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Service Details |
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home State
North Dakota | |
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Year of Birth 1914 |
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Contact Info
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Home Town Douglas, ND |
Last Address Dublin, GA
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Date of Passing May 10, 2015 |
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Location of Interment Dublin Memorial Gardens - Dublin, Georgia |
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1937-1942, EM-0000, Break in Service
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1942-1942, EM-0000, USS Ariel (AF-22)
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1942-1942, EM-0000, USS Saturn (AK-49)
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1942-1943, EM-0000, Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk, VA
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1943-1945, EM-0000, USS Birmingham (CL-62)
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Reflections on CPO Afdahl's
US Navy Service
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TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
served on the USS Ariel, USS Saturn, USS Indiannapolis and USS Birmingham and fought in the following battles: Sicily, Wake Island, Tarawa, Bougainville, Shortland Islands, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Philippine Sea, Palau, Mindanao, Manila, Iwo Jima, Leyte, Okinawa, Formosa and Bait Squadron. Most memorable wartime experiences: a torpedo attach a Bougainville, kamikaze attacks during Okinawa and USS Princeton explosion alongside USS Birmingham.
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IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
torpedo attack at Bougainville, kamikaze attacks during Okinawa and USS Princeton explosion alongside USS Birmingham (Battle of Leyte)
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FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
October 24, 1944, Battle of Leyte. Was on USS Birmingham when it pulled up alongside the crippled USS Princeton to render aid. Princeton was struck again by a Japanese kamikaze pilot, killing and wounding several on my ship (USS Birmingham).
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?
On September 3, 1946, the Secretary of the Navy awarded the Navy Unit Commendation to the USS Birmingham for "extremely meritorious service during the salvage operations after the USS Princeton had been critically damaged by enemy Japanese action in the Battle off Samar, 24 Octoer 1944"...The letter of commendation, signed by Joe N. Floyd/Assistant to Director, reads as follows: "By virtue of your service in the BIRMINGHAM on 24 October 1944, you are hereby authorized to wear as part of your uniform a Navy Unit Commendation ribbon..."
Also awarded Purple Heart (for injuries sustained during above even), Victory Medal, Letter of Commendation and Bronze Star, American Theater, European African Middle East, and Philippine Liberation.
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IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
retired from Department of Veterans Affairs/Carl Vinson VAMC as Chief of Engineering. Currently a resident in one of the long-term care unit at Carl Vinson VAMC, Dublin, Georgia
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IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
American Legion, USS Birmingham reunions
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