Louis Sebastian entered the US Navy at the age of 18. He went to boot camp in Bainbridge, MD. He boarded the SLC in July of 1944 at Pearl Harbor. He was in the 2nd Division as a S1c. He served on the SLC until Feb., 1946 and was discharged from the Navy on Feb. 11th, 1946 in Sampson, NY. The SLC was the only ship he served on during the war.

Names of shipmates he remembers are Unknown Scott, Unknown Young & Bethal J. Scoles, Jr., S2c.

Louis was on the SLC when she was headed for Astoria, OR. to celebrate Navy Day. The ship was hit by a huge wave and almost capsized. He was down in his compartment, standing by the ladder steps that wasn't fastened down to the deck. The ladder started swinging up to the overhead. It didn't stop until it was parallel to the deck.

On Navy Day, 1945, we had a parade on the dock beside the SLC and we put on a good show. We had "open ship" and people came on board to see the SLC. It was a great honor for them.

After the war he was in the reserves then went to work in a paint shop and then an auto worker for GM for 30 years.

Louis Sebastian

Bill Mantle, Nephew

If you wish to contact Louis, you can write to Sandy Eskew for his mailing address.