Conclusion

By Kenneth Finger

My grandfather spent 5 months at the Navy Repair Base in San Diego. He was then appointed to Warrant Officer and assigned to the USS Detroit (CL-8). He wasn’t really happy with either of these developments. First, he had hoped Captain Cecil would recommend him for Ensign rather than Warrant Officer. Second, before receiving his appointment, he had been given an assignment to a brand new repair ship being built at Mare Island Navy Yard, a great assignment for a machinist. Before my grandfather reported aboard the Detroit, he took my grandmother, then expecting their first child, back to Connecticut to be with her family.

Duty on the Detroit was quiet compared to the Helena. The Detroit spent most of her time in 1944 patrolling the west coast of South America, and in 1945, escorting cargo ships in support of Admiral Halsey’s carrier fleet. The Detroit was anchored near the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945 when the treaty was signed officially bringing World War II to an end.

After the war, my grandfather became active in the national Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and the Pearl Harbor Attack Veterans Association in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Both groups have since disbanded due to dwindling membership.

Five Generations, Christmas 2010:
Seated Ed and Alma Klepps.
Standing from left:
Laura Bartlett (granddaughter), Nicole Heavens (great granddaughter), Hailey Heavens (great great granddaughter), and Nancy Mitchell (daughter).