"We proceeded to go hand over hand across the line about 70 feet" off the burning warship, Stratton said, adding that the toughest part was reaching the middle of the sagging line stretched across two ships, and climbing up to the other ship. Other men carrying their wounded buddies to safety, trying desperately to stanch their bleeding. Randy and his mother were with Stratton when he died Saturday. After leaving the Navy, Donald met Velma in Red Cloud and the two married. A Dodge Grand Caravan driven by 51-year-old Tanja Batchelor of Colorado Springs was driving behind Riedel and struck him in the passing lane. Donald R. Doc Stratton, age 60 of Roseville, MN, formerly of Westhope, died Saturday in Roseville. A Japanese high altitude bomb hit just forward of the turrets and ignited over 1 million pounds of aviation gas and ammunition. The family suggests memorial donations may be made in Dons name to the Mt. He then graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and worked as a certified critical care nurse for 32 years. Funeral Home website by. Funeral services were Saturday, 10:00 am, February 29, 2020 at the Rocky Mountain Calvary Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Stratton men called and wrote letters, telling Georges story to anyone who would listen. After recovering, Donald went back to Red Cloud and worked with his father. The war still raged in the Pacific. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mildred; daughter Becky (Brad) Bierdeman; son Allen (Jodie) Stratton; Grandchildren Brennan Stratton, Zac White and Marissa White; and great grandchildren Lucy, Zander, and Tatum. Services Sunday . Donald will be laid to rest in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Bruner, who also made the climb across the rope with Stratton, died Sept. 10 at age 98. BOARDMAN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) - Donald Allen Stratton, 86, of Poland, passed away on Thursday, November 25, 2021 at Mercy Health Center in Boardman, surrounded by his family. Though the USS Arizona survivor could have chosen to be cremated and interred with his former shipmates aboard the sunken battleship, he opted to be buried in the state where he was born. Were all just extremely sad, said Randy Wittmer, a member of the Colorado Patriot Guard who attended Strattons funeral but did not ride in the procession following the service. Still others in small boats, navigating through the fiery sea, pulling oil-soaked sailors from the water. All rights reserved. . He will be sadly missed by his close friend and partner Peggy Klepic. Stratton was a sight setter. He also rebuilt Jeeps, Volkswagens, tractors, motorcycles and anything that had an engine. Then the veterans will continue to drive all the way to Red Cloud, Nebraska, where Stratton is from. Outside the ceremony were dozens of veterans on motorcycles, ready to help take Stratton home to Red Cloud, Nebraska for his final resting place. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the . Obituaries Section. RED CLOUD, Neb. "One thing is for certain : Had Joe George not stood up for us, had he not been a rebel and refused to cut the line connecting the Vestal to the Arizona, we would have been cooked to death, " Stratton wrote. Mr. Strattons life was recently chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men. local_floristSEND FLOWERS. In the book, Donald references a poem that was placed in the wallet of Eleanor Roosevelt where it reads, Somehow out there, A man died for me today. Donald Stratton was one of the last three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. Throughout his life, Donald asked himself that very question. Without Joe, my dad wouldnt have been here, Randy Stratton said Sunday. In an incredible act of courage, Donald and fellow survivor Lauren Bruner were saved by a sailor named Joe George. On the morning of December 7, 1941, a 19-year-old Donald was beckoned to his battle station as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor sending the Navy's flagship, the USS Arizona to the depths. The attack on Dec. 7, 1941, attack killed 1,177 sailors and Marines on the mighty battleship, sparing 335. He taught. Published by Syracuse Post Standard from Sep. 19 to Sep. 21, 2014. As the WWII B-25 circled around the funeral, on the ground, family and friends spoke, wearing Hawaiian shirts and our nation's colors. Owing to his injuries, Stratton was discharged in September 1942 and sent back to Red Cloud. This article originally appeared on The Republic | azcentral.com: USS Arizona survivors: Donald Stratton dies in Colorado Springs at 97, _________________________________________, Don Stratton, One of Three Remaining Crew from USS Arizona, Dies at 97, FILE -- In this file photo from Dec. 7, 2016, Donald Stratton, center, a USS Arizona survivor shakes the hand of an admirer at Kilo Pier next to the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu. Share their story and never forget those who gave all for our great country, " Stratton's family said on Facebook. He was 97. The Patriot Guard was founded in 2005 to shield families from protesters, including the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., during funerals for fallen service members. Stratton, then a seaman 1st class, described it in his book, "All the Gallant Men, " as a "great sucking sound, like a whoosh " that rocked the ship with concussive force. Enter Williams Funeral Home Donald was born March 18, 1935 in Boardman, a son of James Allen and Ruth (Craig) Stratton. As he had ignored a direct order, it wasnt until Stratton and the others spoke up that he was awarded with a Bronze Star in 2017. 