HEADER

Page 1 ARMED GUARD MEETING ALABAMA See page 9

FLIGHT OF HONOR See page 10

Page 2 Officers for 2010/2011 Charles A. Lloyd, Chairman & Sec.Treas. 1985-2011 115 Wall Creek Drive Rolesville, N.C. 27571 1-919-570-0909 • [email protected] Ron Carlson 616 Putnam Place Alexander, VA 22302-4018 Board of Directors C.A. Lloyd...... NC John Stokes...... CA Dear Armed Guard Crew and everyone, Sept., 2011 Don Gleason...... KS Clarence Korker...... FL So sorry for the delay in getting out another POINTER but with the fires in Texas and else Joe Colgan...... MD wheres; tornados in Joplin, Mo.; in Alabama; in Raleigh, N.C. and touching down again Gerald Greaves...... RI on the way here and popping a pine tree in yard next to us, it’s hard to get down as what to Al Sniff...... FL say. And then the other tornadoes, floods in the midwest, plus, the drought and 104 degree Kenneth Sneed...... IN weather, the Irene Hurricane, etc. . We got some rain and cooled us down and soon the sum- Ralph McNally...... OK Joseph Benedict...... MN mer will be over and we will start complaining how cold it is, so here goes. Richard Hudnall...... AZ Zed Merrill...... OR For those of you who have computers and never thought about how to get WW II History Joe Esposito...... IL info, here is a few suggestions. Go to GOOGLE and type in most any thing you want to Bernard Stansbury...... VA Forrest Flanagan...... WV know about: Port Chicago Tragedy WW II; Antwerp, Belgium WW II; S.S. Paul Hamilton D. Wayne Sherman...... MO WW II; Malta WW II; North Platte, Ne.WW II, PQ-17 WW II; PQ-18 WW II.; S.S. Arnold Latare...... IA PAUL HAMILTON WW II; etc. are but a few. Always put WW II. Try it. If you don’t Bob Ober...... OH have a computer, get your “grandchildren” to search for you! J.F. Carter...... LA Howard Long...... SC Mike Molinari...... NY As I was going though some letters sent in by the crew, I found one sent in back on Dec. 2010 Tom Dufrense...... MA by Jack Martin of Indiana that I had misplaced that I thought I’d like to share. It tells of his John Haynes...... IN visit to the S.S. JOHN W. BROWN visit to R.I. in Sept. 2010. I called him to see if it was O.K. to put it in the POINTER and he said it was and that he and Nan had signed on to Trustees sail the Liberty Ship S.S. JEREMIAH O’BRIEN in San Francisco this fall. His letter says C.A. Lloyd...... NC Theo Schorr...... PA it all. Jack sailed on 9 ships from 2/43-6/45 and 3 Fleet ships in 1951. Joe Colgan called to John Shirley...... TX say the S.S. JOHN W. BROWN was in drydock with need for new plates and rivets. The Arthur Fazzone...... NY riveters was scheduled to come to the BROWN but Irene messed them up. They need your Louis Tew...... CT donations if you are able to help keep her afloat, also. Al Colella...... MO Jay Wildfong...... WI Henry Harrison...... WA There has been a slowdown in donations this year but, I guess that is understandable with the Mervil Yarbrough...... NV world financhial conditions as they are. Approx. 545 total have donated as of Sept. 1, 2011. Leo Feist...... WV I am putting all who have not donated since 2005 on HOLD now. Those I hear from who Chaplains donated in the year 2005 and before, can get any POINTERS missed by contacting me. I Lyle Kell...... WA never thought I would see our country in such a mess but as the late President Franklin D. Buck Donaldson...... TN Roosevelt said that put hope in our people that brought us out of a depression-Quote: “THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR- IS FEAR ITSELF.” ATTENTION You know where you are. Lou Tew has sent me his album of the Northeast Mini-Reunion in the past and it brought You know where we are. back many memories when I see so many of the friends who we have met over the years. I We know where we are. looked at several and in the background of some were the Twin Towers and then I think how But we don’t always know in the world the countries that so many gave their lives for their Freedom, could turn against where you are. those who came to their rescue and could destroy the work of so many. Why??? Please notify us when you move. Hilary Makowski , who organized and kept the Pittsburgh, Pa. crew together for over 18 Non-Profit Organization years has sailed on to be with his Maker. Tax Exempt No. 74-2316668

I have been informed that the guns and the plaque at the New Orleans has been removed and Remember, I “STILL” can’t move as fast will be placed in the WW II Museum in New Orleans. It was already done without trying as I did when I was in my twenties! When you call, let the phone ring so I can get to it! Officers - Gunners - Signalmen - Radiomen - Corpsmen - Waves - -CAL Page 3 Boatswains - Coxswains - Ship’s Company - Radarmen LETTERS FROM THE CREW to contact any of our crew there who has tried a photo of two OLD SALTS and Jose- go back to do it, I hope you´ve answered to work with them without success in the phine. (Photo by Hanna Norton) me, until then many thanks. past. I guess WW II history will soon be for- Leland Norton • 5178 Alderfield Pl. My mail address is(Censored). gotten. That’s the American way. I do hope Vancouver, BC, Canada V7W 2W7 Thanks you, good bye. they will save the Armed Guard history of 604-926-6902 [email protected] O O O H H H H H H H H H Nola and Gulfport there. Story in next issue. Thanks Norton for the photo and word that the Armed Guard sailors meet again. Hello Charles, I was real happy to meet I have had the Life Magazine with the late John is from 3603 Camden Ct., Auburn you and others at Bedford, Va. D-DAY Harry S. Truman picture on it for a long Hills, Mi. 48326 who was wearing his Memorial on May 21st, 2011. time and I thought it was time also for us AG cap. (cal) to honor him on the cover of the POINTER After I learned you would be there, I was so I have placed him there on this issue. A going to make a SPCIAL effort to be belated THANK YOU HARRY for ending there. I wanted to meet you and shake the war, as I, plus so many more who had your hand for all the information and already suffered so much and were about to POINTERS you have sent me and for be in harm’s way the thousands of others like myself who and run the risk of being killed with millions gets the magazine. THANKS the up- of the enemy who started the war. Look at most for I enjoy each and every one I your immediate family and the happiness have received. Great deed you have done. you all have had and I am sure you will say Welford Durrer “Thank you Lord.” GOD BLESS AMER- 18114 Lovers Ln. ICA” (CAL) Gordonsville, Va. 22942 H H H H H H H H H O O O H H H H H H H H H Durrer, It my pleasure to meet you and United State Armed Guard World War others in Bedford. It was an honor to rep- II Veteran Association. Firstly good days, resent the Armed Guard Veterans of WW this is (censored) and I am really very II. I do hope those in the future who can happy because you had written and you afford it will support the expenses so the have tried helping me by yourself. I hadn´t next generations will know the sacrifice sent a message previously for you, because the 19 Bedford boys of the 29 who hit I hadn´t access to internet previously, be- the beaches at Normandy and were killed sides I must be careful because, if some- within 15 minutes. There is not another body at this country is caught getting in Memorial More meanful than this one as touch with through e-mail that nation, it is to all who served. (cal) it will be demanded by the accusation of H H H H H H H H H treason to the Cuban´s government and it Hi Charles,I was on a cruise in the would be send in prison for some twenty Caribbean last Nov/Dec., when in years approximately. I not yet have looked Dear Charles, one of the ports, I saw this good look- for Web where you said that I should Thank you!!! I love reading the ing fellow with the Armed Guard cap search, but I will do and don´t be worried “POINTER”. I don’t know how you do on and we introduced ourselves and I will make you know about it. Neither it! I hope you will live forever. Enclosed while standing on the curb we had a I haven´t gone to the United State Em- you will find a little something to keep good conversation and a couple of good bassy in my country, on purpose, tell me them coming. laughs. John Kozlowski and his wife, one more thing, what apartment should Nelson Smith, Stephen Hopkins Josephine were on a cruise, too but I visit accurately in order that they may Chapter AMMV they were on a different cruise ship. We help me?My gratitude for you because 705 NOLTE DR., wished each other well and then con- you have helped me by yourself, however DALLAS, TX., 75208 tinued our respective ventures. Due to I need you help me with this last petition, H H H H H H H H H the short time in port, we did not get I will make the results known for you and further acquainted. I did tell him I was I´ll be really grateful with you. I won´t on the S.S. Elk HILLS and he on the be available to sail across internet myself Lloyd, It was my pleasure to serve dur- S.S. CHRISTIAN BERG. Enclosed is again even the day July 20, 2011, when I ing WWII, thank you. It also helped

Page 4 Page 4 LETTERS FROM THE CREW O O O in WW II. He served from August of On July 17, 2011, at 12:41 PM, CA 1942 until March 1946. He wanted to Lloyd wrote:If you get this; click on www. THANK YOU for continually sending armed-guard.com and then, look at him the issues of “THE POINTER.” POINTERs and get back to me. (cal) SEE PAGE 18 FOR Reading them provides him with a lot REST OF THE STORY of enjoyment and the information pro- O O O vided in the issues, as it offers a good understanding as to what went on in H H H H H H H H H the lives of Merchant Seamen for fam- me grow up. Yes, indeed, we had boot ily and friends such as myself. camp at Hunter College. Then it was Dear Cal, down to the university in Milledgeville I want to THANK YOU again for all Also enclosed are copies of Jack’s dis- GA for training. We had all the pe- you and others have done to keep the charge papers and an article out of our cans we wanted because the trees were memory of the WW II Armed Guard local newspaper about Jack and a small planted everywhere on campus. Very alive. Attached is a small token of my excerpt from the Vacuum Oil News fond memories that make me feel guilty appreciation. Last summer while we about my great uncle, Clifford Gaines because there was a war going on. Life were staying in Michigan, I went on who was KIA and an article on Sun Oil is strange. In answer to an earlier ques- that PRIDE and HONOR trip to Ships that were sunk during WW II. tion, no, I did not get any pictures of TI Washington, D.C.. I had seen the Wall since I didn’t have a camera, much to before but the WW II Memorial and Your work to keep the memories alive my dismay. And I lived off base because the Korean Memorial was new to me. about WW II is greatly appreciated. they didn’t have enough barracks for us Charles B. Wilson Enclosed is a donation check to keep as we were the first batch of Waves on 8393 E. Jumping Colla it going. Wishes for good health and TI. Fortunately, my mother lived in the Gold Canyon, Az. 85218 happiness to you and your wife, Hilda. area, and I was able to live at home. I Sincerely, John Gaines. (for ) H H H H H H H H H was a native Californian. John P. Donaghy • 922 Thornton Rd. Evelyn Welch Boothwyn, Pa. 19061 Dear Cal, I just participated in the 2 610-485-1856 nd W. Central Florida Honor Flight H H H H H H H H H to Washington, D.C.. What a won- derful thing these people are doing-- Honoring WW II Veterans-Army, Air Dear C.A., Jay Wildfong asked me to Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard write of our Illinois/Wisconsin Vet- and theMerchant Marines. The Honor eran’s 10 bus tour to the WW II Me- Flights provides escorts, food and an all morial in Washington, D.C.. Mark expense trip. We visited all the Memo- and John Finnegan of South Beloit, Il. rialsand as long as a veteran who has believed that Veterans of WW II and no been is able to get on a plane or bus, Korea should be Honored for their the Honor Flight will take them with heroic efforts so they did something P.S.I shall take exception to the fact an escort. no one else had done before and the that women are not mentioned as part founded the VETSROLL program of the Armed Guard also! We, at Trea- They are organized in all States. and they, and hundreds more, from sure Island CA, paid “y’all” in the 12th CHECK IT OUT, VETERANS!! Beloit made it possible for 200 Veter- Naval command so that you could keep Cal, THANKS for the POINTERS. ans to go FREE and 111 of the Vol- rolling along. And how in the world Donald S. Johnson • 9923 Brookdale Dr. unteers, who paid their own way, to did you get my email address, let alone New Port Richey, Fl. 34655 take a 10 bus load crew to D.C. and find me??? As you too have undoubt- we were escorted out of town by flag- H H H H H H H H H edly learned, people’s eyebrows go up bearing motorcycle crew at 5:30 A.M. when Armed Guard is mentioned, but on 5/16/11. there are a few who have heard of them Dear Mr. Lloyd,I am writing this letter now - after 65 years. to you for my grandfather, John “Jack” Along the way, the veterans were wel- Evelyn (Lyon, Charles) Welch Donaghy. He was a Merchant Marine comed as heroes. We spent the night Page 5 LETTERS FROM THE CREW near Pittsburgh, Pa. and to the site of Flight 93 downing on September 11 where a shadowbox was presented as a memorial. Our next stop was at the Gateway Restaurant in Breezewood, Pa. for lunch and and adults and chil- dren lined up to welcome us. We were so blessed by this out-pouring of genu- ine appreciation of our service. Hager- stown, Md. was our next stop and din- ner at the Western Sizzlin Restaurant and a welcome session by Mayor Rob- ert E. Buchey II and MAIL CALL. This was highly emotional with tears flowing. Family, friends and school children had sent mail ahead, thank- ing us in their own way for our service. Leaning on rail, Radioman Sidney Levine • Signalman Joe Perrow • Radioman Since we were told “REVEILLE” Cecil Ray - pointing at dud bomb • Radioman lt. Hugh Bish (Navy) would be 3 A.M., we were tucked in at 8 P.M. and sure enough, 3 A.M., the whole town of Beloit was there to wel- They will take care of you. (cal) reveille was sounded and breakfast was come us home. As we entered town, we served and on to Arlington National were met by many fire trucks, police and Cemetery and the Tomb of the Un- others escorting us to the Eclipse Center known Soldier. After the changing of for a hugh celebration. There was fire- the Guard, we were fortunate to wit- works, sirens wailing and hugh crowds of ness the funeral procession led by a full well-wishers thanking us for our service. Company of U.S. Marines in full dress As we exited our coaches, people were uniform, Marine band, the horseless lined up as we entered the auditorium. Af- rider while a 21 gun salute boomed. ter a short ceremony, the trip ended and it Our guide said she had never seen that was time to return to reality. It was a most in her many years working there. memorable journey that will remain as a highlight of our lives for as long as we live. At 11:30 AM, all ten coaches arrived Jay Wildfong, of Sturtevant, Wi., Delbert at the WW II Memorial and saw the Dauenbaugh and C.L. Thompson, both of Rockford, Il. and I, John Neven, were 4,000 gold stars there on the Memo- H H H H H H H H H rial’s Freedom Wall to the more than the Armed Guard on the trip. Our caps 400,000 who gave their all. are off to Mark and John Finnegan and all the wonderful volunteers that gave us the Hi Charles, Again, Greetings from col- At Noon, we gathered at the Illinois Pillar opportunity to finally be welcomed home orful Colorado. Just a note to THANK for a talk by our guide. We assembled for as veterans after many decades. (John YOU and all the helpers for all you Neven-Huntley, Il. AG. are doing and being the driving forces a group photo and headed to the Lincoln O O O Memorial. We also stopped at the Korean in keeping the U.S.N. Armed Guard Memorial honoring those who died dur- John, I made the April 19, 2011 flight out WW II organization alive and well. ing that war. of RDU with 99 more WW II Veterans and Enclosed, please find a little help with their “CARETAKERS.” the expenses. I always look forward to At 4 P.M., it was time to return to the Ra- the POINTERS arriving. I am also mada Inn and prepare for our long jour- I had the opportunity to push a 92 year old enclosing an article that I wrote some ney back to Beloit that began at 5 A.M. blind Veteran around the Memorial. He had time ago(SEE PAGE 19). I have never the next morning. We were escorted seen the memorial built so he knew where submitted it to THE POINTER. I through Pennsylvania; Ohio; Indiana and everything was as he had gone blind since it thought you might be intersesting in Illinois by the State Police to Beloit to a was built. Those who have not been, sign up including it in some future issue as it is tremendous celebration. It appeared that and go even if you are blind or can’t walk. about our time and the invasion of the Page 6 LETTERS FROM THE CREW

Philippines for the return of General Douglas McArthur. Also, a picture of a DUD bomb that fell on our ship show- ing R to L, Lt. Hugh Bish (Navy), Cecil Ray (Radioman pointing to the bomb), Joe Pearson, Signalman (with periscope) and Sidney Livine, Radio- man. (leaning on the rail) Cecil Ray • 2580 Patiot Heights Colorado Springs, Co. 80904

O O O After getting most of this POINTER ready, I find Cecil’s letter that I had looked for and as I read it, I remembered the oth- ers writing about the DUD bomb. What a coincident. Y’all had been wanting some- thing on the Pacific so this POINTER is fill with this area of the war. (cal) H H H H H H H H H Hwy. 70

