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. Stratton would learn that George, who died in 1996, had defied orders to cut the Vestals line, a decision that likely cost him a commendation. Stratton was a machinist at Morgan Engineering Co. where he had been employed since 1940. . The war still raged in the Pacific. 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. Joseph Donald Stratton, 65, passed away on December 2, 2021 in Memphis, TN. 2 gun turret, and as he walked out, he heard loud voices. 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. You have funeral questions, we have answers. williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com. Without Joe, my dad wouldnt have been here, Randy Stratton said Sunday. [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. Men being strafed as they brought boxes of ammo up ladders to the antiaircraft guns. or redistributed. 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. Stratton, 97, a Colorado Springs resident, died Feb. 15. He was reared in Westhope and graduated Westhope High School in 1968. In conjunction with the Dec. 7 ceremony that year, the deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet presented a Bronze Star with "V " Device for Valor to George's daughter, Joe Ann Taylor, aboard the USS Arizona Memorial. He would have died on that platform.. 'Don' Stratton, age 86, of Wexford, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020 at North Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Wexford. WEIGH the SERVICE Date of Death: September 19, 2014. 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. 'Don' Stratton, age 86, of Wexford, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020 at North Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Wexford. Any and all bookings made prior to May 1, 2021 are the responsibility of the previous owner. Donald upheld their legacy and honored the men that perished that day by honoring the Lord, honoring his country and striving to remember all the gallant men. Market data provided by Factset. "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. They fired the guns, but the bombers were too high. free past performances 365 Stratton was burned over much of his body. 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. 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. Joe was on deck fighting fires spread from the Arizona. Donald Stratton died late Saturday at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His wife, Velma, and his son, Randy, were with him. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Still, George "kept saying, 'Come on sailor! "I'm very grateful. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS.MEMORIALS ARE SUGGESTED TO THE "USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL FUND.". 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 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. In addition to his parents, Donald is preceded in death by his sisters Martha Hickman and Carol Orr. DONALD STRATTON OBITUARY Donald David Stratton, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2015 while vacationing in Montego Bay Jamaica. The Secretary of the Navy spoke, as well as Senator of Colorado Cory Gardner. PHOENIX Through the soles of his shoes, Donald Stratton could feel the heat from the platform where he stood on the wounded USS Arizona. One of Donalds final wishes was that people remember Pearl Harbor and the men aboard the USS Arizona, his wife Velma wrote on Facebook. 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. A funeral service will be held at the North Devon Crematorium on Tuesday 28th February at 10.20am. Joe George saved 6 lives that day, and was never awarded for his heroism until 76 years later. Morris MI went home October 6, 2014 in Kingwood, TX. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. Born July 14, 1922, Donald Stratton grew up in Red Cloud, NE. Honoring the life and legacy of Donald Stratton - YouTube Over the weekend hundreds and thousands turned out throughout Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska to honor the life and legacy of the late. Don worked for Rohrer Engineering and retired from Forester Systems in 2000. 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. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. I looked over and seen the water tower go over. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. In the fall of 1940, he joined the Navy and was stationed aboard USS Arizona, assigned to man an anti-aircraft gun. After recovering, Donald went back to Red Cloud and worked with his father. The police motorcade went until the Monument area. The crew settled into a routine, in port and on training exercises at sea. 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. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. This was their way out, hand over hand across 70 feet of ropeabove a burning oil slick. Randy and his mother were with Stratton when he died Saturday. He wanted to avenge all of his brothers lost on December 7th, 1,177 of them. Messages run for up to one year and you Williams Funeral Home He taught. 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 Family and friends are invited to visitwww.seederly-mongandbeck.comto sign the guestbook or send private condolences. For more than a decade, Stratton and Bruner lobbied for George to get a Navy Cross or other medal. They pulled a heavier line over and one by one began to climb across the gap separating the two ships. One of Stratton's friends also spoke at his funeral on Saturday. Bruner, who also made the climb across the rope with Stratton, died Sept. 10 at age 98. All rights reserved. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. It was quite a sight for an old flatlander like me to see a 35,000-ton battleship out of the water, he said. His actions saved the injured Stratton and five of his shipmates. Donald J. Had it been only 14 minutessince Japanese bombers shattered the morning, 14 minutes since an air ambush brought war to Pearl Harbor? POLL: How will the Rockies fare this season in the NL West. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. "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. He flew both ultralights successfully. Then the veterans will continue to drive all the way to Red Cloud, Nebraska, where Stratton is from. This image is an artists recreation of the burns Donald suffered during Pearl Harbor. After graduating high school, he did what many young men did during the 1930s and 40s and enlisted in the military. 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). CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Born May 18th, 1934, in Freedom, he was a retired engineer for Pittsburgh Gears, a member of the Shriners in Rochester, and was a veteran of the United States Army. local_floristSEND FLOWERS. Stratton fought in the invasion of the Philippines, in the invasion of Okinawa, on patrol with radar, reporting the advance of suicide bombers. At 19 years old he enlisted in the US Navy and was then assigned to the USS Arizona. He saidGeorge threw them a lifeline from his own ship, which was moored next to the Arizona. Enter your email below to receive a grief support message from us each day for a year. My theory was you either had a nice place aboard a ship andwere high and dry or you didnt have anything, he told The Arizona Republic in 2014. Born May 18th, 1934, in Freedom, he was a retired engineer for Pittsburgh Gears, a member of the Shriners in Rochester, and was a veteran of the . "We are profoundly sad to say that last night, Feb. 15, USS Arizona Survivor Donald Stratton passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife of nearly 70 years, Velma, and his son Randy, " Pearl Harbor National Memorial Daniel Martinez, chief historian for the memorial, said, "God bless him and his beloved family. Following the service, the Colorado Springs Police Department escorted the family and the casket. Flint Journal Homepage. AboutPressCopyrightContact. He was reared in Westhope and graduated Westhope High School in 1968. Donald and Velma were married for 70 years. The Arizona was on fire and the Japanese were still attacking. Donald passed away last week at age 97. 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. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, September 23 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church. Owing to his injuries, Stratton was discharged in September 1942 and sent back to Red Cloud. "It comes from the heart, that's what it's about. "One of Donald's final wishes was that people remember Pearl Harbor and the men aboard the USS Arizona. In an earlier crash, two motorcyclists in the procession after Stratton's memorial at Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel in Colorado Springs were injured while driving north on Interstate 25. Graveside services with full military honors were 11:00 am, Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Red Cloud Cemetery, Red Cloud, Nebraska. Funeral services will be 2 P.M. Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Avram Funeral Home in Mayville, with Pastor Dorothy Thon officiating. 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