Fill out a Questionnaire to add yourself to the Veterans of the Blue Ghost
Simply cut and paste the below questions into an e-mail, provide your answers and send to A. Whitson at
Pokeyt72@hotmail.com
Veterans of the Blue Ghost Home Page
George "Ray" Rabenstine
History Page
Helen Rabenstine History Pages
Chester "Pete" Zeller History Pages
Add Your Oral History! Questionnaire for Veterans of the Blue Ghost
US.S. Lexington Museum on the Bay
Tarawa to Tokyo Sabrina Roper's Fantastic site on the U.S.S. Lexington
U.S.S. Lexington CV-16 Association
NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive
History of the U.S.S. Lexington at Wordiq.com
About Me
References
Send Some Love to "Iraqi Bill"
Q 2. Did you join the Navy with any friends? if yes, do you remember who they were and what happened to them?
Q 3. Where was your first military post and what do you recall about the experiences of boot camp? Was it difficult? were you home sick?
Q 4. When you joined the Navy what world events stick out in your memory and why?
Q 5. How did your parents and family react to the news that you joined the Navy?
Q 6. What do you remember most about the first time you stepped aboard a Navy vessel?
Q 7. While you were at sea, what was life like for you? Was it difficult to adjust to sea-life?
Q 8. Did you have family and friends or a special person that you left behind when you enlisted? Did they write often, and if so, what did they write about?
Q 9. The U.S.S. Lexington, (CV-16) was the first Essex Class Aircraft Carrier in the Naval Fleet. How did you feel being assigned to, what was then, one of the most modern ships of its time?
Q 10. The U.S.S. Lexington was commisioned in Boston Mass. in February 1943, were you on board when she sailed her maiden voyage? If yes, what was that like? If you were not on board, when were you assigned to the ship?
Q 11. What did you think of your commanding officers, did you like them or were they a pain in the neck?
Q 12. What was your rank while on board the Lexington and what do you remember about the work you performed on a regular day?
Q 13. On December 5, 1943, the U.S.S. Lexington was hit with a torpedo and lost steering capabilities. What do you recall about this event?
Q 14. The U.S.S. Lexington returned to the the Navel Yard in Bremerton, Washington, for repairs on December 22, 1943, and the ship was in drydock until February 1944. During this time did you get to see your family? If yes, what was that like? If no, what did you do while the ship was in drydock?
Q 15. Were you aboard the Lexington for the, "Marianas Turkey Shoot" on June 19 & 20, 1944? If yes, what do you recall about this event?
Q 16. What other memorable battles do you recall?
Q 17. Were you on board the Lexington on November 6, 1944, when a Kamikaze hit the Ship? If yes, what do you recall about this event?
Q 18. Did you receive any injuries during your military service? If yes, describe how they occurred.
Q 19. The U.S.S. Lexington crossed the equator 14 times during WWII and in, at least, April and September 1944, there were silly ceremonies on board to mark the occasion. Do you remember these events? If yes, please describe them.
Q 20. Did you receive any awards or recognition while in the Navy? If yes, do you remember what they were and why you received them?
Q 21. When you were discharged from the Navy was it hard for you to adjust to civilian life? Were you changed by your war experiencs? If yes, how so?
Q 22. After the war did you keep in touch with any of your Navy buddies? If yes, please describe your friendships, did they last for years, or did you fall out of touch?
Q 23. What Navy jargon do you recall and do you still use those words?
Q 24. What advice would you give to a young man or woman who is considering joining the Navy today?
Q 25. Are there any other thoughts or memories you would like to add?
