Horsham, PA 19044
215/868-1016
(please feel free to email, write, or call anytime)
Updated 7/26/2015
Scroll down to the end for latest messages. - latest messages at end.
USS
Panamint
Message Board
**********************************************
Joe
Bursca at 608-271-4199; E-mail:
molle1@charter.net
Joe sends the link to a web page that
contains a picture of USS Panamint: Pictures
Link
**********************************************
From: <twinjerry@att.net>
Sent: Saturday,
May 01, 2004 9:16 PM
Subject: Panamint Information
Rich: Greetings from St.Louis. Joe Brusca forwarded to me the information you were kind enough to put on your web site. I was a radioman on the Panamint from 44 to 46 and do remember hearing the "torpedo message" by Adm. Riefsnider. I planned and hosted the Panamint reunion here in St. Louis in 2002. Had 47 in attendance. Not bad for a bunch of old guys. Would appreciate being on your list to receive any additional info on the "Lucky 13"
Thank you.....Jerry Schneider
*************************************
From: walter sutter
To: richard@wham.org
Sent:
Saturday, September 25, 2004 8:20 AM
Subject: Panamint
address
Richard
First I would like to tell you that I am the
secretary for the reunion of the
Panamint and I found out from
Joe Brusca at our reunion in WI that your
Dad is still alive and
doing well. I had been informed that he had passed
away,
but am glad to hear he is still with you. I send out birthday
and
anniversary cards to the members and their wives to remember
them and if
they are ill, a get-well card. Sympathy cards
are also sent with a white
cross. Would you be so kind to
send me the date of your Dad's birthday,
along with your mothers
and their anniversary. Thank you for caring to
carry on the
spirit of the Panamint. Thank you also for putting the
information
on the web. I do not know enough about the
computer yet to do this but
would appreciate you doing it.
What do you need for the web site and when
do you need to get it
out. We have a newsletter that will go out in December
and
the next reunion will be posted in it. Thanks for any
information.
Shirley Sutter, sec.
"walter sutter"
<wpsasutter@msn.com>
********************************************************
In regards to the web page:
Out of love and honor to my dad and all others who served with him, I would be happy to keep the web page up and going. I can rename it "U.S.S. Panamint Reunion Committee" or whatever you think appropriate. It would be best for me if you can send any information you want posted in the form of word.doc file attachment, although email message such as below will be ok. If you have a list of people who attended the reunion, and news about the reunion, I would be happy to post it. The news letter also. And any other messages, news, etc. Please attempt to send me any information in some kind of electronic format as attachments - word.doc, etc. or email so I do not have to retype it. As long as I am alive and well enough to do this kind of web work, I would be honored to serve you. (I'm almost 71.) It goes without saying - no charge. In all you correspondence, be sure to let everyone know what the web site address is: http://www.wham.org/Panamint/
Hope to hear from you.
Richard Wham
Henderson, KY
http://www.wham.org/Panamint/
***********************************************
September 31, 2004
Hi Richard,
I am writing on behalf of my father in law John Daniel Yamber. He was
a second class boatswains mate in the 2nd division between 1944 and
1946 on the U.S.S. Panamint. I have been printing anything that I can
find on the internet. He can't get around very well and he is really
enjoying the pictures and articles that I find on the net. He asked
if I could get a roster of the ship. I told him I didn't believe I
could, but I would look around. If there were any way possible, John
would be at the reunion, but unfortunately his health precludes this.
I would appreciate any information or names or pictures of the
Panamint and crew that you may have. Say hello for John at the
reunion, I'm sure someone will remember him.
Thank you
Andy
Botto
eabotto@cablespeed.com
*******************************************
From: RTripp6371@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday,
October 05, 2004 4:25 PM
Subject: USS Panamint
Richard, I am a retired Naval Officer with the rank
of Commander. I just celebrated my 91st Birthday on 1
October.
I was assigned to the Panamint and boarded her at Guadalcanal.I was a
Lt(jg) at that time, My primary job was custodian of crypto
publications and coding machines with collateral duty to the staff of
Amphibious Group Four. I left the ship in Sasebo to return to
Washington, DC for a duty assignment. Later served a tour of duty in
London and later to Naval Forces Air Defense Command in Colorado
Springs. I was then assigned to the staff of Commander Amphibious
Force 2 in Norfolk/Little Creek, VA.. I retired from the Navy in July
1965 with 23 years of service. I still have vivid memories off
my duty while serving on the "Lucky l3". I served at the
Communications Officer on the USS Antietam (CVS-36) for 18 months.
The Antietam was the first carrier to have an angled deck installed
which was a historical event.
So much of this malarkey.
Warmest
regards from an old, old sailor.
Robert (Bob) Tripp
PS My wife and I celebrated our 63 wedding Anniversary on the 19th of April.
***********************************************************
From: joe brusca
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 11:06 AM
Subject: reunion
My wife Pat and I with the help of our four children hosted the reunion this year. We had 39 persons attend including Dr Mcnamara's son Bill and his daughter Sheila Macnamara Zeigler. Everyone had a great time and the weather was perfect. I will soon send a disk with the pictures of the reunion. Sorry that the veterans that were ill could not attend and we wish them well.
Thank you all
Joe and Pat
********************************************************
From: "Gary Priolo" <gpriolo@navsource.org
<mailto:gpriolo@navsource.org
Sent: Sunday, October 10,
2004 3:53 PM
Subject: Re: USS Panamint]
Richard,
We have added a link from
our Panamint page to the Panamint web site as
requested. It
will be in our 11October update. Keep us informed as to the
next
reunion so that we can also post that information on the page here at
Navsource.
Gary Priolo
Navsource
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul R.
Yarnall" <pry@navsource.org <mailto:pry@navsource.org
To: <gpriolo@navsource.org <mailto:gpriolo@navsource.org
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 10:09 PM
Subject:
[Fwd: USS Panamint]
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: USS Panamint
From: "Richard Wham"
Date: Thu, October 7, 2004 20:33
To: <webmaster@NavSource.Org
<mailto:webmaster@NavSource.Org
Thank you for the information about the
Panamint. The "Panamint Reunion
Committee" has
some information which is of interest to the members of
the crew.
Please see our web site: <http://www.wham.org/Panamint/>
If you could put a link on your web site, it
would help the crew members
and their families
communicate.
Thanks in advance.
Richard Wham
Henderson, KY
--
Paul R Yarnall
Navsource Naval History
*****************************************************
From: "glenn lippert"
<panamintagc13@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004
12:45 PM
Subject: Your panamint web site
What a great job, really enjoyed it. Was
on the staff
of Rear Admiral Riefsnider ComPhipGrp 4 living
aboard
the Panamint during most of my navy
enlistment.
Had been on 3 other AGC's, but most of the time
on the
AGC13. I use it for my email address.See Below
"panamintagc13@yahoo.com.
This is great I am bookmarking it for future reference.
*******************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: ben ashley
Sent:
Sunday, October 17, 2004 6:12 AM
Subject: USS Panamintnt
My father, Ben Henry Ashley was on the Panamint, I
believe 1945-1946, he was a fireman first class. Just a kid of
seventeen at the time. He is now disabled residing in the
missouri veterans home @ cape girardeau, mo.
He is a great man
and wonderful father. Men like that "his generation" could
teach us all something about life.
ben david ashley
*****************************************
From: walter sutter <mailto:wpsasutter@msn.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 5:49 AM
Subject: USS
Panamint
Deepest sympathy to Maureen Regan and the family on
the passing of
Ray Regan. No exact date, but it was the week of
October 10, 2004.
Ray was a RDM 2/C in K division and on board
the U.S.S. Panamint in 44/45.
*************************************************************************************
From: joe brusca <mailto:molle1@charter.net>
Sent:
Tuesday, October 19, 2004 9:03 AM
Subject: Fw: USS Panamint
reunion photo CD
----- Original Message -----
From: WILLIAM
MACNAMARA Jr <mailto:billmac@snet.net>
To: joe brusca
<mailto:molle1@charter.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004
6:46 AM
Subject: USS Panamint reunion photo CD
Joe, I received the CD yesterday in the mail and
really enjoyed it. You and your family hosted a terrific reunion and
it was a pleasure to be invited to attend. My sister, Sheila and I
had a great time. It was such a delight to be with real Americans who
gave up so much to make things so nice for people like me. My father
was very fortunate to be on a ship with good men like you and your
shipmates. You are all the salt of the earth and very gracious to
include our family. Please stay in touch
Bill Macnamara
***************************************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: "Johnston,
Chip - Office of the Lt. Governor"
<Chip.Johnston@ltgov.state.wi.us>
To:
<molle1@charter.net>
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 11:47
AM
Subject: Photo with Lt. Governor Lawton
> Mr. Brasca,
> Enclosed are some photos of
your visit to Lt. Governor Lawton's
> office. I hope these
photos are satisfactory, if not please let me know so
> that I
can try to locate any other photos of your visit that we may have.
>
Thanks so much for your visit, and take care.
>
>
Sincerely,
> Chip Johnston
>
> Chip Johnston
>
Operations Special Assistant
> Office of Lt. Governor Barbara
Lawton
> 19 E. State Capitol
> Madison, WI 53702
>
608-266-3516
> chip.johnston@ltgov.state.wi.us
*****************************************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: "glenn
lippert" <panamintagc13@yahoo.com>
Sent: Saturday,
October 30, 2004 4:52 PM
Subject: Evans Hadley
I have a special interest in the Evans and the
Hadley.
I was on the Panamint at Okinawa when these two
valiant ships limped back after being battered by the
kamazie. They were serving about 50 miles out as a
radar picket line giving us at Okinawa early warning.
My
battle station was up high on the bridge plotting
out
incoming air raids and keeping track of incoming
boggies.
The Evans and the Hadley had decks awash and
were all
torn apart, but floating as they crept past us on
the
Panamint.
I often wonder how many lives were saved by
their
effort, perhaps even mine.Their effort was a great
one, never to be forgotten
***************************************************************************
From: "Kevin Kline" <kfknphilly@aol.com>
Sent:
Thursday, November 11, 2004 10:21 PM
Subject: USS Panamint AGC-13
> Dear Sir,
>
> My grandfather,
Gerald "Jerry" Fallon, was aboard the USS Panamint. I
>
have pictures from the ship, as well as entire crew photos if you are
> interested. Thank you for making such a great website.
>
> Kevin Fallon Kline
*************************************************************************
From: walter sutter
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2005 4:35 AM
Subject: Earl in hospital
Just a note to tell everyone that
Fred Earl is in the hospital with a blood clot in his leg. He is
being treated and will come home probably next Monday or Tuesday. If
anyone is interested in sending a card, his address is: 596
Hoagerburgh Rd. Wallkill NY 12589 Another member not feeling up to
par is Harold Austin. We just received word that he is unable to
continue with chairing the reunion in 2005 and now we will be going
to the alternate choice for 2005. Branson. We wish both men a speedy
recovery. Harold's address is: 3727 Arrowhead Trail, Kingsport, TN
37664
************************************************************************************
From: Jerry Schneider <twinjerry@yahoo.com>
To: twinjerry@att.net
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 02:35:14 +0000
Richard: this is a photo of my twin brother, Harvey and me and me on the fantail of the Panamint during occupation of Japan while anchored at Sasebo, Japan in 1945. He was a medic in the army in Europe. After the surrender over there, he was sent to Nagoya, Japan. Through the efforts of the Red Cross, he was able to come the short distance to Sasebo and stayed aboard the Panamint overnight. Needless to say, we had a helluva reunion. (Feel free to put this photo on the Panamint website. Thanks,.........Jerry Schneider
*********************************************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: walter sutter
To: Arthur Sommer ; Barb Weber ; Bill Macnamara ; Charles/Anita
Wilson ; Cheatham Hodges Jr. ; Donald Jeffrey ; Duke ; Ed Sedlock ;
Edward Fitzgerald ; Edward Murphy ; edwin ; Glenn Lippert ; Harold ;
JC Councill ; Jerry Schneider ; Joe Brusca ; John/Charmaian McLemore
; Larry Campoli ; Margaret Sullivan ; philip ; Phyllis Collette ; ray
; Richard Wham ; Robert Ingram ; Robert Tripp ; William Flanagan
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 7:23 AM
Subject: Panamint
member passed away
Dear friends, Jack passed away this morning. He waged a good battle, but the cancer finally won.
The memorial service is going to be Monday at 11, with visitation at 10, at Woodland Chapel Presbyterian Church. Please keep us in your prayers.
