Donald G Stratton

USS Vestal. Donald and fellow survivor Lauren Bruner were saved by a man named Joe George. Joe never knew if the men he saved lived, and it wasn't until nearly 60 years later that his daughter Joe Ann knew the full extent of her father's incredible heroism on that day. Donald, Lauren and their families have been trying for nearly 10 years to get Joe the Medal of Honor—an honor he truly deserves. After spending over a year in the hospital recovering, Donald re-enlisted in the US Navy as WWII was still raging. At first, the Navy wouldn't allow Donald to re-enlist due to his medical discharge, however he proved them wrong by going through boot camp a second time. After WWII ended, he was 100% medically discharged and went on to work with deep sea divers and oil rigs offshore. Donald traveled the world with his wife Velma and their two sons Robert and Randy. Donald will turn 95 in July and he and his wife Velma will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary in April. Donald's life was recently chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men.