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December 2014 ESCORT CARRIER SAILORS & AIRMEN ASSN. Non-profit Newsletter of the ESCORT CARRIER SAILORS & AIRMEN ASSOCIATION, INC. 1317 Malmgren Court U.S. Postage Norfolk, VA 23502 PAID Norfolk, VA Permit #360 ECSAA has a new address 1215 N. Military Highway #128, Norfolk VA 23502 The CVE PIPER is published BOARD John W. Smith (Pauline) Anthony Looney, President (Cindy) USS Salamaua CVE-96 quarterly by the ESCORT CARRIER SAILOR & 1203 Greenway Drive 5921 Winwood Dr., # 106 OF AIRMEN ASSOCIATION, INC. Allen, TX 75020 Johnston, Iowa, 50131 And is mailed by non-profit Veterans Permit from Phone: 214.738.5949 (cell) Home Phone: 515.289.1467 GOVERNORS Phone: 972.359.0373 (home) Fax: 515.289.8408 Norfolk, Virginia Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Term 2016 Term 2017 Send MEMBERSHIP DUES to: ECSAA Membership (Attn: Dave Ryan) (Art) Wayne Lowe, Vice President Bob Evans, Treasurer (Janet) (Joan) USS Sangamon CVE-26 1215 N. Military Highway #128 USS Corregidor CVE 58 1649 Glenhill Lane Norfolk, VA 23502 5 Longbow Court Lewisville, TX 75077-2728 E-mail: [email protected] St. Louis MO 63114 Phone: 817.798.2369 Home Phone: 314.429.1169 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Term 2015 Send DONATIONS to: Term 2017 Bob Evans, Treasurer 1215 N. Military Highway #128 Norfolk, VA 23502 George Manik, Conventions/Memorials Oscar (Clay) Hathaway III (Barbara) Secretary 817-798-2369 USS Sangamon CVE-26 USS Casablanca 50 North Island Drive 1310 W. 115th Send items for CHANGE OF ADDRESS, Bayville, NJ 08721 Jenks, OK 74037 PUBLICATION, TAPS, Home Phone: 732.269.0866 Phone 918.606.9757 C-Phone: 732.269.6767 Email: [email protected] REUNIONS to: Fax: 732.269.6696 Term 2015 Member Services Email: [email protected] 1215 N. Military Highway #128 Term 2015 Committees: Norfolk, VA 23502 Membership and Marketing 757-477-2354 Convention Committee Chair - David Ryan Memorial/Donations Email: [email protected] George and Barbara Manik Email: [email protected] Bob Evans Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] CVE PIPER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Member Recruiting When submitting your articles please: Merchandise Committee Dawn Magerkurth Member Services • Limit your articles to no more than 2000 Art Lowe Email: [email protected] Joyce Wilson words Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Walter Smith • Check spelling, punctuation and subject Email: [email protected] matter. (Editor reserves editing rights) • Determine the Headline for your story and Author. LEGAL CONSEQUENCES Some members are sending clippings from ESCORT CARRIER SAILORS & AIRMEN ASSOCIATION MEMORIAL DONATION newspapers, magazines and books, with a (BONDED) TREASURER, BOB EVANS, 1215 N MILITARY HWY #128, NORFOLK, VA 23502 INCORPORATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF request that we print them in the CVE Piper. VIRGINIA, IRS CLASSIFICATION 501-19 I.D. Number 54-1599146 You must get written permission from the source of the article (writer, publisher, photog- Donor First Name __________________________________________________________________ rapher, etc.) Before we can legally reprint these articles or pictures. Donor Last Name _________________________________________________________________ We have been advised that this written permis- sion must be in our possession in case of a law Address __________________________________________________________________________ suite which can have substantial penalties for our Association. City ______________________________________ St ______________ Zip __________________ ERROR AVOIDANCE Ship or Squadron you served on _____________________________________________________ Many past submissions to the CVE Piper were hand written, and some were difficult to read by Memorial Donations are Tax Deductible under ECSAA’s IRS Classification 501C-19 our printers who are not familiar with Escort Carrier names and Navy terminology. Check Number_____________________ Amount $________________ Date ____________________ The publisher had to guess. As a result, the editor received numerous letters pointing out The mission of ECSAA is to ensure that “The Greatest Generation is Never Forgotten”. With your the errors. support, the Association is able to create and place memorials in museums across the country, build All future letters submitted for publishing must stronger programs to preserve this critical chapter of heroism in the defense of freedom, and produce be typed or