This Military Service Page was created/owned by
William Aliff (Bill), BM2
to remember
Aliff, Sr., Donald ("Duck"), BMC USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Eunice, W.Va.
Last Address My Dad was the Son of a Coal Miner, born in Eunice, W.VA. He enlisted in 1944 at 17 and remained for the duration of the War, discharged in 1946. Rate conversion from GM to BM during WWII. He returned to the Navy in 1950 and retired in 1970.
Date of Passing Jun 14, 2007
Location of Interment Sunset Memorial Park - Beckley, West Virginia
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
My Dad retired from Civil Service in 1987 and lived in Beckley, W.VA. Appropriately he passed away on Flag Day (June 14). He was laid to rest in uniform and with Military Honors. The United States Navy was the shining star of his life, and always let others around him know it. He was my Hero!
Other Comments:
My Dad was awarded TWO BRONZE STARS. I know some bits and pieces of what happened but not the whole story. It's something he never really liked to talk about....
I know that one was awarded in WWII and the other in Vietnam.
CLASS - DES MOINES
Displacement 17,000 Tons, Dimensions, 716' 6" (oa) x 76' 4" x 26' (Max)
Armament 9 x 8"/55, 12 x 5"/38AA, 24 x 3"/50, 24 x 20mm, 4 Aircraft
Armor, 6" Belt, 8" Turrets, 3 1/2" Deck, 6 1/2" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 120,000 SHP; G. E. Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 1799.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 28 MAY 1945 by the Bethlehem Steel Company, Quincy, MA
Launched 27 SEP 1946
Commissioned 17 NOV 1948
Decommissioned 14 JUL 1961
Stricken 09 JUL 1991
Fate: Scrapping completed by ESCO Marine, Inc., Brownsville, TX on 16 AUG 2007.Hull number CA-134
