The following biographies are part of the original Natoma Bay BIOGRAPHY Logbook Project created in the 1970s and 1980s by John J. CAPTAIN HAROLD LETCHER MEADOW UNITED STATES NAVY Sassano, historian and Bob Wall, editor.

The current document attempts to recreate, in electronic form, that original LOGBOOK of the Natoma Bay Association. I have tried to retain the exact formatting of the original paper version. Minor modifications were made when the modern word processor refused to reproduce the original typewritten format.

Large print and online versions of the logbook are available at: http://natomabaycve62.org/logbook/LBindex.html

Lucinda DeWitt (daughter of John W. DeWitt, Jr.) June 2009 Minneapolis, MN 55407

Please send any comments/corrections/updates to: DeWitt DeConstruction 2021 East 34th Street Minneapolis, MN 55407 [email protected] Captain Harold Letcher Meadow was born in Danielsville, Georgia, on February 16, 1901 He prepared for the Naval Academy at the Columbian Preparatory School in Washington, D.C. He entered from Georgia in 1917 and graduated with the class of 1921. The first five years after his graduation he had duty on the U.S.S. OKLAHOMA, U.S.S. STEWART, and the U.S.S. MEREDITH and in the Asiatic Station on the U.S.S. BORIE and the U.S.S. NEW MEXICO. He was attached to Flagship Division Four, Atlantic Fleet.

Bio #1. Page #1. He completed flight training at Pensacola, Florida, in February 1926, and served on the , U.S.S. CONCORD, until October 1927, when he was assigned to recruiting duty in Richmond, Virginia. He returned to Pensacola in August, 1929 and was designated Naval Aviator in March 1930. He had duty in Scouting Squadron Five attached first to the U.S.S. MARBLEHEAD, later to the U.S.S. MEMPHIS In July 1932 he was ordered to duty in the Naval Air Station, , Virginia, and in June 1935, he returned to sea with duty as Aide and Flag Secretary, on Staff Commander, Aircraft Battle Force. He served as Executive Officer of Fighting Squadron 2B based on the U.S.S. RANGER from June 1936 until June 1937 when he assumed command of bombing Squadron Two, based on the carrier U.S.S. LEXINGTON.

He served at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola from June 1938 until October 1940, when he was ordered to the Shipbuilding Co. Camden, New Jersey, to assist with outfitting a vessel. He went aboard when she was commissioned and served consecutively as Navigator, Executive Officer and in Command.

Captain Meadow was assigned to Command the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY- CVE-62 which was commissioned October 14, 1943. He served as Commanding Officer on board the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY during campaigns in the Marshall Island, Kavieng, Emirau, Hollandia and Saipan. Captain Meadow was relieved of duty aboard the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY by Captain Albert K. Morehouse on August 7, 1944. Further duties and awards given Captain Meadows were not available to complete this biography

Bio. #1 Page #2. AUTOBIOGRAPHY

REAR ADMIRAL ALBERT K. MOREHOUSE UNITED STATES NAVY

Albert Kellogg Morehouse was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 29, 1900. He served during World War I with the New York (Federal) Nation- al Guard, May 1917 - June 1918, when he was honorably discharge to accept an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, from the Fifth District of his native State. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on