clearly printed, This may cause the annual convention. Please be generous! problems for some of you, but it will improve the quality of the Piper. My 11-year old grandson Hunter Ritchie rides a large yellow school bus home Each time I arrive home from an ECSAA Conven- each day. For months his bus driver has been simply an old man who quietly tion I feel like I am coming off a natural “high”. drove the bus to his stop each day. On Tuesday, November 11 as Hunter board- Emotions run deep as veterans re-unite each year, ed the bus he noticed a message the driver had posted in observance of Veterans and children accompanying these veterans sense Day. As my grandson found his seat behind the driver and reflected, he saw somewhat of the camaraderie. I always leave our the driver in a total different light. He was not simply his old person bus driver conventions with experiences I could not have but someone who had sacrificed for his freedom to attend school. Through that otherwise known as a normal tourist. Each day be- experience both he and his younger brother Blake relayed to their Nana of their ing associated with members of “The Greatest Generation” is a true blessing and appreciation for our Veterans. privilege not taken lightly. I urge you veterans to find ways to communicate your military experience, either I want my grandchildren to be more knowledgeable in the legacy and contribu- orally or written. No amount of school lectures, books read, or watching televi- tions of our fathers and grandfathers. It has been easier for my generation to sion can replace personal experiences of family members. Many of my genera- accompany our parent veterans to ECSAA conventions, but more difficult for tion, including Tom Brokaw acknowledge that their perspective of WWII and grandchildren and great-grandchildren to become involved. Everywhere, exter- the Korean War comes from personal interviews. History takes on much more nal influences are vying for our children and grandchildren’s time – I just want relevance listening to family members who have “been there and done that”. to be sure in the hubbub of today’s society they remember the sacrifices of their forefathers as they protected our freedoms. Finally, as we near the Christmas Season, I’m not forgetting our servicemen and women overseas ever-vigilant in the oversight of our freedoms. What a commit- Veteran’s Day was observed November 11th. I swelled with patriotism as I ment these folks make – leaving their families and putting their lives on the line saw numerous Facebook posts of children providing pictures of their fathers daily as we enjoy the holidays with our friends and loved ones here in America. in military uniform acknowledging their military service. Many children and grandchildren phoned family members Tuesday thanking them for their service, God Bless – realizing aging veterans will not always be with us. Anthony Looney CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION Presented to Walter M. Smith With deep appreciation, respect and the gratitude of the Escort Carrier Sailors and Airmen Association membership for his time and talents in the success of the 2014 ECSAA Convention in Norfolk, Virginia ECSAA Convention 2014 was a grand old building with wondrous history. The Chaplain was Walter Smith Lt. Commander Diane Lantz. She gave a moving short sermon of 2014 Committee Chairman and Coordinator interesting subject matter. The bell rang for 97 sailors who sailed into the sunset this past year. The Board of Governors of ECSAA can take a bow for their We re-boarded the buses and traveled to Breezy Point design of our Convention at the Crowne Plaza Virginia Beach Hotel, Officers Club for a marvelous buffet lunch. Then on to a historical October 18 -22, 2014. All of them comprise the Convention Commit- tour of downtown Norfolk and environs. Masterful city renovations tee. We heard many rave comments from members. We are pleased now mark the City of Norfolk, and it is beautiful. It was less than that you were pleased. attractive, as I recall, when boarding my first carrier from this base. For those not attending, this report by your Convention Com- Our buses carried talented tour guides who knew the territory mittee Chairman will be helpful. It stated slowly, with people arriv- and sights like the backs of their hands. Susan was the guide on our ing by plane, bus and car from all over the country. This was Sunday, bus, and Joe drove like he knew where he was going. Sally was the Registration Day. All were impressed with the