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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Ensign Leon Edgar Todd, Jr
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All;
Lumbari Island PT Base was called “Todd City”, and was named for RON 9 Ensign Leon Edgar Todd, Jr. USNR, MIA / KIA July 2, 1943, Service Number O-161871 Pennsauken/Medford, NJ.
He was the first PT Man killed at this base. Very little is written about him and his name is not in At Close Quarters in Appendix D and he is also not listed in Knights of the Sea. Does anyone know what boat in RON 9 he was on? Was he killed in a bombing raid?
Take care,
TED

P.S. this was also in an August 2016 thread, but has anyone found anything on his assignments?
[url]http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=4126&st=20&nd=30&pg=1&sc=20[/url]

Ensign Todd is also mentioned on LT. John McElroy's (CO PT 161 RON 9) biographical website: [url]https://evanskaren.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/a-fathers-service-pt-161/[/url]



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 13, 2017 - 3:31pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Here he is on Find-a-grave

[url]https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=47611144[/url]


Although he was buried at sea. or lost at sea. He was from New Jersey.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Feb 13, 2017 - 5:12pm
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



This is from a publication called "The Shield of Kappa Kappa Psi, January 1944. But he was also listed in the Nov 1943 edition as being listed as missing in action.

Ens. Leon Edgar (Ed) Todd Jr., Pa. Epsilon "39, president of the chapter his senior year and an outstanding leader on campus at Gettysburg College, was killed in action July 2, 1943, while engaged in amphibious operations in the successful invasion of Rendova Island, New Guinea. He was the son of [Mayor and Mrs. Leon E. Todd of [Medford Lakes, N. J).

They with two brothers, Harrison Lewis Todd, Fa. Epsilon '36, and Jack Todd, survive. 'Tell his dad that he died heroically as a proud father would have him, in the successful occupation of an enemy advanced base,'' officers associated with Ens. Todd went on record in paying tribute to their gallant comrade.

Ens. Todd was reported missing early in August. About ten days later, Mayor Todd was informed that his son was 'believed to have died of wounds and had been buried at sea." Official notice of his death was received from the Navy, October 21st. Leon Edgar Todd Jr. was born June 30, 1920, at Ocean City, N. J. He attended Moorestown Friends School, and was a member in 1938 of the first graduating class of the Rancocas Valley Regional high school in Mt. Holly, N. J., where he was a member of the basketball team.

He was an excellent golfer, a champion at college and at the Lakes Country Club at Medford Lakes. Following his graduation from Gettysburg, he enlisted in the Navy and went to Columbia University, where he received his commission as an Ensign, Oct. 21, 1942.


While it doesn't shed light on which unit he was with, it gives a little background. Also has his picture in the areticle.

[url]http://www.phikappapsiarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/1943-44_vol64_no1-4.pdf[/url]

(page 57 of 224)


Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Feb 13, 2017 - 6:05pm
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



On a "Naval History Homepage" website I found, under "United States Navy Casualties," Todd is listed as being in "Amphibious Boat Pool 8, New Georgia, Rendova, Vangunu occupation," with a death date of July 2, 1943.

Although I'm familiar, as we all are, with New Georgia and Rendova, I don't know that I've ever heard of "Vangunu" or "Amphibious Boat Pool 8," but Vangunu is the large island just to the south east of New Georgia.

Haven't found any more specific circumstances of Ensign Todd's death.



Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Feb 13, 2017 - 6:25pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am



Kind of pushing away from being a PT boater.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Feb 13, 2017 - 6:30pm
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



I'm not sure that is the right Todd. I seem to remember reading that the "Todd City" sailor was an enlisted PT man.

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Feb 13, 2017 - 7:10pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm



Will:
I originally thought that too, however, McElroy remembered this Ensign Todd who was KIA on July 2 1943, which jibes with RON 9 first heading to Lumbari.

However, looking at Fold3 , GM2/C Merwin Kenneth. Todd , Albuquerque, NM was a RON 9 crewman in KIA on July 4, 1943 which puts him on what boat?
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 13, 2017 - 10:08pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Isn't there a scene in the movie PT 109 where the question of the origin of the name of Todd City is raised, I believe by Mr. Kennedy?

Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
2016 Corvette Z51

Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Feb 13, 2017 - 10:56pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm



The only question raised was why Todd City, where it is stated in Donovan's book and the movie,

The book says "Leon Todd, Jr., of Commander Kelly's Squadron 9, who was the first PT man killed an Rendova."

So maybe Donovan got the wrong Todd. Merwin kind of sounds like Leon.


Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Feb 14, 2017 - 3:29am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



Charlie;
Maybe it was named for both? Isn't it unusual that two guys with the same last name are killed at the same base within two days?

Assigned to the Rendova operation is Boat Pool Eight and ARGUS 11(https://argusunits.wordpress.com/argus1-12/argus-unit-2/) Which was land based radar tracking units that used.Long-Range Aircraft Warning Sets.
The equiptment these units used were:
SCR-270-D Mobile Long Wave Aircraft Warning Set. GCI–Ground or Ship Control of Interception Sets,
SCR-527 Mobile Long Wave Aircraft detector and GCI
SCR-588 Long Wave Aircraft detector and GCI
Ground based IFF units, Transponder — Interrogator-Responsor



On 3 July 1943 they list “REPORT OF CHANGES” for Unit #11 dated 31 July 1943 indicated that the Unit suffered casualties from an enemy air raid on Rendova Island 2 July 1943. One man is listed as killed in action and one as missing in action.
So while this report is from an accompanying unit, it is pointing towards Ensign Todd being killed in a bombing raid..
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 14, 2017 - 7:10am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



It is possible, Ted.

Question is, if Todd City is a PT Base, why would you name it for someone who was not in PTs? If as Donovan reported it being named for the 1st PT Boater killed at Rendova. We don't even know who really named it. Would PT Boaters even know about ENS Todd?

Can't find any link so far that Ens. Todd was in PTs.

Another question is when was it named Todd City? Ens. Todd was first listed as MIA then assumed KIA.

All intriguing questions. Unless we find some documentation, could be an unanswered question.



Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Feb 14, 2017 - 10:09am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



Charlie;
Go to the bottom of that find a grave link you sent me, I says "He was first PT Boatman killed out of Rendova in WW II".
- Chaplain Dinkins USN
Added: Jun. 1, 2016
It is also mentioned in McElroy's Bio(PT 162 CO), this link is on my earlier post.
But as you suggested....another mystery.


Drew;
Here is the Solomons and New Georgia Operations Maps showing Vangunu Island.

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/Solomon%20Islands%20operations%20map.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/new_georgia%20operations%20map.jpg[/image]
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 14, 2017 - 10:33am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



I Chaplain Dinkins is a current day chaplain (can't find a Dinkins listed for WWII) so that appears to be a reiteration of the story.

In McElroy's write-up, it just says it was named for Ens Leon Todd who had been killed in action on 2 July. Doesn't say he was a PT boater.

If this indeed came from his notes, then it could be named for him and everyone assumed he was a PT Boater.

It gets curiouser and curiouser.

If we keep digging, we're bound to find the answer.


Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Feb 14, 2017 - 12:42pm
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



This response may shed a little light on Leon Todd, Jr.

He is the son of the founder of Medford Lakes, NJ where I live. His father helped establish our little community as a summer retreat between Philadelphia and the Jersey shore. Our community is known for its historic log cabin structures that were the original summertime residences before we became a year-round community about 80 years ago. The Todds's still have family who live in our town, and his name is enshrined in our community center known as Vaughan Hall.

Leon Todd, Jr. is indeed the person referenced in the 1963 movie PT-109 starring Cliff Robertson. I don't know what the circumstances were to allow his name to be mentioned other than it is considered a historical fact.

Leon's name is also enshrined in the Philippines at the National Cemetery and Memorial Garden in Manila. I personally went there with my family (I am of Filipino descent) and my son found his name on one of the walls which lists the war dead.

A stained glass window honoring Leon Todd, Jr. was commissioned and is affixed above the altar of the Protestant Community Church of Medford Lakes (also known as the Cathedral of the Woods).

