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 Author  Topic: PT658 hosts Skipper of PT143 RON8 Bill Skade for 90th birthday
  Jerry Gilmartin

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jerry Gilmartin   Send Email To Jerry Gilmartin Posted on: Sep 24, 2011 - 9:52pm
Howdy shipmates!
I just got back today from the PT658 and we had a big event today. We got to host a real PT Boat skipper; LTjg Bill Skade for his surprise 90th birthday party and trip on board PT658. His daughter, Patty Rogers, arranged it for her Mom and Dad to come up and the entire Skade clan (14 in all) came aboard and rode the PT658. Bill was unaware he would be asked to get underway with us, and we made him drive the PT658 for about 30 minutes. He was speechless. Patty allowed me to scan her Dads photo album from the war, and he was the XO of the PT625 when RON43 was commissioned in New Orleans in Dec44. It just so happens that PT658 is one of the last of the PT625 class of Higgins PT Boats, so we were especially thrilled to have him tour the boat and get his stamp of approval. Here are only a few of the photos I was able to scan and take today. I know how much you guys like to see pictures, so here you are. It was a beautiful 83 degrees today in Portland so we had a perfect day to celebrate. Enjoy! Jerry PT658 Portland OR

Bill in Jeep 1945



Bill in Jeep 2011



Bills clan at PT658 pier



PT658 ready to roll



PT658 crew having coffee in fwd crews before the trip



PT625 in Lake Ponchartrain New Orleans 1945



Bill Skade as XO at helm of PT625 at sea 1945



PT625 plank owner crew in New Orleans 1945



RON43 commissioning Dec44 New Orleans LT Dick Morse



RON43 commissioning on board PT625 Dec 44 New Orleans Bill in rear on left




RON43 Commissioning on PT625 with Bill on left and AJ Higgins center with Hat, LT Dick Morse on right



LTjg Skade with parrot in Panama 1944





PT143 crew photo RON8 Ring Dang Do (what a beauty!)



PT143 crew photo Bill Skade CO Lower left



PT130 another boat in RON8



PT143 XO and CO Bill Skade on right



PT143 gun action stern 40mm and aft 50cal off Borneo



Refueling PT143. I wonder what that is a spill containment?



RON8 nested on tender AGP20 Pontus



PT143 in drydock inspect screws and rudders



RON8 nested by tender



PT143 at speed



Skipper Bill Skade PT143 at the helm



Bill Skade at helm PT143 RON8 at sea



50 cal gunner PT143



PT66 Cheetah in Samar slightly different view than previously posted



Pushing PT658 away from dock Sept24 2011



Bill Skades grandsons on 40mm Bofors while underway on PT658



One of Bills grand daughters on the 50cal turret while her grandpa Bill drives the boat



Bills impromptu 90th Birthday Party cupcakes on PT658 after the trip



Bill donated his Foul Weather Gear and Dress Blue uniform for display on PT658. Here he is modeling foul weather hat.



PT658 tied up at barge in shipyard for open house



PS Frank, I have a few pics you may be interested in seeing.

Take care. Jerry



Jerry Gilmartin

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Frank J Andruss Sr

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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: Sep 25, 2011 - 2:50am
What a Beautiful time this must have been. You can clearly see the joy in this man's face. The photos you scanned are wonderful Jerry, and just what i am looking for for my third book. I would be thrilled if you could send me a CD........................


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David Waples

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of David Waples  Posted on: Sep 25, 2011 - 6:06am
That's a great day Jerry! Looks like you guys had a perfect day. The photos are great and in excellent condition. Thanks for sharing them with us. I love the then and now jeep picture.

Just when you thought you had seen everything that could be done with a PT you see something else. This is the first time I've seen the signal light mounted to the radar mast. Great stuff!

Dave

David Waples

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Jim Melanson

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jim Melanson   Send Email To Jim Melanson Posted on: Sep 25, 2011 - 7:56am
Jerry,
You folks certainly do it right on board the 658 boat.
Best to you all.
Jim Melanson

Jim Melanson

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Black Ops

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Sep 25, 2011 - 10:44am
Jerry . . . fantastic, thanks for posting those great shots.
BJO


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Jeff D

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jeff D   Send Email To Jeff D Posted on: Sep 25, 2011 - 5:53pm
Well done Jerry, it looks like everyone had a great time.

Thank you for posting the album images, that's a pretty racy drawing on the 143 boat! I wonder if it's of an actress back then?



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Will Day

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Will Day   Send Email To Will Day Posted on: Sep 25, 2011 - 6:57pm
Outstand, Jerry. Bravo Zulu!

Will

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newsnerd99

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Sep 26, 2011 - 5:52am
What a great experience Jerry for you, your crew and the family! Thanks for posting all the pics as well - very cool. I sent you an email about one...

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

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TED WALTHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Sep 26, 2011 - 6:25am
Jerry;
You guys are fantastic! I bet standing behind him at the wheel, you could literally see the years evaporate away, and he was a 23 year old Skipper standing in front of you again! You guys are doing the right thing and you guys are the best.Continue to set the standard!
Take care,
TED


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sparky51

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Sep 26, 2011 - 8:12am
WOW...Great job guys. What an outstanding day it must have been for Bob and his family. Thanks for the pix.

steve

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