I joined the Navy at Los Angeles, CA. on Dec. 7, 1940 and went to boot camp at San Diego, CA.

I boarded the USS Salt Lake City as Apprentice Seaman, July 8, 1941 and went through the Ranks to Chief Signalman while serving aboard the SLC.

During the battle of the Komandorskis, I was the Supervisor of the signal gang on the signal bridge. During that time the Japanese scored a hit on the port side of the SLC causing sea water to enter the fuel system resulting in a loss of speed from 32 knots down to zero. I was manning the signal lights during the battle and communicating with the Flagship.

I was the guy that sent the message to the flagship...."MY SPEED ZERO"

I transferred in July of 1946, prior to SLC's participation in the Bikini A-Bomb test.

I served 30 years and 2 months on Active Duty

Vito J. Monteleone

#3 in picture with SLC Buddies
#2 in picture from Wallace L. Walsh
#4 in Signal Gang, 1942
#9 with Signal Gang
#3 with Signal Gang
#9 in Signalman Gang, 1940
Tidbits from H. W. White
Tidbits from Maurice Lamoure
Battle of the Komandorski Island Index
SLC Deck Log Apr. 1943
See Picture of Vito as "Best Man" at the wedding of SLC Veteran Robert L. Burroughs

Attended the following SLC Reunions:   1983  1985  1989  1991  1997