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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: Looking for info on RON 32
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=3765

This is my first post. I am trying to find out more about my late uncle, Harold (Hal) Andrew Wilson. He was assigned to RON 32 as a motor mechanic. He was on a 78 foot Higgins that was likely the 479. I think RON 32 saw some action in late 44 at the Treasury Islands. He was later based in Okinawa. I have some questions about how they got from New Orleans to Miami to the Solomons.Would love to get some more info.

Steve Wilson

Posted By: Steve Wilson | Posted on: Feb 2, 2015 - 12:36am
Total Posts: 27 | Joined: Feb 2, 2015 - 12:28am

E mail me by hitting the icon on top of my post, I might be able to help you.................

Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Feb 2, 2015 - 3:33pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am

The Ron 32 War Diaries are available from Fold3 site which gives the complete war history and movement dates.

To sum up: Ron 32 cruised under own power to Miami and then to the CZ (arrived 10 Sep 44). On 21 Nov PT 479 (and others) loaded aboard SS White Plains for Tulagi, BSI. After war, Ron performed Air-Sea Rescue patrols (PT Base 25 - Okinawa) until secured 20 Nov 45. PT 479 traveled to Samar, PI on LSD-19 (unloaded 9 Dec 45).

Cheers,
Andy

Posted By: Andy Small | Posted on: Feb 3, 2015 - 10:39am
Total Posts: 262 | Joined: Nov 20, 2013 - 9:04pm

Wow! Thanks Frank and Andy. I am not familiar with the fold3 site you mentioned, Andy. Do you have the address? I will look forward to exploring it. Frank, I will drop you an email. Thank you for offering help. What a great forum!

Steve Wilson

Posted By: Steve Wilson | Posted on: Feb 3, 2015 - 3:38pm
Total Posts: 27 | Joined: Feb 2, 2015 - 12:28am

Hi Andy, I was wondering inf you could tell me what the "CZ" stands for in your post. Maybe "Combat Zone?" Still trying to figure it all out!

Steve Wilson

Posted By: Steve Wilson | Posted on: Feb 3, 2015 - 9:31pm
Total Posts: 27 | Joined: Feb 2, 2015 - 12:28am

Steve;
C.Z. stands for "Canal Zone" in other words Panama. Early ELCO Squadrons were shipped to Panama as deck cargo from either New York or Norfolk, Virginia. Later Squadrons, when released from Shakedown to Advanced Training, ran from Miami to Panama. Higgins Squadron's(RON 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 31, 32) , and most later ELCO Squadron's (RON 18, 21 , 24, 25, 27, 28, 33, 36, 37, 38, and 39)would run from Miami Shakedown via Cuba and Barranquilla, Columbia to Colon-Cristobal Panama, the location of Submarine Base Coco Solo. Then transit the Panama Canal(a 6-10 hour trip it depends on traffic), they would then moor at Balboa and "Check-in: with Commandant 15th Naval District, then proceed to PT Advanced Training Base Toboga Island, just 12 miles from Balboa piers. Also, Huckins RON 14(PT 98-102), remained at Toboga as a training Squadron, training ships in "anti -PT Boat" tactics and High Value Transport (HVT) escort squadron. Huckins RON 26(PT 255-264) ran from Miami to Panama, for advanced training then was assigned to the Hawaiian Sea Frontier, MTB Base Pearl Harbor.
Hope this Helps;
Take care,
TED

P.S. Mediterranean based Squadrons (RON 15, 22, and 29) and English based Squadrons (RON 2(2), 30, 34, and 35) received no Advanced Training in Panama, it was all OJT- "On the Job Training" in bad guy waters!

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 4, 2015 - 6:05am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Ted,
Thank you for clarifying CZ - that makes sense now. Also thank you for the other info you sent. With all your help I am piecing it together, Much appreciated!
Steve

Steve Wilson

Posted By: Steve Wilson | Posted on: Feb 4, 2015 - 9:59am
Total Posts: 27 | Joined: Feb 2, 2015 - 12:28am

Found your Uncle listed in the PT475 Deck Logs, If you send me your email, I will send you what I collected today.
Andy

Posted By: Andy Small | Posted on: Feb 9, 2015 - 7:49pm
Total Posts: 262 | Joined: Nov 20, 2013 - 9:04pm

Thank you, Andy. I have sent you my email. Looking forward to seeing what you found.
Steve

Steve Wilson

Posted By: Steve Wilson | Posted on: Feb 9, 2015 - 10:11pm
Total Posts: 27 | Joined: Feb 2, 2015 - 12:28am