[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF DONALD G. STRATTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2020

  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Donald 
G. Stratton, who passed away on February 15, 2020 after a lifetime of 
service to his country. Mr. Stratton was a dedicated husband of 69 
years, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, New York Times best-
selling author, USS Arizona Survivor, and a champion of the memory for 
those who did not make it home.
   Mr. Donald Stratton was born July 14, 1922 in Inavale, Nebraska to 
Robert and Jessie Stratton. After growing up in Nebraska and graduating 
from Red Cloud High School, Donald attended Navy bootcamp in 1940. 
After graduation from bootcamp he was given orders to join the USS 
Arizona in dry dock at the Navy shipyards in Bremerton, Washington. 
Upon completion of her maintenance and retrofit in Washington, the USS 
Arizona steamed across the Pacific to join her fleet in Pearl Harbor, 
Hawaii in early 1941.
   On the morning of December 7, 1941, Seaman First Class Stratton was 
on his way to visit a shipmate in sick bay when the Japanese attack on 
Pearl Harbor began. He immediately raced to his battle station, winding 
through ship spaces and climbing three ladders to reach the Arizona's 
sky control platform, where he yelled coordinates to the gun crews 
firing at the incoming waves of Japanese bombers. Just minutes after he 
arrived, a bomb struck a direct blow to the Arizona hitting the 
ammunition stores, lifting the 35,000 ton ship out of the water, and 
sending a fireball hundreds of feet skyward.
   Seaman First Class Stratton and his shipmates in the director were 
surrounded by flames. He and five other sailors were able to navigate 
the burning wreckage and signal for help. Boatswain's Mate Second Class 
Joe George from the USS Vestal came to their rescue and saved their 
lives by repeatedly throwing a heaving line until the men were able to 
secure it and climb seventy feet, hand over hand, to safety above the 
inferno that raged below.
   Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joe George disobeyed a direct order to 
cut away from the Arizona and instead courageously fought to provide a 
means of escape for the sailors. Mr. Stratton credited Joe George for 
saving his life that day and petitioned for years to have his actions 
recognized. Mr. Stratton called and wrote numerous letters, ultimately 
meeting with President Trump before Joe George was awarded the Bronze 
Star with ``V'' Device for his heroic actions that day.
   Mr. Stratton was medically discharged from the Navy in 1942 and 
returned to Nebraska. Ever the fighter, he decided to reenlist a year 
later, deny orders to a stateside posting, and eventually joined the 
USS Stack on its way to the Pacific. He fought in the invasion of the 
Philippines, the invasion of Okinawa, and on patrol missions throughout 
the Pacific theater.
   After returning from war, Donald Stratton traveled the world, raised 
a family, and devoted his life to preserving the story of what happened 
that day. Donald is survived by his wife of 69 years Velma, son Randy 
(Kathy) Stratton, brother Willie Stratton, grandchildren, and great-
grandchildren.
   Mr. Stratton was a hero. A selfless American who dedicated his life 
to our country and fought to have his shipmates remembered long after 
they, or he, had passed to another life. It was a privilege to have met 
Mr. Stratton and it is an honor to stand and commemorate his incredible 
and full life.

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