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» Topic: Ted Robinson's Claim to Have Helped Rescue JFK
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I just sent this email to Cathy Locke, author of the Ted Robinson story in today's Sacramento Bee.
[url]http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/obituaries/article41491314.html[/url]
I'm eager for any thoughts you might have on this curious story:

RE: Corrections to Ted Robinson Story

Dear Cathy:

Like my own father, Ted Robinson served in combat zones in the South Pacific during World War II, and for that he had my great admiration. I write this with deep respect for Mr. Robinson’s actual service.
But the historical record is important, as is honoring our veterans with accurate history.
I have thoroughly researched PT 109 for my recent book of the same name - - including interviewing Ted Robinson somewhat briefly, before he hung up on me when I asked him for documentation of his claims to be on the PT boat that rescued John Kennedy.
The actual commander of the boat that rescued Kennedy, (then Lieutenant junior grade) William "Bud" Liebenow, who is alive today and is an extremely reliable eyewitness, has no memory of a Ted Robinson being on that mission and no memory of him at all, and I have found no evidence that Robinson was ever on the PT 157. It is theoretically possible that Robinson might have rode along on another boat, the PT 171, on the night of the rescue (August 6 and 7, 1943), as that boat provided initial radar coverage for the operation, but the two boats became separated during the mission and PT 157 is the boat that took Kennedy and the other survivors off the island and back to safety. Robinson provided no documentation for his claim to be on either boat in his self-published book.
Robinson was definitely not “skipper” of the boat that rescued Kennedy - - William Liebenow was, as skipper of the PT 157.
U.S. Navy records identified by independent PT boat researchers at the National Archives indicate that a Ted Robinson did come aboard the PT 118 as executive officer on August 12, 1943. Robinson may have met Kennedy in the weeks after the rescue, and he may have taken the photo of Kennedy leaning on a cane during his recuperation.
But many of the claims Robinson made over the years are incorrect or have no supporting evidence.
His claim to have recuperated with Kennedy for three months is false, as Kennedy was hospitalized for recuperation for only a few weeks before re-entering active duty.
At 7:10 in this video, Robinson says “I was the guy that rescued Kennedy.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK7lJF2BxBU
I have found no evidence for that claim. I have examined, for example, most, if not all of the extensive PT 109 files at the JFK Library and Robinson’s name appears only once, in a 1960 news clipping in which he says he helped rescue Kennedy.
The historical record identifies the men who rescued John F. Kennedy and the PT 109 survivors as: Solomon Islands natives Biuku Gasa, Eroni Kumana, John Kari, Benjamin Kevu, Moses Sesa, Jonathan Bia, Joseph Eta, Stephen Hitu, Koete Igolo, and Edward Kidoe; Australian Coastwatcher Reginald Evans and his assistant, American Coastwatcher Benjamin Franklin Nash; the men aboard the PT 157 on the night of the rescue (including the boat’s full regular crew): skipper Lt. (jg) William Liebenow, executive officer John Ruff, torpedoman Welford West, quartermaster Waldo DeWilde, motor machinists Dan Jamieson, Harry Armstrong and Harry Aust, gunnerymen Jimmy Smith, Ray Macht and Harold Goodemote, radioman Sam Koury, pharmacist’s mates Fred T. Ratchford and William J. Lawrence (who provided medical support), PT officers Lt. Hank Brantingham and Lt. Alvin Cluster, plus two war correspondents, Frank Hewlett and Leif Erickson.
Beginning at 1:04:15 on this video, Robinson makes a series of false statements:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esuW4lU75u8
Referring to gasoline burns: “he (JFK) was burned like a crisp (immediately after the Amagiri crash, from flaming gasoline)”. Later in the tape, he again describes gasoline burns on Kennedy.
False. Kennedy was sunburned in the days after the crash, but was not burned by gasoline.
“One man was burned so badly (a clear reference to Patrick McMahon, the most badly burned of the crew) that he was already bleeding at the mouth and bleeding, and nobody wanted him on their wreckage… nobody wanted to help this man.”
False, and a dishonor to the PT 109 crew, all of whom pitched in to help McMahon.
“When he got him (McMahon) ashore, the man died.”
False. McMahon survived the ordeal.
“…it was too late, some of them (PT 109 survivors) had already starved to death.”
False. No survivors starved to death.
“I went in (on the rescue mission) as Brantingham’s representative. I went on the 157 boat, we went in on Liebenauer’s (sic) boat…”
Very likely false. There is no evidence that Robinson was on the PT 157. Hank Brantingham had no need to deputize a representative to go on the mission because he was on the mission himself.
“We brought ‘em back (JFK and his crew), one man died on the way home.” Later, Robinson repeats the claim that “one man died on the way home.”
False. Two men did die in the impact of the collision. No survivors died on the way home, or in weeks and months after the crash.
“We had a funeral for Jack…”
Most likely false. There is no conclusive evidence that any funeral or service was held.
I have no idea why Robinson made such claims, some of them dating back to the 1960s. I have no idea why he was not publicly corrected on such claims by fellow PT boat veterans over the years, although they may not have been widely circulated, or cared about, in the pre-internet age. In recent years, both William Liebenow and his PT 157 crewman Welford West specifically denied ever knowing a Ted Robinson to me and other researchers.
These are not mere minor discrepancies but major falsehoods and misstatements in which Robinson elevates himself to a central role in a major historical event that he was in all likelihood never a part of.
I did not write any of this in my book, which came out a few weeks ago, because frankly I did not want to cause public distress to an elderly veteran. During my phone conversation with Robinson last year when I politely asked him for evidence of his claims, he brought the conversation to an end and hung up the phone.
If I am wrong in my interpretation of the evidence, or if Mr. Robinson’s friends and family can produce conclusive evidence for his claim to have rescued, or have helped rescue, Kennedy and his crew, I will apologize publicly and stand corrected. I keep an open mind and hold out the possibility that I may be wrong on Mr. Robinson. I was not there. I was not alive at the time. He was evidently, fairly close to the events geographically and chronologically.
But I believe that without corroborating evidence, Ted Robinson should not go down in history as the man who saved, or helped save, John F. Kennedy. That honor belongs to the men listed above.
Ted Robinson should instead be honored for his actual service, in the combat zone, in defending our nation.

Respectfully,
William Doyle
Author
PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy
[url]http://www.harpercollins.com/9780062346582/pt-109[/url]

“I have to say, William Doyle’s PT 109 is the finest book I’ve ever read on the subject: the best written; the most well-researched and accurate. It covers every aspect and brings many new things to light. Doyle has done a wonderful job.”

