It was written by Jack Van Horn, bosun's mate 2nd Class from July 16, 1943, to July 31, 1845.
Also found were two sets of box cards. One was to identify Allied and enemy ships. The other was to learn pennant signal flags, semaphore and Morse Code.
Part of the August 18, 1943, entry read: "Tokyo Rose claims the Idaho is sunk. I don't believe her."
Oct. 25, 1943-- entered Pearl Harbor.
Oct. 27, 1943-- "The USS Oklahoma being raised after nearly two years, but the Arizona is sunk for the duration."
More to Come. --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.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Bits of War: Death of Pearl Harbor Survivor-- Bob Hope
1. DEATH OF PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR-- From the Dec. 14, 2012, Yakima Herald "Pearl Harbor survivor and Granger native dies one day before the attack's 71st anniversary." Herb Fairbanks, 96, Was 25 years old and on the USS West Virginia when the attack came.
2. BOB HOPE-- From the Jan. 26, 2013, KMJ Now "World War II Legacy of Bob Hope & Bing Crosby." Bob Hope aired 144 radio shows during the war. Only nine were recorded at NBC studios. The rest were on location at various military bases.
--GreGen
2. BOB HOPE-- From the Jan. 26, 2013, KMJ Now "World War II Legacy of Bob Hope & Bing Crosby." Bob Hope aired 144 radio shows during the war. Only nine were recorded at NBC studios. The rest were on location at various military bases.
--GreGen
At Pearl Harbor and "Operation Crossroads"
From the Dec. 23, 2012, Northern Nevadan "Guy Clifton: Verdi man recalls 'Operation Crossroads' nuclear tests of 1946 and the 'Unsinkable USS Nevada."
Dave Larson, 85, was on the USS Nevada, the only battleship to get underway at Pearl Harbor. His ship was launched during World War I but did not fight in it.
After the war, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Independence and in July 1946, he was at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific and observed the nuclear tests on U.S. Navy ships.
--GreGen
Dave Larson, 85, was on the USS Nevada, the only battleship to get underway at Pearl Harbor. His ship was launched during World War I but did not fight in it.
After the war, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Independence and in July 1946, he was at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific and observed the nuclear tests on U.S. Navy ships.
--GreGen
Friday, February 6, 2015
Milt Card's USS Brownson DD-518
Wikipedia.
In the last post, I mentioned that Milt Card had also survived his destroyer being sunk near New Guinea in which he was one of only 30 survivors.
I came across the name of a destroyer, the USS Brownson DD-518, which was sunk while covering action at Cape Gloucester, New Guinea on 26 December 1943.
A dive bomber hit it with two bombs causing huge damage. The article said that 108 of the 300-man crew died.
--GreGen
In the last post, I mentioned that Milt Card had also survived his destroyer being sunk near New Guinea in which he was one of only 30 survivors.
I came across the name of a destroyer, the USS Brownson DD-518, which was sunk while covering action at Cape Gloucester, New Guinea on 26 December 1943.
A dive bomber hit it with two bombs causing huge damage. The article said that 108 of the 300-man crew died.
--GreGen
Death of Milt Card, Last Known Aurora Pearl Harbor Survivor in 2012
From the November 19, 2012, Chicago Sun-Times.
Died at age 92. A 1939 graduate of East Aurora High School, he couldn't find a job and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was 21 when the Japanese attacked and on the USS Tracy. He went over to the USS Pennsylvania to help fight the fires He was a cook and the captain made him make food and coffee.
A ship's ammunition locker blew up and killed three of his friends.
The next day, he reported to the wreck of the USS Arizona to help recover bodies and remembers, "I was crying. I was cussing. Some of the guys were taking bodies off, but they were black (from the fire). Made you sick."
He was also one of 30 to survive his destroyer sinking near New Guinea.
There will be a Pearl Harbor luncheon for area survivors scheduled for Dec. 10 at the Gaslite Manor in Aurora and only three are expected to attend.
--GreGen
Died at age 92. A 1939 graduate of East Aurora High School, he couldn't find a job and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was 21 when the Japanese attacked and on the USS Tracy. He went over to the USS Pennsylvania to help fight the fires He was a cook and the captain made him make food and coffee.
A ship's ammunition locker blew up and killed three of his friends.
The next day, he reported to the wreck of the USS Arizona to help recover bodies and remembers, "I was crying. I was cussing. Some of the guys were taking bodies off, but they were black (from the fire). Made you sick."
He was also one of 30 to survive his destroyer sinking near New Guinea.
There will be a Pearl Harbor luncheon for area survivors scheduled for Dec. 10 at the Gaslite Manor in Aurora and only three are expected to attend.
