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Roland L. Warren

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Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Sunset for Block Island | Palmetto Bella

Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Sunset for Block Island

The USS Block Island (CVE-21), a “baby flattop” aircraft carrier, was struck by 3 torpedoes in the middle of the night of May 29, 1944. Once the order to abandon ship was given, Warren was responsible for locating and securing all classified communications in a safe, in the pitch dark — the power had gone out — before he could leave the sinking ship. The story continues in his words … We paddled to the destroyer Ahrens, which was standing by taking on survivors from the ship. On the way, we heard a loud roar and saw that the destroyer escort Barr had its fan-tail (the back of the ship)

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Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Into the Water | Aiken Bella Magazine

Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Into the Water

This is Part Two of a first person account of the sinking of the USS Block Island (CVE-21), a “baby flattop” aircraft carrier, by a German U-boat in the battle of the Atlantic during World War II. Part One described Warren’s duties as Navy Communications Officer, and ended with the first 2 torpedoes to hit the Block Island. Warren was relaxing in his living quarters, at night, when, in his own words … BOOM, and then another BOOM! We hot-footed it out of there and up the ladders to our battle stations. Halfway to the Communications Office, the clanging sound of “general quarters” reverberated throughout the ship. I had been

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Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Sunset for the USS Block Island

Every family passes stories down to the children and grandchildren. Some are unique to the family, and others tell of historical events that affected an entire generation. My father wrote most of what you will read below a few days after the event, and he added some explanatory details later. This article is in 3 parts, and this month we publish Part One. Many many young Americans were lost during World War II. Fortunately for me, my father was not one of them.  – Robin Warren “You are going to be the custodian of publications.” Lt. Commander Gilman, the communications officer, addressed me in a friendly, informal way, but his

Read More »
Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Sunset for Block Island | Palmetto Bella

Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Sunset for Block Island

The USS Block Island (CVE-21), a “baby flattop” aircraft carrier, was struck by 3 torpedoes in the middle of the night of May 29, 1944. Once the order to abandon ship was given, Warren was responsible for locating and securing all classified communications in a safe, in the pitch dark — the power had gone out — before he could leave the sinking ship. The story continues in his words … We paddled to the destroyer Ahrens, which was standing by taking on survivors from the ship. On the way, we heard a loud roar and saw that the destroyer escort Barr had its fan-tail (the back of the ship)

Read More »
Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Into the Water | Aiken Bella Magazine

Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Into the Water

This is Part Two of a first person account of the sinking of the USS Block Island (CVE-21), a “baby flattop” aircraft carrier, by a German U-boat in the battle of the Atlantic during World War II. Part One described Warren’s duties as Navy Communications Officer, and ended with the first 2 torpedoes to hit the Block Island. Warren was relaxing in his living quarters, at night, when, in his own words … BOOM, and then another BOOM! We hot-footed it out of there and up the ladders to our battle stations. Halfway to the Communications Office, the clanging sound of “general quarters” reverberated throughout the ship. I had been

Read More »

Greatest Generation – First Person Account | Sunset for the USS Block Island

Every family passes stories down to the children and grandchildren. Some are unique to the family, and others tell of historical events that affected an entire generation. My father wrote most of what you will read below a few days after the event, and he added some explanatory details later. This article is in 3 parts, and this month we publish Part One. Many many young Americans were lost during World War II. Fortunately for me, my father was not one of them.  – Robin Warren “You are going to be the custodian of publications.” Lt. Commander Gilman, the communications officer, addressed me in a friendly, informal way, but his

Read More »
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