Hi Sandy,
I was sometimes called the "Trigger Man" because I fired the 8 inch guns from the Forward Director....the highest battle station on the ship.

I was very proud of my rate as Fire Controlman because there were only a few of the men that had a right arm rate. I'm not bragging, but I fired the first rounds on both Iwo Jima and Okinawa when they started cleaning up the island.

The Captain commended me several times for my accuracy on the targets.

I think the ship was rated for firing the most rounds of ammo and I was a big part of that.

Jean & I had a great time at the reunion at the Cherokee Casino/Resort in Catoosa, OK.

Eddie Schimtz