Cpl Ramey, John W. USMC (Marine Raider?)

Very well than, can't argue with facts like that. Looks like I'm gonna have to do a bit more research.

 

Maybe he was part of a Marine aviation unit on the Lexington? Price would be more knowledgeable than I regarding that. The website Fold3.com has many Lexington documents in the War Diaries section. I remember reading Action Reports mentioning SBDs (Dauntless), which were being used almost exclusively by the Marines at that point in the war (1944-45). It might be worth checking out.

 

I spent a little time looking through some of the records on Fold3.com. There were at least a couple of incidents of Lexington CV-16 being attacked by torpedo planes. One thing struck me, though. I saw no reference to "twin 50s". I did some checking and the Lexington didn't have twin 50s until after the War. According to NavSource, the Lexington's armament was:

Armament: 4 twin & 4 single 5"/38 gun mounts; 8 quad 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts; 46 single 20-mm/70-cal guns mounts

It would be understandable if he mis-remembered the caliber after 50+ years, so I considered not bringing it up. However, sooner or later, someone else would probably mention it.

RameyDD, you may want to consider having a researcher track your grandfather's service. They should be able to follow his movements throughout the War. That would help you answer most of your questions. The down side is that it's not inexpensive.

 

I could understand that kind of mess up, it could have been on my part cuz I was about 10 when he told me the story so I may have missed something.

I had thought about trying to get professional help with this but one, I'm just doing it for personal reference and two, I don't have money laying around to do that.

 

Been there done that. I heard a bunch of stories as a small boy/adolescent and when I grew up and talked about again there was a whole different perception and understanding. We each have personal filters that are based upon our life experience that colors how we understand/perceive facts.

If I were you I'd start by requesting his records. It can be done for little or no cost, and will give you a good base to start your research from.

 

That is the case for NOK when the veterans records are non-archival (that is, the veteran left the service less than 62 years ago). Most WWII personnel records are considered archival and subject to copying fees even for NOK. This is a relatively recent change, and a lousy one in my opinion.

I would submit a request anyway if only to find out how many pages are in his OMPF. It is unlikely there will be less than 6, so it will probably be the higher rate of $70 to get copies of his OMPF.

 

Not unheard of welding extra AA guns to a deck...especially those the captain thinks are lacking..."unofficial" guns...?

 

It's hard to prove or disprove "unofficial guns".