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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Interview with last survivor of PT-109
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Here is the interview that I did with PT-109 and PT-59 crewmen Maurice Kowal. The piece was expanded on by my friend Dick Washichek who added photos and text to the piece to make it that much better. I think it came out great. Let me know what you think and please Subscribe to the channel, and if you like it please click on the 'Like Buttonā€¯, as this is on Dick's page on Youtube.

[url]https://youtu.be/SEhZYpOgANs[/url]

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jun 1, 2022 - 6:15am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Frank, you did a great job interviewing him. You guided it along respectfully and with a perfect flow. The interview is interesting from start to finish. I'm impressed, you could easily get a job with a media company! And Dick, excellent job with the editing, sound, and presentation, and the photos were well selected and really helped tell the story. Fantastic job you two, thank you. [:-cheers-:]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jun 1, 2022 - 8:49am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Thanks so much, doing the interview for me was such a thrill as my passion for the PT Boats and the path I have taken to educate was all due to the movie PT-109. Meeting another crew member was a dream come true. Dick's work made the interview that much better and I can't thank him enough.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jun 1, 2022 - 9:31am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Shame on me for forgetting to give credit to the star of the show, Mr. Kowal. I think he told a fine story and I found everything he had to say very interesting. I got angry at the ships crew member that wouldn't let the hungry PT men have their breakfast leftovers even though they were throwing it away. What a creep. [:-veryangry-:]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jun 2, 2022 - 7:58am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Was Mr Kowal there before Bryant Larsen left the PT109? Just curious.

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jun 2, 2022 - 9:55am
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Jerry . . .

It sounds like when Mr. Kowal arrived at Tulagi, he was assigned work duties on the Fuel & Ammo island, and Kennedy went their and picked him up.

Dick . . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jun 2, 2022 - 11:41am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Frankie . . . .

Great job on the interview, it was well organized and flowed beautifully. Well done, I'am glade you shared those audio files with me.

Dick . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jun 2, 2022 - 11:44am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Thank you very much Frank, for adding so much content recently, it is very much appreciated.

Dick . . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jun 2, 2022 - 12:02pm
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

My pleasure Dick, thanks so much. I have had the chance to have my Wife and Mother view the interview and they loved it. The most important thing to this is that we have the very last interview given by Mr. Kowal and his wonderful thoughts and comments are forever etched in this video, for future generations.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jun 2, 2022 - 1:24pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Hello Jerry, Kowal was not on the 109 while Larson was in command of the 109.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jun 2, 2022 - 1:25pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

I agree- the treatment of the PT boat crew in regards to the food dumped overboard was sad to hear in Mr Kowals voice.

I wonder if the ship was manned by the US Merchant Marine? Not at all to detract from the large sacrifice of the USMM in WWII. Just that I've read "several" accounts now from all branches of the US military of similar behavior, poor food, accommodations, and often attitude to the embarked military folks-- even for wartime.

This interview is the second instance in a couple weeks I've heard, or read. The other was from and Army officer who mentioned one US ship on the way to a New Guinea invasion. In fairness though- later on another ship they (the Army unit) were very well treated.

From accounts like this the 1st Marine Division on the Wellington, NZ docks prior to Guadalcanal, and even more numerous issues with the Australian longshoreman-- I am SMH in regards to some of those maritime folks.

And to Frank, I really enjoyed your interview here with such a great veteran, kudo's! Also, my regards and thanks to his family for his service to our country...

Posted By: Shaneo2 | Posted on: Jun 2, 2022 - 3:05pm
Total Posts: 147 | Joined: Apr 17, 2008 - 10:19pm

Thanks Very much Shaneo2. When Mr. Kowal told me of the food tossed over the side, I was shocked that this treatment of fellow Sailors in arms took place.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jun 3, 2022 - 7:56am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

fantastic job to both of you !! 3 cheers. [:-cup-:][:-cheers-:][:-cheers-:][:-cheers-:]

Scott Campbell 2nd gen,PT 248
Ron 20

Posted By: Scott C | Posted on: Jun 3, 2022 - 8:58am
Total Posts: 108 | Joined: Nov 20, 2019 - 4:34pm

Frank & Dick,

Thanks for the effort to pull this together. I found the comments that PT 109 was painted gray interesting. The boat was most likely in a grey scheme ( light gray 5-L and dark gray 5-D) when delivered. But photographs of her in transit, as well as off Guadalcanal show a mono color scheme. Based on the Donovan book the assumption has always been the boat was painted green in theater, during the dry dock referenced in the interview. Interesting input from Maurice. But one needs to keep in mind this is memory from 60 years prior.

Bill

Bill Smallshaw

Posted By: smallwi | Posted on: Jun 17, 2022 - 11:14am
Total Posts: 134 | Joined: Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm

Correction to the last post, the light gray of the as manufactured scheme is Navy Gray #5. This was apparently a unique scheme for the 80 foot ELCO, a derivative of Measure 1.

According to Al Rossā€™s Allied Coastal Forces Volume II, these boats where repainted Measure 13. Which is an overall gray scheme utilizing Haze Gray (5-H). This explains the photographs mention earlier showing PT 109 as a single color. A true Measure 13 scheme would have had the decks painted Deck Blue (20-B). But most photographs of the period do not seem to show a color contrast between the chart-house and the deck. I presume the PT boats were painted a derivative of the Measure 13 standard.

Bill Smallshaw

Posted By: smallwi | Posted on: Jun 17, 2022 - 12:58pm
Total Posts: 134 | Joined: Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm

A color photo of what is supposed to be the 109 shows her as being painted a darkish green: [url]http://www.pt103.com/PT_61.html[/url]. Mr. Kowal may have forgotten a little detail like color, especially considering it was 60 years ago. Or maybe it was painted while he was recuperating from his injuries?

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jun 18, 2022 - 6:47am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Jeff,

I had forgotten about the photo you referenced, good point. Reviewing the Donovan book Kowal joined the crew on May 1, 1943. Donovan states that the boat went into dry dock some time after that, no specific date mentioned. But the boat started patrols on May 8, subsequent to dry dock. During this week Donovan states the boat was repainted Forest Green. An exact date could be found in the surviving deck log for the boat.

Regardless, Kowal would be correct, the boat was painted gray. What he may not have recalled was the boat being repainted. Memory from 60 years later for sure. By the way the accident he cited with the 50 cal mount appears to have occurred before the dry dock. That event probably fixed certain details in memory.

Bill Smallshaw

Posted By: smallwi | Posted on: Jun 27, 2022 - 6:59am
Total Posts: 134 | Joined: Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm

Oh no not this subject again! Frank what have you done?

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jun 27, 2022 - 11:36am
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Jeff,

I had forgotten about the photo you referenced, good point. Reviewing the Donovan book Kowal joined the crew on May 1, 1943. Donovan states that the boat went into dry dock some time after that, no specific date mentioned. But the boat started patrols on May 8, subsequent to dry dock. During this week Donovan states the boat was repainted Forest Green. An exact date could be found in the surviving deck log for the boat.

Regardless, Kowal would be correct, the boat was painted gray. What he may not have recalled was the boat being repainted. Memory from 60 years later for sure. By the way the accident he cited with the 50 cal mount appears to have occurred before the dry dock. That event probably fixed certain details in memory.

Bill Smallshaw

Posted By: smallwi | Posted on: Jun 27, 2022 - 1:04pm
Total Posts: 134 | Joined: Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm

Oh No Jerry I fueled the fire again, move on, move on, should we talk about Higgins boats Jerry?

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 6, 2022 - 8:54am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

All:

I found a copy of the PT 109 log book. The log indicates three maintenance visits to Sesapi in May. One was on May 6, 1943 for hull and engine work. This visit lasted less than two hours, 0800 to 1000. Hardly enough time to do any major painting. The second visit, for engine maintenance, was on May 20, arriving at 0810 and departing 1530. The third visit was on May 29, similar to the May 20 visit, arriving at 08180 and departing 1530. Although no mention of painting the boat, these two visits are the only maintenance periods referenced that could have been long enough for the crew to turn to with paint brushes. As Kowal joined the crew on May 1 it is safe to say his comments about the boat being painted grey could have merit. It would have been for the first three/four weeks of his service on the boat. The whole discussion of the boat being a shambles when Kennedy took command seems to be complete Hollywood hogwash. Lt. Bryant Larson stated this emphatically and the log validates that the boat was operational with Ens, Thom in command for a number of patrols before Kennedy arrived on April 25.

Another curiosity are three more crew members never mentioned in popular publications about the 109. A. Galewski F1/C joined the crew May 15, 1943, detached on June 17 when J. B. Burkheit MM 2/C joined the crew. C. B. Foster RM 2/C joined the crew April 1, detached from the crew on May 30.

Bill

Bill Smallshaw

Posted By: smallwi | Posted on: Jul 6, 2022 - 8:17pm
Total Posts: 134 | Joined: Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm

Frank, do you know what shade of green she was painted? [:-devil-:]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jul 7, 2022 - 8:50am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Tough question Jeff as I do not think the actual color was ever really known. I have seen the boat models painted in many different shades of green, from Forest Green to Light Green. So i guess to answer your question I was never really 100% sure which shade of green she was

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 7, 2022 - 10:09am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

No I am fairly certain the 109 was painted in Franks favorite Zebra Adapter Pattern, with the easily recognized stripes seen on the SO3 Radar mast. Yes I am sure of it!

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jul 7, 2022 - 2:03pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Got it, various shades of green in the Zebra Adapter Pattern. Thanks guys! [:-cheers-:]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jul 7, 2022 - 6:29pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Frank . . .

Here are some stats on Youtube views for the interview:

Views: 84,000
Likes: 178
Positive Comments: 1,212
Negative Comments: 26

Most people don't "Like" or "Not Like" same with Subscribe. They just simply view videos, same as with me. The positive comments are very appreciative, where the negative comments are basically Kennedy naysayers.

Nice job Frank, well done interview . . . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 8, 2022 - 1:56pm
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Frank . . .

Here are some stats on Youtube views for the interview:

Views: 84,000
Likes: 178
Positive Comments: 1,212
Negative Comments: 26

Most people don't "Like" or "Not Like" same with Subscribe. They just simply view videos, same as with me. The positive comments are very appreciative, where the negative comments are basically Kennedy naysayers.

Nice job Frank, well done interview . . . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 8, 2022 - 1:57pm
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Thanks Dick, I have been checking out the many viewers who have watched the interview and I am so happy that it tuned out as well as it did with all of your hard work in inserting so many photos. Jerry you just know how much I love that Zebra pattern don't you lol...........

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 9, 2022 - 5:02am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am