PT Boat Guestbook
[Part 3 of 4]
Thank you for visiting my PT Boat Web Pages.
If you haven't done so, will you please add your comments
by Clicking Here.
Thank You. ........s/
Ken Campbell
Click below to return to:
'Story
of PT518' .. or..
'Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 35'
. . or . .
''PT Guest Book, Part 2
I was looking for information on PT boats when I came across your sight.Very informative, I was actually looking for the weapons end of it. As a former Gunners Mate, I find WW2 era weapons fascinating. As a marine technician I was interested in the engines and outdrives. I have a ton of questions. I am from The Lake of the Ozarks Mo. My Grandfather served aboard the USS CLINTON APA144 in WW2, he is a plank owner. I de-commisioned the USS THOMASTON LSD28. in 1984. The history of PT,s is rather hard to come by, thanx for your sight.
Ed Derringer
The Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.
December 27, 2003
Zed_derringer60Z@yahoo.com
[NOTE: omit the Z's in the above address]
Hello Ken,
I am an Education Officer for the Jersey Heritage Trust in the Channel Islands. In 2004 we are putting on an exhibition for the 60th anniversary of the sinking of the 509. I am liasing with John Ovenden who made a documentary on the PT509.
Thank you for such a great site and I hope I can do the memory of the sinking justice.
All the Best
Marcus Grainger
Education Officer
Jersey Heritage Trust
Jersey Island, UK
December 4, 2003
[Ed. See http://www.jerseyheritagetrust.org/]
Sir.
Very good site. My father was on ASR 26654 (63') stationed at
Halavo seaplane base. Been looking for ship mates but info is very
scarce. Old man was Reisley. He remembers a Quavis. Find it interesting
when he remembers. Never really talked much about it. He started after
I received his medals he never got at discharge.
Thanks for the website.
Kendall Strehle
Clinton, IA
November 15, 2003
kstrehle1@mchsi.com
My father was Henry B. Blake and was stationed at Pearl Harbor. He watched the Japanese planes fly in. He was mostly in the Solomon Islands and after the war was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island; Patuxent, Maryland; Little Creek, VA. and Charleston, SC.
Men stationed with him thought it was pretty unusual for a CPO to have 8 children...and feed them,too!
Someone may remember Ann and Hank Blake and thier brood. If so, please write.
Marjory Blake Palmer
South Carolina
November 12. 2003
GPa1383407@aol.com
Fantastic websight. I found it only fitting to write down some thoughts on Veterans day. My father Donald (Bud) Beaubien was at Base Seventeen sometime between 1943 and 1947. I have several pictures of his base friends and the base dog.
In addition to Base Seventeen, dad served on the Farragut Idaho, SS Nathaniel Currier, SS Cape St George, NOB Navy 3149, and NTS Farragut Idaho. I also have pictures of him on PT 594, but am having a difficult time finding any information about that boat.
Bud is still sharp witted today. Anyone with further information is welcome to email me.
Also if anyone knows the whereabouts of Fritz (Frederick) Claussen (of Claussen pickle fame), I think he and my dad were friends during the war.
Kevin Beaubien
November 12, 2003
kbeaubs@msn.com
Hello Ken,
You have certainly spent a huge amount of time of the initial set up
and maintenance of this site. Well done.
I am compiling information
towards a book of the worlds torpedo boats and in keeping which what
I have so far I need to know what would be the gross weight of;
1. Total weight of fuel gallons carried
2 .Total Weight of full torpedo load
3. Total Weight & no.of rounds carried per weapon.
It is an interesting side note to see how the different navies
from the 1800's to 1945 loaded their TB's in relation to the primary
mission assigned. This information will be an appendix to the book
and I need someone with a first hand working knowledge of the
Channel PT's. Of course, full credit will be given to all individuals
and organizations for their assistance.
You have done a wonderful job with this site. Thank you again,
Joe Hinds
October 4, 2003
artguy.jbh@verizon.net
Ken:
Very informative site, and obviously a labor of
love.
