My dad was a Seaman First Class, most likely First Division-he was a good at tying knots. Basically, he said that he was on a South Pacific cruise. According to my brother, my father said that they were en route near Okinawa when Typhoon Louise hit. He got pretty banged up. He hit the bulkheads alot.

He got out of the Navy in 1946 and went back to Milwaukee, WI. He joined the American Legion. Played cards, drank beer, and was a member of the 52 - 20 club. He got married and was an estimator for Wisconsin Motor for 30 years, had 7 kids and died of a heart attack in 1985

I was searching online today and found this: http://www3.ottawaherald.com/ottsub/obit/stories/050807suttonlionel.shtml

I believe that my father went to boot camp in 1944 at Great Lakes. Then he went to Dam Neck for training and then he boarded the USS LSM 441. He went through the Panama Canal. He said, it was so hot that you could fry an egg on the deck. In the Pacific, it appears that the ship carried supplies after the major battles. The LSM 441 went to Eniwetok , Guam, Saipan, Ie Jima, Wakayama, Nagasaki, and then they finally made it to Mare Island. He got out in 1946.

Attached are some pictures. Note one of the pictures he cut out of a magazine.

Thanks,

Jeff Krolikowski
EW3 USS Rathburne FF1057 1988-1992

Jeff's Father

Raymond Krolikowski