--GreGen
Arctic Convoy Veterans Honored...At Last
From the Dec. 21, 2012, Leicestershire (UK) Mercury "Second World War Arctic convoy veterans honoured at last" by Dan Martin.
Many are now happy that the government has at long last decided to award medals to those who served on the Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union, so vital in keeping that country in the war. Many feel this should have happened decades a go.
These brave men brought weapons and food to the Soviet Union and there are an estimated 400 still alive in the United Kingdom
One of them is Bill Merry, 89, of Leicester, who said, "The Russians gave us medals but our government would not." He served on the HMS Westcott as a stoker from 1943-1945 and was on 14 convoys between Ireland, Scotland and the Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel.
They braved freezing temperatures and 22 hours of darkness. "Always at the back of your mind, was the thought a U-boat might be about to sink us. It was hard and frightening."
Arctic Convoy veterans wear white berets at functions to signify their service.
These men risked as much as the soldiers and sailors on the front lines, plus having the added prospect of having to jump into freezing waters. In addition, there is the thought of a torpedo hitting you while you're on an oil tanker or ammunition ship. definitely not something I would relish.
I believe more honor should be given to the U.S. Merchant Marine who faced similar situations.
--GreGen
Many are now happy that the government has at long last decided to award medals to those who served on the Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union, so vital in keeping that country in the war. Many feel this should have happened decades a go.
These brave men brought weapons and food to the Soviet Union and there are an estimated 400 still alive in the United Kingdom
One of them is Bill Merry, 89, of Leicester, who said, "The Russians gave us medals but our government would not." He served on the HMS Westcott as a stoker from 1943-1945 and was on 14 convoys between Ireland, Scotland and the Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel.
They braved freezing temperatures and 22 hours of darkness. "Always at the back of your mind, was the thought a U-boat might be about to sink us. It was hard and frightening."
Arctic Convoy veterans wear white berets at functions to signify their service.
These men risked as much as the soldiers and sailors on the front lines, plus having the added prospect of having to jump into freezing waters. In addition, there is the thought of a torpedo hitting you while you're on an oil tanker or ammunition ship. definitely not something I would relish.
I believe more honor should be given to the U.S. Merchant Marine who faced similar situations.
--GreGen
New Mexico Dogs Used in World War II
From the Dec. 22, 2012, Santa Fe New Mexican "Dozens of New Mexico dogs served in World War II front lines."
In late October 1943, the military launched a campaign asking Americans to loan their dogs to the cause. They wanted 250,000 in the program, called "Dogs for Defense." They were to be used as guards, messengers and help medics.
The government, however, would not guarantee their return. They were to be the Army's Canine Corps.
To be accepted, the dog had to stand 20 inches at the shoulder and be between one and five years old.
Doggone It. --GreGen
In late October 1943, the military launched a campaign asking Americans to loan their dogs to the cause. They wanted 250,000 in the program, called "Dogs for Defense." They were to be used as guards, messengers and help medics.
The government, however, would not guarantee their return. They were to be the Army's Canine Corps.
To be accepted, the dog had to stand 20 inches at the shoulder and be between one and five years old.
Doggone It. --GreGen
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Death of Pearl Harbor Survivor William Lefabvre, 93, in 2012
From the October 16, 1012, Merrimack Patch.
Died October 14, 2012,. Born in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1920. Enlisted in Navy August 39, 1940.
On USS West Virginia, BB-48 at Pearl Harbor. Transferred to USS San Francisco CA-38 for duration of war. Also served in the Korean War.
--GreGen
Died October 14, 2012,. Born in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1920. Enlisted in Navy August 39, 1940.
On USS West Virginia, BB-48 at Pearl Harbor. Transferred to USS San Francisco CA-38 for duration of war. Also served in the Korean War.
--GreGen
World War II Submarine Veterans Disband National Chapter in 2012
From the September 25, 2012, Virginia Pilot.
The national convention of this organization in Norfolk, Virginia, was attended by just 62 men. At one time thousands attended. It was decided at the convention to disband the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II. Its local chapters get to decide if they want to continue under another name or dissolve.
Of the 1,100 submarine veterans of the organization remaining, the youngest is 86 and oldest 102. The national organization was established in 1955.
Submarines made up just 2% of the U.S. fleet during the war, but sank more than 30% of the Japanese Navy as well as nearly 5 million tons of enemy shipping.
Some 16,000 men served on the submarines and 52 were lost with the deaths of 3,500 Americans.
Hopefully they will be keeping the records of the organization somewhere.
