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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: My Dad Alvin W. FargoJr.
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The Peter Tare community meant a great deal to my Dad, Alvin W. Fargo, Jr., who died in 1990. I am writing an account of his WWII experiences for my sons and grandchildren, and I would appreciate any suggestions you have as to where I can learn additional valuable information. I have read "At Close Quarters" which was very helpful.

My Dad was a Lieutenant Commander and Squadron Commander of Squadron 13 in the Philippines during 1944-45. His squadron was heavily involved in the Mindoro Campaign, and Task Unit 70.1.4, including Squadron 13, received a Navy Unit Commendation for their efforts. After Mindoro, my Dad's Squadron 13 was involved in the Australian invasion of Brunei Bay, and he was invited to represent the U.S. Navy at the Japanese Surrender in Kuching.

My questions include the following; When and where did my Dad join Squadron 13? I know he was in The Aleutians first, but I don't know when he first arrived and where. Did he join Squadron 13 or another squadron in Florida and motor to the Pacific? Dates would be really helpful. I don't know when he joined the Navy or when he earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander. I believe he was a Task Unit Commander at some point. I would like to know when that was and where and which boats were under his command. Any information about that would be greatly appreciated. Also, any records of a leave in San Francisco in August-September 1943. Thank you very much for anything you can provide or steer me to.

I can be reached at mikefargo99@gmail.com or 415-847-0347. Thank you very much! Alvin W. Fargo III

Posted By: Alvin Fargo | Posted on: Apr 10, 2020 - 3:48pm
Total Posts: 2 | Joined: Apr 10, 2020 - 3:24pm

Mike Welcome Aboard !!!

LT. Alvin W. Fargo Jr(Service No: 80038) graduated from MTBSTC in Class 8-44(2/14/1944-5/14/1944).

CO of RON 13, Lt. Comdr. Alvin W. Fargo, Jr., USNR -- June 8, 1944-October 15, 1945.

If as you say, he was in the Aleutians, prior to his becoming CO, he was probably sent as a replacement officer in RON 13.

Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Apr 10, 2020 - 4:35pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Mike, Welcome. just wondering if you have requested your father's records from the national archives? I have my father's and they come in chronological order by date of each assignment training etc. Hope this helps. scott

Scott Campbell 2nd gen,PT 248
Ron 20

Posted By: Scott C | Posted on: Apr 10, 2020 - 5:34pm
Total Posts: 106 | Joined: Nov 20, 2019 - 4:34pm

Just found this . Pretty impressive from NY Times,

Alvin W. Fargo Jr., a retired advertising executive, died yesterday at his home in Edison, N.J. He was 75 years old and also had a home in Nantucket, Mass.

Mr. Fargo died of congestive heart failure, his son, Mike, of Kentfield, Calif., said.

He was the former administrative vice president and chairman of the finance committee of Rumrill-Hoyt Inc. of Manhattan, the successor to Charles W. Hoyt & Company, which he joined in 1938. He was also a member of the company's board.

Mr. Fargo was born in Montclair, N.J., and graduated from Yale in 1937.

He was the commanding officer of a motor torpedo boat squadron in World War II and was task unit commander of all motor torpedo board operations in the Phillipines and Borneo area. He led the invasion of Brunei Bay off Borneo, and in September 1945, he accepted the surrender of the Japanese forces at Kuching in southwest Borneo. He received nine ribbons and medals, including the Silver Star.

[url]http://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/16/obituaries/alvin-fargo-jr-75-advertising-executive.html[/url]

Posted By: Gary Paulsen | Posted on: Apr 11, 2020 - 10:29am
Total Posts: 249 | Joined: Feb 14, 2009 - 6:31am

Hello, and welcome, These Pt boat guys are rally the best. They are of help with any PT question and the knowledge here is great. I haven't been here too long myself. keep us posted on your father's service and his stories.
[:-cheers-:]

Bill P Reese

Posted By: billpr | Posted on: Apr 12, 2020 - 12:08pm
Total Posts: 83 | Joined: Mar 19, 2017 - 4:34pm

Mike
Welcome to the forum! I donā€™t know what you have used for sources in your research into your dadā€™s service but I just finished reading a book called PT Boat Odyssey by Robert Gelzheiser. This might be a good book for you if you havenā€™t read it already because this guys dad was in RON 16 and they went to Alaska at the beginning of the war and then were transferred to the Pacific and served in the New Guinea and Philippines campaignā€™s. He gives a very in-depth history into the Mindoro campaign and what life was like on Higgins PT 221. It sounds like your dad and Mr. Gelzheiser followed the same path at about the same time. Good Luck in your search!

Thanks!
Jeff

Posted By: Jeff H | Posted on: Apr 15, 2020 - 6:42am
Total Posts: 32 | Joined: Jun 7, 2019 - 6:00am

Hi Mike
I just sent you an email with a copy of the RON16 War Diary. It mentions your Dad several times in the Diary since RON13 and RON16 did combined Ops many times in the western Pacific. You should read through it and you will see a lot of info directly about him.

Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Apr 19, 2020 - 1:35am
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm