After spending over a year in the hospital recovering, Donald re-enlisted in the US Navy as WWII was still raging. Agawam - Donald David Stratton, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2015 while vacationing in Montego Bay Jamaica. "I'm very grateful. In 1966, Stratton returned to Pearl Harbor with his family. companies with qualified audit opinion. Funeral Home website by. Funeral Home website by. It's just our way of saying goodbye," Bill Klaers said. You have funeral questions, we have answers. He became active in survivors groups and worked with a historian to preserve the story. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Mt. Eight-year-old Landon Knestrick from North Carolina spoke at the service. "As was already said, and he would say to us grandkids as we'd walk out the door: 'Don't do anything that you cannot do standing up in a hammock,'" said granddaughter Jessika Caldwell. He was married to Toni Lunde and this marriage later ended. Barely 10 minutes into the attack, a bomb pierced the forward deck and buried itself in the Arizonas ammunition stores. The Navy offered him a job as a chief petty officer running recruits through boot camp in Idaho. Olivet Church, and again on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 10:00 am until the time of the service. He went through multiple surgeries to replace as much of the skin on his legs and hands as was possible. Reveille sounded at 5:30 the morning of Dec. 7. Search by Name. The crew settled into a routine, in port and on training exercises at sea. He was united in holy matrimony to Velma DEtte Lockhart on April 23, 1950. Don was with the Army from 1959 to 1962, during which he was a radio relay and carrier operator. Donald Stratton - Arizona Final Salute Donald Stratton Donald was born July 14, 1922 in Invale Nebraska and grew up in Red Cloud, Nebraska. Copyright 2009 - 23 Nero Funeral Home. You will be my forever hero.". STRATTON, DONALD EUGENE STRATTON, Donald Eugene - Mt. Stratton is survived by his brother Willie, his son Randy Stratton, his wife, Velma, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With the Pearl Harbor attack long behind him, Stratton and the others who owed their lives to Joe George began a campaign to have the Vestal crew member honored. Survivors of the Arizona can choose tohave their ashes interred in the sunken battleship in Pearl Harbor, but Stratton decided long ago he did not want that. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, September 23 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church. local_floristSEND FLOWERS. 3 crashes, 2 deaths involving Donald Stratton funeral procession, By Debbie Kelley -- 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. DONALD STRATTON OBITUARY. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. He taught. DONALD STRATTON - Prince Frederick, Maryland , Sewell Funeral Home - Memories wall BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sewell Funeral Home DONALD JAY STRATTON Prince Frederick, Maryland October 6, 1956 - December 5, 2018 Share Obituary: Tribute Wall Obituary & Events Share a memory Send Flowers Share a memory of DONALD JAY STRATTON. His legacy will forever be cherished in the lives of his grandchildren: Dana Stratton, Kimberly Brewer, Robert Stratton Jr., (Becky), Jessika Caldwell (Tony) and Nicole Stratton. Doc began his meat processing career in Westhope and through they years he worked as a meat cutter in numerous places through out North Dakota and Minnesota.He is survived by his companion, Jo Anne Freeberg of Roseville; daughter, Michelle Lafond (Jonas) of Auburn, GA; son, Marc Stratton (Susan) of Fergus Falls, MN; grandchildren, Cody Lafond and Kyle and Rylee Stratton; brothers, Bill Stratton (LeRae) of Westhope, Duane Stratton (Nancy) of Lakeville, MN and Keith Stratton (Donna) of Westhope; sister, Tudi Henderson (Ken) of Velva; one uncle; several aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins; and step-mother, Deloras Stratton.He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Doris Stratton and niece Morgan Stratton.Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Westhope. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected]. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Hes atrue American hero.. Stratton was a sight setter. Messages run for up to one year and you "It comes from the heart, that's what it's about. The courage I saw in our men was astonishing," Stratton wrote in his 2016 book, "All the Gallant Men." Finally, in February 1944, he was allowed to reenlist. 'Don' Stratton, age 86, of Wexford, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020 at North Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Wexford. "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. All rights reserved. Your browser does not support this video format. 2023 PearlHarbor.Org is under the ownership of Mauka Tours LLC effective May 1, 2021. "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. 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. Home / Articles / Donald Stratton, USS Arizona Survivor, Has Died. He heaved it toward the Arizona. On that day, 1,177 men perished in the explosion leaving just 300 alive. On the morning of December 7, 1941, six sailors were rescued from the burning and sinking USS Arizona (BB-39) by Joe George, a crew member of the repair ship USS Vestal (AR-4). The bow sagged. 16 years later, and many many many conversations with Navy Command, the Strattons were able to secure a medal the Bronze Star with Valor to Joe George. Flint Journal. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Nellie Stratton; and 13 siblings. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. Elizabeth II was the sovereign of more than one independent state and . The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Survivors Lou Conter and Ken Potts are both 98. He was reared in Westhope and graduated Westhope High School in 1968. CONTACT US | The family suggests memorial donations may be made in Dons name to the Mt. One of Stratton's friends also spoke at his funeral on Saturday. 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. Mr. Strattons life was recently chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men. An Arizona crew that once numbered 1, 512 is now down to two. Along with 5 others in the director, there was no hope for rescue. He also piloted the flyover at Stratton's funeral. Born July 14, 1922, Donald Stratton grew up in Red Cloud, NE. PearlHarbor.Org is a privately owned website and is not owned or operated by, nor affiliated with, a Government Agency. PEARL HARBOR HERO RECOGNIZED 76 YEARS AFTER SAVING 6 FROM SINKING USS ARIZONA, Recollections from George himself ultimately emerged; he spoketo the University of North Texas in 1978 for an oral history documenting the attack. He was a former deacon and was currently the president of the cemetery committee. This article is written by William Cole from The Honolulu Star-Advertiser and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. The explosion lifted the ship out of the water. After recovering, Donald went back to Red Cloud and worked with his father. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Donald passed away last week at age 97. He was 97. 241 West 4th Avenue On February 15, 2020, one of those men, Donald Stratton, passed away after spending years working to gain recognition forthe hero who saved him. He joined the USS Stack, a destroyer headed for the Pacific. But to many, he was also a symbol of leadership and character. While he enjoyed riding in his side by side the many miles of trails with his wife, he met many fellow campers there who became special friends. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Bruner, who also made the climb across the rope with Stratton, died Sept. 10 at age 98. Just over a year later, he found himself in the middle of the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In the fall of 1940, he joined the Navy and was stationed aboard USS Arizona, assigned to man an anti-aircraft gun. UNION COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Elementary school student Landon Knestrick is about to get on plane to fly to Colorado to speak at the funeral of 97-year-old World War II veteran Donald Stratton. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the . His eyes met Strattons. He participated in six more invasions aboard the USS Stack. The driver of a Honda Accord, 81-year-old Carl Silvrants of Fredericksburg, Va., was killed when he tried to get around the motorcycle crash and hit a parked firetruck on Interstate 70. cline hanson funeral home obituaries; behinder github; fire kirin download app; starship band members 2022; building a pavilion on a concrete slab; kria kv260. 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. Second to last was Lauren Bruner, a fire controlmanwho died in September. Donald was predeceased by his daughter, Donna Stratton; parents, Robert and Ida Stratton; and brother, Robert Stratton Jr. juniper vlan tagging vs trunking. It was thunderous.. Per Doc's wishes, a private family service was held. Just past dawn the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor creating an inferno of fire, and strafing ships with machine guns. officiating. 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. After boot camp, he was sent to the Navy shipyards in Bremerton, Washington, where he got his first look at the Arizona, in dry dock undergoing maintenance and, most people assumed, being fitted for war. Our support in your time of need does not end after the funeral services. Sympathy Ideas . We just kept thinking, Gosh, how much worse can this get, Wittmer said. After WWII ended, he was 100% medically discharged and went on to work with deep sea divers and oil rigs offshore. The couple was married for 69 years where they travelled the world and grew a beautiful family. He and Velma retired to Yuma, where they lived for about 15 years. Stratton DONALD G. STRATTON July 14, 1922 February 15, 2020 Mr. Donald G. Stratton, was born July 14, 1922 in Inavale, NE to Robert and Jessie Stratton and upon graduation from high school in Red Cloud, he enlisted in the Navy and was a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Arizona. There were "people over on the Arizona that were trying to get off, and there was fire all around," he said. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Any and all bookings made prior to May 1, 2021 are the responsibility of the previous owner. 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. "And to show that he is such a great American and to show our appreciation for his service to our great country.". He is now part of our national memory.". The funeral liturgy for Don will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 8, 2018 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine Street in Appleton, with Fr. 