Dear Charles, Thanks again for all the POINTERS you have had published and have sent to me. I was a signalman and shipped out of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Dear C.A.,I am sorry to report that Al Gosselin, whom you had an article about on I really liked my job in the Navy and Page 49 of the Mar/May 2011 edition of the POINTER, passed away June did the best I could. I am proud and 19th. He was so proud of his Armed Guard and his cap you sent him that Thankful I was able to serve my coun- brought attention on our Florida flight. We sent it to heaven with him.Thank try and I pray that we stay Free and the you so much. Alice Gosselin, Arcadia, Fla. O O O Politicians do not destroy our way of life. Alice, In behalf of the Crew, our condolences are extended to you, family and friends. (cal) God Bless. John S. Stirling Dear Cal, Trying to get into dock was so bad, the 2901 Windsor Forest Dr. I received the Mar/May POINTER Russian ship pilots could not come out Louisville, Ky 40272 • 502-933-2343 the other day and really look forward to take the ship in so the Captain was to getting it. You will find enclosed told to bring the ship in. We had to go H H H H H H H H H a check to help. I am going on 94 through a channel which was kind of in December and we are not getting narrow and our ship and a couple of Charlie, Just a little note to let you know any younger. You called me about a others ran aground. It even blew a Brit- how much I enjoy the POINTER. At year ago to write an article on Con- ish escort ship high and dry onto the the age of 90, re-living my experiences voy PQ-18. Well, there is so much to beach. We lost both anchors and were through the POINTER gives me a write about. I believe, with all my time stuck in the mud. The Germans flew sense of being 20 again and enjoying in the Navy, it was the Armed Guard over us and dropped bombs so close to the good times we had as well as the duty I loved the most. You have had the ship that mud used to fly over parts bad. I am a member of the local Armed a lot of the guys tell you some things of the ship. The captain then gave or- Guard and we are down to 12 mem- about PQ-18 and they told you about ders to abandon the ship. We all took bers. Please accept my donation of this the bad weather we had. First, we had to two lifeboats. It was hard rowing as fine magazine. to go North past Spitzsbergen which the weather was so bad. Our lifeboats Anthony Zannie • 6206 N. Radcliffe St. is only 500 miles from the North Pole hit the bottom so we had to get out and Bristol, Pa. 19007 to keep away from the long range push the boats ashore. The bad part of bombers and we ended up in Arch- that was we had to get into water above H H H H H H H H H angel, Russia. our waist and it was cold! When we got

Page 7 LETTERS FROM THE CREW

to shore, we gathered up quite a bit of on D-Day. They unloaded our ship and good work. I don’t see how you do it. driftwood and made a “lean to” like we sent us up the River Clyde in Scotland. Jerry Wallace used to do on the farm, built a fire and 981 8th Ave NW dried some of our clothing. We were on They stripped our ship and made a Altoona. Ia. 50009. that island two days and two nights and troop ship out of her and for about H H H H H H H H H it was rough! two months, we took Patton’s third and fourth Army Division into Normandy Well, Cal, there is a whole lot more on beachheads. I believe I could fill the Mr. Lloyd, For many years, I worked PQ–18 but I will end this part here. I POINTER with my experiences. I am with the late Tom Bowerman search- had two trips to Russia and for me, that sending a few pictures including Al- ing for The Armed Guard Crew. I con- was enough. The second ship to Rus- bert F. Wohlers who you said you met tacted hundreds of veterans and helped sia was the S.S.WILLIAM WEBB. I in K. C. Mo. reunion and you said he them look up former shipmates and was on four different ships. I was in the gave you his Purple Heart for injuries renew old acquaintances. Many joined invasion of Sicily on the 29th of July that you placed on the S.S JOHN W. the Association and were happy to hear 1943 with the 9th Army and in June BROWN. I am also sending you a pic- from old shipmates. As a result of nu- 1944, we got in to Gurrock, Scotland ture of myself with a beard on the 2nd merous calls around the country, I hap- trip to Russia.My best to you, Cal and pened to meet an Air Force Veteran. keep up the great work. We became good friends and were later Roswell J. Ortt married. We are happily living in Flor- 7439 Pinehurst Dr. ida. If any would still like to contact me, Springhill, Fl. 34606 they can do so. H H H H H H H H H Thanks, Agnes Bridger Bast 62 Strathmore Blvd. Cal, Hope this helps keep the Sarasota, Fl. 34233 POINTER going. Really enjoy them, 941-377-0954 The picture of the Armed Guard Cen- ter in Brooklyn brought back a few H H H H H H H H H memories. I spent a few nights in the “BIG BARN” during my time in the Hi Cal, Enclosed is a check for the AG. I am still going to the meetings POINTER. Hope all’s well with you with Arnold Latare and the crew once and Hilda so stay that way. By the way, a month. He is a very nice gentleman. the article in the Mar/May POINTER Our group is like everyone else’s, get- about the convoy that left Sicily on Dec. ting smaller and smaller. Keep up the 31 was a real New Years show. I re- Page 8 LETTERS FROM THE CREW H H H H H H H H H member it well as I was in that one. The Cal, I’ll never forget entering the Germans flew right over us. You could Armed Guard Center in Brooklyn, see the flames from the engines. If they Dear C.A., Again, THANKS A N.Y.. The movement of all the Navy would have caught that convoy in Sic- MILLION for what you do on the coming and going. Some of the men ily, it would have been a disaster. So, the “POINTER.” The day it comes, my had already survived the sinking of next time that shipmate writes, tell him wife knows I am not good for anything their ship and some injured. I felt like he was so right about it. It was the first else until I have read it cover to cover. I was in another world right there in time I had been in Naples since Septem- In the Mar/May issue, I found a few Brooklyn, N.Y.. It was a long time ber via North Africa. We were finally references to our town – PORT AR- ago. I heard about the Armed Guard headed home. So, he verified what I had THUR, TEXAS and also mention of WW Veterans Association in 1992 and always told my buddy about that night. ships I watched pass in the canal, about have had the great pleasure of receiv- Thank you C.A. for all you have done 300’ from my home. I guess that is why ing the POINTER and the great sto- and still do.Thank and Bless you both. I was a selective volunteer to the Navy. ries it brings. I will always be proud of Conrad Will I watched many a ship go by as a boy my service in the Armed Guard. I am 539 Cincinnati Ave., growing up. My experiences were not sending another donation to help out Egg Harbor, N.J. 08315 as dramatic as most in the POINTER and to keep the POINTER going. All 609-965-2600 but I wouldn’t trade them for the world. the best and best to all. O O O Our Seamen’s Center recently had their James Montesarcio Conrad was a GM 3/C on the S.S. program for the Merchant Seamen and 800 Bronx, River Rd. THOMAS TODD at the time 3/43- Navy Seamen lost at sea. It is held at a Bronxville, N.Y. 10708 11/43 and later sailed the USED WIL- huge memorial SUN DIAL. A wreath H H H H H H H H H LIAM T.ROSSELL, an Ocean going tug is deposited in the canal during the and found many of his shipmates. (cal) ceremony. Many THANKS for all the work on the POINTER. Smooth sail- Dear Mr. Lloyd, You are such a busy man H H H H H H H H H ing to all.Ralph E. Burch, (SM) that I hate to call upon your help, but it’s 4220-36 th St., Port real important. I need to get a photo that Mr. C.A. Lloyd, I write in regards to the Arthur, Tx. 77642 was in the last “Pointer” for Mr. Gene article on Page 47 Mar/May POINT- 409-963-8955 Pugh. He promised me that he would ER, concerning the S.S. MUNGER T. [email protected] began to record his memoirs if I could get BALL crew being gunned by a sub. The a copy of that photo of the S. S. Dashing H H H H H H H H H crew of the S.S. WILLIAM K. VAN- Wave located on the inside back cover of DERBILT was also strafed by a Japa- the last “Pointer” for him without my E- nese sub off Suva, Fiji Island after being Dear Mr. Lloyd, You have honored me mail on it. He loves how the photo is su- sunk May 16, 1943. I have proof in my for a number of years with MM-HON perimposed or whatever the official term leg yet today. Just had to say something behind my name membership.I have for it is. to let you know. Keep up the good been very grateful for the receipt of the work.C.G. Newton, 1759 Royal Way, POINTER and have shared them with I feel that he would get a better copy of San Luis Obisdo, Ca. 93405 classmates and other graduates of the it if we went through you instead of me O O O UNITED STATES Merchant Marine trying to xerox and cut and paste it. It Capt. Art. Moore’s book, “A CARELESS Academy at King’s Point. As a 1950 will loose some of the color and shading WORD, A NEEDLESS SINKING” graduate, the days of the USN Armed doing it my way. I hope my request isn’t tells of the gun crew staying aboard af- Guard’s service had ended before I to great. We don’t know what tomorrow ter the first torpedo but abandoning ship actively sailed, but, I appreciate their will bring. I want him to get started now and walked off the stern and was picked service aboard ships that my father, a writing down all that he can remember up by the lifeboats. The sub surfaced and marine engineer, had served on during that he went through for his family and cruised between and among the survivors WW II. The enclosed check is intended families to come. and machine gunned one of the lifeboats to help you to continue to publish such and two rafts. When the sub approached an excellent periodical. I also attended their Armed Guard meet- in the dark, the men slid into the water Ronald L. Tarbox Jr. Lcdr, USN (Ret) ing with my dad and mom yesterday in and hid under the rafts and the survivors 7787 Tommy St. Apt 14, Alabama. There are only 4 of them left heard laughter coming from the sub. 56 San Diego, Ca. 92119 in the group. I took a picture with my survivors were rescued May 17, 2011 by phone that I thought you might enjoy of H H H H H H H H H the USS DASH. (cal) them holding the Armed Guard flag that Page 9 LETTERS FROM THE CREW

I had purchased from you. **SEE IN- SIDE FRONT COVER** They seem to cherish their times when they get together quarterly. The men in the photo from left to right are Richard Lowe, Bill Ridley, Harold Smith and Gene Pugh.If there is anything I can do to help accomplish the request that Gene Pugh has asked, I will be glad to. more than we were able to on Satur- H H H H H H H H H Just let me know.I hope you and your day if possible. Let me know if you wife are doing well and staying cool have time. this summer. I look forward to hear- Dear Cal, Thanks again and take care ing from you. I just received my copy of the POINT- Dee Sams • 919-868-0431 Sincerely, ER Jan/May 2011 edition. Well done. Dayla Newton 410 Broadmeadow Ct. Roswell, GA 30075 770-992-0926 [email protected] H H H H H H H H H

Hi Howard and Charles,Here are the pictures that Robert Burtons daugh- ter Lynn took of us yesterday. I real- ized I should have told you both that Robert is blind, a degenerative eye disease that is genetic. Thats why I took him by the arm...he has decided he would like to have a wheelchair on the 19th and I think that will be easier on him and I. When we are in DC I will be doing my best to de- scribe things to him, but if you guys would like to chime in and explain things also I know you know a lot more about a lot of the things we will see than I do. I hate he won’t be able to see everything you all will - other than that he is in great shape.

If you would like to email him for any reason his wife Joan’s email address is [email protected]. It was so great to meet you both yesterday - if any of you would like for me to swing by your house and talk a little more about the trip or anything, just let me know - I have the next 3 days off and will be in Raleigh Monday for an ap- pointment. - I’d really love to visit Page 10 LETTERS FROM THE CREW

I am mailing you copies of two trips lied merchant supply ships from en- that I took when I was in service that emy attack. may interest you and the crew. We were thankful we went to the Persian Lowe’s efforts in WWII brought Gulf via Cairo, Suez Canal, Red Sea about recognition from several coun- to the City of Kharramsha instead of tries, including letters of recognition going to Russia on the North Atlantic and medals from both Great Britain Run. The ship was the S.S. WILLIAM and the Phillippines. HAWKINS from 4/44 to 9/44. However, his most prized moment of H H H H H H H H H recognition came after receiving his first award in the 1960s, nearly two Naval Armed Guard veteran, decades after the war. Hoover, Alabama resident, wins service nod from Russia Lowe and his fellow Guardsmen Published: were invited to Washington, D.C., by Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 8:30 AM the Russian Embassy to be presented their awards. A Russian officer who Diagnosed with infantile paralysis or spoke broken English called Lowe polio at birth, doctors told Richard to the side of the stage and said he Lowe’s parents he’d be handicapped wanted to thank him personally for and nightfall lasted as long as what his entire life. that country, Lowe said. seemed to be the blink of an eye.

He took his first steps as a frail “For someone on the other side to “At nightfall, we thought we could 8-year-old boy, but a Texas-size gust say they appreciated it, that was bet- rest because the aircrafts and torpe- of wind knocked him down. Eighty- ter than any medal or any award or does would end, but whenever they one years later, Lowe, who lives in anything.” Lowe said. quit, they’d hit us with submarines,” Hoover, stands tall as one of remain- he said. ing U.S. Naval Armed Guardsmen Lowe’s military service only spanned from WWII. a total of four years, but three years The memories of the past war appear and seven months of that time was upbeat, but nearly 70 years later Peggy The Russian Embassy honored the spent at sea during WWII. Lowe, Richard’s wife, knows that the veteran on June 3 on behalf of the nightmares are quite vivid and they’re Russian government, giving him his Growing up the youngest of 13 chil- not all good. third commemorative medal for his dren in San Antonio, Texas, Lowe efforts to thwart the German block- felt an obligation to serve after two “You just never get over what he’s ex- ade on Russia during WWII. Lowe of his older brothers enlisted into the perienced,” was a gunner aboard the S.S. William Armed Forces, so in 1941 he joined Peggy Lowe said. Moultrie during Murmansk Run. Ev- the Navy Reserve. ery decade on the anniversary of the Email [email protected]. victory in the “Great Patriotic War,” “I had brothers serving, so I had to do Lowe, along with his fellow Armed something,” he said. Name of Book: Guardsmen, are honored. The Ship That Never Was: Rammimg of For much of his life, he enjoyed a the USAT J.W. MCANDREWS H H H H H H H H H “I’ve lived a charmed life. I guess the 6-foot-3-inch, 180 pound frame, but Authored by: B. J. Bryan (Bonnie) good Lord figured I’ve got to do some a combination of gravity and life ex- Order from: B. J. Bryan good before I leave this country,” said perience has turned Lowe into a 6’ 1”, Overheard by one7209 of Skyway, the ladies Space at #6 a Lowe, who recalls his mother rubbing 150 pound war hero. 50th high schoolParadise, reunion: CA 95969“I don’t his legs with Vicks vapor rub daily to want to brag or makeTel: 530 anyone 877 jealous 5701 or help him overcome polio. Lowe daydreams about his days at sea anything,but Or; I can fit into the earrings I with fellow Guardsmen, particularly woreOrder to thefrom: high schoolAmazon.com prom.” or The Naval Armed Guard was formed the eight-day nonstop battle with the Barnes & Noble during WWI to protect U.S. and Al- Germans where sleep was nonexistent H H H H H H H H H Page 11 LETTERS FROM THE CREW

Navy Memorial 9/11 “Never Forget” Commemorat​ive Pin

“In Remembrance”

Order Your 9/11 Commemorative Pin from Navy Memorial at $12 Each.

This 10th Anni versary limited edition pin will honor those that gave their lives Good Ole 3”50 on that fateful day. There is no limit to Taken on the SS BROWN LIBERTY SHIP in Portland Maine. the number of pins you can order, and Ernest Mains shipping will be free via USPS. Place 434 Cumberland St. your order today! Westbrook, ME 04092-2415 https://web.memberclicks. com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.

Page 12 REUNIONS

USN ARMED GUARD MEETINGS AND REUNION 2011 NOTICE: Hosts Names, Addresses, Zip Codes, Telephone;., E-Mails may change anytime so it’s up to you and them to keep each notified. Any changes will be in the next POINTER. If your group is not included or need corrections, advise NOW for the next POINTER. If your meeting was in the POINTER, it will not be in this one unless it has changed. do?orgId=m2&formId=105091 80/I-35, the Hickman Rd. Contact [email protected] The Long Island Chapter of Armed Arnie Latare, 4400 E.P. True Pkwy THE SARASOTA MANATEE Guard meet at the Farmingdale, N.Y. #59, W.Des Moines, Ia. 50265 515- CHAPTER of the AMMV along Public Library on the 4th Wednesday of 225-1084 [email protected] . All the with the Armed Guard in the area the month at 11 AM. Contact Dot and AG/MM and family are welcomed. have moved their meetings to DUFF’S, James Pellegrino 527 Livingston St., These same States will hold their 6010 14th St., Bradenton, Fl. and meet Westbury, N.Y. 11590 516-997-5585 Mini-Reunion Sept. 16-17, 2011 on the last Wed. of the mo. (excluding- the North Side Of Des Moines at the July/Aug) at 12:30 P.M. but most go Delaware Valley Armed Guard/Mer- Holiday Inn, 4800 Merle Hay Rd., at 11:30 to enjoy the buffet lunch and chant Marine will meet at 11:30 AM Des Moines, South of I-80 and 35 at hold their SEA STORY Session. Ed at the “OLD COUNTRY RESTAU- Exit 131. Latare will be the Host and Cleary (AG) attends and wants more RANT” Oxford Center, Fairless Hills, Contact. AG to join in. Host: James Waters, Pa.. Contact Host John Harman, 9 Tree 137 Osprey Circle, Ellenton, Fl. 34222 Ave., Levittown, Pa. 19054 215-295- The TEXAS 2012 USN Armed Guard 941-729-1346. Visitors welcomed. 3114. . Reunion will be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites, Buda, Tx. March 1-3, 2012. The RUDY KOZAK Chapter of the The SOUTH New Jersey Pinelands Host contact is Connie Whisenant, 206 U.S.Merchant Marine and Armed Armed Guard Unit meets the 4th Thurs. Gatlin Creek Road., Dripping Springs, Guard Veterans still meet at 1 P.M. on of the mo. at 12:30 PM at THE Tx. 78620-4949 512-965-6153 (cell) 512- the 2nd Wednesday of each month ex- CAPTAINS INN. 304 E Lacey Rd., 858-7024 (home) [email protected] cept July and August at the American Forked River, NJ 609-693-3351. The Legion Post No. 53 in Sanford, Fla.. hosts are: Mike Chengeri 908-486- Destroyer Escort Association will hold Contact: Richard McCamy, 26002 6577, Al Messina 732-350-1304 and their 36th Annual Convention Sept. Zinna Ln, Astatula, Fl. 34705 352- William Wilkie 609-597-2946. They 11-15, 2011 in Plymouth Meeting, 742-1394 marymccamy@embarqmail. ask all NJ Armed Guard members to Pa. at the Doubletree Suite. Contact: com. of MM/AG who enjoy swapping come join in with them. Wives & Wid- DESA, 1924 Ruth St., Allentown, Pa. our sea stories. We invite you and ev- ows of the members are welcomed to 18104. eryone to come join in while we are attend a great “sit down” luncheon and able. view the Forked River. Come on down Texas Armed Guard Crew meets on and join us. Those outside of NJ are wel- the 1st Monday of the month at 9:OO Our Joe Colgan, AG on the S.S. JOHN comed, too. (Mike Chengeri) A.M. at Ramsey’s Restaurant 1401 W. BROWN asked me to remind all of N. Navarro, Victoria, Tx.. Contact: you of the ship’s cruises and get your NORTHERN N.J. CREW is now Norm Neureuther 361-578-7900 neu- tickets now to be sure of the 2011 and meeting at STASHES RESTAU- [email protected] 2012 cruises. RANT, Wood Ave.(Off Rt.1 North), Linden. N.J. on the 1st Tuesday (Month- The Harrisburg. Pa. Area new hosts The SOUTHERN Calif. Region of ly) at 12 noon. Hosts: Ernest Stoukas, Charles Hastings, 300 Old Orchard Armed Guard meet every 2 mos. alter- 65 Webb Dr., Fords, N.J. 08863 732- Ln., York, Pa. 19403 717-843-6231 and nating starting with the WEST BUF- 225-2054. Ernie says that if anyone in- Eugene Alexander 1147 Galway Ct., FET in Carlsbad, Ca.. at 11:30 AM terested in holding a Mini-Reunion at Hummelstown, Pa. 17036 717-220- and San Diego FAMILY Restuarant, Atlantic City, N.J. or Pocono Manor, 1090 at HOSS’S at Hummelstown at Chula Vista. Contact Howard Woo- Pa., to contact him NOW. 11 A.M. 1st Thurs of month. ten, 2438 E. Vista Way, Spc-23, Vista, Ca. 92084 760-724-4724 ankerclank- Iowa/Mn/Daks still meet the 2nd The SUNCOAST Armed Guard/Mer- [email protected] Wednesday monthly at 10 A.M. for chant Marine Veterans of WW II will coffee and gab monthly at the Ma- meets again 9/10/11 at Kally K’s at 11:30 Rhode Island and Eastern Ma. Chap- chine Shed on the West Side of hours. Contact: Hal Conn, 6625 W. ter Host, Gerry Greaves, 1287 S. Des Moines, Ia. off Exit 125 on I- Seven Rivers Dr., Crystal River, Fl. 34429 Broadway, E. Providence, 02914 401- Page 13 REUNIONS

