The motorcycle landed in the median. The explosion lifted the ship out of the water. Don Stratton, a founding member of the Krewe of Armeinius, passed away on August 30, 2021 at his home in New Orleans, one day before his 77th birthday. I said no, I wanted to go to sea, Stratton said. The Arizona motored through the Pacific to the sandy beaches of Honolulu Hawaii and Pearl Harbor not bad for a flatlander from Nebraska. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Sign up for service and obituary updates. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The crash between a Harley-Davidson and a Victorious happened north of Castle Rock around 1:30 p.m., Colorado State Trooper Josh Lewis said. After graduating high school, he did what many young men did during the 1930s and '40s and enlisted in the military. BOARDMAN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) - Donald Allen Stratton, 86, of Poland, passed away on Thursday, November 25, 2021 at Mercy Health Center in Boardman, surrounded by his family. Find an Obituary. can stop at any time. All rights reserved. Stateside duty, pushing all those recruits through boot, just wasnt for me.. WEIGH the SERVICE Date of Death: September 19, 2014. In time, he tried to let go of his anger toward the Japanese, but he could never forget what happened. (Nikki Stratton), Stratton said he and others trapped aboard the sinking Arizona had struggled mightily to escape the carnage, which killed 1,177of his shipmates, after Japanese planes struck the Arizona several times on Dec. 7, 1941. Donald retired from the U.S. Air Force after more than 20 years. A Dodge Grand Caravan driven by 51-year-old Tanja Batchelor of Colorado Springs was driving behind Riedel and struck him in the passing lane. He wanted to be at home, Randy said. He stopped at his locker, aft of the No. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Menu. This was their way out, hand over hand across 70 feet of ropeabove a burning oil slick. He then graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and worked as a certified critical care nurse for 32 years. Messages run for up to one year and you free past performances 365 Once out to sea Donald really found his sea legs, feeling like his secondary home was always on the water. Donald Stratton, USS Arizona Survivor, Has Died, Operation K: A Second Pearl Harbor Attack. After boot camp, he was sent to the Navy shipyards in Bremerton, Washington, where he got his first look at the Arizona, in dry dock undergoing maintenance and, most people assumed, being fitted for war. Donald Stratton died late Saturday at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 2023 Cappadona Funeral Home The Original Trusted Alternative Funeral Service. It burned Donald over 65% of his body. He and other survivors gathered together and signaled for help, which caught the attention of Joe George aboard the nearby USS Vestal. Relatives and friends may call Monday, September 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Born in Pittston, PA, Donald was the son of the late Jean Watson and Alfred North Stratton, and brother of the late Robert Watson Stratton. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. officiating. Along with 5 others in the director, there was no hope for rescue. The Navy veteran said it wasn't until 2001, during a reunion of Pearl Harbor survivors,that he discovered the identity of the U.S. service member who saved his life and the lives of at least five other sailors: Chief Petty OfficerJoe George, who died in 1996. Donald Stratton, a son of Donald and Doris (Sletten) Stratton, was born in Bottineau on April 4, 1950. The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in North Lima, Ohio with the arrangements for their loved one. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. Nikki Stratton Send Email, [fts_facebook type=page id=289485248175495 access_token=EAAP9hArvboQBAEi1R1HgHwQjvEYQNPEGpuPOABmjB9K4EBjkJe4hgR8vKFO73Y68qsB12SciZCXlQUKqM3Bo6j0aRaBTttEAZCTmmbAbnArwdMNWflcFJf4ojDXaid7TYrrnDXwP4IbFjzO9kuPtRRZBhNJF1fBwO7xY4aysvP6KidXpvYQGzElcSOgZCY4ZD posts=10 height=800px description=no posts_displayed=page_only]. Enter your email below to receive a grief support message from us each day for a year. "We are profoundly sad to say that last night, Feb. 15, USS Arizona Survivor Donald Stratton passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife of nearly 70 years, Velma, and his son Randy, " Pearl Harbor National Memorial Daniel Martinez, chief historian for the memorial, said, "God bless him and his beloved family. Donald B. Stratton, Sr., 80, of Camillus, passed away peacefully at home. Despite the horror he experienced aboard Arizona, he spent the next year itching to return to the Navy. Donald J. Stratton. On the morning of December 7, 1941, six sailors were rescued from the burning and sinking USS Arizona (BB-39) by Joe George, a crew member of the repair ship USS Vestal (AR-4). He quietly departed this life Saturday, February 15, 2020 in his Colorado Springs, CO home alongside his wife and son. Funeral Home website by. At 19 years old he enlisted in the US Navy and was then assigned to the USS Arizona. Donald and 5 others climbed hand over hand across the water all already burned, 70 feet including the slope up to the Vestal deck. Stratton will be eulogized at services in Colorado Springs and buried in a family plot in his hometown,Red Cloud, Nebraska. "It comes from the heart, that's what it's about. Many Colorado Patriot Guard members only went as far as Limon, where other Patriot Guard riders took over the escort, he said. It's a different view from above,. I love you and I hope you are enjoying making your shipmates laugh once again," Knestrick said. After WWII ended, he was 100% medically discharged and went on to work with deep sea divers and oil rigs offshore. Howard Stratton of Alliance. STRATTON, DONALD EUGENE STRATTON, Donald Eugene - Mt. Donald Stratton, one of the last USS Arizona survivors from Pearl Harbor who fought for the recognition of one of his heroic shipmates, died Saturday night in his sleep, his granddaughter told Fox . He is survived by a niece, Catherine Vetterly and husband Tom of New Jersey, two great nephews; Brad (Lyndsey) and Brett (Kristin) Vetterly, and two great great nephews; Max and Milo Vetterly, and one great great niece, Mia Vetterly. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. After graduating high school, he did what many young men did during the 1930s and 40s and enlisted in the military. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, the former Catherine Klix; daughters, Susan (Chris Gilmore) Stratton of Portland, OR, Laura (Walter) Ranger of Liverpool and Paula (Jim) Franklin of Portland, OR; son, Donald (Martha) Stratton Jr. of Choctaw, OK; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, William of Atlanta, GA and Lynn Stratton of Staten Island; and several nieces and nephews. Submit an Obituary. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jessie, daughters Gypsy Dawn and Roxane Jo and son Robert, brother Daryl and sister Norma and great grandson DJ. Donald Stratton held many titles: a veteran, a survivor, a hero. He will be sadly missed by his close friend and partner Peggy Klepic. The couple was married for 69 years where they travelled the world and grew a beautiful family. Olivet United Church of Christ Memorial Fund. On the morning of December 7, 1941, a 19-year-old Donald was beckoned to his battle station as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor sending the Navy's flagship, the USS Arizona to the depths. The family will receive visitors 3 - 6 P.M. Saturday, April. Market data provided by Factset. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Family and friends are invited to visitwww.seederly-mongandbeck.comto sign the guestbook or send private condolences. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. 3 crashes, 2 deaths involving Donald Stratton funeral procession, By Debbie Kelley Stratton. Visitation Friday 6-8 P.M. and Saturday 2-5 P.M. and 6-8 P.M and 1-2 Sunday. While on the Arizona the Tradewinds began to blow some of the smoke away, and the sailors got the attention of a sailor on the USS Vestal, named Joe George. "As was already said, and he would say to us grandkids as we'd walk out the door: 'Don't do anything that you cannot do standing up in a hammock,'" said granddaughter Jessika Caldwell. "I threw a line over.". Donald was born July 14, 1922 in Invale Nebraska and grew up in Red Cloud, Nebraska. Legal Statement. Second to last was Lauren Bruner, a fire controlmanwho died in September. The average age of a Stratton family member is 72. Instead, heescaped the flames, recovered and went on to reenlist in the Navy, work in thecommercial diving businessand travel the world. A magnifying glass. The crew enjoyed their time in Hawaii, playing football on the beach, shore leave, and all the hospitality of the island had to offer. Sometimes, Japanese pilots attended memorial ceremonies, and some of the other survivors would shake their hands. Stratton would learn that George, who died in 1996, had defied orders to cut the Vestals line, a decision that likely cost him a commendation. Klaers is the CEO and president of The National WWII Aviation Museum. Donald Stratton as a young sailor in 1940. Donald J. Stratton, age 70, of Mayville, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at James E. Cartwright Care Center in Saginaw, MI. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Hundreds honor Donald Stratton on ground, in air, and on motorcycle for funeral, Persons of interest identified after 2 juveniles shot and killed in Falcon, New details released following shootout with suspect and El Paso County deputies near Colorado Springs, Parent speaks out against Woodland Park 6th grade changes, WATCH - Penrose Library reopened, deemed safe following further testing for meth residue. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. "OnceI made a dive in a two-man submarine, down in over 1,200 feet of water off Santa Barbara coast," he said. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jessie, daughters Gypsy Dawn and Roxane Jo and son Robert, brother Daryl and sister Norma and great grandson DJ. He was skilled in mechanics and during his lifetime built two ultralight airplanes in which he modified the engines in both. Stratton, Bruner and Conter were front and center. Funeral services were Saturday, 10:00 am, February 29, 2020 at the Rocky Mountain Calvary Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A motorcyclist escorting the body of Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Stratton to his hometown in Nebraska died in a crash Saturday in Kansas, authorities said. He would have died on that platform.. You will be my forever hero.". He flew both ultralights successfully. This article is written by William Cole from The Honolulu Star-Advertiser and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. He wanted to avenge all of his brothers lost on December 7th, 1,177 of them. "One of Donald's final wishes was that people remember Pearl Harbor and the men aboard the USS Arizona. USS Arizona survivor and World War II veteran Donald Stratton's funeral started at 10 a.m.., and hundreds showed up to pay their respects, even in mid-air. He saidGeorge threw them a lifeline from his own ship, which was moored next to the Arizona. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 344 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13202. Stratton could not. But to many, he was also a symbol of leadership and character. The attack on Dec. 7, 1941, attack killed 1,177 sailors and Marines on the mighty battleship, sparing 335. The Arizona took firebut could barely return its own. Bruner, who also made the climb across the rope with Stratton, died Sept. 10 at age 98. 1 some 28 feet and sending a fireball 500 feet into the air. Access all of our premium content, get unlimited digital access and more! These were all brave, great men, many of which were still teenagers when this all happened. He heaved it toward the Arizona. Share their story and never forget those who gave all for our great country.. The battleship shuddered as another explosion, the most powerfulyet, cracked its hull. After WWII ended, he was 100% medically discharged and went on to work with deep sea divers and oil rigs offshore. Ways to honor Donald Stratton's life and legacy. Reveille sounded at 5:30 the morning of Dec. 7. Pearl Harbor survivorDonald Stratton, seen here in a recent photo, died Saturday. They moved back to California briefly and then settled in Colorado Springs. Six men huddled on the port side fire control tower, burned badly, trapped as the ship sank in the shallow waters near Honolulu that day, Dec. 7, 1941. Family flowers only, donations, if desired may be given for Stroke Association, by retiring . Joe served in the United States Army Special Forces after serving our country as an airborne medic. In the Army, you were crawling around in the mud and everything else, and I didnt want to do that.. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Menu. Donald was buried next to his two daughters and now wife. The funeral procession for Donald was something for the history books, rivaling and surpassing that of any past Presidents. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Nellie Stratton; and 13 siblings. Morris MI went home October 6, 2014 in Kingwood, TX. Donald Stratton. He was taken to a hospital. Following the service, the Colorado Springs Police Department escorted the family and the casket. Outside the ceremony were dozens of veterans on motorcycles, ready to help take Stratton home to Red Cloud, Nebraska for his final resting place. In July 2017, Stratton, Bruner and Potts were invited to the White House, where they made their plea to President Donald Trump. He was reared in Westhope and graduated Westhope High School in 1968. He passed away at 97 years old, in Colorado Springs, surrounded by his wife Velma and son Randy. Whether it was on foot, in a police car, on a motorcycle, or in the sky, the droves of people that showed up say they'll never forget Stratton; just like he made it his life's goal to honor the men that didn't survive Dec. 7, 1941. This image is an artists recreation of the burns Donald suffered during Pearl Harbor. Survivors Lou Conter and Ken Potts are both 98. What a great story that needs to be heard for many more years! He participated in six more invasions aboard the USS Stack. The explosion blew apart the forward decks, collapsing turret No. Unlimited digital access and more, just wasnt for me unlimited digital access and more passed! 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