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Topic: photos from Lt. Ed Slater |
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 21, 2021 - 6:38am
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From the photo box I was able to find some photos that were passed onto me by Lt. Edward Slater. In the box was his bio as well.
Ed was a staff officer in communications Hamose house: Queen Ann’s battery
and advanced Amphibious Base all in Plymouth England. He volunteered for PT
Boat duty at the time he entered the US NAVY, finally being ordered to Ron 2(2)
Dartmouth, England.
Lt. Cdr. John D. Bulkeley was in command. We did OSS duty running spies etc. to
the French coast: thee boat ron composed of PT 71, PT 72, and PT 199. Ed moved
aboard PT-72 May 23, 1944 as third officer. He did his first mission running spies
May 24, 1944. He also served as communications officer; did routine spy runs into
France. During the invasion of Normandy he was the XO of PT-72 attached to the USS
Ancon, nerve center for the invasion. Slater ferried Adm. Hall, Adm. Kirk, Ernie Pyle,
and General Bradley into Easy Red Beach, Omaha Beachhead from time to time during
the invasion.
On July 3, 1944 Ed returned to Dartmouth and replaced Lt. Bill Liebenow as XO of PT-199,
under skipper Bill Lewis. After Ed would become the skipper of PT-199 doing routine patrols
operating with Fleet Air Wing 7 for sub spotting and dispatch duty. Later we would move to
Salcombe England in March of 1945, then he would move to Plymouth England in in May 1945.
On June 27th PT-199 was loaded onto LST 983 and brought to Norfolk, Va. To decommission.
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Dick
Moderator
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Posted on: Feb 21, 2021 - 11:26am
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Thanks Frank . . .
Photo posting much appreciated - almost like the old days.
Dick . . .
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 - 7:36am
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Nice images and history to go with them Frank, thank you! Those are some interesting little 1-man crewed boats, do you know what they are? This one:
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 - 7:37am
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I think this was what they called a duck jeff.
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 - 7:40am
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Dick your right, I miss the old days here. Still a wonderful source to look back on for conversations that deal with the boats, bases, and tenders.
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 - 10:19am
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Question for you guys. I have seen this before in other photos and never found out the reason. In several of the featured photos (of what I believe is PT72) on the deck edge amidships is a wooden slat "basket". One of the photos shows several helmets and kapok life jackets inside of it. What was the intended purpose of this "basket"? I am fairly certain the boat had one basket on each side. Surely, it was not put there merely to store helmets and life jackets? I know PT72 was used on a lot of secret missions to drop off OSS agents and French Underground onto the beaches of France before D-Day. Anybody have any ideas? This has puzzled me for quite some time.
Thanks Jerry
PS Jeff:
Yes that is a standard US Army DUKW amphibious truck. It is fairly common to see during amphibious invasions, they were pretty widely used in both Europe and the Pacific.
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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Will Day
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 - 4:34pm
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JERRY - Not sure where I saw it, but for some reason I think the "baskets" had to do with transporting casualties...I could be wrong.
Will |
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Stearman
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 - 8:49pm
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On a truth is stranger then fiction note, the DUKW amphibious deuce and a half, was designed by Rod Stephens Jr, of Sparkman & Stephens Yacht Designs. He designed racing sail yachts for the Vanderbilt Cup, America Cup and other top sailing races. He is said to have revolutionized the Sailing yachts! The DUKW is still the most successful amphibious vehicle of all times. Hundreds are still used on a daily bases as tourist transports on rivers and lakes around the world. One can only wounder what Rod could have done with a PT Boat?
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2021 - 12:41am
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Thanks WILL,
By the way great photo of you and Cliff! It sure would be uncomfortable to place a wounded guy in that thing! I bet Dr. Al Ross will know what it is for!
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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Dick
Moderator
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2021 - 10:25am
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I was told some time back, that it was a cradle for a large rubber lifeboat. Used for crew safety and also covert landings of Grunts and/or G.I.'s.
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