Destroyer Squadron 23 reunion in Clearbrook
Tue, 11/20/2018 - 1:46pm
admin
Navy veteran Steve Richards spoke at the veterans Day program at the Clearbrook-Gonvick High School on Monday, November 12.
After the program he was able to meet up with Gerald Wraa, a veteran of World War II. He had served on the USS Charles Ausburne which was part of the DESRON -23 Little Beaver Squadron, one of the most highly decorated naval units in World War II.
Gerald’s service through World War II took him across the Atlantic to North Africa, then to the Pacific via the Panama canal. He saw extensive combat action throughout the Pacific in areas including Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, New Britain, Bougainville, the battle of Cape St. George, Tinian, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
USS Charles Ausburne received eleven battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation with the help of crew member and plank owner Gerald Wraa from 1942 to 1946.
A plank owner is an individual who was a member of the crew of a United States Navy ship when that ship was placed in commission.
Steve Richards also served with DESRON-23 in 2012. When he heard that Clearwater local Gerald Wraa had served in the same unit in World War II he sent him a “Little Beaver” hat as thanks for his service.
Gerald was wearing his Little Beavers cap that Steve had sent him at the Veterans Day program.