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Topic: PT 117: anyone else still around? |
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Derrough
New Member
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Posted on: Sep 19, 2016 - 4:36pm
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My father, Joseph Hoge Derrough was Chief Torpedoman on 117 before it was bombed.
He then was transferred to another boat.
My father is now 92 year old.
Are there any other still living crew?
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Sep 19, 2016 - 8:48pm
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Welcome aboard!!!
Please give my best to your father!
When PT 117 was destroyed your Dad was transferred to PT 61 RON 3(2). I have original May 1943 color photos and a few B/W photos of your Dad's second crew, Sent to me by Ken Prescott.
CAPT. Ken Prescott(Then Ensign Prescott) went on his last patrol on August 20, 2013, so I believe your Dad is the last survivor of this crew. Please use the envelope icon above, send me an email, so I can send you copies, I am sure he will enjoy seeing them.
Take care,
TED
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Sep 20, 2016 - 12:47pm
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Derrough;
I haven't recieved your email yet so here are a few of your Dad and his PT 61 crew, May 1943, Searlesville, Russell Islands.
As I mentioned, if you would like the rest, email me using the above envelope icon.
Take care,
TED
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David Buck
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Sep 21, 2016 - 7:11pm
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Hi, Ted,
Just noticed it would appear that gent in 2nd photo with mallet going by caption under first photo is MM H.N. Gerard not TM 2/c J.H.Derrough.
Odd?
D. Buck |
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Sep 22, 2016 - 6:28am
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Hmm? maybe the I.D.'s were mixed up. Why would a MM have a TM's mallet? Oh well, maybe Derrough can tell us who's who.
Take care,
TED
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Mike Finn
New Member
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Posted on: Oct 1, 2016 - 11:46am
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Hello my name is Mike Finn. My dad William "Billy" Finn was aboard the 164 the same day that the 117 was bombed. He was radioman 2nd class at that time. On that day he was blown into the water and dragged ashore by another crewmate named Sherm Egan. They both survived the war and were lifelong friends until Sherm passed. My dad didnt talk much about it but as a child we (my brother and sister) always were amazed at the "Hole" in his left elbow. As I got old enough he explained that his left arm was hanging by "a piece of meat" and they got him to an offshore ship and managed to save it. He also had a 7mm bullet (if I remember caliber he told me correctly) in his left thigh for his whole life. The doctors determined at that time he had a better chance of survival to leave it there as surgery to remove it was too dangerous considering the work they did to save his arm. . He passed in 1978 from circulation related issues. That bullet is still with him as we speak. I have followed this forum for 20 years. My dad was a member of PTBOATSINC and went twice to the reunions and met Boats Newbury a number of times. After he passed, we went to Fall River and donated his original dress blues to the museum. Just saying. I am 61 and was wondering if anyone might have more info. From what I understand the ships log was destroyed in the attack. As most of you know there are pics of the 164 after the attack.
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Oct 2, 2016 - 7:18am
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Mike;
Welcome Aboard! I don't know where you live, but if you could take a trip to the National Achieves, you might find a PT 164 log book. Since the boat entered service on December 8, 1942, there is a chance one logbook is there. Depending on the boat, and the Skipper and Exec's writing habits(if they were wordy or straight to the point), the average logbook lasted 3-4 months. I am sure PT 164 was on her 2nd or 3rd logbook by 1 August 1943.
Take care and don't be a stranger!
TED
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Drew Cook
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Posted on: Oct 2, 2016 - 8:40am
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Mike,
Welcome to the Forum.
The round you describe your Dad being struck by and carrying in his thigh was most probably a 7.7 millimeter bullet from either the Japanese Aichi D3A "Val" dive bomber that dropped the bomb that destroyed the 164, or (obviously) one of the other strafing Japanese dive bomber or fighter planes attacking the PT base during the air raid on Rendova on August 1, 1943.
The Val had two fixed, forward-firing 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns in the engine cowling, and one flexible-mounted 7.7. Type 92 machine gun in the rear gunner's position.
The Japanese Zero fighter, which would have escorted the dive bombers on that raid on Rendova, also carried two 7.7 mm machine guns in its engine cowling.
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Mike Finn
New Member
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Posted on: Oct 3, 2016 - 5:42am
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply. I live in NH at this time and will look into the possibility of locating the log book as you suggested.
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Oct 12, 2016 - 6:59am
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Derrough
Here is the only other photo I have of your fathers original boat, PT 117 RON 6, this photo was taken on 29 August 1942 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. PT 117 is moored with PT 124(LT Clark Faulkner CO, ENS Leighton C. "HUCK" Wood, XO), in the forground is PT 118 ( LTjg Parker Watson Staples CO, ENS Douglas S. Kennedy XO)
Enjoy!
Take care,
TED
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