Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive-- Part 1: Biggest Event in the Country

From the August 14, 2017, Northwest Herald (McHenry County, Illinois)  "Hundreds commemorate end of WW II with veterans event" by Katie Finlon.

Hundreds were in attendance at the 8th annual "Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" event Sunday at Veterans Park in McHenry, Illinois.

More than a dozen of the Greatest Generation attended the event.  Ronnie Reber, past commander of the McHenry Veterans of Foreign Wars said the event here in McHenry draws more people than all the other "Spirit of '45" events in the country.

His group, the Polish Legion of American Veterans and the American Legion host the event.

--GreGen

A Growing Rubber Shortage Hits Home in DeKalb County

From the May 27, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"A new list of approved tire sales was issued today by H.H. Pearce of the Sycamore rationing zone.  Along with the list he emphasized that his latest instructions are to the effect that greater care must be taken from ow on in issuing approvals.

"The rubber shortage as compared with the growing needs of the army, the problems yet to be ironed out in the making of synthetic rubber, and other kinds in the proceedings have brought forth a glaring need of restricting tire sales."

--GreGen

Keeping Track of Congressional "X" Gas Rationing Cards

From the July 12, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

**  "The drive for  the United Service Organization in Pierce Township nearly doubled its quota."

**  "Two hundred and fifty-eight Congressmen, 212 representatives and 48 senators, received unlimited "X" gasoline rationing cards, an examination of rationing board files here disclosed today.

"Of the representatives who got unlimited gasoline rations, 113 were Democrat, 98 Republicans and one Progressive, out of a total House membership of 435.  In the Senate, 32 Democrats, thirteen Republicans and one Progressive received "X" cards.  The Senate has a membership of 96."

Was It a Party Thing?  --GreGen

Shorpy Home Front Photos: Copper and Communication

MARCH 28, 2017--  HOT LUNCH 1942  --  November 1941, Garfield, Utah.  "Loading a copper converter at the Garfield smelter of the American Smelting and Refining Company."  By Anfreas Feininger, OWI.

MARCH 30, 2017--  A SERIES OF TUBES, 1943--  June 1943  Washington, D.C.  "Miss Helen Ringwald, employed by the Western Union telegraph office, works with the pneumatic tubes through which messages are sent to branches in other parts of the city for delivery."  Esther Bibley, OWI.

It takes a lot to win a war.

--GreGen

Wreckage of USS Lexington Found-- Part 3: In Remarkable Condition

The wreck was found and investigated by an underwater drone.  Videos taken of the "Lady Lex" shows anti-aircraft guns and some of its 35 aircraft, including Douglas TBD Devastator Torpedo bombers and Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters.

The vessel and aircraft appear to be in remarkably good condition considering how many years it has been sunk.

One aircraft has a cartoon Felix the Cat emblem and four small Japanese flag decals, indicating kills.The Battle of the Coral Sea helped save Australia from a full-scale Japanese invasion.

Paul Allen has also found the wrecks of the  HMS Hood and Japanese super battleship Musashi along with the American destroyer USS Ward, the first ship to make contact with a Japanese mini submarine at Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941.

--GreGen

Wreckage of the USS Lexington Found-- Part 2: 216 Died

The USS Lexington was intentionally sunk by the Americans after being hit with two bombs and two torpedoes in the four-day battle.  Casualties on the Lexington were 216 killed, who went down with the ship.  Another 2,735 were evacuated.

It was sunk to prevent capture by the Japanese and is considered a war grave so won't be raised.

--BreGen

Wreckage of the USS Lexington Found-- Part 1: 1.7 Miles Deep

From the March 6, 2018, Telegram (U.K.)  "Wreckage found of World War Two aircraft carrier USS Lexington after 76 years."

It was found in deep water some 500 miles off Australia's northeast coast.

The "Lady Lex" as it was called, was one of America's first aircraft carriers and was sunk at the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942.

It was found 1.7 miles deep in the Coral Sea after a six-month long search by Paul Allen, a billionaire who co-founded Microsoft.

The Battle of the Coral Sea was the first-ever battle involving aircraft carriers on both sides.

