Born on the Fourth of July: Veteran remembers service

Wilbur Lane came into the world July 4, 1921 and is one of a handful of remaining World War II veterans who served on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, which entered the war Dec.7, 1941 when her planes found the Japanese squadrons attacking Pearl Harbor.
“It was the most decorated ship of WWII, called The Galloping Ghost because (the Japanese) couldn’t find us,” Lane said from his home in Dayton. “Every time they bombed us, they’d announce it on the radio in Japan.”
Lane served as a rigger, maintaining the parts of the squadron’s fleet of planes that related to “tires, wheels, brakes,” and bi-planes were used at first. During one battle, as the Enterprise was intermittently fired on, Lane would leave cover, run to a plane he was working on, and resumed sewing the aileron, the hinged flight control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft, which at that time, were made of fabric. Once the fighting resumed, he’d take cover.
These skills kept the air fleet running, aiding the Enterprise in becoming the most decorated vessel of WWII and played a prominent role in winning the Pacific War.
“I was 18 when I joined the Navy … a lot of us joined, it was during The Depression and we came from the country and hills and had a lot of mechanical skills and knew how to fix things,” Lane said of himself and those who served with him.
Lane had grown up in Calpella, Calif., outside Ukiah in what was called “Little Italy.” It was his uncle’s idea that he joined, with the idea that if Lane served 20 years, he could retire. Lane remained in the military 27 years.
“I don’t know what else I would have done (in my life),” he said. “Many joined to have three meals and I know I was always hungry, never complained about the food, but our best breakfasts were on Saturday – French toast with Navy beans.”
During his time on the Enterprise, there was one young man who always helped Lane. “I could always rely on a guy to help me – called him Long and never knew his first name so we called him Huey (after the popular cartoon of the day).”
Another was a “little guy named Reams, Jack Reams,” Lane said. (Note: correct spelling unknown.) He followed Lane wherever he went, even when Enterprise was under attack.
"I think he thought I knew what I was doing … I was just trying to find cover,” Lane said.
Lane recounts numerous stories of hunting Japanese and being under attack, about the valor and bravery of the men from all branches of service he had contact with. When asked about his feelings about the death and devastation he saw, Lane is matter-of-fact.
“We didn’t really pay attention … we had a job to do and this was a very committed bunch,” he said. “You know we didn’t know one day from another, except Sunday … we knew it was Sunday because people would meet downstairs for services.”
One such occasion, the men were served cold cut sandwiches for lunch – an uncommon treat – and when they returned to quarters that night, the turkey dinner that was served informed them this day was Thanksgiving.
Now at 91, on the day that celebrates the nation’s independence, Lane is humble in acknowledging his role he’s played. And he does have concern.
“It’s a kick in the butt that I can’t find a small (United States) flag that’s not made in China,” he said. “Wouldn’t be so bad if it came from Taiwan, even … China’s taking over and the number one thing we need to do is get out of (there).”
He is also concerned the younger generations have been raised with a lack of respect and is in amazement over the violence in schools.
“Heck, we used to take knives to school and played Mumbly Peg (a knife game) with them,” he said. “Never thought to stab someone.”
As far as supporting our veterans, Lane says there are many ways and he donates each year to the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“They have the statue of The Lonesome Sailor,” he said, chuckling. “I never saw a lonesome sailor and I was never a lonesome sailor.”
The Enterprise left the war following a Kamikaze attack off Kyushu, Japan that left a hole in the flight deck. Her record exceeded that of any warship in history. She steamed 275,000 miles, recorded, 54,000 landings while pursuing the enemy, was engaged in all but two of the 20 major actions of the Pacific war and her planes and guns dropped 911 enemy aircraft, sank 75 ships and sank or damaged an additional 192. She was hit 16 times and lost 381 of her crew.
Lane was there for all of it.
Happy Fourth of July and happy birthday.