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18 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2016 BOB CLIFFORD: Serving in the United States Navy all sailors develop an affinity for the ships they serve aboard as well as their shipmates. Bob Clifford holds such an affinity for USS LAMSON (DD-367). The destroyer LAMSON was commissioned in 1936. In 1937 she participated in the search for lost pilot Amelia Earhart. On December 7, 1941 LAMSON, stationed out of Pearl Harbor, was patrolling at sea when the Japanese attacked. In December of 1943, at the age of 17, Bob enlisted in the Navy. Boot camp in San Diego was followed by a month of radar school at Point Loma in San Diego, followed by another month of radar training at Pearl Harbor. In June of '44 he was assigned to LAMSON. A few months were then spent patrolling the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. Ironically, on December 7, 1944, while supporting landings at Ormoc Bay, Leyte, LAMSON came under attack by Kamikazes. "Abandon ship!" was called. Bob, injured, scrambled to the bow and managed to board the tug that was assisting with the rescue. Twenty-five of Bob's shipmates lost their lives and 53 were wounded- including Bob. (He received a Purple Heart.) The ship was kept afloat and eventually returned to the U.S. for repairs and modifications in Bremerton, Washington. Bob spent three weeks in the hospital in New Guinea before returning to duty. After repairs, LAMSON and Bob returned to duty in the Pacific patrolling between Iwo Jima and Japan. Bob left LAMSON in February of '46 and joined the destroyer HOLDER for a shakedown cruise. Then he boarded the cruiser TOLEDO while it was being built. After that it was on to USS MISSOURI in Newport, Rhode Island for a short stay of a day and a half. Bob was finally discharged on January 25, 1947. As an historical footnote, LAMSON was "sunk" as part of the atomic tests at Bikini in the Marshall Islands and today is a popular spot for SCUBA divers. Bob has pictures! He also built a model of LAMSON from "scratch." It took several years to complete the project. Bob met wife Pat when she was in high school. He was attracted to her long, flowing locks. They were married in June of 1949. Bob and Pat are easily recognized around Solera wearing attire of the same color. They are participants in just about every event we have here. Top left: Bob points where he was standing when kamikaze struck Above: Bob as a young man Left: USS LAMSON on fire in Ormoc Bay - ironically - on December 7,1944, after she was hit by a kamikaze. The tug assisting with firefighting is probably USS ATR-31 The Greatest Generation Living In Solera By Dick Roppe, Resident Purple Heart

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