As we were leaving the battleship we met an older gentleman that told us he had been a sailor on the Alabama during WWII. http://www.ussalabama.com/

He told us about an accident in which he had been involved in during battle operations. A miscue in communications led to the firing of one of the ships med sized amored gun turrets firing directly into the side of the turret beside it.

Standing at the base of the gangway leading off the ship he used his walking cane and pointed at the gun position that took the point blank hit. He told us that he had been stationed in the turret, but deep inside it, down in the lower part of the ship. He and a few others managed to escape, the rest in the upper levels of the position perished.

He told us how the fires burned uncontrolably for a while and that the intense heat made the metal of the wreckage and surrounding area of the hull glow bright red. When darkenss came the glow was still so bright it could easily seen by enemy aircraft and vessels. Using tarpoleans and what ever else they could find they built a make shift cover trying to conceal themselves as much as possible.

We spoke a little more and then some people walked up and asked if he was ready to go. I thanked him for sharing his memories with us and then shook his hand, thanking him for his service to our country. He smiled and walked away.

It's a sad story about a dark time in someones life, but a special part of history. I can't tell you how honored I feel that he shared it with us.

Remembering him, I share it with you.