In an incredible act of courage, Donald and fellow survivor Lauren Bruner were saved by a sailor named Joe George. "I'll come out every year I can until I'm gone.". CONTACT US | He was the best dad in the whole wide world. Donald was buried next to his two daughters and now wife. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 344 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13202. As a mother, I couldnt bear the thought of my son having to endure what these men did, especially those who lost their lives! Following the service, the Colorado Springs Police Department escorted the family and the casket. debbie.kelley@gazette.com, Homes built by Covington Homes build community, The Girl Scout Cookie Program feeds entrepreneurial and life skills, Slim Chickens spreads its wings and adds second restaurant in Falcon area, Catholic nuns bring awareness with food drive to benefit Westside Cares in Colorado Springs, From seeing to believing, Mesa Ridge basketball's buy-in to new coach created unbeaten season, 3 takeaways from Colorado Avalanche home loss to Devils; Annunen struggles, comeback falls short, LETTERS: Our trails and greenways; depressing and a disgrace, Don't miss out get to Julies Kitchen in Colorado Springs early | Dining review, A game of chess? The motorcycle landed in the median. Search by Name. He became active in survivors groups and worked with a historian to preserve the story. When the call to battle stations was made, he climbed three ladders to reach his station. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com. After graduating high school, he did what many young men did during the 1930s and '40s and enlisted in the military. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. "Acts of individual heroism could be witnessed everywhere you looked. Funeral services were Saturday, 10:00 am, February 29, 2020 at the Rocky Mountain Calvary Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In time, he tried to let go of his anger toward the Japanese, but he could never forget what happened. A magnifying glass. cline hanson funeral home obituaries; behinder github; fire kirin download app; starship band members 2022; building a pavilion on a concrete slab; kria kv260. Donald and 5 others climbed hand over hand across the water all already burned, 70 feet including the slope up to the Vestal deck. Don Stratton, a founding member of the Krewe of Armeinius, passed away on August 30, 2021 at his home in New Orleans, one day before his 77th birthday. Menu. DONALD STRATTON - Prince Frederick, Maryland , Sewell Funeral Home - Memories wall BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sewell Funeral Home DONALD JAY STRATTON Prince Frederick, Maryland October 6, 1956 - December 5, 2018 Share Obituary: Tribute Wall Obituary & Events Share a memory Send Flowers Share a memory of DONALD JAY STRATTON. Donald Stratton hoped that the events of December 7, 1941 and the men who sacrificed themselves would never be forgotten. It was 8:06 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, when death raced through the USS Arizona, chasing them all. He also rebuilt Jeeps, Volkswagens, tractors, motorcycles and anything that had an engine. Pearl Harbor survivorDonald Stratton, seen here in a recent photo, died Saturday. It's a different view from above,. We can't let it happen again.. Dave began his. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In the fall of 1940, he joined the Navy and was stationed aboard USS Arizona, assigned to man an anti-aircraft gun. Born July 14, 1922, Donald Stratton grew up in Red Cloud, NE. The battleship shuddered as another explosion, the most powerfulyet, cracked its hull. The Arizona took firebut could barely return its own. Were all just extremely sad, said Randy Wittmer, a member of the Colorado Patriot Guard who attended Strattons funeral but did not ride in the procession following the service. He was one of three known living crew members of the USS Arizona, which was sunk during the surprise attack by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941. On the morning of December 7, 1941, a 19-year-old Donald was beckoned to his battle station as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor sending the Navy's flagship, the USS Arizona to the depths. It indicates, "Click to perform a search". "It's great to just be here to support him and his family," said Michael Watkins of American Legion Riders. He passed away at 97 years old, in Colorado Springs, surrounded by his wife Velma and son Randy. A total of 1, 177 men were killed on the Arizona. There were "people over on the Arizona that were trying to get off, and there was fire all around," he said. Donald G. Stratton, was born July 14, 1922 in Inavale, Nebraska to Robert and Jessie Stratton and upon graduation from high school in Red Cloud, he enlisted in the Navy and was a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Arizona. Donald retired from the U.S. Air Force after more than. To send flowers Mr. Franklin was a 1938 graduate of Osgood High School and was an Army veteran of WWII where he served in the 119th Infantry Regiment and the 30th Infantry Division. Graveside services with full military honors were 11:00 am, Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Red Cloud Cemetery, Red Cloud, Nebraska. The funeral liturgy for Don will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 8, 2018 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine Street in Appleton, with Fr. A motorcyclist escorting the body of Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Stratton to his hometown in Nebraska died in a crash Saturday in Kansas, authorities said. He will be sadly missed by his close friend and partner Peggy Klepic. Stratton will be eulogized at services in Colorado Springs and buried in a family plot in his hometown,Red Cloud, Nebraska. briggs and stratton vtwin throttle linkage diagram; patristocrat cipher tips; xpenology dsm 7 vmware workstation. All Rights Reserved. Randy Stratton Click To Call Our support in your time of need does not end after the funeral services. Born July 14, 1922, Donald Stratton grew up in Red Cloud, NE. They moved back to California briefly and then settled in Colorado Springs. Still others in small boats, navigating through the fiery sea, pulling oil-soaked sailors from the water. The bow sagged. The Arizona was on fire and the Japanese were still attacking. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. You have funeral questions, we have answers. But I'm grateful more or less for the 1,117 men that we lost that day on the Arizona," Stratton said in an interview with KKTV in 2018. Share their story and never forget those who gave all for our great country.. DONALD EUGENE STRATTON FUNERAL HOME Swartz Funeral Home - Flint 1225 West Hill Road Flint, MI DONALD STRATTON OBITUARY STRATTON, DONALD EUGENE STRATTON, Donald Eugene born August. His great grandchildren were so blessed to have spent precious years hearing his stories: Nathan Hernandez, Jax Brewer, Robert Stratton, Kennedy Stratton, Emersyn Caldwell, Bryce Caldwell and Boden Caldwell. At first, the Navy wouldn't allow Donald to re-enlist due to his medical discharge, however he proved them wrong by going through boot camp a second time. Bored of the routine, he went into the commercial diving business, traveling the world. An Arizona crew that once numbered 1, 512 is now down to two. Stratton. Donald was burned over 65% of his body and escaped the inferno by climbing across a line to a neighboring shipthe USS Vestal. Stratton is survived by his brother Willie, his son Randy Stratton, his wife, Velma, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On that day, 1,177 men perished in the explosion leaving just 300 alive. Survivors Lou Conter and Ken Potts are both 98. Donald Stratton is survived by his wife of 69 years, four children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will continue to share his stories of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the heroes who emerged that day. 2023 Williams Funeral Homes. Six men huddled on the port side fire control tower, burned badly, trapped as the ship sank in the shallow waters near Honolulu that day, Dec. 7, 1941. The driver of a Honda Accord, 81-year-old Carl Silvrants of Fredericksburg, Va., was killed when he tried to get around the motorcycle crash and hit a parked firetruck on Interstate 70. Stratton will be eulogized at services in Colorado Springs,. Second to last was Lauren Bruner, a fire controlmanwho died in September. Funeral Home website by. A Japanese high altitude bomb hit just forward of the turrets and ignited over 1 million pounds of aviation gas and ammunition. Randy and his mother were with Stratton when he died Saturday. On February 15, 2020, one of those men, Donald Stratton, passed away after spending years working to gain recognition forthe hero who saved him. In conjunction with the Dec. 7 ceremony that year, the deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet presented a Bronze Star with "V " Device for Valor to George's daughter, Joe Ann Taylor, aboard the USS Arizona Memorial. On that day, 1,177 men perished in the explosion leaving just 300 alive. Donald Stratton passed away at age 72 years old on April 9, 2008. Per Doc's wishes, a private family service was held. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. World War II veteran Donald Stratton was transported in a funeral procession from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Red Cloud, Nebraska on Saturday, Feb. 29. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website. Still, George "kept saying, 'Come on sailor! A sailor on the ship, a supply vessel called the USS Vestal, was about to cut the line when he saw the six men on the tower. He and Velma retired to Yuma, where they lived for about 15 years. Williams Funeral Home To have people who pass trying to show respect is terrible.. This was their way out, hand over hand across 70 feet of ropeabove a burning oil slick. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jessie, daughters Gypsy Dawn and Roxane Jo and son Robert, brother Daryl and sister Norma and great grandson DJ. The procession reached 3 miles long at one point as many bikers joined the trip back to Red Cloud. USS Arizona survivor and World War II veteran Donald Stratton's funeral started at 10 a.m.., and hundreds showed up to pay their respects, even in mid-air. A friendship between the two began in 2016. POLL: How will the Rockies fare this season in the NL West. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Donald B. Stratton, Sr., 80, of Camillus, passed away peacefully at home. Elizabeth II undertook a number of state and official visits over her 70-year reign (1952 to 2022), as well as trips throughout the Commonwealth, making her the most widely travelled head of state in history.She did not require a British passport for travelling overseas, as all British passports were issued in her name. [1] [2] [3] He was in the port gun director of the ship USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when an armor-piercing bomb set off the ship's forward ammunition magazine. The attack left Stratton with burns over 60 percent of his body, costing him his fingerprints and leaving permanent scars. Submit an Obituary. The battleship sustained crippling damage in the early moments of the assault, the inferno spreading across the deck, setting Strattons clothing on fire. 'Don' Stratton, age 86, of Wexford, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020 at North Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Wexford. Don loved being outdoors and in his beloved hobby shop where he spent countless hours with his son Allen where they would work meticulously on various projects. PEARL HARBOR HERO RECOGNIZED 76 YEARS AFTER SAVING 6 FROM SINKING USS ARIZONA, Recollections from George himself ultimately emerged; he spoketo the University of North Texas in 1978 for an oral history documenting the attack. "As was already said, and he would say to us grandkids as we'd walk out the door: 'Don't do anything that you cannot do standing up in a hammock,'" said granddaughter Jessika Caldwell. "We have to bury Lauren Bruner so I had to come back, " Conter, sitting in a wheelchair, said shortly after he arrived. New downtown Colorado Springs transit center plans updated, councilman calls it a 'boondoggle', Colorado Springs high school student arrested after allegedly bringing loaded gun to school. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Donald Stratton was one of the last three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. I said no, I wanted to go to sea, Stratton said. He was 97. Donald Stratton, USS Arizona Survivor, Has Died, Operation K: A Second Pearl Harbor Attack. After WWII ended, he was 100% medically discharged and went on to work with deep sea divers and oil rigs offshore. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. 2 gun turret, and as he walked out, he heard loud voices. Before George extended a lifeline to the men on the Arizona, he had been using an axe to cut the mooring lines. We just kept thinking, Gosh, how much worse can this get, Wittmer said. "Our grandfather has just been involved in every aspect of our life," said Nikki Stratton, Don's youngest granddaughter. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. As long as there be war, I must answer Am I worth dying for?. Reveille sounded at 5:30 the morning of Dec. 7. Honoring the life and legacy of Donald Stratton - YouTube Over the weekend hundreds and thousands turned out throughout Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska to honor the life and legacy of the late. My hero is gone but will always be in my heart. The Strattons knew they had to right that wrong. Funeral Home website by. Stratton was second to go. The war still raged in the Pacific. What a great story that needs to be heard for many more years! Stratton headed for his battle station, a steel cube that housed the controls for 25-caliber anti-aircraft guns. His wife, Velma, and his son, Randy, were with him. One of the planes banked, and I seen the rising sun and said, Well, thats the Japanese, mantheyre bombing us.. "As they shot through the two openings of the enclosure, we shielded ourselves by taking shelter under some of the equipment, our hands covering our mouths and eyes. He wanted to be at home, Randy said. Martin Pable, OFM Cap. Hes atrue American hero.. It's just our way of saying goodbye," Bill Klaers said. In the fall of 1940, he joined the Navy and was stationed aboard USS Arizona, assigned to man an anti-aircraft gun. They had four children, two of which passed before they were just 5 days old, and 2 boys Robert and Randy. Donald J. Stratton. Donald Stratton, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Howard Stratton of Alliance. Wittmer said the procession included other groups besides the Patriot Guard, including American Legion riders. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. Now only Lou Conter and Ken Potts remain to continue sharing their memories of the events of December 7, 1941 and the Pearl Harbor attack that launched the United States into World War II. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. All Rights Reserved. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (Nikki Stratton), Stratton said he and others trapped aboard the sinking Arizona had struggled mightily to escape the carnage, which killed 1,177of his shipmates, after Japanese planes struck the Arizona several times on Dec. 7, 1941. Flint Journal. The couple was married for 69 years where they travelled the world and grew a beautiful family. Respect is terrible climbing across a line to a neighboring shipthe USS.... And the men who sacrificed themselves would never be forgotten 1 hour for your comment to on! % of his body and escaped the inferno by climbing across a line to a shipthe. 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