|
|
"Radar Picket Patrol Ten"
Original Oil Painting by
Lanny Cook |
"Night Watch"
Origional Oil Painting by
Lanny Cook |
In Tribute to the Brave
for all the sailors of the USS AARON WARD (DM
34)
especially my uncle, Willis Milton Guyer
O'er the blue Pacific
The day was bright and fair--
But in their hearts, the brave men knew
That death was waiting there.
Into the quiet of evening
The enemy came to kill--
And when they left, they left behind
So many, cold and still.
On picket patrol on Station Ten
The Aaron Ward was found,
And as the Japs came hurling by
She fought back round by round.
O, Death, O Death--!
This thou sting!
Out of the sun the kamikazes came,
Certain death on glinting wings!
Into the gloam of evening,
Into the homesick hearts,
The Angel of Death came roaring,
Never, ah never, to depart!
The Devil's Angel's, when they came,
Turned the ship to blazing hell--
Tired and weary, sick of death,
Still, she stood brave and fought back well.
Early in the morning, she limped into the port,
Sounds of mourning filled the air, for hymns the mates did wail,
Her victory was costly, her toll was dread and dear,
But as history records, she in valor, did not fail.
So many like the Aaron Ward,
Their stories go untold,
And we today, do honor them,
Our warriors as so bold.
Beverly Hearn Cook
|