Auto-bio. #2 Page #1. June 2, 1922, he subsequently advanced In June 1937 he assumed command of the in rank, attaining that of Rear Admiral seaplane tender SANDPIPER and from June March 1, 1950. of 1939 until June 1940 was in command of Fighting Squadron FOUR, based on the Following graduation from the Naval USS RANGER. That squadron, under his Academy in 1922, he served on board the command, participated in the exhibitions USS MARYLAND until July 1924, inter- at the National Air Races in Cleveland, spersed with six months' instruction in Ohio, in September 1939. torpedoes, January-June 1923, at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode After an assignment at the Naval Island. Ordered to the Naval Air Station Air Station, San Diego, California, Pensacola, Florida, he had flight train- which extended to March 1941, he had ing and on March 16, 1925 was designated brief duty in the Office of the Chief Naval Aviator. of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. , prior to reporting He was assigned to Aircraft Squad- in August as Assistant Naval Attache rons, Battle Fleet in July 1925 and in and Assistant Naval Attache for Air at October of that year joined Observation the American Embassy, London, England. Squadron ONE, based first on the air- His designation was changed to Special craft carrier LANGLEY and later served Naval Observer on September 9, 1941, as aviation unit of the USS WEST VIRGINIA. and he was detached on December 2l, In July 1927 he, was transferred to shortly after the United States entered Fighting Squadron ONE, based on the World War II, to return to the Office LANGLEY. During that period, he was award- of the Chief of Naval Operations. ed the Silver Life Saving Medal by the United States Treasury Department and He served in the Bureau of received a Letter of Commendation from Aeronautics, Navy Department, from the Secretary of Navy for the attempted February 1942 until April 20, 1943, when rescue of a pilot and the rescue of a he was detached for sea duty. He proceeded radio operator after a plane crash in to the Twelfth Naval District, San Hawaiian waters in 1928. Returning to Francisco, California, reporting to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, he Headquarters on May 18, and assumed was an Instructor there from July 1928 until command of the seaplane tender CHANDELEUR May 1931. on May 21, 1943. In November of that year he was detached and assigned to He next served with Fighting the staff of Commander Aircraft, South Squadron FIVE-B, based on the aircraft Pacific Force, as Plans Officer. carrier LEXINGTON, and in July 1932 transferred to Scouting Squadron TWO-B, For meritorious service in the based on the USS SARATOGA. The three above assignment, which extended to succeedings years, June 1934-May 1937 he May 1944, he was awarded the Bronze was in command of the Naval Reserve Star Medal and cited in part as follows: Aviation Base, Opa Locka (Miami), Florida. During this period (November 20, 1943 to May 1, 1944) he supervised and directed Auto-Bio #2 Page #2. Auto-Bio #2 Page #3 the preparation of the master plans for the Presidential Unit Citation awarded air operations in the occupation and the USS SANGAMON. In October 1945 he development of bases on the strategically became Commanding Officer of the Naval located Green and Emirau Islands. On Air Station, Miami, Florida, and in several occasions he served as Chief of January 1947 reported as Chief of staff Staff, performing these duties in a high- and Aide to the Chief of Naval Air ly efficient manner ... " Advanced Training, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. He assumed Following temporary duty with Fleet command of the USS MIDWAY in August 1947 Air, West Coast, San Diego, California, he and while under his command that aircraft commanded the USS NATOMA BAY CVE-62, carrier operated in the Atlantic and August 7, 1944 to March 1, 1945, during later in the Pacific. which period that carrier escort engaged in the Marianas operations. He was award- In April 1948 he reported as Chief ed the Navy Cross for "distinguishing of Staff to the Commander Air Force, himself by extraordinary heroism as U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and continued to Commanding Officer of the USS NATOMA BAY ... serve in that assignment until May 1950, in the Battle of Samar Island between when he became Chief of Staff and Aide to the three groups of escort aircraft carriers Commander Naval Forces, Far East. and major units of the Japanese Fleet, "For exceptionally meritorious service ... consisting of battleships, and (in the latter capacity) from June 25, destroyers on October 25, 1944. He 1950 to January1,1951 . . ." he was awarded handled his ship at all times in a highly a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Legion expert and seamanlike manner ... " of Merit with Combat "V". The citation further states in part: He was also awarded a Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and is entitled to "Discharging his many responsibil- the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of the ities with great diligence and ability, Presidential Unit Citation awarded the Rear Admiral Morehouse directed USS NATOMA BAY. The citation for the coordination of the naval effort from the Legion of Merit is quoted in part as commencement of hostilities in Korea. follows: "For exceptionally meritorious laboring tirelessly to effect liason conduct as Commanding Officer of the USS between all organizations involved during NATOMA BAY in action against enemy Japan- a crucial period when his efforts were ese forces during the landing of our vital to organizing the tremendously ex- troops at Leyte, Mindoro, Lingayen Gulf panded Naval Force in the Far East. As and Zambales, from October 12, 1944 to personal representative of his Commander, February 5, 1945 ... " he made frequent visits to combatant elements in Korea and adjacent waters to On March 4, 1945, he reported as give first hand knowledge of their cir- Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander cumstances and requirements. His unusual of Carrier Division FOUR. He is entitled professional ability and application to to the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of Auto-Bio. #2 Auto-Bio #2 Page #5 Page #4. his demanding duties were responsible for the smooth functioning of the staff of Commander Naval Forces, Far East, while his judgement and initiative materially contributed to the success of the Korean effort..."

He became Chief of Naval Air Advanced Training, with headquarters at the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, in July 1951 and in May 1953 reported as Commander Carrier Division FOUR Design- ated in July 1954, Commander Fleet Air, Alameda (California), he continued to serve in that capacity until September of that year, when he transferred to command of Naval Forces, Continental Air Defense Command.

Rear Admiral Morehouse died of a heart attack on December 18, 1955, at Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was buried on December 21, that year, in Arlington (Virginia) National Cemetery.

