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The Lambert family loved the Navy. Now is the time to devote a page to VG's cousin, Lieutenant Commander George "Beppo" Lambert.
George was a star football player and boxer at U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated class of 1935.
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George strode out of Louisiana to satisfy his dreams at Annapolis. He was a friendly young man, staying in his room only when required to be there. Wherever he went, one would find a laughing group exchanging stories. His social activities were legendary.
For the serious moments, there was the beautiful Academy Chapel.
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U.S. Naval Academy Chapel
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George served five years aboard the PENNSYLVANIA until 1940 when he returned to coach football at Annapolis.
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When the war began, George was made Gunnery Officer of the destroyer EDISON and guarded Atlantic convoys for a year.
Then he was promoted to Executive Officer on the destroyer BUCK DD420 which supported the invasions of Italy and guarded convoys in the Mediterranean.
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On Aug. 3, 1943 the BUCK sank the Italian submarine ARGENTO off Sicily and rescued 46 of her crew. This scene shows George and other officers interrogating captured crewmembers who were happy with their treatment and seemed glad the war was over for them.
The Captain's report on the nail-biting action is found at: http://www.ussbuck.com/action.html
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George Lambert in center facing the camera
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Two months later on the night of October 9th, the BUCK was chasing the German submarine U-616 at high speed near Salerno. In desperation the fleeing sub fired a new secret weapon - an acoustic homing torpedo - from a rear tube. A direct hit near the bow sank the BUCK in four minutes, killing 166 of the 260 men onboard.
Captain Klein and Executive Officer George Lambert went down with the ship.
George was survived by his widow, Marie Louise. When V.G. heard the news, he clenched his lantern jaw and redoubled his efforts to fly in a combat zone.
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George Lambert stands behind Captain Millard J. Klein
aboard the BUCK
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