God bless you,
Doris Hudson
********************************************************************
6/1/2005
Dear Richard,
I too am a son of a communications
officer (First Lieutenant, I believe) that served aboard the
'Panamint'. Your dad and mine were both among the oldest on board and
were both often referred to as 'Dad' or 'Pop'! Your dad must have
known mine. My father's name is Charles S. Diehl, but he was known to
everyone as 'Steve'. No, his middle initial 'S' didn't stand for
Steve. He was nicknamed Steve by his older brother when my Dad was 3
- a fun story is behind it that perhaps I'll share with you later.
The name really stuck because I was named after my father as
'Stephen' and not Charles...
In any case, my father is no longer
living. He would have been 95 if he were alive today. He died in
1996, in Fort Myers, FL, where he retired and lived from 1972. I was
going through some things of his that I have saved and I found a
number of items, letters, and pictures related to life aboard the
Panamint. My dad always said that his war years were among the very
best of his life and he talked about it often with me. Despite the
large age gap between us - he was 55 when I was born, I'm 40 now - we
were extremely close. I was given first hand account of much of what
was written in the official record on the Panamint website. Thank
you, by the way, for having done such a wonderful job.
If you and
your dad and any others would be interested, I would be happy to scan
and attach whatever I have to a future email.
My father was proud
to have served with the men of the Panamint and if I had been more
diligent in the past, I know my dad would have loved to be reunited
with the others like your father. I'm so very sorry I didn't work
harder, sooner, to find you.
Dick, I forgot to mention that the
second picture is of the landing party at Ominato.
Very best regards,
Steve Diehl
stevediehl@gmail.com
411 Avenue D
Horsham, PA 19044
215/868-1016
(please feel free to email, write, or call anytime)
**************************************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: Vicky Franklin
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 11:13 AM
Subject:
USS Panamint
I am the Daughter of the late Leonard E. [ Buddy]
Ratliff. I am so happy I found this Web page. I was looking up the
ship he was on and found it. I wish he was here to see this. He would
have really enjoyed seeing all of this. He went to heaven in 1986.
I'm sending some pictures that I hope you enjoy and to see if anyone
remembers my Dad. He was a wonderful father and husband. He loved to
draw as you can see in one of the pictures of the eagle. Which he had
a tatoo of. If anyone remembers him I would love to hear from you.
Thanks to all of you for serving and protecting the USA and
God be with you.
My husband serve in the Vetnam war with a
purple heart.
Thanks again,
Vicky Franklin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 29, 2005
Passing
on the information just received this morning about Jerry Schneider.
Just received a telephone call from Rick Schneider a
few moments ago to
inform me Jerry passed away last evening.
Details of the funeral, etc. will be posted on the
funeral home's 'website later today or by tomorrow morning. Website
address is :
HutchensMotuary.com
Funeral Home telephone
number is :
(314)831-3100
Best Regards,
Ted Branthoover
***********************************************************************
August 30, 2005
Message received from Dave Anthony, Radio Technician on the USS Panamint in 1945 & 1946. He sent pictures of the USS Minivet, ( See Article ). Here are the pictures he sent: Pic#1Pic#2 . David now lives in Columbus, TX. email: bettydave@elc.net
***********************************************************************************
From: "Kevin Kline" <kfknphilly@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 10:21 PM
Subject: USS Panamint AGC-13
Dear Sir,
My grandfather, Gerald "Jerry"
Fallon, was aboard the USS Panamint. I
have pictures from
the ship, as well as entire crew photos if you are
interested. Thank you for making such a great website.
Kevin Fallon Kline
**************************************************************
From: WILLIAM MACNAMARA Jr
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 9:43 PM
Subject:
USS apanmint
Richard, is the USS panamint website still active? I
was trying to find it and was unable to see it. My dad was the
surgeon on the Panamint. Please advise. Thank you for your courtesy
and consideration.
Best regards,
Bill Macnamara
***************************************************************************************************
From: "Michael Murphy" <mjmurphy9@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 9:53 PM
Subject:
USS Panamint and My Great Uncle John Ramsay SM3c
Richard,
I'm writing this after receiving my great
uncle's service record in the mail
today. He passed away in
the mid 1980's but I am still in contact with his
wife Pat
who still resides in Rhode Island. Through my parents, she has
sent
my John's cracker jack uniform which I am most proud to be the
custodian of. I've done a fair amount of research on the
USS Panamint and
have enjoyed the correspondence I have
thus far received from former
crewmembers. I am still
active duty Navy, an aviator (helicopters) and most
proud
of my uncle's service. I suspect I'll retire in 2-3 years here in
Annapolis. I just wanted to establish contact with whomever
might have
known my uncle. He passed away, immensely proud
of his Naval Academy great
nephew. I still wonder if his
passing had anything to do with his
volunteered shore duty
in the Emergency Occupation of the Ominato Guard
District
from 7-19 Sep 45.
Looking forward to corresponding w/anyone regarding the USS Panamint.
Sincerely,
Mike Murphy
CAPT USN
Work michael.murphy2@jsc.mil
410.293.2456
********************************************************************
From: joe brusca
Sent: Saturday, December 17,
2005 8:12 AM
Subject: USS Panamint
Dear Richard,
Merry Christmas to you, your
family and your dad.Merry Christmas to all my ship mates.Thanks for
all the cards you have sent.
On our 2004 reunion held in
Madison my grandson Chief Warrant Officer Sean Brusca made a special
trip from Ft. Campbell, KY.to attend the reunion. His pictures are in
the links. He is now command pilot of his Apache and is on his second
tour of duty in Iraq. He has two little boys Joey 4 and Tommy 9
months. Pray for his safe return.
Joe Brusca
*******************************************************************************
Can anybody help Andy Botto find email address for Larry Colette?
From: Andy Botto
To: 'Richard Wham'
Sent:
Saturday, December 17, 2005 12:06 PM
Subject: RE: Panamint
Message Board
Hi Richard,
Larry Colette sent my father-in-law, John Yamber a shipmate on the Panamint, and I believe it would make a wonderful addition to your web site. I have just updated my system and lost some of my e-mail addresses. I would appreciate if you or someone would forward Larry’s e-mail to me so that my father-in-law can continue to correspond with Larry. Thank you.
