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 Author  Topic: Two PT crewmen had a rough week this week
TheBridge

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TheBridge  Posted on: Mar 21, 2014 - 7:15am
Willliam 'Bud' Liebenow and Welford West, the last two original crew of the PT-157, have shown extraordinary resiliency at the ages of 94 and 92 years old. However this week Bud passed out when getting up too quickly from the dinner table and took a tumble (appears to be OK now) and Welford had a small heart attack (I think those are called TIAs). He's also seems to be OK and resting in the hospital (he wants out of the hospital and go home; so that's a good sign).

That these two guys should have things happen on the same week is something. They were so tied together during their time on the 157 in the Solomons in '43, they could almost read each other minds and react to circumstances in the same way. Their relationship was like that a great pitcher/catcher pair in baseball.

When they almost slammed the 157 into the side a Japanese destroyer on a moonless night, Liebenow, standing next to Welford who is at the wheel yells 'turn'...but Welford has seen the ship and is already cranking on the 'necker's knob' on the wheel for dear life!

The night they rescued the crew of the 109, Welford was standing on the bow and taking lead line measurements to guide Bud, at the wheel, through the uncharted shallows on a near moonless night. The communications between these two had to spot on or they would be just another PT hung up on a reef.

And on the same week, this week, they have shown signs of their age.They are both frail but they are focused to keep going now. It is now as it was then....they may be taken...but they won't give up without a fight.

Bridge

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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: Mar 21, 2014 - 8:40am
Bridge;
Please wish them my best.
Take care,
TED


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Roy Forbes

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Roy Forbes  Posted on: Mar 21, 2014 - 9:25am
Oh my gosh Bridge. We are very sorry to hear that but glad they are both doing OK. Please give them both our best and I'll send Bud and Don an e-mail as well !!


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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: Mar 21, 2014 - 10:30am
I'm happy to hear Bud and Welford are recovering Bridge, please wish them my best.


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MN Gal

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of MN Gal   Send Email To MN Gal Posted on: Mar 21, 2014 - 2:00pm
Bridge, you wrote that so well.
Give those two hero's our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Julie


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Frank Andruss

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God Bless two of the greatest generation. I pray they feel better...........


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David Waples

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of David Waples  Posted on: Mar 21, 2014 - 5:39pm
Best wishes to them and their families. We'll be thinking about them.
Dave

David Waples

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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: Mar 21, 2014 - 10:48pm
Smooth sailing to them both; hope they are up and about soon.

Will

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earl

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of earl  Posted on: Mar 23, 2014 - 5:05pm
send mt best wishes for recovery to them both.they can,t keep good men down.\ earl

earl richmond

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