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. My hero is gone but will always be in my heart. Joe George saved 6 lives that day, and was never awarded for his heroism until 76 years later. Donald Stratton was one of the last three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. Friends will be received on Saturday from 11am until the time of funeral services at 1pm at the SAUL - GABAUER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 273 Route 68 Rochester (Adjacent to Sylvania Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum.) The average age of a Stratton family member is 72. When the call to battle stations was made, he climbed three ladders to reach his station. New downtown Colorado Springs transit center plans updated, councilman calls it a 'boondoggle', Colorado Springs high school student arrested after allegedly bringing loaded gun to school. "Listen, all those men down there on that ship, a thousand of them, they wouldn't do it, and I don't think they'd want me to do it," he said. [1] [2] [3] He was in the port gun director of the ship USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when an armor-piercing bomb set off the ship's forward ammunition magazine. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lois Stratton; children, Debra (Ronny) Suy, Dawn (Bill) Schultz, Dan (Terri) Stratton and Dave (Tina) Stratton; grandchildren, Kelly (Joel), Teri (Kris), Chris (Melissa), Jaysen (Jesse "I was aboard the USS Arizona on the morning of December 7, 1941. His parents, his wife of 60 years, Mary Stratton and brother, Ed Stratton,. WEIGH the SERVICE Date of Death: September 19, 2014. In the Army, you were crawling around in the mud and everything else, and I didnt want to do that.. Numerous flags and people were lined along the route to honor the veteran as the motorcade passed through. Donald Stratton, a son of Donald and Doris (Sletten) Stratton, was born in Bottineau on April 4, 1950. In 2017, Stratton, Bruner and Potts met at the Pentagon with the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, secretary of defense and chief of naval operations to honor George. Stratton was a machinist at Morgan Engineering Co. where he had been employed since 1940. . All Rights Reserved 2022. Stratton. In the early hours of December 7, 1941, Stratton stepped out onto Arizonas deck and spotted the Japanese dive bombers launching their assault. The battleship shuddered as another explosion, the most powerfulyet, cracked its hull. "Our grandfather has just been involved in every aspect of our life," said Nikki Stratton, Don's youngest granddaughter. 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. Randy Stratton Click To Call He quietly departed this life Saturday, February 15, 2020 in his Colorado Springs, CO home alongside his wife and son. Smoke and flames choked the air, but Stratton saw someone moving on a smaller ship that had been tethered to the Arizona. Mr. Stratton loved God, loved his country and loved his family. All rights reserved. Stratton died of natural causesin Colorado Springs, Colo., his family said. or redistributed. He passed away at 97 years old, in Colorado Springs, surrounded by his wife Velma and son Randy. Donald was burned over 65% of his body and escaped the inferno by climbing across a line to a neighboring shipthe USS Vestal. The Stratton men called and wrote letters, telling Georges story to anyone who would listen. Donald Stratton was one of the last three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. In 2016, he published a memoir, All the Gallant Men: An American Sailor's Firsthand Account of Pearl Harbor. After that, Randy said, he was done. Even though Stratton lived in Colorado, and Landon lived in North Carolina, they developed a friendship. "OnceI made a dive in a two-man submarine, down in over 1,200 feet of water off Santa Barbara coast," he said. 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. Flint Journal Homepage. Olivet United Church of Christ Memorial Fund. Born in Bath, NY, he lived in Camillus for more than 15 years. "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. What a great story that needs to be heard for many more years! At 19 years old he enlisted in the US Navy and was then assigned to the USS Arizona. He was one of the last living survivors of the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Prior to his passing, Stratton was one of only three surviving USS Arizona crewmen. Family and friends are invited to visitwww.seederly-mongandbeck.comto sign the guestbook or send private condolences. His wife, Velma, and his son, Randy, were with him. Other men carrying their wounded buddies to safety, trying desperately to stanch their bleeding. 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 hoped that the events of December 7, 1941 and the men who sacrificed themselves would never be forgotten. He managed to throw a monkeys fist with a heaving line attached over to the men. All Rights Reserved. Minutes later, the heaving line secured to the tower, the six men climbed down the rope to the Vestal. You have permission to edit this article. All rights reserved. It burned Donald over 65% of his body. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Randy and his mother were with Stratton when he died Saturday. Read more about the life story of Donald and share your memory. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book. He was taken to a hospital. 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. They fired the guns, but the bombers were too high. Donald was buried next to his two daughters and now wife. The war hero was able to live a long life. It's a different view from above, but the purpose was the same: honoring one of the remaining few from the Greatest Generation. Graveside services with full military honors were 11:00 am, Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Red Cloud Cemetery, Red Cloud, Nebraska. Email will not be used for any other purpose developed a friendship Gallant men. made Dons... The men who sacrificed themselves would never be forgotten offered him a job as a chief officer... American hero.. Stratton was one of the cemetery committee aboard the Arizona! Co. where he had been tethered to the Mt 7, 1941 and the men who sacrificed themselves never. 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