From Wikipedia.
John D. Catrano: The APc-25's Commander, was born April 4, 1909, and died July 19, 2005. American lawyer and Seattle, Washington, civic leader. Grew up in Seattle, graduated from the Univ. of Washington and received his law degree from Harvard. Founded the law firm Catrano, Boker & Chapmen where he worked for 40 years.
During World War II, he rose to the rank of lt. cmdr. and served in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. In 1943, he was given command of the APc-25. He received the Navy and Marine Corps medals "for heroism displayed in the rescue of approximately thirty-five survivors from a burning transport" August 13, 1943, in the Solomon Islands (the USS John Penn).
After that, he was executive officer on the USS Durik in the Atlantic 1944-1945. The ship escorted Liberty Ships across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. After Germany's surrender, the ship was ordered to the Pacific for the invasion of Japan.
--GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Were APcs Named?
Quite a few smaller U.S. Navy Ships (well, even LSTs which are big) do not have names and are just known by their type (LST, APc) and the number.
But, I have to wonder if the men who served on them had names they used to refer to their ship?
Just Wondering. --GreGen
Some More on the USS APc-25
From Wikipedia.
The U.S. Navy Special Collections & Archives has two declassified Ship Action Reports regarding the APc-15 dated from August 1943.
The first report, dated 15 August 1943 pertains to the rescue work of the APc-25 following the sinking of the USS John Penn on 13 August 1943.
The second report dated 18 August 1943 deals with enemy aircraft attacks on the ship.
These reports are written by the ship's commander, John D. Catrano.
--GreGen
The U.S. Navy Special Collections & Archives has two declassified Ship Action Reports regarding the APc-15 dated from August 1943.
The first report, dated 15 August 1943 pertains to the rescue work of the APc-25 following the sinking of the USS John Penn on 13 August 1943.
The second report dated 18 August 1943 deals with enemy aircraft attacks on the ship.
These reports are written by the ship's commander, John D. Catrano.
--GreGen
Saturday, January 25, 2014
The Star-Spangled Banner in World War II
I've been writing about Francis Scott Key and the Star-Spangled Banner in my War of 1812: Not So Forgotten blog.
I found out that during World War II, the flag was removed from the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., for safe-keeping in a storage facility in Virginia.
Way too important of an object to be destroyed.
--GreGen
Friday, January 24, 2014
The Fulton Shipyard in Antioch, California-- Part 2
The Fulton Shipyard launched the minesweeper USS Industry on 19 December 1941, 12 days after Pearl Harbor. In short order, the minesweepers Liberator, Loyalty, Memorable, Merit and Observer were delivered from January to April 1942.
Besides the APc-25, the shipyard built 18 others: APcs 23-32, 101-107 and two ????.
In addition, the Navy contracted for six ATR tugs, 23-28 and two patrol craft YP-619 and 620. In 1954, two more minelayers AM-426 and 427 were built for the Navy. After the war, four civilian ships were launched: 1955, 1961, 1965 and 1992.
--GreGen
Besides the APc-25, the shipyard built 18 others: APcs 23-32, 101-107 and two ????.
In addition, the Navy contracted for six ATR tugs, 23-28 and two patrol craft YP-619 and 620. In 1954, two more minelayers AM-426 and 427 were built for the Navy. After the war, four civilian ships were launched: 1955, 1961, 1965 and 1992.
--GreGen
The Fulton Shipyard in Antioch, California-- Part 1
From the Shipbuilding History Site.
In my last post, I mentioned the APc-25 being built in the Fulton Shipyard. Since I'd never heard of it, I looked it up and found that it was located in Antioch, California, and established in 1918 and closed in 1919, located on Fulton Shipyard Road in downtown Antioch.
That is in Contra Costa County and in the East Bay area of the San Francisco Bay. (I also read something about submerged wrecks in the area as well as some environmental concerns.)
During its existence, they primarily built ships for the U.S. Shipping Board and the U.S. Navy.
