Early Work in Aviation 49 



I forgot to ask you where you were from. 



I'm from Lorain, Ohio. Admiral King's family lived across the street from my 

 mother when she was a bride. When his mother died, my mother sort of looked 

 out for the three King children until their father could make other arrange- 

 ments to get someone to take care of them. There was always a strong tie 

 between Admiral King and my family. He used to come down here. He was very 

 fond of Mary's cooking, and he liked Mary, too. He would come down here 

 twice a year and spend a long weekend. 



Was this after you retired"? 

 Yes, after I retired. 



How long have you been at Mathias Point? 

 I came here in October 1947. 



Admiral Braun,for his service aboard MANILA BA Y, was awarded the ribbon for and 

 a facsimile of the following unit citation: 



NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION— USS MANILA BAY: 



"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the air, ashore and 

 afloat. Boldly penetrating enemy infested waters, the USS MANILA BAY and her attached 

 air squadrons defied determined Japanese air and sea opposition to strike fiercely at hostile 

 warships, aircraft, shore batteries and other installations vital to the enemy. As one of the 

 southern carrier group which received the brunt of Japanese land-based plane attacks in the 

 historic Battle for Leyte Gulf, the MANILA BAY fought her guns gallantly against enemy 

 dive-bomber and suicide planes, at the same time, sending out her own aircraft to strafe and 

 bomb Japanese Fleet units. During the Mindoro assault, she aided in covering the operations 

 successfully despite active hostile airfields surrounding the Sula Sea. Although crashed by two 

 Kamikaze planes at Lingayen Gulf, the MANILA BAY was brought back into action by the 

 heroic efforts of the ship's company and her air group and, within thirty-six hours had resumed 

 her mission of launching her aircraft in support of our landings. Her notable record of service 

 and combat achievement reflects the highest credit upon her courageous and skilled officers 

 and men and upon the United States Naval Service." 