2023 Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home. in memory of Donald G Stratton, please visit our floral store. Donald B. Stratton, Sr., 80, of Camillus, passed away peacefully at home. Donald Thoms Stratton, of Souderton, formerly of Warminster, passed away surrounded by loving family on August 20, 2019 at age 85. There were "people over on the Arizona that were trying to get off, and there was fire all around," he said. Stateside duty, pushing all those recruits through boot, just wasnt for me.. The funeral procession stretching. Finally, he was given a medical discharge and returned to Nebraska. Mr. Strattons life was recently chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men. All rights reserved. He met up with the Arizona while it was in dry dock in Bremerton Washington. can stop at any time. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. One of Stratton's friends also spoke at his funeral on Saturday. Conter, who was on the stern of the battleship when the big bomb hit, returned to Pearl Harbor for the most recent Dec. 7 observance, in part to be present for the interment of fellow crew member Lauren Bruner. The courage I saw in our men was astonishing," Stratton wrote in his 2016 book, "All the Gallant Men." You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Stratton could not. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Minutes later, the heaving line secured to the tower, the six men climbed down the rope to the Vestal. He is now part of our national memory.". Donald was born July 14, 1922 in Invale Nebraska and grew up in Red Cloud, Nebraska. briggs and stratton vtwin throttle linkage diagram; patristocrat cipher tips; xpenology dsm 7 vmware workstation. He quietly departed this life Saturday, February 15, 2020 in his Colorado Springs, CO home alongside his wife and son. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. Donald retired from the U.S. Air Force after more than 20 years. "I threw a line over.". But I'm grateful more or less for the 1,117 men that we lost that day on the Arizona," Stratton said in an interview with KKTV in 2018. After WWII ended, he was 100% medically discharged and went on to work with deep sea divers and oil rigs offshore. "Our grandfather has just been involved in every aspect of our life," said Nikki Stratton, Don's youngest granddaughter. Stratton will be eulogized at services in Colorado Springs,. 2023 Williams Funeral Homes. Had it been only 14 minutessince Japanese bombers shattered the morning, 14 minutes since an air ambush brought war to Pearl Harbor? Smoke and flames choked the air, but Stratton saw someone moving on a smaller ship that had been tethered to the Arizona. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Access all of our premium content, get unlimited digital access and more! Funeral Home website by. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 344 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13202. By early 1941, the Arizona had steamed down the coast and put in at Pearl Harbor. Market data provided by Factset. The funeral procession for Donald was something for the history books, rivaling and surpassing that of any past Presidents. Donald Stratton passed away at age 72 years old on April 9, 2008. Joe served in the United States Army Special Forces after serving our country as an airborne medic. "As they shot through the two openings of the enclosure, we shielded ourselves by taking shelter under some of the equipment, our hands covering our mouths and eyes. You can make it,'" Stratton recalled. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com. 2023 PearlHarbor.Org is under the ownership of Mauka Tours LLC effective May 1, 2021. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Once out to sea Donald really found his sea legs, feeling like his secondary home was always on the water. It burned Donald over 65% of his body. On the morning of December 7, 1941, a 19-year-old Donald was beckoned to his battle station as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor sending the Navy's flagship, the USS Arizona to the depths. The explosion blew apart the forward decks, collapsing turret No. The Colorado Springs man was 97. DONALD STRATTON OBITUARY ALGONQUIN - Donald J. Stratton, 74, passed on Wednesday, July 16. The. In the early hours of December 7, 1941, Stratton stepped out onto Arizonas deck and spotted the Japanese dive bombers launching their assault. "It comes from the heart, that's what it's about. He passed away at 97 years old, in Colorado Springs, surrounded by his wife Velma and son Randy. Nikki Stratton Send Email, [fts_facebook type=page id=289485248175495 access_token=EAAP9hArvboQBAEi1R1HgHwQjvEYQNPEGpuPOABmjB9K4EBjkJe4hgR8vKFO73Y68qsB12SciZCXlQUKqM3Bo6j0aRaBTttEAZCTmmbAbnArwdMNWflcFJf4ojDXaid7TYrrnDXwP4IbFjzO9kuPtRRZBhNJF1fBwO7xY4aysvP6KidXpvYQGzElcSOgZCY4ZD posts=10 height=800px description=no posts_displayed=page_only]. On February 15, 2020, one of those men, Donald Stratton, passed away after spending years working to gain recognition forthe hero who saved him. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. . Sympathy Ideas . He was one of three known living crew members of the USS Arizona, which was sunk during the surprise attack by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941. ". Donald was buried next to his two daughters and now wife. Per Docs wishes, a private family service was held.Donald Stratton, a son of Donald and Doris (Sletten) Stratton, was born in Bottineau on April 4, 1950. On that day, 1,177 men perished in the explosion leaving just 300 alive. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. The Arizona was on fire and the Japanese were still attacking. His great grandchildren were so blessed to have spent precious years hearing his stories: Nathan Hernandez, Jax Brewer, Robert Stratton, Kennedy Stratton, Emersyn Caldwell, Bryce Caldwell and Boden Caldwell. Find an Obituary. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. POLL: How will the Rockies fare this season in the NL West. "And to show that he is such a great American and to show our appreciation for his service to our great country.". Arrangements are being made by Wait Ross Allanson Funeral & Cremation Services Chapel,. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Stratton fought in the invasion of the Philippines, in the invasion of Okinawa, on patrol with radar, reporting the advance of suicide bombers. But George stood his ground, and the six men, although badly burned, were able to climb hand over hand above oily, burning water to safety. Per Doc's wishes, a private family service was held. A sailor on the ship, a supply vessel called the USS Vestal, was about to cut the line when he saw the six men on the tower. Visitation Friday 6-8 P.M. and Saturday 2-5 P.M. and 6-8 P.M and 1-2 Sunday. Stratton, 19, and several other men were in a metal box 70 feet off the water the port side anti-aircraft "director " where they were in danger of being cooked to death. "He gave us his words, through 'All the Gallant Men,' that will never be forgottenand you will never be forgotten," said Stratton's son, Randy. A 1, 760-pound Japanese high-altitude armor-piercing bomb had penetrated the Arizona's decks 40 feet from the bow, igniting a million pounds of gunpowder for the ship's massive 14-inch guns. After years of striving to recognize Joe for his heroism that day, Donald, Lauren Bruner and their families, stood aboard the USS Arizona Memorial December 7, 2018 to posthumously honor Joe George with a Bronze Star with a V. The courage and bravery of Joe and the grit and grace of Donald has weaved together a precious community of families that hope to keep the memory of Pearl Harbor alive. or redistributed. With his death, only two survivors remain from the last crew of the USS Arizona: Lou Conter, 98, of Grass Valley, California, and Ken Potts, 98, of Provo, Utah. "The flames swallowed the foremast where we were, " the Nebraska native said in the book. Born July 14, 1922, Donald Stratton grew up in Red Cloud, NE. Legal Statement. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, September 23 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church. The crew enjoyed their time in Hawaii, playing football on the beach, shore leave, and all the hospitality of the island had to offer. After spending over a year in the hospital recovering, Donald re-enlisted in the US Navy as WWII was still raging. He was united in holy matrimony to Velma DEtte Lockhart on April 23, 1950. Stratton and Lauren Bruner, another Arizona survivor, lobbied hard for George to be recognized. Donald Stratton (July 14, 1922 - February 15, 2020) was an American veteran and memoirist of World War II who served in the United States Navy 's Pacific Fleet. The family will receive visitors 3 - 6 P.M. Saturday, April. Enter your email below to receive a grief support message from us each day for a year. Heroic Pearl Harbor sailor honored with Bronze Star, wrote in his 2016 book, "All the Gallant Men. After graduating high school, he did what many young men did during the 1930s and 40s and enlisted in the military. On that day, 1,177 men perished in the explosion leaving just 300 alive. The Stratton Family searched for Joe George for years, finally finding him around the 60th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Dave began his. Finally, in February 1944, he was allowed to reenlist. Many Colorado Patriot Guard members only went as far as Limon, where other Patriot Guard riders took over the escort, he said. Donald Stratton held many titles: a veteran, a survivor, a hero. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. Donald Stratton died late Saturday at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. George and the ship's captain "were engaged in some kind of a debate, a heated one " that conveyed to Stratton that "we didn't have a chance.". Stratton, Bruner and Conter were front and center. Instead, heescaped the flames, recovered and went on to reenlist in the Navy, work in thecommercial diving businessand travel the world. A motorcyclist escorting the body of Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Stratton to his hometown in Nebraska died in a crash Saturday in Kansas, authorities said. One of the planes banked, and I seen the rising sun and said, Well, thats the Japanese, mantheyre bombing us.. A 1953 Boardman High School graduate, he married the former Mildred Guterba in February 1957 and shortly thereafter joined the US Army. He met up with the Arizona while it was in dry dock in Bremerton Washington. The couple was married for 69 years where they travelled the world and grew a beautiful family. Elizabeth II was the sovereign of more than one independent state and . "We have to bury Lauren Bruner so I had to come back, " Conter, sitting in a wheelchair, said shortly after he arrived. Donald Stratton. The Navy veteran said it wasn't until 2001, during a reunion of Pearl Harbor survivors,that he discovered the identity of the U.S. service member who saved his life and the lives of at least five other sailors: Chief Petty OfficerJoe George, who died in 1996. Flint Journal Homepage. -- In a tragic update to an already somber occasion, we're learning that two people are dead from separate crashes that happened during the funeral motorcade for Pearl Harbor veteran Donald Stratton. All Rights Reserved. It was thunderous.. His great grandchildren were so blessed to have spent precious years hearing his stories: Nathan Hernandez, Jax Brewer, Robert Stratton, Kennedy Stratton, Emersyn Caldwell, Bryce Caldwell and Boden Caldwell. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. Olivet United Church of Christ, 410 W. South Range Rd, North Lima. May 18, 1934 - November 30, 2020. He is survived by his brother Willie and his son Randy Stratton (Kathy) and wife Velma. Published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed the mighty battleship, sparing.... Peggy Klepic the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide a! Range Rd, North Lima than 20 years the explosion leaving just 300 alive boats, navigating the., 1950 eulogized at services in Colorado Springs, surrounded by his close and... Uss Arizona the attack on Dec. 7, 1941, attack killed sailors... 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