Local sailor tells story of Japan tsunami - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) -- The world was shocked last year when an earthquake in the Pacific created a monster tsunami, devastating Japan's eastern seaboard.

Many Americans went to the rescue, one of those was Naval officer Daniel Kimball.

Daniel was stationed in Misawa on March 11th, 2011 when an earthquake with a 9.0 magnitude swept through Eastern Japan.

Kimball says, "Probably the most devastating part of the earthquake wasn't the earthquake and the grounds shaking but the tsunami and how big that wave was when it came in."

Aside from massive clean-up efforts and devastation...being part of the Navy has proven to be an adventure.

Kimball explains, "I've been stationed in Scotland, Italy twice, England and Japan for the last three years. Oh and Nebraska"

He holds picture books full of the 21-years of his memories while serving in the Navy and recounts the opportunities to learn another culture, already given to his wife and two children.

"Both of them played hockey with the Japanese so they had to learn with their eyes because of the language barrier."

Officer Kimball plans to continue his career in the Navy and will soon be moving to New Hampshire where he will be serving as the leading Chief Petty Officer at the Ports Smith Base.