Sentimental Sunday ~ Remembering my Father Walter R. Booth on Veteran's Day

Walter Richard Booth was born on August 24, 1925 in Los Angeles, CA to Walter Booth and Esther (nee Ferrier) Booth.

At the age of 5 yrs he lived at 5524 Meridian Street, Los Angeles with his parents and one younger brother James.  

The family moved and in 1935 - 1940 Walter lived with his family on West 107th Street in Los Angeles,  By then he had three younger brothers; James, Thomas, and Jerry.

In the mid-40's, during WWII  my father served in the U. S. Navy.  
His DD214 reflects the following;  

U.S. Naval Service

Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles County Ratings Held:
S2c: Seaman 2nd Class
HA2c: Hospital Apprentice Second Class
F2c: Fireman 2nd Class
F1c: Fireman 1st Class
Service School Completed: USNNCS, Farragut, Idaho
Service (Vessels and Stations Served On): Acorn 25, US Nav.Adv.Base Russels, USS Maryland
Character of Separation: Under Honorable Conditions 

He spent time on the USS Maryland which was (BB-46), a Colorado-class battleship, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the seventh state. Maryland steamed from San Pedro, California on 13 January 1944, rendezvoused with Task Force 53 (TF 53) at Hawaii, and sailed in time to be in position off the well-fortified Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands on the morning of 31 January. Assigned to reduce pillboxes and blockhouses on Roi Island, the old battleship fired splendidly all day and again the following morning until the assault waves were within 500 yd (460 m) of the beach. Following the operation, she steamed back to Bremerton, Washington, for new guns and an overhaul.Two months later, Maryland, again readied for battle, sailed westward on 5 May to participate in the biggest campaign yet attempted in the Pacific war - Saipan. Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner allotted TF 52 three days to soften up the island before the assault. Firing commenced 0545 on 14 June. Silencing two coastal guns, Maryland encountered little opposition as she delivered one devastating barrage after another. The Japanese attempted to strike back through the air. On 18 June, the ship's guns claimed their first victim but four days later a Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" sneaked in flying low over the still-contested Saipan hills and found two anchored battleships. Crossing the bow of Pennsylvania, she dropped a torpedo which opened a gaping hole in Maryland's portside bow. Casualties were light, and in 15 minutes she was underway for Eniwetok, shortly thereafter arriving at the repair yards at Pearl Harbor.
 
When he was finished with the service he met and married my mother, Norma Rasmussen.  They were married on August 25, 1950. 

They were married for 24 years. 

Both my parents are gone now and I miss them very much. 

I love you Daddy ... Happy Veteran's Day

With much love to you both,