On December 7th 2016, 76 years later 3 survivors of the USS Arizona gathered on the USS Arizona Memorial the first time ever to present his daughter JoeAnn with his medal. 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. Donald Stratton was one of the last three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. He was one of the last living survivors of the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Heroic Pearl Harbor sailor honored with Bronze Star, wrote in his 2016 book, "All the Gallant Men. Stratton headed for his battle station, a steel cube that housed the controls for 25-caliber anti-aircraft guns. He was reared in Westhope and graduated Westhope High School in 1968. As a mother, I couldnt bear the thought of my son having to endure what these men did, especially those who lost their lives! Donald will be laid to rest in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. He was married to Toni Lunde and this marriage later ended. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lois Stratton; children, Debra (Ronny) Suy, Dawn (Bill) Schultz, Dan (Terri) Stratton and Dave (Tina) Stratton; grandchildren, Kelly (Joel), Teri (Kris), Chris (Melissa), Jaysen (Jesse It was 8:06 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, when death raced through the USS Arizona, chasing them all. Bored of the routine, he went into the commercial diving business, traveling the world. [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. After WWII ended, he was 100% medically discharged and went on to work with deep sea divers and oil rigs offshore. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner), The Honolulu Star-Advertiser | By William Cole. "We are profoundly sad to say that last night, Feb. 15, USS Arizona Survivor Donald Stratton passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife of nearly 70 years, Velma, and his son Randy, " Pearl Harbor National Memorial Daniel Martinez, chief historian for the memorial, said, "God bless him and his beloved family. Enter Stratton could not. I said no, I wanted to go to sea, Stratton said. PHOENIX Through the soles of his shoes, Donald Stratton could feel the heat from the platform where he stood on the wounded USS Arizona. The funeral procession stretching from Colorado Springs to Red Cloud, Neb., was involved in three separate crashes along the nearly seven-hour, 448-mile route. Don also enjoyed spending time with family at their cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, which he helped build. free past performances 365 The Navy veteran said it wasn't until 2001, during a reunion of Pearl Harbor survivors,that he discovered the identity of the U.S. service member who saved his life and the lives of at least five other sailors: Chief Petty OfficerJoe George, who died in 1996. A fireball swallowed the control tower where Stratton had climbed minutes before. Donald Stratton died late Saturday at his home in Colorado Springs. Smoke and flames choked the air, but Stratton saw someone moving on a smaller ship that had been tethered to the Arizona. The. RED CLOUD, Neb. Born May 18th, 1934, in Freedom, he was a retired engineer for Pittsburgh Gears, a member of the Shriners in Rochester, and was a veteran of the . He is survived by a niece, Catherine Vetterly and husband Tom of New Jersey, two great nephews; Brad (Lyndsey) and Brett (Kristin) Vetterly, and two great great nephews; Max and Milo Vetterly, and one great great niece, Mia Vetterly. Donald R. Doc Stratton, age 60 of Roseville, MN, formerly of Westhope, died Saturday in Roseville. The sailor on the Vestal motioned to the six Arizona crewmen. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. 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. 3 crashes, 2 deaths involving Donald Stratton funeral procession, By Debbie Kelley The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the motorcyclist as 65-year-old Lennie Riedel of Colby, Kan., who lost control of his Harley-Davidson and laid the bike over on Interstate 70. FOR DONALD STRATTON Aug 13 Service 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Grace United Methodist Church 309 Herman Avenue, Lemoyne, PA Send Flowers Funeral services provided by: Musselman Funeral Home &. On December 7, 1941, the United States suffered devastating losses On the morning of December 7, 1941, six sailors were To stay up to date on the latest information about Pearl Harbor, please follow us! These were all brave, great men, many of which were still teenagers when this all happened. Stratton, 97, a Colorado Springs resident, died Feb. 15. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book. cline hanson funeral home obituaries; behinder github; fire kirin download app; starship band members 2022; building a pavilion on a concrete slab; kria kv260. "Plus all the others in all the other wars.". A magnifying glass. We found his family living in Arkansas, but Joe passed in the early 90s. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Per Docs wishes, a private family service was held.Donald Stratton, a son of Donald and Doris (Sletten) Stratton, was born in Bottineau on April 4, 1950. Before George extended a lifeline to the men on the Arizona, he had been using an axe to cut the mooring lines. Don was with the Army from 1959 to 1962, during which he was a radio relay and carrier operator. Just over a year later, he found himself in the middle of the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. May 18, 1934 - November 30, 2020. Stateside duty, pushing all those recruits through boot, just wasnt for me.. 2023 Cappadona Funeral Home The Original Trusted Alternative Funeral Service. To send flowers Donald Stratton, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Sign up for service and obituary updates. 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. Donald was born July 14, 1922 in Invale Nebraska and grew up in Red Cloud, Nebraska. Mr. Strattons life was recently chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men. All Rights Reserved 2022. Donald was a faithful member of Mount Olivet United Church of Christ for over 60 years. Enter your email below to receive a grief support message from us each day for a year. 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. It's a different view from above, but the purpose was the same: honoring one of the remaining few from the Greatest Generation. Then the veterans will continue to drive all the way to Red Cloud, Nebraska, where Stratton is from. The license plate readUSS ARIZ, and amural on a white bed cover depicted the USS Arizona and the memorial that floats above it in Pearl Harbor. 'Don' Stratton, age 86, of Wexford, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020 at North Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Wexford. 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 wanted to avenge all of his brothers lost on December 7th, 1,177 of them. George and the ship's captain "were engaged in some kind of a debate, a heated one " that conveyed to Stratton that "we didn't have a chance.". He was 97. 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. Donald J. Stratton. Family flowers only, donations, if desired may be given for Stroke Association, by retiring . Dave began his teaching career in the Chicopee Public Schools before transferring to the Springfield Public School System. Even though Stratton lived in Colorado, and Landon lived in North Carolina, they developed a friendship. He heaved it toward the Arizona. Sympathy Ideas . A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, September 23 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mildred; daughter Becky (Brad) Bierdeman; son Allen (Jodie) Stratton; Grandchildren Brennan Stratton, Zac White and Marissa White; and great grandchildren Lucy, Zander, and Tatum. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Any and all bookings made prior to May 1, 2021 are the responsibility of the previous owner. They fired all 12 guns to the port side of the ship one time and moved us sideways in the water 30 or 60 feet or so, said Stratton, who was a Seaman 1st Class by then. All rights reserved. As the WWII B-25 circled around the funeral, on the ground, family and friends spoke, wearing Hawaiian shirts and our nation's colors. As he attempted to direct the 5-inch guns, the bombers swooped in on the ship and her crew. Hes atrue American hero.. In an incredible act of courage, Donald and fellow survivor Lauren Bruner were saved by a sailor named Joe George. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Williams Funeral Home We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Fairy by Candid Themes. What a great story that needs to be heard for many more years! Friends will be received on Saturday from 11am until the time of funeral services at 1pm at the SAUL - GABAUER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 273 Route 68 Rochester (Adjacent to Sylvania Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum.) They pulled a heavier line over and one by one began to climb across the gap separating the two ships. STRATTON, DONALD EUGENE STRATTON, Donald Eugene - Mt. "I was aboard the USS Arizona on the morning of December 7, 1941. Born in Bath, NY, he lived in Camillus for more than 15 years. Conter, who was on the stern of the battleship when the big bomb hit, returned to Pearl Harbor for the most recent Dec. 7 observance, in part to be present for the interment of fellow crew member Lauren Bruner. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. 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? He was the best dad in the whole wide world. Donald Stratton was one of the last three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. Without Joe, my dad wouldnt have been here, Randy Stratton said Sunday. 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. "Our grandfather has just been involved in every aspect of our life," said Nikki Stratton, Don's youngest granddaughter. He saidGeorge threw them a lifeline from his own ship, which was moored next to the Arizona. He and Velma retired to Yuma, where they lived for about 15 years. The explosion lifted the ship out of the water. In 2017, Stratton, Bruner and Potts met at the Pentagon with the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, secretary of defense and chief of naval operations to honor George. Donald was born March 18, 1935 in Boardman, a son of James Allen and Ruth (Craig) Stratton. Stratton fought in the invasion of the Philippines, in the invasion of Okinawa, on patrol with radar, reporting the advance of suicide bombers. "One of the first people to do that.". 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. Donald was. Stratton watched as the sailor waved off another man on the deck and struggled witha line. As long as there be war, I must answer Am I worth dying for?. Donald and Velma were married for 70 years. to the family or plant a tree 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. He is now part of our national memory.". Throughout his life, Donald asked himself that very question. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our Terms & Conditions. 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