The PT Boat Forum
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi


» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf


» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?fct=gotoforum&cid=101&fid=102


» Topic: MTBSTC Commander
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=1926



Board Members All:

I have a document dated 4 June 1942 ordering a man to report to Comdr. David Walsh, Commander of MTBSTC, for duty. I have other references where Specht was the commander of the MTBSTC and Walsh was the commander of the "Base". What would "Base" mean in that context? Does that mean Walsh was Commander of the NOB Newport? Most books report Specht to have been the commander of MTBSTC, or at least give him credit for setting up the training facility. Can someone explain this for me? Was Walsh the Commanderof MTBSTC and Specht his XO, perhaps?

Allan



Posted By: Allan | Posted on: Sep 3, 2010 - 8:42am
Total Posts: 161 | Joined: Sep 18, 2007 - 7:07pm



Allan

Recently promoted to Lt. Commander, William C. Spect was in charge of Squadron 1 at Pearl Harbor, when he was assigned to organize the training Center for the boats. The Base would become operational in the middle of March 1942. To answer your question, Spect was in charge of the base, until David Wash took over on September 18, 1943. Walsh was also in charge of the newly organized RTU in the beginning sometime in March 1944. The base does refer to the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center. Hope this helps some, I am sure Charlie Jones can shed some light as well, as I have not had time to research this for you...........



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Sep 3, 2010 - 9:17am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am




Board Members All:

I have a document dated 4 June 1942 ordering a man to report to Comdr. David Walsh, Commander of MTBSTC, for duty. I have other references where Specht was the commander of the MTBSTC and Walsh was the commander of the "Base". What would "Base" mean in that context? Does that mean Walsh was Commander of the NOB Newport? Most books report Specht to have been the commander of MTBSTC, or at least give him credit for setting up the training facility. Can someone explain this for me? Was Walsh the Commanderof MTBSTC and Specht his XO, perhaps?

Allan



Hey Allan,

Would love to see the documents. What Frank said is correct. William Specht was the CO of MTBSTC from March 16, 1942 - September 18, 1943. During that time Walsh was the Executive Officer.

There were two elements to MTBSTC, the training part included the instructors and students, and the Base Force, which was the admin, service (i.e., food) and maintenance people. With the exception of the original sign for the base, which read "U. S. Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Base and Training Center," I've never seen it officially refered to as "the base."

So it sounds like the guy was being assigned to the Base Force and not as a student. Most of the students were ordered to the Receiving Center in Boston before heading down to MTBSTC. And since the XO (Walsh) was really running the base, it would stand to reason that he would be ordered to Walsh for assignment.

If you can scan what you have, would love to see it. Sounds intriguing.

Thanks.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Sep 3, 2010 - 11:51am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



Charlie and Frank:
Thanks both for the input.

Please refer to an article at:
http://www.semp.us/publications/biot_reader.php?BiotID=692
for a photo of both Specht and Walsh, with the following caption:
"Commander David Walsh (right) in charge of the Base, and Lt. Cmdr. William Specht who organized the U.S. Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Base Training Center, Melville, Rhode Island, World War II."

I have re-examined my document and find that the Order is a bit less specific than I at first thought. It orders a man to report to the Commanding Officer of the MTBSTC and the !st Endorcement, located at the bottom to show that the man actually did report as ordered, was typed as being "From: Commanding Officer" and then was signed by D.J. Walsh. Perhaps 1- the photo caption is simply wrong, and 2- Walsh was simply signing FOR Specht, as his XO.

Charlie, I can scan and send the document if you please provide your e-mail. I have no luck in posting photos here.

Allan



Posted By: Allan | Posted on: Sep 3, 2010 - 5:12pm
Total Posts: 161 | Joined: Sep 18, 2007 - 7:07pm



Allan, I just sent you a email with my address.

In general, the XO takes care of all of the people and the base or ship, in the name of the CO. The CO has more important things to do than deal with the day to day admin things. Although the commanding officer is ultimately responsible for eveyting that goes on under his command.

So while the caption on that picture is somewhat correct, it is a bit misleading. It would be less confusing if the caption was more along the lines of "Specht is the Commanding Officer and Walsh is the Executive Officer of MTBSTC."



Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Sep 4, 2010 - 4:26pm
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm