The CVE PIPER Home of the Next ECSAA Memorial

ESCORT CARRIER SAILORS
& AIRMEN ASSN.
1317 Malmgren Court
Norfolk, VA 23502
December
2015
Non-profit
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PAID
Norfolk, VA
Permit #360
The CVE PIPER
ESCORT CARRIER SAILOR
& AIRMEN ASSOCIATION,
INC
1215 N. Military Highway
#128
Norfolk, VA 23502
Toll Free In the USA:
(855) 505-2469
http://ecsaa.org
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Home of the Next ECSAA Memorial
The CVE PIPER is published
quarterly by the ESCORT CARRIER SAILOR &
AIRMEN ASSOCIATION, INC.
And is mailed by non-profit Veterans Permit from
Norfolk, Virginia
Send MEMBERSHIP DUES,
DONATIONS,
CHANGE OF ADDRESS,
PUBLICATIONS, and
TAPS
to:
ECSAA
1215 N. Military Highway #128
Norfolk, VA 23502
Anthony Looney, President (Cindy)
1203 Greenway Drive
Convention Chairman
Allen, TX 75020
Phone: 214.738.5949 (cell)
Email: anthonylooney@sbcglobal.net
Term 2016
BOARD
OF
GOVERNORS
(Art) Wayne Lowe, Vice President
(Joan)
USS Corregidor CVE 58
5 Longbow Court
St. Louis MO 63114
Phone: 314.429.1169
Email: awlstl@aol.com
Term 2017
Oscar (Clay) Hathaway III, Secretary
(Kim)
USS Casablanca
1310 W. 115th
Jenks, OK 74037
Phone 918.606.9757
Email: ochathaway@att.net
Term 2016
John W. Smith
USS Salamaua CVE-96
5921 Winwood Dr., # 157
Johnston, Iowa, 50131
Phone: 515.289.1467
Fax: 515.289.8408
Email: jwspauli@gmail.com
Term 2017
Bob Evans, Treasurer (Janet)
USS Sangamon CVE-26
1649 Glenhill Lane
Lewisville, TX 75077-2728
Phone: 817.798.2369
Email: byejme@aol.com
Term 2018
E-mail: MemberService@ECSAA.org
Committees:
CVE PIPER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
When submitting your articles please:
• Limit your articles to no more than 2000
words
• Check spelling, punctuation and subject
matter. (Editor reserves editing rights)
• Determine the Headline for your story and
Author.
Memorials & Artifact Committee
Chair
George Manik
Email: georgejmanik@gmail.com
Membership and Marketing
Chair
David Ryan
Email: membership@ecsaa.org
Memorial/Donations
Bob Evans
Email: byejme@aol.com
Merchandise Committee
Art Lowe
Email: awlstl@aol.com
Member Recruiting
Dawn Magerkurth
Email: memberconnect@ecsaa.org
Member Services
Joyce Wilson
Email: memberservice@ecsaa.org
LEGAL CONSEQUENCES
http://ecsaa.org
Some members are sending clippings from
newspapers, magazines and books, with a
request that we print them in the CVE Piper.
You must get written permission from the
source of the article (writer, publisher,
photographer, etc.) Before we can legally
reprint these articles or pictures.
We have been advised that this written
permission must be in our possession in case of
a law suite which can have substantial penalties
for our Association.
ERROR AVOIDANCE
Many past submissions to the CVE Piper were
hand written, and some were difficult to read by
our printers who are not familiar with
Escort Carrier names and Navy terminology.
The publisher had to guess. As a result, the
editor received numerous letters pointing out
the errors.
All future letters submitted for publishing must
be typed or clearly printed, This may cause
problems for some of you, but it will improve
the quality of the Piper.
ESCORT CARRIER SAILORS & AIRMEN ASSOCIATION MEMORIAL DONATION
(BONDED) TREASURER, BOB EVANS, 1215 N MILITARY HWY #128,
NORFOLK, VA 23502 INCORPORATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF
VIRGINIA, IRS CLASSIFICATION 501-19 I.D. Number 54-1599146
Donor First Name __________________________________________________________________
Donor Last Name _________________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________ St ______________ Zip __________________
Ship or Squadron you served on _____________________________________________________
Memorial Donations are Tax Deductible under ECSAA’s IRS Classification 501C-19
Check Number_____________________ Amount $________________ Date ____________________
The mission of ECSAA is to ensure that “The Greatest Generation is Never Forgotten”. With your
support, the Association is able to create and place memorials in museums across the country, build
stronger programs to preserve this critical chapter of heroism in the defense of freedom, and produce
the annual convention. Please be generous!
ECSAA Honors
John W. Smith
John became involved in the leadership of ECSAA
in 1997 as Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee. Subsequent to those duties, he was
elected to the Board of Governors serving as
Secretary, Convention Chair, President, and
continues as Parliamentarian, having served on the
Board of Governors now for some 18 years.
« Caring
« Loves the organization
« Unselfishly relates his leadership skills to 2nd
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generation members
Mentors
Compassionate
He is a Child of God and a Patriot
Friend
Military Service:
USS Salamaua
U. S. Navy - December 1944 - July 1946
Duty: Great Lakes, USS Salamaua CVE-96, NAS Honolulu
Discharged NAS Minneapolis MN
John Smith Award Presentation
By Anthony Looney
This evening we are privileged to recognize one of our members for
their years of outstanding service to our organization. For several years we have
wanted to recognize this man at our convention for his contributions, but he has
not been able to attend since the 2012 Tucson convention. Tonight, we are
fortunate to have John Smith with us and want to give this tribute to him.
I have known of John for some 20 years as I have attended ECSAA
conventions. Early on, I noticed that John was involved in most activities
surrounding our organization. You could always spot John visiting with people,
working out convention issues, ringing the Taps bell, or otherwise taking care of
ECSAA business.
John became involved in Leadership of ECSAA in 1997 as Chairman of
the Ways and Means Committee. Subsequent to those duties, he was elected to
the Board of Governors serving as Secretary, Convention Chair, President, and
continues as Parliamentarian, having served on the Board of Governors now for
some 18 years.
I could spend a lot of time telling you about the contributions John has
made to ECSAA, but would rather tell you about the personal side of John.
When I first went on the Board of Governors in 2012, I admit being a
little intimidated – not that John wanted to intimidate anyone, but rather I was in
respect of John’s tenure with ECSAA, his stature in the organization, and quiet
frankly his knowledge of ECSAA. As I prepared to go on the Board, Bob Evans
advised me that John should be my “go-to” guy for he “had forgotten more about
this organization that I would ever learn.” Those words could not have been
more prophetic.
During initial contact, John appears to be a little gruff and a no-nonsense
type of person. He is direct, doesn’t beat around the bush, and you always know
where you stand with John – exactly the type of person you want on your Board
of Governors. Time and again, I ask the Board Members how they feel about an
issue, but I’m not really talking to John. John has either already expressed his
opinion, or he is waiting in the wings to express that opinion. Often we look to
John first for an opinion, as we all value his knowledge and wisdom in such
matters.
John Smith
When I first contacted John, I was searching for information about how ECSAA
first began. He did not become a member in 1995 and attended that convention
in San Diego. John did furnish the following facts:
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First convention was in Las Vegas in 1991
First President was Ralph King
First Pipers were typewritten
First Editor of the Piper was Clyde Smith of Memphis
Second Editor was Wally Clark
Elton Powers was First Treasurer
John was ECSAA Treasurer in 1997. During tenure doubled money invested.
John was President in 2000
Also held position of secretary of ECSAA, organized the reunion, completed
the newsletter
Anyone who talks with John can tell how much he loves ECSAA .
We later talked about his early life. He was born in Marion County Iowa
in 1927 and still lives within 100 miles from where he was born. There were 9
children in his family with only 6 at the beginning of WWII.
John left high school to join the Navy at 17 years of age, His reason - his
best friend was being drafted so he and John joined together. After going to boot
camp in Great Lakes, he was stationed aboard the USS Salamaua where his job
He has the gift of grasping a problem well, recognizing all the advantages and
disadvantages of an issue, and then recommending a solution to the problem.
Time and again, John has rescued me in meetings by helping bring discussion to
a closure with a motion. John is so well respected by the Governors that I have
yet to see a motion of his overturned. We all cherish and respect his advice.
Quite frankly, I don’t think I could have survived without John’s leadership.
Anytime we need to know any of the history of an ECSAA issue or
policy, John is always there to provide insight than none other can provide.
Yet, there is another side of John that people do not see unless they get to
know him better.
• He cares for all ECSAA members and has a servant attitude toward members and the organization
• He has a deep love for the organization and has unselfishly related his
leadership to us 2nd generation members.
• He has been a mentor to each of us on this Board – George Manik with
Conventions, Bob Evans with Treasurer, and myself as President.
• He is compassionate – Early in my career with ECSAA, he pulled me
aside and told me….”Anthony, anything you want, or need, you give me a
call; I’m here to help you succeed.”
• He is a Child of God and a Patriot. I don’t have time to go into John’s
military background, but early on, John told me….”Anthony, always remember God first, then Country.” We always open our meetings with prayer and
the Pledge of Allegiance and close meetings with prayer.
• Lastly, and probably the best, John is a friend – my only regret on knowing John is that I did not get to know him sooner. Those of you who know
John know what I am saying; those of you who do not know him have truly
missed a blessed experience!
John, there is nothing we could do to adequately express our appreciation for
your experience to the Escort Carrier & Sailor organization, but we do want to
present this plaque as a reminder to you of our appreciation.
was plane handler and wing folder. John had the honor of being the youngest
man on his ship. If you ask John what his most memorable occasion during the
war was, he will tell you it was standing watch on June 5, 1945, at the beginning
of a typhoon. He was discharged in July 1946 at NAS Minneapolis MN. John
returned to his home town of Melcher and went to work for Smithy’s Petrol and
General Hauling Service. In 1950, he went to work for Moines Works, a division
of John Deere, where he remained until his retirement in 1982.
