![]() ![]() We could borrow no knowledge from the past. Hammett and Colondy wrote: “Modern armies had never fought before on any field that was like the Aleutians. Hall, Corporals Hammett and Robert Colondy took on the task of writing The Battle for the Aleutian Islands: A Graphic History, 1942 - 1943. At the age of forty-eight, he enlisted and was sent to Alaska with an intelligence unit. He was certainly accomplished and well known. When Dashiell Hammett rejoined Army in the 1940s - he had served during the First World War as an ambulance driver - he had completed five novels, dozens of short stories, and four stories for film. Authors could be found in every corner of the war, even the Aleutian Islands. Kurt Vonnegut wrote Mother Night and Slaughterhouse Five J. Tolkien created a whole world separate from our own with similar problems of jealousies, extraordinary feats or bravery, and an improbable fellowship that carried out an impossible mission. Milne took us on the adventures of Winnie the Pooh and his friends of the Hundred Acre Wood. Hemingway gave us a look into his experience driving ambulance in Italy. ![]() Milne all served in the First World War and went on to share their creativity through the written word. War has a way of fostering creative endeavors. The editors are sure they are all somewhere sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company again. These were the last of the veterans who attended the 20 commemoration events. Sadly, three of his fellow veterans who participated in these events have also passed away: Allan Seroll, 106, a veteran of the Battle for Attu, William “Bill” Greene, a Seabee, and Paul Schaughency, Adak Post Headquarters. He was also a participant in the 75th Anniversary Commemoration events in 20 that took place in Alaska. He was also a steadfast participant in reunions organized by Al King. Joe was a veteran of the Battle for Attu. In our most recent edition, you might have noticed that Joseph Sasser had passed away. ![]() In this edition you will find articles about two famous authors who served on the Aleutian Islands, the story of the USS Monaghan, and some pilot high jinks.We also have somber news to share. The change will allow the authors more time to research articles for your enjoyment. We realize that this is a shift and we appreciate your support. The editorial committee has decided, due to time commitments and resources, that The Williwaw will be a semi-annual publication for the foreseeable future. During this time, we have been giving the newsletter a lot of thought. ![]() It’s been a while since we published our last Williwaw. But learning this is going to take time so you put something you know on the front line.This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor and Unalaska, as well as their occupation of Attu and Kiska. All of that means she is going to have a different flight deck and flight ops routine than a Nimitz class. The refueling and re-arming arrangements are all different, designed to speed up operations and increase sorties. The Ford has a different flight deck arrangement, different elevator arrangement, only three elevators now but with elevators designed to take two aircraft at a time instead of one. Even then the Navy will want to keep it on a short leash for a while until they figure her out because she is a very different ship to operate than a Nimitz. The newest CVN, the Gerald Ford, is still working up in the Atlantic and really won't be fully operational for another year or so. She will depart Newport News Shipyard and after her shakedown will sail for Japan. Any other Nimitz in service will have fewer years left before they would have to head back to the US for either overhaul or decommissioning. She should be as close to a new ship as you can get after such an extensive overhaul and have 25 years left on her reactors. The George Washington is completing a complex overhaul including reactor refueling now. The ship sent to Japan has to have as many years as possible left before it too needs an overhaul so it can be kept in the Pacific. The Reagan has to return to the US and enter the shipyard for an overhaul. What kind of silliness is this? Shouldn't it be replaced with the next aircraft carrier built given China is the most comparable US adversary? ![]()
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