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 Author  Topic: national archives
colleen

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Sep 18, 2007 - 5:51pm
I spent a fascinating day at the National Archives a few weeks ago. I was able to obtain a limited amount of information on PT 300, which was great as there is not much info on that boat. I plan on going back again soon - is there anything I could look up for anyone? I'm beginning to understand the system so I may be able to find specific information. It was great reading - and seeing - original documents such as orders, reports, etc. So fascinating!


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Allan

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Allan   Send Email To Allan Posted on: Oct 21, 2007 - 7:28pm
Colleen:

Please provide your e-mail address so that I might discuss possible research at NA.

Thanks- Allan


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  Jerry Gilmartin

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jerry Gilmartin   Send Email To Jerry Gilmartin Posted on: Oct 22, 2007 - 12:21am
This message is reposted from the other thread Colleen had earlier about "strange questions but I am going to ask anyways"

Hi Colleen, I saw your post about the national archives and remembered this post. I have some info about PT 300 and RON16 and what happened to PT300 from the written Squadron History compiled by Chief Cook Alfred Piotter. If you are interested, send me your email address. You can email me offline if you want. This history also describes in detail the loss of LST 605 and another message board reader, I think his name is Don Webb had an uncle Donald Fuelhart who died on the beach when the ship was attacked and I have some details on that also. Please let me know.
By the way paraphrasing from the Ron16 history, it says the plane that hit it was a Val (Jap Dive Bomber) and "around 1600 just after the "All Clear" signal was sent out, suddenly several Vals came in and tried bombing the group. One dropped a couple of bombs that missed, then another came in for a dive but turned away under heavy fire. He appeared to be leaving but suddenly heeled over and came directly at PT300. LCDR Colvin gave the PT300 a last second turn to the right. The pilot had apparently anticipated this maneuver, and he swung right with the boat and crashed into the engine room (the middle of the boat) and split the PT300 in half. The stern sank immediately, the bow burned for 8 hours. All but one of her men were killed or wounded. seriously wounding LCDR Colvin. Everett Nussman TM2/c was the only survivor unhurt. He was at the twin .50 cal Machinegun. He kept firing until the plane was almost ready to strike, and then ducked down into the bottom of the gun tub. The explosion caved the turret in on him but he wriggled free and dove overboard. PT222 and others worked to rescue the survivors, and retrieve some of the dead, including MM1/c Brunner (KIA) and LCDR Colvin (WIA)"
Colleen, I can also get the history of every event where PT300 is mentioned up to this event beginning with its delivery to Ron 16B in New Orleans including what ships were used to transport it to the front lines. Let me know if you want this info.

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 restoration crew


Jerry Gilmartin

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Scott Cunningham

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Scott Cunningham   Send Email To Scott Cunningham Posted on: Oct 22, 2007 - 6:44am
Colleen, Do you think you could get any info. such as action reports or deck logs from pt's 84 121 142 & 144? my Dad was skipper of these boats and I am doing research on his career. Thanks in advance Scott Cunningham 2nd Gen. Rons 8&13 call me if you can 318-617-9212


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Brian Fendley

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Brian Fendley  Posted on: Oct 22, 2007 - 9:50am
Hello Colleen,

If you come across any pictures of PT-117 I would appreciate knowing what armament was added by the crew beyond the standard 20mm cannon and two twin .50 machine guns ( read a 37mm cannon was added). Also if the boat was painted in some camoflauge scheme verses monotone Grey.

Sincerely,
Brian Fendley


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Drew Cook

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Drew Cook  Posted on: Oct 22, 2007 - 4:30pm
Brian,

There is a black & white photo of the starboard side of the bomb-damaged and beached PT 117 in Rendova Harbor on August 1, 1943 on page 121 of "At Close Quarters - PT Boats in the United States Navy," the official U.S. Navy history of the boats.

As mentioned, the boat was damaged beyond repair along with PT 164, a zebra-striped 80' Elco, which was completely demolished (a photo of which is also on page 121 in "At Close Quarters") in the Japanese air raid on Rendova that day.

Of course, it's impossible to tell from the b&w picture if the 117 was gray or green at the time, and the most obvious details you can observe from the photo, beside the 117's high rear cockpit armor and the fact that the aft twin-.50 turret had a canvas splash skirt, are the numerous deck runoff stains down the side of the hull of the boat.

Personally, if I had to guess, I'd say the 117 was probably that faded-to-"haze"- green-color a lot of the Solomons PTs were, but...?

The photo doesn't show any additional armament on the boat other than the standard twin-.50's in the fore and aft turrets and the 20mm gun on the stern. I can't quite tell from the photo if the 20mm gun's armor shield is present or not.


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colleen

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Oct 22, 2007 - 6:23pm
Hi - I'd be happy to try to locate any info that I can. Do you know what happened to any of those boats? If they were sunk, then there is probably very little info as I was told that the logs would have gone down with the boat. I went to the Archives last week, so I probably will not go for another week or two. It is such an amazing place!

Jerry - I tried to email you , but my messages came back. I'd like the information that you referred to. Thanks!

Colleen


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  Jerry Gilmartin

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jerry Gilmartin   Send Email To Jerry Gilmartin Posted on: Oct 23, 2007 - 3:53am
Colleen please email me at jerry.gilmartin@ZZZintel.com Please remove the ZZZ (this is an attempt to foil spammers). I need to email you a lot of stuff but dont have your email address. Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin

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CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: Oct 23, 2007 - 9:16am
Hi Colleen:
You seem to be the source for info from the Archives. I was aboard P.T. 242, Squadron 19- 23 from about November 10, 1943 until December 1, 1944 all in the Solomons. I would certainly enjoy reading any logs of P.T. 242 during that time period. At your convience, there is absolutely no hurry for this info. I have waited 64 years. My E-mail is randocjw@aol.com
Thanks
C.J. Willis

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Brian Fendley

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Brian Fendley  Posted on: Oct 23, 2007 - 2:20pm
Hello Drew,

Thanks for the extra information. I think I will order that book. The group build I entered finishes this coming weekend but the book will be useful beyond that. I guess I will go with a Haze green type color and hope for the best.

Sincerely,
Brian


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