In addition to the Navy Cross, the Legion of Merit with Gold Star and Combat "V", the Bronze Star Medal, the President- ial Unit Citation Ribbon with two stars, and the Silver Life Saving Medal, Rear Admiral Morehouse had the Victory Medal (World War I); the American Defense Service Medal, Base Clasp; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Cam- paign Medal with four engagement stars, the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal; the United Nations Service Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars.

Auto-Bio Page #6 BIOGRAPHY Following graduation from the Naval Academy in June 1924, he was assigned to the U.S.S. CAPTAIN BROMFIELD B. NICHOL MISSISSIPPI, and before his detachment in UNITED STATES NAVY January 1926 had duty as Gunnery Officer of that battleship. He was a student aviator at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, during the next year, being designated Naval Aviator in December 1926. He served with Scouting Squadron l and Torpedo Squadron 9 of Aircraft Squadrons, Scouting Fleet, attached to the U.S.S. WRIGHT from January 1927 to June 1929, and for two years thereafter was assigned to the Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia, as a flight instructor.

In June 1931 he joined Scouting Squadron 10 attached to the U.S.S. LOUISVILLE and, detached three years later, returned to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, to served until April 1937 as Chief Flight Instructor and Squadron Executive Officer. From May of that year until January 1938 he was aboard the carrier U.S.S. ENTERPRISE as Flight Operations Officer of Bombing Squadron 6. He was Flag Secretary on the Staff of Commander Carrier Division ONE and Carrier Division TWO, and later Commander Aircraft Battle Force, still attached to the carrier U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, flagship from January 1938 to January 1942.

During the first ten months of the United States' participation in World War II, he served as Bromfield Bradford Nichol was born in Tactical Officer and Assistant for operations New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 18, 1904, in various carrier task forces, under Admirals son of Robert Wharton and Mamie Lee (Ridley) Halsey, Spruance, and Kinkaid. He was awarded Nichol. He was reared near Nashville, the Silver Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu Tennessee, and attended grade school and of the second like award, with citations which Montgomery-Bell Academy in Nashville. He follow, in part: entered the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, in 1920, and was graduated and Silver Star Medal: "For conspicuous commissioned Ensign on June 5, 1924. gallantry and intrepidity while serving on Through subsequent promotions, he attained the staff of the Task Force Commander, during the rank of Captain June 1, 1943. a series of highly successful offensive missions including the attacks on the Marshall Bio #3 page #1 Bio #3 page #2 and Gilbert Islands, the raids on Wake and "exceptionally meritorious conduct (in that Marcus Islands, the Battle of Midway and command) during operations against enemy similar operations in the central Pacific, Japanese forces at Iwo Jima and Okinawa from covering a period from December 6, 1941 to March 1 to June 24, 1945..." he was awarded July 14,1942." the Legion of Merit with Combat "V".

Gold Star in lieu of second Silver Star The Citation continues; "During this period Medal: "For gallant and intrepid conduct in of intensified and hazardous amphibious action while serving on the staff of the operations, Captain Nichol ably fought his Task Force Commander during the Battle of ship and directed the aircraft based on his Stewart Island, August 24, 1942, and Santa vessel in inflicting extensive damage on the Cruz Is1and, October 26, 1942, Constantly enemy...(and) aided materially in providing in danger from enemy surface and submarine effective support to our amphibious forces forces...(his) cool determination and and our troops ashore, thereby contributing courage under fire were important factors materially to the successful completion of contributing to the successful culmination of these campaigns..." these battles...." In April 1946 he joined the staff of He also has the Ribbon for, and a facsimile Commander Carrier Division 14, and served as of, the Presidential Unit Citation awarded Chief of Staff and Aide until ordered in the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE. "For consistently February 1947 to duty in the office of the outstanding performance and distinguished Chief of Naval Operations (Aviation, Plans achievement during repeated action against Division-Programs Coordination). A year later enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War he transferred to the Bureau of Aeronautics, area, area, December 7, 1941, to November and was designated Navy Member of the Aero- 15, 1942....Her aggressive spirit and nautical Board. While so assigned he served superb combat efficiency are fitting tribute additionally as a member of the Munitions to the officers and men who so gallantly Board and Advisory Committee. established her as a solid bulwark in defense of the American Nation." From August 1949 to June 1950 he attended the National War College, Washington, D.C., and Remaining in the Pacific combat area, he in July 1950 he assumed command of the U.S.S. served from October 1942 to October 1943 as WRIGHT (CVL-49). He was detached a year later Assistant Operations Officer on the staff of to command the Naval Air Station, Moffett Commander South Pacific Forces. He then Field, California. returned to the United States for duty as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station, In addition to the Silver Star Medal with Seattle, Washington, until January 1945. Gold Star in lieu of the second award, the There he directed the station's important Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and the role of serving fleet squadrons based in the Ribbon for the Presidential Unit Citation Northwest and in the Aleutians. to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, Captain Nichol has the American Defense Service Medal: the From February of that year, throughout the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with engagement remaining war period, and until April 1946, he commanded the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY (CVE 62). For Bio. #3 Page #4. Bio #3 page #3 stars; the American Campaign Medal; the the World War II Victory Medal; and the Philippine Defense and Liberation Ribbons.

Married to the former Catherine Howard of Annapolis, Maryland, he has a son, Bromfield Bradford Nichol Jr. Their usual address is 1910 Ridley Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee.

Captain Nichol was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (Tennessee Society, Andrew Jackson Chapter), and the Arm and Navy Country Club, Washington, D.C.

Bio. #3 Page #5. BIOGRAPHY He left the USB ARIZONA 2-1/2 years later to go through flight training at the CAPTAIN JAMES M. ELLIOTT, USN Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Completing flight training in 1937, he was assigned to Bombing Squadron Four then operating from the old USS RANGER, the first ship in the United States Navy designed from the keel up as an aircraft carrier. After a one year tour of duty aboard the RANGER he served for four years aboard the battleships MISSISSIPPI and NEW MEXICO as the senior aviator of these ships. In June of 1941 he reported to the Aircraft Armament Unit in Norfolk Va. as a test pilot and project engineer. This unit soon moved to the newly established Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, where it became the armament test section of that Station. For two years Captain Elliott was re- sponsible for conducting armament tests on the navy's first line fighters.

His service during World War II in cluded a tour of duty as Air Officer of the USS CHENANGO, an escort carrier, followed by a tour of duty as Executive Officer of the USS NATOMA BAY, another escort carrier. He assumed command of the USS NATOMA BAY at Norfolk, Va. for de- commissioning. Even in this duty the NATOMA BAY performed well. She was the first ship in the 16th Fleet to go out of commission with no discrepancies. These Captain James M. Elliott, U.S. Navy was were small carriers originally designed appointed to the Naval Academy in 1929 to escort convoys across the Atlantic, from the state of Michigan where he was but later were used extensively to give born and attended school through high close air support for amphibious school at Battle Creek, Michigan and operations in the Pacific. For his through two years of college at Michigan services in World Way II, Captain Elliott State University. He graduated from the was awarded the letter of commendation Naval Academy in 1933 and was assigned with pendant, a Presidential Unit to the USS ARIZONA for his first duty. Citation, and a Navy Unit Citation.

Bio. #4 Bio.#4 page #1 page #2 Following World War II, Captain Elliott Leaving Charleston Captain Elliott served as Commanding Officer of the assumed command of the Naval Ammunition Naval Air Facility and Assistant Depot Bangor, at Bremerton, Washington. Experimental Officer at the Naval Ord He retired from the Navy on June 30th, nance Test Station, Inyokern, following 1963 having completed 30 years of naval a short tour of duty as Executive Officer service. of the Naval Air Station Mojave. Leaving Inyokern in 1949, he served as Commanding Following his retirement, Captain Officer of Air Transport Squadron 2l Elliott was employed for 10 years by based at Barbers Point, Hawaii and Subsequently Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. as a as Chief Staff Officer of the Reliability Engineering Specialist. He Fleet Logistic Air Wing, Pacific, stationed retired from Lockheed in 1973 and now in Alameda, California. presently resides in Coronado, California

From 1951 to 1954 he served as head of the Aviation Ordinance Branch, Research Bio. #4 Division of the Bureau of Ordnance. page #4

Leaving BUORD he served as Commanding Officer of the Naval Station, Adak, Alaska for one year, followed by one year as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station, Olathe, Kansas.

Returning to sea Captain Elliott commanded the USS WINDHAM BAY, a trans port utility carrier, which is a former combatant aircraft carrier used in the transportation of aircraft in a non flying status. During this tour he made eight roundtrips from the United states to Japan.

Returning ashore he served for three years as Inspector General of the Sixth Naval District with headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina and during his last year of duty there served also as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Naval base at Charleston.

Bio. #4 page #3 BIOGRAPHY and New York where he retired from the Naval Service after 20 years active duty. ROBERT B. WALL AMSC USNR RETIRED Awards: Presidential Unit Citation, American Theater Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal with 8 stars, Naval Reserve Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon (Later upgraded to Philippine Liberation Medal).

