A WWII story - Two Misses - & Two Misses

This is a very personal account, but so many years have passed, and since I seem to be the last man standing, it needs to be told. Unlike many war stories full of blood and gore and high courage, it’s just a simple story of two misses who made up the distaff side of two couples who survived the war unscathed and managed to lead long and happy lives. But the story of these two misses has a curious and fortunate twist – two other but different sorts of misses.

On February 2, 1945 after repair and upkeep, the carrier Franklin CV13, departed Puget Sound escorted by the destroyer Nicholson DD442. It was on its way to assist in the upcoming fierce battle of Okinawa and to take part if necessary in the invasion of the Japanese Islands. On their way out of the sound the Nicholson struck a log and had to return to the shipyard for minor repairs. She then sailed on to Pearl Harbor where I was taken aboard for my first at-sea duty assignment. At Okinawa the Franklin was beset by severe attacks from kamikazes, nearly sunk, and suffered enormous loss of life – nearly a thousand. They managed to stay afloat and returned under tow to the US with a skeleton crew of about 400. We aboard the Nicholson ‘missed’ that action even though we made it to Okinawa. Over 300 US Navy ships were sunk or damaged there. We were in harm’s way but came through safely, unlike the unlucky Franklin. I have often wondered what might have transpired if the Nicholson had stayed with the Franklin and what would have happened to me if I had been assigned to a different destroyer. These greyhounds were the primary targets of the air attacks.

The other miss had to do with Warren Cortiss’s service aboard the USS Emmons DD457. The Emmons, with Warren aboard, served with distinction in the Atlantic, taking part in D-Day landings and combat operations in the Mediterranean. In Late 1944 the Emmons returned to Boston for conversion to a high speed minesweeper (see the movie “Caine Mutiny” for activities and role of a duplicate ship). Warren, along with a third of the crew, were transferred off the ship and replaced by crew experienced in anti-mine warfare. He then went aboard the Alfred A. CunninghamDD752 and eventually deployed to the Western Pacific, but not to duties at Okinawa.

 If you followed the link on the Emmons you would have discovered that it was sunk by Japanese kamikazes shortly her arrival off Okinawa with the loss of nearly half the crew.

The two beautiful misses of this tale were and Ruth Flemons, wife of Warren and mother of their seven wonderful children, and Barbara Flemons, my lifelong companion of nearly 68 years. That’s their Canadian uncle Ralph Flemons standing between them.

English or American Words??

Most of us have become used to a good many of the differences between American English and good old Britspeak. We all know what a ‘roundabout’ is (and don’t we wish we had some?) Actually we do have at least two near where I live. There is (or was) one in Long Beach. I’m not sure if it’s still there. And there is one on Shelter Island, San Diego, which for some quixotic reason has driving rules that are backwards and darn right dangerous. Contrary to the worldwide custom, which dictates that the vehicle in the roundabout has the right of way, the one on Shelter Island says that cars in the circle must give way to entering traffic. I received a warning ticket on that one a few years ago. In England approaches to roundabouts are clearly signposted with a bold diagram showing all the entrances and exits with highway numbers and destination names. Some may have as many as five roads converging, but not to worry. If you get confused just stay in the roundabout and go around a time or two more until you’ve worked out your correct exit. You’re perfectly safe.

One the sneakiest and most confusing differences is with word ‘pavement.’ It pops up everywhere in British writing and almost invariably produces real confusion in the readers mind. It does not refer to the surface of the roadway – never. It simply means the ‘sidewalk.’ Unless you want a summons from the local constabulary you never park on the pavement.

Here’s another sneaky one – ‘engineer.’ A train engineer may design and build a locomotive but he never drives one. That person is a train driver or driver.

We’ve all got used to aluminium, aeroplane, tyre, colour, humour, etc. and have come to accept that our cousins just don’t know how to spell – no problem. But we become quite uncomfortable with ‘the government are…’ and ‘the public are …’ Why this unease? Clearly they are plural entities. Surely there are many individuals comprising both the government and the public. Could we be wrong about this?

