WWII Vet Who Endured Days at Sea After Ship Sank Honored on Birthday

MURRIETA, CA- A World War II sailor from Hemet who survived six days at sea after his ship was lost in a typhoon was honored Friday, his 94th birthday, during a ceremony hosted by Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez.

“Mr. William Harrison is a living legend and true patriot,” Melendez said after spending time with Harrison and his family at her Murrieta district office. “He is a member of our nation’s greatest generation, and he continues to live up to that worthy title to this day.”

Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, said Harrison’s “outlook on life has truly inspired me, as with so many others.”

“I am humbled and honored to be able to recognize Mr. Harrison on his birthday,” she said.

Melendez and her staff presented the Orange, Texas-born veteran a birthday cake with the numbers “94” on top, expressing gratitude for his wartime service.

Harrison was among only six servicemen aboard the USS YMS-472 to make it out alive after the minesweeper capsized near Okinawa on Sept. 16, 1945. The harrowing ordeal was chronicled in a book Harrison authored in 2007, “6 Days on a Raft: A True Story of Faith and Survival.”

Efforts are underway to turn the autobiography into a film, according to published reports.

In the book, Harrison recalls how he and five other sailors narrowly escaped when YMS-472 went down in the midst of “Typhoon Ida.” According to Harrison’s first-hand account, the 135-foot wooden-hulled ship foundered after it was pounded by 120 mph winds and towering waves.

Two of the stranded sailors died before they could be rescued.

Harrison spent just over three years as a machinist in the U.S. Navy. After leaving the service, he became a general contractor, building more than 50 churches throughout Southern California.

He now recounts his survival tale as a motivational speaker, visiting schools, houses of worship and government offices.

Melendez also served in the Navy, working as Russian translator aboard counter-surveillance aircraft.

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar and a portion of Hemet. It also includes the Riverside County unincorporated areas of Lake Mathews, Good Hope, Nuevo, and Winchester.

– By City News Service.