Andy Botto
eabotto@cablespeed.com
*************************************************************************************
From Richard Wham (WebKeeper)
March 15, 2006
Henderson, KY
Dad, Lt. jg Fred L. Wham, Jr. died at his home
in
Centralia, Illinois, March 13, 2006. He was just a few hours
short of his 96 Birthday.
Thank
You Note
***************************************
From: walter sutter
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006
8:34 AM
Subject: USS Panamint
Shipmate, Edward Farrell, of 65
Gauthier Rd, Barre, MA passed away
on January 30, 2006.
**********************************************************
From: WILLIAM MACNAMARA Jr
Cc: Kevin Macnamara ;
walter sutter ; Sheila Ziegler ; Joe Busca ; Fred & Betty Earl
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 8:11 AM
Subject: Re: Dad's
"Crossing the Line"
Richard, I am very sorry to hear of
the passing of your Dad. He must have been quite a man. I hope that I
get to meet you someday, possibly at the reunion. My Dad was also on
the Panamint and our family plans on attending.
You have done a
magnificent job with the USS Panamint website, making it possible for
all those who have access to computers to share the wondeful pictures
and history of the ship and her terrific crew. Our prayers are with
you and your family as you celebrate your dad's life. God Bless!
Bill Macnamara
Richard Wham <richard@wham.org> wrote:
Joe,
Thanks for the kind words. I'm honored to keep the Panamint web
site up and running as long as I can. We (the USA) owe all you WW II
vets more than words can state! "Crossing the Line" is
described on our Panamint web site, and Dad's crossing document is
posted. Well, I think of Dad's death of another Crossing the Line
event. We will all cross it someday.
Just seeing your signature
below with the words "USS Panamint 44-46", and knowing that
you and Dad were on the same ship at the same time gives me a real
sense of connection to you and all your shipmates.
Who knows,
maybe my wife and I will pop up at the reunion.
The current
information about the reunion is now posted on the web site:
http://www.wham.org/Panamint/
*****************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: walter sutter
To: Richard Wham
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 2:56 PM
Subject: Re: Panamint Reunion
Richard
Just read the note
on the passing of you Dad. We of the USS PANAMINT AGC 13
Shipmates
and reunion members extend our deepest sympathy to you and your
family.
----- Original Message -----
*********************************
From: Richard
Wham
To: walter sutter
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 10:06 AM
Subject: Re: Panamint Reunion
Walter,
Thanks for the
information. It is now posted on the Panamint web site:
http://www.wham.org/Panamint/
Sorry to inform you that my Dad,
Lt. jg, Fred L. Wham, Jr., died March 13, just a few hours short of
his 96th birthday. I have attached a thank you note. Let me know if
you can't open either version.
Good luck on your reunion. I will
keep the Panamint web site "alive" as long as I can. Tell
people to keep sending me messages to post on the message board (and
whatever else they want to put on the site.)
Dick Wham,
Henderson, KY
--- Original Message -----
*********************************************
From:
walter sutter
To: Richard Wham
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006
8:22 AM
Subject: Panamint Reunion
The 16th. Annual reunion of
the USS PANAMINT AGC 13
will be held in Washington, D.C.
September 14-18. 2006.
Staying at the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel
in Arlington, VA
Room rate for the reunion - $95.00 + tax.
Reservation deadline for hotel is August 28, 2006
Complimentary
shuttle service from Ronald Regan International Airport.
Registration for reunion: Deadline is August 1, 2006
Registration fee: $65.00 per person
CONTACT: Walter Sutter
(wpsasutter@msn.com)
for more information
----- Original
Message -----
***************************************
From:
walter sutter
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 8:34 AM
Subject: USS
Panamint
Shipmate, Edward Farrell, of 65 Gauthier Rd, Barre, MA
passed away
on January 30, 2006.
----- Original Message -----
******************************************
From: walter
sutter
Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2006 1:59 PM
Subject: Fw: Re:
Ed Fitzgerald
I received this information today from Ted
Brenthoover. We will all miss Ed.
Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2006
1:31 PM
Subject: Fwd: Re: Ed Fitzgerald
Ed is no longer with us. I' m glad he passed away peacefully.
Ed was a QM2 aboard the USS PANAMINT and, unknown to
most who knew Ed,
he attained the rank of full Commander
following his service in WW II.
He made contributions to the
establishment of the AGC Flagship Alliance
in his capacity of
being a lawyer and, along with me, formed the AGC/LCC
- All Ships
Group for those who became disenchanted with the Alliance.
Ed will be sorely missed by all his friends and
acquaintances. May he
rest in peace.
Ted B.
*************************************
9/24/2006 Will the grandson of Clarence Johnson
who called me last week wanting information about his grandfather who
served on The panamint please email me as he said he would. I believe
he served on Admiral Fletchers staff. I will see he gets on the
mailing list. He lives in Texas. Thank you.
Joe Brusca
molle1@charter.net
*********************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: walter sutter
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 5:08 AM
Subject: Passing of
a Panamint's crewmember's wife
Betty Manning, wife of John (Ace) Manning passed away Saturday, September 23, 2006.
*************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: charles
Sent:
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 8:49 PM
Subject: USS Panamint
My name is Charles H. Merritt, I was an RM2 in K
division aboard the USS Panamint during
WWii. I was part of
the commissioning crew, in I believe was Bayonne, N.J. The ship went
through to Panama Canal on its way to the Pacific. I was aboard the
ship during the invasion of Okinawa. As a matter of fact I was the
radio operator who first contacted the Japanese with instructions
from ADM Reifschnider as to how the Japanese Naval forces present
were to have their ships ready before our U.S. Naval units
entered
port. It was a long time ago but I still remember it. I am now
81 years old and live in Santee, Calif. which is close to San Diego.
Charles H. Merritt, CTC USN RET.
10730B Holly Meadows Dr.
Santee, Ca, 92071
***********************************************************
From: walter sutter
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007
3:39 PM
Subject: Deceased members of USS Panamint AGC 13
Have just been informed of the passing of
Charles Harben
and
Philip Goldstein
Both of the members lived in PA.