--GreGen
The national convention of this organization in Norfolk, Virginia, was attended by just 62 men. At one time thousands attended. It was decided at the convention to disband the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II. Its local chapters get to decide if they want to continue under another name or dissolve.
Of the 1,100 submarine veterans of the organization remaining, the youngest is 86 and oldest 102. The national organization was established in 1955.
Submarines made up just 2% of the U.S. fleet during the war, but sank more than 30% of the Japanese Navy as well as nearly 5 million tons of enemy shipping.
Some 16,000 men served on the submarines and 52 were lost with the deaths of 3,500 Americans.
Hopefully they will be keeping the records of the organization somewhere.
--GreGen
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
World War II Rationing Closes Schools in Chicago
I wrote about Chicago school closures during World War II for rationing registration. See the account in my Cooter's History Thing Blog for toady.
--GreGen
--GreGen
Whiskey Rationing Coming, Huge Growth in Wilmington
From the December 22, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star News "Back Then"
DECEMBER 6, 1942: "Coupon rationing of whiskey will become effective in the state Dec. 10.
The sale of wine through ABC stores was not affected.
Of North Carolina's 100 counties, only 25, including New Hanover, had the ABC stores.
On DECEMBER 7, 1942, a year into the war, on the front page, there were some amazing numbers. There were 4,000 members of the Office of Civilian defense, 18,000 employees at the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company and 2,595 Federal Housing Agency homes.
Wilmington's population had boomed from 33,407 in 1940 to 90,000 by the end of 1942. New Hanover County's population was up to 120,000 from 47,935.
Impact of War. GreGen
DECEMBER 6, 1942: "Coupon rationing of whiskey will become effective in the state Dec. 10.
The sale of wine through ABC stores was not affected.
Of North Carolina's 100 counties, only 25, including New Hanover, had the ABC stores.
On DECEMBER 7, 1942, a year into the war, on the front page, there were some amazing numbers. There were 4,000 members of the Office of Civilian defense, 18,000 employees at the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company and 2,595 Federal Housing Agency homes.
Wilmington's population had boomed from 33,407 in 1940 to 90,000 by the end of 1942. New Hanover County's population was up to 120,000 from 47,935.
Impact of War. GreGen
Peace Was Close, But a Torpedo Was Closer
From the Nov. 14, 2012, Sherman Publications, Inc..
Albert Anderson, 91, of Oxford was a Marine on the USS Pennsylvania BB-38 when a Japanese plane torpedoed it while anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa.
He remembers: "I just came out of the shower, I had a pair of white shower shorts on and Japanese wooden shoes. I just reached up to open my locker door and boy, that ship went sky high. I didn't hear anything. It just went up went up.
The date was August 12, 1945. Japan officially surrendered two days later.
The torpedo blew a 30-foot hole in the Pennsylvania, killing 20 and wounding 10.
The ship did not have any lifeboats, but fortunately, the flooding was brought under control.
Overall, however, Mr. Anderson remembers life on the ship was pretty good: "On board a ship, you've got a mattress and three squares--and you get to watch a movie at night." To him that was better than "living in a fox hole. He had only two duties. During battle, he loaded shells and manned 20 mm and 40 mm guns. The rest of the time he was one of eight men assigned to the captain's guard.
He enlisted in the Marines in 1944 at the age of 23.
--GreGen
Albert Anderson, 91, of Oxford was a Marine on the USS Pennsylvania BB-38 when a Japanese plane torpedoed it while anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa.
He remembers: "I just came out of the shower, I had a pair of white shower shorts on and Japanese wooden shoes. I just reached up to open my locker door and boy, that ship went sky high. I didn't hear anything. It just went up went up.
The date was August 12, 1945. Japan officially surrendered two days later.
The torpedo blew a 30-foot hole in the Pennsylvania, killing 20 and wounding 10.
The ship did not have any lifeboats, but fortunately, the flooding was brought under control.
Overall, however, Mr. Anderson remembers life on the ship was pretty good: "On board a ship, you've got a mattress and three squares--and you get to watch a movie at night." To him that was better than "living in a fox hole. He had only two duties. During battle, he loaded shells and manned 20 mm and 40 mm guns. The rest of the time he was one of eight men assigned to the captain's guard.
He enlisted in the Marines in 1944 at the age of 23.
--GreGen
Sailor Joins Shipmates on USS Arizona in 2012
From the Dec. 12, 2012, Henderson (Ky) Gleaner "Jenkins: Seaman joins shipmates on submerged USS Arizona" by Judy Jenkins.
Former seaman 1st class Wallace Frank Quillin's remains were returned to his former ship exactly 71 years after it was destroyed Dec. 7, 1941. He was on shore leave so he could attend church services, however, that fateful day.