431-0011 [email protected] in- Patrol Craft Sailors Assn. CON- will hold a Regional Natl. Convention forms me that they will meet the first TACT: Duane Walters, 103 Cross Rd., 11/2-6, 2011 at the Ramada Inn, 1700 Thursday October 2011 at the Imperial Camillus, N.Y. 13031 315-487-2623 W.Hiwy 76, Branson, Mo.. Make res- Room, #1 Rhodes Place, Cranston, R.I. [email protected] ervations: 1-800-641-4106 or call Jack at 12 Noon. Grothe, 314-631-7492 jackgrothe@att. NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND net. Armed Guard are welcome. The The Wisc/Il Mini-Reunion will be held members of the USN Armed Guard City of Branson is dedicated to all vet- Oct.11/12, 2011 at the AmericInn in Veterans of WW II will hold their erans. Burlington, Wi.. Hosts are Jay and Jane FALL meeting at the RED BLAZER Wildfong 13211 Durand Ave., Sturte- Restaurant in Concord, NH. 0ct. 12, The S.S. JEREMIAH O’Brien tentative vant, Wi. 53117 262-886-2966 WILD- 2011 at 1 P.M., Eat at 2 PM. RSVP by sailing dates for 2011 will be FLEET [email protected] Everyone welcomed. Oct. 8th to: Bob Norling, 6 Tow Path WEEK and will be Oct. 8th & 9th. Check with them on Dec. 13th meeting Lane., Concord, N.H. 03301 Ph. 603- Contact: Eliz Anderson-Office Mangr. and 2012 meetings. 224-4927 E-Mail [email protected] 415-544-0100 1275 Columbus Ave. Suite 300, San Francisco, Ca. 94133 US Navy Armed Guard & Merchant Bainbridge, Md. USNTC meeting, [email protected] Marine Veterans of WW ll. Meet ev- contact Walter Alexander, 2311 Ida- ery third (3rd) Sat.of the month, except vere Rd. SW, Roanoke, Va.24015-3903 Oregon MM/AG Chapter host Ruth- June,July and August at Marsh Land- 540-353-5826 [email protected] ann Heineken, 7055SW 184th Ave., ing Restaurant at 44 North Broadway, Portland, Or. 97007 503-848-7031 asks Fellsmere, FL. For info contact C.F. WVA Armed Guard Merchant Marine all in the area to come and be with them. “Korky” Korker 772 571-0230 E-Mail WW II Veterans meet at the “Ranch [email protected] House” Restaurant in the Conference For the yearly July meeting Memo- Room Rt. 55 Craigsville, WV. 304- rial Service at the PORT CHICAGO The LOGANSPORT, IN. AREA 742-6117 on the 24th of Sept.2011. TRAGEDY , Contact: National Park meets at the VFW POST 1024 Erie Hosts are Forrest Flanagan PO Box Service, 4202 Albhambra Ave., Marti- Ave. on the last Friday of each month 119, Craigsville, WV26205 304-742- nez, Ca. 94553 925-228-8860 poch_ at 11:30 except December. Hosts are 3160 or Robert Wheeler, 203 Hunt [email protected] The following William and Betty Zwyers, 9239 N Ave. Beckley, WV. 25108 304-255- ID is required:Name/Gender, Date of State Rd 29, Frankfort, In. 46041 765- 0897. Birth, Address, Phone Number, E-Mail 258-3353 if you have one, Govt. ID or Driver’s li- The American Merchant Marine Silicon cense. Mail two days ahead. The Rochester, N.Y. Area AG/MM Valley Veterans Chapter meet CAR- meet on the 2nd Tuesday 11 A.M. at ROW’S RESTAURANT at 3180 El Ohio Veteran’s Memorial Park is lo- the JAY’S DINER 2612 W.Henrietta Camino Real,Santa Clara, Ca. on the 4th cated at 8005 Cleveland/Massillon Rd, Rd., Rochester, N.Y 585-424-3710. Friday of each month (except Nov/Dec) P.O.Box 3, Clinton, Oh. 330-773-2385 Hosts John Shevlin 585-467-2057; at 11:30 A.M.. They take in the Santa www.ovmp.org Walter Mace 585-394-7165, Frank Clara Veterans Day Memorial Services Hutter 585-473-8103, Michael Lucci at the Memorial Park and would like to 585-388-0576 and Marie Lane 14 have many Armed Guard to come join Michigan Chapter USNAG WW II Hanna Ln., Webster, N.Y. 14580 585- in the Comradary and show their AG Veterans next meeting will be Wed. 217-9897 [email protected] Colors. Contact: Perry Adams, 5100 EL Sept. 21, 2011 at Fire Mountain Re- CAMINO REAL Apt 303, Los Altos, straurant 730 Elmwood Lansing. Mi. Albany, NY Area Armed Guard/Mer- Ca 94022 650-967-3696. 321-1200 Hosts: chant Marine WW II meet the 4th Carl and Ruth Mescher, 508 Wayland, Thurs. of month at Schuyler Inn, 545 MM/AG Susquehanna Mariners Con- E. Lansing, Mi. 48823 Broadway, Menands NY at 11:30 AM. tact Wm. Balabanow, 74 Delp Rd., Host are Art and Marion Fazzone 3936 Lancaster, Pa. 17601 717-569-0391 Albany St., Schenectady, NY 12304- [email protected] for their next 4371 (518)374-5377 mamoon3@aol. meeting. com and Peter Falasco, 49 Monroe Ave., Latham, NY 12110 (518) 785- The Merchant Marine “NEW” National 7890 (CHANGES UNDERLINED) President Morris Harvey anounces they Page 14 THE GALLANT SHIP

in, just skimming the water to skip bomb the harbor. The Gallant Ship us. That incident right there would have the S.S. MARCUS DALY stopped the MARCUS DALY for good Oct. 26, 1944—Still we have no Army by Dilmar S. Gould if it had not been for our gunners aboard. Air Corps. Only two raids so far today. U.S Merchant Marine WW II We were all pretty much scared. I am writ- It’s considerable quieter. Two Japanese August 1, 1944, we left Long Beach, Ca., ing this at NOON as the fireworks have planes came in real high this morning but headed for New Guinea and on the 19th, stopped for the present time, but it’s been the shore batteries kept them high and no we had an initation ceremony at the equator going on since the early morning hour. It damage done. One of our boys that was and two days later, we passed the interna- is now 5 PM the same day and as we were injured yesterday, came back from the hos- tional dateline. On the 24th, at 3 A.M., we trying to dock this afternoon, and we got pital with the news that 3 of our aircraft were challenged by an undentified surface into shallow waters and we are now stuck carriers were sunk in the naval battle not far craft and we fired 14 rounds from the 3”50 on the bottom and with the Japs pushed from here . That in itself explains why we gun. We were plenty scared. On the 26th, back only 1500 yards. We have had 3 di- saw a few of our Navy planes flying around we arrived at Finchaven, New Guinea and rect attacks on our ship so far today by light trying to land on a vacant lot they call an they removed our deck cargo and on the bombers and other aircraft but none were airstrip and not trying to give chase to the 28th , we sailed for Oro Bay, arriving there Zeroes. Japs. They were out of fuel and ammuni- on the 30th and there was nothing there tion and without a place to land because but rain, cocanuts, palms and wrecked Jap BOY!! WHAT A DAY!!! their carrier was no more. We are sitting landing craft and was there 2 about weeks. Oct. 25, 1944. We were attacked all night at the dock today. The Liberty ship tied up We sailed for and arrived at Langumac Bay long. It started at dawn today and hasn’t let ahead of us and “her out of ammunition” and discharged the remaining cargo and up yet and it is now 4:30 P.M.. The little and a LST and ourselves are trying to fight loaded the 44 th Tank Battalion headed for yellow bastards are good fliers. Five men on off the whole Jap Air Force. Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands with board were wounded today; 2 of our crew a plenty of activity there as it was a staging and 2 soldiers. The Jap planes come over Oct.27, 1944- Things are a little more quiet area, arriving there on the September 23, a little mountain range directly behind Ta- today. Only one raid this morning. Most of 1944. We cloban, the biggest city on Leyte, and let go the action today seems to be over towards counted 6 aircraft carriers of a small class their bombs before we have time to get our Dulag, a few miles away, and us sure glad and the “USS ENTERPRISE” and there guns into actions. It is TOO HOT here of it. Well, our ship has 3 Jap planes to it’s must have been at least 200 Merchant and I am not speaking about the weather. I credit so far. One on the 24th and two on Ships and Naval Crafts in all the harbor. wish we had some air protection. The Navy the 25th. The latter was our worse day. The Left Los Negros and arrived in Finchaven Fleet is not too far from here in battle with P-38s came in today. They really had a big on the 27th and loaded troops and equip- a Jap Task Force trying to bottle us in. That cheering section. Now, maybe we won’t be ment of the 98th Chemical Unit and gives the Jap’s planes a clear field to bomb bothered so much with raids in the day- 2nd Engineer Division and took them to this harbor without any navy here to help time. Just before the P-38s sat down on the Humbolt Bay and discharged them on us. As yet, there are no Army planes any field, we had a Jap plane giving us trouble, Oct. 6. 1944. Loaded 700 more troops and where near here. They are due in tomorrow. dodging in and out of the clouds, straffing equipment for the Philippines or Saipan. the docks and dropping a stick of bombs One was a “ONE STAR” General, 3 full Our Army is still having a hell of a time. on a small craft just to the right of us. But, Colonels and 25 other officers. It really The plane that caused the boys aboard to then, the P-38 spotted it and gave chase. looks like we are going into something! get hurt, came in directly dead ahead out They got him but the plane fell into a Lib- Yes! We are. It’s an island between Luzon of the clouds. He started his guns the min- erty ship in the harbor and set it on fire. and Mindinoa in the Philippines. We are ute he broke from the clouds, blazing away Oct 28, 1944-We are almost unloaded. We to arrive on D-DAY plus 4, which means 4 until he was about 200 yards off our bow, were still raided last night, all night. The days after the invasion. WOW!! letting go his 3 bombs—one landed to our shore batteries kept them pretty high so starboard and 2 aft and took off alone into their dropping bombs were pretty much of On the 18 th, we pulled out of Humboldt the clouds. The other plane cut across our a hit and miss proposition. It is rumored headed for the P.I.s in a convoy 87 ships. beam, cutting a guy wire line on one of the that the P-61, or; “BLACK WIDOW” The General’s name is WALLENDOR booms with his straffing and turned over a night fighter is due in tomorrow. If so, it and we arrived at Leyte this morning on native and his boat with one of his bombs should stop these night raids to a certain the 14th. No excitement on the way here and came within a few yards of hitting us. extent. but “PUH-LENTY” here. We were at- All this happened while we were on the tacked by 3 Jap dive bombers. Our Navy sand bar. We hear there has been 1 Liberty Oct. 29, 1944-We had one raid early this gun crew shot one down that was coming ship, 1 LST and some small crafts sunk in morning about 6 A.M.. He came in Page 15 THE GALLANT SHIP straight astern of us and coming down, the to have the hole in the side welded. at us from the stern. Before it got quite to P-38s went up though and did away with Nov. 14, 1944-We are leaving for Oro Bay. us, our 3 inch gunners had shot it’s entire him. There are still 2 planes that bother We, George and I, have spent the last few tail assembly off, but, that didn’t stop him as us—one about 6 A.M. and the other about days at sea making a paddle board.We can’t he came on with intentions of dropping his 6 P.M.. These are more or less, nusiance wait to find out if it will even float. We will bomb and crash diving us. He succeeded raids. The naval battle is still going strong find out tomorrow when we arrive in Oro in his intentions because his bomb fell into out in the strait. We don’t know how we Bay. No.1 hold and the plane followed. (I wish I are doing but I hope it’s O.K.. We pulled didn’t have to write this part) To start with, away from the docks today and are at an- Nov. 18, 1944-We pulled into the docks our whole bow is blown out and our for- chor waiting for a convoy. at Oro Bay today after setting overnight ward 3 inch gun is in shambles. The ship’s at anchor. We are going to load part of the loss of men were: 1 Navy Armed Guard – Oct 30, 1944-Some out of the way action 38th Division and equipment. It will be Dead; 2 Merchant Marine – Dead and 1 last night. During the night, a minature our biggest troop loads so far. They will be MM wounded. hurricane came up and dragged us about aboard the 21st; between 1,000 and 1,200 a mile, even with our anchor down. Mean- men and we will be headed right back to Of the 3 that died, only one got a quick and while, an L.C.I. had rammed us and put a the Philippines again. WOE IS US!! merciful death. He was Merchant Seaman. hole in our side, right side, amidship. The The Navy Boy and the other Merchant hole isn’t big but big enough. The ship’s Nov. 21, 1944-Loaded troops today and Marine died during the night from their carpenter plugged it with cement so we are we are headed for a palce called Lae, New horrible burns. I am not positive as to the O.K. to travel. It is now 6 A.M. same day Guinea to take on water. It’s the 22nd and exact number of soldiers killed, wounded and we are leaving right away, in convoy. we are taking on water. Nice little place and blown from the deck of the ship into Boy! What a relief to be leaving here. We – nothing here. Leaving tomorrow for the water, but I’ve heard it was 174. There are the first ships to be leaving the Phil- Humboldt Bay to meet a convoy. were 10 casualties of our own, 3 killed and 7 ippines since the day of the invasion. The injured. All this happened at a place called convoy consists of ourselves, one other Lib- Nov.29, 1944-Leaving Humboldt in a 38 Tarragona Beach, about 40 miles south of erty, a Dutch ship; the one who rescued Dr. ship convoy with the 1,200 of the 38th Tacloban. Wassel and his party from Java and 5 LSTs Division. The other 18,000 are on Libertys and our navy escorts. An exceptional small and Transports. Our No.1 hold is an awful mess as we were convoy, but the reason we are so few is that on fire for 4 hours. That same afternoon, we the Navy doesn’t know if the Japs have us Dec. 5, 1944-We were attacked this morn- had 2 torpedoes at us but missed. We did no bottled up here or not. In other words, we ing (we are just 24 hours from our des- sleeping that night because our rooms were are the “Guinea Pig tination) at 9:15 A.M. by a dive bomber. full of wounded and dying men. We arrived Convoy.” We are headed for Humboldt He dropped one bomb on the port side of the 6th with no more trouble. Our gun- again. No.2 hold. We have been on the alert since ners had accounted for 2 more Jap planes, then but so far, it is quiet. (Now 2:00 P.M.) but what a price we paid for them. We dis- Nov. 5, 1944-We arrived in Humboldt safe charged our troops, the wounded and dead and sound with only one submarine scare Dec. 8, 1944-This is the first chance I have on the 6th. We have had raids every since on the whole trip. The destroyer escorts had to write anything since the 5th. On the we got here. evidently scared or chased it away. We are afternoon of the 5th, the Liberty ship in now in anchor and don’t know what we coffin corner next to us, was attacked by a Dec.10, 1944-Up until today, we have been will do next or where we will go. In all the torpedo plane and was damaged to the ex- pretty lucky as we hadn’t been hit, but today, excitement, I forgot to mention that while tent that it wasn’t able to maneuver because 4 planes came in at 5:00 P.M., it was over in we were in Leyte, at the Tacloban dock, her rudder and screw had been blown off. 10 minutes but so much happened in that that General who rode with us to Leyte, Another plane plane came in then and put ten minutes. We shot down two of them. came back aboard before we left and told a torpedo in her no.2 hold. She did not The second of these two, as he was coming our Captain and gunnery officer that Gen- sink even after that. Two destroyers and a in to crash dive us, was shot to pieces before eral Douglas McArthur had commended tug stayed back to protect her. The follow- he got to us, but what was left of him kept our ship for courage and fighting ability in ing morning, the Jap planes came back and coming directly over the bow and headed doing a major part in saving the Tacloban sunk her. We haven’t heard how many of straight for the bridge. Instead of hitting the dock and for knocking 3 Nips out of the her crew was lost. Not many I hope. Get- bridge and stack, he hit a boom on the port sky. On the 11th, we are still at anchor in ting back yo us---That same afternoon at side that was swung out. This altered his Humboldt Bay. It’s still a mystery as to 3:30 P.M., just 30 minutes after that ship plunge a bit. He hit the port bridge gun tub what is going to happen to us. We still have got it, WE GOT IT. A dive bomber came and leveled it. The plane then dropped to Page 16 THE GALLANT SHIP the boat deck, still with a tremendous mo- coming away from here with a hole in the MARCUS DALY until we hit Frisco. As mentum, tearing both lifeboats from their side and a ship to be on. Our Army made usual, no mail for me. Maybe I don’t have davits and then crashed, bomb and all into an invasion of Mindora Island yesterday, the a wife any longer! The Post Office told the the L.C.T. tied alongside us at No. 4 hold, 15th, which should draw some of the fire Capt. That most of our mail had been sent taking off our cargo. The plane exploded, from here for the time being. Too many to the Philippines. setting the L.C.T. afire and blowing a few Jap planes suicide diving to suit me. One good size holes in our side from the water crashed yesterday in the water on the star- Jan. 1, 1945 We came down the coast of line right up to the maindeck. Our casualties board side of a Liberty oiler tanker, with a New Guinea from Humboldt to Finchave- from this were 14 injured and none killed. cruiser refueling from alongside. We saw the and this after noon, we made a hard left turn On the L.C.T., 3 killed and quite a few in- whole thing and we thought he had gotten towards sea and HOME. We have seen the jured. We are banged up good and proper both ships. Nothing you can do but stand last of New Guinea today unless something now, but we’re still afloat and with a few and watch and wait. Boy!! How my nerves unforeseen happens. The morale is up 1000 repairs, we could still get by at sea. A third are standing it, I don’t know. percent. We figure a 21 day crossing to Fris- plane crash dived into the S.S. WILLIAM co and about Jan. 27th. On the 6 th, a mine LADD Liberty, into her No.4 hold setting Dec. 22nd-We have been repaired enough was sighted and GQ was called and it was it afire and damaging the fire pumps beyond to be seaworthy. We pulled out from Leyte fired on it as we circled it at some distance working order. They had no chance to fight today with no regrets, with 27 other ships until it was sunk. I hope we don’t have to fire the fire. Evidently, it was loaded with gaso- bound for Humboldt. In two or three days, the guns again the rest of the trip. I didn’t line or oil because it burned all night and we should be far enough out to sea to be safe know what kind of effect it would have on the next day. It finally sank to th bottom. from the “LOCO” Jap Air Force. me but it wasn’t pleasant. It sounded like we We heard it didn’t suffer one casualty. The were back in the P.I.s. We cross the Equator 4th plane, I saw taking off alone pretty high Dec. 24, 1944-CHRISTMAS EVE again on the 9th and maybe it will cool off when I spotted a P-38 taking after him. I !! BOY! WOULD I LIKE TO BE after 5 months. saw the fight and the Jap plane burst into HOME!! flames and saw it spiral to the ground, then Jan. 17, 1945-It started a storm about mid- the crash and explosion. The tears came into Dec. 25, 1944-Today is Christmas. What night and hasn’t let up. As you know we are my eyes as I thought of our boys who had a beautiful day. No trouble so far but we empty and no bow to speak of and we are gotten killed and said to myself, “ There’s are holding our breath. We will arrive in taking a beating. The waves lifts us out of the one dirty bastard for you boys.” All this HUMBOLDT on the 28th. I sincerely be- water and then drops us and sounds like we happened at a place called Tarragona Beach lieve that I have more to be MERRY about are breaking up. It’s the 19th and we have about 40 miles South of Tacloban. today than any Christmas I have ever seen been tossed around like a cork for a few days. because I have a whole skin and I am very We have passed 200 miles South of the Hi- Dec. 11, 1944- We moved today into the much alive. It’s only by the Grace of God waian Island. Leyte Harbor near Tacloban. We think it that those of us on this ship are alive. will be a little safer here, as we are almost un- Jan. 26th-Everybody has “CHANNEL loaded and there are at least 500 other ships Dec.27, 1944-No trouble yet. We will arrive FEVER” –can’t sleep, packing clothes, shin- in the harbor, so I don’t think we will be in Humboldt by dawn. ing shoes, etc. This about wounds up my all singled out to attack. There are quite a few unpleasnat trip and the end of my story and Navy ships around us with plenty of fire- Dec.29, 1944-Arrived yesterday morning, I want to say this: The Merchant Marine has power, so we all feel a little safer here. All of no excitement on the whole trip. WHEW!! quite a few fancy names such as “DRAFT this last week has really played hell with our We are just sitting here at anchor with our DODGERS” by the Navy and Army boys nerves. Everyone has a case of the “jitters”. hopes high. We thought we might be leav- in the USA who have never seen any ac- Call it BOMB HAPPY if you want to. ing for the good old U.S.A. but it looks now tion or ever been overseas. In my opinion, like it will be tomorrow or the next day. I re- they are envious of our job. They don’t stop Dec. 16, 1944-Even if I had time to write ceived 1 letter and one Christmas card—the to realize, even though our pay runs a little before today, I couldn’t have on the account first in 6 weeks. higher than theirs, that we still have our of D.T.s. We are still in the harbor near To- necks stuck out as far as any of them and cloban and we’ll leave when the repair ship Dec.30, 1944-WHOOPEE! We left if they don’t think we are doing our part, I finds time to repair us enough to be sea- Humboldt Bay this after noon for good old think of them as I do those yellow bastards worthy. Raids here every day but not in our Frisco. Maybe you don’t think the morale we are fighting as they are in the the same immediate vicinity. We just sit and watch hasn’t gone up for everyone??!! The Captain class and no better than them. them. There are so many more ships to pick went ashore early this afternoon for sailing THE END on here that it lengthens our chances of orders and pick up the last mail for the S.S. Delmar G. Gould 4011 Jackson Ave., Page 17 HUNTER COLLEGE

