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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Q/M Robert C.Link - Q/M of the 153 or 158?
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I read in Stavisky's 'Marine Combat Correspondent' book that he was on the PT-157 (July 9 '43) when CMDR R.B. Kelly was taken out to the (grounded) PT-153 and PT-158 so that Kelly and two crewman could go out to the abandoned boats. Stavisky's book said that a Q/M Robert C. Link was one of the two crewman that rowed Kelly out to the boats (Kelly needed to destroy sensitive equipment and recover the log books). Q/M Link was not a crew member of the 157 so I am thinking he was possibly from the 153/158 and came along to help Kelly retrieve the log books.

Any help on what boat Q/M Robert C. Link was assigned to?

Thanks,

Bridge

Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Aug 30, 2011 - 1:30pm
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm

Hopefully, this information will still be helpful.

Official World War II deck logs for PT-153, 157, and 158 do not list Robert C. Link as a member of the crew.

My dad was captain of PT-161 from November 28, 1942-January 10, 1944. An entry for Robert C. Link (Q/M) is listed in my dad's handwriting. Link reported on December 2, 1942 and was "detached" on February 3, 1944.

PT-161 crew:

John E. McElroy (Capt.); J.S. Englund (Exec.); J.D. Litton (Exec.); Jack W. Ruff (Exec.); N.G. Chase (QM); J.C. Feldtman (MM); Donald B. Frost (MoMM); George E. Gallagher (GM); T. Gavish (S); S.J. Golcmbeiwski (S); Robert C. Link (Q/M); J. Pilarzcyk (MM); H.D. McWherter (RM); Victor L. Sheriff (SC); Louis E. Spivey (MoMM); Les Taylor (TM); Joe Tiberti (GM); W. Ufert (MoMM); J.R. Vanderheiden (TM); W.L. Wylan (GM); and E.E. Zarembinski (RM).

Donald Frost (Laconia, NH) and George Gallagher (Maine) are alive today. My dad died in February 2001. (Unknown how many other crew members are still alive.)

JMJr

Posted By: JMcElroyJr | Posted on: Jun 11, 2014 - 3:48pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Thank you for this update. There is a photo in the book FIRST-UP of Link getting into the dingy with Kelly as they prepare to push off of the 157 and row over to the abandoned 153 & 158. That moment also captured on color movie film!

Neither Bud Liebenow or Welford West could recall specifically as to why Link was the one chosen to go with Kelly so I appreciate and plausible explanation.

Bridge

Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Jun 12, 2014 - 7:36am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm

Bridge;
I concur with your thought process, since the QM maintained all charts and Admin type logs, it would be his job to retrieve it, if the Skipper/ Exec could not for some reason.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jun 12, 2014 - 8:02am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am