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PT Boat Forum
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The PT Boat Forum
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PT Boats of WWII
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PT Boats - General
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[StartQuote] Certainly over the years as having these PT men as my friends, I got to learn a great deal about them. Being on a small boat brought about a serious closeness with one another. They depended on each other for so much in the war zone, from their very life's one minute to togetherness for a photo and some quiet time next. They had to deal with a shortage of good food, although some cooks could whip up some tasty meals at times. They drank warm water and dealt with heat and humidity, to cold and driving rain. They dealt with endless boredom on countless patrols which at any time could be shattered by being chased by Capital ships, bombed and strafed by planes, or hit by shore batteries. They chased and destroyed hundreds of Jap Barges, carried countless messages, and saved downed flyers. One must remember that these guys were young and full of life, with an attitude that nothing could hurt them, that is until they tasted that first horror of being shot at, as they watched glowing balls coming at them very slow and then whizzing by at lighting speed, boy that was close!!. A newcomer to the boat hiding behind what he thought was armor to find it was only mahogany plywood that he thought was protecting him. They were out there right on the deck with no protection except for those Packard Marine Engines that could get them out of harms way, and a smoke generator that could provide a blanket of white billowing smoke to hide them. Their boats could operate in 4 feet of water another feature that provided them protection from chasing Destroyers. They were brothers one in all and all for one. They looked out for one another, laughed, cried, wrote home to Mom and Dad, and as above took time to take a photo of one another. The begged and borrowed for food, played cards, and if lucky someone had a portable record player they could listen to music that always reminded them of the good times waiting back home. They forged ahead always thinking that another day brought them life and one step closer to the war being over. They were a special breed of fighting men, fighting their war on the Ocean in the dark of the night, always at the ready to open up with a twin .50 caliber machine gun, or a well placed torpedo that could spell death to the enemy. I love these guys and have dedicated my life to them, to me they will always be my heroes members of THE MOSQUITO FLEET!!
[EndQuote]
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