MOORE MEMORIES

USS BELL ASSOCIATION (DD587)

JUNE, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE:

REUNION INFORMATION

MAILBAG

REUNION FORM

REUNION INFORMATION

Hello Shipmates, Family Members and Friends of the U.S.S. BELL (DD587)

The final plans for the 2005 reunion in Washington, D.C. have been made.  I know everyone will enjoy being in D.C. as there is so much history there and is truly a beautiful place with all the parks and memorials.  It really is one of my favorite places. 

The Quality Inn Hotel & Conference Center is located at 1200 North Courthouse Road in Arlington, VA., just a short drive across the river from D.C. and a short drive from Reagan National Airport.  Dulles airport is about twenty five miles from D.C. The hotel does not have airport transportation, but they do furnish van service to and from the Courthouse and Rosslyn Metro Stops.  Cab fare is quite reasonable in this area.  Remember to make your room reservations by August 10, 2005.

Our planned activities are as follows:

Wednesday Afternoon - August 31 – Registration and Welcome.

Thursday September 1^st – A bus tour of the DC area including Embassy Row and Arlington National Cemetery and the Changing of the Guard.  This tour includes some of the most requested sights of our Capital City.  There will be some stops where you can step off the bus if you want to and make pictures.  Those stops include the Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorials.  At Arlington Cemetery, we will take a tram up to the Kennedy Grave Sites and then to the Tomb of the Unknowns for the Changing of the Guard.  From the coach you will see the US Capitol, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, House & Senate Office Buildings, FBI Building, White House, Federal Triangle, Embassy Row, Georgetown, US Navy Memorial and the Corcoran Gallery of Art. 

Friday – We will visit the World War II Memorial after which we will go to the U.S. Navy Memorial for a memorial service.  After the service, we will see a short movie called “At Sea”.  There is a museum at the memorial.  After the memorial service, we will go to Phillip’s Seafood Restaurant for an amazing buffet feast.  I am sure everyone will find a great selection to choose from whether you are a seafood lover or landlubber.

Saturday – Business meeting after which we will have a raffle where those who wish to can exchange gifts.  We will also have our auction which has proven to be a highlight of our day and also sweeten our bank account.  So remember to bring your gifts and take part in this fun group event.  Saturday night will be our Farewell Banquet and another memorable event.

Attached is a reservation form for events.  Please complete the form and return to me by August 10, 2005.  Hope to see each and everyone there.

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MAILBAG

…..I received your letter this week.  I enjoy them very much.  Like I told you before, if Elwood was living, we would have attended the reunions.  We always went to everything together.  Now that I will be 90 next January, I don’t go too far off from home.  I keep a new car to haul my grandchildren to school and other places.  I have one grandson in college this year and then will have one to graduate every few years.  I help May Lynn, my only granddaughter, with the twins.  I work on the lawn and help keep the house clean.  I help keep all our washing and drying done.  I crochet all the time since my arm is about well.  I crochet pillow cases that have their names on them and give them a pillow on their birthday.  I live on a farm by a big fishing creek with lots of fish.  Everyone fishes but me.  The deer keep our shrubbery, garden and flowers eaten up. Our address has changed.  Since we have 911 in our county everybody’s address changed. 

…..Love, Louise Mathis, 4515 Nashville Highway, Homerville, Georgia 31634

…..Sorry I didn’t write sooner.  Thank you for the gifts.  Steve is home now and I’ve been very busy taking care of him.  He is doing much better.  The weather here has been chilly.  Otherwise, all is ok.  We hope all is well with you.  Our daughter can’t help much because she has to work since she lives alone and has her own home.  She is here if I need her.  Our best to all of you. 

…..Sincerely, The Stacks, 5603 80^th Street, North, Apt. 516, St. Petersburg, Florida 33709

…..Thanks for the latest information on the USS BELL.  Enclosed is a letter from one of the former members of the crew of the BELL.  I hear from Mr. Saunders at least once a year and enjoy the contact with him.  I want to thank you for taking the time to keep me informed.  I am pushing 83 years and never thought that I would not have all the time in the world to do things.  I stay busy and am on the go with children, grandchildren, and church volunteering.  The enclosed printout is the wife, Janice and me enjoying one of the by products of the bayou’s of Louisiana.  “The Mud Bugs” are an annual treat.  And just a byproduct of our swamp lands.  However, the crawfish are now farm raised and as you can see from the printout quite an enjoyable treat.  I hope this letter finds you well.  I am planning a trip to Hawaii soon to let the wife see what a beautiful state we have.

…..Sincerely, HM2/C Lawrence A. Howard, 204C Dublin Circle, Lafayette, LA 70506

*This is the letter to Lawrence from Carlton Saunders, Sr. It is great to hear from Mr. Saunders.

…..Hello Doc.  I am sure sorry about not getting back to you sooner.  My wife has been sick for eight years, but in the last six months, I have had no time to myself.  She is on oxygen 24 hours a day and cannot walk.  I am the keeper of everything – nurse, cook, etc.  I was very happy to receive your letters.  Yes, I remember those bad storms we were in.  You mentioned Korea.  Yes, I was also called back into the Navy, ending up on another destroyer – USS PERKINS DD877 Radar Picket Ship.  Got to close to shore while bombarding the coast.  The shore batteries opened up on us.  Hit us three times.  Once on the fantail, once midship and dead hit the bridge.  We lost 15 men in and around bridge.  My buddy and I had just started to go to noon chow when it hit.  My shipmate got his forehead shot off.  I also was hit by shrapnel in the arm and one piece in forehead.  Just missed going through my skull.  The blast knocked me through the potato locker and saved me more injuries.  Thank those potatoes!  We received several medals from the President of South Korea.  This town I live in is small and on the border of Illinois and Wisconsin.  23,000 people.  I still would like to go to a gathering but must take care of home first.  I hope this letter doesn’t bore you.  Hope the storms down there don’t damage you.  I hope your health is good, Doc.  I feel at peace writing to a shipmate.  I don’t know why, but it is a good feeling to hear from you.  I was a sail maker and when Korean War was over I was transferred to a fleet oil tanker.  I made canvas covers for anchors and movie screens for different ships that ordered them.  After on year on the tanker, I was transferred to Yokasuma, Japan for 18 months on shore duty.  I had too many blackouts from my6 head injury.  I was given a medical discharge and received a disability pension from the Navy.  Plus they sent me three medals from Korean War.  You know I haven’t had a blackout for nine years now.  Well, I guess I am lucky.  I miss the BELL the most.  Doc, I guess I started to just answer your welcomed letter and am ending up a history book.  Wishing you well and glad to hear from you.  Sincerely, your old shipmate, Carlton T. Saunders, Sr., 946 Kenwood Avenue, Beloit, WI 53511

P.S. I just turned 80 years old in March.  I was born in 1925.

…..Bennie Green and I are doing fine.  We had a lot of snow up here and we’re finally through with winter.  Please consider us for the reunion in Washington, DC.  Bennie lives only 20 miles from DC in Laurel, MD and we’d love to come.  Hope to hear from you soon.  Take care.  Kitty Brooks & Bennie Green, 9351 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD 20723.

…..My family believes that my father, Albert A. Hendrickson, served on the BELL during WWII.  Is there any way to verify this?  Two of my siblings have an original and a copy of my father’s Notice of Separation from the US Naval Service.  On the document, there is a box labeled, “Service (vessels and stations served on)” and underneath is this list: NRS Springfield, Mass, NTS Newport, R.I., Fit Sound Sch. Key West, Fla., USS BELL, USSPCE-882, PSC Boston, Mass.  My sister has an old address book of Dad’s.  On the inside cover it reads (please note part of it is illegible) but if it makes sense to you please let me know.  For example, I presume 3/c means “third class”.  A.A. Hendrickson (illegible, could be So. HI 3/c), U.S.S. Bell – Detail, Seaman Brks #9, U.S.N. Receiving Station, Naval Yard, South Carolina.  My sister also has my father’s “Servicemen’s World Map” on which my father traced is WWII travels while on the DD587 & PCE 882.  Although, you were unable to find his name on listed for the Bell, I am confidant that he served on this ship.  So, I am attaching the best picture I have of him in his uniform and I would greatly appreciate it if you would put it on the web site.  Thank you so very much.  My Dad would be honored and certainly his children are!  If you make notes of this sort on the web site I will summarize my father as “Albert A. Hendrickson, b 2/19/1918 – d 11/1/1998.  He was honored to serve his country during war times and was honored to serve his family during peace.”  Thanks again, Laura Orlando.

Please Note:  If anyone remembers Mr. Hendrickson, please either let me know or you can contact Laura Orlando direct at 4822 Davis Court, Troy, Michigan 48085 or by E-mail at slamnet@comcast.net. 

…..My father Robert A. Freed served on board the USS BELL during WWII.  He died in 1997.  I was going through some of his things and found the attached picture that you might want to add to your gallery.  This picture was taken on 12/10/43 of the 2^nd Division the day after they crossed the equator.  When he was on the BELL he was a S2/c.

Please Note:  If anyone remembers Mr. Robert A. Freed, please let me know or you can contact Bill Freed at 11300 Field Circle, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 or by email at SFreed888@aol.com.

…..I really appreciate your letters.  While it hurts to see our shipmates passing on, it also reminds us of better days.  Enclosed is a record of our first tour in the Pacific.  Prior to this, we operated with the British Home Fleet out of Scapa Flow in the North Sea.  After repairs and modifications at Bremerton Navy Yard in January 1945, we returned to the Pacific.  Hope you find this interesting.

…..William E. (Bill) Ruehl F/CIC – 2098 Monday Drive, Elgin, Illinois 60123

Record of Strikes –

25 Dec 43 – Carrier air strikes on Kavieng

1 & 4 Jan 44 – Carrier air strikes on Kavieng

8 Feb 44 – Participated in the capture of the Marshall Islands

16-17 Feb 44 – Carrier air strikes on Truk

22 Feb 44 – Carrier air strikes on Marianas Islands

30 Mar 44 – Carrier strikes on Palau

31 Mar 44 – Carrier air strikes on Yap

1 Apr 44 – Carrier air strikes on Woleai

21-22 Apr 44 – Carrier air strikes on Humboldt Bay Area, New Guinea

22 Apr 44 – Bombardment of Wake Island and Sawar Airstrip, New Guinea

29-30 Apr 44 – Carrier air strikes on Truk and Satawan Islands

1 May 44 – Bombardment of Ponape Island

11-13 Jun 44 – Carrier air strikes on Guam and Rota Islands

15-16 Jun 44 – Carrier air strikes on Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima and Haha Jima

19 Jun 44 – Carrier air strikes on Guam Island

19-21 Jun 44 – First Battle of the Philippine Sea

23 Jun 44 – Carrier air strikes on Pagan Island

24 Jun 44 – Carrier fighter sweep over Iwo Jima

3-4 Jul 44 – Carrier air strikes on Iwo Jima, Haha Jima and Chichi Jima

4 Jul 44 – Bombardment of Iwo Jima

5 Jul 44 – Carrier air strikes on Pagan Island

7-10 Jul 44 – Carrier air strikes on Guam and Rota Islands

12-21 Jul 44 – Carrier air strikes on Guam and Rota Islands

25-28 Jul 44 – Carrier air strikes on Yap and Ulithi Islands

4-5 Aug 44 – Carrier air strikes on Chichi Jima and Muka Jima

5 Aug 44 – Assisted in sinking 2 Jap barges in the Bonin Islands area

6 Sep 44 – Fighter sweep over Palau Island

7 Sep 44 – Carrier air strike over Palau Island

8 Sep 44 – Carrier air strike over Palau Island

9-10 Sep 44 – Carrier air strikes against Mindanao Island

13-14 Sep 44 – Carrier air strikes against Mindanao Island

15 Sep 44 – Supported landing on Morotai Island

21 Sep 44 – Carrier air strikes against Luzon Island

22-24 Sep 44 – Carrier air strikes against Central Philippine Islands

11 Oct 44 – Carrier air strike against Okinawa Jima

11 Oct 44 – Fighter sweep against Aparri, Northern Luzon Island

12 Oct 44 – Carrier air strike against Formosa Island

25 Oct 44 – Carrier air strikes against Jap Fleet off Leyte and Samar Islands

26 Oct 44 – Carrier air strikes against Jap Fleet retreating through San Bernardino Straits

5-6 Nov 44 – Carrier air strikes against Luzon Island

11 Nov 44 – Carrier air strikes on Jap shipping in Vasayan area

13-14 Nov 44 – Carrier air strikes against Luzon Island

9 Jan 45 – Invasion and occupation of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Island, Philippine Islands

*Authorized to wear one Silver Star (in lieu of 5 bronze stars) on the Asiatic-Pacific Area campaign ribbon.  Authorized to wear 2 bronze stars on the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

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U.S.S. BELL (DD587) REUNION

August 31 – September 3, 2005

Quality Hotel & Conference Center

Thursday, September 1, 2005 – Tour of D.C. Area, Embassy Row and Arlington National Cemetery - $35.00 per person.

Friday, September 2, 2005 – World War II Memorial, Navy Memorial for Memorial Service and Phillips Restaurant for Buffet - $40.00 per person (Includes bus fare, donation for memorial service and buffet.

Saturday – Farewell Banquet - $40.00 per person.

TOUR OF D.C. AREA - $35.00 PER PERSON

NAME(S) _______________________________________________________________

TOTAL $_____________________

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL, U.S. NAVY MEMORIAL AND BUFFET - $40.00 PER PERSON.

NAME(S) _______________________________________________________________

TOTAL $_____________________

FAREWELL BANQUET - $40.00 PER PERSON

NAME(S) _______________________________________________________________

TOTAL $_____________________

Please list any dietary or allergy concerns: ____________________________________

In Case of Emergency Notify: _______________________________________________

Mail this form with check for activities you wish to attend to me by August 10, 2005.

Ann Poole

USS Bell Association

3978 Ashley Woods Court

Tucker, Georgia 30084

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