August 2011 - Navy
By ETCS Darlene Smith, USN
Navy Reserve Command Seventh Fleet
Deputy SEL
A couple months ago, I noticed a man with a
Navy ball cap on at the Saturn dealership. I
was getting ready to leave but thought I
would respectfully introduce myself. Within
15 minutes of speaking with Commander Anthony
Gannarelli, I was inspired by his accomplishments, his
wit and his service both 76 years ago and today.
It is my honor to share with you his story:
“I enlisted in the Navy in 1934 and
entered the Naval Training School in
Norfolk, Virginia, in June at the age of
21. After training school, I was
assigned to the Battleship USS
Tennessee on 1 October 1934 with the
rank of TC-1(Turret Captain).
“I was promoted to Gunners Mate
Third Class in November 1938 and
then Second Class in February 1940.
“In the middle of 1941, the USS
Tennessee was transferred to Pearl
Harbor with 7th Fleet.
“I was promoted to Gunners Mate
First Class (Turret Captain) over the
number 4 gun turret on 1 December 1941
a week before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“At the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, I was
down in sick bay attempting to get a cast removed
from my left leg. With the sound of the attack over
head along with the ship’s sound for General Quarters
and with the statement, “This is NO DRILL,” I immediately
scrambled to my battle station located in the
shell projection room for Turret No. 4s gun battery
with the remnants of most of the cast still dangling
from my leg.
“Being in the Shell Projection Room, I personally
did not witness the carnage of the attack until after
the last wave of Japanese planes exited the area and
we were secured from General Quarters. Upon
arriving on deck, I could not believe what I saw. It is
a memory that will always be with me.
“The USS Arizona was to our stern and the USS
Oklahoma was at the bow. The USS West Virginia was
along our port side and in front of the attacking
Japanese torpedo planes. The USS West Virginia took
several torpedo hits and was in the process of sinking
as I reached the deck. If not for the West Virginia
protecting our port side from the attacking Japanese
planes, life for me could have been different.
“The USS Oklahoma was hit by a number of torpedoes
and aerial bombs and eventually rolled completely
over showing her twin propellers.
“The USS Arizona, as history has documented, took
a direct hit from a single aerial bomb to its magazine
area and exploded. I can still remember the vibrations
caused by this explosion that rocked our ship while I
was down in the shell projection room.
“The damage to the USS Tennessee was light in
comparison. We took three aerial bomb hits.
One hit the number 3 gun turret, the second
hit number 2 gun turret. The third bomb
penetrated the upper deck down to the
mess hall section and, luckily, did not
detonate.
“We worked all night getting the
ship ready to take back to the States
for repairs. The leg cast, by the way,
made it through the attack and was
eventually removed by me with the
help of some heavy-duty scissors.
“We could not weigh anchor until
the USS West Virginia was raised as
it sank completely. She was raised
within the week of the attack and
moved so as to allow us to get underway.
It took us only a couple of days to
reach Bremerton, Washington, for the
needed repairs as the damage to our ship was
only to the surface.
“In April 1942, I transferred to the USS Indiana.
At this time I submitted the paper work for Warrant
Officer consideration.
“On 12 September 1942, I was promoted to Chief
Petty Officer – Chief Turret Captain; and later in the
month, I was promoted to Warrant Officer Gunner.
“During this period of the war, the Navy was in
need of experienced officers; and as a result, I was
promoted to Ensign on 15 July 1943 and, then,
Lieutenant JG on 1 November 1944. I was still on the
USS Indiana.
“I was ordered to the Naval Gun Factory in
Washington, DC, on 30 April 1945.
“On 1 August 1946, I was promoted to Lieutenant
and was assigned to Joint Task Force One participating in
the Atomic Bomb Tests in the Bikini Islands.
“After that assignment, I was ordered back to the
Naval Gun Factory in Washington, DC.
“On 23 March 1948, I was ordered to the USS New
Jersey for the Decommissioning of the Ship.
“In July 1948, I was ordered to Boston, MA, and
assigned to the USS Des Moines (a heavy cruiser).
“In late 1950, I was re-assigned to the Naval Gun
Factory in Washington, DC, for two years.
“In May 1953, I was assigned to the USS Toledo
(the sister ship of the USS Des Moines) and was the
main Gunnery Officer of the ship.
“I was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on
1 January 1954.
“From the USS Toledo, I was transferred to the Fleet
Gunnery School in San Diego as the scheduling officer
for the center in July 1955 for two years.
“In September 1957, I was assigned to the aircraft
carrier USS Bon Homme Richard.
“On 1 July 1958, I was promoted to Commander
while serving as the Gunnery Officer of the Carrier.
“On 2 September 1959, I left the carrier and reported
to the 11th Naval District in San Diego.
“I retired from the Navy on 1 October 1959 after
serving over 25 years. I was 46 years old.
“I worked the remainder of my working life at Sears
in Van Nuys, California, and retired a second and final
time at the age of 65.
“I have been retired now for almost 32 years.
Through all of this time, I was able to marry my wife
Kathryn whom I have been happily married to for 66
years in September. The Japanese surrendered on 2
September 1945 and I got married six (6) days later
on 8 September 1945.
“We were blessed with two daughters (Toni K and
Dana). Toni K passed away. However, my daughter
Dana is a Delta Flight Attendant and has been flying
for over 38 years. She is married and we have two
grandchildren (Morgan and Daniel).”
Commander Gannarelli not only gave 25 years
of service to this country, but also continues to serve
by visiting elementary schools and sharing history
with our younger generation. Calvin Coolidge once
said, “No person was ever honored for what he
received. Honor has been the reward for what he
gave.” It is my honor to introduce to you Commander
Anthony Gannarelli, United States Navy.
Part of the mission of the Naval History & Heritage
Command is to make naval history and heritage “come
alive” for our Sailors and, today, I hope we’ve accomplished
this. Thank you so much.