USS SLC...Enlisted Navy...Ted Finocchiaro, S1c

Sept. 5th, 2000
Dear Sandy,

I was contacted by Ted R. Swenson requesting more information on my service aboard the Salt Lake City. I have enclosed a picture, the operations in which I served and an anecdote of one incident which occured while I was aboard.

If you would like further information, please contact me.

Sincerely,
Ted Finocchiaro

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#20 in picture of the 10th Division

Ted Finocchiaro was born Dec. 7th, 1925. He entered the Navy in July, 1943 and was discharged March, 1946. He served aboard the USS SLC CA25 during WWII.

Operations
Gilbert Islands.......................19 Nov. to 8 Dec., 1943

Marshall Islands
Occupation of Kwajalein and Majoro....29 Jan. to 8 Feb., 1944

Asiatic-Pacific Raids- 1944
Palau, Yap, Ulithi & Woleai Raids.....30 Mar to 1 Apr., 1944

Leyte
Luzon Attacks.........................17-19 Oct., 1944
Battle of Leyte Gulf (Battle Of Samar)..24-26 Oct., 1944

Iwo Jima
Assault & Capture of Iwo Jima........15 Feb. to 13 Mar., 1945

Okinawa Gunto
Assault & Occupation.................25 Mar. to 18 May, 1945

Aleutions
Occupation of Japan

Following a heavy and lengthy bombardment of Japanese held Kwajalein by United States Naval forces in preparation to the landing and occupation of US forces, it was necessary to take medical supplies and personnel onto the Island. I volunteered with a group of four other men to take a launch with the requested items from our ship, The Salt Lake City.

The devastation we witnessed upon landing was beyond our expectations and we were grateful to return to our ship after the task was completed. Returning to the launch, I noted a small book, which appeared to be an address book or a small diary. I of course could not read what had been written as it was all in Japanese. Also the condition of the small book was poor. Apparently the owner had tried to tear it up and it was badly stained. I picked it up with no plans to do anything with it.

Many years later, our niece studied landscape architecture in Japan and during her studies, she met a man whom she later married. On one of their visits to our home, I showed Masami the book and explained how I had come into possession of it. He could decipher much of it, but not all because of its age and poor condition. Masami took it to the University of Washington where he received help and suggestion on how to locate the family of the owner. The book did indeed contain addresses, some personal notes and some poetry the man had written.

Masami traveled between the US and Japan in his business and was successful in locating the young man's family. They were extremely grateful as they had no idea where he last was and none of his possessions were ever returned to them.

I received a copy of the story, which appeared in the Japanese paper and a wonderful Japanese doll as a thank you gift from the young man's widow. As is their religions custom, the book was burned and placed in an urn at the shrine.

by Ted Finocchiaro