William Liebenow, Lt. Commander, USNR (ret.), skipper of PT 157, John F. Kennedy's tentmate, battle colleague and boat commander of the mission that rescued Kennedy behind enemy lines in August 1943


William Doyle

Posted By: William Doyle | Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 1:22pm
Total Posts: 57 | Joined: Jan 5, 2015 - 10:20am



Mr. Doyle: I am now in the process of reading your new book. (Almost through) I have been reading the accounts of the 109 episode for years and yours is the most through that I have ever read. You did a marvelous job. I certainly never heard of Ted Robinson or read of any of these claims that he is making. I was not in the Solomons when the 109 was sunk but was at at Vella La Vella and our 242 berthed next to the 59 in the mongrove bushes for a couple of weeks in November 1943. I was just a lowly 1st class Seaman so I certainly had no contact with Mr. Kennedy..

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 3:20pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm




I had also run into Mr Robinson i few years ago when I saw he was speaking at a function here in Southern California. I then did a search and found that was continually traveling throughout the state to talk about his 'rescue' of the PT 109 crew and talking up his book. I found his phone number and contacted him. I found him to be pushy and loud when you questioned anything about his involvement during the night the PT 157 rescued the 109 crew. For example, I asked where he was on the 157 that night to which he said he was crouched behind a torpedo tube. It seemed odd for an XO to take that position. I also asked Skipper Liebenow and torpedoman West about Mr. Robinson to which they said they had not ever heard of him. About two years ago I took it on myself to draw the log pages from the National Archives on the PT-118 and quickly found that his statement in his book and the real USN records showed Robinson's assertions as to being on the 157 that night were just not possible. Below is my previously unpublished account of my review.

I am putting this on the Forum just as I wrote it (to myself) without reviewing for typos/grammar check. It also lost its formatting when I copied/pasted from my WOrd doc file. I apologise forl my hyphenating the letters 'PT' with the boat number. Old habits die hard.

- Bridge Carney


[b]Purpose:[/b]
The purpose of this review was to confirm the dates, action and location of Mr. Robinson and the PT-118 for the period of time of June 30, 1943 to August 11, 1943 outlined in specific detail in his book „Water in my Veins‰.
Mr, Ted Robison served on the PT-118 in the Solomons in the summer of 1943. He did serve and is to be thanked and congratulated for his efforts. His account of the times in the Solomons is another contribution to future generations of those who served in the country‚s hours of need.

[b]Conclusion:[/b]
For the sake of accurate history, however, there were many noted discrepancies and statements in Mr. Robinson‚s book, ŒWater in my Veins‚,  that did not agree with known situations by persons familiar with PTs in the Solomons.

On review of available US Naval Documents for the period of time of June 30, 1943 to August 11, 1943 there is no support of various locations and some of the personal associations of Mr. Robinson as stated in his book „Water in my Veins‰. To date the documents and eyewitnesses do not support the accounts regarding the stated locations and actions by Mr. Robinson in his book and that of the PT-118.

[b]Sources used in this review[/b]
The documents obtained from NARA (United States National Archives and Records Administration) used in this review include the following:

- - Administrative Log for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Nine ˆ covering July and August 1943
- - August 1943 MTB Logs - Cover Report AND MTB logs Aug 1-Aug 31, 1943.
- - The PT-157 Log book pages for August 7, 1943
- - The PT-118 Log book, dated July 1, 1943 to September 7, 1943, for the dates of June29, 1943 to August 11, 1943 including the first two pages of the Log book that lists the crew member so the PT-118 during this period.

In addition there is the eyewitness recall, interviewed by Bridgeman Carney, of three persons present in Rendova during July/August 1943 that being:

- - William ŒBud‚ Liebenow, LT(jg), Skipper of the PT-157
- - Welford West, Torpedo man 1/C, PT-157 (now deceased)
- - Sam Reynolds, LT(jg), Executive Officer, PT-162 (now deceased)

The book „FIRST-UP: Chronicles of the PT-157‰, includes Deck log pages of the PT-157 and RON-9 MTB log pages.

[b]Analysis from which the conclusion is drawn[/b]

These are the more significant conflicts of story of the PT-118 in the book ŒWater in my veins‚ versus entries from USN documents of the time:
- - Mr. Robinson‚s book states that he was assigned to the PT-118 throughout the period of July and August 1943; except for early August when he says he detached himself from the PT-118, which was in for repairs, to move up to Rendova aboard the PT-164 on his own without any other PT-118 crew.

- - o The Deck Log of the PT-118 of crewmen shows that it was not until August 11, 1943 that Mr. Robinson, and whole new crew including Lt (jg) Percy, were assigned to the PT-118.

All pages of the PT-118 Log book reviewed, from June 29 to August 11, 1943, are signed at the bottom by Executive Officer Foncannon, who was under Skipper Lt (jg) D.S. Kennedy. The exception are the first two pages, which lists the crew and crew changes, which are signed by Lt (jg) Percy at the time he added his crew to the log when replacing D.S. Kennedy‚s crew on August 11, 1943. The entries of the new crew and Mr. Percy‚s signature appear to be the same handwriting style.

- - Mr. Robinson states that PT-118 first arrived in Rendova sometime in early August 1943 and that he, Mr. Robinson, arrived in Rendova on August 1, 1943.

- - - - he Administrative Log for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Nine AND the Log book from the PT-157 AND Log book from the PT-118 show that the PT-118 went to ŒAdvanced Base‚ Rendova with RON-9 on June 29, traveling all night and delayed due to engine trouble, arriving Rendova on June 30, 1943. (noted is that the PT-118 was not officially RON-9 but was temporarily put under the command of the RON-9 Commander Kelly as the initial PT fleet to Rendova under ŒOperation Toenails‚)
  
- - - - The recounting by Mr. Robinson about the sinking of the McCawley is told in a detached manner in which he, and the PT-118, were not involved. However, the PT-118 did attack a ship on June 30, outside of Rendova harbor and fired two torpedoes [PT-118 log book states „2015 [hrs] Two torpedoes fired into ship‰. Per the Administrative Log for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Nine, the PT-118 did fire two torpedoes and was among the PTs that hit and, unfortunately, did sink the USS McCawley.

- - - - The PT-118 has engine problems on July 1, while station in Rendova, but completes repairs according to the Administrative Log for Motor Torpedo Boat [MTB] Squadron Nine. The PT-118 remains in Rendova attempting to attempt repairs. In the month of July the PT-118 log books show that it spends nearly 23 days out of the patrol rotation due to breakdowns/repairs with much of the time traveling to/from PT Bases Tulagi & Russells and time spent waiting for and during repairs. The PT-118 does not reappear in the MTB Rendova Actions Reports until August 2, 1943.

