiving voice/Morse code traffic. Battle station was on bridge which offered good close-up of action. Earned nine Battle Stars.

When returning from England with soldiers a seaman was washed overboard in a storm. He was spotted by a lookout and rescued. The ship's press station sent a description of the event to New York for publication.

Cote was honorably discharged March 13, 1946. He married the former Katie Swain May 4, 1954. They have four children.