This is the site I've been looking for! My grandfather served on the SLC and recounted several stories. I have been trying to compile as much information about his experience as possible as he passed away before my "historical hunger" was sated.

He did keep a diary of sorts and I have the text of it somewhere which recounts very little; mostly what movie they watched or what port they set in. No mention of the bomb and only a brief one upon Roosevelt's death.

My grandfather, Dennis Durward Gunter (b. Feb 12, 1924 - d. August 10, 1990) was born and died in Central Arkansas (Vilonia and Little Rock respectively). He was inducted into the USN July 15, 1943 and boarded the SLC Oct 10, 1943. He was discharged in Memphis, TN on December 11, 1945. I understand that he was on the "Starboard Watch".

My father mentioned that he had found 4 addresses in some of my grandfather's things that he assumes may have been shipmates and it appears that they match with men on the Enlisted roles.

They are: Jesse C. Howell, S1c, Marvin H. Wyatt, S1c, Jewel E. Aldridge, GM3c, and Grover E. Hawk, S1c. I thought this info might help others in identifying my grandfather.

I have only started looking at the site today and was wondering if you had any contact information for crewmembers. I am very excited about the potential and would love to correspond with those who might remember my grandfather as I know very little of his life on the SLC.

In any case, thank you for the wonderful site and I look forward to sharing the photo's and memories I have with you.

BTW, I noticed a poem in Ships Wake by a Durwood Gunter and I'm trying to find out for sure whether this was my grandfather or not. It sounds like his style, but I never knew him to write poetry.

My father and I have a lot of information that we've been wanting to compile. I am hoping to sit down with him over the holidays and see if we can't get you more information.

Thanks,
Mark Gunter, grandson
James D Gunter, son