I am gathering research material for an article on the
making of THEY WERE EXPENDABLE. The events
surrounding the filming, the makeup of the boats
themselves and the processes involved in bringing the
story to the screen continue to be a source of debate
among PT affectionatos (as evidenced by the PT Boats,
Inc. Message Board).
I would be very interested in hearing from anyone with
input on the subject.
Will Day
Santa Clarita, Ca.
September 21, 2003
Will can be reached at:
willday6-%-yahoo.com
NOTE: Replace the '-%-' with '@'
Hello Ken,
My Dad skippered PT 188. His name is William Harry Suttenfield.
He also was at one time president of the PT Boat Assn. In 1962 he
presented JFK with an award from the PT association which was a piece
of crystal with a PT boat underway etched into it. It was to go on his
desk.
My dad is still alive and his memories of those times are still
pretty clear (just don’t ask him where he just put his glasses a minute
earlier!)
I was trying to find out some info about where that piece of
crystal is today. I live in Australia but he still lives in the states.
Keith Suttenfield
Booyong NSW 2480
Australia
September 12, 22003
Keith can be reached at: keith-at-getawaytowealth.com
[Note: change the "-at-" to "@"]
This is in regard to my Dad. My Dad (Ronald Hill of Superior, Wisconsin)
passed away in 1991.
He served on PT142 in the South Pacific. I have located one
gentleman who also was on the 142 with him, but time and memory
sometimes fade.
I have pictures of 142 and some other PT's also the USS Acontius APG 12.
I also have PT pictures with Jap prisoners on it.
One thing that stands out is that they had some monkeys on board and
I have the pictures to prove it. Also mortor mounted on the bow.
Time is quickly passing by these Hero's who served our great nation
during WW2.
If there is anyone out there who can shed some light on 142 I would
appreciate it.
Mitch Hill
Willis, Texas
September 12, 2003
Mitch can be reached at: mdh1151-at-cs.com
[NOTE: Substitue "@" for the "-at-"]
I am an amateur military historian. Unfortunately the gentle men who
lived, fought and sacrificed on these small boats are passing away
and your site is a link to them and their achievements.
Sterling J. Foster
Monroe, WA
July 14, 2003
SterlingFoster@Captaris.com
many thanks for pictures.
there is over 20 years i am looking for something about pt boat
there is one of them sunk near by my home on the landing craft aera
in Provence on sunk around 15th August 1944
i am looking for draw if you have it
:
Alain Benhaim
Provence, france
July 5, 2003
benhaim.alain@wanadoo.fr
Glad I found you. I'm looking for information on Ron 16 and 22.
Do you know anything about an insignia on which a guy is riding
a torpedo and holding a hamburger. The guy looks like Whimpie
on the Popeye cartoon. The numbers on the patch are 16.
Sincerely,
Joan A. Ledoux
June 28, 2003
joan.ldx@verizon.net
My dumb QUESTION
Can a person get a full blue print on a pt boat like the one
on movie McHails navy?
Jr Fortine
Witchita State, Kansas
June 25, 2003
colakids8@wmconnect.com
Hi Ken,
I am the author and maintainer of the www.pt-boat.com website and I have
been researching these vessels for quite some years now and collecting
and re-drawing much of the technical history of the 80' Elco boats, many
thousands of hours have gone into the web site and the drawings so far
but not as many hours as I would like. I love doing this stuff.
I fear the history of these awesome craft is becoming lost forever as
the valiant crews that served aboard them slowly fade into history and I
for one intend to keep the memory alive for a few more decades or as
much as I am able.
I know time bends and fades memories and we are talking more than 50
years since anyone served on these boats but any memories or information
that agrees or disagrees with my ramblings on aspects of the boats on
the website from yourself or any of your readers is highly sought after.
I wish you well and keep up the good work.
