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Topic: Boat Assignments |
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Tim Reidy
New Member
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Posted on: Jul 3, 2024 - 5:24pm
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In researching my Grandfather Lt. William "Bill" Shine, Jr. I've run into a few questions about his boat assignments. I know for a fact he was on PT 120 on April 2/3 1944 per At Close Quarters on page 232 and have a copy of this Action Report. Using Fold3, I have copies of all the Ron 8 War Diaries (except Jan 44) from November 43-November 44. There is no mention of him in any of them until the end of February 44 where they list all the new boat assignments and each boat has 3 officers; however, the Com7thFleet War Diary for Feb lists a different officer for 120, these listings are missing for March & April then he's listed in May then a different officer for June after June the listings are missing again. I also have his OMPF which includes his reviews from commanders and the specifically list PT 120. So I have multiple documents that confirm his time served on PT 120.
My main question is in reviewing the Ron 8 War diaries is it safe to say he was on the boat every time PT 120 went out or were other officers assigned to it to allow a rotation so to speak?
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CJ Skamarakas
New Member
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Posted on: Jul 11, 2024 - 7:25pm
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In April 1944, RON 8 and RON 25 along with the USS Hilo operated along the north coast of New Britain. PT-120 was one of the boats during those operations.
Details on this activity are in my book "The Devil Boats" although there are only two entries on PT-120.
From what I have found, the typical procedure in the SWPA was for two boats to work together. Each boat had its own officer as captain. Additionally, there was sometimes a third officer as OTC, Officer in Tactical Command over both boats.
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Tim Reidy
New Member
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Posted on: Jul 31, 2024 - 11:10am
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CJ thanks for the reply! I bought a copy of your book this past spring and it is simply amazing! Curious of your sources, I learned in the bibliography that the War Diaries were declassified and many were now on Fold3 so I purchased a subscription and went down a rabbit hole. Thanks your book I've been able to piece together nearly a day to day timeline of what PT 120 (and most likely my grandfather) did during his service.
A matter of fact, right before grandpa passed he mentioned that McArthur was on his boat but we kinda brushed it off since he had never mentioned it before. It was in reading your book that I came across a mention of PT 120 on page 79 and discovered the War Diaries that proved McArthur was on his boat on April 25th! Your book also has mention on pg 74 of his possible sinking of submarine on April 2nd and a few others.
I'm planning to write a manuscript for my family on Grandpa and will be relying heavily on your book. Thanks!
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smallwi
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jul 31, 2024 - 7:40pm
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Tim,
I am waiting patiently for NARA to start imaging the PT boat deck log books. They have done PT 109and PT 59, for obvious reasons. But the remainder are still in process. The deck logs also contain the muster rolls for the boat. This would answer the question as to when specific individuals were on board a specific boat.
Bill
Bill Smallshaw |
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Scott C
Advanced Member
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 Posted on: Aug 1, 2024 - 1:48pm
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Does anyone know if they have started scanning the deck logs and if so how many have they done. Are deck logs the same as after action reports? Thans Scott
Scott Campbell 2nd gen,PT 248
Ron 20
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CJ Skamarakas
New Member
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Posted on: Aug 1, 2024 - 3:11pm
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Tim,
Glad you found the information useful.
Scott,
I haven't seen the deck logs online anywhere. The war diaries are monthly summary reports. You should also look for the After Action reports. Those get into the nuts-and-bolts details of what happened.
regards,
CJ
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 3, 2024 - 12:51pm
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Tim;
I have seen a photo of Bill Shine on PT 120, I will see if I can find it.
Take care
TED
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 7, 2024 - 10:33am
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Photo of PT-120 and her crew that I had in my files
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Tim Reidy
New Member
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Posted on: Aug 23, 2024 - 6:18pm
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Thanks Ted, if you can find it I'd love to see it!
Thanks Frank, I've seen that picture many times but unfortunately the picture is of the crew either before or after his time.
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 27, 2024 - 12:13am
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Here is a photo I obtained of PT120 under way from the collection of LT Bill Skade, skipper of PT143 in RON 8 in late 1944 and 1945 when they were in Philippines and Borneo.
Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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