- - - - The MTB RON-9 Action Reports (PT base Rendova) for August 2- August 5 shows the PT-118 is back in Rendova when it is listed as on patrol, still under the command of Skipper Lt (jg) D.S. Kennedy; not Percy as indicated in ŒVeins‚. This synchronizes with the PT-118‚s own log book which says Œunderway to advanced base‚; which is PT base Rendova.

- - - - The PT-118 log book entries show that it is on patrol the nights of August 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7. The MTB Reports for Rendova also show the 118 on patrol for these dates. The significance of the PT-118 being on patrol on August 7 is that this is the night the PT-157 rescue the crew of the PT-109 with assistance from PT-171 [not the PT-162 as stated in ŒVeins‚] who will do a radar scan, give the all clear to the PT-157 and then leave for its own assigned patrol. If Mr. Robinson had been a part of the PT-118 he certainly would have been on patrol with the 118; not the PT-157 on the night of August 7.

- - - - On August 1, 1943, Mr. Robinson said he rode on the PT-164 up to Rendova and then joined the PT-159 on patrol.

The PT-159 Deck Log for this date does not indicate the presence of any special Œguests‚ on-board. This in and of itself does it confirm the Mr. Robinson was not on-board; but neither does it confirm that he was. The noting of special riders on board a PT was often, but not always, noted in a PT Deck Log.

The National Archives could not locate the Deck Log of the PT-164 (which was destroyed on August 1 at Rendova harbor).

- - - - pecifically, there is a critical disconnect between Mr. Robinson‚s account of himself and that of the PT-118 especially his supposed movement from PT Base Russells to PT base Rendova.

In the book ŒVeins‚, bottom of page 229, Mr. Robinson he was going forward to Rendova as the PT-118 was in for repairs to fix a lot of damage, back at PT base Tulagi, due to hitting a reef and yet the PT-118 leaves PT base Russells at 0900-hours arrives latter in the day, August 2, at PT base Rendova..and even goes on assigned patrol that night.

Questions arise as to how it was possible for Mr. Robinson to detach himself from daily duties as the Executive Office of the PT-118 crew and to go forward on his own, on August 1, to advanced PT base Rendova while the Skipper and crew of the PT-118 have to travel further to the rear to PT base Tulagi for repairs. This would be a 3-4 hour boat ride across open water, still within range of enemy attach, requiring a full crew, Skipper and Executive Officer.

- - Why would an XO leave a crew behind? Did Mr. Robinson have written permission (orders) to go forward (leaving his crew and Skipper at Russells or Tulagi)?

- - As stated previous the PT-118 went out on patrol on the nights of August 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7. With the PT-118 in Rendova as of August 2, Mr. Robinson would have rejoined the PT-118 and crew.

- - It is here that there is a disconnect with Mr. Robinson‚s account of himself and the documented locations and actions of the PT-118.

[b]Eyewitness accounts:[/b]

- - In interviews in 2012/2013 when asking of Skipper William F. Liebenow and torpedo man Welford West, both of the PT-157 during July/August 1943, as well as Sam Reynolds, Executive Officer of the PT-162 also during July/August 1943 their recall of PT Executive Officer Robinson, none recalled Mr. Robinson.

- - - - Neither Liebenow or West recall Mr. Robinson ever being on the PT-157. In separate discussions, both have listed all personnel on board that they recall the PT-157 the night they rescued the crew of the PT-109. The lists from both matched each other and neither included Mr. Robinson.

- - - - In the book ŒWater in my Veins‚, Mr. Robinson says he made himself a personal aide to RON-9 Executive Office Brantingham. As such Mr. Robinson would have been in and around Brantingham constantly. William Liebenow, however, and Brantingham were quite close in that they passed much of their off-time (day time) together playing cribbage. This puts further question to Mr. Robinson association with Brantingham in light of the above bullet.

- - - - When Liebenow and Reynolds were asked to comment about Mr. Robinson being a personal aid to Brantingham, their response was that none of the officers had any person aides; including Kelly and Warfield (RON-9 and RON-2 Commanders respectively).

- - - - The following point is speculative however is relevant: RON-9 (at Rendova) lost two PTs (PTs 153/158) in early July when they ran aground. All crewmen/Officers were recovered and remaining assigned on Œbase duty‚. These crewmen and Officers, which include Skippers and Executive Officers obviously, were available for whatever purpose Kelly/Brantingham wished to have them do. It would be reasonable to assume that if Kelly/Brantingham felt they wanted an aide, which give the previous point was not so, they would have selected an Officer with who they were already familiar with as they had been together as part of RON-9 for the past 7-8 months AND would have been assigned as a aide well before Mr. Robinson‚s arrival on August 1. Secondly, why would Brantingham have chosen someone, in this case Mr. Robinson, not of RON-9, with who he had absolutely no previous acquaintance with, who had arrived only hours before the patrols of August 1, 1943 and invite him to come aboard to act has his radar officer?


Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 3:35pm
Total Posts: 315 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm



Wow! What a load of "horse frocky" from someone (Robinson) who's book I've considered buying -- but not now.

I don't believe a single word the old boy has been/is saying in any connection to the 109 crew rescue by the 157, or the conditions of the 109 survivors, including JFK.

Robinson's photo on the cover of his book was obviously taken at the same spot, with the same cane, and probably at the same time as a similar photo of JFK, but...that seems to be the only thing that's correct and true about Mr. Robinson's connection to JFK, as everything I've read about what he's said rings false.

Robinson is obviously one of the many people Bud Liebenow has joked about for years who claimed they were on the 157 the night JFK & crew were rescued -- and weren't.

What a shame.



Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 4:20pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am



All;
While Bridge states a lot of info, all of which is true, the item that is most important and pertinent is ENS. Theodore M. Robinson was not assigned to PT 118 RON 6 until he relieved ENS. Gene Foncannon as Exec of PT 118 on 12 August 1943. After this, having been promoted to LTjg, Gene Foncannon was then given command of PT 108 RON 5(Earl Richmond's Boat).
All 109 stuff aside, I don't even buy the story Robinson rode to Lumbari Island (Rendova) on PT 164 (ENS. W. S. WHITNEY CO) (Sunk at Lumbari Island 8/1/43 and logbook destroyed), while it was common for officers and crewmembers to ask/bum rides for experience, I think he was waiting for assignment back at Tulagi as a RON 6 replacement officer. RON 6 was split up with DIV 17 going to New Guinea and DIV 16 and DIV 18 remaining at Tulagi and moving up under Craig Smith and Clark Faulkner. He says LCDR Clifton Maddox was left at Noumea as Supply Officer, however he was actually promoted to a staff position on MTBFLOT ONE, He also mentions in his book being assigned in RON 6 to PT 115 as Exec under George Brooks, but PT 115 was shipped from Panama on USS MONONGAHELA (AO-42) on 31 Dec 1942, however, TMR says he arrived in March-April 1943. Also, he mentions serving as Exec under LTjg Parker Watson Staples, who was killed when Washing Machine Charlie, bombed Tulagi and PT 118 which was moored in the slip next to the engineering shack on 5 March 1943. I don't know what the logbook says who the Exec was for this date, but I would be interested to know. He states he remained as CO for a few months then Billups Percy arrived as CO, this is not true, LT. Douglas S. Kennedy was made CO of PT 118 after Staples was killed(he was probably the Exec on 5 March 1943) and ENS Gene Foncannon was Exec until 12 August 1943, when Billups Percy and Ted Robinson relieved them both. There is more that we found, but...... I just don't get it, he was a legit PT Boat Officer, a bonafide "been there done that" type. Later he was awarded a Bronze Star for his LST service(CO of LST 1062). Why, did he have to hose it all up with extra stuff?
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 9:53pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Very interesting info. All I can think of is that if you tell yourself a certain version of the "facts" long enough, then that made up story becomes the truth in your own mind since you have been telling it so long you cant tell the difference between your "made up" version and the real truth. Maybe this is something like that. He probably really believes his version is what really happened. But still interesting just the same. I have to agree with Bridge = it just does not seem to jive with the known facts.

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Oct 28, 2015 - 12:32am
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm



Sad, particularly the part about no one wanting to help a badly injured fellow crewman. I'm sure the exact opposite is true. He reminds me of a relative, who caused me to lose the basic trust I would give strangers. Especially the parts about loud mouthed and getting angry when called out on obvious lies.

I'm glad the veterans who post here are all salt of the earth types I'd be proud to know personally.




Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Oct 28, 2015 - 4:44am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am



BINGO!!!!
Here is a post that Jerry Beasley posted back in 2008, and guess what the veteran's name was that lived by him and he was going to interview?.........LT. George Brooks, Exec and CO of PT 115 RON 6!!!!!

[url]http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=962&pg=151&sc=20&x=0[/url]

I wonder if Ted Robinson came up in conversation.
I am emailing him right now.
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Oct 28, 2015 - 6:15am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



For reference... a couple of pages from the PT 118 log book (I have many more of course) showing Robinson's arrival on the 118 occurred on August 12, 1943 (see second page below) as a part of an entire crew change.

Not sure some folks know that PT Log books from WWII are stored in the National Archives so claims such as Robinson made could be cross-checked. He seemed to have waited a long time in his life to write his book.

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/PT-118%20log%20book%20-%20July%2025%20-%20August%2011%201943%2021.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/PT-118%20log%20book%20-%20July%2025%20-%20August%2011%201943%2022.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/PT-118%20log%20book%20-%20July%2025%20-%20August%2011%201943%2023.jpg[/image]






Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Oct 28, 2015 - 6:44am
Total Posts: 315 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm



I just got this copy of a note by a Mr. Ron Freeman, a friend of Ted Robinson. I appreciate Mr. Freeman sharing it with me, and he asked me to post it on the forum, which I'm happy to do. For now, I'll stand by my original posting in its entirety, as well as the thrust of the comments of others above on this matter, as I don't see any evidence here to the contrary, but I will always keep an open mind, and change it publicly if convincing evidence appears that Robinson deserves credit as helping rescue Kennedy and the PT 109 survivors.

December 31, 2015

Ms. Cathy Locke
The Sacramento Bee
P.O. Box 15779
Sacramento, CA 95852

Subject: Wm. Doyle Letter re Ted M. Robinson’s 10/11/15 Obituary

Dear Ms. Locke,

This relates to the Theodore “Ted” Robinson obituaries you wrote in the Sacramento Bee. I was a close friend of Ted’s for more than 50 years, and his daughter, Bryer Keane, forwarded me the letter William Doyle wrote to you.

Your original obituary appeared to contain information obtained from Bryer, and a
YouTube video entitled “The Ted Robinson Project” produced by a middle school class in Auburn, CA, was referred to in Mr. Doyle’s letter. Mr. Doyle, author of the recently published book ”PT 109,” pointed out an error in the obituary, and several factual errors in the Robinson project video. You immediately corrected the PT 157 skipper error, and rightfully pointed out that Ted’s name did not appear in the official report of the rescue of JFK and his surviving PT 109 crew members.

Mrs. Suzanne Scotten, whose 8th grade class produced the video, has been requested to remove it from the YouTube web site, until the errors have been deleted.

Most disturbing is Mr. Doyle’s accusation that Ted’s story was fabricated. He points out that the official report of the PT 109 loss does not include Ted’s name. He goes on to say that in his extensive interview of Lt. (jg) William “Bud” Liebenow, skipper of the PT 157 rescue boat, that Liebenow has no recollection of Ted. While this “evidence” appears to support Doyle’s accusation, one needs to ask oneself if Liebenow remembers every officer and enlisted man he had contact with in August 1943? Perhaps Liebenow’s memory is not as accurate as Mr. Doyle believes it to be! I also point out that there have been other stories written on the loss of PT 109 and that one of those stories was based upon Ted’s eye-witness recollections.

The December 1999 issue of Naval History magazine, published by the United States Naval Institute, printed an article about Ted’s story written by Rich Pedroncelli, a Sacramento freelance writer. During his research he contacted three other PT men who were at Rendova at the time; John O’Neil, Dick Kersey and Paul “Red” Fay.

In 2002, the History Channel aired the program “JFK & PT 109: A Hero In Question.”
After extensive research, they found Ted’s story in Naval History and interviewed Ted at his home. Obviously, to have included Ted’s story in their program, the producers of the show felt it to be factually accurate.


Ms. Cathy Locke

Posted By: William Doyle | Posted on: Dec 31, 2015 - 4:27pm
Total Posts: 57 | Joined: Jan 5, 2015 - 10:20am



Part 2 of the Ron Freeman letter:

Ms. Cathy Locke

Posted By: William Doyle | Posted on: Dec 31, 2015 - 4:31pm
Total Posts: 57 | Joined: Jan 5, 2015 - 10:20am



(Freeman letter cont John O’Neil was radioman aboard PT 162, the boat closest to PT 109 when it sank after ramming by a Japanese destroyer. Ironically, O’Neil lived not far from Ted. O’Neil believed Ted was aboard PT 159 the night PT 109 went down. O’Neil stated that Ted recounted much of what he also recalled from that night and that Ted recalled things that only a person who was actually there could have known.
O’Neil also said he knew several of the PT 109 crew and talked with them about their ordeal. He said that when he and Ted talked about the rescue, Ted had said much the same things that he had been told by the PT 109 crewmembers. Again, O’Neil believed Ted had information that could only have been known by a person who was there.
Rich also spoke with Dick Kersey, skipper of PT 105, another of the 15 boats on the 8/1/43 attack mission when PT 109 was lost, and Paul Fay, a PT officer later appointed Undersecretary of the Navy by Kennedy. Both men said they knew Ted, had heard his story, and believed his accounting of both the attack and rescue missions.
Regarding the official report, written by Lt. Byron “Whizzer” White, whom Kennedy later appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, you will find a reference link below to permit your convenient review. You will note that the names of those who were aboard PT 157 the night of the rescue are not listed.
In conclusion, as Ted’s friend for many years, I found him to be an honest man, with the highest integrity. He had an interesting story to tell and shared it with others. In his book “Water In My Veins,” he made none of the claims found in the YouTube video. Those, I firmly believe, were due to his age and failing memory, and not any attempt to seek glory. I point out, especially to Mr. Doyle and the other doubters, that there can always be possibilities other than what they think they know or may surmise. Our
family considers it an honor and a privilege to have known and been friends of this remarkable individual.
Your attention is sincerely appreciated, I leave to you what action, if any, you feel may be appropriate. I look to Mr. Doyle to fulfill the promise made at the end of his letter.


Posted By: William Doyle | Posted on: Dec 31, 2015 - 4:33pm
Total Posts: 57 | Joined: Jan 5, 2015 - 10:20am



I surely stand by my post on this thread (is it post #3). Having interviewed two PT officers and a PT crewman who were in the foursome of PTs the night the 109 was lost and two of whom were without a doubt on the PT-157 the night of the rescue PLUS my having retrieved the PT-118's log book pages for the period of time of these events for comparison of Mr Robinson's account and that of USN Log pages, I would have to say the conclusions I noted previously stand well against those who wish otherwise. I have done the job the Sacramento Bee would have to say is excellent investigative reporting on the subject.

That other publications wrote what Ted Robinson simply said does not make Robinson's story true.

Two years ago I ran into another case of a PT veteran in South Carolina. Thereto the local paper had hailed him a hero, for the past 40-years, for having been on the PT-157 the night of the Kennedy rescue. In the end, after the Reporter spoke to the PT-157 Skipper (W.F. Liebenow), Torpedoman (Welford West) and myself, the reporter went to the veteran's widow and asked to review her late husband's personal service records. They revealed that the widow's husband had not had not joined the USN until 2 months after the 109 sinking. Like Ted Robinson, that veteran had also served on PTs and did indeed serve briefly on the PT-157 6-months after the 109 rescue. Certainly being that close to other crewmen who were there and often recounting the incident may in time blur the line, for those who were not there, between being there and almost being there.

Bridge



Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Dec 31, 2015 - 5:13pm
Total Posts: 315 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm



In looking through my files, I see an Ens T.M. Robinson graduating from MTBSTC July 30, 1942 and being assigned to Ron 6.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Dec 31, 2015 - 7:20pm
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



Bridge and Bill;
I agree. At the time of the sinking and the week afterward, there were only 30 or so PT Officers at Lumbari, it is absolutely preposterous to insinuate that Bud Leibenow "might not have known or remembered" all the Officers that went on the 1st mission(resulting in the sinking) or the rescue mission.
I have been in mission briefings, and you know everybody in that briefing. Combine this with the fact that Brantingham (who was Kelly's RON 9 Exec) and Warfield gave the mission briefings by the book, if you were to miss a briefing, you were instantly on Warfield's S- list. As it should be.
By the way, just to fan the flames....where was Paul Fay at the time? He wasn't Exec on Russell Rome's PT 174 anymore and I don't think he was Ted Berlin's Exec at that time on PT 167. Hmm, maybe another trip to the logbooks is in order here. Fay was on Warfield's S- list, at Melville and again out in the zone. Maybe he was on the beach awaiting assignment. In Fay's Obit of September 30, 2009, states he was CO of PT 167 the day the aerial torpedo went through the crews quarters of 167, but this is not true, it was actually Ted Berlin who was the CO. His Wikipedia page says the same thing.Here again Fay was a been there done that kind of guy, but this info is inaccurate. Inaccuracies and half truths are everywhere, it is up to future generations to be the custodians of history and if they find something inaccurate.....CORRECT IT! Don't just say, oh well, they have said this for years or this is the way it has been done for years, that is the PC/BS way to do things.

TED





Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 31, 2015 - 7:57pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



I surely stand by my post on this thread (is it post #3). Having interviewed two PT officers and a PT crewman who were in the foursome of PTs the night the 109 was lost and two of whom were without a doubt on the PT-157 the night of the rescue PLUS my having retrieved the PT-118's log book pages for the period of time of these events for comparison of Mr Robinson's account and that of USN Log pages, I would have to say the conclusions I noted previously stand well against those who wish otherwise. I have done the job the Sacramento Bee would have to say is excellent investigative reporting on the subject.

That other publications wrote what Ted Robinson simply said does not make Robinson's story true.

Two years ago I ran into another case of a PT veteran in South Carolina. Thereto the local paper had hailed him a hero, for the past 40-years, for having been on the PT-157 the night of the Kennedy rescue. In the end, after the Reporter spoke to the PT-157 Skipper (W.F. Liebenow), Torpedoman (Welford West) and myself, the reporter went to the veteran's widow and asked to review her late husband's personal service records. They revealed that the widow's husband had not had not joined the USN until 2 months after the 109 sinking. Like Ted Robinson, that veteran had also served on PTs and did indeed serve briefly on the PT-157 6-months after the 109 rescue. Certainly being that close to other crewmen who were there and often recounting the incident may in time blur the line, for those who were not there, between being there and almost being there.

Bridge



Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Dec 31, 2015 - 8:45pm
Total Posts: 315 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm



Charlie;
Thanks for that info.

I would like to take this opportunity to clearify my previous post.

"At the time of the sinking and the week afterward, there were only 30 or so PT Officers at Lumbari, it is absolutely preposterous to insinuate that Bud Leibenow "might not have known or remembered" all the Officers that went on the 1st mission(resulting in the sinking) or the rescue mission.
I have been in mission briefings, and you know everybody in that briefing. Combine this with the fact that Brantingham (who was Kelly's RON 9 Exec) and Warfield gave the mission briefings by the book, if you were to miss a briefing, you were instantly on Warfield's S- list. As it should be."

For those that are not in the know, it is not like the movies, meaning the RON CO doesn't just point at the map and say "Here is the enemy, now lets go get them"! and everybody goes running for their boats and lights out of the harbor at full throttle.