time had I not been married, alas and alack. I should have known then that it wasn’t go- ing to work out. But, I’ll keep the one I have now – it’s been 46 years this month-Bastille Day to be exact. I am sure women’s branches of services are now much more equal. We certainly had advantages too, though – like having our meals in the Chief ’s mess hall and doing our shopping at the store over in Yerba Buena, the Marines part of the ter- ritory. It was also the Waves who decided how much money you fellas were entitled to when you put into port, and we had to stay up all night, working on the books, every 3 or 4 months, to be sure everything was bal- anced. But our Lt.Cmdr. had them bring in all kinds of good food over to keep us going, so no one objected. I hope this gives you a little insight on the Armed Guard Waves at I was reading and article when I saw a didn’t have enough barracks for us as we Treasure Island.” name, and, an E-Mail address so out of were the first batch of Waves on T.I.. For- Evelyn Welch curiosity, I typed in: “If you get this; click tunately, my mother lived in the area, and I 2108 S. Dusk Lane on www.armed-guard.com and get back was able to live at home as I was brought up Greenacres WA 99016. to me and I gave my name and address.” there.” She said, “Some of the rules were-- if O O O The person read about the Armed Guard we were married, (and I made that mistake and she wrote back: “ I shall take exception some times after enlisting) we were not al- I went to GOOGLE in the computer and to the fact that women are not mentioned lowed to go overseas without our spouse’s typed in HUNTER COLLEGE, N.Y. as part of the Armed Guard. Also, we, at consent. And when we were disbanded, we Waves WW II and there was all the Waves Treasure Island, Ca. paid “Y’all” in the also had to have our spouse’s consent to stay Training Centers listed. I have sent her sev- 12th Naval Command so that you could in the Navy, if we so desired. I could have eral more names of Waves I have located over keep rolling along. Now! How in the been Chief Petty Officer in two months’ the years. (cal) world did you get my E-Mail address, let alone find me?” So I answered and asked if she’d like to know more about the Armed Guard doings since 1982 and if she got her training in Hunter’s College in New York and THANKED her for serving in WW II. .

She answered back and said, “It was my pleasure to serve in the Navy during WW II, thank you! It also helped me grow up. Yes, indeed, we had BOOT CAMP at Hunter College. Then it was down to the Univer- sity in Milledgeville, Georgia for training. We had all the pecans we wanted because the trees were planted everywhere on the campus. Very fond memories that make you feel guilty because there was a war going on. Life is strange. In answer to your earlier question, no, I did not get any pictures of T.I. since I didn’t have a camera. Much to my dismay. And I lived off base because they Page 18 THE ARMED GUARD HELPED HIM RETURN

Page 19 THE ARMED GUARD HELPED HIM RETURN

Page 20 THE ARMED GUARD HELPED HIM RETURN

Page 21 SALUTE

45 Woodview Drive Pittsboro, Indiana 46167-9503 USA 317-892-2141 [email protected]

Jack Martin David LaPointe

Censored

Page 22 S.S. MARCUS DALY

Culver City, Calif. sailed together on a ship about twenty It was a beautiful sight. The inlet was THE SAGA OF THE years previous to the voyage. His waist- shaped like a half-moon with the shore S.S. MARCUS DALY line had increased a trifle since that forming the outer curve, and the coral by Capt. Alvin W. Opheim time, but his cherubic features had not reef part cutting it in half. The white, I was appointed Master of the S.S. changed. Lt (jg) J.S. Feathers U.S.N.R., sand beach was like a picture. An army MARCUS DALY on July 18, 1944, to the gunnery officer, was a man of my hospital was located in a jungle clearing relieve Capt. E.W. Greenup, who was own heart. He was raised on a farm not far from the beach. A tranferred to another ship. This will be and prior to joining the Navy, he held ship’s officer graciously asked, “Captain, voyage number two for the ship. Load- a position as principal of a high school do you wish to see something sooth- ing operations commenced a few days in Oregon. His pleasant smile and ef- ing to sea-wary eyes?” With thanks, I later. The cargo loaded at Long Beach, ficient, quiet manner made me feel he excepted the pre-offered binoculars, Ca. dock was the usual war material; would soon organize the various gun which were my own, and trained it on guns, amunition, foodstuffs, planes, crews and train them well enough, so the beach area which had drawn their etc.. Our destination-New Guinea, that they would be able to account for attention. All I could see was a number seemed far away the night we dropped themselves when the need arose. I was of army nurses taking an early morning the pilot and set our course toward it. not to be disappointed with him. He sun bath. They has a canvas screen set We sailed alone. The U.S. Navy did not was later twice decorated by the Navy. up to conceal themselves from the pry- have enough escorts to meet the re- We made the long voyage without ing eyes of the convelesing soldiers sit- quirements. The need was too great in sighting anything excepting one small ting on the hospital veranda. They did the Atlantic. Our feelings were not joy- cone-shaped island. which our route not seem to object to the seeing eyes of ful when leaving the safety of a home brought us near to. The island was un- the seamen. The pleasant scene did not port, bound for the war zone. Rather, inhabited, and it made a good landmark last long. The harbor pilot came aboard it was a feeling of in-difference. There for navigators to check their positions. in time for breakfast and later piloted was a job to be done, and it had to be the ship to another area where there done. When we arrived off the port of were facilities for unloading the fighter Finchaven New Guinea, we were told planes which were stowed in crates on The S.S. MARCUS DALY was a Lib- by blinker signals on shore to wait out- our decks. erty-type ship, built in Richmond, Cal- side of the harbor till the pilot came ifornia. The crew consisted of forty-one onboard. We waited for several other During the unloading operations, the merchant men, including the skipper, ships, till nearly dark before they found pursers pharmacist mate told me, “The and twenty seven navy men, including a place for us to drop anchor for the crew wishes to draw money.” For what the gunnery officer. That was the regu- night. Our anchorage was located be- purpose in these jungle ports he did lation number of men required to man hind a coral reef protruding from the not know, and I could not imagine. this type of vessel, as prescribed by the shore, with one natural inlet, just wide During the war time in these ports, war-time authorities, and it sufficed. enough to permit a Liberty ship to en- a master of a merchant ship, when in The route we were instructed to took ter. If a torpedo were fired at us during need of money, had toobtain it through us south of the Hawiian Islands. The the night, it would lodge harmlessly on an army or navy paymaster. “It is 15 weather was fair at all times, and it was the coral reef. That night, we all enjoyed miles to the paymaster’s office” said an as pleasant as the taut nerves and ten- a sound sleep. The next morning, I was army officer, “If you wish, I will phone sion caused by war-time strain, would awakened by voices and gleeful laughter the vehicle pool for transportation for permit. coming from the vicinity of the ship’s you.” I wished and he phoned. They bridge. I had a desire to check on the sent a two-ton six wheeler to take me The officers and crew of any ship, loaded ship’s position at anchor, in relation to to the money office. Several members with explosives whether it was a Mer- shore and any possible dangers, which of the crew requested permission to ac- chantman or Man—of War, were never I could not do in the semi-darkness at company me, so they could buy money any delusion, during wartime, that it the time we dropped anchor. Sleepily orders to send back to the States. They can only happen to someone else. Each and reluctantly, I left my bed to satisfy confided, while en route in the truck, time we sail with a dangerous cargo, we my curosity regarding the hilarity on they left San Pedro, California owing knew it could be our last time. It was the bridge and our position. $50.00 each to a madame. They had great satisfaction to know that most of promised they would send the money the crew had had previous experience I found all the ship’s officers except the at their first opportunity. I was glad at sea. The chief engineer, Steen Mag- engineer on duty, taking turns at the they were maintaining the tradition of nus and I were former shipmates. We binoculars, inspecting the shore line. the Merchant Marine, by paying their Page 23 S.S. MARCUS DALY debt when due. rial for it’s final assembly. We felt con- DALY was number 25, which meant When we had unloaded the deck car- cerned for fear we would be kept on we were the fifth ship in line two. It go, we were instructed to proceed to the “peddling” run as we called it, and was interesting to observe the army Oro Bay, about twelve hours steaming, miss taking part in the invasion. I asked cooks prepare meals for twelve hun- south of Finchaven. En-route to that a high ranking army officer, “Why do dred troops in that one field kitchen. port, it was stated in our sailing orders, some Merchant ships lie at anchor, The menu was balanced and well pre- to check our position with Mitre Rock. weeks at a time, whereas we have been pared. The soldiers lined up with their The instructions stated the Mitre Rock constantly on the go?” “We choose the mess kits at meal time to receive their is easily identified because it is shaped ships with experienced masters,” said rations, they sat on the hatches or any- like a bishop’s mitre. I had forgotten, if he. “The inexperienced masters wreck where space was available to eat them. I ever knew, what a bishop’s mitre looks too many docks.” like. I asked the officers and men, “Do We approached the entrance to the you know?” No one did. The dictionary Our turn finally came to load for D- Gulf of Leyte before the break of day, was consulted and it contained a picture Day. It was a mixed cargo. The deck to be in a position to enter it at dawn. of a bishop’s mitre. The rock was easily and number two hold were loaded When we entered the Gulf, the enemy identified, our position ascertained and down with road building machinery, planes greeted us in such a way that I we proceeded without further incident bull-dozers, carry-alls and road lev- am inclined to feel our arrival was not to our destination. eling machines; the type required to welcomed. They reminded me of the rebuild damaged air-strips and create hornets on the farm, when the kids Oro Bay is open to the sea, but well- new ones, where needed. The lower threw rocks at their nests. Mr. Feath- protected from the north, south and holds were filled with quartermaster ers, our gunnery officer, instructed his west. The army engineers had built two stores. I was told by someone, “There men not to waste ammunition, but to docks, one on each side of the bay. We is three million dollars worth of inva- direct their fire on the planes within discharged the remainder of our cargo sion money in them thar holds.” The range. They held their fire when a high at the long pier, which accomodated last item we loaded were army provi- flying plane dropped a string of bombs. three ships at one time. During the sions. These were packed in cases, then The bombs missed us. When the plane unloading operations, the soldier ste- ten cases to a bundle and strapped to- made a turn, and came in for another vedores accidently dropped a sling load gether with wire. It was known as 10-1 run at a lower altitude, the boys let go of dehydrated potatoes over the side rations, which meant that each bundle with their all. I observed the tracer bul- into the water. The soldiers exclaimed, contained enough provisions for 10 lets through my binoculars, closing in “WHOOPEE, there goes twelve cases men for one day, or ten days for one on the plane, and it gave my great plea- we don’t have to eat.” When the un- man. The field kitchen was set up on sure to see the bullets explode on target. loading operations were finished, we number two hatch with a canopy over The plane caught fire and crashed into shifted the ship across the bay to the it. The ship engineer installed a fresh the bay. smaller pier, to commence loading. water pipe with a faucet near the field There, we loaded sixty Sherman tanks kitchen. The latrine for the troops was A few minutes later, another plane came and the equipment for operating them. constucted by the ship’s carpenter, us- at us; a dive bomber. Will our gunners There existed a general feeling at the ing planks to form a trough, placing find the target in time? The tracer bul- time that something big was pending. near the ship’s stern. A salt water hose lets are passing underneath the plane. Hollandia was safely in our hands and placed in one end of the trough effected I know Mr. Feathers is aware of it. If a small island to the west of it had been sanitary requirements. the interphone system is functioning captured from the enemy only recently. properly, he will notify them to raise We surmised the Philippines would be When all was in readiness, the troops their sight. Can they hear him when all our next objective, but we knew not were marched on board, about twelve guns are spitting a deafening staccato? which port, or what island there would hundred in all. Last but not least, came I watched as the starboard wing gun- be the first to be attacked . Brig.Gen. E.K. Walladder, a real gen- ner is raising the stream of tracers. The tleman of the old school, to ride with tracers are exploding against the enemy The tanks and complement were deliv- us. It was a pleasure indeed, to have cockpit. I can see the pilot slump over. ered at Manus Island, in the Admiralty him onboard. When the convoy was As the plane was about to hit us in a group, where they are reloaded aboard formed, the LST’s led and the other crash dive, it swerved sharply upward. LST’s. We made several more short ships followed. There were forty-two The bomb was dropped. It missed us trips between various bases in New cargo troop ships forming 6 lines, seven by no more than ten feet. Several naval Guinea, hauling loads of war mate- ships in each line. The S.S. MARCUS vessels were now creating an artificial Page 24 Continued on Page 29 WARTIME TANKERS

