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Topic: Last Patrol: William F. 'Bud' Liebenow, PT 157 |
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TheBridge
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 8:17am
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Skipper William F. 'Bud' Liebenow, Skipper of the PT 157 from the time the 157 was commissioned to September 1943, the Skipper who navigated the uncharted waters on a night mission to rescue the crew of the PT 109, who was awarded the Silver Star while in the Solomon Islands for two missions that demonstrated the very best of what a PT, a great crew (which Bud ALWAYS gave the credit to) and a determined Skipper could do. And who was personally transferred on priority orders by Commander Bulkeley to the Atlantic Theater and then skippered the PT 199 on D-Day and helped saved the lives of nearly 66 USN sailors when the USS CORRY (DD-463) was sunk near the invasion beaches; for which Liebenow was awarded the Bronze Star...
...has gone on his Last Patrol. He is preceded by all the other crewmen of the 157 that he Skippered, so it will be grand reunion!
Bud his survived by his wife Lucy, who he married before going to war, His son Mike Liebenow and daughter Susan Liebenow.
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 9:08am
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Bud was the best! I remember when I was doing a six month NSW Rhib Det. deployment at NSWU-10 in Rota, Spain, Bud was kind enough to answer one of my usual 6 page “Packed with questions” letters. He wrote me a very detailed and descriptive letter of his OSS Ops with RON 2(2). He was always there for us, making sure we got the PT history correct, not only because history tends to get distorted and the years pass, but, because it meant so much to him. He was a PT Man to the end. I am a firm believer that people are placed in situations for a specific purpose. Just think, if there was no Bud Liebenow, things could have turned out very differently and we might not have had a President from Massachusetts. While he will be missed here, he is now where he belongs with his crew, standing at the wheel of “Aces & Eights”, once again running through the waters he did 74 years ago, heading towards the Sunrise. May they have fair winds and following seas.
Thank you and Godspeed Bud Liebenow!
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Roy Forbes
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Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 10:22am
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This is very sad news that was just sent by Bridge. It was such a joy and an honor to be able to spend time with both Bud, his lovely wife Lucy and Welford back in NC several years ago listening to them tell stories for 2 days about their adventures and sacrifices during WWII. These fine men were truly the greatest generation. It is with a very heart I wish Gods Speed to Skipper Liebenow and all our great Heros that preceded him. Our prayers are with the entire Liebenow family. May you Rest in Peace my friend.
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Drew Cook
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Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 10:36am
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Sad news indeed.
Rest in peace, Mr. Liebenow.
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Will Day
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Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 10:38am
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GODSPEED, Bud Liebenow. Fair Winds and Following Seas. You will be missed. |
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Wayne Traxel
MASTER
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Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 10:42am
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Was deeply saddened to learn of Bud Liebenow's Passing from Bridge this morning. He was the Best.
Very Respectfully,
Wayne Traxel |
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 11:31am
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I'm saddened to hear of his passing, and my sympathy to you Bridge. I know you two were close.
That is the mark of a good man, giving credit where due. It says more about him than any medal could.
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Frank J Andruss Sr
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Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 1:11pm
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I had the pleasure of meeting Bud in 1993 at Fall River. We stayed in touch although I could not make the get together that Bridge Carney had set up with Bud and Welford West. Bud sent me a letter and an original photo of him while at Melville. He was a great guy and guys like that only come around once in a life-time. God Bless Bud.
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Roy Forbes
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Posted on: Feb 26, 2017 - 7:16pm
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As a follow-up to this sad news it is very heart warming to see so many newspapers around the country running the story about Bud's WWII history and his life. I have taken the liberty to contact Fox News as several of their top news folks (Bill) for one are WWII historians and just might mention him this upcoming week for any who might be interested in watching. I have also contacted the White House Press Office and just maybe "someone" who really loves our Vets would contact Lucy to express the country's gratitude for his service. It would be a very nice gesture.
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 27, 2017 - 1:20pm
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Roy;
Good job! I took the liberty to contact the JFK Library Foundation and ask them to also pass it on to the Kennedy family, on 25 Feb.
Take care,
TED
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