dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
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Post by dave on Feb 1, 2016 2:12:13 GMT
I had the opportunity to visit the National WWII Museum in New Orleans this past week and I find it difficult to express my reaction and feelings. The great debt we owe to our veterans is reverently presented at this National Treasure. I knew my father served in the navy during the War when he enlisted on December 15, 1941 the day he turned 17. I knew he served on the USS Portland during the Guadalcanal campaign and then later transferred to the USS Smith a destroyer for the balance of the War. He reluctantly shared his experiences and only in brief snatches. I can only say how much more I love and honor him for his service after visiting the museum..
I have always expressed to our veterans how much I appreciated their service because Dad told me all they wanted was a thank you. After touring this museum I came away more awed than ever by the service and sacrifices these men and women made for my generation and my children's. The exhibits covered all aspects and theaters of the War with personal items as well as planes, tanks and other vehicles including a Higgins landing craft replica.
Of all that I saw the most moving was the casket ID tag for a soldier killed in the European Theater. Very powerful and moving piece of aluminum.
I highly recommend a visit for all who find themselves near New Orleans in the future. Regards Dave
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Post by quincannon on Feb 1, 2016 4:46:34 GMT
If memory serves that museum is located in the Higgins factory where landing craft were made for WWII, and was originally called the D Day Museum.
I think I have mentioned before that I have a small collection of naval art. Last week I picked up another print entitled "Enterprise at Santa Cruz". Something that might be of interest to Dave is in the background USS Smith is shown just after she took a hit on the bow by a Kate disabled by her AA fire. Not the same time you Dad was on Smith Dave, but I believe Portland and Smith were both repaired at the same yard, and as Smith was ready for sea long before Portland, that very well may be the reason your Dad was transferred to Smith. Don't know for sure but it might be worth checking out.
At Santa Cruz Portland was flag of Cruiser Division 4 with San Juan, covering Enterprise.
Another must see museum is fairly near Beth's home (35-40 miles or so) in Fredericksburg, Texas, The National Museum of the Pacific War, an add on to the Nimitz Hotel, in Nimitz's home town. As you exit your car you will see a fleet boat (I forget her name) surfacing on the lawn, and it gets better. Their book store is a treasure trove of the hard to find stuff on WWII, and they do mail order.
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Post by Beth on Feb 1, 2016 16:39:03 GMT
What is a Kate?
I didn't know about the museum in Fredericksburg. We've talked about going there for the German style food, now we have another reason.
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dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
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Post by dave on Feb 1, 2016 18:34:37 GMT
QC I remember seeing a photo of the Smith using the wake of the USS South Dakota to put out the flames from the kamikaze which had hit her forecastle. The amount of water from the wake is difficult for me to visualize since the photo was small but can only imagine how much aviation fuel the plane carried and how hot it must have been Regards Dave
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Post by yanmacca on Feb 1, 2016 21:00:22 GMT
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Post by Beth on Feb 1, 2016 21:41:31 GMT
Thanks I should have been able to figure it out, When I think of Kate I think of this-- link which everyone just calls Kate because it's the name the synthesized voice. The guy who developed was in the Idaho rocket group and we did a lot of test flights for Kate. It's not often my rocketry world collides with LBH
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Post by quincannon on Feb 2, 2016 2:43:41 GMT
Beth a Kate is Bettys and Nell's younger smaller sister.
Dave: While I cannot rule out a deliberate suicide attempt on Smith, I think it more likely it was just one of those imponderable S**t Happens episodes.
The one I would love to get to the bottom of is the loss of Porter at the same time in the same task force. Initial reports stated that she was hit by a sub torpedo, but after the war records reveal that there were no IJN boats in that area, at that given time. It may very well have been and accidental dropping of a torpedo from a TBF, unloading an unexpended before landing on E that ran into Porter. Love to know but conclusive data is just not there.
For Beth a TBF is an Avenger carrier based torpedo bomber, made by Grumman. A TBM is the identical aircraft made under license from Grumman, by Eastern Aircraft a division of General Mortors
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Post by Beth on Feb 2, 2016 3:01:35 GMT
Thanks QC. I can tell a kayak from a canoe but beyond that I get really shaky on naval matters. I am enjoying the education I am getting though from you guys.
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Post by quincannon on Feb 2, 2016 3:56:54 GMT
At the Nimitz museum annex, about a block away from the old hotel and main museum, there is a restored Avenger sitting next to the best model of Enterprise I have ever seen. It's a big one about 7 feet long which probably makes it 1/96 scale. There is one of Tennessee in about the same scale in the main museum. Think the Avenger is done as George Bush's aircraft. There is a similar restored Avenger at the Smithsonian also marked as the plane President Bush flew.
You just have to see that sub coming up out of the lawn. Whomever thought of that idea had a great deal of imagination and talent.
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dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
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Post by dave on Feb 2, 2016 4:00:33 GMT
Beth The Avenger was the aircraft flown by George H.W. Bush when he was 18 years old the youngest pilot in the navy. He was shot down over Chichijima, a sister island of Iwo Jima, in 1944 and rescued by the submarine USS Finback. Regards Dave
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dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
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Post by dave on Feb 2, 2016 4:07:37 GMT
QC I agree the Porter sinking is one of those we will not know till the Sea gives up her dead. I gather that Frank holds the high ground against Hammel since he published at a later date. Has Hammel ever addressed this matter to your knowledge? What information or record did he base his version in the book on? Regards Dave
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Post by Beth on Feb 2, 2016 6:04:59 GMT
Thanks for the Info on Fredericksburg. I mentioned it to hubby as well as German restaurants and beer so we shall see.
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Post by yanmacca on Feb 2, 2016 13:15:09 GMT
Good god there's a bloody sub coming up through the lawn!
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dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
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Post by dave on Feb 2, 2016 17:06:03 GMT
Yan I thought about you when we entered one of the four buildings and there was a M 3 Stuart sitting right in front of me with a M 4 Sherman across the aisle. They had several jeeps, ambulance, truck used by the Red Ball Express and even a portable pigeon coop! They had various 75 mm rounds used by the Sherman and a lot of tanker crew wear and materials. You could of stood and just shook with excitement. Unfortunately Sue left her phone in the car and could not take photos. Regards Dave
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dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
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Post by dave on Feb 2, 2016 17:09:44 GMT
QC I sent a post to jodak on the other board regarding the Porter. His view is the sinking by the sub to be the more viable cause of her demise. He sees the Avenger possibility as just a theory thrown out by the author. I am attempting to study this matter further as it has piqued my interest. Regards Dave
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