The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • Page 205

K2 Orlando Sentinel SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2001 Family recalls crew's heroism during attack '-II II I l'T I y-Mlll "JO Seminole County families today and everyday remember the sacrifices made by military veterans in times of war. Teri Patterson, a regular contributor of her family's stories to Seminole's Past, is the grandniece of Oliver Miller one of the survivors when the Japanese sank the USS Lexington during World War II. Today, she tells the story of a Sanford mother waiting to hear from her son, Joseph Oliver Miller a pharmacist mate, first class, aboard the Lexington. Miller, writes Patterson in Veterans Day tribute, "survived the hell of bullets, shells, bombs and fire of the sunken aircraft carrier" and "lived to tell a tale of harrowing experiences." In early May 1942, news reached Sanford that the Lexington had been lost at the Battle of Coral Sea. Days would pass without word about the crew.

The Lexington, one of three American aircraft carriers that remained after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, had been at sea on Dec. 7, 1941. By late spring 1942, it was seeking Japanese ships in the Pacific. Patterson writes that on May 7, carrier aircraft from the Lexington and the USS Yorktown sank the Shoho. A day later, U.S.

aircraft damaged the Japanese carrier Shokaku. But a simultaneous Japanese attack hit the Yorktown, which would survive to fight in June at the Battle of Midway, and two Japanese torpedoes struck the Lexington's port side "directly abreast the bridge. "At the same time, she took i U.S. NAVY ARCHIVES who fled the burning aircraft carrier after its captain ordered it abandoned. Seminole's PAST JIM ROB1SON three bomb hits from enemy dive bombers, producing a 7-degree list to port and several raging fires," Patterson writes.

"Her skilled damage control parties managed to bring the fires under control and returned the ship to even keel; making 25 knots, she was ready to recover her air group. Then suddenly Lexington was shaken by a tremendous explosion, caused by the ignition of gasoline vapors below, and again fire raged out of control." Patterson quotes from a letter from Bill Morrill of Orlando, one survivor who witnessed the sinking of the Lexington: "They all came at the Lady Lex," Morrill writes. "The dive bombers and torpedo planes hit at the same time. Right quick we felt the hits. The big 'girl' jumped time after time as she took torps in the port side and three or four big bombs.

Even those that hit in the water nearby have a terrific concussion. "I was so scared I could hardly move. I didn't mind the scrap, because we were getting used to them, but the thought of getting trapped down below where I couldn't fight back had me ready to run. Only there wasn't tact. The U.S.

stopped a Japanese attempt to capture Port Moresby on New Guinea. A Japanese air base there would have threatened Australia and supported plans for further expansion into the South Pacific. In the battle, the Japanese lost the light carrier Shoho and the U.S. lost the Lexington. The fighting kept the Shoho and another Japanese carrier out of what would be Japan's defeat in the Battle of Midway the turning point in the war in the Pacific.

More about the Lexington can be found at www.chinfo.navy.milnavpalib WWII, he developed a substance-abuse problem. He willingly reported this to his superiors. He was honorably discharged from the Navy, as a chief petty officer. As a civilian, he still found it difficult to adjust." He had married Hazel Odom while in the Navy. From 1965 until she retired in 1992, she owned and operated the Lake Mary Beauty Salon.

Oliver Miller died 1991. His grave is in the Miller section of the Lake View Cemetery, founded by his grandfather, Theo J. Oliver's father, Dr. Joseph Oliver Miller, graduated from the United States Naval College. He was an assistant surgeon in the Navy during the Taft administration, serving as a lieutenant colonel in World War I.

After a stroke ended his military career, he opened the Seminole Pharmaceutical Co. in downtown Lake Mary's Evans building. Jim Robison can be reached at jrobisonorlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5137. Survived 'harrowing any place to run." His letter continues: "Well, we put out the fires and moved the wounded and dead out of the way and got the ship counter-flooded and got some more ammunition up on deck for a return match. They didn't damage the engines much and we were able to take on our planes for refuel and rearm.

"Then an explosion just seemed to lift the ship right out of the water. That high-octane aviation gasoline had leaked out one of the voids and caught fire from some electric spark. And then all hell broke loose. The paint started burning on the bulkheads and overheads and ammunition started exploding. Even the incendiary magnesium bombs started going and throwing their white heat into the rest of the mess.

"About the only thing that we had to fight the fire with was salt water, and you can imagine what good that did." Morrill's letter ends with, "I was down below when one of the magazines blew up and, if I hadn't had my gas mask and flashlight, I never could have Business for government and aviation, is acquiring Mike Quinn Equipment, a fueling underground site and utilities subcontractor based in Titusville. A full acquisition could occur next year, said Global President Scott Ronning. "We are familiarizing each other with projects," Ronning said. "We can provide capital, assets, manpower and guidance to Mike Quinn Equipment, and they provide a quality subcontractor to us." Under the agreement, three key people from Mike Quinn, including a principal co-owner, have become Global employees. Global and Mike Quinn are working on a $4 million runway renovation project at the Orlando Executive Airport.

Special Olympics facility Roger B. Kennedy a general contracting firm in Altamonte Springs, recently completed the $1.2 million, don't know when I will be transferred or where, but I shall let you know when I hear." He continued, "When I arrived in the states, I was so sure my leave period would be long enough to allow me a visit home. To my great disappointment, the period which was granted is not long enough to allow me over two or three days'. By the time I reached home, it would be time to start back. "I'll just have to wait until later on after all, there's still a war going on, and Uncle Sam can't be troubled looking out for the personal conveniences of all his fighting men.

"I think you will understand, Mother." Miller family footnote: Oliver Miller, twin brother of Patterson's grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Miller Vihlen, remained in the Navy for 14 years. Patterson writes: "He had difficulty adjusting after experiencing the stresses of war. As a pharmacist mate, he had easy access to prescription drugs. Several years after dling the electrical contract on the 29-story Cap Ferrat Condominium in Naples under a contract with Gulf Bay Construction. The condominium complex is scheduled for completion in fall 2002.

Housing market shifts Despite economic woes nationwide, ERA Breese, Craft, Hensley and Associates Real Estate reported record sales in October for its three offices. Rob Breese, a partner in the firm, said sales through its Altamonte Springs, Winter Park and Mount Dora offices totaled more than $10 million. The Altamonte Springs office reported sales of more than $5 million for the month. That was an increase of 36 percent over October 2000. Mount Dora sales topped $4 million; Winter Park exceeded $1 million.

While homes priced from $75,000 to $250,000 are selling, the market for more expensive dwellings seems to be A Sanford man was among those gotten out. We abandoned ship. I was so tired I could hardly stand and how I ever stayed afloat for two and a half hours I'll never know. I never got near a raft." The captain, F.C. Sherman, ordered the crew to the deck and gave orders to abandon ship.

Sherman and his executive officer, Cmdr. M.T. Seligman, were the last aboard. Nearby cruisers and destroyers rescued the survivors from the warm water. Patterson writes that the fires on the Lexington shot hundreds of feet into the air.

"The destroyer USS Phelps closed to 1,500 yards, fired two torpedoes into the carrier's hull and, with one last heavy explosion, Lexington slid beneath the waves," Patterson writes. At home, Oliver Miller's mother opened the long-awaited letter from her son. "I suppose you were rather surprised to hear of my ship going down. I left the ship going down with only a dirty face no injuries, no scratches or nothing, not even any clothes. I Briefcase Special Olympics Florida headquarters next to the National Training Center on the South Lake Hospital campus in Clermont.

The facility is part of the 150-acre National Training Center and features an Olympic-size pool, multipurpose field house, bike loop, 10 acres of sports fields, a sports science testing facility, medical office buildings, community education rooms and dining and housing accommodations. Special Olympics Florida serves about 15,000 athletes. Encompass Electrical Encompass Electrical Technologies-Florida LLC of Altamonte Springs recently completed electrical work on The Villages Charter School Early Childhood Center in Lady Lake. The Haskell Co. built the building, which opened in September.

Meanwhile, the Fort Myers division of Encompass is han- $3 million in revenue last year, he said, but the economic slowdown this year has taken its toll. Last week, it dismissed two designers. "The hospitality industry, such as restaurants and hotels, are at a screeching halt," he said. Shahnami said he is still optimistic. "The economy is going to pick up," he said.

Rene Stutzman can be reached at rstutzmani3orlandosentinel.com or should put downtown Longwood on right path The Lexington's role Dec. 7, 1941: Japanese Imperial Navy's carrier aircraft launches devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and on military and air installations in the area. The USS Lexington, then at sea about 425 miles southeast of Midway, was one of three American aircraft carriers of the Pacific Fleet that were not at Pearl Harbor. May 7-8, 1942: Battle of the Coral Sea, fought southwest of Solomon Islands and eastward from New Guinea, was the first of the Pacific's six fights between opposing carrier forces and the first in naval history fought without the opposing ships making con Entry way Longwood is on the way to getting a clear identity for its downtown historic district with the goal of attracting more businesses. Seminole County recently gave the vacant post office building on County Road 427 and Church Street to the city.

That allowed the City Commission to approve demolition of the building and clear land for a proposed entryway into the historic district. Dix-Nance an architectural and consulting firm with an office in the district, is working on a master plan for the entryway that could be completed by the end of the year. "The plan will go into the city's work plan, and we will seek public input before moving forward," City Manager John Drago said. Jeff Dix of Dix-Nance said three entryways are in the plan. Two are off C.R.

427, one near Church Street and another near Bay Avenue. A third would be at shrinking, Breese said. "It seems fewer corporations are relocating people since the Sept. 11 tragedy," he said. Landscapes see green Dora Landscaping Co.

in Apopka was recently awarded four commercial landscaping and irrigation contracts worth more than $2 million. Company President James Oyler said the contracts include Lake Sherwood Apartments in west Orlando, the Marriott Residence Inn at SeaWorld, the Marriott Hotel at Heathrow and Lansbrook Apartments in Tampa. The company also renewed its landscape-maintenance contract with Orlando International Airport for the fifth consecutive year. Oyler predicted 10 percent growth in 2001. Compiled by Sentinel correspondent Joe Van Leer, who can be reached at joevleeraol.com or 407-464-0476.

State Road 434 and Wilma Street. The improvements will include landscaping, atmospheric lighting and benches. Community center rising Meanwhile, the block walls are up for the long-awaited Longwood community center on Warren Avenue and Wilma Street, across from City Hall. The installation of the roof truss is next, Drago said. Construction is a week behind because of occasional rainy weather, Drago said.

Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The $1.5 million, center will accommodate 200 people for social and professional gatherings. There also will be meeting rooms and a storage area. A gradual acquisition Global Construction Managers Inc. in Sanford, a firm specializing in facility construction the heating and cooling systems in some campus buildings, thanks to a $1.5 million federal grant.

"We saved the state about $100,000 a year in energy costs," Shahnami said. That design, since adopted at the University of Florida and Florida State University, prompted then-Gov. Bob Martinez to pick Shahnami as engineer of the year. It also won him the recognition of Florida Tax Watch. After leaving UCF, Shahnami became assistant operations UCF's energy-saving design kick-started his job SHAHNAMI FROM Kl utation is very important for us," Shahnami said.

Shahnami was born in Iran but has lived in the United States most of his life. He attended Valencia Community College in Orlando, then transferred to the University of Miami, where he graduated in 1978 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked at UCF from 1982 to 1994. While there, he came up with an innovative energy-saving design and refitted manager at the Orange County Convention Center, in charge of maintenance, heating and air-conditioning and building services. He co-founded SGM from his home in 1991, when he was still at UCF.

In 1994, he and two partners opened an office in Altamonte Springs, and the business really took off in 1997, when Shahnami left the Orange County Convention Center staff. He and co-founder Victor Guykhman are still at the company. Shahnami is president. The company generated 1 "1 Chow Hound. Read Scott Joseph's column, Chow I lound, with reviews of area restaurant.

Chow Hound. Fridays in Calendar..