Back then in the PT Boat Squadrons it was just like it is today in the Naval Special Boat Teams. The average mission briefing lasts anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on the complexity of the mission. You get briefed on everything you can imagine, Weather, Intelligence(Jap locations and movements, location of friendlies, location of Coastwatchers, Direction, speed and composition of force to be attacked, photo recon, human intel, etc), Abandon Boat procedures, Escape and Evasion procedures, Communications(call signs with Base, each other, air sea rescue, daily aerial recognition signals, etc), Weapons load out and status, Engineering and Craft status, Supply, Medical. The purpose for all of this is to provide the most info to the PT Boat Officers for them to successfully complete their mission, and to eliminate any and all questions, before they shove off.
There is always a question and answer at the end and protocol dictates that when you have a question you stand up and address the briefing officer, Example: "Sir, Question". When you are recognized, you address the officer as such: I am LT. so and so , PT so and so, RON 2, Excuse me, I missed what you said, what are the aerial recognition call signs and maneuver for today"?
When the briefing is adjourned it is understood that their are no more questions. Then the crews do final pre-underway preps, usually 1-4 hours, depending on the time the brief took and time of sunset. then underway to patrol area.
So you see, as far as the officers are concerned they all knew each other, at least by sight and name, by the end of that briefing, because your life might depend on another officer and his boat. Speaking from experience,you don't ever forget this either.
The only real difference between then and now is advancements in technology and today your whole crew goes to the briefing, the mission is briefed by Command Reps(Comms, Intell, Medical, Weather, etc). Then the Det briefs their mission intent and movement and each crewman's responsibility (Boat Captain, Weapons, Comms, Engineering, etc.) is briefed by themselves to CO and the brass.

There were not too many PT Officers were floating around Lumbari, since 1 July 1943 3 boats were lost (between RON 9 and 10) so at least six officers were without assignments. most of the floaters or replacements(unassigned PT Officers) were back at Tulagi or Searlesville(M'Banika Island, Russell Islands) and were moved up as needed. As an example, ENS George "Barney" Ross was floating around Lumbari because his boat PT 166 RON 10 was accidentally bombed by Army B-25's on July 20. 1943. So he and his Skipper, ENS. William C. "Black Bill" Battle were floaters, (Unassigned) and they were already there and going out on other boats, gaining combat experience. In actuality when Ross bummed his ride on PT 109, he was actually the more experienced officer onboard, IN THE AREA OF CURRENT OPERATIONS since he had been at Lumbari for almost a month.
I hope this helps.
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 31, 2015 - 11:08pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Ted,

Excellent! Great to add this detail of mission briefings and what went on om the briefing tent to add that historical detail.

By the way, if there were unattached RON-9 crewmen and Officers milling around Lumbari Island (Rendova), they would have been from the 153 & 158 that ran aground between Rendova and New Georgia (and were purposely destroyed by US forces) in early July.

Bridge




Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Jan 1, 2016 - 10:18am
Total Posts: 315 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm



I would be persuaded to publicly change my very strong, evidence-based conclusion that Ted Robinson did not participate in the rescue of JFK and the PT 109 survivors, if anyone could produce evidence such as:
- Contemporaneous U.S. Navy documents (1943 or 1944) confirming Robinson's presence on the rescue boat.
- Robinson's service records confirming it.
- U.S. Navy correspondence or other U.S. military documents confirming his participation in the rescue.
- Documented eyewitness accounts of his participation, for example from Al Cluster, Hank Brantingham or anyone else who was on the rescue boat (PT 157) or the boat that provided initial radar coverage for the mission (PT 171).
- Correspondence or oral histories from such eyewitnesses and participants that are addressed to Robinson or anyone else that refers to his participation.
- Any other convincing evidence.
Until such evidence is available, Ted Robinson's participation in the rescue of JFK and the PT 109 survivors is at best an unconfirmed story, and at worst a complete fantasy.
I stand ready to be corrected with evidence. If that happens, I also stand ready to apologize and admit my own mistake.
William Doyle

William Doyle

Posted By: William Doyle | Posted on: Jan 1, 2016 - 10:53am
Total Posts: 57 | Joined: Jan 5, 2015 - 10:20am



Bridge;
True, 153 and 158 for RON 9 and 166 for RON 10. Harold Marney who was killed on PT 109 was a RON 9 crewman(joining RON 9 just a little less than a month after commissioning on 12/2/42) and was original crew from PT 155.
In fact Marney and Starkey were RON 9, both from PT 155. They remained on RON 9's muster rolls. I went through the RON 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10 crew muster rolls for 31 AUG 1943 again, Ross and Albert were from RON 10.
Here are the actual Squadron assignments for all on PT 109 the night of 1 August 1943:

LT. Kennedy, RON 2

Ens Thom, RON 2

Ens Ross, RON 10(formerly Bill Battle's Exec on PT 166}

Maguire, RON 3(2)

Zinser, RON 5 (he was in RON 2 1941/RON 4/RON 5)

Kirksey, RON 2

Marney, RON 9

Starkey,RON 9

Johnson, RON 2(originally from AGP-3 USS JAMESTOWN)

McMahon RON 2

Harris, RON 2

Mauer, RON2

Albert RON 10

Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 1, 2016 - 12:06pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Here's a note I just got from Mr. Ron Freeman below. I appreciate his
efforts and those of the Sacramento Bee and the Robinson family to get
the story told correctly. A few points - I did ask Ted Robinson by
phone how I should deal in my book with his claim to have been on the
rescue boat in my book in light of Bud Liebenow's repeated denials,
and the lack of any documentation for the claim. I politely asked him
if he could provide such documentation. At this point, Mr. Robinson,
who was until then seemed very avuncular, forceful and sharp (I told
him I was writing what I hoped would be a definitive account of the PT
109 story), said "thank you - - goodbye" and hung up on me. So I
certainly gave him a chance to address the issue. I did not include
any of this in my book as it seemed to me to be an odd footnote and I
did not want to cause public distress to an elderly veteran. But when
obituaries appeared citing him as rescuing JFK, I felt it important to
correct the historical record and point out that this is unconfirmed.
The fact that no one challenged his account over the years does not
change three critical facts - 1.) The captain of the rescue boat
denies Robinson was on the PT 157 that night or any other night. 2.)
No documentation has appeared that he was. 3.) A series of critical
discrepancies and unexplained errors appear in Robinson's descriptions
of the events, as detailed above in this thread by me and other
researchers who have conducted detailed examinations of the available
historical record. Any distress caused to anybody on this point is the
result of the so-far total lack of documentary evidence for Robinson's
claim to have helped rescue JFK. Also, some accounts of Ted Robinson's
claim to have been on the rescue boat refer to Mr. Robinson responding
to a call for volunteers to go on the mission. I will check with the
PT 157's former skipper Bud Liebenow on this, as his memory of these
events is extremely good and always in my experience matches the
documentary evidence, but I never heard of such a call for volunteers
before. The ship was nearly overloaded as it was, with its full
regular officers and crew, plus two medical assistants, plus officers
Brantingham and Cluster, plus two combat reporters, plus two and
possibly three Solomon Islands native scouts. I strongly doubt such a
call for volunteers was made or even necessary. As always, I am wide
open to be corrected on this if solid evidence appears that Ted
Robinson deserves to go down in history as having helped rescue John
F. Kennedy and the PT 109 crew. If such evidence is produced and it
checks out with historians and experts like the people in this forum,
I will be the first to tell the world and apologize for having reached
the wrong conclusion.

Bill,
Thank you for your posting and reply. Though I was, understandably,
disappointed in your inability to accept the information I supplied,
I can understand your position. I daresay, if such documentation
actually existed it would have been discovered by now! Arguably,
neither was there irrefutable evidence that he was not a participant
in the rescue or the Radar Officer on the attack lead boat PT 159.
I'm attaching Cathy Locke's reply to my letter and would be obliged if
you would post that on the Forum as well. Cathy is not alone in posing
the very valid question as to why no one had raised any question
during Ted's 30 years of telling that story? I will leave it to Ted's
family as to whether or not they want to go further.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Ron
Sent from my iPhone 5s

Begin forwarded message:
From: "Locke, Cathy"
Date: December 31, 2015 at 9:35:29 PM EST
To: Ron Freeman
Subject: Re: Wm. Doyle 10/27/15 Letter re Ted Robinson 10/11/15 Obit.
Thank you, Mr. Freeman.
I'm sure Mr. Robinson's family appreciates all your research.
I've never seen the YouTube video. The obituary we ran was based on
information provided by his family and stories about Mr. Robinson that
have appeared in The Sacramento Bee over the years.
Sacramento, for decades the site of two Air Force bases, is home to
many military retirees, so it was hard to believe that someone
wouldn't have challenged Mr. Robinson if there were glaring errors in
his account. Seems like someone would have known someone who knew
otherwise.
Because Mr. Robinson could not respond to Mr. Doyle's comments, we
talked to the family, corrected the one point they found in error, and
left it at that. The obituary had appeared online but had not yet run
in print. Because of the questions raised, we didn't run it in our
print edition.
I felt bad for the family. If Mr. Doyle wanted to press the issue, he
should have done so while Mr. Robinson was alive and could respond. He
indicated he didn't want to cause distress for an aging veteran, but
certainly raising the issue posthumously has caused the family
distress.
Cathy Locke
(Sacramento Bee)


William Doyle

Posted By: William Doyle | Posted on: Jan 2, 2016 - 5:00am
Total Posts: 57 | Joined: Jan 5, 2015 - 10:20am



Question: do we have documentation (logs) of Mr Robinson other boat assignments prior to the 118?


Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Jan 2, 2016 - 6:54am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



I can say from my conversations with Skipper 'Bud' Liebenow, he has come across many, many instances of people saying they were on the 157 the night of the rescue. He is also not in the business of debunking them as he has other things to do. It is also why we agreed to put a photo of him with Jack Kennedy, when Kennedy asked Liebenow to accompany him on a few stops in the Michigan area (where Liebenow lived at the time) during Kennedy's run for Presidency. At one stop, Liebenow says, someone shouted out that they were with the boat that rescued Kennedy. Jack turn to Liebenow as asked 'do you recognize that guy' to which Liebenow said 'no'. Jack then said ' Lieb, if I get votes from everybody that claims to have been on your boat the night of the pickup I'll will by a landslide'. If is for those that made such false claims that Liebenow and I decide to put that page in our book as a silent dedication to them.

I DID speak to Ted Robinson when I was forming up the 'FIRST-UP: Chronicles of the PT-157' book. Mr Robinson was going up and down the west coast as a speaker for various clubs and anyone else who wanted to hear him speak and he was pushing his book. I told Robinson that I didn't have any support of his being on the 157 the night of the rescue based on two crew members (Liebenow & West) plus the Executive Officer (X)) of the PT 162 (which was the PT closest to the 109 when it sunk and later reported all hands lost) recall, Mr. Robinson became loud and agitated and appeared very surprised that any of the 157 was still around. He demanded Skipper Liebenow's phone number to call him. Which he did. When I spoke to the Skipper later he said Ted Robinson was also very pushy (my word here) with him. Robinson kept pushing Liebenow to agree that he, Robinson, was there. It became an uncomfortable call and Liebenow finally said something along the lines of 'if you say so' just to get off the call.

I wanted to finish my book on the 157 and moved on.

It wasn't until well after my book was done and an incident of 'I was there claim' was made by a Jack Gardo in Greenville, SC In that case Gardo's death was reported as the 'last man alive to have been there on the night of th 109 rescue'. The article was picked up by a wire services and reported in many major publications! I was contacted by Welford West's nephew about it. How do you think that made Liebenow and West feel? I contacted that reporter and briefed her on the facts. Much like that of the Sacramento Bee reporter, this reporter was not believing what I said. Mr. Gardo had been a local hero for the past 40 or so years. But eventually the reporter found that Gardo was not even in the US Navy unit AFTER the night of the 109 rescue. The better news is that Gardo did serve on the 157 about 6-months after the 109 rescue. Back to the story...That was a big shock difficult moment for the reporter, the widow and the family certainly. I didn't like it, but it had to be done.

It brought back the situation with Robinson to mind.

It was then I went and got a copy of Robinson's book and also the log pages of Robinson's PT, the 118, and did a comparison of Robinson's stated locations (in the Solomons) in his book to the actual locations found in the 118's log book The detailed results were previously posted as the third posting of this thread. Did I want to push this onto the family as I did, through the reporter, with the Gardo's claim? For posterity I posted the 118 log book pages retrieved from NARA and my interviews with people who WERE there with a summary report for posterity and walked away from it saying 'hell, at least Robinson was on PTs and was an XO and was ALMOST there' and leave it that.

The internet has changed everything. You can't be a 'local hero' anymore unless you really are one.

P.S. I really, really like Ted Walther's accounting of the process inside the briefing tent. I wish I had that in my FIRST-UP book which is focused on life as it was on PT's in and at Rendova (Lumbari Island). If this whole thread has brought us all some great PT history, folks...it is there.



Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Jan 2, 2016 - 9:35am
Total Posts: 315 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm



Charlie;
He was Exec on PT 115(George Brooks was CO) from RON 6 commissioning Brooklyn to Panama. In Panama, according to him, he was shifted to Exec of PT 118, ENS. Parker Staples(KIA Tulagi 5 March 1943) was CO. We need to look at PT 118 Logbooks 5 Mar-July 1943. I am thinking he was removed from 118, at sometime following bombing and replaced by LTjg Douglas S. Kennedy and ENS Gene Foncannon. Probably during drydock period.

