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Topic: Question about Melville MTBSTC |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 15, 2012 - 4:32pm
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Hello everybody. I was looking at a couple of photos I came across of Melville. I remember the movie PT Boats Devil Boats where the main character first arrives at Melville and they show a quck view of a place called "Bulkley Park" It looks like this was a real spot somewhere on the base, I have alaways wondered exactly where in the aerial view, that the Bulkley Park was actually located. I have seen a photo somewhere that shows a billboard of sorts with a listing of all the names of PT boat related KIA and MIA and WIA. I know that Charlie Jones just wrote a book about the MTBSTC, so I was hoping somebody (maybe even Charlie?) would be able to point out the original location of the park. Also, what ever happened to the park? is it still there? I have always just been curious. I was looking at the map and guessing it may be where the open area labeled "tennis courts" near the head of pier 6 would be. Thanks for the input. Jerry
Melville Aerial view 1943
Melville Map
Jerry Gilmartin |
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined:
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29navy
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 15, 2012 - 5:37pm
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Hey Jerry,
Yes, I did cover Bulkeley Park in my book, and lost of other things too.
Bulkely Park was real and it was a litlle piece of ground across the street from the Main Admin Office on Alexander Road. The Memorial Board was put up next to the Park.
On the picture, to the right of center, you see a small parking lot on Alexander Road. Bulkely Park is just to the left of it.
Charlie |
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Allan
MASTER
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Posted on: Jan 15, 2012 - 6:30pm
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Jerry and Charlie:
I have a nice photo of the memorial board at Bulkeley Park which also shows the sign designating it as Bulkeley Park, taken by the Navy Dept immediately upon copmpletion of construction. Since I have no luck posting photos, I will e-mail it to anyone who is willing to post it for all on this Board to see. Just let me know.
Allan
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 15, 2012 - 11:09pm
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Hi Charlie. Thanks for your reply. I knew you would know where it was if anybody would! Where was the Admin building exactly? Was it near the intersection of 1st Avenue and Alexander? Was it right in that little triangle shaped section seen in the aerial photo? Allen, you could email me and I could post it. See my Profile to get my email address. Thanks again for all the help to you both! Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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29navy
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2012 - 6:35am
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Yes, it's the Triangle piece of ground. The Admin Quonsets were on the corner of 2nd and Alexander (betweenn 1st and 2nd) and Bulkeley Park is sort of in the middle of the block between 1st and 2nd. When they put up the Memorial Board, they built the area next to the triangled Bulkeley Park. There wasn't much to Bulkeley Park. It looked like it did in the film. Just some painted rocks that spelled out VICTORY.
Today, while the ground is there, there's no sign anything was there. In fact, looking at the 1953 photos, it was all gone by then.
You always wondered what happened to the sign. Probably just tossed out like all the other stuff.
Charlie |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2012 - 12:04pm
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Charlie and Allan,
Thanks again for answering my questions. That is one more thing I can cross off my list of things that I have always wondered about? Next will be how to understand the way women think. Here are Allans two photos. I think it is interesting in that PT109 losses are listed with Kirksey as KIA and Marney as "Missing" still. I think this photos was taken in 1944 so that is interesting to me. I recognize quite a few names on the board.
Bulkley Park Memorial Board at Melville MTBSTC
Caption on back of photo written by Allans Dad.
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2012 - 1:16pm
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Jerry, when asked how he writes for women so well, the author Melvin Udall states "I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.". I don't understand that statement any better than I do women so if you convey that to your wife and she slaps you silly please leave me out of it.
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29navy
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2012 - 2:44pm
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The Memorial Board was dedicated on April 15, 1945.
Charlie |
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