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Topic: PT658 and CJ Willis visit Laker Oswego Festival |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2011 - 12:02am
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Hello Board members! I just wanted to share the photos that I took when C.J. Willis and his son Randy flew out from Oklahoma last week and got underway with the crew of PT658 on our trip to the Lake Oswego Classic boat and car festival. It was on August 20-21 and we had a great reception. The mayor of Lake Oswego and other dignitaries welcomed the PT658 to town, and personally welcomed the 5 WW2 PT Boat veterans CJ Willis (PT242), Maury Hooper (PT238), and Frank Lesage (PT205) Rolf Bruckner (PT127) and Pphayne Sayer (PT Base 16) into town. CJ and his son Randy were given a tour on Friday by Bob Alton of the PT658, then rode the boat with me as their personal tour guide. We all had a great time, and then our crew gave tours of the boat to about 4-500 people the rest of the weekend. I hope you will enjoy these photos. CJ looked really pleased to be manning the port 50 cal gun tub again!
It was truly an honor to meet him and get to know a real hero from WW2. Thanks for coming out here CJ! Hope you can make it again this next year. Jerry
New 20mm spare barrel box on charthouse
CJ and randy (standing on right) prepare to get underway
My son Trae (as a Linehandler) sitting on torpedo getting underway from boathouse
Randy CJ and Jerry just before we got underway
CJ Jerry and Randy playing on the 40mm Bofors cannon
CJ taking aim at some Jap barges from the Port 50 cal turret, his battle station on PT242
Randy on the 50 cal
My son Trae and Frank LeSage (PT205) on the stbd 50 cal
PT658 moored at Lake Oswego dock on the Williamette River 20Aug2011 Note the 5 inch Mark 50 Rocket Launchers in the launching position outboard from the bow Port and Stbd
PT658 sporting her new 5 inch rocket launcher tubes at Lake Oswego
Maury Hooper Molly McCready and Mrs Billups man the booth at top of boat ramp
Tom Cates explains exhibits to guests at Lake Oswego display tent
Jerry PT658 Portland OR
Jerry Gilmartin |
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined:
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2011 - 4:15am
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Jerry, these are some great shots. C.J. looks like one proud guy in his .50 caliber gun tub. What a thrill for these guys to board something that they fought on during the War. I will get there one day, you can bank on that............
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Will Day
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2011 - 6:44am
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Great stuff, Jerry. Thanks for sharing.
Will |
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined:
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CJ Willis
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2011 - 9:44am
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Jerry: Thanks for all the pictures of Randy and me. I would suggest that anyone interested in P.T. Boats and any P.T. Vets go to Portland and see P.T. 658. Jerry and the 658 crew will certainly give you a grand welcome. They have done a marvelous job rebuilding the boat to what I call "fighting condition" with new camouflage paint and all the armament. It was a beautiful day last Saturday for the 1 1/2 hour trip up the Williamette River. The ride brought back many memories of the 13 months I spent aboard a Higgins in the Solomons. (Frank, The three Packards purred along nicely.) The engine room still pretty noisy though.
Thanks Again Jerry and Crew for all your planning and hospitality.
C. J. Willis |
Total Posts: 464 | Joined:
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Gary Szot
MASTER
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2011 - 10:06am
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CJ looked right at home manning the twin 50's. Being able to share that moment with his son was truly remarkable. . Moments like this make me wish that my dad was still with us so that we could experience an event like this together.
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Dick
Moderator
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2011 - 10:28am
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Jerry . . .
CJ looks ready to go back into service, glad to see he really enjoyed his visit.
By the way the 658 looks marvelous in camo. The crew did a great job painting her.
Dick . . .
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TGConnelly
New Member
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2011 - 12:37pm
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I just LOVE that boat! Hey Jerry? An idea, .... I've got a 15 foot speedboat ... wanna make a trade? MOXIE II is in great shape. You'll be getting the better part of the trade ........
Garth
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2011 - 6:46pm
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Hey Dick,
I put that photo of the spare 20mm barrel box on there for your benefit since we spoke about it during your drawing of the 658. I told everybody we had to build it and mount the box on there or your drawing would be wrong! It also by the way makes for a great seat for up to 3 people!
Garth
I am sure your boat is pretty cool, but I dont think our board of directors would go for the trade! However, I will bring it up at the next board meeting!
New Rocket launchers MK50
PS I found a video of the PT658 leaving dock taken from Steve Greenbergs DUKW. Watch it here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lju6-7QllU
Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2011 - 7:36pm
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CJ, you don't look a day over 60. What's your secret?
Thanks for posting the images Jerry. She sure looks fine.
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TGConnelly
New Member
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Posted on: Aug 28, 2011 - 6:43am
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Aw, Dernit!
Would it help that MOXIE II has been seen at the Kennedy Compound?
Garth
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