Newsletter - July, 2000

MOORE MEMORIES

USS BELL ASSOCIATION (DD587)

JULY, 2000

IN THIS ISSUE:

Spring has sprung and summer is definitely here! The weather here in Atlanta has been very pleasant up until a couple of weeks ago when the temperature rose into the 90’s. We have not had rain in so long; we are already under a water ban. No watering is allowed outside at all in some counties. We are about fourteen inches below normal in rainfall.

Just a note to say that there are a few cabins left for the cruise. If you have changed your mind and would like to go on the cruise, just call the travel agent or me. They will release all that are left around July 20^th. I’m really excited. It’s going to be such fun! Oh, for those of you who will be going on the cruise, remember you will be on the ship on Halloween so bring a costume. I’m sure there will be costume parties and prizes to be won.

MAILBAG

…I am so proud of serving on the Bell. I was the youngest at that time to come aboard. I was just seventeen years old and the first time away from home. I was assigned to the Bell in January 1943 and was on board from commission to decommission in January 1946. I remember those trial runs we made and those rough waters in the North Atlantic. I was assigned to the First Division under Mullis. Then to England, Glasgow, Scotland and to Londonderry, Ireland. Oh, there’s so many places we went to. The Panama Canal and to San Diego and then to the Pacific. I remember all those battles we were in. I sit here thinking of the shipmates I served with. My buddy, my liberty mate was named Bailes. I wonder what happened to him. I didn’t know his first name. If anybody knows, I sure would like to know. The last time we were on liberty together was in Shanghai, China. I wish I could have gone to the reunions but my wife is disabled and unable to go. I thank you so much for the newsletters. I am sending a check for dues and I wish a USS Bell cap. I don’t know if anybody remembers me or not. Just a blond headed young seaman 1C at that time. Thanks Again.

… Carlton T. Saunders

…It was good to hear from you. Enclosed is our membership dues. I can’t make up my mind yet to come to the reunion. If I do later, I will let you know. If I don’t attend, say hello to all the members. Since Pat passed away, I haven’t done much. I hate to travel alone but sure do miss those reunions. It sure is terrible when you lose your spouse, especially a great man like Pat. Up to now I have been in a shell. Just waking up to reality. It was eight years November 30^th that Pat passed away. It is time I realize he is gone. Give my love to all. Love and prayers.

… Lena DeSimone

…Thank you so much for sending us the news of the Bell group. Both Connie and I enjoy hearing about what’s going on and coming up and regret that we can’t be there with all of you. Connie has a lot of back problems and is using a walker to get around. With a lot of tests, shots and medication he’s not in as much pain now, but I’m afraid not able to travel. In the meantime, I’m Chief cook and bottle washer, driver, etc. etc., hence the long time before writing you. I am enclosing a check for dues and hope you’ll continue to keep in touch. Take care and give our best to all Connie’s shipmates.

… Connie and Millie Theiss

…Thank you for keeping everyone so well informed and nice to hear little bits from many nice friends. I wish I could go on your cruise. Sounds wonderful but unfortunately it is not possible. Enclosed is my check for the dues and I would like a cap please.

… Mrs. Chad (Bette) Hope

…I really appreciate getting the newsletter. I’m sorry I can’t make the cruise, but I’m interested in the good times you will all have. Since Ed passed away I have been traveling a lot and keeping up my home too. Best regards to everyone.

… Myrtle Richards

…For sometime I have put off writing to you. At age 81, I too, am neglectful. My health isn’t too good. I’m too heavy but can’t seem to lose. I weighed 140 when I was on the Bell, but now 200 lbs. I have lost one eye from Macular Degeneration. The other eye has had a cataract removed, but still my vision is poor. I was hurt some time ago when I read of Charley Whitlock and this time Bill Walkenshaw. Both of these fellows was my buddies. Also the Sanders brothers. I can’t make the cruise and for health reasons, I don’t guess I can make any more reunions, but my hat’s off to all the old boys that can make it. Well, Ann, time is running out for us all. I lost my oldest daughter from cancer December 23, 1999. Have a good time on the cruise. Enclosed is a check for my dues. Respectfully,

… Donald Wall

…I got the newsletter. I was happy to hear from some of the shipmates. Sad about some of them. We love you all. Here is my dues. Good luck on the cruise. Sorry I can not make it. Have fun and God Bless.

… Harold & Mavis Hughes

…Many thanks for sending me the USS Bell cap. I shall wear it proudly. Had planned to write to find out the cost and then along came the March newsletter to answer my question. Therefore, enclosed is my check. Thanks again. Very best wishes.

… William D. (Bill) Meyer

…Just a note to say hello to you all. Hope to see you on the cruise. We will be there God willing. I am doing good after the operation on my toe. We plan to stay two days before the cruise at the Roney Plaza on Miami Beach. Please send me two caps. Thank you. Love and respect.

… Mario Capitanio

…Sorry I missed the reunion. My son took me to New Jersey the end of April 99 for my 55^th high school reunion. A great trip. My budget wouldn’t stretch for another trip – Darn! I’d like to order three Bell caps and pay my dues. Thank you much.

… Penny Atkinson

…Phone call from Jack Haley. Jack has a vision problem but wanted everyone to know he is alive and well!

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IN MEMORY

…John Harlon Trammell passed away June 15, 2000. Funeral services at First Baptist Church in Hollis, Oklahoma on June 18 at 2:00 p.m. Interment in Fairmount Cemetery in Hollis.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Trammel and family.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

…Thank you so kindly for the beautiful flowers. They were a big spray in a very pretty vase. A lot of pretty colors. I wish he could have seen them. I used the flag in the service and it was all very nice. He was a person that loved every one. The cancer had put one of his eyes out and it was spreading all over his body. His heart was very bad for years. I love you very much. Thank you.

…Jessie Trammell

Thanks to all of you for writing. I love to go to the mailbox and find a letter from a Bell member or a friend of the Bell. Keep ‘em coming. Still have some caps. If you ordered a cap and didn’t received one please let me know. I had a problem with one of the shipments. Caps are $6.50 including postage.

I received the following from Bud Geneste. I enjoyed it and thought you would too.

Serious Sea Duty …

…The following tale is from the history of the oldest commissioned war ship in the world, the USS Constitution. On 23 August 1779, the USS Constitution set sail from Boston, loaded with 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of water, 74,000 cannon shot, 11,500 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum. Her mission: to destroy and harass English shipping. On 6 October, she made Jamaica, took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum. Three weeks later, Constitution reached the Azores, where she provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 2,300 gallons of Portuguese wine. On 18 November, she set sail for England where her crew captured and scuttled 12 English merchant vessels and took aboard their rum. By this time, Constitution had run out of shot. Nevertheless, she made her way unarmed up the Firth of Clyde for a night raid. Here, her landing party captured a whiskey distillery, transferred 13,000 gallons aboard and headed for home. On 20 February 1780, the Constitution arrived in Boston with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum and no whiskey. She did, however, still carry her crew of 475 officers and men and 18,600 gallons of water. The math is quite enlightening. Length of cruise: 181 days, booze consumption 1.26 gallons per man per day (this does NOT include the unknown quantity of rum captured from the 12 English merchant vessels in November). Naval historians say that the re-enlistment rate from this cruise was 92%.

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JUST THE FACTS

Seventy Destroyers were destroyed in World War II. I can’t print them all in this issue, but to name a few…

AARON WARD (DD483) – Bombed and sunk in Lunga Road, Guadalcanal, 7 April 1942. Loss of 27 crew with 59 wounded.

ABNER READ (DD526) – Sunk by Kamikaze attack, 1 November 1944. Lost of 23 crew off Samar Philippine Islands

BARTON (DD599) – Torpedoed and sunk by Japanese warships during Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942. Only 42 survivors.

BEATTY (DD640) – Torpedoed and sunk by German aircraft off Philippeville, Algeria, 6 November 1943. Loss of 11 crew and 8 wounded.

BENHAM (DD397) – Torpedoed and sunk by US Shellfire at 1938 when unable to save. Battle of Guadalcanal, 15 November 1942. 12 men wounded.

BLUE (DD387) – Torpedoed by Japanese destroyer Kamikaze off Guadalcanal, 22 August 1942. Loss of 9 crew and 21 wounded. Scuttled a Tulagi at 2221.

BORIE (DD215) – Sank as result of damage received (1 November) by ramming German submarine U-405 north of Azores, 2 November 1943. Loss of 27 crew. Sank by BARRY (DD248) when unable to save.

BRISTOL (DD453) – Torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-371 off Algiers, 12 October 1943. Loss of 52 crew. Sank 13 October 1943 at 0430.

BROWNSON (DD518) - Sunk by Japanese aircraft off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 26 December 1943. Loss of 108 crew. Sank 26 December 1943 at 1459.

BUCK (DD420) – Torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-616 off Salerno, 9 October 1943. Only 97 of her crew survived.

BUSH (DD529) – Hit by 3 Kamikaze planes off Okinawa and sunk 6 April 1945 at 1745. Only 227 of her crew survived.

CALLIGAN (DD792) – Sunk by Kamikaze attack off Okinawa 28 July 1945 at 0235. Loss of 47 crew.

CHEVALIER (DD451) – Torpedoed by Japanese destroyer Yugumo in action off Vella Lavelia, Solomon Islands, 7 October 1943. Loss of 54 crew. Sank by friendly DD when unable to save.

COLHOUN (DD801) – Hit by 4 Kamikaze planes off Okinawa and sunk, 6 April 1945. Loss of 32 crew and 28 wounded. Couldn’t tow, sank by Cassin Young.

COOPER (DD695) – Torpedoed and sunk in Ormoc Bay, Leyte, 3 December 1944. Loss of 191 crew. Sank in one minute.

CORRY (DD463) – Sunk by mine off Utah Beach, Normandy, 6 June 1944. Loss of 22 crew and 33 wounded.

CUSHING (DD376) – Sunk by gunfire during Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942. Loss of 70 crew.

To Be Continued…

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Have a Safe and Happy Summer and Remember to Plant a Tree on Your Birthday!