Photo of Corp. Fritz L. Washburn, Jr. in uniform sitting in chair smoking a cigarette
Dublin Core
Title
Photo of Corp. Fritz L. Washburn, Jr. in uniform sitting in chair smoking a cigarette
Subject
WWII
World War II
Army
Decatur, IL.
World War II
Army
Decatur, IL.
Description
Herald and Review Library: Washburn, Fritz L., Jr.; Article on back of photo; "Saved From Burning Ship; Corporal Washburn Tells of Wakefield Rescue; Corp. Fiitz L. Washburn, Jr. rolled off the burning convoy ship, the Wakefield, Sept. 3 and with nearly 1,000 other passengers came back to the U.S. safely.
Corporal Washburn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fritz L. Washburn of 401 South Twentieth street, now is home on furlough until next Tuesday. and he actually rolled off the burning vessel. When the fire started, Corporal Washburn and others were loafing on the aft part of the ship, known as the 'fantail'. 'it was only a few minutes from the time we saw the smoke and when we started to go over the sides. It all happened pretty fast', he said. 'The fire spread rapidly. A rescue ship came alongside, and landing nets were thrown from our rail and fastened on the rail of the other ship. then we just rolled down-it was a quick transfer. 'I didn't have much time to look around, but it seemed to me that it was a very orderly bunch of people-no one got very excited.' He said he left his equipment behind. Corporal Washburn, who was on his way home from Iceland, is due to report Wednesday at Ft. Belvoir, Va., where he will enter officers' candidate school. he was drafted into the army in April of 1941, but later re-enlisted so that he could go on foreign duty. He had attended Millikin university here and been employed in the county highway department before going into military service. he now is visiting his parents and his wife, Kathryn, a a daughter of Mrs. Ruth F. Gragg of 542 West Prairie avenue."
Corporal Washburn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fritz L. Washburn of 401 South Twentieth street, now is home on furlough until next Tuesday. and he actually rolled off the burning vessel. When the fire started, Corporal Washburn and others were loafing on the aft part of the ship, known as the 'fantail'. 'it was only a few minutes from the time we saw the smoke and when we started to go over the sides. It all happened pretty fast', he said. 'The fire spread rapidly. A rescue ship came alongside, and landing nets were thrown from our rail and fastened on the rail of the other ship. then we just rolled down-it was a quick transfer. 'I didn't have much time to look around, but it seemed to me that it was a very orderly bunch of people-no one got very excited.' He said he left his equipment behind. Corporal Washburn, who was on his way home from Iceland, is due to report Wednesday at Ft. Belvoir, Va., where he will enter officers' candidate school. he was drafted into the army in April of 1941, but later re-enlisted so that he could go on foreign duty. He had attended Millikin university here and been employed in the county highway department before going into military service. he now is visiting his parents and his wife, Kathryn, a a daughter of Mrs. Ruth F. Gragg of 542 West Prairie avenue."
Creator
Herald and Review
Source
Decatur, IL.
Publisher
Decatur Public Library, Decatur, IL.
Date
9/11/1942
Contributor
Decatur Herald and Review
Rights
The Decatur Public Library owns and maintains all copyright on materials featured on omeka.decaturlibrary.org. These materials cannot be used without prior consent. Please contact the Local History Room for more information.
Relation
unknown
Format
.jpg
600 dpi
600 dpi
Language
English
Type
photograph
Identifier
AF755
Coverage
World War II
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
photograph
Physical Dimensions
6 x 8"
Files
Collection
Citation
Herald and Review, “Photo of Corp. Fritz L. Washburn, Jr. in uniform sitting in chair smoking a cigarette,” Decatur Public Library Local History Photo Collection, accessed December 25, 2024, http://omeka.decaturlibrary.org/items/show/1290.