Kind regards
John Drain
Victoria, Australia.
June 20, 2003
jdrain@pt-boat.com
----------
[Editors Note: Former PT Boat crew members are encouraged
check out John's web site and to give him any feed back
that they deem appropriate. /KLC]
My memorable experiences with PTs were in 1955-56. The Air Force
had a radar station, the 669th Aircraft Control and Warning Sqdn,
on Santa Rosa Island, CA. We were served by a fleet of WW2
vintage 83' Elcos three times a week, bringing personnel, food and
mail for the 56 mile trip. These fine ships were stripped of their
tubes, 50 calibers, and were modified to carry troops topside...
... as I remember, they were not known by their old PT numbers.
They were crewed usually by an E-6 or CPO, a deckhand/radio operator
and an engine man. Powered by the 3 Packard V-12s, what a sound to
hear! I remember how spotless the engine room was. Many a time we
left Port Hueneme with the red flag storm warning flags up. Many an
Air Force guy was green at the gills. I made probably 25 round trips
on those fine boats.......I'd like to ride on one again!
CMSgt Jon Taylor, USAF Ret,
Tullahoma, TN
May 29, 2003
jtaylor@midtnn.net
I was simply browsing and was thinking about the PT boat used during
WWII. They were a fantastic little boat. I would like to know the
weight and construction of this sort of machine. They were like sharks
patrolling the coasts and can be compared to fighter escorts for the
Air Force in their ability to protect the fleet.
Stephen Ardis
Warrensburg, MO
May 23, 2003
ardiss70@hotmail.com
Ken,
Wonderfull page. Keep up the good work!!!
I want to restore a Packard (V2500) PT boat engine..
Know of any ??
Bob Havemann
Carefree, AZ
April 23, 2003
bhavemann73@netzero.net
I live in New Zealand and have long admired the PT boat, I was
looking at the site to see if I could find some working plans
that I could perhaps down size to make the hull for a boat of
my own. If you could please let me know where I might obtain some
drawings and any other relevant info I would be very thankfull.
Peter Curd
New Zealand
March 24, 2003
pg-dmcurd@ezysurf.co.nz
Thank you for this web page. I am an avid reader of anything I can
get my hands on about WW II and have been ever since I was a kid.
I found your site to be very interesting and I like the stories
better than dry dull facts and figures.
Keep up the good work.
Victor Pepin
Hawaiian Gardens, California
March 17, 2003
Popeye95@attbi.com
Ken,
Thank you for all your work on this website. My husband served on a
Destroyer during the VietNam era. He has been scouring the web for
info on his ship, so I asked to see what there might be out there
about my Dad's PT boat, PT511. And there he is in the crew pictures!
He was Lt(jg) Robert Taft. I noticed that a couple of comments
mentioned his ship. I am curious because he also said he served off
the coast of Italy (this was in 1943, I think) and was finally in the
Phillipines where he said they burned those beatiful mahogany boats.
If any one knows more about this, I would appreciate their
information.
Barb Taft Harrington
March 16, 2003
bharrin586@aol.com
In my search for info on my father, I found and read your interesting
story about Ron 35. My father, William H. Swick (Bill) was originally
assigned to Ron 22 and then reassigned to the pacific, Ron unknown at
this time.
My dad was from Niagara Falls, NY and was trained at Univ. of
Rochester, Company H, Naval V-12 and completed training on or
about 10/21/43.
Thank you for the story and smooth sailing to you.
Andrew C. Swick
Elgin, IL
March 13, 2003
SwickA@mastermolded.com
I was just cruising around the PT Inc site and wanted to take a look.
My dad was Max L. Wilson Ltjg on PT 169 in the Pacific. Two weeks
ago I spent half a day with his skipper after 10 years on the phone
off and on. I firmly believe the story of your effort and sacrifice
must be passed on and am determined to give my fathers story to all
three of our kids. I have six plastic kits which will in God’s time
become PT 169’s with custom parts as it was in 1944.
