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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Ron9 PT#156
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Hello All,
I just wanted to announce and share my excitement with the message board some information I was searching for was found.
***The message board's Steve, Nuge210 - Found and shared with me that my father in-law was assigned to PT boat #156 on Feb.23,1944 **

I cant explain how important it was to me to find that boat number.
It just ate at me every time I read something about a particular boat or looked at a PT boat picture from the time and place. It was a sinking lost feeling. The thought always on my mind was he on that boat?

I want to formally thank Steve from the bottom of my heart for remembering my posting to the message board and for taking the time to look for him.
Thank You Steve !

From his military records I received from the National Personal Records and much help deciphering them from a long lost cousin, who served in Vietnam. He has helped me understand what the papers tell us or dont tell us.
I know now that He (Robert Richard Rocheleau, #869-96-64 from Minneapolis MN) rate GM2c by the end of 1944.
Was on PT156 and was in 4 Invasions during the year of 1944 in the South Pacific.

I am calling out for anyone who may have any more information now that we know more. Any information on the activities or any photo's of #156 or anything at all about this time/boat/battles fought there in 1944
I would sure appreciate any thing you could share with me.

Gratefully Yours,
Julie

Posted By: MN Gal | Posted on: Mar 31, 2012 - 9:02am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jan 4, 2012 - 7:57am

Julie;
Here is a photo of PT 156 RON 9 July 1944, she is underway in company of PT 157 RON 9. Location: Finschhafen, New Guinea.
Enjoy,
TED

[/image]
from Nat Smith collection

July 1944, Skipper at this time was LT jg Rex Anderson.

from Nat Smith collection
Dark haired officer is LT Micheal Pessolano, the RON Squadron Commander

PT 156 MK 12 20mm mount forward gun tub.
from Wayne Traxell collection

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 31, 2012 - 3:02pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Hello Julie,

Back in the early 90's I cooresponded with Rex Anderson skipper of PT-156 from Feburary to November 1944 and he sent some pictures of his crew with no I D. Perhaps one of these crewmembers featured is your father-in-law.

QM Damon second from the right.

Gunners mate Gaddie 1st on the left, Skipper, Rex Anderson, second from right.

Wayne Traxel

Posted By: Wayne Traxel | Posted on: Apr 1, 2012 - 8:15am
Total Posts: 248 | Joined: Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am

Nice photographs, thanks for sharing.

Posted By: Black Ops | Posted on: Apr 1, 2012 - 9:38am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Greetings to all, This is my 3rd attempt to Thank Ted and Wayne for the photo's. I dont know where my postings are going so if they are showing up somewhere else please let me know.
First, to Ted:
Thank you so much for the photo's. Because of the message boards Steve, we learned that my father in-law was on PT 156 but we could not find any photos of her. When I saw the postings and I paged down and saw that photo of #156 I felt like crying, there she was, as proud as she could be. It was wonderful, thank you so much. I didnt see him in any of the crew photo's. But having the photo of #156 is priceless.

To Wayne: I found him in two of the photo's from Wayne,
the 2nd photo w/POW I believe he could be the guy kneeling to the right of the POW w/his elbow on his knee. his hat is shadowing his face so I am not completely sure, I also think it could be possible he could be the man standing directly above that man with his jacket wide open. I am very sure that he is the man in Waynes 3rd photo, he would be the one 2nd from the right,(not counting the streaker in the back) he is the one with the big smile, with his hands on the shoulders of the men on either side of him. He has a hat on with the brim pushed up. I also want to thank Wayne for sending me the article of the last Novembers news letter on a Aug. 18 1944 battle the 156 was in.

I want to Thank you both from the bottom of my heart for remembering my posting and taking the time to look for him and then post the photo's. They are and forever will be priceless to our family and our childrens children. Thank you doesnt seem like enough. But it is all I can do.
So please understand how important this is to us. You have done a great thing.
I have a photo of him I would like to post so that others may give input weather he is the one next to the POW or not. My hope is also if someone else might recognize him in a photo that they may have in their collection. Since I have been having trouble posting this Thank You, I appologize for it being late. I will hit post again and see if it show's up.
If it does, I will try and post a photo.
Thanks to All
Julie

Posted By: MN Gal | Posted on: Apr 16, 2012 - 5:05am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jan 4, 2012 - 7:57am

Hello Julie,

Really glad the photos were of help to you.

Should I come across additional info of PT-156 & crew I'll be sure to Post it. You never know a future viewer of this post may provide the answers.

Keep in touch and let us know where your journey takes you.

Wayne Traxel

Posted By: Wayne Traxel | Posted on: Apr 16, 2012 - 7:30am
Total Posts: 248 | Joined: Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am

Julie;
Your Welcome. Always glad to help.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Apr 16, 2012 - 8:48am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

I was hoping that some viewers would give their opinion on which one you think he is in the POW photo posted by Wayne.

If anyone recognizes him in any photo's that may have in your own collection, I would sure appreciate it if you would share them with me.
Any information on the #156 and her crew during 1944 is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to All
Julie

Robert Rocheleau on the left

Posted By: MN Gal | Posted on: Apr 18, 2012 - 9:44am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jan 4, 2012 - 7:57am

Well one out of three photo's posted.
I tried to get some of different facial expresions to give a wider perspective of him.
So if I keep monkeying around maybe I can get another one to post.
I got them posted on photobucket, just the copy and pasting to this site seems to be the problem.
Any advice?
Julie

Posted By: MN Gal | Posted on: Apr 18, 2012 - 9:48am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jan 4, 2012 - 7:57am

Hi Julie . . .

The images have been salvaged and replaced in your post above.

Dick . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Apr 20, 2012 - 10:47pm
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Julie,

In the POW photo, I'm thinking that he looks more like the man standing, with his shirt open.
It is difficult to be positive, but I'd bet on him.

Steve

Posted By: Nuge210 | Posted on: Apr 21, 2012 - 6:32am
Total Posts: 323 | Joined: Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am

Dick, Thanks for your help with those photo's. I appreciate your help so much !

Steve, Thanks for your input on which one you think he is on the POW photo.
your the 2nd one to think that, The guy helping me that I mentioned in a past post. He is a vet and he has helped me with understanding the information I have gathered. He thought it was the one standing too.
I was leaning more toward the one kneeling below him. Its those wrinkles in his smile that makes me think that. But now I am questioning my own opinion. that is why I appreciate the opinion of others so much.
Any one else have a guess?

Julie

Posted By: MN Gal | Posted on: Apr 21, 2012 - 8:01am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jan 4, 2012 - 7:57am

Julie

In looking at the two photo's, I would have to say the man standing with open shirt is the one. I base this on the shape of his nose and smile. Sure looks like the same one to me.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 21, 2012 - 8:41am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Anyone else think that prisoner looks less-than-alive? (Although one crewman IS holding a tommy gun).

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Apr 21, 2012 - 9:26am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Yea, Will, he does not look good. Probably thought he would be done in at any moment.

Steve

Posted By: Nuge210 | Posted on: Apr 21, 2012 - 4:34pm
Total Posts: 323 | Joined: Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am

POW: I am assuming the POW was plucked out of the water and wrapped up with the blanket. I say he alive as...
A) I think the POW's left arm is apparently across his chest as his left hand can be seen clutching the blanket.
B) His knees also appear to be up and together. Not a likely position for a deceased POW.
C) I'm not sure all the sailors would gather so close to dead POW.

The machine gun is maybe the least convincing clue as soldiers do like to show weapons for photos as we know. A simple 45 automatic would do in this case.

Sorry for my CSI-like forensics.

Bridge

Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Apr 21, 2012 - 6:00pm
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm

I was thinking more like "posed"

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Apr 21, 2012 - 7:20pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm