MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Former crew members of the USS Yorktown held their annual meet and greet on Saturday morning.
Veterans from World War II to the Vietnam War shared firsthand accounts of life at sea, which shaped naval history.
“This was my home for four years. “I lived, ate, and slept here, from top to bottom, one end to the other, so yeah, it brings back memories,” veteran and former crew member Paul Noetling explained.
The ship holds sentimental memories for veterans who have served on it throughout the years. William R. Anderson Jr., 98, recalls his early days at sea, which began in 1944 during World War 2.
“My first job here was captain of the head, but then I stood lookout and watched,” WWII veteran and former crew member William R. Anderson Jr. explained.
Tom Ziencina joined his squadron for the first time sixteen years later.
“This picture was taken on May 11, 1962. “And we were three kilometers from the site of an atomic weapon explosion,” said veteran and former crew member Tom Ziencina.
The photograph depicts an explosion ahead of the ship. Ziencina described a white layer of paint that appeared to be more than a mile wide.
“Lightbulbs were breaking and helmets were falling off the hook,” Ziencina told me.
According to Ziencina, crew members were instructed not to discuss it and were required to sign an agreement not to do so until 1997, when Bill Clinton declassified the information.
Linda Steubesand represented her grandfather at the event. He was on board during WWII. She emphasized the importance of continuing to share the history.
“It’s all about stories and sharing our passion and love for the ship,” legacy member Steubesand explained.
Organizers stressed the importance of legacy members like Steubesand continuing to share stories about former crew members and the ship.
This year marks the US Navy’s 250th anniversary. It is also the 50th anniversary of the USS Yorktown docking at Mount Pleasant.