When the convention was in Portland in 1997, I was there and hugged
another blue coat from PT 169 and 167. Jack Smith is a wonderful
man and always attends the reunions with his beloved Mary.
I am a Navy vet myself and semi-retired from the USDA Forest Service.
God bless you,
Jim Wilson
Ridgefield WA
March 12, 2003
kandjawilson1@attbi.com
Hello,
I have found out that my grandfather was moved to mtb31 in the
Philippines from mtb ron 35 when we gave the ussr some of our pt
boats, anyway just wondering if anyone out there was in mtb 31 in 1944
during the Philippine Liberation. His name is Durward Seal GM 3C...do
not know the boat number.
thanks,
Durward Fagen
March 11, 2003
dfsajac@tampabay.rr.com
[ED: See Durward's entry of February 25, 2003.]
Outstanding work ; congratulations. I was reading it because,
during last summer, I met Shelton Bosley, RON 34, PT 507
and he told me more about the PT boats activities during the
D-Day and the next weeks.
We paid an hommage to some of them who are buried in the US
Cemetery of
Colleville-s-Mer. We were with John Ovenden, a diver
from Jersey Island, who made a movie around the wreck of PT 509.
A salute to all of you.
Philippe Cornil
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (Utah Beach)
Normandy, France
March 10, 2003
etousa@free.fr
(ED: Philippe is a Belgian and an
Honorary Lifetime Member of the 22nd Infantry Society
& the National 4th Infantry Division Association.)
DEAR KEN,
MY FATHER BARNEY TAYLOR BUILT THE
PT BOATS AT HIGGINS IN NEW ORLEANS DURNING THE WAR. I REMEMBER
THE CREWS MEMBERS WOULD COME INTO NEW ORLEANS AND THEY WOULD DO
THEIR TRAINING OUT IN LAKE PONCHATRAIN. RUNNING ABOUT 3 4 WEEKS.
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BOAT WOULD LEAVE THRU THE GULF ON THE WAY OVER
TO FLORDIA, DADDY WOULD HAVE THE CREWS TO THE HOUSE FOR A GOODHOME-COOK
MEAL. THERE WERE MANY AND
HE OFTEN TALKED ABOUT THEM. HE IS IN THE MOVIE "THE WERE EXPENDIABLE"
BEHIND ONE OF THE GUNS, FOR THIS FILM OF THE BOATS MOVING ON WATER
WERE TAKEN IN LAKE PONCHATRAIN.
DAD IS GONE
BUT I WONDER IF ANY OF YOUR READERS HAPPEN TO EAT AT "BARNEY'S" IN
NEW OLRANS. I WOULD
LOVE TO HEAR FROM THEM. THANKS
WILLIE LEWIS,
KENTWOOD, LA.
March 9,2003
DSL@I-55.COM
hi ken,
my uncle was a crew member on a pt boat in ww2 in the pacific.
i believe he may have known jfk due to getting a fairly high
govt job during that time. he joined at 17 after pearl harbor.
just before he died he sent me a picture of him on the boat and
we had a connection because both of us saw combat in our lives
although a generation apart. i saw they were expendable
for the umpteenth time and got curious about pts.
ps served in the riverine force in vietnam(army) and saw a lot of
pbr's cruising by at speed- very impressive.
check out the web site ;mobile riverine force association.
thanks for asking for input.
pat benson
lodi, ohio, usa
March 9, 2003
pbenson1@neo.rr.com.
You have a wonderful site. My dad was in the top turret
gunner/flight engineer on a B24 in 445 Bomb group of the
8th USAAF based in England. I love flying and boats.
Your site and pictures are great. My Complememts
Ken Vargo
March 9, 2003
golfer1950@hotmail.com
I lived on an MTB that had been converted into a houseboat and
moored on the Thames (Taggs Island) in the early 1980's.
