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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Last Patrol: William F. 'Bud' Liebenow, PT 157
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Skipper William F. 'Bud' Liebenow, Skipper of the PT 157 from the time the 157 was commissioned to September 1943, the Skipper who navigated the uncharted waters on a night mission to rescue the crew of the PT 109, who was awarded the Silver Star while in the Solomon Islands for two missions that demonstrated the very best of what a PT, a great crew (which Bud ALWAYS gave the credit to) and a determined Skipper could do. And who was personally transferred on priority orders by Commander Bulkeley to the Atlantic Theater and then skippered the PT 199 on D-Day and helped saved the lives of nearly 66 USN sailors when the USS CORRY (DD-463) was sunk near the invasion beaches; for which Liebenow was awarded the Bronze Star...

...has gone on his Last Patrol. He is preceded by all the other crewmen of the 157 that he Skippered, so it will be grand reunion!

Bud his survived by his wife Lucy, who he married before going to war, His son Mike Liebenow and daughter Susan Liebenow.

Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 8:17am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm

Bud was the best! I remember when I was doing a six month NSW Rhib Det. deployment at NSWU-10 in Rota, Spain, Bud was kind enough to answer one of my usual 6 page “Packed with questions” letters. He wrote me a very detailed and descriptive letter of his OSS Ops with RON 2(2). He was always there for us, making sure we got the PT history correct, not only because history tends to get distorted and the years pass, but, because it meant so much to him. He was a PT Man to the end. I am a firm believer that people are placed in situations for a specific purpose. Just think, if there was no Bud Liebenow, things could have turned out very differently and we might not have had a President from Massachusetts. While he will be missed here, he is now where he belongs with his crew, standing at the wheel of “Aces & Eights”, once again running through the waters he did 74 years ago, heading towards the Sunrise. May they have fair winds and following seas.

Thank you and Godspeed Bud Liebenow!

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 9:08am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

This is very sad news that was just sent by Bridge. It was such a joy and an honor to be able to spend time with both Bud, his lovely wife Lucy and Welford back in NC several years ago listening to them tell stories for 2 days about their adventures and sacrifices during WWII. These fine men were truly the greatest generation. It is with a very heart I wish Gods Speed to Skipper Liebenow and all our great Heros that preceded him. Our prayers are with the entire Liebenow family. May you Rest in Peace my friend.

Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 10:22am
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm

Sad news indeed.

Rest in peace, Mr. Liebenow.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 10:36am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

GODSPEED, Bud Liebenow. Fair Winds and Following Seas. You will be missed.

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 10:38am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Was deeply saddened to learn of Bud Liebenow's Passing from Bridge this morning. He was the Best.

Very Respectfully,

Wayne Traxel

Posted By: Wayne Traxel | Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 10:42am
Total Posts: 248 | Joined: Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am

I'm saddened to hear of his passing, and my sympathy to you Bridge. I know you two were close.

That is the mark of a good man, giving credit where due. It says more about him than any medal could.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 11:31am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

I had the pleasure of meeting Bud in 1993 at Fall River. We stayed in touch although I could not make the get together that Bridge Carney had set up with Bud and Welford West. Bud sent me a letter and an original photo of him while at Melville. He was a great guy and guys like that only come around once in a life-time. God Bless Bud.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 25, 2017 - 1:11pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

As a follow-up to this sad news it is very heart warming to see so many newspapers around the country running the story about Bud's WWII history and his life. I have taken the liberty to contact Fox News as several of their top news folks (Bill) for one are WWII historians and just might mention him this upcoming week for any who might be interested in watching. I have also contacted the White House Press Office and just maybe "someone" who really loves our Vets would contact Lucy to express the country's gratitude for his service. It would be a very nice gesture.

Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Feb 26, 2017 - 7:16pm
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm

Roy;
Good job! I took the liberty to contact the JFK Library Foundation and ask them to also pass it on to the Kennedy family, on 25 Feb.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 27, 2017 - 1:20pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

I spoke to Bud's son Mike and told him what the PT Forum crew was doing to get the word out about the Final Patrol. His is, on behalf of the family, most appreciative.

More information....

There will be a small service at Ridgecrest Center in Mt. Airy, NC, which is where Bud and Lucy reside, this weekend. This service is primarily for the friends at Ridgecrest and some people in the community that knew Bud. Bud had asked for a low key affair in his Will according to Mike.

Son Mike and daughter Susan are now looking at having a Military burial for Bud at Arlington Cemetery. This requires some time to get approval so they anticipate this to take a few months. Bud’s Silver Star does qualify him. They will advise progress.

Bud and Lucy’s address is…..

Ridgecrest Retirement Center
1000 Ridgecrest Lane
Mount Airy, NC 27030

Bridge

Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Feb 27, 2017 - 3:58pm
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm

Thanks guys! The family is surprised but really appreciative of what you're doing.

Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Feb 27, 2017 - 6:04pm
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm

Bud sent me this card with good advice. Through Bridge, I sent him a photograph ... and he was thanking me for it. Running in circles kept them alive when attacked at night by Rufes.

natsmith

Posted By: Nathaniel Smith | Posted on: Feb 28, 2017 - 5:10pm
Total Posts: 211 | Joined: Jan 19, 2008 - 6:55am

As a final update on Skipper Liebenow, the Mount Airy News, his local paper ran a front page story about the skipper that carried over to an additional 2/3 pages about his life. In addition to that another 1/2 page fantastic Editorial Page story ran titled The passing of Bud Liebenow, American Hero really hit home in today's times. Wonderful reading if you can obtain a copy.

Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Mar 6, 2017 - 1:13pm
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm

Mt Airy article: [url]http://mtairynews.com/news/48699/hero-lights-official-city-tree-2[/url]

His D-Day recollection from 2014 [url]http://mtairynews.com/archive/2485/news-home_top-news-3768233-local-veteran-recalls-d-day-drama[/url]

Rick Schaefer
Splinter PT 63 108

TM2c John E Mirus
Solomon Islands
Dec 43 - Jan 45

Posted By: rickas | Posted on: Mar 6, 2017 - 5:44pm
Total Posts: 82 | Joined: Dec 26, 2013 - 5:16pm

December 11, 2017 -

[b]I received and Email from our good friend and member, Bridge Carney with the following update on the passing of skipper Bud Liebenow of PT 157 & 199:[/b]

An update on Skipper Liebenow's official burial. Lt.(JG) William F. Liebenow, Skipper of the PTs 157 (in the Pacific) and the PT-199 (of the coast of France on D-Day) will indeed be awarded a full military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery based on his service and his being awarded the Silver Star for actions while commanding the PT-157. The funeral will be either in June or August 2018....almost 1-1/2 years after his passing. Skipper Liebenow had pass away earlier in February 2017.

This information was relayed to Bridge by Bud’s daughter Susan Liebenow.

Dick . . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Dec 11, 2017 - 11:14am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Overdue and well deserved...

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Dec 12, 2017 - 5:34pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm