Eric...I can understand your feelings re: sinking of the Belleau Wood. I was at the decommissioning of the LHA-3 a couple of years ago just prior of their taking her out to sink near Hawaii as an artificial reef, I believe. I was a member of the Marine Detachment on the old Belleau Wood CVL-24 and was the only WW2 Marine represented at this very moving service. Your ship was indeed a great ship - we were also guests on her some years before in San Diego as members of the Belleau Wood Association of Shipmates. At the decommissioning I met her master - Capt. Ford and his family. They were quite gracious to us and I remember how impressed I was with Capt Ford. The Navy can certainly be proud of all its service members for doing such a really great job these days. R Perkins formerly USMCR - CVL-24 1944-1946

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