Remembering USS Arizona Survivor, Donald Stratton
RED CLOUD, Neb. — Donald Stratton “Don”, a survivor on the Pearl Harbor attack on the USS Arizona passed away over the weekend.
Don had ties to the Cornhusker state as he grew up in Red Cloud, Nebraska.
A man of humble beginnings, never to be forgotten.
“All the things, he ever said we just want to keep the memory alive of all the men who died on the Arizona. They were, 19,20, 21-year- old and they didn’t get to live 78/79 years later and have a family. Their lives got cut short,” said Randy Stratton, Don’s son.
Donald Stratton was 97 years old when he passed away over the weekend.
Don wrote a New York Times best seller “All the Gallant Men” where he recapped his memories.
“Having his book out there and having people read what went down that day and what happened and how brave this generation really is. We will never see this generation ever again like this, they saved America,” Randy said.
This publication was also chosen to be apart of this year's One Book, One Nebraska’ progam.
“The writer had asked Don how we would have liked to be remembered and Don said, ‘I led a good life as a Christian, I had a wonderful family, and I was one of the people who defended our country in time of crisis.’ He paused a beat and then added ‘one of the many’. That pause told me a lot about him. He’s not a person who likes attention, not a person to take credit for what he has done. If there’s credit due him, it’s always shared credit. He never takes it for himself,” said Terri Eberly, the library director at Auld Public Library in Red Cloud.
The public is encouraged to come out and remember a hero.
Services for Donald Stratton will be held at the Red Cloud Cemetery on Monday, March 2nd at 11am.
One of Don’s final requests to be buried in this Webster County Cemetery right next to his daughters who’ve passed away before him.
“He made funeral plans about three years ago with Williams Funeral homes. He kind of laid out what he wanted done for his final requests. They’re actually bringing the body in the Saturday prior with a really nice escort. We’re in the process of lining up color and honor guard through the U.S. Military”, said Mike Goebel, American Legion #238 Post Commander.
The family is asking those who wish to attend to please wear a Hawaiian shirt, a red, white, and blue shirt or their service uniforms.