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Page 28 S.S. MARCUS DALY fog . This fog will conceal us from the That is, the dive-bombers. The respite -al refuge during a dive-bomber attack. enemy for the time being. It will give us lowed us to plan how we might extricate The six days and nights, while the sol- respite, which will enable us to get our ourselves from our awkward position. diers-stevedores were unloading our bearings and further orders where to The bow of the ship was in the mudbank. cargo, the enemy tried their upmost to proceed. I received orders to anchor our The stern mooring lines were fouled in sink us alongside the dock. Our gunners ship near the beach, where the airstrip the propeller. The cargo was needed on stood by their guns, day and night. As is located. It was a nice place to lay. We shore. So were the troops. the dive-bombers came skimming over could watch the progress of the battle the mountain tops across the small bay on shore through our binoculars, and I held consulation with the ship’s of- from the dock, they held their fire till the we presumed there would be a number ficers and we decided to hook up the planes were near enough to let them have of anti-aircraft batteries near the end jacking-engine which would enable it point blank. They brought down many of the air-strip to help ward off the at- the engineers to slowly turn the pro- plaqnes whose bombs all missed us ex- tacking planes. peller opposite to the way it was turn- cept one. That one blew a hole in the cen- ing when the lines were fouled. At the ter of the concrete pier. Our ship’s bow A few minutes after coming to anchor, I same time, the deck crews took the lines was punctured in several places and three received orders to proceed to the Taclo- to the after-mooring winches to keep of the gunners on the forward three-inch ban dock. “I have no chart.” I said. “Fol- strain on the lines. This was done, and gun were injured. low that power boat,” I was told. The boat the lines came clear. Tug boats took the was small, it had power; it could proceed lines again and this time were cautious When the cargo was discharged, we de- faster than a Liberty ship. We followed it when taking up the slack. The ship came parted from the hot spot with sighs of but I felt skeptical. The channel was not afloat before midnight. The following relief. Orders now directed us to join a marked with the usual buoys. Instead, we morning, we were ready to go alongside convoy of empty LST’s returning to New had to rely on bamboo poles. The fisher- the pier when it became light enough to Guinea. On our arrival, we started load- men were using bamboo poles, too. We see. We hoped to make fast before the ing the ship for another voyage to Leyte. passed close astern of several LST’s with enemy attacks began, so the merchant No heavy equipment this time. The lower their gaping mouths extending from the seamen could help the navy men at the hold cargo consisted of stores, ammuni- water to the shore. I could then see the guns. I maneuvered the ship through the tion, medical supplies, trucks and jeeps. concrete pier. I could see an oil drum not narrow channel, twixt the oil drum and The truck and jeeps, which was stowed far from the end of the pier end. It’s color the beach, and as the bow of the vessel on deck, were fitted with gun mounting appeared to be rusty brown, such as oil was nosing toward the pier, the gunners in such a way that the guns could be uti- drums are colored when they’ve been in opened fire. lized to supplement the ship’s armament. salt water for some time. I headed for the When they mounted the guns on the ve- pier. The ship went aground. I ordered, The soldiers standing by on the pier to hicles, I noticed they were all 50-caliber “Full astern.” The ship came afloat. handle the lines, made a dash for the rapid-fire, with armor-piercing bullets. trenches near the dock installations. I This pleased me. My theory was that an The dive bombers came at us. The gun- asked through the loud speaker, “Who armored-piercing bullet would be more ners drove them off. The merchant deck in the hell will handle our lines if you all effective against a dive-bomber than our crew were standing by the lines, to make run away?” The officer in charge, -Cap own 20mm missiles, which exploded on fast. They should be helping at the guns. tain Carlson looked at the men run- contact with the target. I had noticed The navy men will carry on. They always ning, shook his head and said, “I will several times, the 20mm missiles explod- have. I lined the ship up, heading for the make your lines fast, Captain.” He did ing against the radial motor on the dive- pier once more. It went aground again. and by the time we were made fast to bomber with no effect. When the cargo The boat came back to inform me, “The the dock, the attack halted for the time was loaded, the troops came onboard oil drum is supposed to be paintd red, and being. I did not have time to observe the commanded by Colonel Skelton (No re- it is a buoy.” attack as I was too busy bringing the lation to Red, so he said). It was a plea- ship alongside of the pier. I was told it sure to have him aboard. The enemy planes are coming at us again. was a three-plane attack. All the bombs The convoy we were to join formed in the Two army tug boats take our stern line missed us. The gangplank was lowered waters outside Hollandia. It was paced by to assist us off the mud bank. They start and the troops aboard the ship lost no LST’s in the lead, with the larger ships off with a jerk. The lines part. The -bro time in going ashore. I heard several re- following them. The size of the convoy ken ends fall into the propeller going full marks by various soldiers as they were was about the same as the previous one, astern. They foul it. We stop the engine. leaving. They were glad to get off the probably a few more escorts vessels. The It is now dark. The enemy cannot see us. ship and to a place where they can seek route followed the pattern of the first one Page 29 S.S. MARCUS DALY too, keeping well away from the coast of an enemy plane. below. The man at the hose drenched Mindano, till abreast of Leyte Gulf. Dur- A few hours later, we were attacked again. him with water to extinguish the fire. ing the afternoon, on the day before our By this time, it was noon. This I know be- Richard stood up and staggered toward scheduled arrival in Leyte Gulf, a sig- cause I was observing the meridan pas- the damaged ladder leading up to the nal was flashed to all ships. “There are sage of the sun with my sextant when it gun tub. He climbed back into the gun friendly planes overhead.” The sky was happened. A twin-motored bomber led tub. He picked up an unconscious navy partly cloudy and a choppy head sea was the attack on our ship. It dropped a string seaman and eased him down to the men running, caused by a moderate headwind. of bombs as it passed over us at low al- below. Someone helped Richard down. We spotted several planes as they passed titude. Then came a Zero dive-bomber. He collapsed. He is picked up and car- over the clear areas between the clouds. I It circled our ship once. The tracer bul- ried to his quarters for medical attention. heard Mr. Feathers remark, “The friendly lets from our guns were hitting it. I could He regains consciousness a few hours planes are acting strangely, dodging be- see them explode against the fuselage. It later, joked with his shipmates a bit, then hind the clouds.” A few minutes later, one closed in on us. It’s right wing sheared off passes on, to where his tribulations and of the planes left the clouds and made a as it hit the raised boom on number one pain ceased to exist. He was awarded the swoop down over the convoy. It’s guns hatch. It crash-dived into number one Merchant Marine Distinguished Service strafed various ships as it came down at hold. There was a terrific explosion. Fires Medal Posthumously. the convoy, then concentrated it’s aim at broke out forward with a roar. The flames, our ship. Just before passing over us, it let fanned by the head wind, reached back The fire was gradually brought under go a string of bombs. The bombs missed towards the bridge. The ship’s crew led out control, when we were faced with an- us by a few feet. the fire hoses and opened the forward hy- other danger. An enemy torpedo plane drant. No water come. The explosion had had launched a torpedo at a ship astern The chief mate, Mr. F.A. Steele of Rose carried away the forward fire line. “Con- of us. It knocked the propeller and rudder Mead, California became pock-marked nect the hoses together to make them off that ship, which left it helpless. It then with fragment from a 20mm which burst reach the after-fire hydrants,” I ordered. let go another torpedo at it, which hit in contact with the steel bulkhead behind The men worked feverishly to carry out abreast number two hold. The ship took him. He was not seriously injured, but suf- my orders. I maneuvered the ship out of a list to port, and we could see the troops fered a lot of pain. The doctors removed all the convoy, and headed it down wind on aboard abandoning ship. The plane had the pieces they could find, and on arrival in slow speed. The flames now were being one more torpedo strapped to it’s belly, Leyte, took him to an army hospital where blown forward, away from the ship and and now it commenced stalking our ship. they removed many more splinters. About the men could approach the fire with one I notified the engineer on watch, to stand two months later, several more pieces, hose. Then I had to order, “ Never mind by the throttle and give it the works, when deeply imbedded, were removed in a San the fire, flood the ammunition magazine the signal “full ahead” is given. The plane Francisco, Ca. hospital. An army doctor first.” Many men were coming up out was skimming the surface of the sea and received similar injuries when another of number one hatch with their clothes weaving back and forth, a difficult target missile exploded upon hitting the ship’s afire from head to foot. Some of the in- for the gunners. The tracer bullets were smokestack. The man at the wheel was in- jured are moaning; others were wander- hitting the water a little behind the plane. jured at the same time. I asked the doctor, ing about in a daze. Some were jumping The men in the engine room knew what overboard. I shouted through the loud was about to happen. They knew if this “Where were you standing when you speaker, “The order to abandon ship has torpedo hit us abreast the engine room, were hit?” He retorted, “ Safest place on not been given. We cannot rescue anyone it would be curtains for them. The plane the ship, close behind you. You blankety- leaping overboard.” No one left the ship launched the torpedo. We could see the blank so and so.” I realized then, that he after that. splash as it hit the water, and the churn- had acted as a shield for me. I had re- ing of it’s propeller as it gained momen- ceived only a few pieces in my left arm. The magazine is flooded. The engineers tum. We were at a slow speed ahead. I We did not know, and there was no way have blocked off the broken main, and signaled “full speed ahead and hard left we could determine whether the strafing now they have several hoses playing on rudder.” The torpedo was coming to- of our ship came from the guns of the at- the fires. I use my binoculars to get a wards our port side. The ship vibrated tacking planes, or from the guns of the close-up look at the havoc wrought. I see as the engineer opened the throttle. The other ships, in their excitement, forgot a merchant seaman, Richard Mathieson sudden force of water against the rudder the warning given them not to hit their (Glendale, California), stand up in in the angled to the left, pushed the stern of the own ships. One 30 caliber bullet hit the forward gun tub with his clothes ablaze. ship away from the oncoming torpedo. It breech on one of our 20mm gun and He leaned over the edge of the gun tub. missed us. The plane withdrew towards lodged there. This, we knew came from He lost his balance and fell to the deck it’s base in Mindano and the sun has set. Page 30 S.S. MARCUS DALY

Darkness is about to envelope us. The fire cause our ground tackle was disabled above water. It made a good beacon for us in number one flares up occasionally. The by the bomb explosion. I got permis- to steer by during the black of the follow- injured have been brought into the officer sion from the master of a Liberty ship ing night. When we had finally finished and crew quarters, where the doctors and at anchor, to tie up alongside of it. The discharging our undamaged cargo, we first aid men can administer them under gun crew on that ship seemed to take shifted to the Tacloban area of the gulf, the lights. My cabin and office has room perserve delight in chiding our men for where we managed to bring the ship to for only four. Three died during the night standing by their guns, ready for action anchor by using the kedge anchor at- in my quarters. at all times. They said, “The radar stations tached to the towing wire. We borrowed on shore will give us ample warning.” The a gas driven centrifugal motor from the When we thought the fires were all extin- following forenoon, a brisk wind kicked army engineer to pump the water out of guished, I called for “Full speed ahead” in up the sea too much, and we had to let number one hold. order to rejoin the convoy, which was not go the lines and steam slowly back and out of sight in the dark. An escort vessel forth while we discharged the cargo into The bilge had been plugged with debris came near us, and someone on it sang out the landing boats. resulting from the bomb explosion. We through a megaphone, “You merchant had to discharge our remaining cargo ship, get the hell out of the convoy.” Just During the afternoon, a twin-motored and cleans the holds. Then we replaced then a fire flared up with a blaze many enemy plane, skimming the tree tops, the between deck hatches and covered feet high in the ship’s forepeak. I slowed came at us, dropping a string of bombs them with cement to prevent water seep- the ship and headed down wind again. as it came over. The bombs missed, but a ing in and flooding the lower hold. Then Someone on our ship shouted to the es- suicide plane following, did not. It we cut out limbers in the t’ween deck cort vessel, “Where do you say we should crashed-dived into the gun tub located sides, to keep the t’ween decks drained. go?” The fire was extinguished and after on the port wing of the bridge. The It was a long, tedious voyage home to running at full speed a few more hours, bomb attached to the plane slid out of San Francisco via New Guinea. When we could distinguish the outlines of the the carriage, knocked the two port side our battered and scarred ship, the S.S. ships in the convoy, but could not re-oc- lifeboats into the sea, and exploded in MARCUS DALY entered the Golden cupy our position in it till daylight. the landing craft, loaded with cargo, Gate, a silent wave of thanksgiving rose alongside number four hold. The bomb from each man of us. We were home at Merchant seaman, Alvin H. (Happy) fragments penetrated the hull in many last. (Capt. Alvin W. Opheim –Ret. – Crawford of Santa Monica, California places abreast number four hold, which Seattle, Wa.) O O O could not be found when it came time contained seven hundred barrels of high for him to do his “trick at the wheel.” He test aviation fuel. The oil-soaked dun- Capt. 0pheim had retired from the Mari- helped man the three inch forward gun nage on top of the barrels blazed up and time Service for 8 years prior to December 7, and was last seen there. We searched and the situation, for awhile, looked hope- 1941, acquired a small business of his own, at last found him at his station with a less. Many smaller fires broke out on the gotten married and fathered 3 children. A bullet hole through his head. With two ship’s deck, caused by the gasoline from few month’s after the Pearl Harbor attack, members of the ship’s crew killed and the crashed plane. But tired and worn he had the occasion to renew his Master several seriously injured besides the chief out as my officers were, they worked as Mariner’s license which has to be done every mate, we were rather handicapped in our if they were supermen and managed to 5 years after issued, or it expires. The officials regular ship’s operation. We did not have extinguish the fire. Miraculously, no one at the Steamboat Inspection Service noti- reserves to call on, so we had to carry on was killed this time, except the suicide fied him that Uncle Sam needed his service. by increasing the hours on watch for the pilot. Mr. Feathers was painfully injured, He went back to sea as did many thousands others. several members of his crew, and several of others in this same situation. He was merchant seamen, too. How the men in awarded the MERCHANT MARINE We entered Leyte Gulf early the next the gun tub escaped remains a mystery DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL morning. And there received orders to to me. on Nov. 26, 1945 by the President of the proceed to Gorgona Beach to land the United States. troops and discharge our cargo. The navy During this same time, another suicide had several vessels standing by to remove plane crashed-dived into the aft hold of The Gallant Ship Award was awarded to the two hundred dead and injured from the ship we were recently tied alongside. the ship and crew of the Liberty Ship S.S. the ship. The dead and injured seamen The fire pump on that ship was knocked MARCUS DALY. The Gallant Ship bronze were taken care of with the soldiers. out and they could not save the ship. It plaque was installed at San Francisco, Cali- burned all night and the next day. It finally fornia on April 30, 1944 in ceremonies pre- I could not bring the ship to anchor be- sank at anchor, with the bow remaining sided over by the West Coast Director of the Page 31 A WARTIME DISASTER

Page 32 UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

War Shipping Administration. (cal) invited to attend. weather ships. The SLATER volunteer The United States Coast Guard, one It is appropriate to celebrate the Coast crew includes a strong Coast Guard of the country’s five armed services, is a Guard’s Birthday aboard USS as dur- contingent, dedicated to preserving a unique agency of the federal government. ing World War II the Coast Guard piece of American history. The service was founded on August 4, manned hundreds of Navy and Army 1790 when the first Congress authorized vessels including 30 Destroyer Escorts. The ship is open Wednesday through the construction of ten vessels to enforce Coast Guard-manned ships hunted Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through No- tariff and trade laws and prevent smug- enemy submarines, protected convoys vember 27. Admission is $7 for adults gling. Known variously as the Revenue to Europe, delivered troops and sup- and $5 for children. The ship is located Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service, plies to the various theaters of the war, on the Hudson River in Downtown the Coast Guard expanded in size and and operated landing craft which de- Albany just south of the Dunn Memo- responsibilities as the nation grew. The livered troops to the invasion beaches. rial Bridge. volunteers and staff of USS SLATER Coast Guard cutters and destroyer es- commemorated the 221st Birthday of the corts played a pivotal role fighting Nazi Call 518-431-1943 for more informa- United States Coast Guard on Thursday, U-Boats in the Battle of the Atlantic. tion or visit the website at www.usss- August 4, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. with a cer- Following the war, during the 1950s, later.org. They can tell you whether they emony aboard the ship in Albany. “Coas- destroyer escorts were once again called will hold #222 next year and when. (cal) ties” and their friends and families were into Coast Guard service to serve as

