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Topic: PHOTOS/INFORMATION ON PT 490 |
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PT Conway |
New Member
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Posted on: May 9, 2022 - 1:08pm
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Hey Folks, I have been off the forum for a few years and have returned during COVID. I am always looking for any photos/additional information on PT 490, in 2018, I posted photos in the Photo Gallery of the PT 490 ensign, nameplate (LITTLE BUTCH) with the crew list on the reverse, a 1985 PT Boater Bull Session sticker, some model photos and other items I have from my father's collection. He was a QM on the boat, .50 forward gunner and I have the commissioning pennant, flag that flew the day MacArthur was on board with other generals, additional photos and his personal items like his jumper, ribbons, Melville MTB Training School certificate, etc and several squadron plaques. Thank you - trying to get as much information/images together for family to keep his service and the memory of PT Boats alive for the next generation.
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: May 10, 2022 - 12:31pm
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Summer 1945
En route to Negros, Philippines. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur behind QMC Al McCready. Chief McCready was asked by the CO (an ENS) of the PT 490 to pilot the boat while the General was aboard since he was a superior boat handler and navigator. The PT 490 had a very junior navigator on board and the ENS did not want to get lost between Samar and Negros. So he asked Chief McCready, the Squadron Chief, (who was not assigned to that boat normally) to come on board to make sure it all went smoothly. When asked if the General had spoken to him at all during the trip, apparently all he said was “Is everything under control, Chief?” and that was about it.
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 10, 2022 - 12:33pm
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Crew Members from PT-490 which would serve with Ron 33, serving in the Southwest Pacific area. This boat along with the 492 boat sank Japanese the destroyer Uzuki on December 12, 1944, on the Camotes Sea off Canaguayan Point, Leyte, Philippines
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Frank J Andruss Sr
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Posted on: May 10, 2022 - 12:35pm
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Another photo of the crew from PT-490
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Frank J Andruss Sr
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Posted on: May 10, 2022 - 12:36pm
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PT-490 underway in June 1945
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Frank J Andruss Sr
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Posted on: May 10, 2022 - 12:39pm
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Lt. (jg.) John M. McElfresh, USNR, in PT 490, was stationed in the middle of Surigao Strait with Lt. (jg.) Harley A. Thronson's PT 491 and Lt. (jg.) Richard W. Brown's PT 493, about 10 miles north of the sections led by Leeson and Tappaan. Picking up four radar targets rounding the end of Panaon Island, 8 miles to the south, the boats deployed to intercept them. A rain squall so reduced visibility that the boats closed within 700 yards of the enemy before they could see the ships, which they identified as a cruiser and three destroyers.
The 490 launched two torpedoes at the leading destroyer. Immediately a ship in another group a mile and a half to 2 miles to the south turned on a searchlight. A moment later the leading destroyer caught the PT in its searchlight and enemy guns fired heavily on the PT's. The 490 launched two more torpedoes at the leading ship, then only 400 yards away, and opened fire on the searchlight with all guns.
The 491, a little further off, launched two torpedoes at the second ship after the enemy opened fire. The 493, still further away, tried to launch a torpedo, but it hung in the rack, and then the enemy fire was so intense that the boat was forced to retire. The 490 shot out the destroyer searchlight, only to be spotted by another. Just before the 490 ran behind a smokescreen laid by the 493, Lieutenant Brown saw a large flash on the destroyer's side, heard a loud explosion, and the second searchlight went out. He believed that one of his torpedoes had hit.
The enemy's fire was accurate. The 490's searchlight was shot off and the boat was holed above the waterline. On the first broadside, Arthur G. Peterson, TM3c, was knocked down and wounded by shell fragments. He picked himself up and turned on the smokescreen generator before reporting his injuries.
A 4.7-inch shell passed through the 493 from side to side, above the waterline. Almost immediately another shell tore clean through the engine room, carrying away the auxiliary generator, ripping a hole below the waterline, and causing some damage to the engines. Albert W. Brunelle, MoMM2c, USNR, whipped off his own life-jacket, stuffed it into the hole in the side, and went to work to keep his damaged engines running. A third shell carried away the chart-house canopy, killing two men and wounding the boat captain, second officer, and three men. Everyone in the cockpit was blown aft by the blast. Ens. Robert E. Carter, USNR, the second officer, although wounded, quickly returned to the cockpit and regained control of the boat, heading for the Panaon shore. Brunelle kept the engines running until Carter beached the boat. By that time water had seeped in past Brunelle's lifejacket until the engines were almost submerged. The dead and wounded were taken ashore.
The 491, undamaged, continued on patrol until 0530, when it sighted an enemy cruiser, probably the damaged Mogami, steaming slowly southwards. There appeared to be a small fire on the cruiser, aft of the stacks. The cruiser opened up on the 491, bracketing it with 8-inch shells. The PT fired two torpedoes and withdrew behind smoke, following the Panaon coast to the north. Soon the 491 came upon the beached 493 and picked up the survivors. The tide lifted the 493 off the beach, and it sank in deep water soon after daylight.
Of the 39 PT's that participated in the battle, 30 were under enemy fire and 10 were hit. One boat, the 493, was lost after three hits by 4.7-inch shells. Three men were killed, 3 officers and 17 men were wounded. Fifteen boats fired 35 torpedoes. Fourteen are known to have missed, 1 ran erratically, 1 had a hot run on deck, 11 were unobserved, and 7 were claimed as possible
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PT Conway |
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Posted on: May 11, 2022 - 8:59am
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THANKS MR. ANDRUSS! I just bought your book Pieces of History Artifacts of the PT Boat Navy last month. My father is pictured in 2 of these photos - in the second group photo with the 5 star MacArthur flag, he is the second from the left on the front row, the gentleman to his right is Anthony Valero - they used to call each other every Christmas when I was young. They were both twin .50 gunners. In the photo of MacArthur onboard 490, my father is in the background holding onto the .50 tub rail. I have the flag that flew that day, and the commissioning pennant of 490. The captain kept the 5 start flag. THANK YOU, KEEP PUBLISHING!
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 11, 2022 - 12:46pm
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Your so welcome PT Conway, and thank you so much for purchasing my new book.
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 23, 2022 - 1:02am
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I have another short story related to me by Al McCready QMC in the above photo. He told me that during that trip with General MacArthur, they were approaching rough seas ahead and McCready, who was at the helm, spoke to the Generals Aide and warned them they may want to move to the rear of the boat. They were sitting up on the bow in those folding canvas chairs he had brought along with him. The aide told Chief McCready that "No, the General must remain up on the bow because he really needs the fresh air, so he wont get seasick." In spite of the strong warnings they refused to budge. Within 10-15 minutes, the boat did indeed jump a few rollers and McCready related to me that he watched in amusement as the entire entourage up on the bow suddenly went airborne while still sitting in the deck chairs! It must have been hilarious to the crew on the bridge to see that happen! It was soon after that occurred that the General moved to stand just aft of the bridge area and those photos were taken, Additionally, the large photo close up was taken secretly, because the General had his official photographer, who was there to control all photos taken of the General, and had they known that photo existed, the Navy Crewman with the camera would have had to turn over his film. I wonder if the helmsman may have steered just a touch into the incoming waves in order to prove his point a little? Nobody will ever know!
I also have copies of 2 more photos of PT490 from Blake Herling.
Thanks Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: May 23, 2022 - 4:58am
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HAHAHA so that's why Mac has that frown on his face and is holding an apparently sore butt! Thanks for sharing that Jerry, funny stuff. 
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