PT boats, the navy's light, torpedo-armed patrol craft, operated famously in the Pacific during World War II. But the boats of Squadron 34, whose crew included Gunners Mate Third Class Shelton Bosley of Baltimore, saw Atlantic action on D-Day and in dozens of skirmishes near the German-controlled Channel islands.

In fact, Bosley's PT-507 fought in the war's bloodiest torpedo boat action against a convoy of eight German ships off the island of Jersey.

"I could feel something hitting me along the side of my face," recalls Bosley. "Of course I didn't stop firing my guns. A shell had come through near my turret, and splinters were hitting me along the side of my face. We lost 16 men that night and had eight wounded."

Bosley's first engagement came on D-Day, keeping German torpedo boats from the invasion fleet. Aboard that day was Hollywood director John Ford, shooting combat footage for the Navy. Afterwards, says Bosley, "We had our pictures taken and Ford gave me a nice written memento. It said, 'Thanks to the crew of PT-507. Next time I'll walk.""