Page 33 A VISIT TO CAIRO

shores of the lake Timsahl. Nestled in a group of sailboats passing through a A Visit to Cairo the oasis of greenery lay the pretty little bridge. As we were waiting, we bought (Willie’s Wehlps Wander) town of Ismailia. We drove through grapes from a girl who wore the black By Albert J. David slowly, up on street and down the next veil with the little scroll between her in search of a restaurant. Hunger, rav- eyes. A tiny donkey carrying the carcass It all began really on Friday afternoon. enous though it was, did not stop us of a freshly killed goat on its back came Lt. Sivon, our Armed Guard Officer, from seeing all the pretty, and from the along. When we first noticed him, his had been ashore to look over the “Lib- whistles you would think the “wolves” owner was walking behind him using erty situation”. (Liberty is a sailor’s were loose. Our search for food was a small stick as a goad. When next we term for a leave of less than seventy- unsuccessful, so we left the town be- looked, the poor donkey was carrying two hours). On his return, he told us hind and headed out cross country the man too. The blood dripped from that he had contacted a guide who again. Soon we crossed a branch of the the goat’s slashed throat and the trail- would – for a very reasonable sum take Nile and turned south along its western ing toes of the man’s bare feet turned us to Cairo on a two-day jaunt. Four- bank. Now we began to see more evi- it under the dust. Going the other teen of the “Willie’s” gun crew decided dence of Old Egypt. way was a great man – a fat one ,too to try it. Have you ever gone to bed – dressed in a long black robe. On his at midnight and then been awakened On the river there were flat bottomed head was a bright read “fez”, in his hand at four in the morning? That was our boats with high almost flat bows and a white parasol and under him another predicament on that Sunday morning. sterns. The stems had swan-like figure of the tiny donkeys. Of course, there Everyone was stumbling around look- heads, while the pattern of the planks were other automobiles and busses, too, ing for the whites’ he had so carefully across the bow suggested the feathers but we were not interested in them. pressed the night before. The mess on a swan’s breast. One or sometimes room was crowded as each one tried to two masts with huge lanteen sails pro- Just north of Cairo we rode for a num- forage a breakfast snack for himself. At pelled them. The outsides of these ber of miles across the river from the the height of the melee Mr. Sivon an- crafts were brightly painted, and their king’s pleasure gardens. Parts of them nounced the arrival of the launch. That names were inscribed in graceful Ara- were like our tree nurseries; other sec- was at four-thirty. bic script along the sides. The sails were tions had caretaker’s houses. There patched but gaily colored. were beautiful gardens at the several We piled helter-skelter into the boat landing piers and quite a grand palace and away we went. On arrival at the Here and there we passed the ancient in the background. At the outskirts of customs pier, we searched for our guide. irrigation pumps still serving at their Cairo is the site of the city of On. All None was to be found, but a telephone old job. A huge wooden wheel rest- that is left is the Obelisk, which was call brought him running. In return for ing on the axle driven into the ground the center of the town. Now this tall, his tardiness he promised us an extra turned by an ox, which was often ridden pointed square column with its hiero- special trip. We agreed after threat- by a little boy. Beneath this wheel and glyphed sides stands in a prairie. The ening physical violence if he failed to at right angles to it was another wheel. surrounding ground is higher than its deliver. Two 1938 Chevrolets were by This second one had small spokes pro- base so an iron fence guards the ditch now awaiting our convenience. The sun jecting beyond its rim. These spokes which as been out to reveal the foun- was just above the horizon as we took meshed like gears with the spokes of dation. The ditch is partly filled with our places and started for Port Said. At the upper. Attached to the rim of the seepage water from the Nile. first the road ran alongside the Suez lower wheel were flat shovel like buck- Canal. We saw other ships going along ets, which dipped water from the small On leaving the Obelisk, we drove into the path we had just raveled. Along ditch in which the wheel stood. As the Cairo and down its main avenue to our the banks we watched the maintenance pails went above the horizontal trough, hotel – the Luna Park. There we had men taking their morning dips and pre- which fed the tiny canal, they emptied a sumptuous breakfast of two pigeon paring their breakfasts in front of their into it. This canal ran under the road eggs and a sliver of fried salt port. The shanties and dugouts. The road turned and through the fields carrying the pre- coffee was undrinkable especially when for awhile into the outskirts of the vious water to the crops. the goat’s milk and coarse sugar were Arabian Desert. Now, instead of truck added. Then we saw our rooms. They gardens and lush vegetation we had We passed ox carts almost as old as were not as fine as those at Gray’s Inn, enjoyed, there was nothing but sandy Egypt. We saw “fellahin” sleeping but tourists can’t be choosers and they wastes covered with low bushes. Again alongside the road. At one point we were clean. Now refreshed and fed, we the road turned this time towards the were held up for quite awhile to await began our actual tour. The first stop was Page 34 A VISIT TO CAIRO at the Citadel Mosque. As we stepped sides. From there we had a magnifi- led to the slaughter, we were herded into its courtyard, our shoes were cov- cent panoramic view of the city. The air into the perfumery salon of our guide’s ered with canvas pads. (Mohammedans was so clear that we could see in the good friend. Within minutes we were remove their shoes and go stocking middle distance the Pyramids at Gizeh daubed with all the exotic scents of the footed here because a mosque is a holy about fifteen miles away and in the far Orient. At length with senses reeling ground). In the center of the courtyard distance, the old Pyramids over thirty from the almost overpowering odors, was the fountain where the “Faithful miles off. Our guide pointed out from we practically fought our way into the Mohammedans” wash their faces, hands this vantage point many of the historic comparatively pure air of the market and feet before entering the Mosque shrines within the city. place. That was the end of our Bazaar proper. Nearby stands the ancient adventure. Our lack of will to buy per- well which once supplied the washing Back in the cars again, we drove fume discouraged our guide, and he trough. Across the courtyard from the through the excavations in Old Cairo neglected to show us the silk and cu- church entrance is a huge bronze clock and on the Tomb of the Royal Fam- rio shops we really hoped to visit. Now in a beautiful tower. It was a gift to the ily. Next to the Crystal Mosque this we began to madly rush for the more Caliph from Queen Victoria of Great was to us the most beautiful building desirable places in the car, Jensen’s long Britain and now the Mosque itself. This in Cairo. It was strictly Mohammedan legs were uncomfortable anywhere but church has many names. Some of them architecture with its square form, mina- in the front seat, but usually they did are: The Citadel Mosque – because it ret and globular dome. Within it was a not get him there fast enough. Scheeler stands in what was once the citadel of marvel of delicate beauty. We removed may be small, but he gets places. David, the fortress of Cairo. The Mohammed our shoes and on stocking feet stepped Smitty, Porcella, Cole and our obese Aly Mosque – in honor of its founder, upon the rich pile of Persian rug. In the guide took turns in the back section, the first ruler of the present dynasty. center of the room stood the sarcopha- but Faulkner’s legs were too long to fit He is buried seven feet beneath the sar- gus of the second king of the present behind the movable seats. His was usu- cophagus that rests in the chapel to the line. At his feet was his mother’s vault. ally a midsection seat. right of the main entrance. The Alabas- To his right were the coffins of two of ter Mosque – because of its walls and his sons who died as children. At his Dinner at Luna Park was not up to the floor were faced with alabaster which head was his brother’s tomb which was “Willie’s” par, even when the Chef was was once sheathed the Great Pyramid. ready but unoccupied, and at his (the under the weather. Our dissatisfaction, The Crystal Mosque – because of the brother’s)side was his mother’s vault. loudly expressed, with our morning thousands of crystal globes and crys- At the foot of each of the occupied repast had at least gained us a second tal chandeliers, which served to light sarcophagus was a Koran, inscribed helping at this sitting. After a short it. On the floor was a huge red Persian in a foreword, with pertinent facts re- rest to let our “huge” lunch settle, we rug. Worn though, it was by the feet of garding the life of that person. About again embarked into the trusty Chev- untold millions of worshipers. It still the floor over the beautiful Persian rug rolets for the 15 mile trip to Gizeh. has a thick pile. It was kept in good re- were scattered small prayer rugs of even In accordance with this promise to pair by the ceaseless care of the church’s more beautiful patterns. Lamps of in- show us everything, ‘Big Boy” drove us attendants. tricately designed stained glass illumi- through the “City of the Dead”, a five nated the room softly by night. Inlaid mile stretch of tombs and excavations The exit from the newer of the two ebony and ivory tables held the glass not ordinarily displayed to the casual pulpits was through a Venetian door, cased Korans, while priceless tapestries tourist. Then as we rounded the curve, which was made of wooden panels adorned the walls. The huge windows we saw our “Ships of the Desert” wait- faced with plates of pure gold, beauti- of leaded stained glass gave an air of se- ing to receive us. Just to step out of the fully decorated. The entire pulpit cas- rene beauty for the place as the softly car was enough to cause a riot as the ing was gold lined. The main floor was filtered sunlight. It was with regret that camel drivers fell over one another and ordinarily used only by the men. On we tore ourselves away from the beauti- us in their hurry to get a fare. In a few festival and ceremonial occasions the ful spot to be hurried to the Bazaars. minutes all of us were astride the ugly women worshipped in the balcony, brutes holding on for dear life to the which was covered by metal lattice We knew when we had arrived at the saddle horn. First, they lurched to their work. The altar screen was a huge af- Bazaar by the scent of native foods fore knees; then to the upright position fair of solid gold, flanked by two ala- mingled with incense, perfume and and then with a final forward heave baster columns, one of which turned. other less pleasant odors and the excited they were up and were on our way. Our We left the church to wander on the chatted of the haggling natives as they constant accompaniment from then promenade, which ran along two of its bargained and bartered. Like lambs until our final dismounting was “Bak- Page 35 A VISIT TO CAIRO sheesh, master, Baksheesh. You give we had traversed. The descent was an gold. The coffin could be seen through me a five piaster tip, hey? I got wife ordeal, too, trying to keep from losing the plate glass sides. The horses, four in and four children, master. All I get is our balance and falling forward. The number, were white. They had plumes money from tip to feed camel buy food. guide told us that we had been half way in their bridles and were covered with Thank you, master. I know you make it up the inside of the huge mass of stone. white blankets. They moved slowly and right for me, master.” There were varia- None of us felt like climbing the out- sedately while other carriages carried tions but that was the theme. side to the apex. the mourners.

Up the road, we wound, past the Che- We now adjourned to the canteen Finally, our guide came and with him ops Pyramid and then down a slight maintained by the Cairo Police for the our two cars. Again the rush for choice incline to the entrance to the Temple members of the United Nations Armed seats ensued, and off we went. The big of the Sphinx. This was our first dis- Forces. There we regaled ourselves with item on today’s list was the Wax Mu- mount. It was a reverse of the mount- watermelon and lemon squash, and seum. It was housed in an old build- ing process complete with all the lurch- Jensen met P.F.C. Rose Tosen of the ing rather in need of repairs but the es. On foot we entered the ruins of the U.S.Wacs. After this pleasant inter- courtyard showed evidences of having temple. The outer walls, several crypts lude, we crawled back into the cars and once been lovely. In one corner of the and broken columns are all that are left drove through scenic Cairo to our ho- garden was an umbrella, shaded rustic to tell the story of a temple that was old tel and supper. En route, we passed the table and chairs. The flower beds at the and powerful when the Pyramids were American College, the King’s yacht, entrance were all aglow with blooms. In being built. From the Priest’s garden the Nile, the house where Roosevelt another corner stood a stone lion and a right-half profile of the Sphinx was and Churchill stopped and many other other bits of Egyptian statuary appar- obtained. Here the camera enthusiasts interesting places. After supper we were ently being modeled for other groups got to work. The usual “hangers-on” free to do our own sight seeing. Some within the museum. were quite willing to snap the picture, went to a movie, some went night club- even be included in it for a nominal fee. bing, some tried the Red Cross Dance On entering the building the first sight and some just went walking, but soon to greet us was Mohammed Aly on his On leaving the Sphinx, we remounted all went to bed. throne. To the right through his pal- our camels and posed for a group pic- ace window was a section of his fleet, ture and then, on our own again, we We were roused about seven the next the largest in the Mediterranean in wound back to the Pyramid of Cheops. morning by the shouts of a group of those days. His prime minister stood The camel drivers now made their final lads who were racing their carts. These near him introducing a group of for- plea for “Baksheesh” and we left them wagons were laden with fresh produce eign envoys. Just around the corner to follow a new guide into the interior brought from the truck gardens, which was a reproduction of the Dutch Royal of the Great Pyramid. We made our surround the city. Other carts were Yacht. In the drawing room sat the entrance through the “Robber’s Tun- piled high with chickens in willow work Queen. She shared a sofa with one nel”. It was supposed to have been crates. There were hand drawn furni- of her ladies-in-waiting while another made about two hundred years after the ture vans stacked so high we expected played the spinet and a third turned the Pyramid was sealed by an organized them to over balance themselves. On sheet music on the rack. Adjoining this bank of grave robbers. another, rode a black-robed, be-fezed scene was one of the outside of the ship. figure carrying a white parasol. We had The Captain was just coming from his First we clambered over a pile of rub- breakfast, a slightly more substantial foc’sle and a group of ladies stood on ble, which lay between us and the Pyra- one this morning and then went down the ladder (staircase to you) leading to mid. Then up three of the huge blocks. to the lounge to await our guide’s ar- the bridge. They were supposedly look- We could not be bothered with the re- rival. While we were waiting we saw ing at the banks of the Suez Canal as cently cut steps. We went into the dark a wedding party and a funeral cortege. their yacht streamed slowly through. cavity. We almost crawled up a steep The wedding group was carried in two incline. At intervals our guide would open Victorias. The bride was in pale Scene four was a two part scene. A light a magnesium wire, which cost five pink and her attendants in pastel blue. man who had been smoking opium piasters extra. By its blinding white All were gay and called to pedestrians was lying on a couch dreaming. His light, we were supposed to note the whom they knew. The funeral proces- dream was a vision of wine, women and height of the ceiling in the crypt room; sion was an elaborate one. The first song. The dreams were suddenly shut the smoothness of the walls and ceil- carriage was full of flowers. Next came off and above his head stood a grinning ings and the sharpness of the incline a white hearse heavily encrusted with skeleton. A reproduction of an ancient Page 36 A VISIT TO CAIRO store drew our attention next. It was adin’s white Arabian stud. There were type of irrigator. This one was made up completely equipped from the custom- several camp fires scattered about, and of a continuous chain of buckets dip- er and the retailer down to the money the meals were being prepared by some ping up the water instead of a wheel in the till. There were packages on the of the soldiers. Other men cleaned and buckets. It was designed to lift the shelves and a scale as well as a host of equipment or performed other tasks water to a higher level than the wheel other details. To our right as we moved system could. At the northern tip of along was a side view of the King’s Our next view was laid on the Island of the island of Roda we saw the ruins of yacht. On the starboard deck were a Roda where Pharaoh’s daughter once the palace wherein Pharaoh’s daugh- group of harem women, veiled and be- lived. Here we saw the Princess and her ter dwelt at the time of Moses’ birth. hind a screen. Dinner was laid in the attendants waiting for her handmaid to We were shown the patch of bulrushes salon and the King (Ismail Pasha) was bring her the little boat, which held the whose forefathers sheltered the baby on the foredeck with the Captain.Now baby Moses. Miriam, his sister, was Moses. From here we were driven to came the amusing scene. A drunkard standing near to see what would hap- a portion of old Cairo, which was still who had come home too late to suit his pen. A turn to the left brought us near inhabited. In this section we found the wife was standing in the street plead- King Solomon’s time. We saw him on oldest Coptic Church in Egypt. The ing with his lady, who leaned against a his throne, the Queen of Sheba sitting approach to the edifice was through an lattice window above, to let him come near him and two fan-bearers behind ancient barred door and down a narrow in. She was not convinced by his ex- them. Before this, the executioner alley like streets. To enter the building cuses Up a short staircase we went now, stood holding a tiny baby by one heel we had to descend a series of steps. The and coming to the top, we looked at a as he awaited the King’s order to sever rubble of the centuries has raised the two part scene. The upper section de- the child in half. A dead infant lay at surrounding ground that much above picted a marriage in the Coptic Church his feet. One woman looked on stol- the former level. The church has been of St. Sargius. The Archbishop in his idly while another pled tearfully that built over the cave where Mary and Jo- gorgeous robes was performing the the child be given alive and whole to seph are believed to have dwelt during ceremony as the bride and groom knelt her rival. The last scene depicted life in the “Sojourn in Egypt”. In this cave, before him. Directly beneath them was a harem. There was a Eunich guard- which is beneath the altar of the pres- a scene in the crypt beneath the church ing each door, a juggler performing ent St. Sargius Church, are to be seen showing how the Holy Family lived his tricks, the master reclining beside the ancient altar and triple immersion while they were in Cairo. his favorite wife and other wives and fount. St. Mark was supposed to have children scattered about playing, sew- been officiating bishop for a number of In another group of three individual ing, or watching the show. The figures years there. The church over the crypt scenes were; King Farouk standing in had seemed surprisingly life-like. Their was one of the first Coptic churches in front of his chair of states; King Fuad garments were authentically styled and Cairo. The central portion was sup- seated in a chair; and the office of the the equipment shown was reproduced ported by twelve columns, which rep- Prime Minster who arranged the trea- accurately from the originals. On leav- resented the twelve disciples. One col- ties and agreements which made the ing we felt almost as though we had umn was uncapped and represented Suez Canal possible. There were several seen history come alive. The next stop Judas, the Betrayer. The altar screen other scenes under construction in this was for a picture of the Nilo meter on was entirely hand carved. Some its pan- wing, but we were not shown them. The the Island of Roda. This was the first els, about six in number, date back to next corridor began with Cleopatra’s instrument of its type to measure the the seventh century. They were recently Death Scene. She was reclining on a rise and fall of the Nile’s waters. Next put under glass. Most of the church’s couch and reaching for an apple, which we passed beneath a huge banyan tree other treasures are packed away until held the asp. A servant was holding a that had let down aerial roots enough after the war. tray of various fruits for her. Another to form a dozen or so trees each in it- stood behind fanning her. Her two self as large as the parent tree. Some Back at the car again we fought off the sons were there with their nurse and at where along here we passed a poor vendors and drove back to the main the door waited a huge bodyguard. Sal- man’s funeral. His body was wrapped part of the city. The streets were be- adin’s visit to Richard Coeur de Lion in a white sheet and was carried by two ing cleared for the passage of the King when Richard was taken ill with fever poles on the shoulders of two friends. from his palace to the Government during the campaign, gave a true pic- The mourners in a little group followed house. We parked our cars on a side ture of costumes and martial customs close behind. street and ran across the streets to get of those days. Before the tent where a good view. We had barely taken our the sick monarch lay, was tethered Sal- Across the river we glimpsed another stand when the sirens of his motorcycle Page 37 A VISIT TO CAIRO / OPINION guard sounded. The palace gates swung mention. Well laden with our purchases, black veiled women. open and the cortege swept out, a motor- ten of us wandered down the street sev- We stopped at a small wayside cycle guard, two Packards, in the front of eral blocks to the Y.M.C.A. We inquired station for refreshments. It was which the young monarch sat and a rear as to whether meals were served there. almost like those in the States. guard of motorcyclists. They passed so The desk attendant directed us to a gar- Small tables with red checkered quickly, we got but a glimpse of His maj- den and there under the trees we were cloths, straight backed wooden esty’s face. Pellmell back to the cars we eventually served with the finest food chairs, a counter across one side of hurried for choice of seats and then back we had eaten for a long time. The menu the room and ice cream, candy and to Luna Park. Arriving there, we were consisted of an omelette, potato chips, soft drinks describe it quite well. told that dinner was not included on the fresh tomatoes, tea, whole wheat bis- The next stop was Port Said, but guide’s list nor had breakfast been, but cuits and ice cream. The charge, includ- first there was an argument by the for the standard charge they would con- ing two servings of ice cream was less bridge because the other car had descend to feed us. That was too much than fifty cents. The service had been one passenger too many. Through so we walked out. On the sidewalk we so leisurely that we had to hustle back the streets of Port Said we went held a conference and decided to eat out, to the hotel. There the cars were wait- on to the agent’s office to find out but first to visit a bookshop in search of ing for us and after we had arranged where our “Willie” was. Then into Schindler’s “Guide to Cairo”. We found ourselves comfortably, we retraced our a launch and back to our floating the shop opposite Shepard’s Hotel and steps to Port Said. The afternoon was home, tired, hungry and satisfied bought the clerk (a pretty girl) out of warm and most of the people had left that the money had been well spent guide books, and then found many other the road. We noticed the fields more by the crew of the S.S. WILLIAM delightful things. closely this time, how rich and green HAWKINS 43/44 they were. We saw, too, the huge jail, There were carved wooden items, silk the small wayside checking stations Albert Jas. David handkerchiefs, picture postcards, ivory where our licenses were noted and the 6115 Abbott Bridge Rd 1802 curios and other things too numerous to busses with their white clad men and Duluth, Ga. 30097-5760

