The Fighting "I"

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:00:00

The Fighting "I"

Ray Stone

After nearly two years of restoration work, the Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid will finally make its way back home today.

Since 1982, the ship has served as a museum at Pier 86 in New York City. But for veterans of the countless battles the ship was in, the Intrepid is more than a war relic.

Ray Stone served on the Intrepid during World War II. He and the ship survived gun fire, torpedoes, and even several Kamikaze attacks. Ray talks with Dick Gordon about his service on the Intrepid, then and now.

Check out Ray Stone's memoir about life on the USS Intrepid
Read more about the USS Intrepid
See a photo of Ray back when he was in the Navy

Music in this story: Two versions of "Anchors Aweigh". One performed by Studio Group for the album Big Band Swing - The Classics. The other performed by Jim Gibson for the album Songs of the Sea.

PIRATES NEAR THE CARIBBEAN

David Vann

On Tuesday, Dick talked with Captain Max Hardberger about his career fighting pirates who steal ships from their rightful owners. Today, with pirates off the coast of Somalia continuing to demand ransom for a ship they've seized, Dick talks to David Vann.

In 1997, David was marooned with his broken-down sailboat in a desperate port in southern Mexico. He was scammed, beaten, and he feared for his life. When he finally tried to escape on his boat, it was rammed and nearly boarded by pirates demanding cocaine. David tells Dick how he eventually made it to safety, only to have a close encounter with a crocodile.

Learn more about David Vann

The Story from American Public Media - The Fighting "I"

The Fighting "I"

The Fighting "I"

PIRATES NEAR THE CARIBBEAN