PT Boat Forum


Moderated by: Dick, Jeff D

The PT Boat Forum ª PT Boats of WWII ª  PT Boats - General

Page: 1 of 1

« Back to Topic Index Page 233 | Replies: 6

 Author  Topic: Argh - Higgins or Elco??
Elizabeth Nelson Gable Ron 9 2nd Generation

New Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jan 6, 2007 - 10:10pm
Gentlemen -

My Dad and I toured (several times) the PT Boat museum. I recently lost my home to a huge fire but they found a few postcards that somehow made it through the heat/flame. They were from our trip. The thing is.. I am not sure if it's the right boat - Dad was on the PT162, but I cannot for the life of me recall if that was an Elco or a Higgins. Despite my participation in reunions, etc. I simply can't recall and Dad's on his last tour...

Elizabeth
Proudly PT 162, RON 9, Second Generation

Elizabeth Nelson Gable
PT 162 Ron 9 - 2nd Generation

Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered | IP Logged

Frank J Andruss Sr

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Jan 7, 2007 - 5:50am
Dear Liz:

My heart goes out to you on the loss of your Dad and your most difficult and tragic loss of your Home. Homes can always be rebuilt, but the personel items are what can never be replaced. Your Dad served on PT 162, which was an Elco 80 footer. I can provide you with some information about several patrols. Do you know what period your Dad served on the boat? I do recall the 162 losing a crewmen in the Rendova area when a Jap Plane dropped a bomb close to her. Several others were injured.


Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am | IP Logged

Elizabeth Nelson Gable Ron 9 2nd Generation

New Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jan 7, 2007 - 8:20am
Frank!

Thank you so very much for the kind words and the information - I was correct! Fortunately my Dad's PT photos were at my Mom's house so are safe. I would LOVE any information you can provide. Dad served from October 15 1943 (the day after his birthday, but he still lied about his age to get in) to April 17 1946. I am still in touch with his Skipper, Bob Miller, a retired judge who has not been well of late. Such an incredible group of men.

Any information you could provide would be so very much appreciated.

Thanks,

ENG

Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered | IP Logged

Russell Pullano

Advanced Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Russell Pullano   Send Email To Russell Pullano Posted on: Jan 9, 2007 - 6:49pm
Liz, I was assigned to the 162 about October 1,1943. There are a lot of things that i don't recall due to the many years that have past and old age. However, I do not recall your Dad. What was his rate? I am in contact with Henry Covington who was a motormac on the 162. he was in the original crew. The nexttime I talk to him, I'll ask him about your Dad. However, I'll bet that your Dad was assigned to the boat in 1944, not 1943. The reason that I seem to think that, is that Miller was not the skipper of PT 162 in 1943. There was a Miller as a third officer on the boat in September 1944. I left the boat in Sertember,1944 for a stateside leave. I hope this helps you.If you would to e-mail me, my address is .rpullano@stny.rr.com. I wish your dad was still around so we could chat


Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am | IP Logged

Elizabeth Nelson Gable Ron 9 2nd Generation

New Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jan 10, 2007 - 1:57pm
Hi!

Thanks so much for the reply! Dad was Robert K. Nelson and was known as "Stretch" as he stood over 6'4" - he served as a navigator, but I believe (pls excuse my ignorance with proper titles) he was technially a "quartermaster" - I'll email you other details as I can locate them, but he likely served after you left as he was a pretty memorable guy (if I do say so myself!). I wish he were around too, as not only his stories were amazing (as all of yours are), but he was very articulate and could make even a mundane event come alive in your mind with his ability to recall events, etc.

Thanks again for the post!

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Nelson Gable
PT 162 Ron 9 - 2nd Generation

Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered | IP Logged

Russell Pullano

Advanced Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Russell Pullano   Send Email To Russell Pullano Posted on: Jan 10, 2007 - 7:38pm
Liz,
I am definitely convinced that the year was 1944. I too was a quartermaster and I would have known your Dad if he was on the 162 in 1943. He must have come aboard to replace me because as I said before, I left the boat in the middle of Septmembver, 1943, from the base at Mios Woendi in New Guinae. At that time Steve Hudacek was our skipper, Bennet was the exec. and Miller was the third officer aboard. Evidently he became your Dad's skipper later on. If you would like to see what happened on New Years eve of 1944 with the 162 boat, read my reply to Frank Andruss post on January 07,2007 about New Years. At that time our skipper was Kato Sells and our exec was John Billman. Miller was not yet assigned to the boat at that time.. I hope I gave you some information. If you have anymore correspondence with me, you can e-mail me at ....rpullano@stny.rr.com.....I would rather communicate by e-mail rather here. It is more convenient for me. Have a nice day. Russ


Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am | IP Logged

Elizabeth Nelson Gable Ron 9 2nd Generation

New Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jan 10, 2007 - 9:32pm
Will do - thanks EVER so much!!!

ENG

Elizabeth Nelson Gable
PT 162 Ron 9 - 2nd Generation

Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered | IP Logged


Lock Topic

 

Forum Legend

New Member

Reply to topic

More than 25 posts | Full Member

Reply to topic with quoted message

More than 50 posts | Advanced Member

Edit Message

More than 150 posts | MASTER

View profile

More than 300 posts | TOP BOSS

Email member