WWII Veteran, Kamikaze Survivor, Wants Greater Recognition of VJ Day

Albert Perdeck remembers what it felt like on the World War II aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill, coping with the deaths of so many of his shipmates in a kamikaze attack in May 1945.

He also remembers how he felt on Aug. 14, 1945 -- VJ Day -- when the U.S. declared victory over Japan in World War II.

It’s been 69 years since then, but he still remembers. And he wishes others would remember the day, too.

Perdeck, of Manchester, shared his memories of the kamikaze attack, which killed 400 sailors on May 11, 1945, with the Asbury Park Press. He said his ship lost 625 sailors total during the war, and his bigger concern is making sure the sacrifices of those who died in World War II are not forgotten.

“Six hundred and twenty-five guys on my ship that were 19 or 20 got killed,” he said. “They way they’re going (with public memory), they ignore it.”

Read more here.

(PHOTO: USS Bunker Hill. Credit: U.S. Navy)