The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 720 of Knox, PA shined its spotlight on World War II Navy veteran, Mr. Jack Ditty. Mr. Ditty entered the navy in 1937 and was schooled as third-class diver at New Port, Rhode Island Training Station and served on a heavy cruiser, the USS Witcha as Chief Turret Captain. The third-class diver training earned him an extra $15.00 a month on top of his base pay. Each ship had three divers, qualified at 80 feet. Their job was to retrieve the anchor chain when it broke by attaching a cable so it could be lifted up.

During his eleven years with the US Navy, Mr. Ditty traveled through the Panama Canal, and to various ports in Russia, Scotland, Africa and northern Alaska. In the Pacific, he traveled to Guadalcanal and Pearl Harbor. Mr. Ditty reluctantly left the Navy in 1948 due to his wife becoming ill.

Mr. Ditty is a long time member of the SPC Ross A. McGinnis VFW Post 2145 and the American Legion Post 720 both in western Pennsylvania.

Jack will be celebrating his 92nd birthday on May 18 with family and friends. Anyone wishing to send him birthday best wishes may do so in care of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 720, PO Box 216, Knox PA 16232.