The PT Boat Forum
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi

» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf

» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?fct=gotoforum&cid=101&fid=102

» Topic: PT 380 RON 28
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=4855

My Great Uncle August Breidenstein Quarter Master Second Class from Fullerton, Maryland joined the Navy in OCT 1943 age 17. He served on PT 380 (HELLION) RON 28, August would serve as Quartermaster and back up gunner aboard PT 380 throughout northern Philippines taking part in The Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, 6ā€“9 January 1945 and The Battle of Luzon Jan 9 to Aug 15 1945 along with his final station at base 17 Bobon point, Samar, Philippines. I remember him telling me how sad it was to witness all the PT boats being burned after the war was over. My Uncles final Patrol was December 2006 age 80 . I am looking for any and all information pertaining to PT 380 and RON 28, thank you.

-Travis Breidenstein

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Dec 4, 2019 - 5:49am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Would anyone have the Commissioning photo or RON 28??

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Dec 10, 2019 - 9:14am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Sorry Travis, I have no images of her or the commissioning. I checked NavSource but no luck there either. If you come across any, please share with us thanks.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Dec 11, 2019 - 9:05am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

I have a couple pictures of my great Uncles boat, PT 380 Ron 28.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Dec 18, 2019 - 11:22am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

The sketch shows the entrance to PT base 17, the tower in the sketch was a watch tower with a spot light and twin .50 machine guns. The concrete footings of the watch tower are still their today along with the carvings of the men who built the tower.

The picture of the PT boats docked was also of Base 17. The boats were being stripped and then burnt [:-unhappy-:]

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Dec 19, 2019 - 11:54am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Thanks, Travis!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Dec 23, 2019 - 6:29pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

I missed this... thanks from me too Travis, it's the first photo I've seen of the 380. Love the cartoon, so many funny little details! The more you look the funnier it gets.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Dec 24, 2019 - 3:49am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Here are some pictures of the concrete footings from Base 17 along with a 2018 snap shot of where the base use to be. After the war the navy abandoned the base and the locals moved in. I have spoken to a Australian man who married a women from the area. Unfortunately there is nothing left of the base except some of the buildings the Navy built. Besides the concrete footings and the concrete pier you would never know it was a military base. Below is a link to a video of the concrete pier and surrounding area of PT base 17 where the PT boats would dock.

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYxfiOuHXB8[/url]
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmz8lZIfZk8[/url]

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Dec 24, 2019 - 6:31am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Here is a aerial photo of Base 17 Samar Philippines

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Dec 24, 2019 - 6:47am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Ron 28 shirt and coffee mug, Christmas gift from my amazing wife!

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Dec 27, 2019 - 8:23am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

travis there is are a couple of pics of the 380 in david doyle's book "legends of warfare naval pt boats" on page 108 which are different than what is posted. not sure the pics will come out if I would try to scan them. also may be a copywrite issue. hope you are able to see them. some how at least. happy new year. scott

Scott Campbell 2nd gen,PT 248
Ron 20

Posted By: Scott C | Posted on: Dec 27, 2019 - 1:51pm
Total Posts: 108 | Joined: Nov 20, 2019 - 4:34pm

Thanks Scott! I will be buying the book asap.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Dec 28, 2019 - 5:20am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Good day everyone, I was hoping the knowledgeable members on this great forum could help me with the timeline of my Uncles PT service. I have been doing extensive research during the Corona lock down and it seems my Uncle was at several other PT Boat bases in the pacific before going to Base 17. Could he have been in another RON then transferred to RON 28? My Uncle never mentioned serving on another PT boat but it does mention in the Daily War Diaries that he was at Base 7, 9, 12, 16 then Base 17 in Samar. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks!

-Travis

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Aug 2, 2020 - 9:03am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Squadron 28, assigned to the South Pacific, had action at Treasury and Green. Transferred to the Southwest Pacific in October 1944, it had action at Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines. It also based for a time at Mios Woendi in New Guinea and at San Pedro Bay in the Philippines, but had no action from these bases.

Taken from book at close quarters. Maybe someone can help with the base numbers.

Gary

Posted By: Gary Paulsen | Posted on: Aug 2, 2020 - 9:14am
Total Posts: 249 | Joined: Feb 14, 2009 - 6:31am

This is what I came up with and please correct me if I am wrong.

Base 7 Tutuila, Samoa

Base 9 cape Torokina, Bougainville

base 12 (could not find info)

Base 16 Basilan

Base 17 Bobon Point Samar

I would also like to find out who bought PT 380 at the end of the war. My Uncles boat was one of the lucky ones that wasn't burnt.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Aug 2, 2020 - 9:26am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Aug 2, 2020 - 6:09pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Will, thank you sir!

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Aug 2, 2020 - 10:41pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Sep 1, 2020 - 4:48pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Beached Japanese supply ship.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Sep 1, 2020 - 5:05pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Sep 12, 2020 - 3:34pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Travis;
Base 7 was moved up to Green Island. Base 12 was in Bizerte, Tunisia, so unless he was previously with RON's 15/22/29, it must be a typo and it probably means Base 1. 2, which was Tulagi, which for later RON's became their intro-to-theater/training base for just arriving RON's.
Their is no mention of August P. Breidenstein on the Melville Class Rosters, so he was probably picked up along the way, to the Pacific. Many cases were like this, but most were earlier in the war. There is a S2/C W. E. Breidenstein, that graduated in Class 7-42 (10/1 - 12/1/42). This was JFK's class at Melville. I don't think that is a vary common name, Any relation to you?
In the back of Knights of The Sea, only your Uncle's name is listed,not the other Breidenstein. Several guys from this class went to RON 15, so maybe it is Base 12 in Tunisia.I would check all the Doc's on Fold3, if I were you.
If you have not looked on FOLD3 yet, there are about 30 documents with your Uncles name.

Take care,
TED

Here is PT 380's exact location August 1945:

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Sep 13, 2020 - 3:06pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Ted, thank you for the response, My Uncle was at Melville RI June-August 1944 then took a train to Shoemaker California. He would later travel by ship to the Pacific arriving at the end of November 1944.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Sep 13, 2020 - 3:53pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Travis;
No first name is noted, just S2/C W. E. Breidenstein.
I suggest you run just the last name through FOLD3, and see what pops up.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Sep 13, 2020 - 6:47pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

August P Breidenstein arrived at MTBSTC Melville) on June 17, 1944 and left September 22, 1944 for Shoemaker Receiving Barracks. He arrived at RON 28 in December 1944. He went to Base 17 October 22, 1945.

He was on an Oiler, Pawcatuck (AO-108) from Aug 1946 - Jan 1947.

I see no entries at Melville or other PT boats for a C W Breidenstein

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Sep 21, 2020 - 6:57am
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm

Travis,

When you were there, Base 17, were you able to identify which beach the boats were burned on?

It might be worth a try with a metal detector if we could sort that.

Thanks.

Mark D. of
pt127.org

The pictures I have posted of base 17 were sent to me by a Australian man who I found on youtube. This gentlemen married a woman from the town of Samar and went back to visit. While he was there he took video and pictures of the old base (what is left of it). Here are links to the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmz8lZIfZk8&t=12s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1ATTcqrAgQ&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYxfiOuHXB8

This is the email I received from him.

My wife is from a small town called catbalogan, on Samar, where we have a house, & visit family for 5 or 6 weeks annually.

I am interested in many things of which PT boats & WW2 in the Pacific are one. When I found out that the boats were burned on the same island as my wife's home town, I naturally had to find out where. So after figuring out the reported location of the base was incorrect, I researched the old wartime photographs of Base 17, then matched up the geography and landmarks with the satellite imagery and maps of the area. I was very confident that I had the exact location worked out, so before I went over one year I organized to hire a bus and take my 2x brothers in law, one sister in law, and several nephews on a road trip to confirm the location, and to have a look at that end of the island. I had no trouble in getting volunteers as we had previously done road trips north and east, and across Leyte. Taking my extended family allowed me to do the local research worked out far more thorough than I could have done otherwise

The concrete footings are actually the old guard/search-light tower positioned at the sea entrance to the base (apparently with twin .50s) and doubled as an anti aircraft battery.

When you visit, get a driver who speaks English. Its not expensive to hire one for your entire stay & he will double as interpreter and guard you vehicle and belongings. If a foreigner runs over someone's chicken, it is a national disaster accompanied by much wailing and general disquiet. If a Local does the same thing, no even blinks. Always pay for your drivers meals, drinks and accommodation. Remember it is very, very illegal for any foreigner to carry a gun, but it is perfectly fine to hire a local to carry it for you.

Always tell everyone how much you love the food in the country, & that the people are wonderful.
Never play cards or gamble with any local, including your driver. These are incredibly poor people and you will find the rules of any game vary constantly to make sure the foreigner loses as much as the locals can get away with.

Basically it is not really worth visiting Samar, or the old PT Base. There is nothing much to see, it is hot, dusty and the most impoverished province in the Philippines. I go there because I am rather fond of my nieces and nephews, and I like to drink beer in my sister-in-laws bar (while my wife has a family re-union for a few weeks) while my home town of Canberra has its annual run of sub-zero temperatures (& I actually do like the food).

best of luck with it

Brendan

If you all have any other questions I still have Brendan's email. From what I gathered the only thing left of the base is concrete.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Sep 23, 2020 - 3:25pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Travis,

Thanks so much for the information.

