This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Ghezzi, Donald Charles, SN.
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Casualty Info
Home Town San Luis Obispo
Casualty Date Apr 21, 1952
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Korea, North
Conflict Korean War
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
In April 1952, Saint Paul participated in combined air-sea attacks against the ports of Wonsan and Chongjin.
On 21 April, while the cruiser was engaged in gun fire support operations, a sudden and serious powder fire broke out in her forward 8-inch (203 mm) turret. Thirty men died. The explosion occurred in the turret's left gun, which was loaded but had the breech open. The gun captain thought the weapon had fired and told the gun's rammerman to ram another projectile into the gun's breech. The gun blew up, setting off two other powder bags in the powder hoist.
Comments/Citation:
LOCATION: AT SEA
EAST SEA OFF KOJO
BURIAL LOCATION
CAYUCOS-MORROW BAY DISTRICT CEMETERY, CAYUCOS, CA
Seaman (E3) Ghezzi served aboard the heavy cruiser USS SAINT PAUL (CA-73). On April 21, 1952, while the cruiser was firing at the enemy off the east coast of Kojo Area, North Korea, powder exploded in a gun turret causing him to die of asphyxiation.
