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 Author  Topic: Painting of JKF's PT-59
  David Bruhn

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of David Bruhn  Posted on: Jun 26, 2013 - 9:32am
Dear Members,

Thank you for your assistance in providing details about John F. Kennedy’s PT-59. I have written an account of the boat, covered by PT-236, taking Marines trapped by Japanese forces at the mouth of the Warrior River off Choiseul Island the evening of 2 November 1943. Richard DeRosset had completed a painting depicting this event titled Salvation from the Sea. You may view a photograph of the 14 ¾” by 30” painting at my author’s website: www.davidbruhn.com. I would post it here, but there appears to be no means by which to do so.

Richard has graciously agreed to the distribution of the photograph, provided that it is not used commercially without his permission and that he is credited as the artist.

Sincerely,
David Bruhn


David D. Bruhn

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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: Jun 26, 2013 - 12:05pm
David;
WELCOME ABOARD!! The painting of PT 59 looks great!
By the way, I went to middle school with Kemper Goffigon III, (Former Commanding Officer USS APc-15), nephew and his sister in law, Sara, was my world history teacher at Broadwater Academy on Virginia's Easten Shore. I am not really sure why his citation reads LCT 5, because LCT 5 was a lend lease LCT that was given to the British, and Delivered in 1942.
it was never in the Pacific!!! Some SNAFU I guess,
Here is his Navy Cross citition:
GOFFIGON, KEMPER, III
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Kemper Goffigon, III, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Officer in Charge of a Landing Craft Tank (LCT(5), during amphibious operations at New Britain Island on 26 December 1943. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Goffigon's LCT(5), was attacked by Japanese dive bombers and riddled by shrapnel that killed two men and wounded 16. He courageously disregarded his own painful injuries and, showing forceful leadership and outstanding skill, immediately undertook strong protective measures to control damage and care for the wounded personnel. With the engineering plant and rudder badly damaged, he reassembled his remaining men and labored tirelessly for five hours in the combat zone to effect repairs which enabled his ship to return to a place of safety under her own power. The conduct of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Goffigon throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 337 (April 1945)
Born: September 7, 1919 at Cape Charles, Virginia
Home Town: Cape Charles, Virginia





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  David Bruhn

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of David Bruhn  Posted on: Jun 26, 2013 - 1:30pm
Hi Ted,
I have a copy of Mr. Goffigon's Navy Cross Medal citation posted to the APc Hall of Valor section of my website, with the below note to explain the reference to LCT-5:
(Note: During the operation in which he received the Navy Cross, Goffigon was the commanding officer of the USS APc-15, and also the task unit commander of a resupply echelon which included LCT(5) type tank landing craft.)
If you wish to contact him, you may do so at (757) 331-1504. I do not believe he would mind my sharing his phone number.
Sincerely,
David Bruhn

David D. Bruhn

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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: Jun 26, 2013 - 3:23pm
David;
Understood. resupply convoy 'Included" LCT(5) type craft, meaning type 5, not LCT #5. Thanks for the clarification.
Once again, Welcome Aboard Commander!!
Take care,
TED


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Jeff DeClerck

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jeff DeClerck  Posted on: Jan 7, 2015 - 6:10am
David Bruhn, my name is Jeff DeClerck, Commander American Legion Post 91, Moosup, CT and Chairman of the VJ Day Parade Committee for the Post. This year's parade, to be held 9 August 2015 has been dedicated to "Our Greatest Generation, 70 Years Later" in recognition of the 70th anniversary of VJ Day and essentially the end of WWII. I have invited every surviving WWII veteran within the State of Connecticut to participate in the parade where they will all be recognized as Parade Grand Marshals. Our parade poster includes a photograph of APc-15. My uncle, John B. DeClerck, served under LTjg Goffigon III and survived the attack; however, was severely wounded. I am looking to make contact, if possible, with LTjg Goffigon and/or a family member and send him the poster. I can be reached via email at jadcmd@sbcglobal.net. Additionally, I just ordered your book, Pacific Island Hoppers, The Forgotten Fleet of World War II.

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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: Jan 7, 2015 - 1:31pm
Greetings Jeff! I hope you have a great parade turnout.

David, thanks for the link to the painting. Richard does nice work. Thanks too for the large size I didn't have to squint to see! It's too large to post here but this direct link should work: http://www.davidbruhn.com/index_files/jfk.jpg.

EDITED oops I see this is mostly older. Doh.

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