VETERANS TOUR BATTLEFIELD
USS Saratoga veterans’ reunion concludes today
STILLWATER, N.Y. » Joe Aviles, an Apache Native American, fought aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) during some of World War II’s fiercest Pacific Theater battles including Iwo Jima, Tarawa and the Marshall Islands.
Now 92, the California resident made his firstever visit on Friday to the place where the 1777 Battles of Saratoga were fought, which six ships in U.S. Navy history were named for.
He and dozens of other USS Saratoga veterans are gathered in the Spa City for a four-day reunion that concludes Saturday.
“She got hit twice by torpedoes from a Japanese submarine, and we got hit by five kamikazes at Iwo Jima and three bombs,” said Aviles, a recipient of six Bronze Stars. “We were about 15 to 20 miles off shore. We were protecting the Marines from incoming Japanese planes.”
CV-3 was an aircraft carrier, like its more modern successor, CV-60, which served from 1955 to 1994. Aviles is one of the few remaining USS Saratoga veterans from World War II. Most of those at the reunion served more recently on CV-60.
They’re united by a common bond of respect for their ship, love of country
and admiration for the patriots who fought for America’s independence 240 years ago this month at Saratoga.
“It means a lot to think about what they did here, and how many people served on the six ships named Saratoga,” said Mike Richardson of Rome, N.Y. “It’s such a great honor to be here.”
Ed McCready, of Virginia, said, “It’s a very moving experience. I’m always amazed at the bravery of the men and women that were involved in these conflicts. It takes your breath away when you think about all that perished here, how difficult it was for the country and how easily it could have gone the other way.”
Aviles was in the Navy from 1943-46, but his service didn’t stop after the war. In 1949, he joined the Army National Guard and a year later his division was called up when the Korean War began. He was a tank commander there from 1951-53, seeing action all the way from Inchon to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital.
Veterans began their day at Saratoga National Cemetery, where they took part in a ceremonial ringing of the ship’s bell from CV-3.
From there they went to the battlefield and toured major points of interest.
“These are great days to be here at the park, to have theme experience the Revolutionary War battlefields similar to the ones they fought on for the same freedoms,” said Amy Bracewell, Saratoga National Historical Park superintendent. “It’s special to be able to recognize our service men and women and the connections we have to the USS Saratoga. We are equally honored to be connected to their service and the history of what they’ve done.”