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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: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center
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I've just finished reading MTBSTC by Charles B. Jones and can recommend it highly. Discussions regarding this book have appeared previously on the forum so this is not "new" news for the old timers, but I thought I'd weigh in with a personal opinion for those who may be unfamiliar with this title.

The book is hardcover - no dust jacket - well bound on good quality paper, 336 pages, with generally excellent photographs, many of which I haven't seen before. Published by Nimbus Books, it may seem somewhat spendy, but I found it to be a worthwhile purchase since I wanted to know more about the Melville facility and the training the PT sailors went through.

[image]http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r88/Ghostrider22/MTBSTC_zpsjzu0xx2j.jpg[/image]]

The book also had an emotional impact on me since the rise and fall of the base paralleled my own experience with another base. In 1966 I went through the United States Army Primary Helicopter School at Ft. Wolters, Texas, where all future Army combat helicopter pilots started their training. It was a thriving base with three main heliports and over 1500 helicopters, all driven by the Vietnam War. At the conclusion of this conflict the base was closed, buildings torn down, and some of it became an industrial park. Visiting the base some 20 years after graduating from it and seeing its present condition compared to my memories brought forth a feeling of pensiveness and loss, a sadness at seeing the desolation and decay. This book brought back those memories and I felt a sense of having shared the closing of MTBSTC, if only vicariously.

An excellent book by a gifted writer. [:-cheers-:]

Cheers!
--Bob

Posted By: Bob Steinbrunn | Posted on: Apr 6, 2016 - 8:16am
Total Posts: 134 | Joined: Jan 23, 2016 - 9:16am

Thanks Bob. I appreciate that.

Charlie Jones

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Apr 6, 2016 - 11:39am
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm

I had gotten Charlie's book some time ago and find it a valuable tool in my research work with the PT BOATS. Great photos of the base, which I am sure readers will really appreciate. I recommend this book highly..........

Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Apr 6, 2016 - 4:56pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am

Me too! It is pretty much the authority on Melville. Thanks Charlie for your efforts put into this book. Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Apr 6, 2016 - 8:30pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

A great effort, Charlie and a valuable reference source during the past years....

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Apr 6, 2016 - 9:48pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Bob;
Agreed, Al and John Lambert, Victor, Charlie, Frank, and Al Lawrence Jr's books are the "Heavy Weights" of PT Boat books in recent years. All large books that represent the years and amount of research each of the authors did.
Only At Close Quarters and Knights of the Sea have more information than these books.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Apr 7, 2016 - 7:03am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Ted:
Thanks very much for your kind words regarding the contribution that my Deadly PT Boat Patrols book (A history of T.G. 50.1 and MTB Div 17) makes among "the Heavy Weights of PT Boat books" and for your recognition of the time and effort expended on research and production.
Best regards,
Al Lawrence

Posted By: Allan | Posted on: Apr 15, 2016 - 8:15pm
Total Posts: 161 | Joined: Sep 18, 2007 - 7:07pm