MOORE MEMORIES

USS BELL ASSOCIATION (DD587)

MARCH, 2001

IN THIS ISSUE:

REUNION NEWS

USSBELL WEB SITE

LOCATING LOST SHIPMATES

IN MEMORY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

MAILBAG

REUNION ITINERARY

REUNION EVENTS FORM

REUNION NEWS

Everything is underway for a great reunion. Richard and Barbara Daniels have put together a great reunion for everyone. There is so much to see and do in and around Newport. I hope many of you will be there. The schedule of events is at the end of this newsletter. Hotel reservations must be made directly with the Best Western Mainstay Inn. The telephone number is 1-800-877-5550. If you are flying in the most convenient airport is the T.F. Green Warwick, Rhode Island. There is a shuttle service from the airport to the hotel for $15.00 per person. Payments for the tours and activities should be made payable to Richard W. Daniels. All of this information is also at the end of this newsletter.

Top of page

USSBELL WEB SITE

Our beautiful website was designed and is maintained by my cousins Mark and Anita Loftin, daughter and son-in-law of Bill and Grace Sanders. They are doing such a wonderful job and those of us enjoying it can’t thank them enough. Great job!

Top of page

LOCATING LOST SHIPMATES

I am in hot pursuit of finding some of the shipmates that could not be located when the association was first founded. I am having some really good luck. I have information on the following:

1) George Irvin Adams – 1039 Butter Lane, Reading, PA. 19606

2) Bryant Wood Adler – 702 Front Street, Central City, KY 42330

3) Andrew Austin Bernard – Deceased November 1984

4) Donald E. Bonk – Transferred thru USS Bell

5) Jerome Bingham – 1646 1^st. Avenue, New York, NY 10028

6) Loren E. Brock – 6502 W 89^th. St. Apt 87, Shawnee Mission, KS 66212

7) Kenneth Kerr Cherrington – Deceased September 1984

8) Thomas Herbert Coleman – 13253 Highway 47, Chase City, VA 23924

9) Dr. George R. Drost – Deceased July 1985

10) Robert Alvin Freed – Deceased 1997

Top of page

IN MEMORY

George T. Doyle passed away December 19, 2000. Mass was celebrated December 22 in St. Mary of Gostyn Church in Downers Grove. Interment was in Bronswood Cemetery, Oak Brook, Illinois. Mr. Doyle was village manager of FermiLab before retiring. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard a PT boat as a carpenter’s mate second class during World War II and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Montgomery Post.

Mr. Doyle was a true friend of the USS Bell. He did not serve on the Bell, but attended the reunions with his good friend Tom Gutierrez. He will certainly be missed and we extend our sympathy to the Doyle family.

Top of page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Thank you for the beautiful array of flowers sent in memory of George. They look as fresh today as a week ago when they were delivered. George enjoyed his trips with all of you so much. You are a great group.

…..Mildred Doyle

Top of page

MAILBAG

…..I was excited to see the new website. When I looked at the photos, I was surprised to see my father, MG “Ham” Hamilton, Jr. in photo 1 – he is the sailor in the extreme right foreground. Photo 2 is less clear, but I think the sailor in the foreground to the left of the gun is Chad Hope, and the sailor behind him, looking up at the camera, is my dad. I enjoy your newsletter ver much, and read it avidly as soon as it arrives.

…..Chad Hamilton – San Francisco

…..Please find enclosed a check for membership dues for my sister and I. I don’t know why it took so long for us to join the USS Bell Association. Our father, William A. Sanders and uncle, Glen Sanders both served on the USS Bell. We’ve heard many wonderful stories of the ship and the shipmates. Thank you so much for all you do for the association. I know it is hard work but I can imagine the rewards you receive when you hear from the men who served on the Bell. We have always enjoyed receiving Moore Memories. The stories from the shipmates are always a treat. It is important that we don’t let the stories, memories and history fade away. We must honor these men for what they did for us. And what better way to keep the memories alive than to share them with each other and pass them along to our children. The addition of the web site is great and hopefully provides members with a lifeline to each other. Keep up the good work.

…..Anita Loftin & Lynn Jackson

…..I can’t say enough about this web site. It’s GREAT.

…..Ralph T. Marino

…..I am Jack Forester TMM2/C. Went aboard Feb. 1943. I sent the old pictures aboard ship that you have on your web site taken while crossing the equator in 1944. The only two people I can recognize are Captain Petross. He is the first picture right of the group. The last picture on the right is Lt. Rawston. He wasn’t on the Bell. He was one of the instructors with me in Pearl Harbor for fire control for the destroyers from the states to the South Pacific. We would take the classes out to sea on Saturday on one of the ships that had taken the classes to use the information they had learned. We would make a few runs for target practice and one for dummy torpedo run. I only wish I had more pictures. I didn’t know they were on the web site till tonight. Sorry I hadn’t seen this net before now.

…..Jack Forester

…..I visited the USS Bell web site. Great job. The information provided is extremely interesting and well laid out. I copied all the pages and will present them to Howard over Thanksgiving. While on the web site I ordered five hats and a membership for Howard Sheffer. …..Joe Linkiewicz

…..Howard Sheffer received the caps and information yesterday. He is absolutely thrilled with it. Apparently there is already quite a demand for the caps and I’d like to order five more. Thanks for all your communication and the wonderful information you have provided. As a side note, while docked in a pacific port, a crewmate of Howard Sheffer returned from another ship and informed Howard that his twin brother Harold was on the other ship. Howard asked the Captain if he could briefly visit his twin brother since Howard did not even know Harold had joined the Navy. The Captain immediately granted Howard the request and even had him escorted on the Captain’s boat. Howard found Harold sound asleep. What a wake up call that must have been! The two had a wonderful reunion and an eternal memory that was even documented in their hometown paper.

…..Joe Linkiewicz

…..Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I love you all and God Bless all. I enjoyed the newsletter. Your old shipmate.

…..Harold S. Hughes, W/T1C

…..This letter is in response to the letter I received from you looking for George Irvin Adams who served on the USS Bell during World War II. I am that person. You can reach me at the above address, telephone number or email address. I look forward to hearing from you again. Telephone 610-779-1589 and email georgie8@earthlink.net

…..George I. Adams

…..Received your letter regarding locating shipmates of the “USS Bell. Yes I joined the Navy in 1942. Yes I served on the “USS Bell” DD587. I would be very interested in any information on any of my shipmates. I have also wondered where I might get a picture of my ship. Thank you. …..Bryant Wood Adler

…..I am very sorry to say Andrew Bernard passed away in November of 1984 – age 69 years. Nevertheless, I would like to be remembered to any of his shipmates whom I had the pleasure of meeting at various ports. Seattle, Washington and Port Orchard (across the sound from Seattle). I can’t remember the names of his shipmates but Billy Zinn and Lester Blagg stand out. Lester’s wife was one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure of meeting. I wish you luck in your efforts to reach all “Bell” personnel.

…..Rita M. Bernard

…..I am writing for my husband, Jerome Bingham who did serve on the USS Bell (DD587). My husband was on this ship about one year starting in June 1943. After serving three years in the U.S. Navy, he worked for almost thirty years for the City of N.Y., Dept of Marine & Aviation. He is now enjoying retirement and visits with our grandchildren. …..Mrs. J. Bingham

…..Kenneth Kerr Cherrington (Watertender) passed away in September 1984.

…..Mrs. Ruby Cherrington

…..My name is Michael Drost and we received a letter today from the USS Bell Association concerning my father, Dr. George R. Drost. He did in fact serve on the USS Bell in World War II but passed away in July 1985. If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to ask.

…..Mike Drost

…..Thank you for your beautiful card and kind words. George was a super guy and so enjoyed the reunions. He had a full military funeral including honor guard, rifle salute and taps. He never talked about what would be done but I know he would have been pleased. He fought for 21 months but finally had no strength left. Hospice was wonderful and he could be at home. A blessing.

…..Mildred Doyle

…..My father received a letter today saying that you would like to get in touch with him. His name is Thomas Herbert Coleman. My name is Anne Coleman Tharpe. I am Thomas’s daughter. Please write me back or call me. My father was on the USS Bell.

…..Anne C. Tharpe

…..Loren did serve on the USS Bell. He has many interesting stories of that time and still remembers many of his shipmates.

…..Mrs. Loren Brock

…..As Thanksgiving has just passed, we’re thankful to have relatively good health and good friends. Our year has been rather quiet with just two trips. After Christmas last year we went to Hawaii and stayed at the Halekoa Hotel and in a cabin on the beach at Waianae, near where we used to live. We also spent a week in a cabin a Kilauea. We had a wonderful reunion with Bud’s USS Bell World War II shipmates & wives for a week on a cruise to the American Virgin Islands. We have a reunion every fall now since we’re getting so much smaller and dearly look forward to it. Hope you are all happy and healthy this beautiful season.

…..Bud & Helen Geneste

…..Enclosed photos from USS Bell. I had them enlarged from snap shots from my brother “Pat’s” photos. In case you don’t have any of them you can use them at your next reunion of the USS Bell. Pat is trying to locate Abe Cohen. Have a nice day.

…..Bill Walters

…..Thanks for the great job you do for all the former USS Bell crew. Charles F. Waller, C.SP(A)USNR Ordnance Division (Gunnery) on original crew, commissioned July 1944 as ensign and transferred. Retired after 38 years as college and professional football coach (NFL). Only attended one reunion – Nashville in early 90’s.

…..Charles Waller

…..You are doing a good job on the newsletter. I like the report on the Destroyers that were destroyed along with their crews. I was familiar with about 10 of them. I never knew the details of how many were lost. The best I can remember the truth about them wasn’t published during the war. For the past 20 years I have become a writer. I had written this poem during the war and thought you might like it.

…..Donald Wall

(I enjoyed the poem and will print it soon.)

…..No news from here. My sons are relishing all the background on the Bell. Dale is making copies to pass on to his two adult sons. Thanks.

…..Penny Atkinson

…..As a way of introduction to you, I am the oldest son of Harold S. Hughes who was a water tender first class on the USS Bell DD587. I was visiting with him yesterday, at his home in Exeter, Maine. While there he gave me the photo of the ship and asked me to send you an e-mail with the photo. He also told me the following story that I have tried to reproduce. This account took place somewhere near the Solomon Islands. He does not remember the exact year. He boarded the USS Bell for the first time in 1942. “I was a Seaman First Class and was loading a 400MM anti-aircraft gun, when it blew up and I got severe burns on my face and chest. I also got brass fragments in my right eye. After this I decided to become a water tender. This is where I spent most of my tour of duty, in the forward fire room on the USS Bell DD587. At the end of the war, we were at Qingdao (sp) China, and leaving the Bell, I boarded a transport vessel and ‘mustered out’ to Portland, Oregon, where we took a train through to Boston, Mass. While en route, there were stops at various cities and as the senior man, I had to keep track of the other guys. Many times I remember of having to drag some guys back by their heels, so that the train could leave the station on time. I will try to get more stories for you as I get father to talk about them. Bye for now.

…..H. Steve Hughes, Jr.

…..Received your letter today and I’m happy to say that I am the Donald Ernest Bonk you were looking for. The only problem is, I was never attached to the ship. I was on the USS BILOXI, CL80, a light cruiser. In the process of being shipped back to the United States, I was transferred to the BELL by “breeches buoy” while underway. After being on the BELL for an hour or so, I was once again transferred to the destroyer USS BURNS by the same method. I was transferred before supper to the USS YORKTOWN (CV10). After several weeks, I arrived back in the states luckily without being drowned. Oh yes, later I was assigned to the APA233 and ended up hitting the beach at IWO JIMA for the “BIG ONE”. Best of luck to you on finding everyone you are looking for.

…..Donald Ernest Bonk (bonkde@msn.com)

Top of page

For those of you who might have followed the story of the World War II sailors bringing the LST home to Mobile, Alabama from Greece can see pictures, read the logs, and get the full story on a web site address of www.LST325.org.

Happy spring to everyone.

REMEMBER TO LEAVE EVERYTHING A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT.

U.S.S. Bell DD-587

Ship Reunion

October 16-20, 2001

Tuesday, October 16, 2001

Arrival and check-in at Best Western Mainstay Inn. Register at Hospitality Suite.

6:00 p.m. – WELCOME BUFFET In Hospitality Room.

Wednesday, October 17, 2001

9:30 a.m. – Board bus for tour of Newport, including one of the fabulous mansions.

Lunch on your own in downtown Newport.

2:30 p.m. – Board bus for return to hotel.

5:00 p.m. – Meet at Hospitality Suite for hors d’oeuvres buffet, refreshments, etc. Then on to the Casino for those so inclined.

Thursday, October 18, 2001

9:00 a.m. – Board bus for Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA. Moored there: Battleship Massachusetts, the Kennedy DD850, the Submarine Lionfish, a Russian Missile Corvette, and several PT boats. Explore at your leisure and meet at 11:15am for a Memorial Service aboard the Kennedy.

12:00 p.m. – Lunch in the wardroom of the Massachusetts. Regrettably, neither the Massachusetts nor the Kennedy is handicapped accessible. The gangway to the Kennedy is only about 6 steps, but the inclined gangway to the Massachusetts is about 50’ long. There is a restaurant diagonally across the street for those who do not wish to tackle the gangway.

1:30 p.m. – Board bus for return to hotel through Providence, Bristol and Warren, RI. Back at the hotel about 2:30pm.

4:30 p.m. – Dinner – You’re on your own.

Friday, October 19, 2001

Free day – On your own. – Explore the sights and sounds of Newport, a ferry ride up Narragansett Bay and return, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Naval War College Museum, and much more. We will have latest information and schedules available in the Hospitality Suite. Busses run into Newport every 15-20 minutes for 50 cents per person, with connections to Providence for $2.50 per person round-trip.

3:45 p.m. – Underway for the farewell banquet at the Newport Naval Base Officers’ Club. Surprise entertainment. Cash bar.

Saturday, October 20, 2001

Farewell at the Hospitality Suite. Juice, coffee, and pastries will be available.

(Please remember to bring gifts for the Raffle.)

The most convenient airport for Newport is T.F. Green, Warwick, RI. The Newport shuttle, Cozy Cab, has a desk at the airport, or when you know your arrival time, you may call 1-800-846-1502 to arrange pick-up. Fare to the hotel is $15 per person.

Hotel information:

Best Western – The Mainstay Inn

151 Admiral Kalbfus Road

Newport, RI 02840

1-800-877-5550

Arrangement should be made directly with the hotel. Be sure to mention USS Bell Reunion, October 16-19, 2001. Rates are $61.20 per room per day for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and $107 for Friday. All rates are plus tax. The hotel will average the rates for 4 nights.

Top of page

PLEASE PRINT AND RETURN THIS SECTION

U.S.S. Bell DD-587

Ship Reunion

October 16-20, 2001

Bill of Fare

Number Total

Oct 16. Welcome Buffet $25.00 pp ______ _____

Oct 17. Newport Tour $33.00 pp ______ _____

Oct 18. Battleship Cove Tour Only $16.50 pp ______ _____

Tour & Lunch aboard $30.00 pp ______ _____

USS Massachusetts

Oct 19. Banquet and Entertainment

Off. Club Special Chicken $36.00 pp ______ _____

Beef Wellington $39.00 pp ______ _____

TOTAL ENCLOSED _____

PLEASE RETURN WITH CHECK PAYABLE TO:

Richard W. Daniels

48 Hidden Bay Drive

So. Dartmouth, MA 02748

(508) 994-1472