During World War I, it built eight cargo ships for the U.S. Shipping Board: Yehama, Catawba, Mono, Waneyande, Wenakee and three unnamed ones (these might not have completed due to the war ending)
During the inter-war years, they built eight civilian ships.
World War II Next. --GreGen
In my last post, I mentioned the APc-25 being built in the Fulton Shipyard. Since I'd never heard of it, I looked it up and found that it was located in Antioch, California, and established in 1918 and closed in 1919, located on Fulton Shipyard Road in downtown Antioch.
That is in Contra Costa County and in the East Bay area of the San Francisco Bay. (I also read something about submerged wrecks in the area as well as some environmental concerns.)
During its existence, they primarily built ships for the U.S. Shipping Board and the U.S. Navy.
During World War I, it built eight cargo ships for the U.S. Shipping Board: Yehama, Catawba, Mono, Waneyande, Wenakee and three unnamed ones (these might not have completed due to the war ending)
During the inter-war years, they built eight civilian ships.
World War II Next. --GreGen
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
USS APC-25
From Wikipedia.
The ship was commissioned 19 November 1942, decommissioned May 1946 and sold in 1947.
100 tons, 103 feet, 21 crew and two 20 mm guns. Was a coastal transport vessel and carried supplies, munitions and personnel in the Southern Solomon Islands.
On 19 January 1942, the Naval Authority ordered the construction of 50 AMc coastal minesweepers. In April the classification was changed to radar transports, AP, for use in the South Pacific.
The APc-25 was built at the Fulton Shipyard in Antioch, California, after being ordered 19 February 1942. Keel laid 11 May 1942, launched July 11 and commissioned November 19th. The Fulton Shipyard also built 9 other APcs ordered in February and March 1942.
More to Come. --GreGen
The ship was commissioned 19 November 1942, decommissioned May 1946 and sold in 1947.
100 tons, 103 feet, 21 crew and two 20 mm guns. Was a coastal transport vessel and carried supplies, munitions and personnel in the Southern Solomon Islands.
On 19 January 1942, the Naval Authority ordered the construction of 50 AMc coastal minesweepers. In April the classification was changed to radar transports, AP, for use in the South Pacific.
The APc-25 was built at the Fulton Shipyard in Antioch, California, after being ordered 19 February 1942. Keel laid 11 May 1942, launched July 11 and commissioned November 19th. The Fulton Shipyard also built 9 other APcs ordered in February and March 1942.
More to Come. --GreGen
Japanese Soldier Who Fought On After the War Dies-- Part 2
The Japanese government looked for them but finally declared them officially dead after a nine-year search. In 1972, Onodo and the other surviving soldiers got into a shoot-out with Philippine troops and the others were killed.
Onodo escaped.
This made big news in Japan and his family members went to the Philippines to talk him into surrender, but Onodo continued to fight on, believing it was all lies.
It wasn't until his former commander returned in 1974 and ordered him to surrender, that World War II was finally over for Hiroo Onodo. He related, "I was just carrying out my orders." He became quite a hero in Japan.
No Surrtender Onodo. --GreGen
Onodo escaped.
This made big news in Japan and his family members went to the Philippines to talk him into surrender, but Onodo continued to fight on, believing it was all lies.
It wasn't until his former commander returned in 1974 and ordered him to surrender, that World War II was finally over for Hiroo Onodo. He related, "I was just carrying out my orders." He became quite a hero in Japan.
No Surrtender Onodo. --GreGen
The Japanese Soldier Who Fought On After the War Dies-- Part 1
From the Jan. 17, 2014, Yahoo! News, AFB "Japan World War II soldier who hid in the jungle until 1974 dies" by Hiroshi Hiyama.
Hiroo Onoda hid in the Philippines jungle for three decades after Japan surrendered, refusing to believe that the war was over until his former commander returned and ordered him to surrender.
Lubang Island is near Luzon and Onodo and three others continued to wage a guerilla campaign.
There were several other Japanese holdouts after August 1946 across Asia. The four on Lubang fought on and their existence became known in the 1950s when one of them emerged from the jungle and returned to Japan. The three remaining continued to spy and attack Phillipine troops and residents.
