Book about ship has Everett roots

I read Andrew Wineke’s Feb. 17 feature story, “Remembering the Rohna,” with personal interest.

A 1941 graduate of Everett High School, I was a soldier in Oran, Algeria on Nov. 24, 1943. My company’s gear was put on the Rohna first, then moved the next morning to the Rajula. When I crossed the Rohna’s deck, I had no inkling I was walking across a ship doomed to a watery grave.

As your article points out, the Rohna was sunk the day after Thanksgiving on Nov. 26, 1943. My ship made it safely to India, and I served until war’s end in the China-Burma-India theater.

In what was an excellent article, I would like to point to one omission: on the second page of Mr. Wineke’s article, a sidebar says that “there are two books on the sinking.” There are three. Still in print is my 1997 book, “Sinking of the Rohna. America’s Worst Troopship Loss of World War II.”

Following graduation from the University of Washington, I taught English and journalism at Fort Vancouver High School, then went on to a career as a reporter and editor at the San Francisco Examiner, and to professorships at California State schools.

My book can be ordered by writing to Don Fortune, 782 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Phone: 707-938-2585. E-mail: dfort@vom.com. Fax: 707-996-0997. The $28 cost includes shipping and handling.

Sonoma, Calif.