Kenneth E. Rayborn · 1964 to 1966

E5

My husband Ken loved the Navy. He often said he should have stayed in but at age 22 he just wanted to get out when his enlistment was over. He passed away June 29, 2015 from a long-time illness. He and I will be forever grateful he met up with some former shipmates from The Mazama during the AESA reunions starting in 2009. May he forever rest in peace.

Theodore Mereau · 2

E?

Dad was a cook on the ship. He was a Golden Gloves in the Navy also. I don’t know much else about it. He, like many in this era didn’t talk about it.

Walter E. Brooker · 1944-1945

Lieutenant Communications

My dad passed away on March 30, 2005. He was proud of his Navy service, and a big admirer of AE 9 and its crew. Optimistic by nature, he frequently told others that every day after 12 January 1944 was a bonus.

Norman Pichler · 1944-45

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Bosuns Mate

My dad didn’t say too much about his war years, but he did tell a story of being blown overboard off the stern when the Mazama either was struck by a Kaiten torpedo or hit a mine. He and fellow shipmate Bob Hockman both went in the water and swam from the vessel, thinking it would sink and were picked up later by a rescue boat. Then they worked with crew to repair the Mazama and headed to San Francisco for further repairs.
Dad lived a great life in Alaska after WWII. He passed away in 2006. God bless all veterans!