John was married to his first wife, Beverly, for 38 years and had five children. Beverly passed way in 1987.
He met his second wife Pauline at a friend’s house when she came over
to show off her new car – a new Mercury and she invited him for coffee. They
honeymooned in Europe and so began their love for travel. John ran his ship’s
reunion for 10 years with his Pauline’s assistance. They were married for 25
years before she passed away in 2014.
John believes strongly in community service. It has included: School
District Reorganization, City Council and Mayor, Scout Master, Labor Union
UAW, On Life Board of Directors and the Nursing Home Care Review Committee Member.
Understanding the necessity of preserving history, John has sent most
of his ship memorabilia to Oregon where the Salamaua was built and his other
information about the ship to the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Thank you, John, for your years of dedicated service.
Another great convention; many thanks to George
and Barbara Manik for their tireless work on
putting together a successful event!
San Diego was such a great location for this year’s
convention. Many sailors “got their boots” there
years ago, while almost every sailor stopped
through San Diego at some point in their service,
regardless of their boot camp experience. Our stop on the USS Midway CV-41
was reminiscent of tours of duty on smaller CVE’s. It was fun for we
descendants listening to sailors reminisce about their tour of duty on those small
crowded CVE’s.
Business Meeting discussion revolved around the successful 2015 year.
Unlike some other military organizations, ECSAA has maintained a healthy
financial balance sheet. A solid financial strategy formed years ago has proved
to be successful – it is incumbent on us to continue being good stewards of the
organization’s assets.
George Manik provided us with an update on yet another memorial that should
be completed and on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum in
Pensacola by next year’s convention there. The leadership of ECSAA works
diligently to keep expenses at a minimum allowing your money to be invested in
memorials.
The Scholarship Program was rolled out with some explanation about the
reasons behind the program and the administration thereof. More detailed
information and the formal kick-off of the 2016 year is presented in this issue of
The Piper.
Finally, our convention would not have enjoyed near the success without ship
groups of USS Altamaha CVE-18, USS Rendova CVE-114, and USS Sicily
CVE-118, joining ECSAA this year. All enjoyed meeting and visiting with
many of these folks and hope they likewise enjoyed the camaraderie of our
organization. We hope all are pleased that now “we are as one” and anticipate a
lasting relationship.
Finally, from the entire leadership group, we again thank you veterans for your
service to our Country. God Bless Each and Every One of YOU!
Anthony
On behalf of the Governors of the Escort Carrier Sailors and Airmen Association, we are pleased to say thank you to each of you who attended the 2015 convention.
We appreciate you taking the time and effort to be there. We also thank you for your participation and sharing memories and ideas.
We certainly hope that the convention was all that you expected it to be and that you took the opportunity to make new friends and renew old acquaintances
and to have discussion and exchange of experiences, suggestions and opinions with ECSAA Governors and Chairpersons.
With the benefit of your support, the Association is able to create and place memorials in museums across the country, build stronger programs to preserve
this chapter of history, and bring together the men who manned these ships and the men who flew from their decks at an annual convention. New in 2016, ECSAA
will sponsor a scholarship program for a member or the child of a member.
ECSAA Governors are busy planning the convention for 2016 and hope you will have the opportunity to attend. All information concerning the convention
will be printed in The CVE Piper or on the web at www.ecsaa.org. (Watch our Facebook page and be the first to know)
CVEs and Squadrons represented at the 2015 convention in San Diego:
Also represented was the Albany and Hamner.
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USS Admiralty Island
USS Altamaha
USS Bogue
USS Casablanca
USS Coral Sea/Anzio
USS Corregidor
USS Kasaan Bay
USS Manila Bay
USS Mission Bay
USS Natoma Bay
USS Puget Sound
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USS Rendova
USS Salamaua
USS Sangamon
USS Santee
USS Sargent Bay
USS Sicily
USS Steamer Bay
USS Tripoli
USS Tulagi
VS-931
VS-20
ECSAA General Session Business Meeting
October 7, 2015
Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside
9:00 AM PDST
MINUTES
ECSAA President Anthony G. Looney opened the meeting welcoming
all to San Diego. Governor John Smith opened the session in prayer. President
Looney then led all attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous General Business Meeting in 2014 in
Virginia Beach were distributed to all attendees. President Looney noted that in
addition to copies of the minutes made available here at the meeting they also
were put in The Piper. As a result, we will dispense with reading of the minutes.
A motion was made with a second and the minutes were approved unanimously.
President Looney then provided a brief synopsis of a major topic in
2014-2015. In an effort, to find ways to continue the legacy of this organization
in the future ECSAA approved a college Scholarship program last year. The
status of this effort is below.
ECSAA Scholarship - we will be offering a scholarship beginning the
2016 Fall School Year. The topic of the Essay will be posted in either the
November or December Piper. The applicants will have until June or July to
submit their work.
To be eligible to apply, either the applicant must be a member of ECSAA
or their parents. The essays will be evaluated by an impartial 3 member panel
composed of educators in the field of English, Civics, and/or History. This board
has not been established at this time. This policy will be published in the next
The Piper. The topic for this essay that was approved by the Board of
Governors is “What is the History of the CVE’s Navy Escort Carriers and
Significant Impacts of their Accomplishments”.
President Looney then turned the podium to Dave Ryan, Chair of the
Membership Committee. Mr. Ryan began his discussion on membership telling
everyone how appreciative he has been for the work Joyce Wilson, Dawn
Magerkurth, Walt Smith, and Michelle Phillips. These members of his
committee have done a tremendous job this past year in the improvements of the
Piper and the website.
He wanted to make a special mention about Walter Smith who due to
health reasons had to resign. Mr. Ryan indicated Walt was just starting and
seeing some results in his effort to increase membership with personal calls One Sailor to Another.
Mr. Ryan went on to highlight that for the very first time in many years
the Active Membership has grown by 19.8%. This was in a large part due to
the decision by the Board of Governors making changes to the Membership
Policy that was aimed at targeting Whole Ship Membership. The organization is
pleased to announce that we have added the following Ships to our Membership
Rolls:
1. USS Rendova
2. USS Altamaha
3. USS Sicily
The other item that the committee has done is to reduce the Overdue
Renewal Rate from 63% to 1%. The committee has also made an effort in
determining the status of Life Members. As a result the numbers have declined
12%. The Progeny membership has grown by 61%. This is great news in the
effort to make this organization healthy for years to come.
Mr. Ryan urged members to go to the website and make special effort to
see the pages being developed for individual ships. He further urged members
to provide any pictures or other information that had from their time on the ship
that they would like to have scanned and included on the Ships Web Page. This
history is vital in the effort to have a recording of the efforts of the Airman and
Sailors of this organization.
Mr. Ryan went on to say that the membership committee will focus on
Group and Family membership utilizing the attractive membership costs for
these types of members. He also asked for any members that might want to
assist in the Membership Committee with a special request for a Sailor that can
talk Sailor to Sailor.
President Looney then called for a Treasurer’s Report from Governor
Bob Evans. Governor Evans indicated for an organization our size we are in
very good financial position. Year to date finances are:
1.
General Checking
$20,825.39
2.
Money Market
$15,341.33
3.
Monument 1
$8427.16
4.
Monument 2
$40,564.24
5.
Monument 3
$34,303.37
The organization is bonded for the year 2015 and filed our IRS Form
990.
Bob Evans mentioned the letter he received from the USS Sicily, one
of the Ships that just joined. They made the decision to cease operations as an
organization and forward a check in the amount of $838.69. Bob Evans wanted
to thank the Sicily for their membership and their trust in ECSAA.
Bob Evans further asked that if anyone wants to contribute to the new
Scholarship Program to please note that in some way when sending a check in so
that it can be credited to the appropriate account.
Bob wanted to mention George and Barbara Manik as it related to the
convention and how well it was put together and importantly how financially
sound this convention was put together by them. George and Barbara are true
stewards to the financial and purpose of ECSAA.
In closing Bob Evans urged all members to sign up their Sons,
Daughters, and Grand Kids to help perpetuate the memory of the efforts that the
Greatest Generation provided us.
A motion was made with a second to approve the Treasurer’s Report and
approved unanimously.
Governor Art Lowe then gave his Merchandise Committee Report. He
indicated that he is now doing all Hats and Shirts through the mail. The costs of
the hats and shirts have had to go up due to printing costs. He urged the
members to supply any ideas on merchandise to him to be considered by the
Board of Governors.
Governor George Manik gave his Memorials Report. George mentioned
that due to the fact that all Escort Carriers were scraped, ECSAA has been looking for places to put either plaques or models to commemorate the service of the
Escort Carrier. This is why we have a plaque in Chicago at the U-505 in Chicago. The idea then came to have a model built and put at the
Pensacola Museum. This dedication will be a part of the 2016 Convention.
President Looney thanked George and Barbara for their efforts. George
will continue his efforts with the Memorials but has decided that this will be his
swan song as it relates to organizing the Conventions. To show how much
Barbara and George did, next year’s Reunion will be handled by a Committee.
President Looney closed the meeting urging everyone to attend next
year’s Reunion in Pensacola.
Respectfully submitted this 10th day of October, 2015, Oscar (Clay) Hathaway,
ECSAA Secretary
A Recap of the ECSAA 2015
(October YTD Finances)
General Checking
Money Market Escrow
Monument CD 1
Monument CD 2
Monument CD 3
Total
$20,825.39
$15,341.33
$8427.16
$40,564.24
$34,303.37
$119,462.37
Interest earn for the year
The entire leadership of our Association
is bonded for 2015
We filed our Form 990 (For Tax Free
Organizations) for 2014
Model ship builder, Arthur Weiner, was
paid to begin building ship models for
the USS Guadalcanal and USS Pillsbury
and the U-505 submarine for display at
the Pensacola Naval Museum in 2016
The Piper Publication Expense
The Piper Postage Expense
A donation by the USS Sicily
Donations for ECSAA Scholarships and
general fund
Donation from Robert Beitzel
2014 Norfolk Convention Expense
2015 San Diego Convention deposits for
Hotel and Tours
+($303.37)
($400.00)
($398.00)
($4500.00)
($9417.57)
($1600.00)
+($838.69)
+($725.00)
+($1000.00)
($8274.16)
($5400.00)
On this 70th Anniversary of the end of WWII how
fortunate we are that George and Barbara Manik came out of
retirement to take on the task of putting on this great
Convention in the city so many of you began your Naval Tour.
A special thanks to Dave Ryan, our Membership
Chairman, and his Committee for their efforts in securing new
Members from sister CVE Ships and family members. Dave has
donated countless hours and personal finances to expand and
update our Membership.
We are fortunate to have our Editor of THE PIPER,
Joyce Wilson, who is the “Glue” that binds our Association
together. Thank you Joyce!
Since our biggest source of revenue is Membership, I
would ask you to consider giving an ECSAA Membership to
your sons and daughters, as well as grand and great
grandchildren, so they can read about your roles in our
Country’s history. This will help us meet our Association’s
goal of “Making sure that your efforts and sacrifices are never
forgotten”.
Finally, I would like to thank each of you for your
service to our Country and for being the role models for my
generation and for those that will come in the future.
Bob Evans
ECSAA Treasurer
ECSAA is pleased to introduce the 2016 Scholarship
This year’s essay topic for consideration is:
“What is the History of the CVE’s Navy Escort Carriers and Significant Impacts of their
Accomplishments?”
Students are asked to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of
the history of the CVE’s Navy Escort Carriers and the significant impacts of their accomplishments. Work will be judged on the basis of originality, quality of research, and effectiveness of
argument or presentation.
No more than 1,000 words with a minimum of 600, not including citations and bibliography are
required.
To be qualified for the scholarship:
•
Any member or child of a member in good standing with ECSAA may be eligible for
scholarship application (and)
•
Applicant must show enrollment in an accredited institution of higher learning (posthigh school).
~ January 1, 2016….The 2016 essay topic of “What is the History of the CVE’s Navy Escort
Carriers and Significant Impacts of their Accomplishments” is announced.
May 1, 2016…………..Deadline for submission. All submissions should be addressed or
emailed to:
Anthony G. Looney
2016 ECSAA Scholarship Application
1203 Greenway Drive
Allen, Texas 75013
anthonylooney@sbcglobal.net
~June 1, 2016…………Winner of the 2016 Scholarship essay will be notified and $2,000
placed with their school in their name.
September, 2016…..Winner will be announced at the 2016 ECSAA Convention in Pensacola,
Florida.
Want to help our Scholarship Fund Grow?
We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences if you have recently
lost a loved one.
Giving in memory is a special way to remember the life of a loved one.
Whether it’s a partner, family member or companion animal, Memorial Giving can be a practical and positive way for family members and
friends to come together at this difficult time. It’s also a huge comfort
to know that all donations, raised in memory of your loved one will be
used to further the education of our progeny members.
ECSAA has already received three generous donations
Name of Person Requesting Card:_____________________________________________
Telephone: _______________________________________________________________
Name Card is to Be Mailed to: _______________________________________________
Do you know someone who would
benefit from getting a
“Hi - Thinking of You Card” from
ECSAA?
Just fill out the form and mail it to:
ECSAA
Address_________________________________________________________________
City_____________________________________State___________Zip_____________
1215 N. Military Hwy. #128
Norfolk VA 23502
Ship Served Aboard or Squadron:____________________________________________
or email information to:
MemberService@ECSAA.org
(Please put ECSAA Card Request in Subject Line)
Email: _________________________________________________________________
Watch your mailing labels.
DECEASED
Name__________________________________________________________________
Did you know that your membership renewal date is on
Address________________________________________________________________
the mailing label on the front page of the Piper?
City & State_______________________________________________Zip____________
Did you notice if your mailing label was yellow this
Ship___________________________________________________________________
month?
Squadron____________________________________Date of Death__________________
Survivors Name___________________________________________________________
___Continue sending “CVE Piper”
___Discontinue sending “CVE Piper”
If so, this means that your membership dues are delinquent and this will be the last issue of the PIPER you will
receive until dues become current.
ECSAA depends on your dues to print and mail the
Please send to: ECSAA, 1215 N. Military Hwy. #128, Norfolk VA 23502
PIPER so please stay current.
Membership Application
MAKE REMITTANCES PAYABLE TO
ESCORT CARRIER SAILORS & AIRMEN ASSN., INC.
(NAVY & MARINE SHIPBOARD VETERANS OF WWII, KOREA & VIETNAM)
Membership Committee
Attn: Dave Ryan, Membership Chairman
1215 N. Military Highway #128, Norfolk, VA 23502
Email: memberservice@ECSAA.org
NEW APPLICANT
RENEWAL
ADDRESS
CITY
PHONE
E
$30.00
$50.00
$65.00
DONATIONS ARE TAX
DEDUCTIBLE
DUES ARE NOT.
ADDRESS CHANGE
RANK/RATE
NAME
CVE (S) NAME & NUMBER
MEMBER NO.
1 YR.
2 YRS.
3 YRS.
SQUADRON(S)
ZIP
CHECK
E-Mail
OR
ST.
DATE SERVED
NO.
AMT.
DATE
RECD. BY
ENTRY DATE
You can now
renew your
membership on
line as well as
make changes
to your contact
information.
USS ALTAMAHA
ROBERT WOODWARD
USS ANZIO/CORAL SEA
H. E. DUNDERMAN
USS ATTU
JAMES BYRON GALLOWAY
USS BAIROKO
PETE G. LITAKER
JAMES W. THOMAS
DANIEL EVANS
USS BISMARK SEA
HERBERT WALL
USS BLOCK ISLAND
HOWARD ELI
USS BOGUE
GEORGE POTTER
USS BOUGANVILLE
R. VINCENT JOHNSON
USS CARD
REID A. HAWTHORNE
USS CASABLANCA
NEAL S. BRATTON
KENNETH R. BLACKWELL
LUTHER “ERINE” LUCERO
USS PUGET SOUND
WALLACE LOSEKE
USS SANTEE
HOWARD H. SKIDMORE
USS RENDOVA
DONALD J. CLEMENTS
USS ROI
WENDELL E. SUERMANN
USS RUDYERD BAY
ALAN J. AIRINGTON
RUSSEL SHILLINGBURG, JR.
USS SARGENT BAY
BILLY G. GUNN
USS SAVO ISLAND
SAMUEL H. BLACKWELL
USS SHAMROCK BAY
JOHN T. PENNINGTON
USS SIBONEY
LEE S. BROWN
USS SHIPLEY BAY
JAMES P. BALDWIN
USS CORE
MICHAEL D. CARTER
GEORGE McNAMARA
USS CHARGER
NORMAN REICHERT
USS CHENANGO
NORMAN BERG
WALT DEPORTE
EDWARD GALLAGHER, JR.
WILLIAM RILEY GODWIN
CHARLES LUTTERBEI
CLARENCE MCCANN
PAUL D. REED
JOHN SMITH
WINTHROP SMITH
EDWARD C. LORENA, JR
USS CORREGIDOR
WILLIAM J POLSTER
USS GAMBIER BAY
CLYDE GUNSALLUS
ROBERT KEHLENBECK
OWEN WHEELER
ARTHUR JENNINGS
STANLEY WILDES
G.G. “BUD” PETITT
RICHARD PERSON
ALLEN R. “JOHNNY” JANZ
EUGENE WESLEY SEITZ
JOHN GRAFTON JONES
ALFONS “AL” KRZEMECKI
USS SICILY
BOBBY DEAN BIERI
ROBERT E. BRENNAN
STEVE BROWN
PHILLIP L. CARL
JAMES C. CARTER
BILLY W. GREEN
WALTER DON HEHMAN
JOHN R HUFF
JAMES H. BALL
DONALD REYNDERS
USS MAKIN ISLAND
VINCENT A. LACAPRA
WESLEY W. WEISE
USS GILBERT ISLANDS
BLAINE BAESLER
NELSON FORTUNE
ROBERT FOSTER
DAVID GARDNER SR.
WILLIAM HAY
MERLE HERR
MORRIS HISTON
JEFF JUSTICE
CHARLES KEANE
HARRY KNICKELBEIN
ROBERT J. NUTT
MICHAEL RISKO
MAURY SILVERSTEIN
GENE SPEAKS
USS MIDWAY
FRANK J. JURANIC
USS MINDORO
BOB YEAGER
LOUIS F. HART
USS NASSAU
JOE GONZALES
USS GUADALCANAL
WILLIAM THOMAS WARDEL
USS KALININ BAY
HENRY BOYNTON HIGHT
USS KITKUN BAY
DALE HURST
ERNIE BRATTON
ROBERT GRAHAM
REV REX HUMPHRY
ROY RIPPLE
TOMMY TOMPSON
USS NATOMA BAY
SVEN I. BOSTROM
RAY KISSER
LLOYD M . MCCANN
GERALD E. PAPINEAU
HORACE HINKLEY
USS OMMANEY BAY
RAYMOND A. GENSLER
USS PETROF BAY
JOE PANELLA
USS POINT CRUZ
VALENE PERULT
JACK KELLY
USS ST. LO
JOSEPH R. MONARCO
USS SUWANNEE
WILLIAM J. BIGGERSTAFF
GEORGE MANNING
RUSSEL E. REINHART
WILLIAM REDDELL
USS WAKE ISLAND
ARCHIE LEROY MCPHERRAN
USS WHITE PLAINS
WALTER P. OWENS
USS TRIPOLI
LOWELL CLARK
RAYMOND DENGLER
JOHN DILLREE
GARY GARRETT
SEYMOUR (SY) JOFFEE
FRANK MILLER
DAVID RAWDON
JAMES SCHOLIELD
RAY SHUMATE
LESTER D. SMITH
VICTOR WAGNER
PAUL UDDEN
USS PRINCE WILLIAM
GEORGE H. MCKINNEY
USS MIDWAY
MEMORIAL SERVICE
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 5TH, 2015
ARNOLD HUFFMAN
BOB INGRAHAM
GEORGE KARR
WILLIAM KEMP
PAT KRAKER
RICHARD A MORGAN
B. E. NELSON
EUGENE H. PERRY
HERBERT B. PIERSON
RONALD N. ST. PIERRE
EDWARD G. SMITH
SEBASTIAN TANASI
DALE WADSWORTH
WARREN WALKER
USS SOLOMONS
FEDERICK CLARK
PATRICIA RODGERS
USS STEAMER BAY
JUSTIN EARL WHIGHAM
Thanks to Barbara Manik for keeping TAPS up-to-date
ECSAA Membership Report (October 2015)
1694 Active Members -- Total membership grew for first time in many years. Up 19.8 %
Oct 2014
TOTAL ACTIVE
Regular Honorary
or
and other
Associate designations
971
Life
920
Progeny
51
Life
723 Term
Regular
1413
Term (Count)
176
58
1yr 2yr 3yr
80 40 56
10 5 43
Associate
76
11
Supporting
3
3
Bundles
410
6 59
1106
Life
1175
1 yr
2yr 3yr
45% 23% 32%
17% 9% 74%
307
Term
430
14%
8% 78%
0%
Term
Regular
231 Regular
Progeny
36 Progeny
40 Associate &
Supporting
Associate
& Supporting
0%
0%
0% 100%
14%
7% 79%
1% Members with Renewal Due
10
1605
New members outpaced
Losses.
Term (%)
100%
410
Oct 2013
TOTAL ACTIVE
1%Memberships Overdue (% of Term Memberships Overdue)
368
26
36
79% Terms @ 3 years
Progeny grew 61 %.
Life Members declined 12 %,
falling below 1000
Overdue Renewal Rate
reduced from 63% to 1%
Committee Goals and Plans
MEMBER SERVICES: The move to the new address went smoothly and there is no indication of any negative impact. The new phone
number is lightly used, but appears to be appreciated by those that use it. Response time to members contacting ECSAA has improved
dramatically and complaints and processing issues have become rare. With the large increase in new members, we are dealing with the
challenge of getting fully / accurate mailing addresses and will be focusing on getting caught up as fast as possible so that nobody misses
out on a Piper issue.
RECRUITMENT: The membership growth is almost entirely due to Ship's joining ECSAA in groups. A major focus will continue to be reaching
out to Ships to encourage group registration as well as Convention attendance. The new bundles that allow Ships to join as a group as well
as families to join as a family pak are not that well known, but are already very successful and we need to increase focus on creating
awareness. We also plan to expand outreach to air wings, destroyers, support ships and progeny.
ONLINE: The expansion of the website has helped dramatically improved the efficiency of membership committee's work. In addition to
continued traditional paper based method of new membership and renewals, we now have new members joining and members renewing
online. Now the focus can begin to transition from constantly dealing with an overwhelming overload of overdue memberships, to much
more successful efforts to improve ECSAA's service such as the new online TAPs registry, ships corner, photo gallery including a home for
every ship.
LAPSES: After many years of chasing a large backlog of seriously overdue memberships, the awesome effort of the committee has reduced
delinquency to 1%.
Primary Goals of Membership Committee Next 12 Months
Grow New Memberships Faster than attrition
Maintain overdue membership rate
Double Progeny Membership
Have you taken a look at all the information you can view on our website?
Recently our committee sat down with members at the convention in San Diego and showed them some of the great information found on our website. Have you
ever wondered where all your shipmates are living in the US and Canada? What about which ship members live in a particular state? Look no further. All this, as
well as pictures from past conventions and member photos/scrapbooks of their time on a ship, can all be found on our website. These are all viewable by members
of ECSAA. We will walk you through a few of these items below.
To view information you need to LOG IN to ECSAA (More detail in the March 2015 Issue)
(1) Go to your web browser and type in www.ecsaa.org (2) In the upper right corner of the website you need to login using your email and password
Once you see your name in the top right corner you can begin searching the site.
MAP Page – find what members are located in each state.
(1) On the left had side is a menu – go to “Map” and click on it.
(2) You will see a colorful map of the United States. Pick a state and click on it. Wait
a few seconds and scroll down the screen. You will see a box that tells you how many
active members live in a particular state as well as farther down the page it will list the
names of the ships that have members living in your state.
(3) From here you can click on the blue underlined title “View members in XXX (depending on which state you select)”.
(4) Click this and it will take you to a listing of all the members living in the particular
state. It will show you the member’s name, location, and what ship they are associated
with.
(5) If you find a name you want to know more about, you can select the person’s name
and it will give you their contact information (if they have shared it with us).
Photo Gallery – look at pictures from ships, conventions, scrapbooks, etc.
(1) You can find the photo gallery by either going to “My Membership” or “Photo Gallery” on the left hand navigation bar.
(2) On the “My Membership” page you will want to click the photo gallery button:
(3) On the Photo Gallery Page click on the words
“CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR MEMBER ONLY PHOTO GALLERY”
(4) From here you will be sent to a page with a big blue button and the password to the
photo gallery site. Only members have access to this page. You must be logged in to
our website – www.ecsaa.org – to view any of this information.
(5) Click the blue button - Remember the password given here. You will need to enter
it on the next page.
(6) You will be taken to the photogallery located at: http://gallery.ecsaa.org Here it will
ask you for a password. Please enter the one from the previous page (Step #5).
(7) Once you have entered the site you will find different photo galleries to choose
from. Browse through and enjoy the pictures, scrapbooks, and articles by clicking on
the category pictures.
(8) If you notice there isn’t pictures of your particular ship, that means we have none.
If you have pictures you would like to share and upload for others to view, please contact memberservice@ecsaa.org. Enjoy!
USS ADMIRALTY ISLAND
GUEST SPEAKER BILL SPERBERG AND HIS GUESTS
USS NATOMA BAY
USS CASABLANCA
Banquet
Night
USS MANILA BAY
USS PUGET SOUND
USS CASABLANCA
USS RENDOVA
USS TULAGI, USS CAPE GLOUCESTER, USS MISSION BAY
USS SICILY
USS SANTEE
USS ALTAMAHA
USS MIDWAY
MEMORIAL WREATH
BOB HOPE MEMORIAL
RINGING OF THE BELL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Unfortunately we were unable to place all the photos in The PIPER.
To see all of the 2015 convention photos and videos you can find the ECSAA photo gallery by
visiting our website at: www.ecsaa.org and either going to “My Membership” or “Photo Gallery”
on the left hand navigation bar. On the “My Membership” page you will want to click the photo
gallery button: on the Photo Gallery Page click on the words “CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR
MEMBER ONLY PHOTO GALLERY”. From here you will be sent to a page with a big blue
button and the password to the photo gallery site. Only members have access to this page. You
must be logged in to our website – www.ecsaa.org – to view any of this information.
Not only can you find photos of the 2015 convention, there are also photos from 2013 and
2014, memory books that have been scanned, lots of ship photos and memorials that have been
placed in museums around the USA.
AIR CRAFT CARRIER MEMORIAL
ECSAA GOVERNORS
USS TRIPOLI
MEMBERSHIP
WELCOME AND SIGN IN
VS-931
MANY THANKS TO GEORGE AND BARBARA
T
he USS Casablanca
(CVE-55) was the first of Henry
Kaiser’s CVEs, baby flattops, to
be completed. Kaiser had built a
huge shipyard with 12 building
ways in Vancouver, Washington,
on the Columbia River across from
Portland, Oregon, in early 1942
with the intent of building Liberty
ships. He included a huge 3,000foot outfitting dock and a building
slip to be used for adding prefabricated superstructures to the ship hulls. The
U.S. Navy and the U.S. Maritime Commission soon caused production to be
shifted to LST landing craft, and then to two earlier classes of escort carriers
under production.
On 2 June 1942, Kaiser proposed to the Bureau of Ships that he could build 30
or more airplane “transport vessels” within six months, over the objections of
Admiral King. However, President Roosevelt ordered the Navy and Maritime
Commission to negotiate with Kaiser. Ultimately, S4-S2 BB3 type high-speed
cargo hulls were used with a design from Gibbs & Company Naval Architects,
using pre-welded units to speed up production.
Due to bottlenecks in the gear-cutting industry, Kaiser acquired rights to build
unique Skinner Uniflow engines for power. Four Babcock & Wilcox Express D
boilers provided steam for the engines. As blower systems in the lower compartments were excluded to cut costs, crews in the lower compartments were quite
miserable. Rather than use teak wood for the flight decks like that found on
other carriers, Kaiser used 2” fir wood planking, given the abundance of forests
of fir trees in the Pacific Northwest.
Casablanca was backed on pontoons into the Columbia River at Vancouver on 5 April 1943 and was
christened by Eleanor Roosevelt. For the next 83
days the ship was outfitted in Astoria, Oregon. The
crew chosen to organize and supervise the fitting out
was made of distinguished veterans who had survived
the sinking of their ships, such as USS Lexington
and USS Yorktown, or whose ships had been sunk
at Guadalcanal. The men had seen battle and were
experienced at their jobs.
Sea trials for Casablanca began 27 June 1943 in
Puget Sound. The ship performed well, but a whining
noise, loud enough to attract distant Japanese submarines, developed in the starboard propeller and stern tube, where the drive shaft
exited the shell of the ship. Consequently, Casablanca was assigned to train
the pre-commissioning crews for the subsequent 49 sister ships and to conduct
qualification landings for carrier pilots under Commander, Operational Training
Command, Pacific.
The first pre-commissioning details to train aboard Casablanca were to be assigned to USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) and USS Coral Sea (CVE-57). The
remaining pre-commissioning crews were trained aboard Casablanca in Puget
Sound. Training lasted one to two weeks for each new crew. The last precommissioning detail to train aboard Casablanca was that for USS Munda
(CVE-104) and additional men from the USS Roi detail. By 5 July 1944, all 49
pre-commissioning crews had finished their training along with miscellaneous
training for details from USS West Virginia (BB-48) and 19 midshipmen from
the ROTC program at the University of Washington. The last detail was trained
as Casablanca left McCormick drydock to refuel at Manchester, then to Tacoma.
Additional crew boarded and Casablanca left Tacoma to unload ammunition at
Bremerton and enter drydock at Todd Shipbuilding Company at Harbor Island in
Seattle for painting.
It was here that the crew discovered a Russian cargo ship whose captain was a
female. She allowed several of the men to tour her ship. Meanwhile, a Russian
icebreaker, with a crew of both men and women, tied up at the dock nearby.
Painting was complete on Friday, 14 July, with a camouflage of light gray, ocean
gray, and dull black on the sides and the flight deck and all horizontal surfaces
painted deck blue. Casablanca steamed toward Astoria that night, exchanging
calls with USS Stoddard (DD-566) and USS Massachusetts (DD-59).
Final repairs and preparations were made at Astoria and the ship sailed from
there through Puget Sound once again to Port Townsend on 16 August, this time
to take on bombs and fuses, then to Bremerton for degauzzing and loading of
additional ammunition. The night of 17 August, Casablanca anchored in the
presence of USS North Caroline BB-55) (S.O.P.A.), USS Saratoga (CV-3), USS
South Dakota (BB-57), USS Lansdowne (DD-496), USS Lardner (DD-487),
USS Jarvis (DD-353), USS New Mexico (BB-40) and USS Yorktown (CV-10)
stood into harbor.
On 18 August, Casablanca returned to Port Townsend where the swinging of the
ship to calibrate the compasses and radio direction finder took place. Then to
Seattle to top off with fuel and take on passengers. She sailed toward California on 20 August and on Tuesday, 22 August, she entered the ship carrier pier at
Alameda Naval Air Station in San Francisco Harbor. The harbor pilot took the
conn and guided the ship into the harbor in the presence of USS Takanis Bay
(CVE-89).
On 24 August, Casablanca departed for Manus, loaded with 88 aircraft for
delivery, including F6Fs, TBMs, and FM2s and an additional 550 individuals as
passengers. The ship’s first crossing of the equator took place on this voyage.
On Monday, 11 September, Casablanca passed within sight of Alim Island,
Baluan Island, Papialon Island, then Lou Island as the ship approached Seeadler
Harbor at Manus Island. Passengers destined for new assignments left the ship.
Ashore, the American and Australian forces had worked hard to construct the
huge airbase and dock facilities at Manus and the Seabees were still constructing
additional landing strips and digging holes to bury the Japanese dead.
The planes were transferred to lighters from the supply depot and aviation fuel
was discharged to the tanker USS Rio Grande for delivery to carriers advancing toward Leyte Gulf. Meanwhile, men were sent from other ships to purchase
socks, other items of clothing, candy bars, and ice cream, and to trade movie
reels. After all activities were complete, new passengers came aboard, including
10 sick Marines who were suffering terribly, both physically and mentally.
Casablanca was guided to Berth NO. 1 for unloading of bombs and taking on
of fuel for the return trip bound for San Diego and she departed Saturday, 16
September on a zig zag course, exchanged signals with USS Admiralty Islands
(CVE-99), which was making a shuttle run to Finschhafen, New Guinea with
supplies. Casablanca passed other ships along the way, some of whose men
would not survive the war.
Before arrival at San Diego,
destination was changed to
San Francisco.
Upon arrival at Alameda
Naval Air Station on 5
October 1944, six PBY patrol
bombers, OA-10 flying boats,
were loaded onto the flight
deck. Casablanca immediately
departed for Seattle to unload
the planes. On Sunday, 8 October, Casablanca’s crew unloaded the planes themselves, as no workmen were
present to do the job.
Continued on Page 17
T
he USS Casablanca continued from page 16
From now until 26 January 1945, Casablanca once again became a training ship,
this time for pre-commissioning crews for the Commencement Bay class of
ships being built at the Todd Pacific Shipyards at Tacoma. These included
USS Commencement Bay (CVE-105), USS Block Island (CVE-106), and USS
Gilbert Island (CVE-107). Casablanca took aboard the first pre-commissioning
draft at Seattle on 9 October, unloaded unused torpedoes at Bremerton, had
piston rings replaced on her main engines. Training again took place out of Port
Townsend.
While at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, slight damage to the ship took place when
a tug crashed into a sponson, damaging the lighting stanchions, and a tug hit the
fantail plates, creating a dent about two inches deep.
US New Mexico (BB-40) was present, having completed overhaul, along with
older ships returned from the front lines to be converted to training ships. Others
were assigned to the Alaska Sea Frontier.
The pre-commissioning crews trained out of Port Townsend until 12 January, when 396 individuals of Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) trained while Casablanca was loaded with bombs and related items and preparations were made in
Bremerton for her next assignment to the Pacific. The Gilbert Islands detail left
the ship at Bremerton on Friday, 26 January 1945.
On Saturday, 3 February, at 0005, Casablanca departed for San Diego with 16
Marine passengers. The ship got caught in a severe storm approximately 15
miles off the northern coast of Oregon, and at 0516 on 4 February, the ship’s
bow dug into a huge wave that broke over the forward end of the flight deck,
which buckled and was carried away with No. 1 Lookout Station, smashing the
next 25 feet of the overhang part of the flight deck down on the forecastle. Then
the deck in No. 1 and No. 2 ready services ammunition rooms also buckled,
while steel longitudinal supports crumpled and fire main risers were broken. In
the engine room, the inclinometer reportedly held a reading of 35 degrees for a
time and the men down there stood at the escape hatch, prepared to go topside
in case the ship capsized.
Casablanca steamed into San Diego Repair Base on 8 February. On 13 March,
she departed San Diego to deliver passengers to Pearl Harbor on 19 March. At
Pearl Harbor, USS Lexington Kasaan Bay (CVE-69), USS Shangri La (CV-38)
departed, while USS Shipley Bay (CVE-85) entered the harbor.
Casablanca departed on 20 March in a convoy of a minesweeper, destroyer
escorts, and two transports to deliver aviation fuel and passengers to Guam in the
Marianas Islands. They travelled through Japanese submarine infested waters
toward Guam. Casablanca left the convoy on 27 March and traveled solo for the
next two days. On 29 March, she entered Apra Harbor at Guam to deliver
passengers and P-47s
and take on fuel.
Casablanca headed
for Seeadler Harbor
at Manus on 2 April,
arriving on 4 April.
The crew loaded
aboard new aircraft
for a service squadron
moving up to Samar,
and took on additional
passengers, ammunition, aircraft parts,
and 68,000 gallons
of fuel oil. Casablanca made 3 round trips to Manus, Kossol Passage in Palau,
and Samar before returning to San Diego. On the second round trip, while being loaded at Manus, two Japanese B5N2 Kates torpedo bombers from Rabaul
bombed a floating dry dock. Reportedly, the Casablanca’s crew heard ‘Tokyo
Rose’ announce that the bomb was intended for their ship.
The last stop at Manus was on 12 May, where bombs were unloaded and aviation fuel and fuel oil were delivered. The next day, 52 damaged and 12 flyable aircraft, 12 long tons of cargo, and 105 bags of mail were loaded. Before
departing on 14 May, 15 officers and 248 enlisted men boarded, including 180
enlisted patients. The patients were mostly Navy men, 39 of which were classed
1C, suffering from schizoid personality, psychoneurosis, anxiety, and personality disorder as a result of the war. The other 141 men suffered from combat and
operational fatigue, arthritis, asthma, fungus infections, dislocated joints, chronic
bronchitis, loss of fingers and eyes, and other injuries. Seventeen pharmacists’
mates also boarded to tend to these men. Scuttlebutt was that Japanese POWs
were also put aboard and kept on the hangar deck for the trip.
The ship then zig zagged without escort toward Pearl Harbor, arriving on 24
May. Aviation fuel and aircraft were unloaded and fuel oil, damaged aircraft,
and passengers were taken aboard. On 26 May, Casablanca departed for San Diego and arrived on 2 June. At Berth G at North Island Naval Repair Base, men
being transferred, passengers, and patients to be hospitalized ashore left the ship.
Aircraft and aircraft engines were unloaded by evening. The ship then entered
overhaul.
On 14 June, Casablanca was shifted to Pier H at the North Island Naval Air Station where 410 100-pound bombs, 36 350-pound bombs, and 184 500-pound
bombs as well as ammunition were loaded. Meanwhile, USS Sangamon Bay
(CVE-26) and USS Nassau (DVE-16)
stood into the harbor and USS Matanikau
(CVE-101) changed births. On the day of
departure, 17 June, USS Vella Gulf (CVE111) stood out of the harbor.
The Japanese on Okinawa had surrendered
three days before Casablanca made her 24
June arrival at Pearl Harbor. The next day,
Rear Admiral S.P. Ginder, Commander of
Carrier Transport Squadron Pacific, came
aboard with his staff and inspection party.
After the inspection, a battle problem was
announced with 90 minutes to complete.
The ship passed inspection and bombs and
cargo had been delivered, including aircraft
and radar and radio spare parts.
After 2 days at Ford Island, Casablanca,
on 26 June, was en route to San Francisco, arriving on 6 July. Preparations
were made for return to Guam. Passengers included 52 enlisted Army men and
50 Army officers who had just returned from war in Europe. They were very
unhappy because they thought they were returning home. Cots for the officer
passengers were moved into each of the 3-man rooms. These men felt they were
being treated like kings after sleeping in tents in Europe for months.
The only ship present as Casablanca left the harbor was USS Altamaha (CVE18), being readied to deliver another load of aircraft and cargo to the Pacific.
On Sunday, 22 July, Casablanca moored at Guam. Aviation fuel was discharged,
aircraft were unloaded and fuel oil was taken on. USS Vella Gulf (CVE-111)
soon left Apra Harbor for the Marianas with FD-1D Corsairs, Hellcats, and
TBM-3E Avenger bombers to conduct air strikes against Rota and Pagan Islands.
Later, USS Sargent Bay (CVE-83) entered the harbor, having finished a tour off
Leyte and now returning to the states for overhaul.
The next day, 23 July, Casablanca left with damaged planes and passengers for
Pearl Harbor. The ship was joined by USS Shubrick (DD-639) and USS Bebas
(DE-10), acting as screens.
Continued on page 18
T
he USS Casablanca continued from page 17
On 2 August, Casablanca moored at the naval air station across from where USS
Arizona (BB-39) lay. A line was attached to USS Utah (BB-31) the tomb in
Berth ‘Fox 11’ of, at the time, an unknown number of men who were still aboard
when Utah capsized on 7 December 1941.
As cargo was unloaded, USS Antietam (CV-36), USS Steamer Bay CVE-87) and
USS Admiralty Islands (CVE-99) entered the harbor. On 4 August, Steamer
Bay, Altamaha, and Admiralty Islands got underway. Meanwhile, USS Bogue
approached at a rather high rate of speed and hit Casablanca’s transom, just
missing the overhanging 5”/38 caliber gun tub. The 5-foot to 7-foot high, 3-foot
wide gash on the transom on starboard side revealed the skin of the hull to be
only 3/8” thick.
The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on 5 August. On 7 August, Casablanca left for Guam, carrying planes, engines, and passengers. On 25 August,
news was received that Japan had surrendered after the second bomb had been
dropped.
Apra Harbor was very busy on 14 August as Casablanca moored there. When
Japan accepted their terms of surrender, the pipeline was being kept filled with
war materiel for invasion of Japan. U.S. ships had been en route to Guam. In
addition to destroyers and other ships, standing into harbor were USS Rudyard
Bay (CVE-81), USS Barnes (CVE-20), USS Hollandia (CVE-97), and USS
Kasaan Bay (CVE-69). Standing out of the harbor were USS Vella Gulf (CVE111), USS Runyard Bay (CVE-81), USS Munda (CVE-104) and later standing
out, USS Runyard Bay CVE-81).
While in Guam, a USO troop came aboard and gave a show. It was accompanied by the ship’s band, the ‘Flattoppers’. It took place on the raised elevator as
stage.
On 21 August, Casablanca left Guam for practice air operations off Saipan with
CVG-99, whose ship, USS Admiralty Islands (CVE-99) was undergoing repairs
in San Diego. Other air groups also practiced with the Casablanca. One casualty
was of Ensign W.E. Wentzel, from CVG-8.
Casablanca became a member of the Magic Carpet even before it was fully organized by moving passengers from Guam to Pearl Harbor, arriving on 12 September and tying six wires to bollards sticking out of the water on the stern of USS
Arizona (BB-39). Flattops USS Boxer (CV-21), USS Corregidor (CVE-58) and
USS Langley CVO-27) entered and USS Marcus Island (CVE-77), USS White
Plains (CVE-66), USS Copahee (CVE-12) and USS Saginaw Bay (CVE-82) entered the harbor as Casablanca got underway for San Francisco on 15 September.
Arriving in San Francisco on Friday, 21 September, passengers were quickly
dropped off and other boarded. There were also personnel changes before the
ship sailed to Maui to pick up 1,300 “Fighting Fourth” Marines who had fought
at Roi-Namur Island, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Their officers chose to sleep
with their men. When the ship arrived in San Diego on Thursday, 25 October,
crowds met the Marines. Two days later was “Navy Day” and the Marines were
asked to march in the parade. They refused, saying they had marched enough.
Many were said to have jungle rot on their feet.
On the next trip to Pearl Harbor, on 3 November, a converted B-35 under contract to the Army Transport Command crashed east of Honolulu. Commander Hawaiian Sea Frontier enlisted the assistance of Casablanca. Several
survivors were brought aboard, including a female. Six of the deceased were
also taken aboard and taken to Pearl Harbor.
Refueled, Casablanca was directed to Espirito Santo in the New Hibrides
to deliver passengers, then to Noumea for more passengers. On 18 November,
Casablanca headed for Pearl Harbor for fresh water and men from CASU-1. On
18 November the ship headed for San Francisco and ran into the tail end of a
typhoon on 30 November. During the storm, Army Sgt. Andrew G. Smit was
washed overboard and never found.
Arriving at San Francisco at Alameda Naval Air Station on 3 December to deliver passengers, Casablanca was made ready for her final cruise, to Yokohama,
Japan. Leaving on 8 December 1945, the ship reported back on 16 January
1946. During this time, the crew endured a “Christmas Storm”. Planks were
torn from the flight deck and the men thought the ship was breaking apart. The
return leg of the cruise was from Yokohama to Pearl Harbor to San Francisco
with passengers.
Casablanca’s final journey was from San Francisco on 22 January 1946, arriving
in Norfolk, Virginia via the Panama Canal on 10
February 1946 for preparation for decommissioning. The last man left the ship and the lights
were turned out on 10 June, a sad day for many.
On 23 April 1947, Casablanca was sold
for scrap and, on 13 May 1947, was dismantled
for scrap at the Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock
Company on the Delaware River, approximately
15 miles south of Philadelphia.
Written by Barbara G. Jones, taken from her
book “The Role the USS Casablanca (CVE-55)
Played in World War II in the Pacific”, published
by The Edwin Mellen Press,
Lewiston, New York, 2010.
Submitted by Clay Hathaway
Over the three and a half years of World War 11 the coalition forces led by American interests managed to push the Japanese empire
back to its own shores. They were able to do so not only through courage and resolve,but also through the efforts of hundreds of men
and women who labored in secrecy, many of them twelve hours a day, seven days a week, cracking the codes that Japanese forces used
to transmit messages. I was reminded of this recently by an obituary that appeared in one of our local papers for Jacqueline Davis,
86,World War II code breaker,a native of Maine. Jacqueline enlisted and served in the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer
Emergency Service) and became a member of a military code-breaking unit in Washington,D.C. which was awarded the Presidential
Unit Citation by President Roosevelt for outstanding contributions. She served in the unit that broke the codes that enabled us to win
The Battle of Midway,a turning point in the war,only six months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942. Additionally,her
unit broke an encrypted message revealing plans for the top Japanese Admiral Yamamoto’s inspection of the Solomon Islands, enabling
U.S. fighter pilots to destroy both he and his bomber, a telling blow to Japanese morale. She was one of many courageous and dedicated women who served the Navy in many ways, although restricted to non-combat roles, whom we remember looking so beautiful and
exciting and staffing base offices.
Dave Hoy, President
USS ALTAMAHA (CVE-18) ASSOCIATION
Have you lost your military service records, medical Have you lost military service medals, decorations, or awards that you or a
records, personnel records, or records of awards and family member earned and need to replace them?
Medals awarded while in active service will be issued by the appropriate service if remedals earned?
Are you a family member seeking information about the military
service of a next-of-kin? Find out how to request information and
what forms you will need to fill out.
Remember: your military records are normally free to request
from the Federal Government, companies that advertise copies of
your DD-214 or military records for a fee are scams.
Normally only the veteran or the next-of-kin may request copies
of military records.
What Information Is Needed to Request Records:
Your request must contain certain basic information to locate
your service records. This information includes:
• The veteran’s complete name used while in service
• Service number
• Social security number
• Branch of service
• Dates of service
• Date and place of birth (especially if the service number
is not known).
• If you suspect your records may have been involved in
the 1973 fire, also include:
• Place of discharge
• Last unit of assignment
• Place of entry into the service, if known.
All requests must be signed and dated by the veteran or next-ofkin.
If you are the next of kin of a deceased veteran, you must provide
proof of death of the veteran such as a copy of death certificate,
letter from funeral home, or published obituary.
How to Request Service Information
The National Archives online program eVetRecs is the preferred
and fastest method for requesting service information. Provide
as much information as possible in the comments field. Should
you prefer to submit your request using a SF180 then provide as
much information as possible and send the form to:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
Or Fax to:
314-801-9195
How Long Does It Take To Receive Copies of Records?
According to the National Personnel Records Center 92% of
separation record requests are processed within 10 days of receipt. However, health records may take longer. The eVetRecs
website has instructions for emergency requests needing faster
processing.
quested by veterans or, if deceased, their next of kin.
Medals awarded while in active service are issued by the individual military services if
requested by veterans or by the next of kin of deceased veterans. Requests for the issuance or
replacement of military service medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the specific
branch of the military in which the veteran served. However, for Air Force (including Army Air
Corps) and Army veterans, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) verifies the awards to
which a veteran is entitled and forwards requests and verification to appropriate service department for issuance.
For the Veteran: in general, the military services will work replacement medal requests for
the veteran at no cost. This includes family members with the signed authorization of the veteran.
For the Next-of-Kin: the process (and cost) for replacement medals requests differs
among the service branches and is dependent upon who is requesting the medal, particularly if the
request involves an archival record.
For the General Public: if the service member separated from military service before
1954, the public may purchase a copy of the veteran’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) to
determine the awards due and obtain the medals from a commercial source. If the service member
separated after 1953, the public may request such information from the OMPF via the Freedom of
Information Act.
Requesting Replacement Awards and Medals
Requests for the issuance or replacement of military service medals, decorations, and
awards should be directed to the specific branch of the military in which the veteran served.
However, for Air Force (including Army Air Corps) and Army personnel, the National Personnel
Records Center will verify the awards to which a veteran is entitled and forward the request with
the verification to the appropriate service department for issuance of the medals.
The eVetRecs is preferred for requesting medals and awards. Provide as much information
as possible in the comments field. Should you prefer to submit your request using a SF180 then
provide as much information as possible and send the form to the appropriate address from the
following tables:
Where to write for medals
National Personnel Record Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
Where medals are mailed from
Navy Personnel Command
PERS 312
5751 Honor Drive
Building 769 Room 158
Millington, TN 38055-3120
Where to write in case of a problem
or an appeal
Department of the Navy
Chief of Naval Operations (DNS-35)
2000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, DC 20350-2000
COLD War Recognition Certificate
In accordance with section 1084 of the Fiscal Year 1998 National Defense Authorization Act, the Secretary
of Defense approved awarding Cold War Recognition Certificates to all members of the armed forces and
qualified Federal government civilian personnel who faithfully served the United States during the Cold
War era from September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991.
Who is eligible?
All members of the armed forces and federal government civilian personnel who faithfully served the
United States during the Cold War era, Sept. 2, 1945, to Dec. 26, 1991.
This Center will, upon request, provide copies of DD 214’s and other separation documents, as appropriate, to authorized requesters. These documents may be used to apply for the Certificate. Complete
instructions for obtaining a copy of your DD 214 may be found under How to Request Copies of Military
Service Records. However, this center does not have the application form available, nor will we be able
to supply the Certificate itself. For more information concerning the application process visit the Army’s
Cold War Recognition Certificate webpage.
A Time-Honored Tradition - Line Crossing Ceremony
Line crossing ceremonies have been a part of naval tradition for at least
400 years.
No one is really sure when or how the Line Crossing Ceremony, “Order
of Neptune”, came about. The ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western
seafaring.
The ceremony observes a mariner’s transformation from slimy Pollywog,
a seaman who hasn’t crossed the equator, to trusty Shellback, also called a Son
or Daughter of Neptune. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness.
When a ship crosses the equator, King Neptune comes aboard to exercise
authority over his domain and to judge charges brought against Pollywogs that
they are only posing as sailors and haven’t paid proper homage to the god of the
sea.
High ranking members of the crew and those who have been Shellbacks
the longest dress up in elaborate costume and each play the part of King Neptune’s court. For instance, the ship’s captain might play the part of King Neptune
himself. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among
the seafaring crew.
After breakfast, which is made too spicy for the Pollywogs to eat, the accused appear before King Neptune, who sits in judgment. They perform a variety
of activities which might involve wearing their clothes inside out or backwards
and crawling across the deck through objectionable debris, often the uneatable
breakfast that was served to the Pollywogs.
Next, the Pollywogs kneel before the King and kiss the royal baby’s
belly, which according to some accounts is covered in grease.
Lastly, the Pollywogs take a royal bath in a pool of sea water before being
declared Shellbacks, after which they receive their certificates, which they can
proudly hang on their wall at home.
Pollywog Line Crossing Ceremony
Pollywogs take a “royal bath” after they are judged by King Neptune,
after which they transform into trusty Shellbacks.
Many accounts dwell only on the final, elaborate ceremony that takes
place on the day a ship traverses the equator, but the month leading up to King
Neptune’s arrival, when the Pollywogs are separated off from the Shellbacks, is
also significant. The Shellbacks plan the coming festivities, but they also spend
the entire month taunting the Pollywogs until a mock mutiny is staged by them
on the day before the Equator crossing — Pollywog Day.
How to Perform a Line Crossing Ceremony
Each ship might have their own traditions and nuances, but the fundamental structure goes something like this:
Notable Line Crossing Ceremonies
On the open sea, even the leader of a great nation must answer to King
Neptune. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, too, received a summons to
appear before the sea god and pay his respects. The charges brought against him:
King Neptune and his royal court: his queen, Davy Jones, the royal baby,
and other dignitaries, arrive to the ship the evening prior to the equator crossing.
Pollywogs entertain the royal court with a talent show. Dancing, song, skits or
poetry count among the merriment.
After the show, Pollywogs receive a subpoena from Davy Jones to stand before
the court the next day and answer to charges brought against them by the Shellbacks.
Disregard of the traditions of the sea.
Taking liberties with the piscatorial subjects of His Majesty Neptunus
Rex. In 2010, a Line Crossing Ceremony was an international affair. Sailors and
Marines from the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and
Uruguay crossed the equator together aboard the USS New Orleans.
White Plains - Crossing the Equator in 1943
Crew member: John (nmi) O’Neil Bosun’s Mate
Submitted by Randy O’Neil
Kissing the Royal Belly
Polywogs being initiated
These Memories Will Last
By Walter Smith
How many big things happened to you, will
you remember? That depends, doesn’t it? But
regardless of your mental abilities in later life,
a priceless few will always surface. That’s my
take on belonging to ECSAA.
I’ve only belonged less that six years, but
they’ve given me excitement, surprises, direction, work, and most of all PRIDE. That needs
explaining.
My first ECSAA convention was in 2013 at
New Castle, Delaware. I didn’t know the score
the; completely unaware of what it was all
about. I met guys for the first time who served
on the ships I did too. We were shipmates, but
on different carriers. Some were second generation members, sons and daughters
of original crew. It was a mixed bag of past warriors of a long time ago. And I
was tickled pink to be among them.
As I visited with those scattered around the hospitality room, stories of
every description were told. The most interesting were those I listened to from
guys who had seen more of the misery of war than I had. This was their time to
let loose and express deep feelings and stark patriotism. I was learning what this
Military Association was all about, and I liked it.
By chance I became acquainted with the man who was in charge of the
convention, and had served in that capacity for years. We talked for a bit and
he found out I had done convention planning myself with Trade Associations.
George Manik, then out of the blue, asked if I would spell him as Convention
Coordinator for next year. After sleeping on it overnight, I said, ok.
USS Sicily CVE-118
The USS Sicily and the squadrons that operated off of the carrier have now officially joined ECSAA for their permanent home. The Sicily, a Commencement
Bay Class carrier, was commissioned on 27 February 1946 and was decommissioned on 4 October 1954. During that time she served in both the Atlantic and
Pacific fleets. The CVE often participated in carrier qualification and training for
numerous pilots and aircrew members. Between 1950 and 1952 the Sicily made
3 deployments to Korea during the Korean War and received 5 battle stars. Marine squadrons conducted close ground support and Navy squadrons conducted
antisubmarine patrol to protect the fleet. The USS Sicily was decommissioned on
4 October 1954, was struck 1 July 1960 and sold for scrap on 31 October.
It was apparent fewer of us were in attendance. That was not obvious
to me for I had never attended an ECSAA Convention before - when they had
many hundreds of members attending. I listened to many relate these things, then
learned more at the Business Meeting.
It appears my interest in the organization caught the attention of members
of the Board of Governors, and I was elected to serve a 3-year term. President
Anthony Looney briefed me on all kinds of stuff and introduced me to the other
leaders on the Board. I then found myself involved and directed into a work regimen that instilled respect and pride for what was done, and what was needed to
be done for the membership.
Putting the 2014 Convention together with the Board of Governors and
my committee then loomed as a challenge. It was held in Norfolk at the Crowne
Plaza Virginia Beach Hotel. It was a successful event - all had a good time.
Then I was asked to help Membership Committee Chairman David Ryan
in that important area of the Association growth. It was a horse of a different
color, and I like what was assigned for me to do.
We joined forces in providing copy for the PIPER, our vital newsletter. It
was fun, but work. Some days my tongue was hanging out. Then it happened. I
got sick from a bleeding ulcer and had to resign my assignments due to doctors
and family orders.
So...I asked President Looney if I could give one more article for The
PIPER. This is it!
My sincere thanks to all the leaders and members I have worked with
here and there. I’m not leaving ECSAA, so don’t get that idea. And I wanted to
go to San Diego Convention and see everyone again...and get on the Midway for
the only time in my life. Even had my air line tickets when the plans came apart.
The possibility of a set-back, or shuffling off to Buffalo, put the Kybaaash on going.
All that I can say is I got a kick out of every minute of my service, such
as it was, to the Association I love - ECSAA!!
Over the years the Sicily has held 20 reunions in various cities throughout the country with attendance sometimes exceeding 100. In the last few years,
attendance has dropped off mainly due to deaths, sickness and lack of physical
mobility. The hassle of getting thought airports has also had a negative effect on
attendance. Because of these factors the Sicily officers concluded that it was time
to join ECSAA on a permanent basis. In the past we had held joint reunions with
the Escort Carrier Group and made friends with many of their members. Quite a
few Sicily members are also Life Members of ECSAA, so our association with
ECSAA is not something new.
ECSAA has welcomed us with open arms and plan to offer our regular
members a 3 year term membership for making the transfer. Now that we have
made the transfer it is important that a Sicily ships company member step forth
and act as the liaison person between the USS Sicily and ECSAA. If you personally cannot serve in this capacity, perhaps you can recommend someone for this
post. The ECSAA now has a web site and someone is also needed to serve as the
contact person on this web site. If you know of someone for either of these positions please contact me at bobwagner@verizon.net or call me at (610) 277-4374.
It is rather important that USS Sicily becomes involved and participates in the
activities of ECSAA. In particular it is desirable to have some input where the
yearly reunions are to be held and contribute stories about the carrier when she
was sailing the seas in her glory.
J. Robert Wagner
Squadron Representative
Dear Daughter,
I enlisted in the United States Navy June 7, 1943. I was a Seaman first
class on the USS Sangamon. It was a ship that was commissioned, decommissioned and re-designated many times. In July 1943, The Sangamon shifted her
base of operation from Efate to Espiritu Santo in August. In September, she
returned to the United States for an overhaul at Mare Island. Then on October
19th, we departed San Diego, embarked and sailed for Espiritu Santo. On the
20th, we arrived in the Gilbert Islands to support Tarawa. Our next operation was
the assault on Kwajalein in Marshall Islands. At 4:51 on the 25th, during a routine flight operation a returning fighter
failed to hook a wire on landing, breaking through the barriers. It belly tanked,
tore loose, skidded forward, spewing flaming fuel. Fire soon spread among the
planes. By 4:59, it was under control. Seven crew members were lost in those 8
minutes. From January 31 until mid-February, Sangamon supported the assault
and occupation of Kwajalein. We departed the Marshalls and headed back to
Pearl Harbor to complete repairs.
After the battle of the Philippines Sea, the Sangamon was detached from
TF 53. From July 13 to August 1, 1944, we covered the bombardment groups
engaged in the capture of Guam. September 9th, we departed Seeadler Harbor to
Morotai. Prior to the October landings on Leyte, Sangamon launched regular
flights. On October 20th, planes covered the landing forces and the ships in the
transport areas. That same day we came under enemy attack and took a hit at
the main deck level. It tore a two by six foot section of plating loose. During
the intense fighting, several of the crew were injured, one killed by strafing fire.
November 3 we anchored in Seeadler Harbor. Six days later we headed back to
the United States for a shipyard overhaul at Bremerton Washington.
Mid-February, the CVE arrived in Hawaiian waters.
March 5 we continued west; and on the 16th, arrived at Ulithi. We were
Family Membership
Application
Please sign my
family up as
members of
ECSAA.
assigned to the initial assault phase of operation “Iceberg” the invasion of the
Ryukyus. On the 21st, we left Ulithi. On May 4th, the Sangamon put into
Kerama Retto to rearm. At 6:30, the CVE got underway. Japanese attackers,
however, were soon reported only 29 miles away. At 7:30, the kamikaze dropped
bombs, crashing into the center of the flight deck, the fires were out of control.
By 10:30, all fires were contained, and we had reestablished communication with
other units. At 11:43, The Sangamon had 11 dead, 25 missing and 21 seriously
wounded. We were then sent to Kerama Retto. From there we arrived in Norfolk
where the Sangamon was decommissioned October 24, 1945.
I was discharged from the Navy, February 12, 1946. In later years I found
myself trying to keep in touch with my service comrades by being involved in
the VFW and ECSAA. During that time I found most service men unwilling to
speak about those years. Maybe survivors guilt?
I survived the May 4, 1945, kamikaze attack at Okinawa and 16 years
later to the day you were born May 4, 1961. All the birthday’s and I never said
anything about that date. I should have told my story to my kids sooner, but as
you know, time gets in the way. I am glad you and Bud had a chance to listen to
my story.
My wish is to have all my children, grand children and great grand
children be made aware of my story and carry the message through the Escort
Carrier, Sailor and Airmen Association. We should never forget our service and
our history.
Dad
The Membership Committee asked Dawn Roth (Ralph Magerkurth’s daughter)
to write a letter to encourage our members to sign up their children, grand
children and great grandchildren as members. This is her letter. Thank you
Dawn.
ECSAA Member Name:___________________________
Member # __________________
Address: _____________________________________
City, State & Zip_______________________________
Telephone:__________________________Email: ________________________________________
Progeny Name:___________________________
Progeny Name:___________________________
Address: ________________________________
Address: ________________________________
City, State & Zip___________________________
City, State & Zip___________________________
Family Pak - $30 for 3 years
Telephone:__________________________
Telephone:__________________________
Donations are tax deductible.
Dues are not.
Email: __________________________________
Email: __________________________________
Progeny Name:___________________________
Progeny Name:___________________________
Address: ________________________________
Address: ________________________________
City, State & Zip___________________________
City, State & Zip___________________________
Telephone:__________________________
Telephone:__________________________
Email: __________________________________
Email: __________________________________
MAKE REMITTANCES PAYABLE
TO:
ECSAA
1215 N. Military Hwy #128
Norfolk, VA 23502
This year as we celebrate the Christmas season, I am reminded of our military
personnel, both at home and abroad. I pray for those in harm’s way to return safely to
their families. Take care - Anthony
I am thankful that 70 years ago our Veterans won WWII, allowing me to be speaking
English and being able to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas. Bob
As my family looks forward to celebrating the Christmas Season, my thoughts to the
military that have fought for my freedom to celebrate this season. My hats off to them
and their families who gave so much so all of us could have the freedoms we have. Let
us not take them for granted. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Clay
No braver souls are found than among those who sacrifice for the love of their country
and fellow man. We proudly hold you in our hearts with the deepest gratitude.
Sincerest wishes for a peaceful and safe holiday.
The Membership Committee (Dave, Michelle, Dawn and Joyce)
With the Holiday Season upon us, you may be far from home ...
but you are never far from our thoughts, and never beyond the reach of our love and
our prayers. May you have a Happy Holiday, and may you return safely to us in the
New Year.
The PIPER Crew (Charlie, Jan and Joyce)
T
A
P
S
Name
Wendell E. Suermann
Reid A. Hawthorne
Luther E. Lucero
Sterling McCauley
Charles E. Reid, Sr
David T. Shaw
Richard V. Garabrant
George Joseph McClain Jr.
Eugene H. Perry
Eugene H. Gene
Perry, 79, died
Friday, June 8,
2012, at Lehigh
Valley Hospital,
Cedar Crest, Allentown. He was
raised in Mauch
Chunk. He was
a U.S. Navy, Korean War Veteran serving as a Radioman, 3rd class aboard the
U.S.S. Sicily.
CVE
USS Roi CVE 103
USS Card
USS Casablanca
USS Sicily
USS Core
USS Sicily
USS Casablanca
USS Kwajalein
Date
April 19, 2014
May 13, 2015
July 16, 2015
September 17, 2015
May 15, 2015
January 4, 2014
August 30, 2015
September 2, 2015
Reverend Richard V. “Dick”
Garabrant, 88 of
Bloomington died at 2:00
AM on Sunday August 30,
2015 at Meadows Mennonite
Nursing Home in Chenoa.
He served his country
proudly during WW II in the
United States Navy Air Corp
and he was privileged to
participate in the Honor Flight to Washington DC in
2009.
FINAL ROLL CALL
By: Carroll R. Michaud
Did you hear the sad news today?
Another veteran warrior has passed away.
Called by the Supreme Commander over all.
Today he has made his final roll call.
Come fellow vets; let us reverently bow and pray
For our valiant comrade, who has fallen this day.
We’ll drape his casket with a banner of beautiful hues,
Those glorious American colors: red, white and blue.
That star spangled banner he gallantly fought to defend,
Unyielding and undaunted, he fought to win.
He fought bravely and he passed the battle test.
Now the Supreme Commander grants him, “eternal rest”.
With dignity and honor, we’ll commit his body to the ground,
The bugler will sound “Taps” and we’ll fire the volley rounds.
The final military honors we’ll render somberly and ever so sadly;
“Old Glory” we’ll solemnly precisely fold and reverently give to
his family.
Each Memorial Day we will recall our fallen comrade names,
And attest that their selfless sacrifices were not in vain;
For this lasting legacy they gave to all generations;
“It’s honorable to respect our flag and to defend our great nation.”
So close ranks aging warriors, for our ranks are thinning.
We must keep on fighting and keep on winning.
With pride and honor we’ll march and stand tall,
And we’ll proudly - proudly - salute “Old Glory”
‘til we too make our final roll call.
Wishing you beautiful moments, treasured memories, and all
the blessing a heart can know. Happy New Year!
ECSAA Governors, Chairmen and Piper Crew
SHORT SLEEVE SHIRTS
EMBROIDER SHIP BETWEEN
NAME AND NUMBER OVER
POCKET
ECSAA CHALLENGE COINS DEPICTING
THE CAPTURE OF THE U-505 GERMAN
SUBMARINE IN WWII BY A CVE
CARRIER TASK GROUP
NEED SIZE AND COLOR
$12.00
TO COCK A CANNON
BY D. A. PATTIE
$35.00
FLAG OR ESCORT
EMBLEMS
$15.00
HATS
EMBROIDER SHIP
BETWEEN NAME & CVE #
$1.50 EACH
WHITE OR BLUE IN
COLOR
OR
3 FOR $2.50
$25.00
Merchandise Order Form
Mail Order Form to:
Arthur Lowe
Vice President, ECSAA
5 Longbow Court, St. Louis MO 63114
Ship order to:
Name ________________________________________________
If you have any questions please contact Art at:
Home Phone: 314.429.1169
Email: awlstl@aol.com
Street Address _________________________________________
City _________________________ State _____ Zip __________
Phone Number ________________________________________
Item
Short Sleeve Shirt
Cap
Flag or Escort Emblems
Challenge Coin
To Cock a Cannon
Qty
Cost
$35.00
$25.00
Color
Size
Ship
Amount Due
$1.50 ea OR 3 for $2.50
$12.00
$15.00
Total Amount Due
Shipping is included in all prices..........Make payment to: ECSAA
ECSAA’s phone number: For Membership Sign-up and Renewals call Toll Free In the USA: (855) 505 - 2469