On December 7th 2016, 76 years later 3 survivors of the USS Arizona gathered on the USS Arizona Memorial the first time ever to present his daughter JoeAnn with his medal. The order had been given for the Vestal to cut loose from the Arizona and head for open water, Stratton said in his book. 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. Stratton figured he could do with the $21 a month, so he joined the Navy. He also rebuilt Jeeps, Volkswagens, tractors, motorcycles and anything that had an engine. The crew enjoyed their time in Hawaii, playing football on the beach, shore leave, and all the hospitality of the island had to offer. Williams Funeral Home Don also enjoyed spending time with family at their cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, which he helped build. Donald retired from the U.S. Air Force after more than 20 years. Menu. in memory of Donald A. Stratton, please visit our floral store. The family also learned he was never honored for his bravery on December 7th. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Sharer-Stirling Funeral Home with . Martin Pable, OFM Cap. Stratton, 97, a Colorado Springs resident, died Feb. 15. Donald Stratton as a young sailor in 1940. I will always miss you. Donald B. Stratton, Sr., 80, of Camillus, passed away peacefully at home. Sign up for service and obituary updates. CONTACT US | Doc began his meat processing career in Westhope and through they years he worked as a meat cutter in numerous places through out North Dakota and Minnesota.He is survived by his companion, Jo Anne Freeberg of Roseville; daughter, Michelle Lafond (Jonas) of Auburn, GA; son, Marc Stratton (Susan) of Fergus Falls, MN; grandchildren, Cody Lafond and Kyle and Rylee Stratton; brothers, Bill Stratton (LeRae) of Westhope, Duane Stratton (Nancy) of Lakeville, MN and Keith Stratton (Donna) of Westhope; sister, Tudi Henderson (Ken) of Velva; one uncle; several aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins; and step-mother, Deloras Stratton.He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Doris Stratton and niece Morgan Stratton.Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Westhope. PearlHarbor.Org is a privately owned website and is not owned or operated by, nor affiliated with, a Government Agency. For more than a decade, Stratton and Bruner lobbied for George to get a Navy Cross or other medal. In an incredible act of courage, Donald and fellow survivor Lauren Bruner were saved by a sailor named Joe George. Eight-year-old Landon Knestrick from North Carolina spoke at the service. Elizabeth II was the sovereign of more than one independent state and . He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Nellie Stratton; and 13 siblings. Nikki Stratton Send Email, [fts_facebook type=page id=289485248175495 access_token=EAAP9hArvboQBAEi1R1HgHwQjvEYQNPEGpuPOABmjB9K4EBjkJe4hgR8vKFO73Y68qsB12SciZCXlQUKqM3Bo6j0aRaBTttEAZCTmmbAbnArwdMNWflcFJf4ojDXaid7TYrrnDXwP4IbFjzO9kuPtRRZBhNJF1fBwO7xY4aysvP6KidXpvYQGzElcSOgZCY4ZD posts=10 height=800px description=no posts_displayed=page_only]. Donald J. Stratton, Sr. March 14, 1928 March 4, 2019. . Olivet United Church of Christ, 410 W. South Range Rd, North Lima. All Rights Reserved. He was united in holy matrimony to Velma DEtte on April 23, 1950. Obituaries Section. In conjunction with the Dec. 7 ceremony that year, the deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet presented a Bronze Star with "V " Device for Valor to George's daughter, Joe Ann Taylor, aboard the USS Arizona Memorial. But I'm grateful more or less for the 1,117 men that we lost that day on the Arizona," Stratton said in an interview with KKTV in 2018. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? On Satuday, Colorado Springs said goodbye to an American hero. For Stratton, Bruner and the four other men, salvation appeared in the form of Joe George, a sailor and boxer on the Vestal. Just as he saw it begin, Stratton saw the war end. Don Stratton, who escaped a burning USS Arizona by making a harrowing hand-over-hand climb across a rope to an adjacent ship on Dec. 7, 1941, died Saturday, leaving just two living survivors of the famed battleship. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our Terms & Conditions. The fire burned at its highest level at around 8000 degrees, which is about 3 times hotter than lava coming out of the Kilauea volcano. After years of striving to recognize Joe for his heroism that day, Donald, Lauren Bruner and their families, stood aboard the USS Arizona Memorial December 7, 2018 to posthumously honor Joe George with a Bronze Star with a V. The courage and bravery of Joe and the grit and grace of Donald has weaved together a precious community of families that hope to keep the memory of Pearl Harbor alive. He flew both ultralights successfully. DONALD STRATTON - Prince Frederick, Maryland , Sewell Funeral Home - Memories wall BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sewell Funeral Home DONALD JAY STRATTON Prince Frederick, Maryland October 6, 1956 - December 5, 2018 Share Obituary: Tribute Wall Obituary & Events Share a memory Send Flowers Share a memory of DONALD JAY STRATTON. Instead, heescaped the flames, recovered and went on to reenlist in the Navy, work in thecommercial diving businessand travel the world. Donald J. Stratton. While he enjoyed riding in his side by side the many miles of trails with his wife, he met many fellow campers there who became special friends. Stratton was a sight setter. Find an Obituary. However, on the morning of December 7th all that changed. He was 97. 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. WEIGH the SERVICE Date of Death: September 19, 2014. Stratton will be eulogized at services in Colorado Springs and buried in a family plot in his hometown, Red Cloud, Nebraska. This was their way out, hand over hand across 70 feet of ropeabove a burning oil slick. All rights reserved. Numerous flags and people were lined along the route to honor the veteran as the motorcade passed through. DONALD STRATTON OBITUARY. After the war, he returned home for a while, but he felt the call of the sea again and went to work on an oil ship off California. 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. 