PT Boat Forum


Moderated by: Dick, Jeff D

The PT Boat Forum ª PT Boats of WWII ª  PT Boats - General

Page: 1 of 1

« Back to Topic Index Page 97 | Replies: 2

 Author  Topic: LT. John Lucius Iles RON 4, 3(2), 5, 15 or 29
  TED WALTHER

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Aug 6, 2013 - 2:21pm
Dave sent me word on Mr. Iles, and asked if I post this. It saddens me to learn of this "Last Patrol". Mr Iles was a fine southern gentleman, who amongst his many vocations, was a PT Boat Skipper. He was the next to last Skipper who took PT 48 out on combat patrols, Ken Prescott is now the last.
Over the last few years Mr. Iles and I had e-mail contact. He passed on what he could about his experiences on PT 48, PT 125, PT 105 and skippering PT 141 and PT 139 during the filming of 'They Were Expendable", however, I have since found out that John Iles and Ted Meredith, transferred to the Med at the same time, Ted went to RON 15 PT 214, and I have yet to find out what boat John was on, he never mentioned, RON 15 or 29 to me. I also learned he was one of 7 officers(John Iles, Ted Meredith, Joe Atkinson, Al Webb, Sam Efland, Burt Crager, Bill Arnold) who volunteered for "Extra Hazardous Duty", because they found out while at Melville as instructors, something big was coming up in Southern France. Maybe Steve has something on this, but this was the second crew of skippers, if he did go to RON 15.
For me Mr. Iles, also filled in a lot of blanks about his Melville classmate, Carlton L. Byrd, who he went duck hunting with for more than 20 yeas after the war, on the Eastern Shore Of Virginia. Several years ago I suggested he call Dick Keresey, for Thanksgiving(as he told me he had done since 1946), over the last 10-15 years he had seen how many of his friends and especially his PT Boat Brothers in Peter Tare had passed on, and he became fearful he might hear, his friend went on his Last Patrol, so he stopped his yearly phone calls. Well, the year after I suggested he call, Dick went on his last Patrol, and I was the one who informed Mr. Iles.
Now, Mr. Iles, is once again standing next to his friend Dick Keresey in the cockpit of PT 105, on last patrol. Fair Winds and Following Seas my friend, I will miss you.

Here is what Dave sent me:

John Lucius Iles Jr.
Graveside services celebrating the life of John Lucius Iles Jr. will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 1:30pm at Forest Park St. Vincent. Visitation will be at Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Marshall Street from 10am to 12pm followed by the Rosary. Officiating will be Father Karl Daigle of St. Joseph Catholic Church. John Lucius Iles, Jr., 92, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2013. He was born November 10, 1920, in Oberlin, LA. to Ura Marie LaCour and John Lucius Iles, Sr. He later moved to Baton Rouge, LA., and attended Catholic High School where he excelled in boxing and football. After graduation he attended Loyola University in New Orleans, LA. and graduated Southwestern of Memphis (Rhodes) in Memphis, TN. John was a proud veteran of World War II, serving as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. He was a Motor Torpedo Boat Commander (PT boat) and saw action in the South Pacific Theatre, European Theatre, and the American Theatre. He was proud to captain the PT 105 in the Solomon Islands. It was there he happened to room with another young Naval officer, John F. Kennedy, the future 35th President of the United States. During this time in the Navy John also enjoyed a brief movie career, commanding a PT boat for the John Wayne motion picture "They Were Expendable". John was the North Louisiana Sales Engineer for Louisiana Metal Culvert Company of Baton Rouge for 35 years as well as serving as Vice President. He also served as Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Waskey Bridges, and Vice President of All States Trucking Company of Baton Rouge. John served on the Board of Directors of several companies. John was a Charter and active member of East Ridge Country Club, serving two terms on the Board. Many fun-filled family events were celebrated at ERCC. A devoted and involved member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, John was a man of tremendous faith. He was a Lay Eucharistic Minister for many years and also enjoyed participating in yearly retreats at Manresa. He served as Grand Knight of the Broadmoor Council #3407 of The Knights of Columbus. He was politically involved, both on the local, state, and national levels. He was a strong believer in Civil Rights and Social Justice. As a delegate, he guided a Civil Rights resolution through the State Convention of The Knights of Columbus, predating "Brown v Board of Education" and any other Civil Rights legislation. At the time of his death he was a resident of Savannah at The Oaks. He thoroughly enjoyed the time he resided there. His photograph often graced the pages of the monthly newsletter of the Savannah. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 65 years, Cherrie Claire McCrory Iles, and will be greatly missed by daughter Diane Iles Hall and husband Bill, of The Woodlands, TX, Nancy Claire Meisenheimer and husband George, of Marshall, TX., Martha Susan Patterson and husband Pat, of Abita Springs, LA., Charlotte Ann Birdsell and husband Larry of Houston, TX and son John L. Iles III, and wife Kathy of Keithville, LA., John was affectionately called "J" by his grandchildren, Fred Meisenheimer and wife Cassy, Stuart Meisenheimer and wife Jamie, Virginia Birdsell, John Patterson, Lyndsey Harris and husband, Jeremy, Margaret Patterson, Matthew Hall, Claire Iles, Craig Birdsell, Chuck Hall and wife Marca, Andy Hall and wife Amber. John was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren John Henry, George, Kaitlynn, Brady, Kate, Blake, Brendan, and Brandt. Honoring "J" as pallbearers will be his grandsons, and serving as honorary pallbearers will be Edie Blanchard, Ed Tooley, Dr. Thomas A. Grant, Ray Lofton and Joe Lawrence. The family would like to give special thanks to all who gave John such compassionate care: Dr. Alan Borne and his staff, the staffs of Savannah, Live Oak, and Willis Knighton Pierremont. The family is also grateful for all the dear friends who filled his life. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials in his memory be made to Volunteers of America, 360 Jordan Street Shreveport, LA 71101 or The Salvation Army, 200 E. Stoner Shreveport, LA 71101.


Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am | IP Logged

Will Day

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Will Day   Send Email To Will Day Posted on: Aug 6, 2013 - 7:38pm
RIP, skipper


Will

Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm | IP Logged

Frank Andruss

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank Andruss   Send Email To Frank Andruss Posted on: Aug 6, 2013 - 7:56pm
Thanks for sharing this with us Ted. Rest In Peace Sir, may the Lord watch over you letting you take Command of PT-48, bow high, riding across the Clouds.......................


Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am | IP Logged


Lock Topic

 

Forum Legend

New Member

Reply to topic

More than 25 posts | Full Member

Reply to topic with quoted message

More than 50 posts | Advanced Member

Edit Message

More than 150 posts | MASTER

View profile

More than 300 posts | TOP BOSS

Email member