Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Home | S2/C Ralph Potts | USS Nevada | Scrapbook | Remnants | Firsthand Accounts 

 

S2/C    R a l p h    P o t t s

chain

 

boot camp

Photo of Ralph Potts 1943 

I was a lookout (surface lookout) during cruising time. While on watch we had to scan the horizon and report everything we seen to the bridge no matter if it was floating debris or ships. 

My battle station was manning a 20 mm gun. I stood behind the gun with straps around my waist and guided the gun by turning it and aiming at the target through the sites. 

At times I was a loader. Big drums full of bullets were fastened to the gun. When it was empty I would take it off and put another one on. 

 

 

 

One of many of the 20 mm guns that were on the Nevada that I manned during battle stations. This gun was put on after the Nevada was repaired at Pearl Harbor. It had the new sites put on. The old one had a simple 'bulls-eye' ring for the site.

20 mm gun

A 20 mm gun

 

I joined the Navy March 18th, 1943. I served my boot camp training in Green Bay, WI. From there I boarded ship (the Nevada) in San Francisco. I was Seaman Second Class Ralph Potts and was assigned to the L Division.  

 

 

L     D I V I S I O N

 

L Division Whites

Ralph Potts; front row, second man from the left

 

 

L Division

Ralph Potts; front row, second man from left

 

There were sixty four surface lookouts that comprised the "L" Division. They were credited for spotting the first Japanese plane to make its appearance at Okinawa.

In battle, the "L" Division manned the surface lookout stations, Spots One and Two, turret handling rooms and a 20-mm. mount. The "L" Division stood all messenger watches while in port and provided the ship's sideboys for Flag Officers. 

At Okinawa the "L" Division spotted the gun which attacked the ship even before the battery opened fire and first passed the word that the battery had gone into action against a ship. All hands of the division were gifted with perfect vision as was the requirement to get into the division.

I was discharged December 10, 1945. Went home and later married Rosy the Riviter!

 


Home| S2/C Ralph Potts| USS Nevada| Scrapbook| Remnants| Firsthand Accounts