Donald A. Winhold 
Fellow U.S.S. LeyteCrewman
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 19:13:55 -0400

I am the daughter of one of your fellow crew men of the U.S.S. Leyte during the explosion referenced in the paragraph below from your website:
On 16 October 1953, at 1515, while still under conversion to an antisubmarine carrier, Leyte suffered an explosion in her port catapult machinery room. Within minutes naval base and city fire trucks were on the scene. After a hard and gallant fight, the fire was extinguished at 1957. As a result of the fire, 37 men died and 28 were injured. My father's name was Donald Allen Winhold and he was stationed in that port catapult machinery room - he pulled the short straw that afternoon and was sent across deck to get the coffee when the explosion took place.  He ran back across the deck and was seriously injured trying to help his fellow crewmen out of the horrific fire. He had nightmares about that explosion and fire until his death.
My father's life was changed that day and he dedicated his life to the ministry.  The United States Congress Honored my father with a Tribute June 8th, 2004 following his passing away May 24th, 2004
                                                                    Laura Sue Gaines