No Surrender Onodo. --GreGen
Hiroo Onoda hid in the Philippines jungle for three decades after Japan surrendered, refusing to believe that the war was over until his former commander returned and ordered him to surrender.
Lubang Island is near Luzon and Onodo and three others continued to wage a guerilla campaign.
There were several other Japanese holdouts after August 1946 across Asia. The four on Lubang fought on and their existence became known in the 1950s when one of them emerged from the jungle and returned to Japan. The three remaining continued to spy and attack Phillipine troops and residents.
No Surrender Onodo. --GreGen
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Deaths: Russell Johnson "Gilligan's Island" and World War II Aviator
From Wikipedia.
I was saddened to hear this morning that we had lost two of my favorite actors from favorite TV sitcoms on Jan. 16th. Dave Madden played manager Reuben Kincaid on the "Partridge Family." Russell Johnson played the professor, Roy Hinckley on "Gilligan's Island" as his obituary said, always "within a coconut of finding a way off the island."
However, reading about him in Wikipedia, he was a decorated World War II aviation veteran.
He served in the war as a 2nd lieutenant and flew 44 combat missions on B-25 Mitchell twin engine medium bombers.
While navigating a B-25 in the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his plane and two other B-25s were shot down in the Philippines in March 1945 and ditched off the port of Zamboanga. He broke both his ankles and the radio man next to him was killed.
He received a Purple Heart for that, but also received the Air Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and three service stars and was discharged November 22, 1945. He was friends with Audie Murphy and appeared in three of his films.
The Island Will Never Be the Same. Nor Will Maryanne (I Always Hoped They'd get Together.) . --GreGen
World War II's APc Class and USS APC-15
From the Shipscribe Site.
A follow up on last week's entries on the finding of the wreck of the wreck of the USS APC-15 in British Columbia.
The APc (or APC) Class were 103-foot long ships, a 21 foot beam with crews of 21 and capable of ten knots.
The class originally was classified as AMc, coastal minelayers. The APC-15 was ordered February 19, 1942, along with 14 other of the class. It was one of four built at Camden Ship Builders in Camden, Maine (along with the APC-16 to 18).
The keel was laid 6 April 1942 and was launched 18 July 1942. Commissioning came 27 October 1942 and decommissioning 19 March 1946. It was stricken from the Navy List on 28 March 1946 and MA sale 13 Jan 1947.
I wonder if there are any surviving examples of the class.
--GreGen
A follow up on last week's entries on the finding of the wreck of the wreck of the USS APC-15 in British Columbia.
The APc (or APC) Class were 103-foot long ships, a 21 foot beam with crews of 21 and capable of ten knots.
The class originally was classified as AMc, coastal minelayers. The APC-15 was ordered February 19, 1942, along with 14 other of the class. It was one of four built at Camden Ship Builders in Camden, Maine (along with the APC-16 to 18).
The keel was laid 6 April 1942 and was launched 18 July 1942. Commissioning came 27 October 1942 and decommissioning 19 March 1946. It was stricken from the Navy List on 28 March 1946 and MA sale 13 Jan 1947.
I wonder if there are any surviving examples of the class.
--GreGen
Saturday, January 18, 2014
World War II and the Winter Olympics
From Wikipedia.
The Winter Olympics started in 1924 and were held every four years until 1936. After that, they were cancelled until 1948 because of World War II.
The 1940 Olympics were originally to be at Sapporo, Japan, but that was rescinded in 1938 because of the Japanese invasion of China. The Winter Olympics were then moved to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, but the German invasion of Poland in 1939 cancelled that. It was then decided not to have them.
The 1944 Winter Olympics were scheduled to be in Cortina-D'Ampezzo, Italy, but that too was cancelled.
The games started again in 1948 and were held at St. Moritz, Switzerland. That country's neutrality during the war had protected it from damage and the venues from the 1928 Winter Olympics were still largely in place.
Athletes from Germany and Japan were not allowed to participate in the 1948 games.
