Don Baechle, US Navy

Don Baechle sent us some great photos when he was a sailor in World War II on board the USS Waxwing (AM-389), an Auk-class minesweeper acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. She was the only U.S. Navy ship named for the waxwing, any of several American and Asiatic songbirds which are for the most part brown and are characterized by predominant crests and velvety plumage.

 

Don also saw time on board the USS Shoveler (AM-382), an Auk-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.