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USS DETROIT CL-8

Sailor:

Wilbur C. Carroll
Service Dates=1927-1929

Submitted by:Dad was a pharmacist's mate aboard ship. He pitched for the ship's baseball team, and while in Panama, took part in a diving competition. In Nicaragua, he was hit in the elbow by sniper fire while guarding a train carrying mail and supplies (I believe) inland. He and shipmates spent the night there in a deserted building. During the night they heard movement outdoors, called out, "Who goes there?",
and getting no reply they fired into the dark. Day dawned to show them the carcass of a cow.
The ship docked in Italy at a time that there were some strong
andti-American feelings among the Italians due to the Sacco & Vanzetti trial. The captain finally OKd shore leave with the requirement that the sailors stick together in large groups. In spite of that precaution, the group my dad was with was attacked and dad was very lucky to get out alive; he came away with what would be a lifelong scar across his throat, caused by a knife.
Dad had a good friend on board ship whose name was Vern, and who I believe later lived in Eugene, Oregon. In the 1980s they did get together for one visit.
Dad took lots of pictures during his Navy days, and we still have
them; pictures of people, places, and the ship itself.

 

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