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| USS WASP CV-7 |
| VIRGINIA MAY 1942 |
| HERE SHE IS, JUNE 1942 IN SAN DIEGO |
| AFTER TAKING 3 TORPEDOES ABOUT 200 MILES OFF GUADALCANAL, 15 SEP 1942 |
| Joseph Wayne "Red" Coleman, was on the USS Wasp when she was torpedoed during the Guadalcanal offensive. When he shipped out the family didn't expect to see him for a very long time, since we were at war with Japan. Imagine everyone's surprise when a few weeks later he was back ashore! He wasn't allowed to tell anyone that he was home on survivor's leave, as the sinking of the ship was classified information. Red went on to serve on the USS Corrine. |
| The Wasp C-V 7 was built according to pre-WWII treaty specifications, meaning for one thing, the ship's hull was not as thick as it should have been, to comply with weight restrictions in effect. This made her very vulnerable to torpedo attack. There is so much information on the Wasp, there is simply not enough room here for it. Here are two excellent links to more information and pictures: http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/07.htm http://www.members.tripod.com/davidmclellan0/index.htm This second link is a webpage posted by the son of one of the servicemen. It has a much more personal touch, with personal photos of the ship, crewmembers, and a general idea of life on board ship. It is a great website if you are not too keen on the "dry facts" approach, although the facts are there, too. |
| Leaving room here for more on Red's service record and maybe some of his recollections, IF SOMEBODY COULD PLEASE GET HIM TO TELLING WAR STORIES! (hint, hint, hint) |
| Interesting People |
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| Red told us that he was playing cards below deck, that day. He got up from the game to make a trip to the 'head'. While he was away, the ship was torpedoed. He doesn't believe his card buddies made it. Red spent several hours in the water, waiting his turn to be rescued. Over 1000 survivors were fished out of the water that day, what an amazing rescue operation! |