Charter Member Natoma Bay Association: Attended 1964 Reunion in Chicago. When the planned 1967 Reunion in Denver fell through, an impromptu reunion was held in Dayton, Ohio, with the help of several shipmates. At that time there were several lists of names avail- able which were made into a composite list. A memorandum was sent to all available addresses as the forerunner of the present newsletter "Scuttlebutt" (which had previously been published by several members of Squadron VC 81) The Denver Reunion was rescheduled for 1968 and the biennial reunions have been events to look forward to ever since. After seven more National Reunions and a few district meetings the Association has grown to about 275 active members (a few of that number have been super active) and about 150 inactive members. In recent years the assoc iation has been very fortunate in having a Chief Robert B. Wall was born in New York few super active members to head up the City on 14 July 1908. He lived in Arlington, Association and at present is enjoying great VA. since the age of two. Graduated from reunions, an interesting and very informative Washington-Lee High School and attended the newsletter, and a regular flow of addition University of Maryland. Spent 8 years in inserts for our Logbook. the Naval Reserve before being activated. The idea for the Logbook was nourished for Assigned to CASU 5, then aboard the Natoma several years and with the encouragement Bay on the 8 December 1943, served until from the membership it became a reality. It 31 August 1945. Subsequent duties: Hedron 14, has been very successful and has been well and at the following Naval Air Stations: received by the membership. This phase of our San Diego, Anacostia, Lincoln, Lakehurst, work is now in the capable hands of our Historian. Bio. #5 Page #1. Bio. #5 Page #2. BIOGRAPHY On March 18, 1942, Lokey was commissioned Lt. (jg) in the United States Naval Reserve. COMMANDER HAMILTON LOKEY His first duty station was the Naval Aviation UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE Cadet Selection Board in Atlanta. In the winter and spring of 1943 he attended Air Combat Intelligence School at Quonset Point, R.I., and was then assigned to the CVE Pre- Commissioning Detail in Tacoma, Washington. He became a Plank-Owner upon the commissioning of the U.S.S. Natoma Bay, CVE62 on October 14, 1943. Lokey served aboard the Natoma Bay as ACI Officer until February 7, 1945. While serving on the Natoma Bay, Lokey was (1) pro moted to Lieutenant Commander, USNR, (2) served as Ship's Service officer from the 16 November 1943 until relieved on 19 Sept- ember 1944 by Lieut. George A. Burwell, (3) participated in various invasion oper ations, and the Battle for Leyte Gulf, (4) was awarded seven battle stars for his Pacific Theatre Ribbon and the Presidential Unit Citation, and (5) married Muriel Ann Mattson of Tacoma, Washington, on July 19, 1944, while the ship was undergoing repairs at San Diego, California.

After leaving the Natoma Bay, Lokey was assigned to the Naval Aviation Training Command as ACI officer at NAS Melbourne, Florida. After V-J Day and until his release from active duty on November 14,1945, he was Executive Officer at NAS Melbourne, Lokey returned to the practice of law in Atlanta in November of 1945 and continued in civilian life until recalled to active duty Commander Hamilton Lokey was born in Atlanta, in June, 1950, because of the Korean Georgia, on August 30, 1910. Educated in the Emergency. He served for 14 months in the public schools, he graduated from the Univer Pentagon, in a Joint Navy Air Force Strategic sity of Georgia with a BA degree, magna cum Intelligence Unit, with the rank of Commander, laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1931. He graduated USNR. Upon leaving active duty in 1951 Lokey from the University of Georgia Law School in again returned to the practice of law in 1933 and practiced law in Atlanta until the Atlanta. outbreak of World War II. Bio #6 Page #2 Bio#6 Page #1 He has continued in the active practice to the present, during which time he served four years in the Georgia Legislature, served for four years as Chairman of the Georgia Board of Bar Examiners, was elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Mr. and Mrs. Lokey have five children; the oldest, Hamilton Lokey, Jr. served for three years as a Navy Flight Surgeon on the U.S.S. America (CVA 66), after which he returned to civilian life. Commander Lokey takes pride in the fact that he was designated as the poet-laureate of the Big NB, the ship that won the War, for such works as "The Saga of the Snafu Maru" and "Doug Mc Arthur's Navy". He was a founder of the Natoma Bay Association and served as President from 1968 to 1972. He has rarely missed a bi- annual meeting of the Association and will, at the drop of a hat, give his version of "The Battle For Leyte Gulf" as seen from the bridge of the Natoma Bay.

In his old age Lokey has joined an adventure club for such things as climbing Mount Fuji, Kilimanjaro and Mount Ranier, trekking the Inca Trail in Peru, trekking the Himalaya in Sikkim, rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and free ballooning across Atlanta on his 70th birthday. In February of 1982 he and Mrs. Lokey will be in Tibet for the New Year Celebration there.

Bio. #6 Page # 3