Local veterans take journey to D.C.

Pictured left to right: Ann Ramirez, Del Norte Chapter DAR chairperson; Robert Garrett; Leslie Williams; and Katie Gavin, Del Norte Chapter Regent, at the Arcata airport. Submitted

The two veterans were longtime residents of Del Norte County, Robert Garrett and Leslie Williams.

Robert Garrett served with the 106th Division K 424th Infantry Regiment, which had campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 106th Division was spread over a 21-mile front when the attack began. The 422nd and 423rd regiments of the 106th Division were encircled quickly but fought for three days before surrendering. The 424th Regiment withdrew to positions at St Vith, also delaying the Germans.

Those three days were critical in holding up the German advance and allowing the Allies time to react.

Leslie Williams served on the Battleship USS Nevada in electrical maintenance after Pearl Harbor. The USS Nevada served as a convoy escort in the Atlantic and Pacific as a fire-support ship in four amphibious assaults: the Normandy landings and the invasions of Southern France, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Historically, the USS Nevada was one of the battleships trapped when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. She was the only battleship to get under way during the attack. She was hit by one torpedo and at least six bombs while steaming away from Battleship Row. The USS Nevada was deliberately beached that day to avoid blocking the harbor entrance. The USS Nevada returned to combat in May 1943.

Dec. 7, 2011, will be the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Both veterans said that they enjoyed the trip.