**************************************************************
From: Cari Farrow
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007
5:52 PM
Subject: Howard Moore - USS Panamint
Hello -
I am the daughter of Howard Moore, who
served on the USS Panamint in World War II. As my father died on
October 6, 2004, I don't know the exact years he served, but I
believe it was 1944 or 1945. He was a radio operator. Did anybody
know him? I have photos of him in Hawaii in 1945 on the beach with
someone named Andy (no last name given on back of photo) and another
picture with someone named Andy and Jack. If anyone knows my father
or these 2 men that were in the photos with him (sorry I can't
provide last names), please contact me at
carifarrow2002@yahoo.com.
I would sure love to find out more information about the Panamint and
about any stories from anyone who knew my father. He was very proud
of his military service, yet didn't like to talk about it much.
Thank you very much,
Cari Farrow
***************************************************************************
The 2007 USS Panamint Reunion will be held in
Pigeon
Forge, Tennessee on September 10-14, 2007.
If you didn't receive a copy of the registration
papers, please contact Walter Sutter at
rebelgram@verizon.net
and one will be forwarded
to you.
********************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike
Weidenbach
To: richard@wham.org
Cc: Masaji Hasebe
Sent:
Thursday, January 31, 2008 7:00 PM
Subject: Panamint - Hokkaido
surrender
Greetings Richard,
I’m trying to find
out information about the September 9, 1945 Japanese surrender aboard
USS Panamint.
Most specifically, if anyone can provide photo
images of the event, or any other types of detail, info, etc.
Here
at Battleship Missouri Memorial, we are continuously searching for
information about the “other” surrenders.
News
of the Panamint Hokkaido surrender has only just come to our
attention.
Best regards,
Mike Weidenbach,Curator
Battleship Missouri
Memorial
63 Cowpens St.
Honolulu, HI 96818
808-455-1600x235
*******************************************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: "Adam
Frank" <AFrank@uca.edu>
To: <rawham@wham.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2008 3:34 AM
Subject: USS Panamint
I am the son of Milton Frank, who served as a photographer's mate aboard the Panamint in 1944-45. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who knew him at that time. My Dad is living in Tucson (where I was born and raised) in an independent living facility. His health has not been great the last couple of years, but his mind is working great. He' s never spoken in great detail about his days aboard the Panamint, so finding this website was like opening a treasure chest. Thanks to those of you who have kept it going.
Adam Frank
Adam Frank
Assistant Professor of Asian Studies
Honors College, University of Central Arkansas
McAlister Hall
301-B
UCA Box 5024
201 Donaghey Avenue
Conway, AR
72035
(501) 450-3486
afrank@uca.edu
************************************************************************
From: WALTER SUTTER
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 8:39 PMTo: Panamint/Richard WhamSubject: Passing of Panimint member
We just heard of the passing of John (Jack) Manning.Our deepest sympathy to his family.
*********************************************
From: "Adam Frank" <AFrank@uca.edu>
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 7:34 PM
To: "Richard Wham"
<richard@wham.org>
Subject: Re: USS Panamint
RE: Milton Frank, who served as a
photographer's mate aboard the Panamint in 1944-45
> Dear
Dick,
>
> Thank you for your note and for keeping us
informed about the Panamint and
> its crew. My dad passed on
on March 28th after a long illness. While he
> would not have
been able to come even if he had made it to Memorial Day,
>
I'm sure he would have been happy to know about the reunion.
>
> Best to you and your family,
>
> Adam
>**************************
RE:
Vilma Pupo
From: Walter Sutter
Subject: Fw:
Vilma
I am forwarding Al's message to all of you.
Vilma was a
beautiful lady. May she rest in peace.
Our deepest sympathy goes
out to Al and her family.
----- Original Message -----
From:
Albert Pupo
To: WALTER SUTTER
Sent: Tuesday, September 01,
2009 3:54 PM
Subject: Vilma
It is with deep regret that I
inform you of the death of my wife Vilma, she passed away at 6:45
this morning.
Al Pupo
******************************************************************
From: "Gail & Clark"
<doubleeagle9@tampabay.rr.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, September 02, 2009 2:39 PM
To: "Richard
Wham" <richard@wham.org>
Subject: Re: Vilma Pupo
Mr
Pupo,I met your beloved Vilma last year when I stopped by your
Florida Panamint gathering to see my 2nd set of parents,
the Sutters.She
was such a delightful person and hostess
and we had breast cancer
suvivorship in common.I was very
shocked and saddened when Shirley
forwarded info to me
after that time that Vilma had been stricken again
w/cancer
and I sent a card to her.My heartfelt sympathy I extend to
you.May
God give you strength and peace.Sincerely,Gail
DeGroat,Lakeland,Fl.(formerly of Rome N.Y.)
*****************************************************
From: boats1183@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009
7:18 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: USS PANAMINT
Dear Sir,
My name is Dennis Perry and as a former
amphib Sailor I am writing in regards to my Uncle Robert Samuel
Byerly (723 66 04), he enlisted in the Navy 20 May 1944 and was
discharged on 25 May 1946. During his time in he was stationed at NTS
Sampson, NY, NTS Newport, RI and served onboard USS Panamint (AGC 13)
as a AS, S 2c, F 2c, and a F 1c during WWII. His original NAVPERS
-553 states that he served foreign and/or sea service during the war
and was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal
and the Asia Pacific Area Campaign Medal(1star). What I am wondering
is, I am sending for his medals for my Aunt as Bob passed away last
year and I noticed on one of the web sites that the crew earned the
Navy Occupation Service Medal (w/asia clasp) as well, is there any
way to find out if he was still stationed onboard Panamint during
this time and he is entitled to this award as well, maybe you have
access to the ships log to see when he was transferred. I am not sure
but I would be indebted to you for your assistance in this matter.
Thank you in advance.
Dennis S. Perry
BMCM USN(Ret)
2450 Point
Pleasant Way
Toledo, OH 43611
Boats1183@aol.com
(419)
469-2568
**********************************************************
****************
From:
Richard Tuttle
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:49 PM
To:
richard@wham.org
Subject: USS Panamint
Hello,
My father
Rex S. Tuttle served on the USS panamint during WWII. We have several
pictures and a lot of them are the same as I have seen looking at
site. We have pictures of the ship that are in perfect condition. One
when it was new and one a year later. We have two of the Year books
and I have found it interesting. I knew they existed but my mother
had them stored away, My dad passed away in 1982.
Richard E.
