Tradition has it that not only do the Marines provide fighting men , but also render the appropriate honours and salutes to visitors and dignitaries, act as sentries and guards to the "brig" and officers quarters, refuelling and ammunition loading duties lifeboat sentries at sea, furnish orderlies to the ships executive officers, operate signals and telecommunications and man Gun Batteries and Turrets when needed.
Vincent enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in October 1940. After early training he was transferred to the U.S.S. Lexington CV2 then moored at San Diego California.
Vincent reported to forward 135mm (5.25") Gun No. 6 on the port side Battery. Fortunately, Vincent was promoted corporal (Assistant Gun Captain) in Feb. 1942. and transferred to aft turret Gun 10. During the battle a Japanese bomb hit the flight deck and exploded the ammunition locker of Vincent's old station Gun 6 killing all 14 Marines
As usual the Lexington's 94 man Marine detachment was housed between the officers quarters and the enlisted men's quarters, just aft of the main decks forward elevator and below the flight deck.
Battle of the Coral Sea and the Japanese invasion of Port Moresby N.G. May 1st. 1942
Task Force 17 under the command of Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher consisting of U.S.S. Carriers Yorktown and Lexington, 5 Cruisers and 8 Destroyers steamed northwest into the Coral Sea searching for the Japanese invasion group M.O. consisting of a screening force of 3 Carriers, 6 Cruisers, & 7 Destroyers to protect the invaders, (11 Troop Transports, 1 Patrol Boat, 6 Destroyers and I Mine Layer.)
Read Full Article »