Page 38 BATTLE OF OKINAWA 1945

Tel-770-232-3023 trained in many previous actions were ships involved, it hardly appears practi- Battle Of Okinawa 1945 now ordered not to fire at enemy planes cal to record every remote contact with unless direct attacked or unless their the enemy. This chapter describes dam- Source: Office of the Chief of Naval Op- ships were not adequately covered by age done to merchant ships and dam- erations. “History of the Armed Guard smoke. This wise procedure undoubt- age done to enemy planes by the guns Afloat, World War II.” (Washington, edly saved many ships. Nothing marks of merchant ships. It makes no attempt 1946): 237-251. [This microfiche, iden- a ship out clearer as a target than tracer to list all ships which went to Okinawa tified as United States Naval Admin- fire on a dark night. Armed Guards in and which fired at enemy planes. istrative History of World War II #173, the European theater and in the Pacific is located in the Navy Department Li- were quick to observe that their ships The first merchant ships in the Oki- brary, and can be purchased, or borrowed often escaped detection by the enemy nawa area arrived at Kerama Retto on through interlibrary loan.] when they did not fire. Another rea- April 6, 1945. These ships were the son why unrestrained firing was dis- Pierre Victory, the Logan Victory, the The Seizure of Okinawa was a long and couraged at Okinawa was the elabo- Hobbs Victory, the Halaula Victory, costly operation. Merchant ships went rate air coverage which was supplied. and the Green Bay Victory. Enemy to this island in great numbers from Merchant ships risked shooting down planes heavily attacked the first three April to June, 1945 in order to bring our own planes. All in all the Okinawa ships, which were loaded with ammu- the bombs, gasoline, and thousands of campaign was a very trying experience nition, and an LST, all of which were other items needed to consolidate the for Armed Guards. They spent long in the outer anchorage on April 6. First conquest of this outpost on the direct hours at general quarters, endured the a plane crashed into the LST at about road to Tokyo. Many of these vessels constant strain of having the enemy at- 1620. The next ship to be hit by a sui- were Victory ships, a much finer and tacking close by, and were able to do lit- cide plane was the Logan Victory at faster ship than the slow Liberty. The tle but wait for the enemy which came about 1647. The Logan Victory had al- action at Okinawa differed somewhat too close or for that moment when ready shot down one plane and assisted from that in the Philippines in that the protective curtain of smoke was in destroying another. The kamikaze hit the whole emphasis was on conceal- swept away by the wind. It has seemed just aft of her deck house on the port ing merchant ships by smoke. Armed proper in this account to deal only with side at the boat deck level. A large ex- Guards who had been highly trained in the significant actions of the Armed plosion followed and flames spread rap- local control firing and who had been Guards at Okinawa. With so many idly. Wooden deck houses added to the Page 39 BATTLE OF OKINAWA 1945 intensity of the flames. Many acts of the ship. Suicide boats also entered the anchor- heroism followed. One Armed Guard Some 15 additional merchant ships age on at least two occasions and hit a was killed and two were missing. defended by Armed Guards arrived at ship on April 26. Enemy shelling was Wounded Armed Guards and other Okinawa on April 11. One of these, the not the only menace; a number of times Naval personnel injured number nine. Minot Victory, brought down a plane the Sioux Falls Victory was showered The ship was abandoned. The Hobbs on April 12 which strafed the ship and with shell fragments from our own Victory assisted in the destruction crashed into her No. 4 kingpost. Five anti-aircraft fire. An Armed Guard was of a plane which crashed about 100 Armed Guards were wounded. Between wounded by a fragment or by an un- yards from the Pierre Victory at 1640, April 11 and 20 the United Victory exploded 20mm shell on April 28. This but at 1945 a plane crashed into the claimed the destruction of one enemy ship claimed the probable destruction ship just forward of amidships at boat bomber and the probable destruction of one plane on April 15. The Brigham deck level. There was a large explo- of two enemy fighters. This action Victory fired at a plane which passed sion and flames quickly covered the took place on April 15. The Afoundria directly over her stern on April 12 and deck. Armed Guards and other Navy claimed assists on April 12 and 15, and then burst into flames. Many ships personnel killed numbered two, and was credited with an assist on the latter were firing, and it is impossible to as- two Armed Guards were wounded. date. The Dashing Wave was under fire sign definite credit in such cases. Other Merchant crewmen killed or miss- from shore batteries on April 14 but ships which fired during the early days ing numbered thirteen, and another escaped damage. The Saginaw Victory of the invasion without any definite merchant crewman was wounded. was credited with the destruction of credit for destruction of enemy planes The ship was abandoned. The Pierre one enemy plane on April 12 and an- were the Cape Georgia, the Claremont Victory scored three assists against other on April 15. Bombs landed about Victory, the Whirlwind, the Silverbow enemy planes and survived to arrive 300 yards away on the latter date, and Victory, and the Sea Runner. The lat- at Okinawa on April 11. Her only the ship was strafed. The Flagstaff Vic- ter ship made two trips to the Okinawa close call came on April 27 when ar- tory reported ineffective fire from shore area in April and May. Two ships, the tillery shells landed within 100 yards. batteries, and was officially credited Morning Light and the Czechoslova- The Green Bay Victory and the Ha- with two assists against enemy planes kia Victory reported no action at Oki- laula Victory escaped damage inside on April 12. She reported 56 air alerts, nawa from April 11 to 26. the harbor. The former was credited mostly at night, between April 11 and with one plane downed and one as- May 4. According to the Sioux Falls After the initial convoys, ships came to sist. On April 14 at Nago Wan, shells Victory, there were air raids through- Okinawa in rapid succession. Most of from shore based artillery fell around out April except for April 24 and 25. these merchant vessels had some con- tact with the enemy. But the fighting for the Armed Guards was not as tough as that in the early stages for the in- vasion of the Philippines. The Michael Pupin established an enviable record by downing one plane, probably destroy- ing another, and assisting in the de- struction of three planes between April 14 and June 19. She was at Okinawa much longer than the average mer- chant vessel. On May 26 a bomb fell only 25 to 40 feet away from the ship. The Kelso Victory reported that enemy torpedo boats and swimmers were ac- tive but than none attacked her. The William R. Davie had the interesting experience of being at both the western and eastern sides of Okinawa. Japanese attacks were normally much heavier at Hagushi than at Nakagusuki Wan on the eastern side. While anchored to the west, the Davie Armed Guard of- Page 40 BATTLE OF OKINAWA 1945 ficer reported a suicide attack by small craft or two-man submarines on April 26 which damaged one ship. The Davie brought down a plane on the same day. On May 4, two days after she changed anchorages, the Davie became involved in another attack by Japanese small craft. She fired at an object resem- bling a small submarine. Perhaps the action which gave the Armed Guards the most satisfaction was the attack by a Japanese suicide pilot on some rocks jutting out of the sea. The pilot appar- ently took these rocks to be a large ship, and crashed his plane into them on May 9.

The Mariscal Sucre was in bombardments by enemy artillery on April 27 and 29, and reported 205 air raids, in addition to a sui- cide boat attack on May 4. Two phospho- rous bombs landed close to the Rockland Victory during her stay at Okinawa from April 26 to May 15. The Virginia City on May 11. Like so many ships at Oki- Gantt had shell fragments land on her Victory reported considerable losses in nawa, she was present when a Japanese deck on May 4, while the Laredo Vic- navy ships as a result of the suicide boat plane crashed into the battleship New tory was either hit by a small bomb or attack of May 4 and indicated that a plane Mexico on May 12. The Clearwater by shell fire. Two of her Armed Guards hit a cruiser on the same day. Victory was hit by stray anti-aircraft fire were wounded. According to the Henry and by shell fragments. The Robert M. L. Gantt Armed Guard officer, there A serious loss was the sinking of the La Follette also reported shell fragments were over 300 raids between May 3 Canada Victory on April 27. A plane on her deck on May 13, mute testimony and June 6, and well over 2,000 planes crashed into the ship and dropped into to the tremendous amount of flak which over the area during this period. He also the number 5 hold. An explosion blew was sent into the sky around Okinawa. observed that few ships suffered dam- out the side of the ship and it sank in age while covered by smoke, and that seven minutes. Two Armed Guards At less than two hours past midnight these few were only attacked after they were killed and twelve were wounded. on the morning of May 4, the Paducah opened fire. On the same day, a shell landed only Victory was approached by a Japanese 15 yards from Clarksdale Victory and suicide boat which slipped alongside Many ships which arrived in the May 3 threw fragments on the deck. One life- and then headed away at high speed convoy had little or no action. The An- boat was damaged. as the Armed Guards fired. Later that niston Victory had bombs fall moder- morning her Armed Guards witnessed ately close only twice in May. On May The Moline Victory was at Okina- a kamikaze crash into the cruiser Bir- 4, shell fragments hit the chief mate on wa and nearby Ie Shima in May. She mingham. The Henry J. Raymond may the Ames Victory. This ship claimed hits downed one plane and assisted in de- have scored hits on this airplane. The Sea on the plane which crashed into the Bir- stroying another. This action took place Flasher also claimed hits on this plane. mingham. The J.S. Hutchinson claimed at Ie Shima on May 18 and 20. While hits on one of four planes observed on there her Armed Guards witnessed the On May 13, patrol boats once again May 4. One military passenger was torpedoing of an LST and a suicide dive fired at the “skunk boats” as the Japanese wounded when shell fragments and a by a Japanese plane on the damaged na- suicide boats were called. Phosphorous 20mm projectile struck the J. Maurice val craft. bombs fell on either side of the Henry J. Thompson on May 4. Shell fragments Raymond on May 9 and an anti-person- also landed on this ship on May 6 and 9. The Clearwater Victory assisted in de- nel bomb landed on her deck on May One merchant seaman on the El Reno stroying a plane on May 6 and another 24, wounding the purser. The Henry L. Victory was wounded by a shell frag- Page 41 BATTLE OF OKINAWA 1945 ment on May 12. Wounded personnel aboard the ship on her deck that same day. The Harvard Victory, which arrived numbered eleven, of which three were The Segundo Ruiz-Belvis was missed on May 4 and departed on May 27, Armed Guards. One the same day, the by a plane by only about 100 yards on described the effectiveness of the anti- Brown Victory at Ie Shima was hit by a May 25. The plane exploded and lit- aircraft protection around Okinawa. suicide plane, with two Armed Guards tered the decks with debris. Shell frag- Only fourteen times during this cru- killed and nine wounded. Earlier, on ments also landed aboard. At 0905 on cial period were planes able to break May 25, the William B. Allison had the same day, Ruiz-Belvis assisted in through the outside patrol and dam- been hit by an aerial torpedo while downing a plane which landed about age ships and shore installations. This anchored at Nakagsuku Wan. There 150 yards from her side. She and Dart- Armed Guard officer believed that his were no Armed Guard casualties, but mouth Victory claimed assists against ship hit one Japanese plane. Only once one Navy man was killed, six merchant the plane which hit the Brown Victory did a phosphorous bomb fall close. crewmen died and two were wounded. at Ie Shima on May 26. The Charles The Allison assisted in shooting down M.Conrad claimed an assist against But all merchant ships were not able a plane the same morning. the plane which hit the Snelling. The to escape the blows of a ruthless en- Jean La Fitte was credited with an as- emy who was quite willing to give his Many ships were present when these sist on May 27 and three more on May life to achieve limited damage. On attacks took place and claimed a part 28. A claim for a fifth assist was not May 11, the Tjisadane was struck by in bringing down enemy planes. The credited. The Clovis Victory destroyed a plane which she had already hit and Sea Partridge claimed that she assist- two planes and assisted in the destruc- set afire. The plane struck the booms of ed in bringing down the plane which tion of three other planes on May 28. No. 2 hold and disintegrated, throwing struck the Tjisadane on May 11. The The Cape Alexander was credited with wreckage and flaming gasoline over C.W. Post, which earlier had been an assist on May 28. She also claimed the forward deck and on the bridge. saved from damage by the discovery of hits on two other planes that same day, This plane had previously launched five enemy swimmers in the vicinity of as well as a third aircraft on May 25 a torpedo which passed astern of the the ship, also fired at the plane which and a fourth attacker on June 11. All of Tjisadane and under the Panamint. hit the Tjisadane. The Ethiopia Victo- these planes crashed into the sea except The Tjisadane shot down another ry may have it the plane which crashed for the one which it the Snelling. The plane, brought her fire under control, into the battleship New Mexico on Uriah M. Rose brought down a plane and left the area under her own power. May 12. The Jubal A. Early was credit- on May 18 which missed her by about Four Army and Navy personnel were ed with an assist against another plane 50 feet. She shot down one plane and killed and nine were wounded. which missed the New Mexico. The assisted in destroying another on May Early suffered casualties on May 24 28. Rose was also credited with the de- Three merchant ships fell victims to when a 20mm projectile struck her No. struction of one plane on June 3 and kamikazes on May 28. These ships, the 4 gun tub and exploded. Two Armed another on June 11. Josiah Snelling, the Mary A. Liver- Guards and a merchant seaman were more, and the Brown Victory were wounded. The Kota Inten assisted in bringing badly damaged but survived. The down a plane on the afternoon of May Livermore was hit on the starboard The Clark Howell claimed an assist 20 at Ie Shima, and in seven minutes side of her bridge at 0525. Her losses on May 25 in shooting down a plane shot down another. The latter landed were heavy, including seven merchant which crashed about 10 feet from the not more than 40 or 50 yards from crewmen killed, three Armed Guards starboard side of the ship by the No. the Inten. Parts of the plane and pi- killed, four merchant crewmen wound- 4 hatch. There were no casualties. On lot, as well as oil and water, were scat- ed, and three Armed Guards wounded. May 28 she claimed three assists. One tered over the ship from bow to stern. But her Armed Guards continued to of these planes crashed into a Liberty. Within five minutes, the ship probably fight in the best tradition of the Navy The John Owen assisted in the de- destroyed another plane. On May 21, and claimed a plane shot down and struction of a plane which dropped two she shot down a plane that had friendly one or two more hit before the morn- bombs on the disabled Allison. The markings but behaved in a hostile man- ing was over. The Josiah Snelling was Donald MacCleary claimed credit for ner. There was doubt as to the identity credited with two planes and an as- an assist in downing a plane at Ie Shi- of the aircraft. sist and probably assisted in bringing ma on May 20. The Norman J. Colman down another. Just after 0800 a plane scored an assist in the destruction of a The Cornelius Vanderbilt claimed de- struck her in the No. 1 hold and sent plane on May 28. She had also fired on struction of five planes at Ie Shima on flames upward as high as the masthead. May 25 and had shell fragments land May 18 and 20 and received confir- Page 42 BATTLE OF OKINAWA 1945 mation of four of these. Three planes alerts, but planes only came near Hagushi near her stern post after her departure dived at the ship on May 18, and her only some 20 times. These figures testify from Okinawa. The Master believed that Armed Guards shot down all three. A to the efficiency of the fighter screen. a bomb fragment caused the damage. On near miss from a bomb late on this date June 26 three small bombs landed about caused small fires. When two suicide On June 3 the Cape Bon fired at a plane 50 yards from the John Muir, proving that planes dived at the ship on May 20, she which fell into the water near another the Japanese pilots could still bomb with again brought both of them down. This ship. It is impossible to assign definite a certain degree of accuracy. A fragment was big league shooting. credit in such cases. The Norman Hap- hit the #3 gun tub on the Muir. Two light good was credited with an assist on June bombs also landed 50 feet from the Hen- The Stanley Matthews at Hagushi, Oki- 11. After assisting in the destruction of a ry George on the same day. nawa was credited with assists on June plane on June 3, the Walter Colton had a 3 and 11. On the former date, a bomb narrow escape on June 11 when a plane While the Armed Guard reports for the missed the ship by only 30 feet and a missed her bridge by only a few feet. Wa- latter part of June and the first part of nearby ship hit her with a 40mm projec- ter, gasoline, and debris were thrown over July indicated either no direct contact or, tile. The Sea Quail claimed two assists at the decks. Shell fragments injured several at most, firing on one or two occasions, Ie Shima on May 20. The Cape Doug- “Seabees” and one passenger had his hel- alerts were still frequent and some war- las was credited with assists on May 21 met knocked off by a .50 caliber bullet. ships were being hit. One of the last re- and 27. In the latter part of May and the The Belle of the West had four fragmen- ports to indicate bombs falling in the vi- first part of June, the Greeneville Victory tation bombs fall 100 yards from her bow cinity of merchant ships was that of Peter found Nakagusuku Wan in eastern Oki- on June 17 and was showered by bomb Lassen for June 30. The William T. Sher- nawa a rather quite place as compared fragments. On June 16 shell fragments man also reported that bombs fell close with Hagushi in western Okinawa. She landed around the George E. Waldo, but to the ship on several occasions, but did fired only twice, and one of her targets she did not fire her guns during 44 air not report exact dates. Taken together, all was quickly discovered to be an American alerts. Many other ships had little or no these reports mean that the back of Japa- plane. actual action with the enemy and are not nese air power had been definitely bro- even mentioned in this account. ken. Japan was no longer able to defend On the other hand, the Armed Guards even such a vital key to her homeland as aboard the Kota Agoeng would have in- The Hurricane, anchored at the Naka- Okinawa. That merchant ships were able sisted that Nakagusuku Wan was still a gusuku Wan from June 7 to 28, reported to come through such a campaign with rather dangerous place. When this ship that the enemy planes penetrated the har- so little damage and to inflict so much arrived on May 27, four to six bombs, all bor region only three times. She scored damage on enemy planes was due in no near misses, welcomed her to Okinawa. an assist on June 11 and was in turn hit small degree to the Armed Guard service. She claimed direct hits on three planes by shell fragments and 20mm fire from Here was the final fruit of the long years on May 28. One June 3, a stray shell frag- other ships. The Skagway Victory ob- of developing Armed Guards. No finer ment from a strafing plane wounded an served that the Japanese bombing was group of fighting men ever sailed on any Army private. The crew of the Dutch- very inaccurate. The Rock Springs Vic- ships than those who had come through flagged vessel manned one 37mm gun, tory had no bombs fall very close, but a so many campaigns and were now partici- while the Armed Guards manned the hole was discovered in the skin of the ship pating in their last battles before the end other, claiming credit for two and one- half planes (this is presumed to mean two planes and an assist). The Berea Victory was credited with three assists on May 28. She reported that bombs fell on two occa- sions, but they were not very close.