Sadly it was in a pretty terrible condition by the time I got it
and due to the residents on the island being evicted,
it was finally broken up.
Unfortunately, it had a name by that
time, rather than a number, so I can't find any history on it,
but I was interested to find out what it had looked like originally.
Quite a change!
Jan Brendel
Sheffield, England
brendel@whsmithnet.co.uk
Ken,
I have read all the entries on your site looking for information
about my father, John S. Jacobsen.
HE told me he was a JG on an ELCO boat serving in the Pacific.
I do not have a lot of information as he didn't like to discuss
the war much, but he did say his boat was 346 or 643 RON 17.
In doing research, these boats do not match up with what he has
told me. His boat ended up in China after the war.
I would appreciate any information you could give me that
could lead me to his boat and it's record.
Thank you.
Bill Jacobsen
February 26, 2003
bill@nulineltd.com
Mr. campbell,
Could you tell me where I could find a crew list of mtb
ron 35, I'am trying to find my granddad. His name is Durward Seal and I
think he was on PT 512 and he was a GM in 1944.
thank you,
Durward Fagen
February 25, 2003
dfsajac@tampabay.rr.com
I AM TRYING TO FIND CREW MEMBERS FROM PT 532 , RON 36 THAT ARE ALIVE. WHERE WOULD I BE ABLE TO FIND THIS INFO ????
WOULD LIKE ANY INFO YOU COULD GIVE.
L W THOMSON
SOUTH HAVEN , MICHIGAN
February 19, 2003
dthoms@accn.org
Ken I really liked your web site. I was always fascinated
with PT Boats. Of course I've watched McHale's Navy PT73
and JFK's PT109.
What I would like is how to find info on another PT Boat
"PT101". Before my uncle past away about 10 years ago he mention
that he served on the 101 and had met JFK. If you know of anything
please contact me.
Donald R. Shay.Sr.
Revloc, PA.
February 11, 2003
E-mail: Officershay81@yahoo.com
Ken,
Thanks for writing this history. Too many of the lesser known histories of the war are being lost forever. The information presented was very informative and interesting.
I am currently on assignment at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., and the proximity to Melville got my interest up and I started searching for information on the old PTTC.
Thanks again.
CDR Jeff Saine, USCG
Alameda, CA
February 4, 2003
Lcdrjsaine@aol.com
Hello Ken,
I find your site wonderful as clearly do many many others. I'm the author of 'Millington's Mission'
[Harper Collins, Aust] and Tasman Millington would be of great interest to you [especially his PT boat
operations in neutral Turkey WW-II]. Great site, Mate.
Best regards,
John Samuels
Austraila
January 27, 2003
john.samuels@bigpond.com
My father became a PT Boater after training at Melville R.I. I still have his certificate. He was sent to Ron 10, PT167; the " Who Me".
PT167 has a sort of celebrity status in that it is the boat, although not always identified, photographed in the black and white stripes with a big hole in the hull inches below the deck under the 37mm. The hole was caused by a frustrated Japanese torpedo plane. The torpedeo skipped off the water and went in one side of the boat and out the other with out exploding.
PT167 also lived a short life as a model. Revell made the kit which showed the boat in those damn stripes. A notation on the box said it could also be made as JFKs boat.
If anyone has information on PT167 crew members (I have some photos of the crew but first names only) or RON 10 area views I would like to hear from you.
William John Lynch
174 Highland Place
January 8, 2003
wlynch@altrionet.com
Hi, I saw your site on the net. My father was a torpedo's mate stationed on Tulagi during the war. He read "PT 109"
and discovered that he had lived in the same hut that JFK had lived in on Tulagi but after JFK had moved on. Any idea where i could get a detailed map of Tulagi?
Ron Scribner
Omaha, NE
January 7, 2003
ronmonica@cox.net
Note:
This is the third section of this Guest Book.
To see the second section, Click Here
It was necessary to break it into two sections
when our ISP was changed to COX.
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