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Topic: Looking for info on my dad's PT service |
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Kathy
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Posted on: Nov 14, 2009 - 10:23am
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My dad's name was Ross E. Jones III and served in the Navy from June 1942 to December 1945. He was a GM2 and my sister and I believe he was assigned to Ron 3 in the Pacific. He told us that his boat was carried on a freighter through the Panama Canal to Hawaii and we believe he island hopped his way across to the Philippines. But we both remember him telling us he never saw any enemy action. We have a photo of him and his crew mates on their boat "Idiot's Delight" but there is no boat hull number and we do not know where the photo was taken.
Any info anyone can provide would be appreciated.
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TED WALTHER
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Posted on: Nov 14, 2009 - 10:37am
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Kathy;
Idiots Delight was PT 257 RON 26 which was a 78' Huckins PT Boat based in Hawaii. Hope this helps,
TED
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Frank J Andruss Sr
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Posted on: Nov 14, 2009 - 11:36am
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Kathy
As Ted said, your Dads service was with Ron 26. These Huckins boats served with the Hawaiian Sea Frontier , actually relieving Ron One based at Pearl City Yacht Club. Your Dad's boat was one of four boats that were ordered to Midway Island to relieve other boats, becoming the defense force there. They would work in conjuntion with an old four stack destroyer.
Many of the Squadron 26 boats would be used for ready boat duty, monitoring the radio on a 24 hour basis, looking for downed flyers. They did not see action with the enemy, serving first under Lt. Robert Leeson, then Lt. Anthony B. Akers, and finally Lt. Comdr. Lester H. Gamble. According to Gamble, who was a friend of mine before he died, this action in Hawaii was very good duty. Gamble would marry a Hawaiian women while still attached to the Squadron, living out the rest of his life in Hawaii. There are some nice photographs of these Huckins boats in my book,"Building the PT BOATS"., available at Amazon.com and other fine online stores. I also have some other photos of Ron 26 in my collection, but I must locate them. You can conact me off the message board at mosquitofleet@comcast.net
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Kathy
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Posted on: Nov 14, 2009 - 1:33pm
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Ted and Frank -
WOW, you guys are Fast...just like the PT boats :-) This info really makes me feel good. Thank you SO much...I'll let my sister know.
Kathy
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Will Day
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Posted on: Nov 14, 2009 - 3:57pm
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PT-179, an 80' Elco also carried the name IDIOT'S DELIGHT at one time. She was assigned to Squadron 11 and served in the South and Southwest Pacific.
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Kathy
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Posted on: Nov 15, 2009 - 5:47am
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Frank -
I know dad went to Hawaii but don't know how long he was there before going to Midway; I just know it was after the Battle. Again I don't know how long he stayed at Midway but next he went to the Philippines. Does this concur with the info you have for PT 257 in Ron 26?
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Gary Paulsen
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Posted on: Nov 15, 2009 - 7:13am
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Kathy,
If the boat your father was on was the 179 in Ron 11. According to Knights of the Sea info. "The squadron saw action at Rendova, Vella Lavella and other areas. After transfer to the Southwest Pacific, the squadron had action in the Halmaheras area. For a short while Squadron 11-2 under the command of Lt. John H. Stillman was designated with 4 PT's to relieve Squadron 3-2 in the Ellice Group, then later rejoined the parent squadron." This might explain your belief that he was assigned to Ron 3. Does your photo identify Lt. Stillman or better yet post the photo you have and some of the more knowledgable folks on this sight can identify if the boat in your photo is an Elco or a Huckins boat to find out if it was the 179 or the 257 for sure.
Gary
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Kathy
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Posted on: Nov 15, 2009 - 9:38am
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good idea. i remember the picture from when i was a kid...i havent seen it in several years. i will try to locate it and post it...dah, i should've thought about posting it. thanks.
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Kathy
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Posted on: Nov 17, 2009 - 2:48pm
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This is my dad's picture of him and his crew mates.
On the back, the description says "1944 - Back row L-R, Dwyer, Johnson, Broker, Ross E. Jones III. Front row L-R, Green, Mr. Littic, LeRoy, Antonakus, Anderson.
Let me know if anyone knows anymore...looking forward to finding out.
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Will Day
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Posted on: Nov 17, 2009 - 2:56pm
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Definitely looks like a Huckins to me....
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