tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35025131290386602142023-06-20T21:15:47.747-07:00USS William T. Mitchell TAP114Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-28224391544450347392013-10-13T08:05:00.000-07:002013-10-13T08:05:59.905-07:00From Jim Orlando ..... a great post ..<div>
<b><i>I received this in the morning email ..... what a great post, brings back a lot of memories to me ....</i></b></div>
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Mom and I sailed from Fort Mason on Friday, March 13 (yes!) 1953 aboard USS General William Mitchell for Yokohama when I was 8 years old. Dad piloted B-26s in Europe in WWII and remained in the reserves afterwards. He was called up and served for a year in Korea in intelligence and then decided to make the Air Force a career and was transferred to Johnson Air Base in Japan, so Mom and I were off to join him. I remember no names of crew or other passengers, and I so wish I did. I'll ramble a bit about how much I enjoyed that voyage...<br /><br />First night out, after under the glorious Golden Gate: The dreaded ground swells! We were at a table for several, with an Army Major at the head of the table. It was rolling enough that several people ate little and left early, but I was ravenous and ate and ate. Mom began feeling queasy and she left for our cabin, after asking the Major if he would mind keeping an eye on me. He graciously agreed, so I ate more, I think multiple desserts, while plates and cutlery crashed to the deck from several tables during some really heavy rolls, and the crew were busily cleaning up the mess, and the Major calmly smoked and drank more coffee with a smile on his face, which I later realized was most likely at my capacity for food. I ate long enough that we finaly were the last two in the mess, and we eventually tip-toed our way out of the mess through the broken china on the deck.<br /><br />I've often thought of how well all the crew seemed to at least tolerate us brats, but I don't remember any who weren't always nice to us. I still have images of the "canteen" (my term - can't remember what Navy would term it), leather-tooling, and the wardroom for us dependents. <br /><br />We could get snacks and toiletries, etc, at the canteen, but I most remember that was my first taste of Hawaiian Punch! and I loved it. (I've researched Hawaiian Punch, and it was first marketed on the West Cost and hadn't yet made it to Dallas before our voyage.) <br /><br />The leather-working was a great idea - it kept us kids stationary for a couple of hours. A sailor would patiently teach us how to use punches to tool leather, and I made a belt for myself and a wallet for Mom.<br /><br />Ah, the wardroom. Couches and plenty of board games to keep us kids occupied. I know at least some kids got seasick, but I never did on the entire trip, and more moms seemed to get queasy and retire to their cabins than kids. That meant that during rough seas eventually the critical ratio of moms to kids became low enough that we kids took control of the whole place. We learned that bouncing off a couch just as the ship began rising from a low swell meant a MUCH higher soar than usual. If we got too rowdy for the moms we'd go out into a passageway and find a handrail to hold and jump up with the same timing. Until a crew member came along to shoo us off.<br /><br />I have one image of the Line-crossing celebration, of Mom and me standing at a railing looking down at some partying going on on the aft deck, but Mom removed me shortly. I do remember a classmate in Japan who had crossed the Dateline on his birthday, though I don't remember on which ship. He told the story of the crew making him the honorary King Neptune and cheering in his honor, which I think was just great of the crew, though I suspect he was also bundled off shortly to make way for some more bawdy partying. <br /><br />After a year and a half in Japan, we sailed from Yokohama for Seattle in October, 1954, on USS Mann, though with a stop in Pusan to debark troops and pick up more for return to the States. The "police action" was over by then, but I remember sticking my head out our cabin porthole to watch the troops tromp slowly down the ramp to the shore, but later seeing smiling boarders walk much faster up the ramp to board. I remember that crossing less well, save for one day when Dad was Officer of the Day, and he took me down to troop quarters to walk through with him on "inspection", which mainly consisted of a sort of meet-and-greet. I remember shaking hands with several of them, and of course all of them were elated to be going home. <br /><br />I've long wished I'd kept a journal of our crossing on Mitchell, so I could have recorded the names of so many, to later be able to track down the Major and laugh with him about my appetite, and the guys who ran the canteen, and the mess crew who took care of us - and the messes - so well at meals, and the sailors who taught me how to tool leather. Great memories.<br /><br />Jim<br />OrlandoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-20972977124551181402013-09-24T08:34:00.001-07:002013-09-24T08:34:29.492-07:00It did happen .............<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380031904637_3601" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
Hi,</div>
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I was a crew member on the the Mitchell, and I remember the collision with a British freighter in the Yokohama harbor in 1960 or early 1961. The freighter was coming from anchorage and we were in the shipping lanes between the two break waters. We had the right of way, and since we were between the two break waters it limited our maneuvering severely. Nether ship sustained any damage below water. The Mitchell went to the Naval base in Yokuska for temporary repairs, then on it's way back to San Francisco.</div>
