USS HOUSTON CA 30

“The galloping Ghost of the Java Coast”

Vernon joined the Navy while a senior in high school so that he could further his musical talents. He was a French horn player on board ship often leaving the ship while in port to play at one of several military concerts. His family spent many weekends and summers at the grandparents’ home in Minnesota working at farm duties in summer and hunting during the winter months. We are enclosing a copy of his letter home assuring his parents and sisters he would return.