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 Author  Topic: Ron 33, PT 489, PT 363 & the Rescue in Wasile Bay
G R Powell

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jan 27, 2009 - 2:05pm
Dear Group,

I am relatively new to this group, and was wondering if I might enlist your good help.

I am researching the rescue by PT 489 and PT 363 of Ens. Harold A. Thompson, a flyer from USS Santee, on September 16, 1944 in Wasile Bay, Halmahera Island. See pp. 368-370, At Close Quarters. I am trying to gather information from as many different sources as possible. I have already gotten significant help from Ed Casacia and from Alyce. I thought perhaps others might likewise be helpful.

Here are the things I need help on:

1. Images of PT 489 and PT 363: I have obtained some great photos from Alyce, but would like to obtain any others that might be available.

2. Oral histories, memoirs, or writings of any kind by those involved: The skipper of the 489 boat was Lt. Wilfred Tatro, and the skipper of 363 was Lt. (jg) Hershel Boyd. Also on the mission were the Ron 33 commander, Lt. Murray Preston and the base intelligence officer, Lt. Donald Seaman. Others that I know of were Charles Happy Day (MoMM 1c), and perhaps Timothy Curran (author of an article in Sea Classics magazine). I would also like to track down Ens. Thompson or his descendants if he is no longer living. I have tried to contact the USS Santee Association, but have been unable to get a reply from anyone.

3. The squadron of the PBY that was involved in this action: This plane tried a rescue of its own and wound up dropping a raft to Ens. Thompson. I would like to track down any report that might have been filed by this aircrew.

4. Names and contact information for any living RON 33 veterans or their descendants.

If you wish to contact me offline my email address is: Gerald_Powell@baylor.edu

Thank you very much for any help you might provide.

G R Powell

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G R Powell

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jan 28, 2009 - 5:48am
Here are some of the images of PT 489 that I have already obtained.






G R Powell

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Ray Wilbur

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jan 28, 2009 - 8:49am
Lt. Murray Preston recieved the Medal of Honor for that rescue.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/apreston.htm

Ray

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TGConnelly

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jan 29, 2009 - 6:52am
Mr. Powell,

Hello ... may I ask if you'd contact me offsite at PTConsultingNHR@aol.com. Thank you.

Garth


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