I hope this information has been useful to extending your knowledge of our local war hero and son of our town's founder.

Sincerely,

Emmanuel A. Estacio
US Army (Retired)
Resident of Medford Lakes, NJ 08055



Posted By: Emmanuel A Estacio | Posted on: Oct 29, 2017 - 12:50pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



This is a letter sent to me some time ago by GM, Larry Ogilvie who was on PT-162, not sure if this sheds any light or not:

Dear Frank Nov 1, 1996

I’ve been slow to write this letter because I have to take myself back about 55 years and try to remember all the details of PT SERVICE.

I joined the Navy in June 1941 at the age of 19, went through basic training at Great Lakes and was assigned to Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich, doing nothing much. I joined the Navy with my high school friend Jimmy Sanders. We both put in for Submarine duty. He was accepted but I failed the mechanical aptitude test. Jimmy was lost at Sea soon after that.

I then asked for PT boat Training & went to school at Melville, Rhode Island; I started my gunners mate training while there. Riding the boats while in School was a very cold job, winter time cold, with ice forming on deck, guns, and people. After graduation I was assigned to Ron 9 boat 162, Ron Commander was Robert B. Kelly. Jack Lowery Skipper, Sam Reynolds Exec, Johnny QM, Todd and Ogilvie GM 2nd, Shorty Sean Cook, Thompson, and Covington, M0 mm and Gallant Momm, we had a radio man & Torpedo man, but can’t think of their names. In December 1942, we headed for Panama, went through the Canal and arrived at Taboga for more training. February 1943 we loaded the boats onto Tankers and headed for Nomea, New Caledonia, where we were unloaded and went under our own power to Tulagi, Solomon Islands.

Our Navy was still crippled by Pearl Harbor, so PT’s were used to fill the gap. I had my first fox hole experience at Tulagi. We were mopping up at Guadalcanal and Washing Machine Charlie harassing us every day. We started our nightly patrols immediately, which were every night from then on. CO Kelly put us all on 4 hours duty and 4 hours off. We never got enough rest after that and were tired all the time. Something always seemed to happen when we were off so we were on edge all the time. Most of our patrol were routine and boring, but when things did happen it was a though all hell broke loose. Mostly we hunted and fought with Jap barges, as they tried to reinforce troops and evacuate wounded from New Georgia & other islands. We didn’t have radar and depended on spotters from a PBY, to direct us to the enemy.



On one dark night we were hit with a daisy cutter, a personnel bomb, loaded
With US nuts and bolts. Todd, our Gunner’s Mate relived me on the wheel watch & about three minutes later was hit by the bomb. He was in agony the rest of the night, also hit in the engine room was Hank Covington with Shrapnel cut across his back. Both men lay on deck the rest of the night, with a little Brandy as the only medication. Todd passed away two day later, and Covington recovered. We had nuts and bolts and scrap metal all over the boat and holes to be patched. Todd City was named in honor of our fallen shipmate.

Later we were patrolling Blackett Strait about August 1st or 2nd 1943 when PT-109 was hit. As we moved slowly on patrol the 109 was ahead of us, then in echelon formation, the 162, and then 159. We were about 200 to 250 feet apart, and it was so dark, we could only see the wake of the boat ahead of us. I was on watch at the port 50 caliber gun tub looking through Binoculars and couldn’t see a thing, until the 109 was hit.

The Jap destroyer, later known as the Amagiri, came from our starboard side about 250 feet in front of our 162 boat, and hot the 109 on the starboard side-looked like right in the center. Gas tanks on the 109 exploded, lighting up the whole area. The can sliced through the 109 and never slowed down at all, then disappeared into the night. We were stunned and never fired a shot, trying to realize what had happened. We didn’t think anyone from the crew could live through that and Lt. Lowrey took us out of there.

The crew wanted our Skipper to go back, but we couldn’t see the 109 any longer out there, and we never did go back. PT-159 also disappeared, and I don’t know where they went. Later as Jack Kennedy was running for President, I went to see him in Spokane Washington. I was allowed to ride in an elevator with Kennedy, and all he said was “where in the hell did you guys go. He also asked who the Skipper was and I told him Lowrey. In a later letter, I learned that Lt. Lowrey had a brain tumor and committed suicide after being discharged.
We then resumed our nightly patrols. On one patrol we were fighting a Jap barge when a bullet hit the air jacket on the right hand machine gun, bending it and pressing in the barrel. I straightened it out and it seemed to work ok. We had a lot of trouble keeping our guns working because of rust. Taking salt water over the bow was daily it seemed, and then came the rust. We tried all kinds of oil and grease, but nothing worked well.
My last day on the 162 was around January 1944. We were fighting a barge when that same gun, jammed or misfired. I tried to eject the round in the chamber, but it didn’t eject. A new round was in position to load, but was only pressing on the primer of the round in the chamber. I opened the cover plate to see what was wrong. The guns were red hot, and we were under attack, so I was in a hurry.

The round in the chamber (I think) exploded and the second round blew apart and became shrapnel and grains of gun powder. I got the full force of this in the face, which didn’t help my looks, and I thought I was blind. I was taken off the boat and sent to Treasury Island, then by plane to Guadalcanal. I slept for three days and three nights at the hospital, says the nurse. We were also visited by Eleanor Roosevelt while there. Then I boarded a tanker to Oakland Naval Hospital, where I had an operation on my right eye to remove all the shrapnel and shell fragments from my face.

Nothing could ever be as exciting as my time spent on PT BOATS. I always had a feeling that the 162 was a very unlucky boat, but it survived the War. I see Sam Reynolds every year at our reunions; he was the Exec on the 162. I think the thing that did bother me over the years was that we never went back to check on any PT-109 survivors, and I know some of the crew felt the same way. This letter is getting pretty long, and I have enjoyed telling you about some of our experiences on the 162. I was so glad to talk with you, hope you can read my writing, best regards to you and Walter Rogal.

Lawrence (Larry) Ogilvie
Ron 9 boat 162
Discharged after 5 years of service GM 1/c





Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Oct 30, 2017 - 1:44pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Frank;
Thanks for posting Larry's letter, it answers many questions, especially the Todd City question,
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Oct 31, 2017 - 7:08am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Ted, my pleasure I spoke with Charlie today about this as well. I hope it helps to clear things up.



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Oct 31, 2017 - 12:28pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Thanks, Frankie....

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Nov 1, 2017 - 1:41pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm



Your welcome Will................



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Nov 1, 2017 - 3:02pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



I was looking for information on another boat when I stumbled onto this thread. I found this https://archive2.jfklibrary.org/JFKOH/Reynolds,%20Samuel%20F/JFKOH-SFR-01/JFKOH-SFR-01-TR.pdf which is an interview with Samuel F. Reynolds a crew member of PT-162. If you go to page 12 he talks about Leon E. Tedd who was killed on his boat, and was the Todd Island. Still, a lot of unanswered questions, but hopefully, some of the fog has lifted!



Posted By: Stearman | Posted on: Nov 1, 2017 - 10:00pm
Total Posts: 150 | Joined: Nov 1, 2017 - 9:38pm



That's Great info - Reynolds was the XO on 162 at the time. Everything matches up to what I've researched and what Frank posted fro Ogilvie's letter.

Now here is the interesting thing. Reynolds mentions TODD - a gunners mate as being killed on his boat and naming Todd city (he mentions Todd Island.

At no time does he mention Leon. But in the names index, it lists Todd, Leon E. I think the interviewer was using the PT 109 book/movie reference instead of facts.

I can tell you 100% that Leon Todd was not a PT Boater.


Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Nov 2, 2017 - 6:07am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



Just an FYI, I'm working on an article on this whole Leon Vs Merwin Todd City thing. So if you happen to find anything regarding this, please pass it on. The more data the better.

Except for a couple of items to clarify a few thing, I think I've got the story, and the mystery solved,(i.e., it's really named after Merwin K Todd, not Leon E Todd, Jr).

Thanks


Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Nov 2, 2017 - 7:02am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm