Crossing the Equator

The duty of a Navy destroyer is to protect and serve to the best of their ability any assignment they are given. Along with naval protection, they may have been assigned to assist in the transfer of Marines, protect cargo or troop ships, help with Army assult forces or search and rescue operations when a flyer of the Army Air Corp had been shot down. These workhorses of the sea lodged much damage against their enemy, but they also suffered much damage and distruction themselves. The Haraden was no execption!

After being the target of a "Kamakazi" attack, the Haraden had suffered major damage to herself and her crew.  "There were many heroes on that day in 1944. The men that pulled others out of the burning wreckage without thinking about themselves are the real heroes.  They deserve the citations and ribbons, not someone like me... a young kid who thought just about having good times on leave" says John.