In an incredible act of courage, Donald and fellow survivor Lauren Bruner were saved by a sailor named Joe George. Search by Name. The fireball that engulfed the Arizona lifted the ship over 50 feet out of the water before slamming back down to the sand below. CNN Donald Stratton, a survivor of the USS Arizona, died February 15, according to a statement from the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He was 97. It's just our way of saying goodbye," Bill Klaers said. May 18, 1934 - November 30, 2020. It was quite a sight for an old flatlander like me to see a 35,000-ton battleship out of the water, he said. There were "people over on the Arizona that were trying to get off, and there was fire all around," he said. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com. Stratton died of natural causesin Colorado Springs, Colo., his family said. Donald J. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net. Stratton told his own story many times over the years. Joe was on deck fighting fires spread from the Arizona. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. DONALD STRATTON OBITUARY ALGONQUIN - Donald J. Stratton, 74, passed on Wednesday, July 16. Stratton and the others snagged it and secured it to the tower. Numerous flags and people were lined along the route to honor the veteran as the motorcade passed through. The police motorcade went until the Monument area. You can unsubscribe at any time. companies with qualified audit opinion. Donald retired from the U.S. Air Force after more than 20 years. On Satuday, Colorado Springs said goodbye to an American hero. quest diagnostics 32791n. Stratton was burned over much of his body. "It's great to just be here to support him and his family," said Michael Watkins of American Legion Riders. Stratton is survived by his brother Willie, his son Randy Stratton, his wife, Velma, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For more than a decade, Stratton and Bruner lobbied for George to get a Navy Cross or other medal. Born in Bath, NY, he lived in Camillus for more than 15 years. The procession reached 3 miles long at one point as many bikers joined the trip back to Red Cloud. This Saturday, Landon will say his final goodbye to his friend in Colorado Springs, as the 8-year-old was asked to be a speaker at Donald's memorial. Dave began his teaching career in the Chicopee Public Schools before transferring to the Springfield Public School System. Enter We should never forget what these guys did for us, Randy said Sunday from Colorado Springs. At first, the Navy wouldn't allow Donald to re-enlist due to his medical discharge, however he proved them wrong by going through boot camp a second time. "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. Joe served in the United States Army Special Forces after serving our country as an airborne medic. He was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. DONALD EUGENE STRATTON FUNERAL HOME Swartz Funeral Home - Flint 1225 West Hill Road Flint, MI DONALD STRATTON OBITUARY STRATTON, DONALD EUGENE STRATTON, Donald Eugene born August. PearlHarbor.Org is a privately owned website and is not owned or operated by, nor affiliated with, a Government Agency. 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. It is unknown if Batchelor was injured. The family also learned he was never honored for his bravery on December 7th. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Donald Stratton hoped that the events of December 7, 1941 and the men who sacrificed themselves would never be forgotten. He taught. 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 was gifted and talented in being able to design and invent something from scratch. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, the former Catherine Klix; daughters, Susan (Chris Gilmore) Stratton of Portland, OR, Laura (Walter) Ranger of Liverpool and Paula (Jim) Franklin of Portland, OR; son, Donald (Martha) Stratton Jr. of Choctaw, OK; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, William of Atlanta, GA and Lynn Stratton of Staten Island; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jessie, daughters Gypsy Dawn and Roxane Jo and son Robert, brother Daryl and sister Norma and great grandson DJ. He was united in holy matrimony to Velma DEtte on April 23, 1950. 'Don' Stratton, age 86, of Wexford, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020 at North Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Wexford. Donald Stratton died late Saturday at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mr. Donald G. Stratton, was born July14, 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. The Arizona was on fire and the Japanese were still attacking. It's a different view from above,. But, something was missing, he wanted to return to WWII. A funeral service will be held at the North Devon Crematorium on Tuesday 28th February at 10.20am. Arizona Final Salute Information You can make it,'" Stratton recalled. Copyright 2020 WBTV. Donald J. The Stratton men called and wrote letters, telling Georges story to anyone who would listen. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. "I'm very grateful. officiating. Second to last was Lauren Bruner, a fire controlmanwho died in September. On February 15, 2020, one of those men, Donald Stratton, passed away after spending years working to gain recognition forthe hero who saved him. 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. He was 97, a tweet from USS Arizona said. He will be sadly missed by his close friend and partner Peggy Klepic. Share their story and never forget those who gave all for our great country, " Stratton's family said on Facebook. Without Joe, my dad wouldnt have been here, Randy Stratton said Sunday. His skills were endless and his mind was always looking for the next thing to invent, design and bring to life. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Mr. Franklin was a 1938 graduate of Osgood High School and was an Army veteran of WWII where he served in the 119th Infantry Regiment and the 30th Infantry Division. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. He wanted to avenge all of his brothers lost on December 7th, 1,177 of them. Mr. Strattons life was recently chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men. Donald was. Don Stratton, who escaped a burning USS Arizona by making a harrowing hand-over-hand climb across a rope to an adjacent ship on Dec. 7, 1941, died Saturday, leaving just two living survivors of the famed battleship. Other men carrying their wounded buddies to safety, trying desperately to stanch their bleeding. He is survived by a niece, Catherine Vetterly and husband Tom of New Jersey, two great nephews; Brad (Lyndsey) and Brett (Kristin) Vetterly, and two great great nephews; Max and Milo Vetterly, and one great great niece, Mia Vetterly. Williams Funeral Home He wanted to be at home, Randy said. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Nellie Stratton; and 13 siblings. 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. WEIGH the SERVICE Date of Death: September 19, 2014. Graveside services with full military honors were 11:00 am, Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Red Cloud Cemetery, Red Cloud, Nebraska. He was united in holy matrimony to Velma DEtte Lockhart on April 23, 1950. On that day, 1,177 men perished in the explosion leaving just 300 alive. to the family or plant a tree "Our grandfather has just been involved in every aspect of our life," said Nikki Stratton, Don's youngest granddaughter. Services Sunday . The bow sagged. Stratton, Donald, age 89 of Arden Hills, passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2020. Joe George saved 6 lives that day, and was never awarded for his heroism until 76 years later. It indicates, "Click to perform a search". To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of 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. The attack on Dec. 7, 1941, attack killed 1,177 sailors and Marines on the mighty battleship, sparing 335. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Funeral services will be 2 P.M. Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Avram Funeral Home in Mayville, with Pastor Dorothy Thon officiating. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Market data provided by Factset. Donald Stratton died late Saturday at his home in Colorado Springs. It was thunderous.. It burned Donald over 65% of his body. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Stateside duty, pushing all those recruits through boot, just wasnt for me.. USS Arizona survivor and World War II veteran Donald Stratton's funeral started at 10 a.m.., and hundreds showed up to pay their respects, even in mid-air. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. "We can't forget what happened there that day. After his service to the Navy was finished, he was employed at a diving company and later on an offshore drilling platform. Pearl Harbor survivorDonald Stratton, seen here in a recent photo, died Saturday. A year later, he reenlisted. My heart goes out for the families, as well as all those who sacrificed for their great country so I could be writing this right now! Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 11:00 am at Mt. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. "We got hit with the big bomb and that exploded like a million pounds of ammunition. Six men huddled on the port side fire control tower, burned badly, trapped as the ship sank in the shallow waters near Honolulu that day, Dec. 7, 1941. Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970, Phone 402-746-2500 Donald Stratton was one of the last three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. He would have died on that platform.. All Rights Reserved.Funeral Home Website by Batesville | Funeral Planning and Grief Resources. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. We can't let it happen again.. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. World War II veteran Donald Stratton was transported in a funeral procession from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Red Cloud, Nebraska on Saturday, Feb. 29. | Theme: Fairy by Candid Themes. To send flowers Heroic Pearl Harbor sailor honored with Bronze Star, wrote in his 2016 book, "All the Gallant Men. debbie.kelley@gazette.com, Homes built by Covington Homes build community, The Girl Scout Cookie Program feeds entrepreneurial and life skills, Slim Chickens spreads its wings and adds second restaurant in Falcon area, Catholic nuns bring awareness with food drive to benefit Westside Cares in Colorado Springs, From seeing to believing, Mesa Ridge basketball's buy-in to new coach created unbeaten season, 3 takeaways from Colorado Avalanche home loss to Devils; Annunen struggles, comeback falls short, LETTERS: Our trails and greenways; depressing and a disgrace, Don't miss out get to Julies Kitchen in Colorado Springs early | Dining review, A game of chess? "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. However, on the morning of December 7th all that changed. (Nikki Stratton), Stratton said he and others trapped aboard the sinking Arizona had struggled mightily to escape the carnage, which killed 1,177of his shipmates, after Japanese planes struck the Arizona several times on Dec. 7, 1941. Donald will be laid to rest in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The Strattons knew they had to right that wrong. 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. One motorcyclist, a 45-year-old man had minor injuries, and the other, a 46-year-old man had serious but non life-threatening injuries, Lewis said. I said no, I wanted to go to sea, Stratton said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Born July 14, 1922, Donald Stratton grew up in Red Cloud, NE. 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. "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. The crew settled into a routine, in port and on training exercises at sea. The license plate readUSS ARIZ, and amural on a white bed cover depicted the USS Arizona and the memorial that floats above it in Pearl Harbor. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. Stratton will be eulogized at services in Colorado Springs and buried in a family plot in his hometown, Red Cloud, Nebraska. Published by Syracuse Post Standard from Sep. 19 to Sep. 21, 2014. 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. CONTACT US | They fired all 12 guns to the port side of the ship one time and moved us sideways in the water 30 or 60 feet or so, said Stratton, who was a Seaman 1st Class by then. He was married to Toni Lunde and this marriage later ended. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Fairy by Candid Themes. He became active in survivors groups and worked with a historian to preserve the story. A friendship between the two began in 2016. 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. 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. He participated in six more invasions aboard the USS Stack.

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