Pearl Harbor Raid, 7 December 1942 - the USS California (BB-44), flagship of the Battle Force, was hit forward and aft by Japanese torpedoes in the early minutes of the Pearl Harbor raid. She was later hit by a bomb and near-missed by another, which caused additional flooding. To read more and see the photos taken at the time go to http://history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/ph-ca.htm or place in your search engine - USS California Pearl Harbor. In my book Submarine Stories of World War II, Ervin O. Schmidt RM1/C (SS) USN-RET, before joining the submarine service was a crew member of the USS California during the raid. A motorized launch pulled him from the oiled and debris filled water. In the confusion he was listed as missing in action. Before his family learned differently, they held a funeral in his honor. Ninety-eight crew members were lost and sixty-one wounded. Submarine Stories of World War II is written for children and adults. The book review below is by Deborah Edmonds, Children's Librarian, Baxter County Library. One can find any number of books about the different military branches, but the submarine service seems to fit in the category "out of sight, out of mind." These stories tug at the reader's heart because they are written in the words of the brave men who fought for and protected the United States during World war II from the "deep blue sea" in very definitely troubled waters. This book enlightens the reader as to the conditions experienced by submarine crew members. *The constant enemy surveillance and being under enemy fire. *Extended forced silence during "silent run." *High interior temperatures when all systems are shut down to hinder enemy detection. *Sudden dives in enemy waters. *Forced delays in surfacing, getting repairs and fresh supplies. *Intense pressure headaches from extended submersion. *Navigating mine fields. *Patrols lasting up to six months at sea.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Friday, January 1, 2021
I Won a Book from Judy Young
Author Judy Young: Nov, I had a contest through the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. It was supposed to end the last day of the month but was extended by SCBWI to Dec. 15. And then, life and the holidays got in the way and I never announced the winner. But now, I want to announce that Mary Nida Smith is the WINNER of an autographed copy of book three in The Wild World of Buck Bray series: The Wolves of Slough Creek. Congrats, Mary!!! (Please message me your mailing address so I can get the book to you!) ttps://www.facebook.com/judy.young.7712
Thursday, December 24, 2020
J Patrick Lewis The Poetry of US
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/j-patrick-lewis J. Patrick Lewis is the editor, of The Poetry of US, that I had the honor to be requested by Patrick to write a poem about ARKANSAS for this wonderful "Coffee table book." Make a wonderful gift throughout the year.
Thursday, November 12, 2020
https://submarinestories.blogspot.com/2017/0https://submarinestories.blogspot.com/2017/04/al-konetzni-jr.html4/al-konetzni-jr.html
You have collected a wonderful assortment of submarine stories that truly tell the “rest of the story.” Thank you so very much!
The importance of your book rest in the fact that those American Sailor were able to tell their “story.” Your book completes the vivid history of our Submarine Force.
Thanks so much for your most wonderful efforts. Please know that your book
has been a highlight of my association with SubVets of WWII over so many years.
Vice Admiral, US NAVY (Retired)