History: Helen E. Rabenstine (Widow of George "Ray" Rabenstine) October 16-23, 2004

Q:   When and where did Ray join the U.S. Navy? A:   He joined the Navy in January 1942, and was called up on April 20, 1942. He enlisted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and decided to join the Navy rather than be drafted into the Army. Q:    Why did he chose to join the U.S. Navy and not a different branch of the military? A:    He didn't want to join the Navy, he wanted to stay home with me. However, he knew if he was drafted he would not have a choice of the branch of service he went into. He picked the Navy because it would be cleaner than sleeping in the mud and muck of the trenches. (This appears to be a common reason as to why many men specifically chose enlistment in the Navy over other branches of service. Visit Rutgers University's, Kurt Piehler's interview transcript with Lexinton Veteran John Crane. Also check out Wayland High School's WWII History Project, specifically Mike Shubin's and Marc Terada's interview transcript with U.S Navy WWII Veteran Ronald F. Brodrick. Follow the links to theWWII Section and click "Interviews," scroll down to the first interview under "Navy" to Mr. Brodrick. Q:   Did Ray join the Navy with any of his friends? If yes, do you remember who they were and what happened to them? A:    He joined with about four friends but I can only remember two. One was Jim Nolan and I don't know what became of him. His brother Harry used to be our mailman and married one of friends. The other was Mike Janis and he passed away about the same time Ray did, (1991). His father had a Greek restaurant that I used to work in. Q:     Where was Ray's first post and were you allowed to go with him? A:    His first post was at Rhode Island and no I could not go. Q:   Did Ray write to you while he was at sea? If yes, what did he write about? A:    Of course! All he could write about was coming home and being in love! Q:   While Ray was at sea what was life like for you? Did you have family and friends around to lean on, have a job, do volunteer work, buy War Bonds or plant a Victory Garden? A:    While Ray was at sea all I did was worry about him, and change diapers! Q:   The U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) was the first Essex Class Aircraft Carrier in the U.S. Naval Fleet. How did Ray feel about being assigned to, what was then, one of the most modern Naval vessels of its' time? A:    Very proud! Q:   The U.S.S. Lexington set sail from Rhode Island on February 17, 1943, and Ray was aboard when she sailed. Were  you there to see him off, what was that like? A:    They went to Trinidad and it was very secret. I didn't know about it until they came back. Q:   What did Ray think of his commanding officers? A:    He never said. Q:   Ray was an Aviation Machinist's Mate, 2nd Class, and worked on the flight deck. Did he ever talk about his work? A:    No.

Lady Lex Links Veterans of the Blue Ghost Home Page George "Ray" Rabenstine History Page Helen Rabenstine History Pages Chester "Pete" Zeller I  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"

Go to Page 2 of Helen Rabenstine's Oral History Page

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