Mr. Quillin died December 6, 2006, and his ashes were stored until now and a team of dicers placed his ashes on his ship.
After the attack, he was assigned to the USS Neosho at Pearl Harbor.
He was one of only 111 survivors when the Neosho was sunk at the Battle of Coral Sea.
--GreGen
Former seaman 1st class Wallace Frank Quillin's remains were returned to his former ship exactly 71 years after it was destroyed Dec. 7, 1941. He was on shore leave so he could attend church services, however, that fateful day.
Mr. Quillin died December 6, 2006, and his ashes were stored until now and a team of dicers placed his ashes on his ship.
After the attack, he was assigned to the USS Neosho at Pearl Harbor.
He was one of only 111 survivors when the Neosho was sunk at the Battle of Coral Sea.
--GreGen
On USS San Francisco at Pearl Harbor
From the December 20, 2012, Cincinnati "Pearl Harbor Survivor shares stories" by Lisa Wakeland.
Joe Whitt was on the USS San Francisco in drydock that day and had just finished breakfast and was on deck learning how to play guitar. Many of the ship's crew were on shore on liberty. Most guns and ammunition was stored away.
When the attack came, the men grabbed whatever they could to fight with and went off to war. He remembers, "We had no guidance, we had nobody to tell us, and we were pretty much on our own."
The torpedo planes were gone and the ones coming now were dropping bombs and strafing. He was shocked to see the battleships on fire.
Mr. Whitt joined the Navy at age 17 only one year before Pear Harbor. During the war, he was in 17 battles including Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.
--GreGen
Joe Whitt was on the USS San Francisco in drydock that day and had just finished breakfast and was on deck learning how to play guitar. Many of the ship's crew were on shore on liberty. Most guns and ammunition was stored away.
When the attack came, the men grabbed whatever they could to fight with and went off to war. He remembers, "We had no guidance, we had nobody to tell us, and we were pretty much on our own."
The torpedo planes were gone and the ones coming now were dropping bombs and strafing. He was shocked to see the battleships on fire.
Mr. Whitt joined the Navy at age 17 only one year before Pear Harbor. During the war, he was in 17 battles including Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.
--GreGen
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
D-Day's Sunken Secrets
From PBS Nova.
There is much history at the bottom of the coast of Normandy. On June 6, 1944, D-Day, some 7,000 warships, 11,000 planes and 200,000 Allied soldiers stormed ashore. This day was three years in the planning.
Today, that sea bottom forms one of the largest archaeological sites in the world.
Hundreds of ships, tanks, guns and even potentially unexploded mines are in that water.
It was the biggest amphibious assaults ever undertaken, eclipsing the one at Fort Fisher during the Civil War. An unbelievable amount of planning went into it and England was turned into the launching base. Great secrecy went throughout it.
Tagged Operation Overlord, it was an all-out gamble to crack Hitler's Atlantic Wall. Great subterfuge was used to make Germans think the main attack was coming at Calais, the closes point across the English Channel.
--GreGen
There is much history at the bottom of the coast of Normandy. On June 6, 1944, D-Day, some 7,000 warships, 11,000 planes and 200,000 Allied soldiers stormed ashore. This day was three years in the planning.
Today, that sea bottom forms one of the largest archaeological sites in the world.
Hundreds of ships, tanks, guns and even potentially unexploded mines are in that water.
It was the biggest amphibious assaults ever undertaken, eclipsing the one at Fort Fisher during the Civil War. An unbelievable amount of planning went into it and England was turned into the launching base. Great secrecy went throughout it.
Tagged Operation Overlord, it was an all-out gamble to crack Hitler's Atlantic Wall. Great subterfuge was used to make Germans think the main attack was coming at Calais, the closes point across the English Channel.
--GreGen
I Got to See "The Imitation Game"-- Part 2
The movie was about the brilliant mathematician John Turin who was the principal person to crack Nazi Germany's supposedly unbreakable World War II Enigma Code. He did it by making what would have to be considered a forerunner of today's computers.
The Germans used the Enigma Code on all their secret documents that went out over the air. The Allies could get them but not decipher them. On top of that, the Germans changed the code every day.
I'd never heard of him before but had heard of the Enigma Code.
Once they cracked it, they had to be careful that the Germans not figure out their code had been cracked, so Turin came up with a mathematical process to determine which German plans to defeat and which to let take place. That was a hard decision as well as it meant that peoples' lives were sacrificed.
Another part of the story was that John Turin was a homosexual, a criminal act in Britain, caught in the 1950s and forced to undergo chemical castration which caused him to commit suicide. A horrible end to a real hero.
