Ten and a Half Video Tour of the USS Laffey
First video is courtesy of Gene Slover and Sonny Walker
Second video is Pat Striplin on the 5 inch 38's Gun Mounts
In October of 2012, I was invited to the USS Laffey where I met Sonny Walker, President of the USS Laffey Association. He was visiting, along with about twenty other Laffey Veterans, for a week long work detail, which they schedule about four times a year. These men give of their own time and come from all over the country to work on and maintain the ship on which they served and they love. The Laffey is known as "The ship that would not die", because of the incredible kamikaze and bomb damage it sustained without sinking during a famous WWII Naval battle off Okinawa. It is explained in the video.
Thanks to Sonny and the Laffey Veterans for what they did and what they continue to do. Thanks also to all the volunteers and personnel at Patriots Point who have created a first class museum experience.
Next Video 2:44 : Pat Striplin describes the 5 inch-38 gun mount of which he was assigned and in charge during his tour of duty aboard the USS Laffey DD 724.