History: Helen E. Rabenstine (Widow of George "Ray" Rabenstine) October 16-23, 2004 Page 2

Q.   On December 5, 1943, the U.S.S. Lexington was hit by a Japanese torpedo and returned to Bremerton, Washington for repairs. Was Ray injured during the torpedo attack and did you get to see him while he was on leave? A.    He injured his knee during the torpedo attack, which threw him across the flight deck. He took treatment on board the ship but never filed any kind of claim on the injury. Q.   Did Ray ever talk about any of the battles he was in? A.    No. The only thing he shared was that it was upsetting when the returning aircraft would land badly. Q.   When Ray was discharged from the Navy was it hard for him to settle back into civilian life? A.    He settled back into civilian life very well because he had a family to take care of. He was also thankful that our prayers were all answered. Q.   Ray's great-grandson Jake is considering joining the U.S. Navy. What advice do you think Ray would give him? A.     He would be very proud and would probably tell him to, "Be your own man!" 5

Lady Lex Links 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"

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