The original battle flag of the USS Croaker will be unveiled in ceremonies celebrating the World War II vessel’s 71st anniversary at 11 a.m. Thursday in Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park.
The flag bears Japanese rising sun insignias representing the ships the Croaker sank in its fifth patrol during the war. In all, the Croaker made six patrols and sank 13 Japanese vessels.
The battle flag was donated by the family of former crew member Yeoman Second Class Petty Officer Stewart A. Nichols, along with previously unknown photographs of the ship taken during the war. The flag will be on permanent display in the Croaker’s enlisted berthing compartment.
The flag bears Japanese rising sun insignias representing the ships the Croaker sank in its fifth patrol during the war. In all, the Croaker made six patrols and sank 13 Japanese vessels.
The battle flag was donated by the family of former crew member Yeoman Second Class Petty Officer Stewart A. Nichols, along with previously unknown photographs of the ship taken during the war. The flag will be on permanent display in the Croaker’s enlisted berthing compartment.