January 2020
Heritage Manor vet survived kamikaze attack
By Robin Fish rfish@parkrapidsenterprise.com Two U.S. armed forces veterans living at Heritage Manor in Park Rapids recently told their stories of military service. According to Heritage staff, Lloyd Lundstrom and Keith Kraft are among several residents who experienced life in the armed forces. Next month’s Generations will feature Kraft’s
unique life path, from a football-playing Marine private to a distinguished judge and a major in the National Guard. Meantime, Lundstrom’s memory corrects an error in the historical record.
board the attack transport troopship U.S.S. Navarro (APA-215), he participated in the World War II invasion of Okinawa. “When we were heading up to Okinawa,” he said, “we didn’t know where we were going. We knew something was up Ships in the night because we had Marines Originally from Vir- on already. We were ginia, Minn., Lundstrom ready to go.” joined the U.S. Navy Rising early one mornbefore he graduated from ing, he walked topside high school in 1944. and couldn’t believe his As a seaman 1st class on eyes. “When I went to
nition, supplies, rations and other gear, including medical equipment, while battling enemy air attacks. It took a couple days to put the Marines ashore. The dogs went ashore on the third day. Lundstrom didn’t know what the canines were there to do, except that “each dog had two men. If one
guy died, you got one guy to take care of the dog. If he died, you’d shoot the dog. That’s how it works because nobody else could handle them.” He recalled shore guns firing shells at the ship: “We could see them splashing in the water ahead of us, maybe 300
VETERAN: Page 2
Inside this issue... 3 Growing Together: Tips to help Millenials
5 The Family Circle: Treasuring every visit with mom 6 Minding Our Elders: Transition to assisted living 8 Boomers on the Move: Come clean with handwashing
001824043r1
Lloyd Lundstrom's memorabilia from his World War II service in the U.S. Navy include a star for the invasion of Okinawa, a half-bar each for the occupation of Japan and the liberation of China, and a photo of his ship, the U.S.S. Navarro (APA-215). (Robin Fish/Enterprise)
bed, you could see just water,” said Lundstrom. “When I got up, you couldn’t see the water for ships. We were just totally surrounded by ships. They all drew together during the night.” His on-deck job was loading and unloading personnel, such as the Marines and canine units they dropped off on Okinawa during a five-day period in April 1945. “That’s when I learned the difference between a man and an officer,” said Lundstrom. “I was given a job when they were debarking into the P-boats. I had to stand there when they went over the side and down the cargo net hanging on there. They told me 50 men to a boat. So, I was counting them, and I cut out 50 men, and I stepped over in front of this officer standing there. I said, ‘I’m sorry, sir. I can only put 50 men in the boat.’ He said, ‘I’m not a man, I’m an officer!’” Lundstrom laughed, adding, “So, it’s officers and men.” A written account signed by Navarro’s executive officer, Lt. D. R. Shippam, says the ship unloaded 28 landing craft, vehicles, and hundreds of tons of ammu-