Seaman 2/c George Smith

 

"A big explosion from the first torpedo to hit the ship was followed instantly by word being passed on the PA,

 

“Man Your Battle Stations, This Is No Shit”

 

I went immediately to my battle station at number four broadside. Here I was joined by three seaman recruits; none of them knew how to operate the gun or what exactly to do.

Glancing out through the gun port I could see the enemy planes coming in for the attack. All I could do for the moment was to stare in disbelief at this incredible sight. Just then another torpedo hit the ship just below me and the ship really started to list.

The terror that filled my heart was almost unbearable.

 

 

 

A buddy and me dove out through the gun port into the water and started to swim. Looking around we could see that the ship was going to roll over us and we turned on the after burners and swam around the bow.

 

 

We were swimming though burning oil covered water and just rounded the bow when she went over."

 

 

 

And the ship started to list – started to turn over. And as it was turning over, I got about one or two decks up. I think the next deck was the shell deck. I honestly could see in my heart that I couldn’t possibly get out of there in my own strength. And I-- I knew of the Lord, but I really didn’t really have Him into my heart. But I asked Him if He would spare my life that I would dedicate my life over for Him to use, and in some miraculous way, I did get out. And as I was getting out of the overhang of the turret, the crude oil and water was coming in.

Paul Aschbrenner

 

 

 

 

 

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