Touching moment crew stand and salute dying Pearl Harbor sailor as he is granted final wish to join them on-board destroyer

  • EM2 Bud Cloud had served on USS Dewey during Second World War
  • Crew of new destroyer gave 90-year-old a hero's welcome as they welcomed veteran on ship

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 15:28 EST, 19 November 2013 | UPDATED: 15:47 EST, 19 November 2013

The crew of the USS Dewey have honored the dying wish of a Pearl Harbor survivor by allowing him on board the latest version of the destroyer he served on in the Second World War.

Electrician’s Mate Second Bud Cloud was due to begin hospice care, when his friend Jennie Haskamp reached out to the Dewey's crew and asked if he could see the ship in San Diego.

But when they arrived at the dock, the sailors carried the 90-year-old veteran on board and attentively listened as he shared his memories from the war.

Hero's welcome: EM2 Bud Cloud is saluted by the crew of USS Dewey as he visits the warship

Hero's welcome: EM2 Bud Cloud is saluted by the crew of USS Dewey as he visits the warship

Emotional: Bud Cloud had his dying wish fulfilled when he was able to board the Dewey again

Emotional: Bud Cloud had his dying wish fulfilled when he was able to board the Dewey again

It was an emotional day for Cloud. who died 13 days after going on board. For 12 of those days he spoke non-stop about the visit, according to I Drive Warships.

Even the journey to the San Diego base moved Cloud to tears as Ms Haskamp, and her friend Mandy McCammon, pulled up next to the ship earlier this year.

'He’d been oohing and pointing at the cyclic rate as we approached the pier, but when we slowed down and Mandy said, "They’re all here for you, Bud," he was overwhelmed,' she said.

 

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The day before their visit he had constantly asked if they were 'still going down to visit the boys from the Dewey,' and 'do they know I was on the Dewey, too?'

Ms Haskamp, who says she was adopted by Cloud after her first tour in the Marine Corps, had thought they would be viewing the ship from the pier - but the crew had other ideas.

When Petty Officer Simon introduced himself to Cloud, he explained that he had been given the honor of pushing the veteran's wheelchair for the day, and that they intended to bring him on board.

Once on deck, the Commanding Officer Commander Jake Douglas, and several of the crew were there to introduce themselves to Cloud.

On deck: The crew of USS Dewey with Bud Cloud and Jennie Haskamp

On deck: The crew of USS Dewey with Bud Cloud and Jennie Haskamp

They shook his hand, posed for photos and listened to stories from Cloud, who was 18 when the Japanese launched their attack on Pearl Harbor.

Cloud, who had only days left to live, could speak in only a whisper but two crew members relayed his stories to the rest of the group.

During one story, Cloud was stopped mid-sentence as one of the crew members brought a large photo of the original USS Dewey over to show him. 

'That moment was priceless,' Ms Haskamp said. 'Bud stopped mid-sentence and yelled, "There she is!" '

She said the crew continued to hold the photo up as Cloud told them about the ship's armament and details of the attack in Pearl Harbor.

The Dewey that Cloud had served on was sold in 1946. The current Dewey, the third to hold the name, was launched in 2009.

After more than an hour sharing tales of his military past, Cloud was starting to feel tired. As the crew said their good-byes GMC Eisman asked if a few of them could visit him in the hospice in a few months.

Ms Haskamp then had to explain that Cloud had less than a month to live.

WIthout pausing for thought, the crew asked if they could provide the burial honors when his time came, and then piped him ashore.

Formidable: The USS Dewey that EM2 Cloud served on during the Second World War

Formidable: The USS Dewey that EM2 Cloud served on during the Second World War

As he neared the gangplank they announced over the ship's speakers: 'Electrician's Mate Second Class William Bud Cloud, Pearl Harbor Survivor, departing.'

Cloud died 13 days after the visit. For 12 of those days he talked non stop about his time on board and of the sailors he had met.

The crew kept their word and provided burial honors for Cloud, then spent time with his family at the reception.

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By chance I was in Hawaii on the 50th anniversary of V-J and experienced the most memorable parade of WW2 Vets; with ships cruising the ocean and aircraft flying over head. Truly honored. Living in San Diego we are lucky to thank many veterans.

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This story was so humbling and moving I cried while reading and after, while telling my fiancée. What wonderful human beings these service people are to grant the dying wish of a Pearl Harbor survivor. The same goes to his 'daughter'. True love and honor

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What a wonderful story DM.!! For those who would not know this; Whenever The Ship' s Commanding Officer, departs his ship they announce it like this; ( Name of ship for The Captain) Departing"....Soooo they honored this Vet by giving him the same protocol as the Ship' s Captain, well done gentlemen! RIP, Fair winds, and following Seas...

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These are the kind of stories the American Big Media Complex will never report on because they inspire patriotism and remind us just why we are free. It is truly sad that we have to rely on the DM, a British paper of all places, for stories of our warriors. Why bother even having the 1st Amendment at this point when the press reports everything but the truth.

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This does not surprise me at all - although many would be hesitant to admit it here is a bond between all those who have served at sea that those who haven't would be hard pressed to understand. On a slightly different note - those new enlisted uniforms are UGLY

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BRAVO ZULU (Well Done) DEWEY.....

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I live 30 minutes from Downtown San Diego and none of our local newspapers or TV stations even carried this story! I just wish the public would have been told about this meeting. It would have been awesome to see Mr. Cloud get on the ship and tell all the stories. Thank you DM for posting this awesome story and THANK YOU to Mr. Cloud and all of the other military men and women past and present that fight for this crazy country we call home. RIP Bud

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Wonderful ending for a good, brave man.

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Beautiful.....much respect from my family to those who made this happen and this fine gentleman.

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DM. You finally nailed a story. I think it hit home because my dad is a vet & dying. He talks about his past & military life all the time. Bless you EM2 Bud Cloud. No doubt those were the best 12 days of your life. Bless you all on the USS Dewey. Thank you for your service.

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God bless your dad.

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