BEFORE THIS GETS OUT OF HAND, I FEEL I NEED TO MAKE THIS CLEAR:
The question IS NOT, LCDR TED ROBINSON'S position as Executive Officer of PT 115 and later PT 118, he was in this capacity for several months and many patrols on PT 118. Until the boat ran aground and had to be destroyed on 7 September 1943(on the reefs near Liangai, Vella La Vela, also lost there was PT 172 RON 10).
The question is his status from 5 March 1943 to 11 August 1943, with specific questions for the night of 1-2 August 1943 and night of 7-8 August 1943.
The PT 118 log book(29 June - 11 Aug 1943) that was referenced(see in the Free PT documents section, this website), shows LTjg Billups Percy and ENS. Ted Robinson, reporting onboard PT 118 on 11 August 1943 as reliefs for LT Douglas Kennedy and ENS Gene Foncannon, and a new crew of 11 men reporting for duty. On the night of 12-13 August 1943 LTjg Billups Percy and ENS.Ted Robinson were on patrol(Call sign OAK 6)as part of 3 boat patrol ; Division A(PT 167 LT Curtis D. Howell ,OAK 41, PT 118, and PT 125 LTjg Chip Murray OAK 38), in lower eastern Vela Gulf.
Take Care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 2, 2016 - 10:52am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



I got a new email from Mr. Ron Freeman, a friend of the family of Mr. Ted Robinson, who challenges the argument that it was "impossible for Robinson to have been aboard the PT 157 rescue mission because his PT 118 was on patrol." He makes the point that "it was not at all uncommon for boats to go on patrol with a completely different crew swap in order to give the regular crew a rest break." He continues, "In fact, Robinson was off duty when Hank Bratingham had asked him if he wanted to go on the rescue mission. Robinson's 8/1/43 arrival at 1800 hours provided him with ample time to board PT 157 which departed some 2-1/2 hours later. His location on that boat is immaterial, as he was only a passenger and NOT the XO! There is no question that he was not a pivotal figure in the rescue but only 'helped!'" Mr. Freeman is clearly referring to the JFK rescue mission that occurred not on 8/1/43 but 6 days later. Mr. Freeman may be raising a valid point in the sense that I suppose it was possible for last-minute, undocumented, little-remembered personnel swaps or "ride-alongs" to happen in the PT boat world. I don't totally rule out the molecular possibility that Robinson was on the rescue boat, the PT 157. He might have jumped aboard at the last minute and not been noticed. But I'd say the chances of this are infinitesmal-to-none, since: 1.) Two extremely reliable eyewitnesses, Skipper William Liebenow and crewman Welford West, had no memory of Robinson at all and no memory of any extra officer on board the night of the rescue other than Cluster and Brantingham, 2.) There was absolutely no need for Robinson to be on board a nearly overloaded boat with full crew and eight or nine extra guest passengers - - PLUS, on the return trip to Rendova, no less than eleven extra passengers consisting of the PT 109 survivors including JFK (a total of at least 19 extra passengers, more than double the normal crew size!), 3.) Not a scrap of documentary evidence supports Robinson's claim, at least nothing I've seen so far (I might even settle for a post-war letter or oral history reference from Cluster or Brantingham for example, or something similar), and, 4.) Robinson's accounts of the rescue as noted in this thread contain multiple critical errors and total falsehoods, one conclusion seems clear to me: Unless and until evidence appears, Ted Robinson does not deserve to go down in history as having helped rescue JFK. Mr. Robinson deserves to go down in history as a man who served his nation in combat, and a man who SAID he helped rescue JFK.
As always, I will publicly mea culpa in a heartbeat if the time comes.
I appreciate the forum's patience with this back-and-forth.

William Doyle

Posted By: William Doyle | Posted on: Jan 4, 2016 - 2:16pm
Total Posts: 57 | Joined: Jan 5, 2015 - 10:20am



Hi Bill,

Regarding Brantingham...

Mr. Robinson says he made himself a personal aide to RON-9 Executive Office Brantingham. As such Mr. Robinson would have been in and around Brantingham constantly. William Liebenow, however, and Brantingham were quite close in that they passed much of their off-time (day time) together playing cribbage. As noted previously, Liebenow has not recall of Mr. Robinson. Considering Liebenow's coniderable memory details, and well as West's & Reynolds, how could Mr. Robinson have had this association with Brantingham.

Second, When Liebenow and Reynolds were asked to comment about Mr. Robinson being a personal aid to Brantingham, their response was that none of the officers had any person aides; including Kelly and Warfield (RON-9 and RON-2 Commanders respectively).

Sorry to bang the drum slowly on this. At this point it would take a letter of significant weight, such as one from John Kennedy acknowledging Robinson's presence on the 157 that night, to sway the evidence. Even then it would say that the log books, MTB reports, and 3 key eyewitnesses got it wrong. That would be hard to figure.

Bridge



Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Jan 4, 2016 - 5:50pm
Total Posts: 315 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm



Excellent points, Bridge.
My concerns are not only about the lack of evidence for Ted's presence on the rescue boat, but the critical errors and discrepancies that often appear in his accounts, some of which I list above in the thread, but dating back to a 1961 article where he refers to multiple night-time searches for PT 109 wreckage in the days after the crash (there were no such searches, other than a few daylight Allied aircraft flyovers) and a "funeral" being held, which, despite a fleeting reference by Hersey in the 1944 New Yorker article to a service being held, has no other evidence to support it, and which probably was not held, since Liebenow remembers nothing of the kind (as JFK's tent mate and fellow officer on the small base, he would have been invited), there are no first-hand accounts of such a funeral that I've been able to find, and besides which, Kennedy and his surviving crew were never officially declared missing or dead. There may have been "a mass" said at Tulagi for the missing crew at the request of one of JFK's buddies, but that's not a "funeral" at Rendova as Ted says. Additionally, Joe Kennedy was not informed his son had died as Ted says. He was informed unofficially through government channels that his son was missing. Also, Ted's reference to "we think we are near Arundel Island" is mis-remembered or fabricated. No such message appears on the famous coconut.
The 1961 article, at the JFK library (I don't know where page 2 is):
https://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/193775/content/media/images/31/30/31-2935a.jpg
http://presidentialcollections.org/catalog/nara:193775
If Ted said this in 1961 and it's not true, why didn't somebody call him on it? The article is in an obscure regional paper, possibly a phone company newsletter or circular of some kind. As you (Bridge) said, these days, the internet changes everything.


William Doyle

Posted By: William Doyle | Posted on: Jan 4, 2016 - 6:05pm
Total Posts: 57 | Joined: Jan 5, 2015 - 10:20am