Birth Place: Cherry Creek, Buffalo, Nebraska - Parents: Vincent J. & Myrtle

Vincent "Jim" Vlach enlisted in the Navy 12 June 1937 at Omaha. After completion of training and Class A School at San Diego, was assigned to USS ARIZONA (BB-39) and reported 30 August 1937. Left Navy 11 January 1941 but reenlisted 6 February 1941 since draft board was getting close. Requested ARIZONA and reported 4 April 1941.

Married Jeanne C. Norton 2 March 1940. One month later, 2 April 1940, ARIZONA and other West Coast Fleet Units departed for the Hawaiian area for Fleet Problem XXI. This was to be a six week event but was extended to six months due to the international situation. ARIZONA then left for a few days in the home port of San Pedro and then to Bremerton, WA for repairs. This six months in the Hawaiian area and then a few months on the West Coast became the pattern.

In August 1941, the Vlachs decided Jeanne should travel, at their expense, to Hawaii. However, Jim found that the ARIZONA was due to return to the mainland about mid-December 1941. He obtained permission to go ashore to send a telegram notifying her not to come out. As he entered the door to MacKay Radio Station, he changed his mind and sent "Come on Out. Love Jimmie." This decision did not make sense in view of available information; however, it meant the difference between life and death for Jim. If not sent, he would have been on board and would have been at his battle station in the 16" thick conning tower where all were cooked. "The Telegram That Saved A Life".

Jeanne arrived September 3, 1941 on SS MATSONIA. As a result, Jim was ashore the morning of 7 December 1941 when the Japanese started their attack on Pearl Harbor at approximately 0755. By the time Vlach and four others from the ship arrived at the Navy Yard shortly after 0900, they were not permitted to return to the ship. Abandon ship was in progress.

Vlach was involved in preparing casualty and muster roll reports and was among those retained with the "Vessels in Ordinary, USS ARIZONA detail" to close out the ship. Some of our personnel were involved in salvage work on our sunken ship. This ended on 30 March 1942 when the "close out detail" was transferred to USS UTAH (another ship that had been sunk). The transfer to UTAH was the signal to Base Force that we were available for reassignment.

Shortly after the attack, dependents were issued gas masks, assigned to bomb shelters, etc. Most were processed for evacuation to the mainland. Jeanne took a job with Army censorship and remained on the island of Oahu.

Vlach was transferred 12 April 1942 to Commander Cruisers Scouting Force to assist in expediting repairs for cruisers severely damaged in holding the line against the Japanese. In June 1942 this group was merged into Commander Service Force (Material Section).

Vlach was appointed Chief Yeoman (Acting) on 1 October 1942 and received his permanent appointment in that rating one year later. On 15 October 1943 he was appointed by the President as Ensign for temporary duty and was transferred to USS GAMBIER BAY (CVE 73) for commissioning of the ship and duty.

Vlach was detached from GAMBIER BAY in March 1944 to report to the Staff of Fleet Admiral Nimitz for duty on Guam when captured. The GAMBIER BAY was sunk 25 October 1944 by Japanese surface forces during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Jeanne Vlach was evacuated from Oahu to the mainland when her husband was transferred to the GAMBIER BAY.

After Japan Surrendered, Vlach was assigned to the office of Chief of Naval Operation, Washington, DC.; Executive Officer at Headquarters Command, ComNavMarianas; Surface Anti Submarine Development Detachment and Flag Secretary and Aide on the staff of Commander Amphibious Group Three. The flag shifted between USS ELDORADO and USS ESTES and participated in the Dew Line resupply, PacTraEx 57L in the Philippines area and many other exercises. His last assignment before retiring from the Navy was on the Joint Staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific as Administrative Officer in the Intelligence section. He retired 31 May 1960 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Following that, he was employed by North American Aviation (taken over by Rockwell) for 23 years.

He resides with his wife Jeanne at a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Riverside, CA.

(Webmaster's note: His wife Jeanne has since passed away in 2001.)

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