Were all just extremely sad, said Randy Wittmer, a member of the Colorado Patriot Guard who attended Strattons funeral but did not ride in the procession following the service. The. Back in 2016, Landon heard the veteran's story and made it a goal to meet him. "Plus all the others in all the other wars.". He was united in holy matrimony to Velma DEtte Lockhart on April 23, 1950. Just as he saw it begin, Stratton saw the war end. A Dodge Grand Caravan driven by 51-year-old Tanja Batchelor of Colorado Springs was driving behind Riedel and struck him in the passing lane. He and other survivors gathered together and signaled for help, which caught the attention of Joe George aboard the nearby USS Vestal. Don worked for Rohrer Engineering and retired from Forester Systems in 2000. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. Donald Stratton held many titles: a veteran, a survivor, a hero. Donald Stratton died late Saturday at his home in Colorado Springs. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the . BOARDMAN Donald Allen Stratton, 86, of Poland, passed away on Thursday, November 25, 2021 at Mercy Health Center in Boardman surrounded by his family. What a great story that needs to be heard for many more years! Years later, Stratton and his son, Randy, learned that the sailor, a boatswains mate named Joe George, haddefied orders to cut the line to the Arizona and had never been recognized for what he did. The Secretary of the Navy spoke, as well as Senator of Colorado Cory Gardner. His wife, Velma, and his son, Randy, were with him. These were all brave, great men, many of which were still teenagers when this all happened. Helping USS Arizona Survivors and their Families. The Strattons knew they had to right that wrong. In the early hours of December 7, 1941, Stratton stepped out onto Arizonas deck and spotted the Japanese dive bombers launching their assault. The Navy veteran said it wasn't until 2001, during a reunion of Pearl Harbor survivors,that he discovered the identity of the U.S. service member who saved his life and the lives of at least five other sailors: Chief Petty OfficerJoe George, who died in 1996. Donald G. Stratton, was born July 14, 1922 in Inavale, Nebraska to Robert and Jessie Stratton and upon graduation from high school in Red Cloud, he enlisted in the Navy and was a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Arizona. . A sailor on the ship, a supply vessel called the USS Vestal, was about to cut the line when he saw the six men on the tower. The Patriot Guard's Wittmer, who lives in Aurora, said the motorcycles apparently crashed into each another. USS Arizona crew member and Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Stratton was honored with a memorial service Saturday morning in Colorado Springs. "Acts of individual heroism could be witnessed everywhere you looked. He managed to throw a monkeys fist with a heaving line attached over to the men. "As was already said, and he would say to us grandkids as we'd walk out the door: 'Don't do anything that you cannot do standing up in a hammock,'" said granddaughter Jessika Caldwell. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. They pulled a heavier line over and one by one began to climb across the gap separating the two ships. Donald was a faithful member of Mount Olivet United Church of Christ for over 60 years. Sometimes, Japanese pilots attended memorial ceremonies, and some of the other survivors would shake their hands. He was 97. In the Army, you were crawling around in the mud and everything else, and I didnt want to do that.. The Stratton men called and wrote letters, telling Georges story to anyone who would listen. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner), The Honolulu Star-Advertiser | By William Cole. Stratton could not. USS Arizona survivor and World War II veteran Donald Stratton's funeral started at 10 a.m.., and hundreds showed up to pay their respects, even in mid-air. STRATTON, DONALD EUGENE STRATTON, Donald Eugene - Mt. After his service to the Navy was finished, he was employed at a diving company and later on an offshore drilling platform. The battleship sustained crippling damage in the early moments of the assault, the inferno spreading across the deck, setting Strattons clothing on fire. He is now part of our national memory.". Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Stratton. ". The war still raged in the Pacific. He saidGeorge threw them a lifeline from his own ship, which was moored next to the Arizona. On the morning of December 7, 1941, a 19-year-old Donald was beckoned to his battle station as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor sending the Navy's flagship, the USS Arizona to the depths. Nikki Stratton Send Email, [fts_facebook type=page id=289485248175495 access_token=EAAP9hArvboQBAEi1R1HgHwQjvEYQNPEGpuPOABmjB9K4EBjkJe4hgR8vKFO73Y68qsB12SciZCXlQUKqM3Bo6j0aRaBTttEAZCTmmbAbnArwdMNWflcFJf4ojDXaid7TYrrnDXwP4IbFjzO9kuPtRRZBhNJF1fBwO7xY4aysvP6KidXpvYQGzElcSOgZCY4ZD posts=10 height=800px description=no posts_displayed=page_only]. He cranked a gauge in front of him and yelled the coordinates to the gun crew. In his dining room in Colorado Springs, he kept a replica of a diving helmet, the kind divers on his crew used. Stratton fought in the invasion of the Philippines, in the invasion of Okinawa, on patrol with radar, reporting the advance of suicide bombers. The family suggests memorial donations may be made in Dons name to the Mt. You have permission to edit this article. debbie.kelley@gazette.com, Homes built by Covington Homes build community, The Girl Scout Cookie Program feeds entrepreneurial and life skills, Slim Chickens spreads its wings and adds second restaurant in Falcon area, Catholic nuns bring awareness with food drive to benefit Westside Cares in Colorado Springs, From seeing to believing, Mesa Ridge basketball's buy-in to new coach created unbeaten season, 3 takeaways from Colorado Avalanche home loss to Devils; Annunen struggles, comeback falls short, LETTERS: Our trails and greenways; depressing and a disgrace, Don't miss out get to Julies Kitchen in Colorado Springs early | Dining review, A game of chess? My hero is gone but will always be in my heart. When the call to battle stations was made, he climbed three ladders to reach his station. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. CNN Donald Stratton, a survivor of the USS Arizona, died February 15, according to a statement from the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Many putting out fires on board their ships. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Nellie Stratton; and 13 siblings. Sharing his story had been a large part of Strattons life after surviving the attack and fighting throughout World War II. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jessie, daughters Gypsy Dawn and Roxane Jo and son Robert, brother Daryl and sister Norma and great grandson DJ. . Donald was burned over 65% of his body and escaped the inferno by climbing across a line to a neighboring shipthe USS Vestal. Our support in your time of need does not end after the funeral services. The Arizona motored through the Pacific to the sandy beaches of Honolulu Hawaii and Pearl Harbor not bad for a flatlander from Nebraska. He also piloted the flyover at Stratton's funeral. Stratton headed for his battle station, a steel cube that housed the controls for 25-caliber anti-aircraft guns. The fireball that engulfed the Arizona lifted the ship over 50 feet out of the water before slamming back down to the sand below. What we were doing is a thing for respect of an American hero, so it was our honor to be there for it, he said. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Stratton, then a seaman 1st class, described it in his book, "All the Gallant Men, " as a "great sucking sound, like a whoosh " that rocked the ship with concussive force. As long as there be war, I must answer Am I worth dying for?. At 19 years old he enlisted in the US Navy and was then assigned to the USS Arizona. He participated in six more invasions aboard the USS Stack. Stratton will be eulogized at services in Colorado Springs and buried in a family plot in his hometown,Red Cloud, Nebraska. Donald was born March 18, 1935 in Boardman, a son of James Allen and Ruth (Craig) Stratton. 2 gun turret, and as he walked out, he heard loud voices. Donald Stratton died in his sleep several weeks ago at the age of 97. Two motorists lost their lives in Gove County, Kan., including a member of the Kansas Patriot Guard motorcycle group that was escorting Strattons coffin for burial. His legacy will forever be cherished in the lives of his grandchildren: Dana Stratton, Kimberly Brewer, Robert Stratton Jr., (Becky), Jessika Caldwell (Tony) and Nicole Stratton. While he enjoyed riding in his side by side the many miles of trails with his wife, he met many fellow campers there who became special friends. Both traveled to Washington, D.C., in 2017to meet President Trump in the White House and then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis at the Pentagon. Funeral Home website by. Morris MI went home October 6, 2014 in Kingwood, TX. All rights reserved. Family flowers only, donations, if desired may be given for Stroke Association, by retiring . Klaers is the CEO and president of The National WWII Aviation Museum. Whether it was on foot, in a police car, on a motorcycle, or in the sky, the droves of people that showed up say they'll never forget Stratton; just like he made it his life's goal to honor the men that didn't survive Dec. 7, 1941. A lot of young men were joining the military as rumors buzzed about when the United States might be dragged into the war. Mr. Stratton loved God, loved his country and loved his family. On the morning of December 7, 1941, six sailors were rescued from the burning and sinking USS Arizona (BB-39) by Joe George, a crew member of the repair ship USS Vestal (AR-4). Stratton will be eulogized at services in Colorado Springs,. In the book, Donald references a poem that was placed in the wallet of Eleanor Roosevelt where it reads, Somehow out there, A man died for me today. It was 8:06 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, when death raced through the USS Arizona, chasing them all. DONALD STRATTON OBITUARY ALGONQUIN - Donald J. Stratton, 74, passed on Wednesday, July 16. Olivet Church, and again on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 10:00 am until the time of the service. My heart goes out for the families, as well as all those who sacrificed for their great country so I could be writing this right now! An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. This image is an artists recreation of the burns Donald suffered during Pearl Harbor. Copyright 2009 - 23 Nero Funeral Home. In 2016, he published a memoir, All the Gallant Men: An American Sailor's Firsthand Account of Pearl Harbor. After that, Randy said, he was done. Stratton and Lauren Bruner, another Arizona survivor, lobbied hard for George to be recognized. Donald was born July 14, 1922 in Invale Nebraska and grew up in Red Cloud, Nebraska. After boot camp, he was sent to the Navy shipyards in Bremerton, Washington, where he got his first look at the Arizona, in dry dock undergoing maintenance and, most people assumed, being fitted for war. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Enter your email below to receive a grief support message from us each day for a year. Donald was buried next to his two daughters and now wife. I love you and I hope you are enjoying making your shipmates laugh once again," Knestrick said. Survivors of the Arizona can choose tohave their ashes interred in the sunken battleship in Pearl Harbor, but Stratton decided long ago he did not want that. His wife, Velma, and his son, Randy, were with him. Donald Stratton died late Saturday at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The battleship shuddered as another explosion, the most powerfulyet, cracked its hull. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. The funeral procession stretching from Colorado Springs to Red Cloud, Neb., was involved in three separate crashes along the nearly seven-hour, 448-mile route. "If anyone deserved a Medal of Honor that day, in my opinion, it was him.". He was 97. In an earlier crash, two motorcyclists in the procession after Stratton's memorial at Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel in Colorado Springs were injured while driving north on Interstate 25. Donald Stratton Obituary With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Donald Stratton (Red Cloud, Nebraska), born in Inavale, Nebraska, who passed away on February 15, 2020 at the age of 97. This article is written by William Cole from The Honolulu Star-Advertiser and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. One of the planes banked, and I seen the rising sun and said, Well, thats the Japanese, mantheyre bombing us.. He was 97. "Listen, all those men down there on that ship, a thousand of them, they wouldn't do it, and I don't think they'd want me to do it," he said. By early 1941, the Arizona had steamed down the coast and put in at Pearl Harbor. The explosion lifted the ship out of the water. Donald R. Doc Stratton, age 60 of Roseville, MN, formerly of Westhope, died Saturday in Roseville. UNION COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Elementary school student Landon Knestrick is about to get on plane to fly to Colorado to speak at the funeral of 97-year-old World War II veteran Donald Stratton. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. 2023 PearlHarbor.Org is under the ownership of Mauka Tours LLC effective May 1, 2021. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Donald will be laid to rest in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. He was the best dad in the whole wide world. [1] [2] [3] He was in the port gun director of the ship USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when an armor-piercing bomb set off the ship's forward ammunition magazine. "One of Donald's final wishes was that people remember Pearl Harbor and the men aboard the USS Arizona. Stratton would learn that George, who died in 1996, had defied orders to cut the Vestals line, a decision that likely cost him a commendation. Obituaries Section. 1 some 28 feet and sending a fireball 500 feet into the air. Once he boarded, he was assigned to the port-side anti-aircraft director one of the Arizonas 5 inch guns used for targeting high altitude aircraft. Born July 14, 1922, Donald Stratton grew up in Red Cloud, NE. He heaved it toward the Arizona. Following the service, the Colorado Springs Police Department escorted the family and the casket. It was quite a sight for an old flatlander like me to see a 35,000-ton battleship out of the water, he said. Average Age & Life Expectancy Donald Richard Stratton lived exactly as long as the average Stratton family member when he died at the age of 72. Donald reenlisted in the Navy, went through boot camp a second time, and was stationed on the USS Stack for the remainder of the war. After graduating high school, he did what many young men did during the 1930s and 40s and enlisted in the military. Search by Name. He then graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and worked as a certified critical care nurse for 32 years. One of Donalds final wishes was that people remember Pearl Harbor and the men aboard the USS Arizona, his wife Velma wrote on Facebook. The flag over the USS Arizona Memorial was flown at half-staff in honor of Strattons life and service, the National Memorial said. The right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time in... 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