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. Don loved being outdoors and in his beloved hobby shop where he spent countless hours with his son Allen where they would work meticulously on various projects. He is now part of our national memory.". After graduating high school, he did what many young men did during the 1930s and 40s and enlisted in the military. "Our grandfather has just been involved in every aspect of our life," said Nikki Stratton, Don's youngest granddaughter. to the family or plant a tree This image is an artists recreation of the burns Donald suffered during Pearl Harbor. His actions saved the injured Stratton and five of his shipmates. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. "Plus all the others in all the other wars.". But, something was missing, he wanted to return to WWII. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Mr. Strattons life was recently chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men. Legal Statement. Donald R. "Doc" Stratton, age 60 of Roseville, MN, formerly of Westhope, died Saturday in Roseville. Many putting out fires on board their ships. He was 97. Years later, Stratton and his son, Randy, learned that the sailor, a boatswains mate named Joe George, haddefied orders to cut the line to the Arizona and had never been recognized for what he did. Agawam - Donald David Stratton, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2015 while vacationing in Montego Bay Jamaica. After spending over a year in the hospital recovering, Donald re-enlisted in the US Navy as WWII was still raging. The battleship sustained crippling damage in the early moments of the assault, the inferno spreading across the deck, setting Strattons clothing on fire. He was 97. You have permission to edit this article. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! He participated in six more invasions aboard the USS Stack. The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in North Lima, Ohio with the arrangements for their loved one. He was 97. Family and friends are invited to visitwww.seederly-mongandbeck.comto sign the guestbook or send private condolences. Stratton and Lauren Bruner, another Arizona survivor, lobbied hard for George to be recognized. Stratton, Donald, age 89 of Arden Hills, passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2020. The couple was married for 69 years where they travelled the world and grew a beautiful family. The explosion blew apart the forward decks, collapsing turret No. A 1, 760-pound Japanese high-altitude armor-piercing bomb had penetrated the Arizona's decks 40 feet from the bow, igniting a million pounds of gunpowder for the ship's massive 14-inch guns. 'Don' Stratton, age 86, of Wexford, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020 at North Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Wexford. 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. companies with qualified audit opinion. He was taken to a hospital. The couple was married for 69 years where they travelled the world and grew a beautiful family. "I will never forget you and hope to be more like you as I grow up. The Navy offered him a job as a chief petty officer running recruits through boot camp in Idaho. 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 . It burned Donald over 65% of his body. Reveille sounded at 5:30 the morning of Dec. 7. Donald was buried next to his two daughters and now wife. 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. In an earlier crash, two motorcyclists in the procession after Stratton's memorial at Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel in Colorado Springs were injured while driving north on Interstate 25. You should be able to view it in Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer. Prior to his passing, Stratton was one of only three surviving USS Arizona crewmen. As long as there be war, I must answer Am I worth dying for?. Donald Stratton was one of the last three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. Mr. Donald G. Stratton, was born July14, 1922 in Inavale, NE to Robert and Jessie Stratton and upon graduation from high school in Red Cloud, he enlisted in the Navy and was a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Arizona. UNION COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Elementary school student Landon Knestrick is about to get on plane to fly to Colorado to speak at the funeral of 97-year-old World War II veteran Donald Stratton. Donald will be laid to rest in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. As long as there be war, I must answer Am I worth dying for?. The Secretary of the Navy spoke, as well as Senator of Colorado Cory Gardner. He was united in holy matrimony to Velma DEtte Lockhart on April 23, 1950. 241 West 4th Avenue "I'm very grateful. The Arizona took firebut could barely return its own. USS Arizona crew member and Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Stratton was honored with a memorial service Saturday morning in Colorado Springs. Mr. Strattons life was recently chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. He was skilled in mechanics and during his lifetime built two ultralight airplanes in which he modified the engines in both. 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. The latest breaking news, delivered straight to your email! Survivors Lou Conter and Ken Potts are both 98. Wittmer said the procession included other groups besides the Patriot Guard, including American Legion riders. Donald was born March 18, 1935 in Boardman, a son of James Allen and Ruth (Craig) Stratton. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. Now only Lou Conter and Ken Potts remain to continue sharing their memories of the events of December 7, 1941 and the Pearl Harbor attack that launched the United States into World War II. Arrangements are being made by Wait Ross Allanson Funeral & Cremation Services Chapel,. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com. On that day, 1,177 men perished in the explosion leaving just 300 alive. By, nor affiliated with, a Government Agency was recently chronicled in the Navy, work in thecommercial businessand. A decade, Stratton saw the war end as Senator of Colorado Gardner... After spending over a year in the hospital recovering, donald, age 89 of Hills! 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