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WWII Navy veteran honored with USS Yorktown replica model

Julian Hodges, left, and David Denny, right, pose with a replica model of the USS Yorktown built by Denny. Hodges served aboard the USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway in 1942. (Kayla Hackney/The Johnson City Press via AP)
Julian Hodges, left, and David Denny, right, pose with a replica model of the USS Yorktown built by Denny. Hodges served aboard the USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway in 1942. (Kayla Hackney/The Johnson City Press via AP)

By KAYLA HACKNEY / Johnson City Press via Associated Press 4 min read

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) – After spending most of his life near the water, Julian Hodges followed in his older brother’s footsteps and joined the Navy in 1941.

Hodges was assigned to the USS Yorktown where he worked as a fireman in the boiler room.

“It was just the natural thing to do,” said Hodges.

During his time on the USS Yorktown, 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.

During the Battle of Midway, the USS Yorktown was struck by both bombs and torpedoes.