USS SLC..."Enlisted Navy"...Cyrus T. "Mike" Michael, F1c

Cyrus T. "Mike" Michael went to be with the Lord on Oct. 27th, 2009.
Information from daughter Priscilla Williams

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Aug. 17th, 2001

Dear Sandy,

I entered the service in Aug. 1941 and served aboard the Salt Lake City from March 18, 1942 to December 11, 1943 as a Fireman 1 Class with the "B" Division. My job was firing the boilers. B & W 300lbs steam cleaning the steam drums and tubes. Rebricking the furnace, painting and general maintenance of machinery.

Medals I received

American Campaign Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign
American Defense
World War 2 Victory
World War 2 Occupation
Navy Good Conduct Medal

I was aboard the SLC when she escorted the USS Hornet and James Doolittle with B25 bombers that raided Tokyo. I have a letter from the Secretary of Navy, John H. Dalton, for being in Task Force 16 on April 18th, 1942.

After leaving the SLC, I served aboard the USS Salamaua CVE96. I made a trip to Finschhafen, New Guinea and back to San Francisco.

I served aboard the USS Douglass H. Fox DD779 from March 1945 through April 1945 on a picket line north of Okinawa and she was hit by a Kamikaze plane.

I served aboard the USS Herbert J. Thomas DD833 and was support for troops landing in Korea in July, 1950.

I served aboard the USS The Sullivans DD537 and was support for troops on Oct. 10th, 1953.

I served aboard the USS William T. Powell DER213, a training ship out of Boston.

I served aboard the USS Princeton CV37 LPH 5. I went about in Jan. 1957. In late 1957 or early 1958, I was in the Indian Ocean - Persian Gulf area. She was re-classified again March 2, 1959 and emerged from conversion as Amphibious assault carrier LPH5. Can transport battalion landing team, carrying helicopters in place of planes. Princeton's mission became that of vertical envelopment -- landing Marines behind enemy beach fortifications, providing logistic & medical support as they attack from rear to seize critical points, cut enemy supplies, communications & link up with assault forces landed on the beaches.

I retired in 1961 in Long Beach, CA.

I married my wife, May, in Dec. 1948 in Elkton, Maryland. We have one son and two daughters, nine grandchildren & two great-grandchildren. Grandson Eric has been the Navy Reserves for about 5 years. Grandson Carl is a Marine at Camp Pendleton for almost 3 years and his twin, James, is a Squadron at North Island, CA.

I was a journeyman carpet layer for 4 years in San Jose, CA., then moved to Phoenix in 1965 and worked for the school district for 19 1/2 years. I fully retired in 1985 except for a little work I did at different jobs.

We thank the good Lord for all our family's health throughout the years. I had surgery about 5 years ago, but doing OK now. As well as can be for my age and breathing problems.

We wish the best to all and God Bless

I remain

Cyrus T. Michael