Lowell Edison Rainwater, survivor Pearl Harbor

Hi, I'm trying to find a history of my grandfather, Lowell Edison Rainwater, who was in the Navy for many years before and through WWII. He was a survivor of Pearl Harbor aboard USS Helena. I have a scrapbook showing the USS Lexington, but I don't what years he served aboard. At one point he was RM1C. Can anyone help me with finding the ships and years he served. Thanks!

 

He appears in these registers...Hope this helps.

Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy ... - United States. Bureau of Naval Personnel - Google Books

Register of Retired Commissioned and Warrant Officers, Regular and Reserve ... - Google Books

Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and ... - United States. Bureau of Naval Personnel - Google Books

 

Rainwater, Lowell E (3556423), RM1c, USN, USS Helena received aboard from Receiving Ship New York for duty 18 Sep 1939, last enlistment noted as 17 March 1938 at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba

Rainwater, Lowell E (3556423), RM1c, USN, USS Helena change rate to CRM (AA), 1 Jun 1940

Rainwater, Lowell E (3556423), CRM (PA), USN, USS Helena aboard 31 Dec 1941

So, yes, one would presume he was aboard during the Pearl Harbor attack.

Rainwater, Lowell E (3556423), CRM (PA), USN, USS Helena appointed Radio Electrician USN, effective 21 Oct 1942

RM1c - Radioman 1st class
CRM (AA) - Chief Radioman Acting Appointment
CRM (PA) - Chief Radioman Permanent Appointment
Radio Electrician - a Warrant Officer rank

 

Thank you so much! Thanks for the defining ranks. That was helpful as well. There are photos of him and on the back it was listed as Radio Electrician.

 

Thanks for your help! I really appreciate this!