By the end of May, the worst of the fight- ing at Okinawa was over for merchant ships, but there was still some action. The reduction in peril to merchant ships is probably best attributed to the excellent fighter screen created by Marine Corps pilots. From May 22 to July 12, accord- ing to the William H. Dale, there were 86 Page 43 THE POINTER - 1945

Page 44 THE POINTER - 1945

Page 45 S.S. PAUL HAMILTON

The S.S. PAUL HAMILTON April 20, 1944 of hostilities. link below. One Torpedo • 580 men Why, do you ask? The brass did not The Ammunition Laden 441 feet- 6 7000 tons of Explosives want to face the families with explain- inches long; 56’ 10 ¾” width; 37’ ing to them why they had loaded a 4” Depth, Liberty Ship S.S. PAUL SS PaulHamilton troop ship with 7000 tons of explosives HAMILTON was struck by an Sunk April 20, 1944 and munitions. German aerial bomb launched from Junkers JU 88A just North of Al- On this day, April 20th, 1944, the larg- Western Union Kid giers and it’s destruction was caught est loss of life on a WWII Liberty ship My mother had married Sgt Leon on film. Loss in human lives: 504 took place when the SS Paul Hamil- Miller only about four months prior. Army troops; 29 U.S. Navy Armed ton was sunk with all hands. But these He was in the Army Air Corp…pho- Guard; 39 U.S. Merchant Seaman men were killed not one, but twice. to intelligence, and has assured her he Crew and 9 officers. During the en- would be behind the lines. When the gagement, 5 ships were torpedoed, 3 Yes, the German Junkers torpedo door bell rang she saw a young boy in a being sunk. Sunk were the destroy- bombers did their work. But as their Western Union uniform standing with er, USS LANSDALE (DD-426); various body parts rained down on a telegram. The S.S. PAUL HAMILTON and the nearby ships of the convoy, no one the S.S. ROYAL STAR. The S.S. knew then that details of the incident In those days you would rather see the SAMITE and the S.S. STEPHEN would be classified for 50 years. devil himself. It still had not hit her yet F. AUSTIN were torpedoed but until he said the magic words…”Are managed to reach Algiers. (USCG All the families of these men would you Mrs. Leon Miller?” Everything… photo)Photo taken by PhoM 1/C ever be told, for that whole time, at that moment…changed forever. She Arthur Green, USCGR, aboard the was…”Missing in action, presumed was…sixteen years old. USS MENGES (DE-320) dead, Mediterranean Theater.” I have a complete alphabetical KIA roster Denial is often the survival instinct for Page 46 S.S. PAUL HAMILTON these telegram moments. She refused longer attacking them during the day be- away. When the plane did not go down, to accept it. She did the best she could cause they would lose too many planes. the gunners knew what that meant…in- to push the grim reaper away, in an im- Their main tactic was the low level tor- coming torpedo. If you look at this larger pressive way for a young lady, pedo bombing attack timed to strike just photo you will see all the extra gun tubs after the sun went down. They came in mounted fore and aft and amidships to “I am sure there is some mistake. My from the coast, using the mountains to give them a fighting chance. husband has not even gotten over there hide their radar detection for as long as yet.” The young boy had been trained possible. Extra gun tubs mounted on the well, and he did his job. He read the Paul Hamilton address to her and asked if it were cor- The picket ships finally picked them up The Coast Guard destroyer escort Meng- rect, then again asked her again if she and reported the incoming attack but es was sreening the the column that the was Mrs Leon Miller. And then he there were communications complica- Hamilton was in, a bit behind it. Combat stretched out his hand and said, “I’m tions and most ships found out when the cameraman Art Green was at his battle very sorry.” He had done this before. shooting started. The convoy was already station on the fantail where he had a pan- She had not. at general quarters as standard procedure. oramic view. His eyes were drawn to the outgoing fire from the nearby ships, and Stage two of denial now enters. The There is not much for those on a troop- straining to see any planes in the darken young widow sees the only avenue open ship to do in a situation like this. They are twilight. Suddenly, the sky turned from to her not have this really happen is to literally along for ride in a game of high night to day. still not accept the telegram. She in- stakes roulette. Every man on the Hamil- sisted that he go back to the office and ton knew that if they were hit no life boats USS Lansdale Survivors Art Green double check …she was sure the mis- would be necessary. They did not have to The flash stunned everyone. When take would be discovered. suffer a long wait. They were the first hit. Green’s eyes reopened he watched the mushroom cloud rise up from what had The young boy, seeming unhappy that Junkers 88 Medium Bomber been the SS Paul Hamilton, and snapped he had failed to do his job, left. If he As the planes closed on the ships in the his famous shot. Within a month the could have shown her this photo to post sunset darkness flares were reported photo was being used for war propaganda your right, she would have taken the being dropped by higher altitude Ger- in American papers and magazings as an telegram. But mother never saw this… man planes which helped the helped the example of the risks and carnage involved until last year. topedo bombers pick out ships to make in getting supplies to the front. their runs. But the convoy commander’s Death of the Paul Hamilton official report has no mention of flares. The families of the Paul Hamilton KIA’s The sixty two ships of convoy UGS who happened to see it never knew it 38 were off the coast of Algiers on the Although the first wave of planes attacked was their photo. There are not too many fateful evening. The SS Paul Hamilton the convoy head on, the destroyers in front WWII families who have such a morbid was headed for the Anzio bridge head never opened fire on them. I can only sur- memento, but after sixty plus years you which was surrounded by strong Ger- mise they could not see them in the dark take what you can get. man forces. Our troops were so hard and the planes were by them before they The following link is a complete alpha- pressed that many of the 504 Army Air could shoot. betical roster of all those who died in that Corp men aboard had been retrained in blinding flash. mine demolition work for the planned A witness on a ship near the Paul Ham- break out. ilton reported that an alert gunner fired Captured German Aviator Art Green a burst at a crossing plane, which then Green recounted that the Hamilton ex- For more efficient shipping logistics the focused in on the gunner’s tracers. This plosion lasted six to seven seconds and brass had decided to keep the men and was actually against firing potocol where then everything went dark again. More their 7000 tons of explosives together the armed freighters were only supposed explosions were heard as four more ships in the same unarmored ship, where one to fire on planes making an attack run on were struck. Some of the torpedos that hot tracer round could blow them all to them, so their tracer fire would not ex- missed their targets and exploded at the smithereens. pose them in the darkness. The fate of the end of their runs were mistakenly report- Hamilton was sealed. ed as bombs. Close Formation Convoy The convoys were well protected by that As the plane bore in all the guns the The destroyer Lansdale was sunk, and time in the war. The Luftwaffe was no Hamilton could bring to bear blasted the damaged Royal Star sank the next Page 47 S.S. PAUL HAMILTON day. Both the damaged Samite M/V and forthcoming as to why the whole 50 year gunners. Stephen F. Austen M/V were successfully classification period was allowed to run. I met Helen Jones online, the widow of a towed to Algiers. Green saw one plane go Many of the parents of these KIAs passed destroyer seaman on the convoy. They had down. away never knowing exactly how their made several trips to the archives to get sons died. I personally feel it was an act of all of the declassified records records. Her The gunfire tapered off as the convoy -con governmental cruelty to do this. It served computer literate children put it all on a tinued on its course into the quiet night no other purpose than to have fewer liv- CD for me…every name, every captain’s with the rear screening destroyers and ing parents alive to make a stink over it. report, even the gunner station reports in- tug boat assisting the damaged and sink- cluding the rounds that they fired. ing ships. **** Nice Words But a Bad Deed for the Hamilton They include the word for word radio The door bell rang again. The young Mother had said the government did offer transcripts of the rescue operations. I am widow had gathered Leon’s brother and transportation to Algiers and a boat ride eternally grateful to Helen and her family. wife from their work. The wife went to the out to the site for a wreath laying at sea. I had trouble getting the 100 plus page file door. Words were mumbled, and she re- to load, but leave me a note in the com- turned to the living room to inform, “He I have no idea if anyone has ever done this, ments and I will be sure to let you know says he has to deliver it to you only.” The the dead parents certainly not. Mother when that is fixed. denial time was over. never mentioned going. I never asked why, not being sure it would be anything My mother and her good VA man did get Mother went to the door. The young boy, more than driving another stake into her a copy of most of the Hamilton file fol- more tense this time, stretched out his heart. lowing the declassification, but somehow arm with the telegram and said, “There’s the photo was among the missing. been no mistake. I’m very sorry.” She re- By that time she had collected her third members to this day, flag in 2004, burying a son, an Army Next up to share his retrospective is eye Ranger Colonel, from Agent Orange re- witness Howard Morseburg who was in “He had a very sad look on his face…so lated causes. She and I did a ceremony the convoy. This is the only personal video sad. I felt sorry for him.” The telegram for Sgt. Miller the next day in an area of I have found on the Net, so a big salute to was hers now. She handed it to the broth- Arlington for stones with no bodies. Howard for honoring his mates. He has er and soon heard the next worst sentence a big punchline at the end. Don’t miss it, in WWII, ’”The Secretary of the Army It was a beautiful setting, filtered light, another story in itself. regrets to inform you….” and the Arlington Honor Guards are a memorable experience which I will share YouTube - Veterans Today - - Howard Two Paul Hamilton Bodies Buried in Tunis with you below. This was the first shoot I Morseburg Only two bodies were recovered and are did with me new TV camera. So there you have it from Howard. The buried at the Allied cemetery in Algiers. mechant seamen got a triple shafting. They were identified through fingerprints These young soldiers teared up when I Allow me to add another indignity to so those two families had some closure. told them the story that she was getting the list. All the service men KIA fami- this done after waiting sixty years. I was lies got $10,000 of GI life insurance. The A search for any survivors went on for two proud of her…two Arlington ceremonies merchant marine families got $5000. days, the search for bodies for a week. The back to back. Isn’t that special. Widow’s benefits… photo and attack reports were flown back zero…kids?…zip. Howard did not seem to Washington. The brass knew there Make sure you click on 480p for the best bitter. He just wanted it on the record. were no survivors on the Hamilton. They resolution. You are watching the most I will have to see if old Howard is still had the photo of what can happen with beautiful flag folding footage that I have, around. their hybrid troop and ammo ships. and I have a lot. For this last video I wanted to put you The ‘missing in action’ first telegram was YouTube - Veterans Today - in the seat of the German bombers, even followed by the second, adding …’pre- Mother was a shell for the next five years. though it is day time, to see some actual sumed dead’. Later followed the obligato- An Algeria trip was definitely not in the footage of such a torpedo attack going ry condolence cards from Secretary Mar- cards. But I did send her a copy of my in on a convoy. What struck me right shall, President Roosevelt, and a Purple high resolution photo. You can see tracer away is they seemed to dropping them Heart. And that was that…until 1995. fire from one plane’s tail gunner, crazy to almost like bombs, and from long dis- No apologies or explanations were ever be exposing their position the the convoy tances where it seems like a wish and a Page 48 LIBERTY LOG - JOE COLGAN

Page 49 LIBERTY LOG - JOE COLGAN

Page 50 LIBERTY LOG - JOE COLGAN

Enclosed photo is a memorial locatd in the memorial pathway at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Pittman, Ohio.

The pathway is unique and has atleast 50 similar type me- morials. Thought you may like this to add to your collection of Armed Guard memoirabelia. As usual, enjoy the Pointer. Thanks, Bob & Curdey Cottrell 21111 Eastwood Ave. Fariview Park, Ohio 44126-1512

Page 51 USN Armed Guard WW II Veterans 115 Wall Creek Drive Rolesville, N.C. 27571 1 (919) 570-0909 [email protected] www.armed-guard.com

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June/September 2011 Edition

REMEMBER ALSO: THE TWIN TOWERS THE PENTAGON AND FLIGHT 93 God Bless Them

Thisprayer POINTER to hit anything. is in Memory of all Branches of service in WW II; the Navy, Army, Marines, Airmen, Seabees, Merchant Seamen, Wacs, Waves, and especially to the Special Unit of the Navy known as the U.S. NAVY ARMED GUARD which was first used as Gun Crews in WW I on board cargo, tankers and troopships and where needed to protect the ship, cargo and the merchant crews who bravely ran the ships to each port of call until deactivated after WW I. They were established again for the same purpose in September of 1941 and remained active until WW II was over and the need for gunners were not needed. This issue is also in honor to all the people all over the world who built ships, planes, tanks, trucks, jeeps, guns, ammo and all things needed to win a war against the ruthless killers. Thanks to the farmers who fed us all. Thank God for seeing us through.