Dear Sandy,
I am writing to inform you that this morning (Sunday, April 27) my grandpa, Mel Chittenden passed away. He was 81 (would have been 82 this Wednesday).

Everything that you and the Association did for us made him very happy, he enjoyed the birthday cards he got last year and loved viewing the site when he could. The ship meant everything to him, and so did his shipmates.

Thank you again,
Paige Enke

June 30, 2001

Dear Sandy,

I am writing on behalf of my grandfather Melton Ulm Chittenden, a veteran of the USS Salt Lake City, World War II. He has seen this site and was excited to read updates, and to re-visit old friends. His memories are strong, but he holds these close to his heart and likes to save them for himself, therefore I am submitting a brief "bio" of my grandfather's life.

Mel Chittenden was born on April 30, 1921 in Southern California, growing up in Orange County. He enlisted in the navy on May 16, 1939 and began his four-year service on the USS SLC in October of 1939. He was a signalman and by the time he departed the ship in June of 1944 he had been promoted to CSM. Mel's naval career continued until February of 1947 where upon retirement he moved to New York City to sell advertising for Iron Age Magazine.

While enlisted he married Barbara Ann Brooks on December 16, 1944 –the first day of the Battle of the Bulge, which he still jokes was an omen. Mel and Barbara moved to Pennsylvania where they welcomed the birth of their first child, a daughter Allyn, in January of 1951. They moved back home to Orange County California, and in 1954 welcomed the birth of their son Marc in November of 1954.

Mel worked at various food service companies as a sales representative, including owning his own company, until his retirement in the late 1980's from Kraft Food Services. Today, Mel lives in Santa Ana, California with his wife Barbara. His children live close by, and he enjoys regular visits from his grandkids: Paige (age 22), Kyle (22), Brett (19), and Neal (16). The family celebrated his 80th birthday this past April, and although he suffers from Parkinson's disease he's still going strong.

Sandy, if anyone would like to contact my grandfather they may do so by e-mailing me.

Sincerely,

Paige Enke, g. dau.