hotel, a beautiful tour guide on the other bus, and Anthony Looney, ECSAA President, structure being painted outside as we met inside. took care of that crowd. We had a last minute overflow of people who wanted to go on this first tour, which forced us to take a private car load to follow the buses. All enjoyed this special tour arranged by Phillips Destination Management Services. Returning to the hotel at 3:30 allowed us to relax a bit before the planned appearance of Seven Stripe Admiral, Good B. Guy. The Admiral was to give us a test on our knowledge of Navy terms, but it was reported he was ill and had to return to his quarters. What to do then?? But there was a delay until more members and guests could as- semble. The time was comfortably spent with the annual Tripoli Auc- Our convention Hospitality Room, Break out rooms, complimentary tion. Bill Atkinson, the Tripoli leader brought everyone into the large breakfast buffet and banquet/dance ballroom were located conve- Hospitality Room where all were comfortable at many round tables, niently together. We could buzz around without getting lost in a big and roaming space for Bill, the auctioneer, to do his thing. Boxes and hotel. That paid off in numerous ways, of which you must take my sacks could hold anything from a box of matches to a shrunken head, word for it. Even the rest rooms were right there. for this was a blind auction. Laughs galore was the result of the ever Can you visualize the atmosphere of the place, the attitude ascending bids – given by contestants for the content of those things and response of our members and their guests to these convention wrapped. Everyone had fun and generous funds accrued for the conditions? My impression was, “Top of the Green”, (Navy lingo for Tripoli’s work among their group. great). This was followed by the event in which seven stripe Admi- After everyone settled in, found friends and shipmates of ral Good. B. Guy was to appear and give the sailors a test on their years ago, the chatter and laughs grew as expected. We are older, but knowledge of Naval Terms, but is was reported he was ill and had to what’s new? A step up the satisfaction ladder is what happened. return to his quarters. On Monday morning, we gathered in the Hospitality Room for Well….we continued. The test announcements and comp breakfast served in the overflow area. We questionnaire was distributed to about boarded two luxury tour buses and set out for Norfolk Naval Station all there, and self-grading was accom- (base). After going through security, a young naval tour spokesperson plished when correct answers were ( a pregnant chief petty officer) boarded divulged. As expected hullabaloo then our bus and narrated what went by as occurred with individual interpretations we traveled through officer and non- of the correct answers. It became an com housing, recreation centers, stores exercise of knowledge gone wild, but it and office buildings. Then we turned was fun. The highest grade was deter- into the waterside dock area where gray mined for Charles Barnes, who was then battle cruisers, destroyers and the huge crowned King Neptune. He received a aircraft carriers were berthed. There is crown from President Anthony Looney along with a bottle of New little doubt but what this is the biggest York Finger Lakes finest wine, a gift and his Scepter. Later his wife naval base in the world. We stopped at the base chapel for our Memorial Service. It continued on page 5 ECSAA Convention 2014 continued small park that was created by a group of Asian citizens of Norfolk. asked if that made her a queen and where was her crown. I said we It was the site of an old molasses factory, and was given to them by had not counted on that, and we both laughed. the city if they would make the area pretty and attractive. WOW! Both Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush were Did they ever. We walked through landscaped vistas of Asian trees, invited to attend our Convention. The correspondence was displayed shrubs, flowers, pools of water, fountains and waterfalls. In the mid- on easels in the overflow area. Both declined attendance for stated dle was a colorful pagoda housing a restaurant and tourist items. It reasons, but were gracious in their comments, and wished us well. was worth the stop, located at waterfront where distant ship unload- We visited, told stories (real and imagined) met new shipmates ing cranes were visible. and their wives and guests. We had parties in breakout rooms and Soon we arrived at Nauti- generally