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Flag that flew over USS Sterett DD 407 during combat the night of November 12-13, 1942 in the Campaign to Hold Guadalcanal |
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| Cherished flag given by DD 407 Shipmate Jim Botkin to the USS Sterett (DDG 104) at her Commissioning August 9, 2008 | |||
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| Battle colors presented | DDG 104 Commanding Officer Cdr. Brian Eckerle with DD 407 shipmate Jim Botkin at the time of the flag presentation | ||
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65 Anniversary of the Battle of Vella Gulf |
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| A reunion of
sailors who served aboard the six US Navy ships (including Sterett
DD 407) that engaged the Tokyo Express in the August 1943 Battle of
the Vella Gulf was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Crystal City in
Arlington, Virginia on 7–10 August 2008. Because of the proximity of that event
to the DDG 104 Commissioning ceremony in nearby Baltimore harbor on
August 9th, it was fortunate that many of these WWII veterans were
able to attend both events. Crew members of DD 407
attending the 65th Anniversary in Arlington were: Bill
Goodson, Art Marrs, Henry McCullough, Fred Sherman, Bill Stella,
Tommy Thompson and Jim Botkin. They were joined by Cal Calhoun
and Jacque Hutchins for the DDG 104 Commissioning on Saturday
evening. The Destroyer History Foundation website provides good coverage of this story: Destroyer History Foundation Story (Use your browsers back arrow to return to page) |
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