In 1995 was in Sanfransisco at the USS Isherwood reunion.
Met an executive officer who had lots of war mileage under his feet prior to joing the Isherwoods crew in 1943.
He served aboard USS Benham..his battle group were delayed entering Pearl on the morning of DEC 7th as tin cans needed to be refueled at sea....the delay was a fortunate turn.
USS Benham was an escort on the Doolittle raid...following on to the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal.
During dinner he shared his recolections of the Guadalcanal campaign...he said the night operations were stunning concerning the visuals.
however..one night nearly ended his life..as USS Benham was torn apart by a Japanese Long Lance torpedo.
As Benhams bow blew away..my friend found himself hurled into the sea...hangin on with many others until rescue.
After rehab he was transed to the USS Isherwood...serving on her thru the mid pacific campaigns in Leyte..then trans to another Destroyer in early 45.
On that tin can..he was in the CIC when a kamikaze plunged into her off Okinawa.
Amazing man...amazing legacy.