socialized as the important part of the occasion. A good cus buildings housing museums start was made, and it continued for the next three day period. and the huge battleship, Wiscon- On Tuesday morning, the second bus tour was planned for sce- sin. Here is the Hampton Roads nic areas and the Nauticus Naval Museum and Battleship Wisconsin. Museum where our new display Shortly after the breakfast period a bit of concern occurred when the of the capture of the German wife of a member became ill and the EMC was called. They prompt- submarine, U-505, is positioned ly took her and her husband to a nearby hospital. President Looney in its own sectional room. I heard went with them in the ambulance to make sure they had support from several say, “That display looks our group. They missed the tour that followed. The cause was not so real it is breathtaking…not like a ship model sitting on a table.” determined and she returned all right. It is the most outstanding naval display in the museum. Governor Then we started for the ocean shore George Manik is our Memorial & Artifact Chair who worked with not far from the hotel. Lighthouses were the model builder for several years on the model, then with Bob visited and several walked hundreds of Wagner planning and producing the strikingly beautiful large chal- steps to the top of one. I stopped to chat lenge coin minted for ECSAA. It was given to each convention regis- with Jim and Freda Otto, who were en- trant. It alone made an impression on everyone. joying the warm sunshine outside their Many boarded the Wisconsin, tied up by the museum. It too bus. I asked if they were enjoying things is a museum, owned by the City of Norfolk. We were amazed at the so far. Freda said, “Yes, we are really size of her 16 inch guns, inside areas opened for visitors, and the vol- having a good time.” I asked if I could unteer docents who helped us and answered questions. What a treat quote her for the PIPER. She gave per- for our eyes, ears and feelings. mission – so there you have it. We drove to a big shopping mall where lunch on our own We stopped at a famous shore-side could be had in numerous restaurants and fast food places. Then we location. It had monuments and statues boarded the buses again and were taken back to familiar territory at and a walkway uphill over a jungle of sand dune vegetation to the top the hotel, ready for more fun or relaxation. Visiting was a vital part where we could look out over the Atlantic Ocean and see dolphins of our Association target. jump, and ships in the distance. Wednesday (our last day) was busy and important. The On we went to upscale hotels and condos in a long line of ECSAA Business Meeting started at 9AM in the Hospitality Room, colorful structures. And between two hotels, Susan yelled, “LOOK! set up theater style. President Looney presided and led the Pledge of There he is!” Yep! There he was…King Neptune, Nauticus Rex, in Allegiance to the Flag, then called upon Charlie Howse for the invo- all his splendor. It was a statue of detailed creation. (But he wasn’t as cation. The President welcomed all and set the ground rules for the handsome as our King Neptune). meeting. After his comments, each Governor gave his report. Then On the buses rolled David Ryan, Membership Committee Chairman, revealed his devel- into historical Norfolk opment of a new computerized membership control system. It is an neighborhoods that dated astounding application of who, what, where and many other things back to cobblestone streets necessary to direct an accurate and current record of who belongs made from ballast stone in ECSAA. He said this system will allow us to grow, rather than of sailing days hundreds shrink, by contacting candidate or membership eligible for our ranks of years ago. Buildings of as a Navy-related Association. He will supervise a new campaign to striking architecture pa- enroll all CVEs and their crews. raded by as Joe negotiated The members present heard much important news, where we narrow streets in a huge stand now, and where we intent to go in the future. bus. We stopped at a special Continued on page 6 ECSAA Convention 2014 continued When we entered the ballroom, the banquet set up resembled the elegance of a State dinner for the King of a visiting country. Ev- Exciting things are before us. The booming voice of Henry Young eryone found their places as pre-planned, keeping groups together as closed the meeting with a sailor’s prayer, asking future cooperative best we could. The food was excellent, the service