Hampton Roads' Heroes
WHRO collaborated with Patriots Colony in Williamsburg, a retirement community
for former officers of the armed services, as part of its promotion of The War-
a film by Ken Burns. Several stories were submitted from Patriots Colony and
four of those remarkable and poignant stories were videotaped. These stories
remind people that even though war is traumatic - it also has a very human side.
These oral histories will also be sent to the Library of Congress where they
will remain for future generations to experience.
The Navy Never Forgets
“The Navy Never Forgets.” He requisitioned survival gear for his crew and said
send the bill to the supply office. Years later while in graduate school, he
received a bill from the Navy for the gear. He went down to the supply sergeant
at this time and complained that he shouldn’t pay for the gear – the supply
officer replied that the only person who could waive the bill would be the
Secretary of the Navy. Rear Admiral Freeman said – “The Navy Never Forgets!” And
he paid the bill. Windows
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Love
He was late for the battle of Trevieres – the captain of the ship was
intoxicated and tried to veer off course and the Merchant Marines wouldn’t work
past 5pm. Fortunately the first mate intervened and they managed to arrive at
the battle – albeit late. Windows
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West
Fini-La-Gare!
A young Luftwaffe pilot surrendered to a group of pilots in Italy. They were on
the ground when they spotted a plane headed directly towards them. They first
thought it was a Spitfire but turned out to be a ME 109G of the Luftwaffe – it
taxied over to where West was standing and the pilot jumped out and shouted in
broken Italian “Fini – La Gare!” Windows
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Rathbun Suspenseful story of a submarine being depth- charged by the Japanese. They
had fired several torpedoes at the ship on the surface, but one took a wrong
turn and headed straight back towards the sub – would they be able to elude the
errant torpedo? They were scared, but they did live “To Fight Another Day.” Windows
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