Gordon Donald Seastrom, 82-- 1924-2007
Pearl Harbor Survivor shared tales with kids
Later in the war, the destroyer on which he had taken part in 29 major combat actions was sunk by a kamikaze attack soon after he left the ship
He was 17 when he enlisted in the US Navy and assigned to the USS Reid, DD-369 and was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. He served across the whole Pacific Theater on the same destroyer which was sunk soon after he left it with hundreds of casualties.
After he retired from teaching, he visited local schools to tell stories about his experiences. He'd tell the kids about the smoke-filled air and fire on the water. His wife said that at first he had a hard time talking about it, but later opened up.
Born and raised in St. Charles, Illinois. After his mother's death when he was 11, he went and lived with the family of his life-long friend Marv Abramson. "We were like brothers--just turned 17 and still in high school when we joined the Navy. We got through boot camp together, but then George was sent to Pearl Harbor. It was weeks before I found out he'd survived the bombing," said Marv Abramson.
Upon military discharge, he received his high school diploma and got an education degree from Northern Illinois University. He taught math at Washington Junior High School for 33 years before retiring at age 62.
He was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and traveled there several times for reunions.
July 27, 2007 Chicago Tribune "Pearl Harbor survivor shared tales with kids" by Joan Giangrasse Kates.
Quite a Man.
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