professional, the involvement, led by our Maker. environs attractive. The Business Meeting was adjourned and the Board of Gover- The Shrine Khedive Notables Dance band of 20 musicians nors went into their third meeting at this convention. with male and female vocalists made the evening special. The dance Our crowd gath- floor soon filled. Music ered at 6:00PM in the was the Big Band Sound Hospitality Room, of the 40s, 50s and 60s. ready for Captain Jeff Davis, the band di- Rinehart Wilke IV, rector, led off with An- the guest speaker. He chors Aweigh, followed is the Chief of Staff, by a medley of all service and Commander of the songs. Theodore Roosevelt We had raffles at Carrier Strike Group break time. The cash bar 12, a carrier we saw had good traffic. People close at hand on our laughed, some sang, oth- first bus tour. It carries over 6,000 crew and is longer than three foot- ers danced, but everyone ball fields, end to end. It’s BIG!! smiled. We met Joyce Wilson and Charlie Howse of the PIPER staff The meeting began with an honorary presentation for George there. King Neptune was there. The ECSAA President and Board of and Barbara Governors were there. It was a glorious end to an exciting conven- Manik who have tion. led convention At stage front during the dance was a kitty litter tub with a arrangements for sign on it, “FOR THE KIDS!” This Shrine orchestra was obtained at years. While that a very conservative price. They did us a favor. We responded with a was going on, I favor for them – donations in the amount of almost $400.00 for the was waiting at Shrine Hospitals that do so much for kids with burns and pediatric the front doors of operations of all kinds at little or no cost to the families. Our mem- the hotel, for our bers dropped generous donations in the tub – for the kids. guest speaker was Captain Wilke and his party had to leave early because a nowhere in sight. phone text from his daughter reported a younger daughter had fallen, He was contacted bumped her head and couldn’t stop crying. They had to leave before by cell phone and said he, his dad, and wife were pulling into the the dance started. It was reported later that all was okay. But Rhino hotel now. (They were delayed by heavy traffic). (his flying call sign) was having a great time with us, and said he The short delay only heightened crowd concern, I am sure, for enjoyed our company a lot and hated to leave. He fit in with our ship- when the Captain entered the room in his dress uniform, it seemed a mates. big sigh was heard. Introduction of Captain Wilke was my pleasure. After the smoke cleared and the dust settled, we had a chance His dad and I are old friends. to reflect upon our work. The work involves the mission of ECSAA: The coincidence played an important role in convincing a very busy flag officer to spend a few hours with we ancient mariners. 1. To maintain the historic preservation of the legacy of the Captain Wilke spoke as sailor to sailor. He leveled with us on what escort carriers. he does, and how he does it. He answered our questions by roving 2. To enjoy the activities and comradeship of the annual meet- up and down the center aisle with a wireless microphone. He told ing. us things we could never imagine, most of which we barely could 3. To receive The PIPER publication. appreciate. He let it be known that his ship, and other of his battle group, could handle anything they ran into. We became aware of the These things guide our course, plotted through our By-Laws. We tremendous power and persuasive force these vessels possess if any move forward with dedicated intent. These things were explained at other force intended to mix it up. He was a tremendous hit for our the Business Meeting, Wednesday morning. convention, and stayed for the banquet. Continued on page 7 ECSAA Convention 2014 continued Member with the most guests: Charlie Howse, Norfolk, VA My personal feelings following the adjournment was that of gratitude for a wonderful and successful 2014 convention. You must have had Ship with most attending: Tripoli CVE 64 a good time, for we heard that a lot. Ships Represented by Crew Numbers: 22 Convention Spot Notes • Tripoli CVE 64 Attendance – 145 • Corregidor CVE 58 • Attu CVE CVE 102 Registration Table Ladies – Cindy Looney, Janet Evans and Joan • Hollandia CVE 97 Lowe • Manila Bay CVE 61 • Bogue CVE 9 ECSAA Governors Attending – President Anthony Looney, Art • Prince William CVE 19 Lowe, Bob Evans, George Manik, Walter Smith (Absent but not for- • Sangamon CVE 26 gotten: John Smith) • Santee CVE 29 • Sicily CVE 118 First Registering for the Convention: Wilfred and Pat Landry • Kula Gulf CVE 108 (Tyngsboro, MA) • Casablanca CVE 55 • Puget Sound CVE 113 Member Traveling Farthest: Henry and Larry • Salerno Bay CVE 110 Young – Sacramento CA, who traveled 10 • Sargent Bay CVE 83 miles more than Robert McClung – Sacra- • Tulagi CVE 72 mento, CA • Saidor CVE 117 • Fenshaw Bay CVE 70 Oldest Attending: Sam Henderson (94) • Makin Island CVE 93 Humphry, AR • Gilbert Islands CVE 107 • Nehenta Bay CVE 74 King Neptune: Charles Barnes – Palm • Rendova CVE 114 Mr. Henderson Harbor, FL Will you assist ECSAA in their membership drive? If you have any names of shipmates who you think might be interested in joining our Escort Carrier Sailor & Airmen Please note that the Association, please submit them. The Membership Committee will be happy to contact them. ECSAA address was ECSAA Membership Shipmate: _________________________________ Attn: Dave Ryan changed effective 1215 N. Military Highway #128 Ship: _____________________________________ Norfolk VA 23502 November 1 [email protected] Address: ___________________________________ City: ______________________________________ 1215 N. Military Hwy State:_____________________Zip: _____________ #128 Email: ___________________________________ Norfolk VA 23502 Telephone: _______________________________ Your name: _______________________________________ Phone #:______________________ Email: _______________________________________ Do you know someone who would Name of Person Requesting Card:_____________________________________________ benefit from getting a Name Card is to Be Mailed to: _______________________________________________ “Hi - Thinking of You Card” from Address_________________________________________________________________ ECSAA? City_____________________________________State___________Zip_____________ Ship Served Aboard or Squadron:____________________________________________ Just fill out the form and mail it to: Birthday (Month and Day, Year Not Necessary)_________________________________ Joyce Wilson 1215 N. Military Hwy. #128 Email: _________________________________________________________________ Norfolk VA 23502 Kind of Card Requested: (Thinking of you, Birthday) ____________________________ or email information to: _______________________________________________________________________ [email protected] (Please put ECSAA Card Request in Subject Line) Watch your mailing labels. DECEASED Name__________________________________________________________________ Did you know that your membership renewal date is on Address________________________________________________________________ the mailing label on the front City & State_______________________________________________Zip____________ page of the Piper? Ship___________________________________________________________________ Squadron____________________________________Date of Death__________________ Did you notice if your mailing Survivors Name___________________________________________________________ label was yellow this month? ___Continue sending “CVE Piper” ___Discontinue sending “CVE Piper” If so, this means that your membership dues are Please send to: ECSAA, Attn: Joyce Wilson, 1215 N. Military Hwy. #128, Norfolk VA 23502 delinquent and this will be the Current Reunion Notice last issue of the PIPER you will Please list the following: receive until dues become Ship or Association: _______________________________________________________________ current. Dates of Reunion: ________________________________________________________________ Where: _________________________________________________________________________ ECSAA depends on your dues Contact: ________________________________________________________________________ to print and mail the PIPER so Address: ________________________________________________________________________ please stay current. Phone or email: __________________________________________________________________ Send to: ECSAA, Attn: Joyce Wilson, 1215 N. Military Hwy. #128, Norfolk VA 23502 Email: [email protected] U-505 & ADMIRAL TROSINO lege of sitting with Admiral Trosino at a luncheon table and converse By J. Robert Wagner with him about his wartime experience. Upon making sonar contact with the submarine the USS Chatelain was too close to set up to drop One of the best examples of heroics and teamwork occurred depth charges and instead fired their Hedgehogs at the submerged during the capture of the U-505 German submarine by an German submarine. An airborne FM-2 Wildcat from the Guadalcanal anti-submarine task force. Small CVE and CVL carriers were first CVE-60 made a visual contact with the submerged submarine and successful in protecting large ship convoys crossing the Atlantic dur- fired its machine guns into the water to mark the sub’s position. The ing WWII. They filled the gap when crossing the large expanse of Chatelain now knowing the exact position of the submarine made the Atlantic by having their own aircraft search for submarines over another attack using more powerful depth charges. A large oil slick a large area when land based patrol aircraft had to turn back to the appeared on the surface and the pilot in the Wildcat above stated on mainland when their onboard fuel reached a critical state. the radio that you struck oil and the sub is surfacing. Submarines at this time could operate on the surface with their die- With the engines still running and the rudder damaged and sel engines but when submerged had to rely only on their batteries locked into position, the sub began to circle on the ocean surface. for power. Thus, submarine captains had to assure that they spent The American Task Group desired to make an attempt to capture the considerable time on the surface to maintain a full battery charge so submarine. Therefore only small arms fire from the Task Group and that they could dive to avoid detection, lie in wait or set up to make a aircraft above was directed at the submarine. Incorrectly believing torpedo run on a ship or convoy. It wasn’t long before it was that their boat was in more serious condition than it was and about to realized that not only could a CVE carrier with aircraft aloft and a sink, the German submarine captain gave the order to abandon ship. few destroyers protect a task force, but they became excellent subma- A limited attempt was made to open valves, remove seawater caps rine hunter-killer platforms. Airborne aircraft were very use and set some detonation charges to scuttle the submarine. But be- ful for covering large areas of the ocean to spot submarines on the cause the sub’s crew abandoned ship so quickly the botched attempt surface when recharging their batteries or by observing a periscope’s to scuttle the submarine was not completed successfully due to the wake when the sub was submerged. swift action of the Task Group’s boarding parties . “Atlantic antisubmarine operations were of extreme The Pillsbury was the first to launch a boarding party with importance to the U.S. Navy, which in March 1943 added aircraft Lieutenant (jg) Albert David1 in charge to gather documents, code carriers to its arsenal of weapons deployed against U-boats”2. In an books and anything else of significance. It was hoped that they could October 1944 10th Fleet memo Admiral Low stated “It is important also take measures to disable explosive charges and close valves to note that the CVE support groups accounted for about 60% of all intended to scuttle the submarine. In the meantime some of the other U-boats sunk by U.S. forces in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during ships began picking up survivors. On two occasions when the Pills- the six months April through September 1944” 3,4. The CVE groups bury came alongside the submarine, the bow plains punctured the should especially be noted for their success in the Battle of the At- hull of the Pillsbury and with some compartments flooded, she pulled lantic. As one example the Block Island CVE-21 sank seven U-boats away to tend to her own flooding problems. The carrier Guadalcanal but on the night of 29 May 1944, she was torpedoed by U-549 and then launched a second whale boat boarding party with Commander the Block Island became the only CVE lost in the Atlantic during the Trosino in charge since he had remarkable engineering skills and war3. would provide excellent guidance in trying to save the U-505 subma- To combat the devastating effect of German Wolf Packs or rine. lone enemy submarines operating in shipping lanes, the U.S. Navy Upon entering the submarine and sizing up the various prob- dispatched Hunter-Killer Task Group 22.3 consisting of the CVE lems at hand Trosino utilized his excellent engineering skills to direct carrier Guadalcanal and five destroyer escorts Chatelain, Flaherty, his men what to do to plug leaks, deactivate explosive charges or cor- Jenks, Pope and Pillsbury on 15 May 1944 from Norfolk, Virginia rect other numerous problems. One key problem was to get the bilge to a search area off the coast of Rio de Oro1. On 4 June 1944 upon pumps working to vacate the internal seawater. The engines were running low on fuel, the Task Group was forced to discontinue their disconnected from the propeller shaft and then with the submarine intended search direction and head for port. However within just a under tow, the propellers were able to rotate and enable the genera- few minutes of changing course the Task Group made sonar contact tors that were connected to the shaft to rotate and generate electric- on an unidentified target. According to Admiral Earl Trosino it was ity to operate the bilge pumps and supply lighting to do any neces- at this point that the Task Group teamed together and coordinated sary maintenance. Of particular help was a Polish conscript that was their efforts to bring the U-505 German Submarine to the surface and forced by the Germans to be a crewman aboard the submarine. He eventually capture the sub. Admiral Trosino participated in Memo- had extensive operational knowledge of the submarine and was rial Day ceremonies in the Norristown, PA area on many occasions and frequently served as guest speaker at this event or at veteran club lunches or dinners. Following one of the ceremonies I had the privi- Continued on page 10 U-505 & ADMIRAL TROSINO continued Trosino passed away in 2002 at the age of 95. We will all miss Admi- of considerable help in giving advice to Trosino and other men from ral Trosino for in addition to his assistance in capturing the U-505, he the boarding party to stabilize the submarine. Trosino became friends was polite, an interesting individual and often participated in ceremo- with the Polish crewman and maintained contact with him even upon nies remembering our deceased Veterans. “Lieutenant (jg) David's his return to Poland after the war. part in saving the abandoned submarine earned the Medal of Honor; If you tour the U-505 submarine in Chicago one can see a metal cap Torpedoman's Mate Third Class Arthur W. Knispel and Radioman on the deck in the passageway near the radio room that the Germans Second Class Stanley E. Wdowiak each received the Navy Cross; and removed from an 8 inch pipe in an attempt to scuttle the submarine. Commander Trosino received the Legion of Merit1” This cap was located by the American boarding party and reinstalled In 2009 the USS Sicily CVE-118 held a joint reunion in conjunction on the gushing sea water pipe. I asked Admiral Trosino how the with VMF-214, VMF-323, VS-931 and VS-20 squadrons in Chicago boarding party ever found the cap under the water that was flood- and the following pictures of the U-505 submarine were taken at that ing the submarine. He informed me that the aft end of the sub was time. lower in the water than the forward part of the sub since the seawater 1 German Submarine U-505, Wikipedia. tended to fill the aft end of the sub. Because the cap that was lying on 2 On Our Scope, Richard G. Latture, Naval History, December 2013. the internal deck was not submerged below water, the cap was clearly 3 The Navy’s Escort Carrier Offensive, Jeffery G. Barlow, Naval visible and this made it possible to reinstall it on the pipe which was History, December 2013 spewing seawater. Once stabilized, the U-505 submarine was towed 4. Memorandum from VADM Low to ADM King, 58 October 1944 to Bermuda and hidden from the public The German crew was qui- etly and secretly interned in the United States so that Germany would Note: J. Robert Wagner is the author of “VS-931 Antisubmarine not have any notion that the submarine, crew, codebooks and Enigma Squadron”, a true story about the tactics and hazards of a CVE carrier code machine had been captured and compromised. Such knowledge based squadron searching for enemy submarines during the Korean would permit the Germans to change their codes and thereby disrupt War. the future ability for destroying other German submarines. Longitudinal view of the U-505 submarine Photograph of Vice Admiral Earl Trosino at the Memorial Day service 28 May 2001 held at St. Patrick’s cemetery, Norristown PA Propeller, dive plane, and rudder of the U-505 submarine More photos on Page 11

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December 2014. Newsletter of the ESCORT CARRIER SAILORS & AIRMEN ASSOCIATION, INC. tors that were connected to the shaft to rotate and generate electric- of considerable help in giving advice to Trosino and other men from .. DEDUCTIBLE. DUES ARE NOT. NO. AMT. DATE. RECD. BY. ENTRY DATE.
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