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Topic: PT34 RON3 crewmans little known "Expendables" story |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Dec 13, 2013 - 5:35pm
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Hello Shipmates,
One of our PT658 crewmen, Wally was contacted by the son of an original PT34 crewman in regards to donating some memorabilia of his fathers. A resident of Alaska, Martin Beckner, who is the son of Charles C Beckner Pharmacists Mate 2/c, of PT34. He was awarded the Silver Star as result of actions on PT34. I am going to post this stuff here since it is way too historic to keep it a secret. I am sure you will find it of great interest as well. While he was on PT34 he went on a mission with Al Ross's Dad and LT Bulkley. Sometime after the boats were in Mindanao, Doc Beckner came down with malaria and missed the mission where PT34 was lost. After he recovered, he was taken out of Mindanao by a PBY Catalina on one of the last flights leaving the island. (Part of Project "Gridiron") I have the 12 page Operation Gridiron Summary here for you to read. Jerry
RON3 at Cavite Navy Yard 10-27-41 (on pier bottom of photo)
RON3 Homeport Change order
Chief Beckner in 1945 taken in Australia after leaving Okinawa
Beckner 5th from left at Chow Hall in Philippines
Letter from shipmate of PT35 who survived malaria on Mindanao
PBY Pilot contacted him after war.
At Close Quarters Story of two barges, mentions Al Ross' Dad and Beckner as crew
At Close Quarters Two Barges Page 2 mentions Beckner on 50cal MG
Operation Gridiron PBY Rescue Mission involving PT Crewmen Pg1
Gridiron pg2
Gridiron pg3
Gridiron page 4
Gridiron pg5
Gridiron pg 6
Gridiron pg7
Gridiron pg8
Gridiron pg9
Gridiron pg 10
Gridiron pg 11
Gridiron pg 12
Martins explanation of Dads uniforms
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
Total Posts: 1428 | Joined:
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Roy Forbes
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Posted on: Dec 14, 2013 - 7:44am
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Awesome reading Jerry. What an outstanding find.
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TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 15, 2013 - 2:05pm
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Jerry,
Have you noticed Grover Delong,is listed as passenger on plane #1?
This was 29 April 1942.
This same list is an appendix in the book : All This Hell: U.S. Nurses Imprisoned by the Japanese. This list is part of appendix E : Evacuees from Phillipines to Australia
Take care
TED
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Will Day
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Posted on: Dec 15, 2013 - 9:56pm
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Awesome story! Thanks.....
Will |
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Frank Andruss
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Posted on: Dec 15, 2013 - 10:27pm
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Wonderful information, thank you for sharing this jerry.
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 27, 2013 - 3:03pm
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Hey Al,
Is your Dad pictured in that photo of the Mess Hall? Just curious. Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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alross2
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Posted on: Dec 27, 2013 - 5:46pm
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Quote:
Hey Al,
Is your Dad pictured in that photo of the Mess Hall? Just curious. Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR
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Nope.
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Total Posts: 988 | Joined:
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