Adone“ Cal” Calderone is veteran of the U. S. Navy and a survivor or the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Despite being struck in the face by shrapnel as Japanese bombers rained terror on his ship, USS West Virginia, Calderone joined a group of brave men who made a daring descent into the lower decks of the battered carrier to open a flood hatch, effectively saving the ship. During the war, Calderone was a member of a Navy band that played aboard ships and onshore for servicemen and dignitaries. In his later years, Calderone enjoyed successful career in insurance and investments and went on to become executive director of the W. D. Packard Concert Band.
I decided to join the Navy on October 15, 1940. This was the tail end of the Great Depression and the Navy promised that if I enlisted and joined the musician school, after six years of service I could attend any college. That seemed like a pretty good deal at the time and a way I could use my musical talent to further my education. I learned the bass and tuba, and eventually became a conductor.
My basic training was quite short, basically enough time to get into our uniforms before we headed to the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia. By the time I graduated, it was June of 1941 and over the next several months, as a member of the USS West Virginia, I performed with one of seven Navy bands that toured and gave performances aboard ships and on various bases.
A YOUNG SAILOR, ADONE“ CAL” CALDERONE.
It just so happened the night before the Pearl Harbor attacks, December 6, 1941, I was participating in a“ Battle of the Bands” competition with members of the USS Arizona, since my own ship was on guard duty and couldn’ t participate. Following the competition and after party, I was invited to spend the night aboard the USS Arizona and head back to the USS West Virginia the following morning. I declined knowing my commanding officer would want me back early for drills. Plus, I had planned to attend Mass in the morning.
Of course had I stayed on the USS Arizona, I wouldn’ t be sharing this story now. The morning after I returned to my ship, Arizona was one of several battleships hit by Japanese bombers. The entire band and almost the entire crew aboard Arizona were killed. I was finishing breakfast when I heard the explosions. Before long, the“ wham!” of those explosions sounded closer. I realized they were attacking us on the second hit. The first hit, I thought someone rammed into us, but then there was a second. When a third torpedo hit our ship, I was struck in the face by shrapnel and suffered a concussion. After I was taken ashore to a hospital, they said,“ Do you want to stay here?” I said,“ No, I want to get back to my ship. That’ s my home.”
Outside the hospital, the street was lined with men in various conditions. The medical personnel treated whoever they could and marked men with a red pencil who couldn’ t be saved. When the doctor recommended I receive the Purple Heart, I knew it was those guys that deserved it. They’ re the ones who truly suffered. I think that’ s why it never bothered me that the Purple Heart medal never arrived.
After I received treatment, I got a shower and a new pair of shorts before I was on my way back to
12 WORLD WAR II CHRONICLES