 |
| PT 373 |
Shortly before he died, AJ Cotten was asked some questions regarding his experiences on PT 373 in a taped oral history interview. Here is a partial transcript::
"That 40 millimeter was where I got hit. The bullet hit the full ammunition cannon only one projector blew up. My own shells what got me. It blew up when the bullet hit it. The ammunition sack was right under the seat under me, I'm firing the gun.
That was Corregidor Manila Bay. We was the first US navel vehicle to go back inside Manila Bay. We went in to take pictures, and got the shh shot out of us. Thirteen people on the boat and there was only three that didn't get hit.
It was really something to see the ship. As a kid I heard the story of him being hit with shrapnel but didn't realize the actual story. I love these stories. Just keep them coming
ReplyDeleteI agree. I love reading these stories!
ReplyDeleteWow! I've never heard these stories! Thanks for sharing them Nana and the blog looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis shows the importance of oral histories. AJ died in 2000. Without the taped history this story dies with him. Get a recorder and interview your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Future generations will thank you for it.
ReplyDelete