NEW YORK—Sailors and Marines lined the quarterdeck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) for a special guest welcomed aboard July 6, 2026.
“World War II veteran, arriving,” said a voice over the 1MC as former Yeoman 2nd Class Arthur Grabiner crossed the brow.
Born in 1925, the 100-year-old Grabiner was drafted immediately after high school graduation in 1944. He estimated transiting over 60,000 nautical miles in the Pacific Theater aboard Haskell-class attack transport USS Laurens (APA 153), a vessel that supported amphibious capabilities like Arlington.
Grabiner, who has lived in four of New York’s boroughs throughout his life, visited Arlington while the ship was moored in Manhattan during International Naval Review (INR) 250. He was greeted on the quarterdeck by the ship’s triad who escorted Grabiner on a personal tour.
His tour started with a review of various U.S. Marine Corps vehicles and equipment aboard Arlington. Cpl. Gavin Nelson showed Grabiner the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV 25), a fully amphibious vehicle with a 25mm Bushmaster chain gun.
“It was just a total honor to meet a World War II veteran,” said Nelson. “What we do today in the Marine Corps—we’re absolutely standing on the shoulders of those giants.”
On the next stop, Staff Sgt. Christian Bryant presented explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) equipment to Grabiner. Bryant showed him a bomb suit, explained how EOD units train using 3D-printed ordnance and had one of the EOD robots hand a piece of 3D-printed non-explosive material to the veteran.
“It was so humbling to meet him,” Bryant said. “They truly were the greatest generation.”
On the next tour stop, a craftmaster and navigator assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 described the landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) vehicles in the well deck.
“It was my first time meeting a World War II veteran,” said Quartermaster 2nd Class Dylan Stevens. “There are fewer and fewer opportunities to shake hands with someone who played a pivotal role in naval history.”
After viewing the LCACs, the tour moved topside where aviators assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 presented the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter on the flight deck. Inside the hangar bay, Grabiner met with some of Arlington’s crew who were also from New York.
“It was a great honor to speak with someone who lived through all that Naval history,” said Lt. j.g. Ethan Aube, a division officer from Riverhead, Long Island. “And now, we’ll be able to pass on that wisdom to other Sailors.”
“It’s such a powerful experience to meet someone like that,” added Lance Cpl. Evan Holman, assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (2nd LAR), from Bay Shore, Long Island. “It’s even more powerful when you learn he grew up where you grew up.”
Grabiner also met with two of Arlington’s yeomen.
“It was an absolute honor and pleasure to meet a real-life American hero,” said Yeoman 1st Class Austin Jaramillo. “This was the highlight of [the] first 10 years of my Naval career.”
“It was a very eye-opening experience,” added Yeoman 2nd Class Todrena Kimbrough. “It made me very proud to be a yeoman.”
Following a stop in the medical department, the tour concluded back at the quarterdeck, where Commanding Officer Capt. Vince Libasci presented Grabiner an official Arlington ballcap.
“INR 250 is a celebration of our maritime heritage, and there is no better way to honor our history than to recognize the brave Sailors who served before us,” said Libasci. “From the first Continental Navy to today’s global force, the Navy’s story is America’s story—and Yeoman 2nd Class Grabiner and the Sailors aboard Arlington are part of that storied tradition.”
Grabiner shared the visit brought him back to his time in the Navy.
"Welcomed aboard Arlington 81 years following the Allied Victory in WWII, I felt like a teenage Sailor again,” said Grabiner. “Bravo Zulu, Arlington. Enjoying camaraderie with today's Navy and Marine Corps, many young enough to be my grandchildren, while enthusiastically swapping stories of shared commitment to service at sea across eight decades and receiving an 'insider's' introduction to life aboard Arlington, I was tempted to rejoin the Navy, provided Capt. Libasci assign me to a top rack aboard Arlington. Anchors Aweigh!"
About Yeoman 2nd Class Grabiner: Grabiner’s service in the Pacific included the Lingayen Gulf landings in the Philippines and the Battle of Okinawa. Additionally, he participated in amphibious assaults in New Guinea, New Caledonia and the Philippines. The medals he earned include the following:
In 2025, Grabiner was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, for his exemplary patriotism and consequential contribution to American history. In 2019, he was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame in recognition of his valiant World War II Naval service plus dedication to educating and inspiring younger generations. Grabiner has also been recognized by the Philippine Consulate General in New York for his role in Allied operations in the Philippines.
At age 100, Grabiner remains active, volunteering at the Intrepid Museum in New York while sharing his wartime experiences with visitors. He also visits schools where he offers students enduring lessons about courage, perseverance, honor, freedom and patriotism. Grabiner plans to attend the 2026 Army-Navy football game this December, the day following his 101st birthday, preceded by his return to Pearl Harbor to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the attack.