Tuttle
Veteran of U.S. Army
Served in Viet Nam.
rictut@abcmetals.com
******************
--------------------------------------------------
From:
"Richard Tuttle" <rictut@abcmetals.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 11:39 AM
To: <richard@wham.org>
Subject:
USS Panamint
> My name is Richard Tuttle, My father Rex s.
Tuttle served on the
> Panamint during WW11. I believe he
was on board when it left NJ through
> he Panama Canal and into
the Pacific. My family has some pictures of
> the Ship
when it was new and one year later. Large difference in
>
appearance.
> I have been reading things on the web site and
find it interesting.
> Richard Tuttle
>
rictut@abcmetals.com
>
*********************8
From:
rdferguson77@aol.com
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 3:47 PM
To:
Richard@wham.org
Subject: USS Panamint
Richard,
My name
is Richard Ferguson and I found out today that one of my Great Uncles
was on the U.S.S Panamint. Due to the timing I believe it was my
Great Uncle George "Yutch" Miller, who passed on quite a
few years ago. I would like to know if there is a list of the men who
served on this ship and when they may have been on it, as I am doing
some geneology work. Also, are there any articles or anything that
tell the story of this ship? Thank you in advance for any help you
can give me.
Richard Ferguson
Temperance, MI
rdferguson77@aol.com
*****************
Richard, did you
know him?
krista
On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 9:23 PM, Richard
Wham <richard@wham.org> wrote:
This link you sent me
directed me to Ancestry.com, however there was no obituary notice
there - maybe on has to be a member to view it.
In any case, if
you can send me the information, I'll post it on the message page on
the web site.
RAW
From: Krista and Dave
Sent: Sunday,
March 14, 2010 11:07 AM
To: richard@wham.org
Subject: USS
Panamint
Hi. I hope this email finds you well. I'm hoping you can
help me. I'm searching for information on my uncle who served on the
USS PANAMINT during WW2. His name is Thomas H Whalen. Here is a copy
of his obituary. I was wondering if you or any of your
"buddies" that were on the ship remember or knew him? Maybe
have some pictures around with him in it? I only met him once and I
don't really know what he looks like. Richard, did you know
him?
krista
Thanks for any help and info you can give me.
WHALEN, Thomas H. - At peace with the Lord, Dec. 1, 2001, in
South San Francisco. Loving husband of Vera; loving father of John
and Richard Canty, Judy Whalen, Joanne Luvchenko, Joseph Whalen;
loving grandfather of Joseph Petrovich and Ryan Canty; and numerous
nephews and nieces. Native of Boston, age 82; retired from CalTrans,
20 years; active in Cal State Employees Assn.; Navy veteran of WWII,
USS Panamint; volunteer at Laguna Honda Hospital, 1988- 2000; member
of Forest Hill Christian Church, SF. Family and friends are invited
to attend a Memorial Service at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002, at
Forest Hill Christian Church, 250 Laguna Honda Blvd., SF. In lieu of
flowers, the family prefers donations to SF Gospel Mission, 219 6th
St., PO Box 420946, SF 94142, or your favorite charity.
Krista
******************
From: Dan Tietjen
Sent:
Friday, January 22, 2010 2:57 PM
To: richard@wham.org
Subject:
USS Panamint
Richard,
According to my grandmother, my
grandfather served on the USS Panamint in 1945/1946. I believe he was
serving during Operation Crossroads.
He passed away over 30 years
ago, so I'm looking for information about him. I came across your
website, which is great, and I'm wondering if there may be a way to
find out if anyone involved in the reunions may remember him.
Please
let me know if you think there may be any possibility of finding that
out.
Thank you,
Dan Tietjen, grandson of Joseph
Imbimbo
******************
From: pnsy17shop@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 10:41 PM
To: richard@wham.org
Cc: wsutter@twcny.rr.com
Subject: USS Panamint ACG 13
Sirs:
Ron Reeves here for www.navsource.org I was wondering if you may have
any additional information of who was the CO in 1946 to add to the
two we already have ? They are: CAPT Edwin Elmore Woods, 14.10.1944
to 10.08.1945 CAPT William Bromley Ammon, 10.08.1945 to ? CAPT
Ammon's XO was CDR J. B. Mc Auliffe (have full name ?) could he have
relieved Ammon in 1946 and took ship to Decommissioning ? I do not
think the date of January 1947 is correct, and I can find that out
for you. Thank You, for your assistance. Ron Reeves
**************
News of Death of Ernest Cliff Buffum
Ernest
Cliff Buffum Obituary Notice (link)
Ernest Cliff Buffum
13 Rockland Drive
Old
Orchard Beach, MA 04064
From: Anne Marie Macnamara
Sent: Monday, June 14,
2010 2:11 PM
To: Dick Buffum
Cc: WALTER SUTTER ; Richard Wham
Subject: Re: USS Panamint (AGC 13)
Dear Dick:
Thank
you for your note about your Dad's passing and the beautiful
Obituary. I am, and I know that all of us associated with the
Panamint Family will be, very sorry to hear of your loss. The
Obituary was well-written and made me feel that I knew your Dad
personally. It sounds as though he was a great guy and a credit
to his family, community, and friends.
By this
note, I am forwarding your information to our Secretary, Shirley
Sutter, and her husband, Walt, our Treasurer, so that it can be
included in our next Newsletter; and to our Webkeeper, Dick Wham, for
posting to our website. http://www.wham.org/Panamint/, so that
all of Dad's shipmates will be aware of the loss.
I know
that your Dad did not attend our reunions lately, but thought you
might want to be aware that the Panamint crewmembers stage an annual
reunion. Most of the men bring wives only, but many bring their
children and grandchildren to celebrate with them. We have been
fortunate to have some widows attend as well. In this way, we have
been able to renew the ranks of the Panamint with the younger
generations and keep the traditions going. We always have a
Memorial Service during the reunion weekend, at which all of that
year's deceased members are read and honored. This year, your
Dad's name will be read.
This year. our reunion will
take place in the NYC area and headqartered in Jersey City, NJ.
Our Memorial Service will be held in Hoboken, NJ, from which the
Panamint was launched after its retrofitting. If you would care
to join us for any of the events between September 23-27, please let
me know. If you would like more information about the reunion,
please go to our website. We would be so pleased if you could
join us.
Once again, please accept my sincerest
condolences on the loss of your father.
With kind
regards,
Anne Marie Macnamara
annemacnra@snet.net
203-222-7651
(h)
203-952-9276 (c)
(Daughter-in-law of Panamint's Surgeon,
Dr. William
Macnamara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:
Dick Buffum <dbuffum@maine.rr.com>
To:
annemacnra@snet.net
Sent: Sun, June 13, 2010 4:08:42 PM
Subject:
USS Panamint (AGC 13)
To Anne Marie,
I wanted to
inform the appropriate individuals that my father, Ernest Cliff
Buffum, who served on the USS Panamint, passed away April 30,
2010.
I have included his obituary as an attachment. I located your
email address on paperwork having to do with the Panimint’s
20th reunion but if you are not the individual to receive such
information, please advise me otherwise. I thank you in advance
for your attention to this matter.
Dick Buffum
dbuffum@maine.rr.com
207-221-3727
207-283-0858
207-229-5368
******************************
From: WALTER SUTTER Sent:
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 8:51 AM
Subject: Panamint crewmember
passes away
Just wanted you to know that another crewmember of
the USS Panmaint AGC 13 has passed away. Cheatham Hodges passed away
on Feb 27th.
His address and wife's name is
Joan Hodges
2749
Sand Hollow Ct.
Clearwater, FL 33761
*******************************************************
*******************************************************
--------------------------------------------------
**********************************
*******************************************************************
**********************************
********************************
******************************
From: Gottwald, Tim
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 7:11 AM
To: richard@wham.org
Subject: Ross Gottwald served on the Panamint
My father Ross G. Gottwald served on the Panamint in WWII as a gunner’s mate. He passed last Friday. It just seemed appropriate to notify those others who served on the same ship. I am wondering if anyone remembered Ross.
Thank you
Tim Gottwald
Tim
R. Gottwald, Ph.D.
Research Leader/Plant
Pathology
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Agricultural Research
Service
U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory
2001 South Rock
Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Phone: 772-462-5883
Fax:
772-462-5983
**********************************************
March 26, 2014 Message from Thomas J. Hollis
This is to honor Thomas B. Hollis’ (my father’s) brave and courageous
WWII Navy service, the U.S.S. Panamint and its servicemen.
During the Battle of Okinawa, an important part of ending WWII,
servicemen of the of U.S.S. Panamint, including my father, a senior
officer, served and protected it during two months of hard
battle. This included surviving nightly kamikaze suicide plane
attacks, torpedo attacks, and bombing runs. Dad helped maintain
watch over the ship during kamikaze attacks and rather than fear this
duty, he relished it. The Battle of Okinawa (spring of 1945) was
the largest gathering of naval ships in history, with over 1300 U.S.
and Allied ships gathered to help invading ground forces take this key
island that over 100,000 Japanese troops occupied. Okinawa
was an important stepping stone to create a base to later invade
mainland Japan if needed. The U.S.S. Panamint was a historically
important ship and very sophisticated for its time, serving as the
flagship for Rear Admiral L. F. Reifsnider, Commander Amphibious Group
Four, during the Battle of Okinawa, making it a special
target. It also served as the commanding ship of an assault
force that captured the island of Ie Shima off the northwest part of
Okinawa during this battle.
The nationally acclaimed war journalist Ernie Pyle was aboard the Panamint a few days before he was killed on Ie Shima by enemy fire. The U.S.S. Panamint also received a Japanese delegation including their Vice Admiral of the Northern Japan Navy where they formally signed surrender papers aboard the Panamint in early September 1945. Dad was part of this history and was the officer on deck who guided the U.S.S. Panamint through Japanese waters where it anchored for the surrender ceremony.
Dad loves the Navy and worked his way up through the ranks through
sheer hard work, dedication and determination, in the same manner that
he has lived his long productive life. He first joined the Navy
as an enlisted pharmacist’s mate in March, 1942, before ultimately
leaving the Navy reserves in June 1954 as a battle-hardened Lieutenant
(senior grade). After first serving at the Philadelphia Naval
Hospital helping care for mentally incapacitated servicemen in 1942, my
father traveled on his own volition to Washington DC to petition for
approval to enter the Navy’s special “90 Day Wonder” accelerated
officer training course at Notre Dame for the winter of
1942-1943. He graduated from this difficult training program that
had an approximate 50% failure rate (300 men out of 600 did not make
it) as a commissioned Ensign officer and then served aboard the U.S.S.
Miantonomah minelayer out of Virginia Beach during 1943. During
this time he traveled to Trinidad to lay mines and was promoted to
Lieutenant (junior grade). After transferring off the
U.S.S. Miantonomah (which was soon attacked and sunk, with many of that
ship’s crew losing their lives), during 1943 and 1944 Dad was stationed
at the naval base in Newport Rhode Island. Here he helped train
enlisted men with whom he would later serve aboard the U.S.S.
Panamint. My mother fortunately was able to be with Dad
during his duty at Virginia Beach and Newport, after marrying in June
1942 (Dad was dressed in his navy uniform for his wedding!) He
went out to sea again for the next year aboard the U.S.S. Panamint,
sailing from Hoboken NJ in October 1944, ultimately departing the
U.S.S. Panamint in Adak, Alaska in October 1945 after the war
ended. I’ve enclosed a copy of the ship’s history log which
documents its long journey.
Dad had several important functions on the U.S.S. Panamint and was
eventually promoted to Lieutenant (senior grade). Those duties
included serving as the officer on deck, serving as gunnery officer in
charge of the ships stern’s armaments, handling very sensitive
communications, etc. He helped the ship survive kamikaze attacks
during the two and a half months in the Okinawa battle target
area. He also helped guide the U.S.S. Panamint as the “officer on
deck” through Japanese waters near their Ominato naval base for the
northern Japanese navy’s official surrender in early September
1945. The formal surrender ceremony took place aboard the U.S.S.
Panamint. After the ship sailed to Alaska in October, the U.S.S.
Panamint’s Captain Woods asked Dad to stay aboard as his Executive
Officer; Dad would have been given a spot promotion to Commander and
effectively been second in command of the U.S.S. Panamint. His
first choice was to accept this great opportunity and make the Navy his
career, but Dad instead came home to take care of his wife Eleanor and
newborn daughter Judy. As he has done so often in his life, Dad
sacrificed for the sake of his family. He did serve in the Naval
Reserves for another nine years.
Sincerely, Tom
Thomas J. Hollis
***************************************************************************************
-----Original Message-----
From: wsutter@twcny.rr.com
Sent: Tuesday,
January 27, 2015 5:27 AM
To: Richard Wham
Subject: Walter
Sutter
This is to let you and those who are still interested in the news
of the
Panamint that Walter Sutter passed away on October 18, 2014.
*****************************************
From: laurie sanders
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2015 4:13 PM
To: richard@wham.org
Subject: USS PANAMINT ~ Capture of Ie Shima
I have a photograph of my grandfather, Admiral Lawrence F. Reifsnider,
accepting the surrender of the Japanese at Ie Shima - on board
PANAMINT, which was his flagship.
The photograph and a copy of the orders for the capture of Ie Shima from ADM Turner are attached here.
Another little piece of history for you...
I'd love a response...
Sincerely, Laurie Sanders
**************************************************
On Fri, Jul 24, 2015 at 8:51 AM, <richard@wham.org> wrote:
Laurie,
Thank you very much! My dad, Lt. Fred L. Wham, Jr. was communications
officer on Admiral Reifsnider’s staff, so he was on the ship at the
time this picture was taken. It sends a chill down my back as I am
writing this. I will put this picture and your message on the Panamint
web site as soon as possible. This is a great addition! I know you are
very proud of your grandfather. He had quite a naval career!
Dick Wham, Henderson, KY
***************************************************************
From: laurie sanders
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2015 3:16 PM
To: richard@wham.org
Subject: Re: USS PANAMINT ~ Capture of Ie Shima
Dick ~ "Shivers down the spine" does not begin to cover my reaction to
your email regarding your Father and "Reifie". I've revisited that
photo many times since I resurrected it to send to you...and have done
more reading of my files since yesterday. It took me FOREVER to receive
Reifie's service record from the Records Center in St. Louis ~ which I
finally accomplished in 2009.....and it has helped to establish a bit
of a chronology for me.
Was it not for your wonderful message board, I still would have no
timeline as to the date of the photograph. At least now I have
"September 1945". Have looked everywhere and cannot find an actual day.
Have read and reread the Board with much interest....
Was your Father "a lifer" or did he go on to a civilian career? My
Father was Gunnery Officer on board USS NEW ORLEANS in Pearl on
December 7th, '41. We were living in Honolulu at the time; my Mother
and I were evacuated on Christmas Day that year. At some point, he and
Reifie caught up with one another in the Pacific....but that's another
bizarre story for another time...
Switching gears, the handwriting to the left of this typewritten piece
in my Grandfather's hand is the message "war correspondent's version of
our attack". Unfortunately, I do not have the genesis of this and
suspect that "Robbin Coons" authored the following piece, embedded with
the USAC 24th. So, perhaps it was Ernie Pyle to whom he was referring?
The plot thickens!
Back to "The Lucky 13": It's interesting that nowhere in my pile of
"stuff" is a reference to the ship herself...only to Amphib Group 4.
In any event, I am very proud to be a "new" member of the PANAMINT
family and super-proud to be a part of USN tradition dating back to the
Civil War.
Take care, Laurie
**************************************
From: richard@wham.org
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2015 5:37 PM
To: laurie sanders
Subject: Fw: My Dad
http://www.wham.org/Panamint/WebKeeper.htm
Lauie,
Good to hear from you. Sorry I have not added you material to the web
site yet. I’ll try to get in done this evening. The attached is poor
quality, but it is what it is. This is a “copy of a copy of a copy”
Panamint publication. I will be adding the rest of it in the near
future.
Thanks for the compliments on the Panamint Web site. There’s a long
story about how I got involved in doing it, but it’s been a “labor of
love”. I’m sending you this link because I do not know if you came
across it on the web site.
http://www.wham.org/Panamint/WebKeeper.htm
Dad was a reserve officer, enlisting in 1942. It was a mixture of
patriotism and perceived practicality. He was born March, 1910. So he
would have been 32 years old when he enlisted. He was an attorney, just
getting his practice going in his (and mine) home town, Centralia,
Illinois. He applied for a commission in the navy, thinking that if
accepted, his pay as an officer would provide better for my mom,
brother, and me. If drafted as a private, we would have a tough time. I
can remember him returning from St. Louis after getting a physical exam
with marks on his belly, chest, etc. for what purpose I do not know. He
said he could not become a submarine person, because the his bite was
not proper for the breathing escape apparatus. Being over six feet
tall, he said a sub would have been somewhat cramped for him.
Being a Republican, he was always somewhat cynical about the
federal government, and his assignment by the navy, added to his
feeling. Being a college graduate and law school (University of
Illinois) graduate, he thought he would be placed in some kind of legal
or administrative role. But he said that on his long placement question
and answer form, he said he took touch typing in high school. The navy
said – “A ha, he will be trained as a communications officer.” The real
irony was that after he really became a communication officer, he did
not do any typing. He said he always had a corpsman doing the typing.
Being older that most of the fresh enlistees, he said they
often call him “Dad”. He was assigned to Admiral Reifsnider’s command
staff, so he followed your grandfather’s assignment when they went to
the Panamint. As I read about you and your mom living at Pearl Harbor
on December 7, another one of my “back chills” occurred. If things been
a little different you, your mom, or your dad would not have survived
the day. Fate is fickle, and we are all subject to its twists and
turns. When I was first gathering information about the Panamint I came
across the story of “..prepare to take torpedo..” when the Panamint was
at anchor. My first reading of that event brought tears to my eyes,
(even now while typing this, they are a little blurry). I could not
even begin to imagine how the lives of my mom, brother, and me would
have played out, if my dad had not returned! I have been so blessed. I
was born in 1933, 23 years after my mom and dad. They both lived to be
96! So I shared their support and love for the first 73 years of my
life! That is a stroke of luck that most people do not have.
After reading about the close encounter, I asked dad if he remembered
hearing the announcement. He said he did, but he was down in the radio
room, and according to him there was little he could do. He didn’t seem
to be to worked up about it one way or the other. Even though we were
always very close, he didn’t talk much about the war. He did tell us
about meeting Ernie Pyle on the Panamint a day or two before he was
killed.
I have rambled on enough. I work on the web site tonight. If it’s all
right with you, I will post on the message the exchange of messages
between you and me. Let me know.
Cheers,
Dick
*************************************8
