Heroes Of The USS Pittsburgh Honored
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The heroes of the USS Pittsburgh were honored this Veterans Day at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall.
They all remember the violent typhoon in the China Sea more than 60 years ago.
"The waves were tremendous," said George Jock of Somerset. "The ship took a terrific pounding, and eventually it broke in two pieces."
"Pretty rough riding," added Robert McKnight of Connellsville. "I was seasick. People ask if I was scared. I say I was too sick to be scared."
"I looked out over the bows and here the ship was going down, but the bow was coming up," Paul Gaudi of Jeannette recalled. "Something wrong."
The typhoon had torn off the bow of the ship. Yet the Pittsburgh made it back to port, and everyone survived.
Later in the war, they helped rescue the aircraft carrier USS Franklin, near Okinawa, towing it to safety amid Japanese bombardments.
Today, the ship and crew were remembered by the ship's bell in front of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in Oakland. Inside, in the Hall of Valor, is a model of the USS Pittsburgh. And in this case, the bow is still attached.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter