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Topic: Lt. (j.g.) Gerald F. Hart RON 22 |
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siege1863
New Member
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Posted on: Jan 7, 2009 - 7:32am
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I just recently acquired a collection (not yet in hand) of 140 letters written by Lt. Hart, while serving with RON 22. According to one family member, Lt. Hart was the Radar Officer for the squadron. Does anyone have information on Lt. Hart and his role in RON 22?
A second question concerns the use of RON 22B in the return address of his letters. What is the difference between RON 22 and RON 22B?
Thanks.
BTY---I have enjoyed viewing the photos of the RON 22 boats that have been posted by the forum members!
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Will Day
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 7, 2009 - 9:31am
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There is a brief bio on Lt. Hart in KNIGHTS OF THE SEA, pg.253...
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siege1863
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Posted on: Jan 7, 2009 - 9:54am
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Being that this book has been out of print for a while and used copies are scare and very expensive, is there a member who could provide me with a copy of this page or post a summary of the bio?
Thanks.
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Drew Cook
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Posted on: Jan 7, 2009 - 1:45pm
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Actually, it's on page 251 of "Knights Of The Sea," published in 1982.
"GERALD F. HART, Lt., Ron 22. Born in Brewer, Maine, 2-23-17. Graduate U of Maine 1938 with electrical engineering degree. Joined Naval Reserve Nov. 1942 as ensign with engineering electronics classification. Assigned to Dartmouth College for "60-day wonder" orientation in mid-winter '42-'43 followed by six-month "super-secret" radar training at Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Assigned temporary duty at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and thence to permanent with Base Force RON 22 (obviously not a PT professional!) for commissioning at New Orleans, LA. Received commendation for rescue of Army personnel from swamped boats on training maneuvers in Lake Ponchartrain. Ron shipped out of Norfolk early 1944 for patrol duty in Mediterranean landing at Oran, Algeria. Moved via Bizerte up to headquarters base at Maddalena on Sardinia and thence to operating base at Batista on island of Corsica. Following invasion of Southern France, advanced operating bases were established at Golfe Juan on the Gold Coast between Cannes and Nice, also at Leghorn (Livorno) Italy. Ron 22 conducted reconnaisance patrols off the French-Italian coast frequently encountering small submarines, Italian patrol boats and escort craft. One boat was lost and several casualties suffered from contact with a mine. Assignments also involved protective patrol operations near General Eisenhower's rest area at Cap D'Antibes.
On the lighter side, the night that Steve Morse rode a motorcycle into the lobby of the Hotel Martinez in Cannes will never be forgotten! Released from active duty at Charleston, SC, Dec. 1945 and returned to former employer, Bangor Hydro-Electric Co., an investor-owned light and power utility where am presently vice president -- engineering. 1982 may be the year of retirement. Continued my reserve activity with local Reserve Unit and now retired in pay status with rank of Commander. Still reside at ** ****** Street, Bangor, Maine with wife, Marjorie. Have two daughters, Suzanne Hart and Marilyn Collins, who live across the ********* ***** in ******."
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siege1863
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Posted on: Jan 7, 2009 - 3:33pm
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Drew---
Thank you so much for posting the bio! It relates far more than I thought it might. Seems it was written by Hart himself. For those who may be interested, Commander Gerald F. Hart died 26 December 1998 and is buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor, Maine.
When I have received the letters and had a chance to read them, I will be certainly post a follow-up.
---Mike
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Drew Cook
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Posted on: Jan 8, 2009 - 1:15pm
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You're welcome, Mike.
Most, if not all, of the PT veterans who were still with us when the "Knights Of The Sea" "50-year" annual was being planned wrote their biographies themselves. They submitted them to PT Boats, Inc. for inclusion in the book.
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ntl
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Posted on: Dec 25, 2013 - 4:55pm
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Mike,
I recently acquired a grouping of Lt. Hart's belongings and happened to stumble upon this thread. I was wondering if you still had your grouping of letters because I would be very interested in gaining more insight into Lt. Hart's military service.
Ned
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ntl
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Posted on: Dec 25, 2013 - 5:01pm
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Mike,
I recently acquired a grouping of Lt. Hart's belongings and happened to stumble upon this thread. I was wondering if you still had your grouping of letters because I would be very interested in gaining more insight into Lt. Hart's military service.
Ned
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