Six Days on a Raft

World War II came to a conclusion on August 14, 1945, eight days after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. The U.S.S. YMS - 472 was one vessel whose job was not complete at war's end. They were assigned to Okinawa Island with orders to sweep the area and destroy active mines. The men were already having thoughts of home, family and togetherness. The weight of the war had, finally, been lifted off of their shoulders. However, not a single one of them suspected they would soon be introduced to a new type of enemy. On September 16, 1945, thirty-three days after the war, a category 3 typhoon named "Ida" would catch the thirty-one man crew of the YMS - 472 off guard and send the ship to the bottom of the ocean. Six Days on a Raft is a true story of one man's experience on the Pacific Ocean while lost to the sea in a tiny life raft. As his comrades began to slip into the ocean around him he knew it would only be a short time before it was his turn to succumb to the elements. However, his epiphany about true faith would be the catalyst to a miracle rescue.

Bill Harrison was born in Orange, Texas on December 18, 1921. Over the years, he has told the story of his experience to thousands of people throughout the country. Currently, Bill is retired and resides in Southern California. Forrest Haggerty was born, raised and resides in Southern California. He has been a schoolteacher for fifteen years. He is also the author of the book, 43 Seconds to Hiroshima (AuthorHouse 2005).