--Cooter

Removing the Old Street Car Line Rails in DeKalb for the War Effort

From the April 12, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"City workers were experimenting this morning at tenth and Pleasant Streets in DeKalb in determining the advisability of removing the rails on North Tenth Street.

"There are several hundred feet of track remaining from the old DeKalb-Sycamore street car line and these may be removed in the near future.  The government is in great need at the present time of steel and the city can sell the rails to help defray the expense of taking up the track and making the necessary street repairs."

--GreGen

Military On the Move Through Sycamore in 1942

From the April 26, 2017, MidWeek, "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Downtown people in Sycamore were given another mild taste of war time activity.  For hours, troops and guns rumbled through the city.  They were bound for spring training areas.

"Censorship chiefs have asked that details regarding such movement be not mentioned in such detail as to tell the destination, regiments and numbers and similar data.  Suffice to say here that the movement smacked of continued preparation for the days to come when the battle will become heavier and more realistic for Americans."

--GreGen

Nehring Electrical Works Expands With War Priorities

From the April 26, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Being cramped for room in the present quarters, the east mill of the Nehring Electrical Works will be extended to within about ten feet of Tenth Street,

"The Nehring plant has been designated as a war defense plant and will be given priorities so that the steel and other vita materials can be received for the new addition."

--GreGen

USS Bayfield (APA-33)-- Part 3: Service in WW II, Korean War and Vietnam War

 Continued from May 19, 2017.

The Bayfield then went to the Pacific and was at the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

With the end of the war, the Bayfield participated in "Operation Magic Carpet" to return veterans to the States.  It was at the atomic testing for "Operation Crossroads " at Bikini Atoll, but not one of the target ships.  It was stationed 22 miles from the detonation.

From 1946, the Bayfield was in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.  It was also active in the Korean War.

In 1954 it carried refugees from the partition of Vietnam.and was still in service during the Vietnam War until 1968.

Click on the USS Bayfield label to see the other entries on this interesting ship.

Quite a Remarkable Ship.  --GreGen

Two Brothers Did Not Survive the Sinking of the USS Reuben James

I was reading an account of the ship's sinking and it mentioned that two brothers had survived and two brothers had died.  I already knew about Charlie and Parmie Appleton surviving (see last post), but didn't know the names of the two brothers who died.  Looking through the list of deaths, I only came across two crew members with the same last name.

They were GENE GUY EVANS AND LINN STEWART EVANS.

Gene Evans, Boilerman (maker) 2c, USN  # 268-35-16

Linn Stewart Evans, Fire Controlman 3c,  USN  #265-93-57.

I couldn't find anymore information on them.

Did You Have a Friend on the Good Reuben James?  --GreGen

Two Brothers Survived the Sinking of the USS Reuben James

From ibiblio.org.

APPLETON, CHRLIE EDWARD, JR. Fireman 2c, USN  #295-89-55  (Probably Charlie)

APPLERON, PARMIE GLENDON, Fireman 2c, USN  #295-89-56

Both listed as enlisting in Nashville, Tennessee.  Home address R.F.D. #2  Sardis, Mississippi.

Next of kin, Father, Mr. Charlie Edward Appleton,  R.F.D. #2, Sardis, Mississippi.

When word of the Reuben James' sinking got out, this had to have been a real hard time at the Appleton home.

One of their sisters died and the obituary said that there were 15 children in the family.

I found that Parmie Glendon Appleton was born 17 September 1921 and died 13 September 1987.  I did not find any information on his brother.

Good For Them.  --GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Part 3: Goes to Philippines and Fights in Korean War

Returning to the United States, Bud had a well-deserved furlough with his family and friends.  After making many personal appearances at parades and bond drives, he was shipped to the Philippines.  While based in Mangaldan, Luzon, he was credited with shooting down a Japanese bomber.  He ended the war with 21 confirmed victories.

Later, during the Korean War, while flying an F-86 Sabre Jet, Bud was shot down by a North Korean surface-to-air missile and was held captive and in solitary confinement for 18 months.

Upon prisoner exchange, he was finally released and returned to the U.S. where he served a distinguished career with the Air Force.

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Part 2: Becomes Top Ace, Shot Down, Escapes

On March 8, 1944, Captain Walker "Bud" Mahurin returned to his base at Halesworth, England, with news that he had added three more victories to his tally, now 20 enemy aircraft shot down, to become the top scoring American pilot in the European Theater of operations.  Just days later, his P-47 was heavily damaged by a German Do-217 he helped shoot down, forcing him to bail out.

He was rescued by members of the French resistance and, after weeks of evasion from capture, with the help of the French Underground, he was flown back to England.

When he again reported for duty with the 56th Fighter Group, he was told that because he now knew the escape routes and personnel of the resistance, if he was shot down again and captured, after interrogation and torture, the Germans might obtain valuable information; therefore he could no longer fly in the European Theater.

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth:-- Part 1: Col. Mahurin Shot Down Enemy Planes in Both Theaters of War As Well as the Korean War

From the Paralyzed Veterans of America 2018 Calendar for March "Return to Halesworth."

Picture shows a pilot shaking hands with another airman on the ground as he is getting ready to take his fighter plane up or land it.

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Col. Walker "Bud" Mahurin (Dec. 5, 1918 -  May 11, 2010) was the only U.S. Army Air Force pilot who is credited with shooting down enemy planes in both the European and Pacific theaters and later, the Korean conflict.

--GreGen

Claborn Begley, a Follow Up

I was wondering whether Claborn Begley survived the war.  One source I found for US Navy deaths in World War II didn't list him, so I have to figure he did.

The Tin Can Sailors entry has a list of the Reuben James' crew at the destroyers.com site.

Behind his name is a comment:  "My Grandpa was a Hero.  Why isn't he mentioned anywhere?"

--GreGen

Claborn Begley Survived the Sinking of the Reuben James

From ibiblio.org  Casualties USS Reuben James.  This is a list of both survivors and those who died.

I took a look at the list of survivors and picked three men to write about.

SURVIVOR

Claborn Begley, Machinist Mate, 2c, USN  #310-79-18 (Rescued, Slightly Injured)

Re-enlisted Nov. 5, 1938, aboard the USS Oklahoma.

Home address:  #123 East 89th St., Los Angeles, Calif.

Next of Kin:  Wife Grace Begley, c/o Mrs. Gertrude Lawrence, 806 East 76th Street, Los Angeles, Calif.

I wonder what Mr. Begley was thinking five weeks later when he learned what happened to his old ship, the USS Oklahoma, at Pearl Harbor?

One of the Survivors.  --GreGen

USS Reuben James-- Part 2: Sunk By the U-582 Oct. 31, 1941

When World War II broke out in Europe, the Reuben James was assigned to the U.S. Neutrality Patrol and guarded the Atlantic and Caribbean approaches to the United States.  In March 1941, the ship joined the force guarding convoys to Britain and was based in Iceland.

On 23 October 1941, the Reuben James sailed with four other destroyers to protect Convoy HX 156.  At daybreak 31 October the ship was torpedoed by U-582 after having positioned itself between an ammunition ship in the convoy and a known German "Wolfpack" known to be lurking in the local area.

The torpedo struck forward and blew the bow off which sank immediately.  The aft section floated another five minutes before also sinking.  Of a crew of 7 officers, 136 enlisted and 1 enlisted passenger, 100 were killed.  Only 44 men survived.  No officers survived.

Woody Guthrie wrote and performed the song "The Sinking of the Reuben James."

--GreGen

USS Reuben James-- Part 1: Four Funnel Clemson-Class Destroyer

From Wikipedia.

Last week, I wrote about William Harding Newton of Roanoke, Virginia, who had been on the destroyer USS Reuben James when it was sunk by a torpedo from a German U-boat on October 31, 1941, five weeks before Pearl Harbor.

Was a post World War I four funnel Clemson-class destroyer named for Boatswain's Mate Reuben James (1776-1838) who distinguished himself in the Barbary Wars.  Build in Camden, New Jersey, commissioned 24 September 1920.  314.5 inches long and bean of 31.8 feet.

Assigned to Atlantic Fleet and did duty in the Mediterranean Sea 1921-1922.  Was involved with the cruiser USS Olympia in the return of the Unknown Soldier from Europe.  Based in New York City for awhile.

--GreGen