His character reminded me a lot of "A Beautiful Mind."
--GreGen
The Germans used the Enigma Code on all their secret documents that went out over the air. The Allies could get them but not decipher them. On top of that, the Germans changed the code every day.
I'd never heard of him before but had heard of the Enigma Code.
Once they cracked it, they had to be careful that the Germans not figure out their code had been cracked, so Turin came up with a mathematical process to determine which German plans to defeat and which to let take place. That was a hard decision as well as it meant that peoples' lives were sacrificed.
Another part of the story was that John Turin was a homosexual, a criminal act in Britain, caught in the 1950s and forced to undergo chemical castration which caused him to commit suicide. A horrible end to a real hero.
His character reminded me a lot of "A Beautiful Mind."
--GreGen
Monday, February 2, 2015
I Finally Was Able to See "Imitation Game"-- Part 1
I had planned to see this much heralded movie this week at my usual theater in Fox Lake, Illinois, but found they had taken it off showings. I figured I'd have to go to Round Lake to see it.
After all, it has received all those Academy Award nominations and it was about World War II. I figured this had to be a good movie.
Saturday, I was at Woodstock, Illinois, for the annual Groundhog Days Festival. Most of the famous movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed here.
On my way over to the chili cook off at the Woodstock Opera House (Hotel Pennsylvanian in the movie), I passed by the Woodstock Theatre (the Alpine Theater in the movie) and saw they were showing "Imitation Game" starting at noon.
Well, I didn't get my chili this day.
No Chili For Me!! --GreGen
After all, it has received all those Academy Award nominations and it was about World War II. I figured this had to be a good movie.
Saturday, I was at Woodstock, Illinois, for the annual Groundhog Days Festival. Most of the famous movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed here.
On my way over to the chili cook off at the Woodstock Opera House (Hotel Pennsylvanian in the movie), I passed by the Woodstock Theatre (the Alpine Theater in the movie) and saw they were showing "Imitation Game" starting at noon.
Well, I didn't get my chili this day.
No Chili For Me!! --GreGen
It Was a Cold War Thing in Wilmington, N.C.
From the Dec. 22, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Back Then."
DECEMBER 5, 1962: The USS North Carolina Commission agreed to help turn the battleship into a fallout shelter in case of nuclear attack, but as yet have not received permission from the Navy as the ship is on permanent loan.
The warship can hold 1,395 people right now, but with alterations that number can go up to 5,000.
I Don't Know That I'd Want to Be Above Ground in a Nuclear Attack. --GreGen
DECEMBER 5, 1962: The USS North Carolina Commission agreed to help turn the battleship into a fallout shelter in case of nuclear attack, but as yet have not received permission from the Navy as the ship is on permanent loan.
The warship can hold 1,395 people right now, but with alterations that number can go up to 5,000.
I Don't Know That I'd Want to Be Above Ground in a Nuclear Attack. --GreGen
World War II Pigeon Message Decoded
From the Dec. 22, 2012, New Zealand.
This was a big story back in the fall of 2012 when pigeon remains with a WWII message was found in a chimney in a home under renovation. When the message was examined, it was found to be in code and the British military said that the code was no longer used and its was uncrackable.
However, Gordon Young said it took him 17 minutes ti decipher it using his great uncle's code book from World War I.
The message identified German troop units and Panzer tank positions
It was sent back to Britain during the Battle of Caen after the D-Day landing.
Some 250,000 pigeons, working in pairs, were used during the war.
--GreGen
This was a big story back in the fall of 2012 when pigeon remains with a WWII message was found in a chimney in a home under renovation. When the message was examined, it was found to be in code and the British military said that the code was no longer used and its was uncrackable.
However, Gordon Young said it took him 17 minutes ti decipher it using his great uncle's code book from World War I.
The message identified German troop units and Panzer tank positions
It was sent back to Britain during the Battle of Caen after the D-Day landing.
Some 250,000 pigeons, working in pairs, were used during the war.
--GreGen
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Surprised at How Little I've Seen About the Death of Edward Saylor
I've just seen a couple of Google/Yahoo Alerts on the death of Edward Saylor, one of the four remaining World War II Doolittle Raiders.
The Chicago Tribune barely had a paragraph on his death.
Come on, Mr. Saylor was one of the reasons the United States became such a great country!!
His brave deed gave hope to the country when there was very little.
Should Have Been a Much Bigger Deal. --GreGen
The Chicago Tribune barely had a paragraph on his death.
Come on, Mr. Saylor was one of the reasons the United States became such a great country!!
His brave deed gave hope to the country when there was very little.
Should Have Been a Much Bigger Deal. --GreGen
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