We tend to snicker a bit when we hear that that someone is to be ‘knocked up’ but I think we all know what that means. When referring to cars I truly believe that most Americans now know which ends of the vehicle sport  the ‘bonnet’ and the ‘boot.’ Having a ‘boot’ sale, by the way, does not mean clearing out your closet of unwanted footwear.

Curious, but little encountered by Americans, are words that have to do with road transport – articulated lorries, and flyovers, the most famous of which is the Hammersmith Flyover in West London. This is a lovely piece of elevated roadway that speeds the heavy semis on their way to the west country on the A4. I know its been there since before 1966 when we took up residence nearby.

For more fun with hundreds of these differences check out the Wikipedia entry.

English or American?

Most of us have become used to a good many of the differences between American english and good old Britspeak. We all know what a ‘roundabout’ is (and don’t we wish we had some?) actually we do have at least two near where I live. There is, or was, one in Long Beach. I’m not sure if it’s still there. And there is one on Shelter Island, San Diego which for some quixotic reason has driving rules that are backwards and darn right dangerous. Contrary to the worldwide custom, which dictates that the vehicle in the roundabout has the right of way, the one on Shelter Island says that cars in the circle must give way to entering traffic. I received a warning ticket on that one a few years ago. In England approaches to Roundabouts are clearly signposted with a bold diagram showing all the entrances and exits with highway numbers and destination names. Some may have as many as five roads converging, but not to worry. If you get confused just stay in the roundabout and go around a time or two more until you’ve worked out your correct exit. You’re perfectly safe.

One the sneakiest and most confusing differences is with word ‘pavement.’It pops up everywhere in British produced writing and almost invariably produces real unrecognized confusion in the readers mind. It does not refer to the surface of the roadway – never. It simply means the ‘sidewalk.’ Unless you want a summons from the local constabulary you never park on the pavement.

Here’s another sneaky one – ‘engineer.’ A train engineer may design and build a locomotive but he never drives one. That person is a train driver or driver.Ll


We’ve all got used to aluminium, aeroplane, tyre, colour, humour, etc. and have come to accept that our cousins just don’t know how to spell – no problem. But we become quite uncomfortable with ‘the government are…’ and ‘the public are …’ Why this unease? Clearly they are plural entities. Surely there are many individuals comprising both the government and the public. Could we be wrong about this?

We tend to snicker a bit when we hear that that someone is to be ‘knocked up’ but I think we all know what that means. When referring to cars I truly believe that most Americans now know which ends of the vehicle sport  the ‘bonnet’ and the ‘boot.’ Having a ‘boot’ sale, by the way, does not mean clearing out your closet of unwanted footwear.

Curious but little encountered by Americans are words that have to do with road transport – articulated lorries, and flyovers, the most famous of which is the Hammersmith Flyover in West London. This is a lovely piece of elevated roadway that speeds the heavy semis on their way to the west country on the A4. I know its been there since before 1966 when we took up residence nearby.

For more fun with hundreds of these differences check out the Wikipedia entry.

nglish or American?

Most of us have become used to a good many of the differences between American english and
good old Britspeak. We all know what a ‘roundabout’ is (and don’t we wish we had some?)
actually we do have at least two near where I live. There is, or was, one in Long Beach. I’m not
sure if it’s still there. And there is one on Shelter Island, San Diego which for some quixotic
reason has driving rules that are backwards and darn right dangerous. Contrary to the
worldwide custom, which dictates that the vehicle in the roundabout has the right of way, the
one on Shelter Island says that cars in the circle must give way to entering traffic. I received a
warning ticket on that one a few years ago. In ngland approaches to Roundabouts are clearly
signposted with a bold diagram showing all the entrances and exits with highway numbers and
destination names. Some may have as many as five roads converging, but not to worry. If you
get confused just stay in the roundabout and go around a time or two more until you’ve
worked out your correct exit. You’re perfectly safe.

One the sneakiest and most confusing differences is with word ‘pavement.’It pops up
everywhere in British produced writing and almost invariably produces real unrecognized
confusion in the readers mind. It does ot refer to the surface of the roadway – never. It simply
means the ‘sidewalk.’ Unless you want a summons from the local constabulary you never park
on the pavement.

Here’s another sneaky one – ‘engineer.’ A train engineer may design and build a locomotive but
he never drives one. That person is a train driver or driver.

We’ve all got used to aluminium, aeroplane, tyre, colour, humour, etc. and have come to accept
that our cousins just don’t know how to spell – no problem. But we become quite
uncomfortable with ‘the government are…’ and ‘the public are …’ Why this unease? Clearly
they are plural entities. Surely there are many individuals comprising both the government and
the public. Could we be wrong about this?

We tend to snicker a bit when we hear that that someone is to be ‘knocked up’ but I think we
all know what that means. When referring to cars I truly believe that most Americans now
know which ends of the vehicle sport  the ‘bonnet’ and the ‘boot.’ Having a ‘boot’ sale, by the
way, does ot mean clearing out your closet of unwanted footwear.

Curious but little encountered by Americans are words that have to do with road transport –
articulated lorries, and flyovers, the most famous of which is the Hammersmith Flyover in West
London. This is a lovely piece of elevated roadway that speeds the heavy semis on their way to
the west country on the A4. I know its been there since before 1966 when we took up
residence nearby.

For more fun with hundreds of these differences check out the Wikipedia entry.

Words - American and English

nglish or American?

Most of us have become used to a good many of the differences between American english and
good old Britspeak. We all know what a ‘roundabout’ is (and don’t we wish we had some?)
actually we do have at least two near where I live. There is, or was, one in Long Beach. I’m not
sure if it’s still there. And there is one on Shelter Island, San Diego which for some quixotic
reason has driving rules that are backwards and darn right dangerous. Contrary to the
worldwide custom, which dictates that the vehicle in the roundabout has the right of way, the
one on Shelter Island says that cars in the circle must give way to entering traffic. I received a
warning ticket on that one a few years ago. In ngland approaches to Roundabouts are clearly
signposted with a bold diagram showing all the entrances and exits with highway numbers and
destination names. Some may have as many as five roads converging, but not to worry. If you
get confused just stay in the roundabout and go around a time or two more until you’ve
worked out your correct exit. You’re perfectly safe.

One the sneakiest and most confusing differences is with word ‘pavement.’It pops up
everywhere in British produced writing and almost invariably produces real unrecognized
confusion in the readers mind. It does ot refer to the surface of the roadway – never. It simply
means the ‘sidewalk.’ Unless you want a summons from the local constabulary you never park
on the pavement.

Here’s another sneaky one – ‘engineer.’ A train engineer may design and build a locomotive but
he never drives one. That person is a train driver or driver.

We’ve all got used to aluminium, aeroplane, tyre, colour, humour, etc. and have come to accept
that our cousins just don’t know how to spell – no problem. But we become quite
uncomfortable with ‘the government are…’ and ‘the public are …’ Why this unease? Clearly
they are plural entities. Surely there are many individuals comprising both the government and
the public. Could we be wrong about this?

We tend to snicker a bit when we hear that that someone is to be ‘knocked up’ but I think we
all know what that means. When referring to cars I truly believe that most Americans now
know which ends of the vehicle sport  the ‘bonnet’ and the ‘boot.’ Having a ‘boot’ sale, by the
way, does ot mean clearing out your closet of unwanted footwear.

Curious but little encountered by Americans are words that have to do with road transport –
articulated lorries, and flyovers, the most famous of which is the Hammersmith Flyover in West
London. This is a lovely piece of elevated roadway that speeds the heavy semis on their way to
the west country on the A4. I know its been there since before 1966 when we took up
residence nearby.

For more fun with hundreds of these differences check out the Wikipedia entry.