| Author |
Topic: Interview with last survivor of PT-109 |
|
Shaneo2
Advanced Member
|
  
Posted on: Jun 2, 2022 - 3:05pm
|
I agree- the treatment of the PT boat crew in regards to the food dumped overboard was sad to hear in Mr Kowals voice.
I wonder if the ship was manned by the US Merchant Marine? Not at all to detract from the large sacrifice of the USMM in WWII. Just that I've read "several" accounts now from all branches of the US military of similar behavior, poor food, accommodations, and often attitude to the embarked military folks-- even for wartime.
This interview is the second instance in a couple weeks I've heard, or read. The other was from and Army officer who mentioned one US ship on the way to a New Guinea invasion. In fairness though- later on another ship they (the Army unit) were very well treated.
From accounts like this the 1st Marine Division on the Wellington, NZ docks prior to Guadalcanal, and even more numerous issues with the Australian longshoreman-- I am SMH in regards to some of those maritime folks.
And to Frank, I really enjoyed your interview here with such a great veteran, kudo's! Also, my regards and thanks to his family for his service to our country...
|
Total Posts: 147 | Joined:
Apr 17, 2008 - 10:19pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
|
 Posted on: Jun 3, 2022 - 7:56am
|
Thanks Very much Shaneo2. When Mr. Kowal told me of the food tossed over the side, I was shocked that this treatment of fellow Sailors in arms took place.
|
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined:
Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am | IP
Logged
|
|
Scott C
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Jun 3, 2022 - 8:58am
|
fantastic job to both of you !! 3 cheers.  
Scott Campbell 2nd gen,PT 248
Ron 20
|
Total Posts: 106 | Joined:
Nov 20, 2019 - 4:34pm | IP
Logged
|
|
smallwi
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Jun 17, 2022 - 11:14am
|
Frank & Dick,
Thanks for the effort to pull this together. I found the comments that PT 109 was painted gray interesting. The boat was most likely in a grey scheme ( light gray 5-L and dark gray 5-D) when delivered. But photographs of her in transit, as well as off Guadalcanal show a mono color scheme. Based on the Donovan book the assumption has always been the boat was painted green in theater, during the dry dock referenced in the interview. Interesting input from Maurice. But one needs to keep in mind this is memory from 60 years prior.
Bill
Bill Smallshaw |
Total Posts: 134 | Joined:
Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm | IP
Logged
|
|
smallwi
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Jun 17, 2022 - 12:58pm
|
Correction to the last post, the light gray of the as manufactured scheme is Navy Gray #5. This was apparently a unique scheme for the 80 foot ELCO, a derivative of Measure 1.
According to Al Ross’s Allied Coastal Forces Volume II, these boats where repainted Measure 13. Which is an overall gray scheme utilizing Haze Gray (5-H). This explains the photographs mention earlier showing PT 109 as a single color. A true Measure 13 scheme would have had the decks painted Deck Blue (20-B). But most photographs of the period do not seem to show a color contrast between the chart-house and the deck. I presume the PT boats were painted a derivative of the Measure 13 standard.
Bill Smallshaw |
Total Posts: 134 | Joined:
Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Jeff D
Moderator
|
Posted on: Jun 18, 2022 - 6:47am
|
A color photo of what is supposed to be the 109 shows her as being painted a darkish green: http://www.pt103.com/PT_61.html. Mr. Kowal may have forgotten a little detail like color, especially considering it was 60 years ago. Or maybe it was painted while he was recuperating from his injuries?
|
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined:
Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am | IP
Logged
|
|
smallwi
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Jun 27, 2022 - 6:59am
|
Jeff,
I had forgotten about the photo you referenced, good point. Reviewing the Donovan book Kowal joined the crew on May 1, 1943. Donovan states that the boat went into dry dock some time after that, no specific date mentioned. But the boat started patrols on May 8, subsequent to dry dock. During this week Donovan states the boat was repainted Forest Green. An exact date could be found in the surviving deck log for the boat.
Regardless, Kowal would be correct, the boat was painted gray. What he may not have recalled was the boat being repainted. Memory from 60 years later for sure. By the way the accident he cited with the 50 cal mount appears to have occurred before the dry dock. That event probably fixed certain details in memory.
Bill Smallshaw |
Total Posts: 134 | Joined:
Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Jerry Gilmartin
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Jun 27, 2022 - 11:36am
|
Oh no not this subject again! Frank what have you done?
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm | IP
Logged
|
|
smallwi
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Jun 27, 2022 - 1:04pm
|
Jeff,
I had forgotten about the photo you referenced, good point. Reviewing the Donovan book Kowal joined the crew on May 1, 1943. Donovan states that the boat went into dry dock some time after that, no specific date mentioned. But the boat started patrols on May 8, subsequent to dry dock. During this week Donovan states the boat was repainted Forest Green. An exact date could be found in the surviving deck log for the boat.
Regardless, Kowal would be correct, the boat was painted gray. What he may not have recalled was the boat being repainted. Memory from 60 years later for sure. By the way the accident he cited with the 50 cal mount appears to have occurred before the dry dock. That event probably fixed certain details in memory.
Bill Smallshaw |
Total Posts: 134 | Joined:
Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Jul 6, 2022 - 8:54am
|
Oh No Jerry I fueled the fire again, move on, move on, should we talk about Higgins boats Jerry?
|
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined:
Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am | IP
Logged
|
|
|
