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 Author  Topic: Lt.(jg) Hamlin Smith
Nathaniel Smith

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Nathaniel Smith   Send Email To Nathaniel Smith Posted on: Feb 1, 2013 - 12:20pm
My father was skipper of PT-154 from December 1942 until his boat was shelled in November 1943. He was lucky he survived ... as three crew members died that night ... he suffered fourteen shrapnel wounds that bothered him throughout his life. It is my guess, that of his original crew ... he is survived now only by his Radioman, Pat Rogers, RM1c.

As I have read all too often on this board ... "my father went on his last patrol" this morning.
Pictured below, my dad is standing at the wheel in typical PT Navy officer's uniform. When I was the age he was in this photograph ... I was still a kid. I can hardly image what it must have been like to be thrust into the amazingly difficult combat situations Solomon Islands PT Boats crews had to face nearly every day.

I have written a book in his honor about his time in the USNR, which can be viewed at:
http://www.blurb.com/b/3432431-pt-154



natsmith

Total Posts: 211 | Joined: Jan 19, 2008 - 6:55am | IP Logged

PeterTareBuilder2

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of PeterTareBuilder2  Posted on: Feb 1, 2013 - 1:04pm
My condolences on the loss of your father. Indeed it is hard for those who never experienced war to truly understand the immense sacrifice that those "Who went in Harm's Way" made so that we could sleep peacefully in our beds. Again, I offer my condolences.

Peter

"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too."

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TGConnelly

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Feb 1, 2013 - 1:21pm
As well as mine.

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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: Feb 1, 2013 - 1:42pm
Nathaniel,
Your father was truly a great man. I know all of us here on this message board have benefited greatly from your sharing with us his story and numerous photos and details about the boats. Thank you for that and Thank You to your Dad for his service to our country. We will all be poorer for his passing. May he rest in peace....
Jerry Gilmartin PT658 Portland

Jerry Gilmartin

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CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: Feb 1, 2013 - 1:46pm
Our prayers are with you and your family at this very sad time. We PT Vets are dwindling. Take Care,

C. J. Willis

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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: Feb 1, 2013 - 1:57pm
Nat;
My prayers are with you and your family. I will E-mail you off line.
TED


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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: Feb 1, 2013 - 3:20pm
Nat,:

I am so sorry to hear this News. I am sure that you are so very proud of everything he did. Please take comfort my friend, that very soon your Dad will be reunited with his crew, taking the wheel once again of PT-154. He will slowly throw the throttles forward, watching those RPM and Manifold Pressure gauges begin to rise, as he takes her for a flat out run across the clouds.................


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Nathaniel Smith

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Nathaniel Smith   Send Email To Nathaniel Smith Posted on: Feb 1, 2013 - 3:27pm
Words to dream about ... I am enjoying the vision your words inspire.

natsmith

Total Posts: 211 | Joined: Jan 19, 2008 - 6:55am | IP Logged

Drew Cook

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Drew Cook  Posted on: Feb 1, 2013 - 3:29pm
Nat,

I sure am sorry. My condolences.

-- Drew


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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: Feb 1, 2013 - 4:32pm
FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS. . .

Will

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