Lieutenant Commander Lewis Haynes, USN
"I started out trying to go to the forward ladder to go up on the fo'c'sle deck, There was a lot of fire coming up through the deck right in front of the dentist's room. That's when I realized I couldn't go forward and turned to go aft. As I did, I slipped and fell, landing on my hands. I got third degree burns on my hands -- my palms and all the tips of my fingers. I still have the scars. I was barefooted and the soles of my feet were burned off."
[Excerpt from Lt. Comdr. Haynes' Oral History]
Western Union
Mrs. Elizabeth Dodge Haynes
A Report just received shows your husband Lieutenant Commander Lewis Leavitt Haynes USN has been wounded in action 30 July 1945. Diagnosis exhaustion from overexposure prognosis good. Your anxiety is appreciated and you will be furnished details when received. You are assured that he is receiveing the best possible medical care and I join in the wish for his speedy recovery. Communications may be addressed to him care US Base Hospital #18 Navy #926 FPO SanFrancisco California. To prevent [document ends]
