This website was created in memory of
JOE W. SHIRLEY
DEDICATED TO ALL THE BRAVE MEN
WHO SERVED ON THE U.S.S. LITTLE DD803
Joe Wilburn Shirley WT3c
U.S. Navy 1942~1946
U.S.S. Little
DD803
~~~~~~~
TREASURES IN THE SEA
At the bottom of the East China Sea
Lies the U.S.S. LITTLE DD803.
No treasure ship of silver and gold,
But treasures no less, treasures untold.
All the treasures of all the young men,
Who manned the LITTLE 'til her tragic end,
Who watched as she sank beneath the sea
To a watery grave...her destiny.
Now fifty years have come and gone,
And yet the memories linger on.
Often I think of our loss that day--
Nineteen forty-five, third of May,
God I know claimed the souls we lost,
Nothing more precious; they paid the cost.
But other treasures claimed by the sea
Continually haunt my memory.
Letters from sweetheart, family and friend,
Read and reread, from beginning to end;
Pictures of loved ones, hiding concern
Awaiting the war's end and my safe return.
All my treasures on that fateful day
Were safe in my locker, all locked away.
Safe from all takers, except for the sea.
My one consolation: I hold the key!
(c) J. Shirley
1995
U.S.S. LITTLE DD803
U.S. Navy Photo
COMMISSIONED: AUGUST 19, 1944
SANK: MAY 3, 1945
This gallant ship, along with 30 of her heroic crew,
was lost after an attack by
kamikaze aircraft off Okinawa during World War II.
The two battle stars were earned
for service in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
~~~~~~~
We remember the LITTLE...
She fought to keep the world free
But she paid the cost
Our proud ship was lost
A watery grave her destiny.
We remember the LITTLE...
Her fighting spirit, her gallantry
But most of all we recall
Shipmates forever lost at sea--
The fighting men of DD803.
We remember the LITTLE...
Her battles are now history
For she earned her stars
Fighting the war of wars
That gained for us the victory.
We remember the LITTLE...
She sails the sea in our memory
With shipmates all still on call
Shipmates forever we will be--
The fighting men of DD803.
(c) J. Shirley
28th "U.S.S. Little DD803" Reunion
Hutchinson, Kansas
May 03 - 06, 2012
To learn more about a "Little" Reunion
click on anchor.
Click on the little heart
for a message from
Joe's Mate
Click on the flag
to go to a page of "Hope"
Remembering 9/11
AHOY, MATES!
The original guestbook that was deleted by the provider has been
restored. Click on the anchor to browse through it, but don't
forget to come back and sign the new book.
You can sign our new book now by clicking on the link below.
Or, if you prefer, send an email by clicking on the Texas flag.
We would like very much to hear from you!
View Guestbook
Sign Guestbook
E-Mail
The links below are to:
*The National WWII Memorial, Washingon, D.C.
*The National Korean War Memorial, Washington, D.C.
*The National Viet Nam War Memorial, Washington, D.C.
The Nimitz Museum has been renamed.
It is now The National Museum of the Pacific War.
Surfing the new website is quite an experience.
Give it a try!
LINKS TO:
 Register A WWII Memorial Honoree |
|
Search For A WWII Memorial Honoree
|
Information To Obtain Your Military Records
U.S.S. Little DD803
Come aboard and look around!
U.S.S. Little DD803 Association
Click on Newsletter at Association website
for the names of our missing shipmates.
U.S.S. Aaron Ward DM34
Another brave ship.
"Anchors Aweigh"
Click on anchor to listen to music by the Navy Band
and read the history of the song.
IN SUPPORT OF OUR TROOPS
Click on the ribbon to send a free greeting card
to someone in the military.
In memory of all who gave their lives
in the quest for freedom.
~ 1776 - 2012 ~
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT !
This website does not represent any organization.
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and is used with permission.
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