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Donald M. Sweeney’s Bio.

Mr. Walker,

Thank you for helping to get my father, Donald M. Sweeney, added to the Atule’s Sailing List on the Atule website, Dad served on the Atule as a Torpedoman’s Mate 3^rd class during WWII. He said he joined the crew in the Marshall Islands; however he is not sure of the exact date.

As you can see in the enclosed CD photos/images, his service dates were from March 25, 1943 to February 10, 1946. He apparently joined the Atule from the USS Bushnell sometime after May 1, 1944 as evidenced from the date on one of his “golden Dragon” cards. He stayed with the sub until the end of the war, and then returned to homeport.

He was born July 20, 1924 and is still living today in Chebanse, IL, where he has made his home for the past 46 years. Don and his wife of 56 years, Zita, have 13 children, 40, grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Mom died last January. He worked fro 38 years for the Roper Corporation, Appliance Division, in Kankakee, IL.

The enclosed CD contains scanned copies of several of his Navy papers, and photos. We believe some of the photos are from Pearl Harbor, and some might be from New London. Dad said he was on periscope watch when the Japanese ship was spotted and sunk with a torpedo. As the story goes, for a reward he got to choose whatever he wanted for the dinner that night. When he asked for macaroni & cheese, the cook replied, “I’ll fix you macaroni & cheese, but everybody else is getting steak.” The cook was afraid he would have a riot on his hands.

Sincerely,

Sherman Sweeney

Son of Donald M. Sweeney, TM3(SS)