--GreGen
The Winter Olympics started in 1924 and were held every four years until 1936. After that, they were cancelled until 1948 because of World War II.
The 1940 Olympics were originally to be at Sapporo, Japan, but that was rescinded in 1938 because of the Japanese invasion of China. The Winter Olympics were then moved to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, but the German invasion of Poland in 1939 cancelled that. It was then decided not to have them.
The 1944 Winter Olympics were scheduled to be in Cortina-D'Ampezzo, Italy, but that too was cancelled.
The games started again in 1948 and were held at St. Moritz, Switzerland. That country's neutrality during the war had protected it from damage and the venues from the 1928 Winter Olympics were still largely in place.
Athletes from Germany and Japan were not allowed to participate in the 1948 games.
--GreGen
USS APc-15 (La Belle)-- Part 3
It was built at Camden Ship Building and Marineway in Camden, Maine, and was launched 9 July 1942 and commissioned 27 Oct 1942.
The APc-15 served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of operations and took part in the Bismarck Archipelago Operations.: Arawe, New Britain, 17-18 and 25-26 December 1943.
It was armed with four single 20 mm antiayrcraft guns.
--GreGen
The APc-15 served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of operations and took part in the Bismarck Archipelago Operations.: Arawe, New Britain, 17-18 and 25-26 December 1943.
It was armed with four single 20 mm antiayrcraft guns.
--GreGen
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Mystery Shipwreck in Canada Turns Out to Be USS APc-15-- Part 2
The USS APC-15 earned one World War II Battle Star and was also used as a coastal minesweeper. The letters APC (or APc) refer to the U.S. Navy designation for small coastal transport.
Its first postwar service was under the name of Gulf Trader in 1947, but the name was changed to La Belle in 1948.
In 1962, it was sold to Capital Iron and Metals in Victoria. Its engine was removed and in 1963 it became an unpowered sailing vessel with the name Black Trader. It had several owners after that before capsizing and sinking in the slough where it remains today.
--GreGen
Its first postwar service was under the name of Gulf Trader in 1947, but the name was changed to La Belle in 1948.
In 1962, it was sold to Capital Iron and Metals in Victoria. Its engine was removed and in 1963 it became an unpowered sailing vessel with the name Black Trader. It had several owners after that before capsizing and sinking in the slough where it remains today.
--GreGen
Mystery Ship in Canada Turns Out to Be USS APc-15-- Part 1
From the Jan. 10, 2014, Delta (British Columbia) Optimist "Duddy solves mystery of sunken ship" by Jessica Kerr.
The remains of the tug La Belle, a former World War II ship, were found in Deas Slough. George Duddy of White Rock is retired and spends much of his time researching old warships.
He was looking for the remains of the Audrey B when he found the remains of another sunken ship which can be seen at low tide in Deas Slough.
Through measurements, he knew it wasn't the Audrey B.
After World War II, Vancouver tugboat companies started buying surplus vessels. Vancouver Tug Boat Company purchased the USS APc-15 from the United States and renamed the ship the La Belle. They also bought seven others and used them as tugs, fish packers and herring seiners.
A Boat of Many Colors. --GreGen
The remains of the tug La Belle, a former World War II ship, were found in Deas Slough. George Duddy of White Rock is retired and spends much of his time researching old warships.
He was looking for the remains of the Audrey B when he found the remains of another sunken ship which can be seen at low tide in Deas Slough.
Through measurements, he knew it wasn't the Audrey B.
After World War II, Vancouver tugboat companies started buying surplus vessels. Vancouver Tug Boat Company purchased the USS APc-15 from the United States and renamed the ship the La Belle. They also bought seven others and used them as tugs, fish packers and herring seiners.
A Boat of Many Colors. --GreGen
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The Return of USS Houston Artifacts
From the Jan. 3, 2014, Naval History Blog "Return of USS Houston Artifacts to NHHC." NHMC is the Naval History & Heritage Command.
The NHHC's Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) received a ceramic cup and saucer and a trumpet from the wreck of the USS Houston. These items were taken from the wreck in an unsanctioned removal.
Unfortunately the article didn't go into how these items were acquired.
The items will now undergo documentation, research and conservation treatment at the UAB Archaeology & Conservation Laboratory.
The USS Houston was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser which had the nickname "Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast" which fought at the Battle of Makassar Strait and the Battle of the Java Sea. On March 1, 1942, it was sunk along with the HMAS Perth at the Battle of Sunda Strait. Seven hundred crew died.
--GreGen
The NHHC's Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) received a ceramic cup and saucer and a trumpet from the wreck of the USS Houston. These items were taken from the wreck in an unsanctioned removal.
Unfortunately the article didn't go into how these items were acquired.
The items will now undergo documentation, research and conservation treatment at the UAB Archaeology & Conservation Laboratory.
The USS Houston was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser which had the nickname "Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast" which fought at the Battle of Makassar Strait and the Battle of the Java Sea. On March 1, 1942, it was sunk along with the HMAS Perth at the Battle of Sunda Strait. Seven hundred crew died.
--GreGen
Pearl Harbor Survivor Louis Conter
From the Jan. 9, 2014, redlands Daily Facts.
Louis Conter was quartermaster on duty on the USS Arizona that day and he was the one who sounded the call to battle stations.
He managed to get off the ship and he and another sailor spent the next two days in longboats patrolling the harbor and picking up other survivors.
Afterwards, he was sent to the NAS Pensacola Flight School and flew a PBY in the Pacific rescuing downed flight crews and looking for Japanese submarines.
He also flew jet fighters in the Korean War.
He was visiting the Arizona and took part in the placing of one of his shipmates' remains in the hull.
It Is Always Nice to Write About a Living Survivor With All of Them Dying Now. --GreGen
Louis Conter was quartermaster on duty on the USS Arizona that day and he was the one who sounded the call to battle stations.
He managed to get off the ship and he and another sailor spent the next two days in longboats patrolling the harbor and picking up other survivors.
Afterwards, he was sent to the NAS Pensacola Flight School and flew a PBY in the Pacific rescuing downed flight crews and looking for Japanese submarines.
He also flew jet fighters in the Korean War.
He was visiting the Arizona and took part in the placing of one of his shipmates' remains in the hull.
It Is Always Nice to Write About a Living Survivor With All of Them Dying Now. --GreGen
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Laying USS Arizona Survivors to Rest on the Ship
From the Jan. 8, 2014, Yahoo! News Politics Confidential "Laying veterans to rest in the watery graves of Pearl Harbor."
Daniel Martinez, chief historian at Pearl Harbor has been spending the last 30 years interring survivors of the attack into the waters of Pearl Harbor. He says there are still 3-4 Japanese pilots alive from the attack and just 9 from the USS Arizona, all of whom want to buried on their old ship.
He helps fulfill dying veterans' last wishes to be buried with their shipmates. When the end came for the Arizona, 1,178 officers and men were killed and 900 are stll on it "serving the ship" as Martinez says.
The most recent USS Arizona interrment was Chief Warrant Officer Edward Wentzlaff in December.
Mr. Martinez has been very involved in collecting oral histories of Pearl Harbor survivors. While in college, he interviewed his grandfather who was there and less than a quarter mile from the Arizona when it blew up. He said he felt the concussion. However, his grandfather had to leave the table four times during the interview.
--GreGen
Daniel Martinez, chief historian at Pearl Harbor has been spending the last 30 years interring survivors of the attack into the waters of Pearl Harbor. He says there are still 3-4 Japanese pilots alive from the attack and just 9 from the USS Arizona, all of whom want to buried on their old ship.
He helps fulfill dying veterans' last wishes to be buried with their shipmates. When the end came for the Arizona, 1,178 officers and men were killed and 900 are stll on it "serving the ship" as Martinez says.
The most recent USS Arizona interrment was Chief Warrant Officer Edward Wentzlaff in December.
Mr. Martinez has been very involved in collecting oral histories of Pearl Harbor survivors. While in college, he interviewed his grandfather who was there and less than a quarter mile from the Arizona when it blew up. He said he felt the concussion. However, his grandfather had to leave the table four times during the interview.
--GreGen
Monday, January 13, 2014
USS Roper (DD-147)-- Part 2: The Rest of the War
On April 29, 1942, the USS Roper rescued 14 survivors of the British merchant ship Empire Drum which had been sunk by the U-135 five days earlier. On May 13th, it rescued another 13 from the same ship.
After that, the Roper primarily was involved with escorting convoys between Key West to New York until 1943. Then, it was off to Caribbean and Mediterranean sea convoys.
On 20 October 1943, the ship was reclassified APD-20, high-speed transport and sent to the Mediterranean Sea. It landed elements of the French Army in Italy then served off France.
In 1945, the Roper went to the Pacific and was hit by a kamikaze on May 25, 1945. It was decommissioned 15 September 1945 and sold.
The Rest of the Story. --GreGen
After that, the Roper primarily was involved with escorting convoys between Key West to New York until 1943. Then, it was off to Caribbean and Mediterranean sea convoys.
On 20 October 1943, the ship was reclassified APD-20, high-speed transport and sent to the Mediterranean Sea. It landed elements of the French Army in Italy then served off France.
In 1945, the Roper went to the Pacific and was hit by a kamikaze on May 25, 1945. It was decommissioned 15 September 1945 and sold.
The Rest of the Story. --GreGen
USS Roper (DD-147)-- Part 1: The U-85 Incident
From Wikipeia.
Wickes-class destroyer commissioned at the end of World War I, 1090 tons, 314-feet long, 101 crew four 4-inch and two 3-inch guns.
Named for Lt. Cmdr. Jesse M. Roper who died during the Spanish-American War while rescuing his crew. First U.S. warship to sink a German U-boat in World War I. After commissioning and during the inter-war period, served in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and along the U.S. west coast.
Immediately before U.S. entry into World War II, the Roper was part of the Neutrality Patrol and then escorted convoys after Pearl Harbor.
On the night of April 13-14, 1942, made contact with a surfaced U-boat off the coast of North Carolina, chased the U-85 and sank it with gunfire.
In 2002, former U-boat commander Helmut Schmoeckel wrote a book suggesting that the USS Roper not rescuing the U-85's crew after they abandoned the submarine was a war crime.
The Roper reported that after initial contact with the U-85, it was almost hit by a torpedo. After sinking it, the Roper's commander delayed rescue operations until morning and the arrival of air support from a PBY Catalina and another ship for reasons of fear of another U-boat possibly operating in the area.
No charges were filed against the Roper's crew or commander, Lt. Cmdr. Hamilton W. Howe. Howe received a Navy Cross medal for the action and retired in 1956 as a rear admiral.
War Crime Or Not? --GreGen
Wickes-class destroyer commissioned at the end of World War I, 1090 tons, 314-feet long, 101 crew four 4-inch and two 3-inch guns.
Named for Lt. Cmdr. Jesse M. Roper who died during the Spanish-American War while rescuing his crew. First U.S. warship to sink a German U-boat in World War I. After commissioning and during the inter-war period, served in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and along the U.S. west coast.
Immediately before U.S. entry into World War II, the Roper was part of the Neutrality Patrol and then escorted convoys after Pearl Harbor.
On the night of April 13-14, 1942, made contact with a surfaced U-boat off the coast of North Carolina, chased the U-85 and sank it with gunfire.
In 2002, former U-boat commander Helmut Schmoeckel wrote a book suggesting that the USS Roper not rescuing the U-85's crew after they abandoned the submarine was a war crime.
The Roper reported that after initial contact with the U-85, it was almost hit by a torpedo. After sinking it, the Roper's commander delayed rescue operations until morning and the arrival of air support from a PBY Catalina and another ship for reasons of fear of another U-boat possibly operating in the area.
No charges were filed against the Roper's crew or commander, Lt. Cmdr. Hamilton W. Howe. Howe received a Navy Cross medal for the action and retired in 1956 as a rear admiral.
War Crime Or Not? --GreGen
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