2.
June 12, 2012

My friend Mr. Alton Wiggs was on the West Virginia in 1944-1945.  We are trying to find out if their are any other veterans from his service period near us. Alton lives in Searcy, Arkansas. I enjoy very much setting and talking to him and I told him I would see what I could do to locate his shipmates. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Wayne Heidelberg

1.
Dec. 1, 2009

My father, Bruce S. Proctor, was assigned to the West Virginia on the day of the attack at Pearl Harbor.  I believe, but cannot verify, that he was reassigned to the California during the time the West Virginia was in dry dock for repair. I lost my beloved Dad, and his memories of that day, in 1987. 

I found my Dad's name on the West Virginia crew list by way of a link on the Survivors of Pearl Harbor website, but haven't been able to locate a crew list for the California. All I have to go on is my fading memory of his accounts of the aftermath of the attack. It saddens me deeply that my Father rarely spoke of the war but, as an active Army civilian employee, I clearly understand that the greatest generation internalized their war trauma - what we now know as PTSD.  

I would appreciate any advice you might lend on how to proceed in my search for the story of this great man that I am so very proud to call my Father.

Thank you so much,
Marguerite Sciandra,
Alexandria, Virginia