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
I think this is a private fishing trip but the rest is work work work
Youth Hunt
Jane had her surgery Monday (July 20th ) and I brought her home Thursday morning. She was doing therapy in the hospital and I continued it at home. She had home health coming on Monday and physical therapy on Monday to, they both were very surprised how well she was doing. She will do therapy 3 times a week for two weeks with a therapist at home.Kevin stayed with her Monday night after surgery and I stayed the rest of the time we haven't left her we have been staying at her house. But she is home and doing great! via Judy Wilbourn
Gregory Blaine Duncan and Jessica Thomas were married this summer. Greg is the son of Lisa and John Peters and the grandson of Spud and Barbara Duncan. Congratulations Greg and Jessica.
"Baby Jack" on Wister Lake with grandsons Drew and Ladd
Gary, Jan, Nicole and William Heath
Please remember to pray for Jane Wilbourn as she is having knee surgery.
UPDATE: Diane, Phyllis' daughter, sent me [Mary Ann] a message via myspace that he was released Sat & went back to work Mon. I think he is waiting to learn the results of his tests. I misplaced Phyllis' phone number so I asked Diane for it. When she gets back w/ me, I will call Phyllis for a new update. 
Nicole Lynne graduated this May. She is the daughter of William and Jan Heath and the grandaughter of Tex and Delois Heath. Nicole graduated third in her class and will be attending Texas A&M. "She is going to be a doctor or something like that," according to her aunt Mary Ann. .jpg)
The reunion was a wonderful success. I am still unloading and recuperating from camping I will do a slide show soon
Jarritt Melton is the son and step-son of Darren and Terri Lynn Melton. He graduates from Lincoln Christian School in Tulsa Friday the 22nd. He plans to attend college (I'm not sure where) and play baseball.
My dad, 'baby Jack' and little Pete came face to face with this up McMurtery Hollow this morning.
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.
