Thursday, February 19, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Ulithi Island
Pete is in front row of those standing near the far right of this picture with cap on, smiling.
I have been doing a little bit of research on Pepaw's (Pete's) time in the navy during World War II. I was looking at this picture of what looks like a beer party on a tropical island and wondered whether it was in Hawaii or out further. I believe this took place at the island of Ulithi a military base in the Indonesian Sea about 1300 miles south of Japan-fairly close to the Philippines.
I know from the Zellars website there was a party there.
(Ulitha atoll right- green in Pacific) and the pictures of this party match our picture. In fact I believe that Pepaw is standing in the back looking over everyone else in this picture that I found on the website
The above pictures of the party were taken before the kamikazi attack. According to the Zellars 777 website, the ship stopped there along with a huge fleet. They traveled from here and arrived at the Ryukyus Islands one of which was Okinawa, on March 5th, 1945. They begin firing on a small group of islands called Kerama Retto located 20 miles S.W. of Okinawa. They were engaged in shore bombardment to protect an underwater demolition team from shore gunfire. (modern Ulithi-Tropical and beautiful)
Because most of the targets on Okinawa were located well inland in accordance with Japan's relatively new strategy of defense in depth, Zellars' 5-inch guns usually deferred to the larger caliber batteries on board the battleships and cruisers while she provided them with antisubmarine and antiaircraft protection.
"On the sixth, the Japanese Super-Battleship Yamato and surviving elements of the Japanese fleet attempted a suicide attack on troop transports at the beachhead. The old Battleships and we started to steam North to meet them. We were not disappointed when our carrier planes stopped them cold. The "Z" was credited with shooting down seven Japanese planes at Okinawa" Zellars Crew Member
From Wikipedia: After the 1 April amphibious assault on Okinawa, she continued to screen the larger ships of TG 54.3 and provided call fire in support of the troops ashore. On the afternoon of 2 April, she was screening Tennessee (BB-43) when three Japanese "Jills" made a coordinated attack on her. They came at the destroyer's port quarter from an altitude of about 15 feet above water. Zellars rang up 25 knots (46 km/h) to unmask all batteries and opened fire. She splashed the lead attacker at a range of 1,800 yards and caught the second some 3,000 yards away. The destroyer then shifted fire to the third intruder and began scoring 40-millimeter hits on him. The Japanese pilot, however, pressed home his attack and crashed into Zellar's port side, forward of the bridge in her number 2 handling room.
His 500-kilogram bomb tore through several light bulkheads before exploding on the starboard side of the ship in the scullery. She temporarily lost all power, and the fireroom had to be secured. Meanwhile, the after 20-millimeter guns continued to ward off additional tormentors and assisted in splashing another plane. That evening, she limped into Kerama Retto with extensive damage. After temporary patching, the destroyer headed back toward the United States and arrived at Terminal Island, Calif., on 1 June. During some two and one-half months in which the ship underwent repairs and overhaul, World War II ended.
Kerramo Retto Island burial ground of those killed in attack
Friday, February 13, 2009
Pray For Mike Coatney (Tommie Bell's husband)
Forward I got from Sue by Allison
> Good morning!> I just wanted to give you an update on my dad. Some of you already have> part of this information, so I'm sorry that it may be a little redundant.> We took my Dad to St. John's emergency room on Wednesday because he had been> having severe chest pains. They went through all the normal emergency room> procedures. He had an EKG and was given three doses of nitroglycerin. In> fact, he's still being given the nitroglycerin. A CAT scan Wednesday night> showed that he has air in his esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum> (beginning portion of intestines). The lower duodenum has completely> collapsed. They were thinking that those things may have been a result of a> blockage of some sort in his esophagus or stomach. A stress test yesterday> also showed an abnormality in the front of his heart. He later underwent a> scope procedure yesterday afternoon to further investigate his esophagus,> stomach, and intestines. This showed a hernia in his esophagus, but nothing> that should have caused the attacks he was suffering. They also took two> biopsies of infection in his esophagus. He is scheduled for an angeogram> (sp?) this morning at 10:30. Hopefully, we can find out something positive> with this test. Anyway, we're getting ready to head up to Springfield.> Please keep Dad in your prayers. He's in good spirits and making the most> of all of this. Thanks! I'll try to keep everyone updated as I can.> Allison
> Good morning!> I just wanted to give you an update on my dad. Some of you already have> part of this information, so I'm sorry that it may be a little redundant.> We took my Dad to St. John's emergency room on Wednesday because he had been> having severe chest pains. They went through all the normal emergency room> procedures. He had an EKG and was given three doses of nitroglycerin. In> fact, he's still being given the nitroglycerin. A CAT scan Wednesday night> showed that he has air in his esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum> (beginning portion of intestines). The lower duodenum has completely> collapsed. They were thinking that those things may have been a result of a> blockage of some sort in his esophagus or stomach. A stress test yesterday> also showed an abnormality in the front of his heart. He later underwent a> scope procedure yesterday afternoon to further investigate his esophagus,> stomach, and intestines. This showed a hernia in his esophagus, but nothing> that should have caused the attacks he was suffering. They also took two> biopsies of infection in his esophagus. He is scheduled for an angeogram> (sp?) this morning at 10:30. Hopefully, we can find out something positive> with this test. Anyway, we're getting ready to head up to Springfield.> Please keep Dad in your prayers. He's in good spirits and making the most> of all of this. Thanks! I'll try to keep everyone updated as I can.> Allison
Dear Lord, You know Mike better than
we know him, You know his sickness and you
know his heart. Please be with Mike, work in his life
and let your perfect will be done.
I pray for his healing and trust in the plan
you have for him. Look on him and his
family with mercy and grace, bring peace
to his spirit and comfort him through this difficult time.
Be with Allison and Jackie and Jason,
may they know Your presence.
In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen
Monday, February 9, 2009
Good Morning!
I hope everyone made it to church yesterday and had a wonderful Lord's day.
Introducing what may be the newest Scott. This is my niece and Jack and Phyliss's grandaughter Kaitlin Lee Hurst she was born in October and lives in Hodgen Ok with her Dad and Mom (my little sister, Lindsey).
Updates: I have been in contact with you Okemah folks, specifically Bill's family and Delois's daughter in Texas and you all are in the process of getting together pictures for the Magnesses and Duncans.
Lynda is in the process of gathering pictures for Scotty's branch.
Pete's side. I understand everyone has been contacted except Speed's family. I haven't heard from them. If anyone has an email address for them let me know. Sharon and Karen have sent me a lot of good pictures for Reva's side, reunions and older pictures of some of the others. Allison is sending me a disk for Tommie's family and Sue has taken care of her family.
Let me know how I can help everybody and you may send me pictures via email, disk, or hard copy. If you need my mailing address email me. My email address is on the right
Friday, February 6, 2009
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