Iā€™ve been to Guiuan, Samar looking for some places my father had photographed when he was there. I didnā€™t spend much time looking for remnants of the base, etc. as I figured the locals would have long ago recycled anything left behind. But, I have seen pics of the beach where the boats were burned. Since they towed them there I canā€™t imagine it was very far. I donā€™t know what might be found with a metal detector, but it could be fun to try.

So, yes, please, if you can forward me his email address Iā€™ll drop him a note.

My email address is:
webmaster@pt127.org

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Mark

Posted By: PT127 | Posted on: Sep 23, 2020 - 9:08pm
Total Posts: 35 | Joined: Aug 21, 2011 - 1:32pm

Interesting "inside story" Travis, thanks. It doesn't sound like a place you'd want to go to casually without planning or a guide.

You might be able to find some interesting bits Mark. I've wondered if the residents there still have any repurposed items that they either make use of or just have hanging on a wall. I vaguely recall an old fuel tank being used for water...

Shane posted here a funnel they found while diving. He also posted photos of it cleaned up (can't find the post), it looked like and measured out the same as an Elco. What a cool find!:
[url]http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=1545&sc=20&pg=1&x=0[/url]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Sep 25, 2020 - 7:17am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

With the help of PT Boats INC I have found three more photos of PT380 one being the crew including my Uncle.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Jul 17, 2021 - 12:37pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Very cool Travis, finding a photo of your Uncle! Which crewman is he? It looks like the gentleman in the middle of the back row has something on his head, maybe the boat's mascot? It sort of looks like a small cat. PTB Inc is such a great resource for all things PT. I have about 20 of their Elco drawings with the giant Outboard Profile on the wall right above my monitor.

The second photo is of a Higgins, maybe it was taken from the 380?

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jul 24, 2021 - 10:48am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Sorry for the late response,

You are correct, the picture of the Higgins boat was taken from the deck of PT-380. My uncle was the one sitting down to the left.

My Uncle never spoke of a mascot but I do know the boats nickname was "Hellion" which fit my Uncles personality lol.

The story of the crew picture from what my Uncle told me was the gentleman behind my uncle was wounded in the leg and he didn't want his mother finding out so they made him sit behind my Uncle and another sailor.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Nov 17, 2021 - 12:58pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

I had a artist add color to the black and white photo of PT380 .Very happy with the finished product, it really brings the picture to life.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Dec 12, 2021 - 10:43am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Found another Picture of PT 380 at dock. Not sure where this was taken, I was hoping someone on the forum knows. Happy New Year!

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Jan 7, 2023 - 1:33pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

August Breidenstein age 19

Me, age 16 and my Uncle August age 77 Summer 2003

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Jan 7, 2023 - 2:23pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Hi Travis,

I was sniffing around the catalogs for something else today, when I saw this thread come up. Looks like you've already found all the relevant muster rolls and stuff, but I spotted this and didn't know if you've seen it yet.

It's # 416 in the roll, and I think the back is the one above it. There are a few others with the same last name between about 406 and 418, and 408 stuck out because he apparently lived right down the street and registered at the local high school around the same time. Not sure if any of these names will be familiar to you, but you never know.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/260322032

Posted By: Joe Reese | Posted on: Jan 7, 2023 - 10:13pm
Total Posts: 85 | Joined: Aug 2, 2022 - 11:02am

I will have to ask my Great Aunt if this August you found from New York is of any relation. My Uncle August was born and raised in Maryland. Breidenstein is a very uncommon last name so he could be related.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Jan 8, 2023 - 1:40pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Yeah, I saw NY state and the age at the time of registration, wondered if it was his father or something like that.

Posted By: Joe Reese | Posted on: Jan 8, 2023 - 7:52pm
Total Posts: 85 | Joined: Aug 2, 2022 - 11:02am

Want to thank YKO studio for this great RON 28 Towel!

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Mar 18, 2023 - 2:11pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664246394/august-p-breidenstein/facts

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Mar 23, 2024 - 10:36am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

PT 380 builders plaque, this is a reproduction I had made to exact specs as the original.

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Mar 23, 2024 - 10:52am
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Nice Travis!
Where did you have the builders plaque done?
It looks fantastic!
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 23, 2024 - 11:50am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Thanks Ted! I have a sign company in Sparta NJ who did the project for me. If you are interested send me an email and I can put you in contact with them. My email is autopartsguy88@gmail.com

Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Mar 23, 2024 - 12:49pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am

Nice Travis!
Where did you have the builders plaque done?
It looks fantastic!
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 23, 2024 - 5:59pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am