During his time on the USS Yorktown, Julian Hodges saw the ship take damage during the Battle of Coral Sea in May 1942 and was injured when the ship was attacked and eventually sunk during the Battle of Midway in June 1942.
Julian Hodges, who celebrated his 99th birthday on Saturday, has shared the story of his service many times, including with his neighbor, David Denny, who built a replica model of the USS Yorktown and included a special tribute to him on it.