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You memory is good, it did happen.</div>
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Terry Cahill</div>
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<b><i>Thanks for the post ... I was not aboard her then, I got off in '56 .... "She is gone, but the memories linger on ................."</i></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-12332819685617178072013-06-15T19:03:00.000-07:002013-06-15T19:03:21.742-07:00Scott Allen<b><i>This was on a Facebook page I have for the Mitchell .... not sure when it was posted ... great memories of the early life of the "Mitch"</i></b><div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>Mr. Dooley, <br />Just wanted to add a note about my father. His name was Don Allen and served aboard the Mitchell during WWII. He came aboard for her maiden (shakedown) cruise just after she was built in 1943. He was assigned to the Brooklyn Navy Yards at the time. He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard out of Cleveland, Ohio. The U.S. Navy used Coast Guard crews on many ships at this time. <br />He attained the rank of 2nd Class Seaman and was the head Storekeeper in the Main Issue Room. He served under her first captain, Henry Coyle and later under Captain Randall(I think). He was aboard her over 100 thousand sea miles and many ports around the world during the war. <br />His many stories include very seasick troops they were transporting to Africa that made a terrible mess all over the ship. He and two buddies going over the side and swimming ashore while at anchor in Scotland. Being on Shore Patrol duty in Bombay, India (and not liking it one bit). Buying the best hard candy he ever had in New Zealand(Blackpool candy). And lastly, his anguish about telling the story of bringing home wounded and fallen troops from the Burma campaign to San Francisco at the end of the war.<br />He left the ship in 1946 in San Francisco and was discharged there. He returned to Cleveland, Ohio the same year. <br />My father passed away January 18, 2006 at the age of 83. I miss him and his stories about the USS BILLY MITCHELL.<br />Scott Allen</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-65439662957138429762013-02-18T12:12:00.001-08:002013-02-18T12:12:18.866-08:00George Scudder<div style="text-align: center;">
LOOKING FOR GEORGE SCUDDER WHO SERVED WITH STEPHEN GILBERT </div>
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ON THE MITCH 1961 803 553 9986</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-63133533000589014562013-01-04T14:45:00.000-08:002013-01-04T14:45:59.767-08:00A Scott Allen "Mitchell" Memory ........1/4/2013 - Received this today, what a neat memory of the old, now gone ..... Mitchell ..... wanted to share it with all ....<br />
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Mr. Dooley, <br />Just wanted to add a note about my father. His name was Don Allen and served aboard the Mitchell during WWII. He came aboard for her maiden (shakedown) cruise just after she was built in 1943. He was assigned to the Brooklyn Navy Yards at the time. He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard out of Cleveland, Ohio. The U.S. Navy used Coast Guard crews on many ships at this time. <br />He attained the rank of 2nd Class Seaman and was the head Storekeeper in the Main Issue Room. He served under her first captain, Henry Coyle and later under Captain Randall(I think). He was aboard her over 100 thousand sea miles and many ports around the world during the war. <br />His many stories include very seasick troops they were transporting to Africa that made a terrible mess all over the ship. He and two buddies going over the side and swimming ashore while at anchor in Scotland. Being on Shore Patrol duty in Bombay, India (and not liking it one bit). Buying the best hard candy he ever had in New Zealand(Blackpool candy). And lastly, his anguish about telling the story of bringing home wounded and fallen troops from the Burma campaign to San Francisco at the end of the war.<br />He left the ship in 1946 in San Francisco and was discharged there. He returned to Cleveland, Ohio the same year. <br />My father passed away January 18, 2006 at the age of 83. I miss him and his stories about the USS BILLY MITCHELL.<br />Scott AllenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-14378109568209831032012-07-26T14:23:00.000-07:002012-07-26T14:23:15.754-07:007/26/2012 UPDATEHave not heard from any old "salts" for quite a while. I know that thousands were transported on her, and many served on board. Would be nice to hear from some of them.<br />
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The WWII bunch is probably thinned out pretty well, some Korea still around and many of the newer passengers are still here.<br />
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The old girl is gone, probably shaving with some of her metal on some mornings. Many good memories of the old "Mitch."<br />
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Look forward to hearing from some of you ............<br />
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<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="200" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6628435.290;sz=200x200;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000005217789;pid=23178927;usg=AFHzDLtWrlBpj35WMiKeO-H_GD3A_rYINQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.officemax.com%252Ftechnology%252Fcomputers%252Fdesktop-computers%252Fproduct-prod3610124%253Fcm_mmc%253DPerformics-_-Technology-_-Computers-_-Desktop%252520Computers%2526ci_src%253D14110944%2526ci_sku%253D23178927;pubid=564705;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.officemax.com%2Fcatalog%2Fimages%2F397x353%2F23178927i_01.jpg;width=200;height=177" vspace="0" width="200"></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-45110071378532410962012-05-12T16:49:00.002-07:002012-05-12T16:49:22.152-07:00An old Email I received .... a long time ago<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I<b><i> received an email today and it got me to reminiscing. This is an old email, but wanted to share and get this blog some exposure.</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I stumbled across you website by accident. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I served on the Mitchell in the early 50’s, about 1950-1952. I can give you the name of one of our commanding officers at the time, CAPT J. V. Query. He was a WWII submariner and a very good skipper.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1336866140650371" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1336866140650368" style="font-size: 10pt;">The Mitchell was one of the first ships to bring reinforcements into Korea after the start of hostilities. We loaded up at Fort Mason , CA and unloaded in Pusan when the defense perimeter was just miles outside of Pusan . We later participated in the evacuation at Hungnam after the Chinese bought into the war. Our first trip out was with much of the 1<sup>st</sup> Cavalry Division and its ROK attachment, I think we had somewhere around 8,000 troops aboard with the ROKs sleeping on the weather decks. The second trip was harder, we loaded most of what was left of the Marines who were trapped at Chosen and fought their way back to the port. We brought LCVP and LCVP of litter cases out and hoisted them aboard. The Marines came aboard with their weapons locked and loaded and left them behind. On our passage through the Strait of Moji we were busy dumping GI cans of weapons and ammunition over the fantail. We spent Christmas Eve that year anchored out in Yokohama Harbor cleaning troop compartments.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I left the Mitch in 1952 to transfer to the USNS General Simon Bolivar Buckner.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Interesting sidelight. When first assigned to the Mitchell I was assigned to D2 Division where I worked for what must have been one of the very first black BM’s in the Navy, BM2 Vincent Rudolph Bates. The guy was something else – 6’ or thereabouts, strong as two bulls, one of the best small boat handlers I’ve ever seen and a great leader and motivator. Raised in strictly segregated Texas it was an eye opener for me but I quickly grew to admire and trust Bates. When the division went on liberty together anyplace which wouldn’t serve Bates served none of us and we might well leave some wreckage behind when we exited.</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-82386093186328202922011-09-04T17:18:00.000-07:002011-09-04T17:18:01.805-07:00Another Crew Member Heard FromGood Afternoon, <br />
<div><br />
</div><div _yuid="yui_3_1_1_2_131518144087969">I don't know if you are still updating your web-site on the Mitchell but if you are I want to let you know that I too served aboard the Mitchell. I was sent there in early 1965 and did a number of cruises to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1315181678_0">Hawaii</span> then to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1315181678_1">Yokohama Japan</span>, to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1315181678_2">Okinawa</span> (or however you spell that). From there we would go to either <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1315181678_3">Inchon Korea</span> or <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1315181678_4">Keelung</span> <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1315181678_5">Taiwan</span>. Then back to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1315181678_6">Yokohama</span>, to Hawaii and back to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1315181678_7">Oakland</span>. I think I made that trip 5 or 6 time before we finally took her on her final cruise. I was one of the last crew members.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I pulled her up on the net a few months ago and had heard she was now scrap but I just hoped she wasn't, but sadly she is.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I would have loved to be able to go aboard once again and look her over, but it won't happen.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Just thought I'd add my 10 cents worth. Keep up the good work.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Dale Nickel</div><div>RM2 </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-33176553244794958092011-06-19T12:30:00.000-07:002011-06-19T12:30:27.899-07:00Anyone HELP him out ..............<div><span _yuid="yui_3_1_1_2_130851099549383" style="font-family: Arial;">I ran across a blog today while searching for the date that I was on the Mitchell when we had a collision in the harbour @ Yokasuka, Japan. My memory is faded on the event and a friend even says that the collision was @ <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1308511695_0" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Pearl Harbor</span>, but I know that it was in 1960 and we were on our way home after serving a tour in the Marine Corps in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1308511695_1" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Iwakuni, Japan</span> and bound for <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1308511695_2" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Treasure Island</span>, <span _yuid="yui_3_1_1_2_130851099549385" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1308511695_3" style="background: #dceeff; border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; color: black; cursor: hand;">San Francisco</span>. Can yoiu help my feeble memory? I may even be talking about the wrong ship, as this was a troop carrier and I was one of the unlucky ones to be placed on it for the trip home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;">Reply to <a href="mailto:joedooley@yahoo.com">joedooley@yahoo.com</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-45318099635385970232011-06-07T11:48:00.000-07:002011-06-07T11:48:21.799-07:00Another Mitchell story .......<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> I received this email yesterday from Mr. Hunt. I was shocked when I saw his name, I served aboard her with a Hunt, only an H. W. Hunt from Texas. In doing some checking of dates, I think that was his Father, how neat is that? Those pictures were taken before I got on board, so it well could be him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Hello Mr. Dooley. I enjoyed reading about your time on the Mitchell, and after looking at your pictures,<strong> I believe my Dad is the seaman standing guard as an officer comes aboard the ship. </strong>His name was Gilbert Hunt, and he passed away a few years ago from Parkinsons. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is wearing the correct number of stripes, and has the same glance I saw a million times growing up. Dad joined the navy shortly after graduating from Lane Tech High School in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1307472063_0" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Chicago</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">after World War ll. He told me he was having a very difficult time finding work because all the jobs were being given to veterans that had returned from the War, so he figured he'd join up and see the world, then try job hunting after his time of service was up. He said he was due to get out when "Harry" sent him a telegram "Suggesting" he stick around as Korea was starting up. Dad never talked much about his time in service, but did mention that he felt horrible about seeing guys leaving ship one trip, only to pick them up later in terrible shape after going thru what must have been some sort of Hell. I am pretty sure the only ship he served on was the Mitchell, and I'm sure he stayed thru most if not all of the war. He was a machinist mate in the engine room, and he did once tell me his ship had " 2 stacks", which he seemed proud of . Your timeline seems to be just after Dad would have left, but it sures does look like him to me !! By the way, if that is him, and if he is wearing a sidearm, I find it funny, because whenever he trained with a 45, he told me he couldn't hit **** , and he never owned a gun . Thanks again for your stories and the site . </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-19294167960721058692011-04-13T08:35:00.000-07:002011-04-13T08:35:51.980-07:00Photo of the MitchellI have a picture of the Mitchell that I purchased aboard ship. I may try to have some copies made of it, not sure of how much that costs. If you would be interested in one, let me know<br />
<br />
<a href="mailto:joedooley@yahoo.com">joedooley@yahoo.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-58308018185010429072011-04-13T08:30:00.000-07:002011-04-13T08:30:21.228-07:00Email from John Dawson who sailed on the Mitchell<div _yuid="yui_3_1_1_7_130270694912484" id="mailContent"><div _yuid="yui_3_1_1_7_130270694912483" class="undoreset clearfix" id="message666088212" role="main"><div class="plainMail"><strong><em>Another email I received, published with his permission..............</em></strong></div><div class="plainMail">Hello Joe....I'm John Dawson from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1302708475_0">Ohio</span>. Was just recalling some memories of my youth when the Mitchell came to mind. So I started googling, and here I am. I served in the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1302708475_1" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">USMC</span> from 1958-61 with 15 months of my tour being on the island of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1302708475_2" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Okinawa</span>. Arrived there on the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1302708475_3" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">USS Talladega</span> in March of 1959, and departed June of 1960 on the Mitchell bound for <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1302708475_4" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Treasure Island</span>, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1302708475_5">San Francisco, CA</span> however, we did stop for 1 day in Yokohama where we were given liberty. One short story about Yokohama. We were fortunate to make it back to the ship on time. A group of 5 or six of us were making the rounds of the bars, when one of our number (a Navy Corpsman) managed to somehow offend the locals. We left rather quickly to avoid any repercussions by running down the street to catch a taxi. As it turned out we stopped in Yokohama to pick up a USA civilian who had been kicked out of the country again. I had brig watch on the return, and he was among several who were incarcerated. One a Marine who got caught in some black market activities on Okinawa. <br />
The voyage home was rather leisurely. We sailed the northern route to the states (14 days I think) so the days on deck were quite cool unless you could find a nice sunny spot in which to sit down in the sun. Spent a lot of time spit shining my dress shoes. One can get a pretty good shine in 2 weeks. Your experience in Tijuana sounds interesting. I remember being told by the Mexican Police before I departed CA, that I'd better get back across the border very quickly, for reasons different than yours. I remember the galley from your pic, but not specifically a mural. It was a pleasant trip, and we were all filled with excitement about getting back stateside. <br />
Anyway was hoping to get a pic of the Mitchell perhaps to leave amongst my posessions for the grandchildren to look at after grandpa makes a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1302708475_6">final voyage</span>. Thanks for the site, and God Bless!<br />
<br />
John</div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-53742101421913482492011-01-19T19:37:00.000-08:002011-01-19T19:37:12.288-08:00Wonderful Memories<div _yuid="yui_3_1_1_6_1295494071482143" id="mailContent"><div _yuid="yui_3_1_1_6_1295494071482142" class="undoreset clearfix" id="message818820137" role="main"><div _yuid="yui_3_1_1_6_1295494071482141" class="plainMail">Mr. Dooley,<br />
<br />
What a great site, and service you have provided. I was on the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295494560_0" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Billy Mitchell</span> from around February 1959 thru around March of 1961. When I first boarded her, she was in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295494560_1">Seattle</span>, later we moved to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295494560_2">Oakland</span>. I was an Aerographers Mate, doing weather work on her. Great to see these pictures, can not believe I found your site. Wonderful memories.<br />
<br />
Best Wishes<br />
George Scudder<br />
<br />
</div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-80597756748987829072011-01-19T19:34:00.001-08:002011-01-19T19:34:59.242-08:00Howard Averbach<div>My name is Howard Averbach; I'm from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295494398_0" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Pittsburgh, PA</span>.</div><div> </div><div>My father, Louis I. Averbach, who is now 95 years old, was an administrative officer in the Army Air Corps, stationed at <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295494398_1">Boca Raton Air Field</span> in 1942 & 43, then in 1944 & 1945 served in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295494398_2" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">India</span>.</div><div> </div><div>I'm writing a history of my father's service, after finding his Army 201 file and combining that original documentation with the information and stories he has been telling me.</div><div> </div><div>I'm writing to you because I found your website in my search for the USS Gen. Wm. Mitchell, which is the ship my father sailed on when he left the US from VA in August 1944 and arrived in Bombay India, October 1944.</div><div> </div><div>I have the original schematic diagram of the ship, bunking orders, etc.</div><div> </div><div>Only a page or two of my work focuses on the trip from VA to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295494398_3" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Bombay</span>, including why it took so long and some of his experiences aboard; however, if YOU are writing the history of the USS Gen Mitchell, my documents may be of great interest to you.</div><div> </div><div>Howard Averbach</div><div> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-27369967826669230122011-01-19T19:32:00.000-08:002011-01-19T19:32:42.436-08:00Another one heard from<div class="yiv1695935243Section1"><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I stumbled across you website by accident. </span></span></div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I served on the Mitchell in the early 50’s, about 1950-1952. I can give you the name of one of our commanding officers at the time, CAPT J. V. Query. He was a WWII submariner and a very good skipper.</span></span></div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The Mitchell was one of the first ships to bring reinforcements into Korea after the start of hostilities. We loaded up at Fort Mason , CA and unloaded in Pusan when the defense perimeter was just miles outside of Pusan . We later participated in the evacuation at Hungnam after the Chinese bought into the war. Our first trip out was with much of the 1<sup>st</sup> Cavalry Division and its ROK attachment, I think we had somewhere around 8,000 troops aboard with the ROKs sleeping on the weather decks. The second trip was harder, we loaded most of what was left of the Marines who were trapped at Chosen and fought their way back to the port. We brought LCVP and LCVP of litter cases out and hoisted them aboard. The Marines came aboard with their weapons locked and loaded and left them behind. On our passage through the Strait of Moji we were busy dumping GI cans of weapons and ammunition over the fantail. We spent Christmas Eve that year anchored out in Yokohama Harbor cleaning troop compartments.</span></span></div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I left the Mitch in 1952 to transfer to the USNS General Simon Bolivar Buckner.</span></span></div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Interesting sidelight. When first assigned to the Mitchell I was assigned to D2 Division where I worked for what must have been one of the very first black BM’s in the Navy, BM2 Vincent Rudolph Bates. The guy was something else – 6’ or thereabouts, strong as two bulls, one of the best small boat handlers I’ve ever seen and a great leader and motivator. Raised in strictly segregated Texas it was an eye opener for me but I quickly grew to admire and trust Bates. When the division went on liberty together anyplace which wouldn’t serve Bates served none of us and we might well leave some wreckage behind when we exited.</span></span></div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1695935243MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Kenn Smith</span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-5413924156725610962011-01-19T19:27:00.000-08:002011-01-19T19:27:03.765-08:00Another Shipmate Heard FromGot an email from a Bill Call who was aboard the Mitchell in the early 50's. He is going to send along some old photos, will put them up when I get them ......Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-71086678000806339482010-12-16T08:30:00.001-08:002010-12-16T08:30:42.531-08:00More<span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">Would like to have additional information or hear from anyone who either served on the<br />
Mitch or sailed on her. She is gone now, sold for scrap.<br />
<br />
I am in the process of getting some prints of film taken in 1954, entering Yokohama and the harbor<br />
there. I was taken back a bit, by all the debris, still evident, from WWII. after all, the war had only been<br />
over for 10 years. I was in awe, seeing ruins and remnants of the war, that had been such a major part<br />
of my growing up years. I graduated from high school in 1950.<br />
<br />
January 22,2006 - Received an Email from Mark Kingston,who served on the Mitchell from 1954 to 1957.<br />
Great to hear from him, and he added some links that brought tears to my eyes.<br />
</span><a href="http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/22114.htm"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/22114.htm<br />
</span></a><a href="http://www.multied.com/navy/ap/General%20William%20Mitchell.html"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">http://www.multied.com/navy/ap/General%20William%20Mitchell.html<br />
</span></a><a href="http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/dafs/AP/ap114.html"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/dafs/AP/ap114.html<br />
</span></a><a href="http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBCUTTERS/G_Mitchell.html"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBCUTTERS/G_Mitchell.html<br />
</span></a><a href="http://1stbattalion3rdmarines.com/uss-mitchell/"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">http://1stbattalion3rdmarines.com/uss-mitchell/</span></a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502513129038660214.post-83589462429600662472010-12-16T08:28:00.000-08:002010-12-16T08:29:30.827-08:00Me and the Billy Mitch<span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;">I went aboard the Mitchell in 1954. Not sure of the month, but I think in the late summer or Fall of '54. We <br soft="" />arrived in Seattle in a Nash Ambassador, how it made it from San Diego is a miracle. I reported aboard her, <br soft="" />for some reason, around 9 or 10 in the evening. I remember my first impression was how large she was. (622' <br soft="" />7") I remember I felt relieved, "as big as she is, we'll always have smooth sailing."<br />
<br />
Wrong, as soon as she left the dock you could feel the swells. The ocean is BIG .. in comparison, the ship was <br soft="" />small.<br />
<br />
I was first assigned as a Chaplains Assistant. Let me go back a little. My previous duty had been in San Diego, <br soft="" />at the Receiving Station, in the Discipline Office. I did a 30 day TAD, Shore Patrol, Tijuana Border. One day, <br soft="" />I was asked (? - told) to participate in the purchase of pornographic material at a small news stand in Tijuana. I <br soft="" />got marked money from the Chief of Police in Tijuana. I went in, made my purchase, left, and the police <br soft="" />arrested the owner.<br />
<br />
A day or so later, apparently, they realized that it was a rather large operation, and that it would be better if I <br soft="" />did not appear in court. So, I got a late night transfer to the Mitchell. The Mitchell was shipping out the next <br soft="" />day, and they did not need me aboard ship. That is why I became the Chaplains Assistant. Ship's Company had <br soft="" />no openings.<br />
<br />
After some transfers, I worked in the Personnel Office, and was the Ships Dairy Yeoman. That was a lot of <br soft="" />fun. The last thing to leave the ship, had to be accurate, troop count, Ship's Company count, etc., neatly done, <br soft="" />wrapped and ready for the Pilot, or whoever, to see that it got mailed. I generally handed it to the Pilot as he <br soft="" />left the ship. On some occasions, I would throw it to someone on the dock, who knew to mail it. Had a few <br soft="" />close calls. Always a lot of last minute transfers, some no-shows, troop miscounts, etc. It generally got a little<br />
nerve racking. "Dairy Yeoman to the QUARTERDECK." I knew I was in trouble. The ship DID NOT sail if <br soft="" />the Dairy was not ashore, and that always upset the "old man."<br />
<br />
My first was Captain R. J. West,</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07300436351727762053noreply@blogger.com0