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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
USNS Toboga, Balboa Canal Zone - WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=5171
Hello everyone, I am honored to be part of this forum, thank you Dick Washichek for making that happen.
I am conducting family research, specifically related to my Uncle that served in the US Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theater, April '43-February '46. He was trained as a Quartermaster, became lead helmsman / driver of an LST during the Normandy Invasion, Omaha Beach, D-Day. After the war ended, he changed his rating to Carpenter's Mate and was assign duty at USNS Toboga, Balboa Panama Canal Zone. I don't have specific dates of his time in Panama, but I know it was post VE Day, approx. July 1945-Feb. 1946.
Name: William M. Oeste
Rating: QM3c / CM3c
Search:
1. What his duties would had been post WWII on the base as a CM3c.
2. Images of the base during that time
3. Image of him if available
4. PT Boat images 1945-1946
5. Muster Reports with his name
Thank you in advance to all that may be able to help.
Regards,
John Oeste
US Navy Vet. '82-'86
USS Fife DD-991
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 22, 2022 - 11:51am
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
Hey John, and welcome to the group. I did a quick search, and it looks like he was with two different LCT Flotillas, not LST. LCT Flotilla 1 and LCT Flotilla 19 which is the one he was with at D-Day.. Figuring out which LCT he was on is a bit more difficult unless you have that but probably can be done with a little more digging.
Looks like he was on the USS Sims for a bit in early 1945 before he went to Taboga. Think I can find the muster reports for that....Give me a little time and I'll check.
As far as what a carpenter's mate does, it kind of says it all....mostly dealing with making or repairing anything with wood. Could be including fixing PT Boats.
Finding pictures of Taboga kind of tough but I'm looking into that too.
By the way, I'm a Navy vet of your era also. 1979 - 1985 - USS Richard S Edwards, DD-950 & NAVCOMSTA Puerto Rico.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 22, 2022 - 1:33pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
Looks like he got to Taboga on Feb 7, 1945.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 22, 2022 - 1:38pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
Hello everyone, I am honored to be part of this forum, thank you Dick Washichek for making that happen.
I am conducting family research, specifically related to my Uncle that served in the US Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theater, April '43-February '46. He was trained as a Quartermaster, became lead helmsman / driver of an LCT during the Normandy Invasion, Omaha Beach, D-Day. After the war ended, he changed his rating to Carpenter's Mate and was assign duty at USNS Taboga, Balboa Panama Canal Zone. I don't have specific dates of his time in Panama, but I know it was post VE Day, approx. July 1945-Feb. 1946.
Name: William M. Oeste
Rating: QM3c / CM3c
Search:
1. What his duties would had been post WWII on the base as a CM3c.
2. Images of the base during that time
3. Image of him if available
4. PT Boat images 1945-1946
5. Muster Reports with his name
Thank you in advance to all that may be able to help.
Regards,
John Oeste
US Navy Vet. '82-'86
USS Fife DD-991
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 7:07am
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
Thank you Charlie for the reply and info. I wasn't aware of the USS Sims, thx. The muster report you attached says he had orders to Panama prior to D-Day, but I know for a fact he was at D-Day. Is this just advanced orders maybe?
Your "digging" efforts are greatly appreciated. Kind regards, John
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 7:12am
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
Charlie, I found more information on the USS Sims - USS Sims (DE-154/APD-50) was a Buckley-class destroyer escort in service with the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. She was scrapped in 1961.
Battle of the Atlantic
After fitting out, Sims completed her shakedown off Bermuda. She was then assigned to Task Group (TG) 21.6 escorting tankers from Curaçao to Derry, Northern Ireland. After two such runs, the western terminus was changed to New York, and the escort made eight more trips escorting tankers from New York to Derry. In the 20 crossings, only one tanker was sunk by a U-boat.
On 23 September 1944, Sims entered the Boston Navy Yard for conversion into a Charles Lawrence-class high speed transport. The work completed, Sims (now designated APD-50) departed Boston on 6 December 1944 for Norfolk, Virginia.
Pacific War
Sims served as a training ship there until 24 January 1945 when she put to sea. After transiting the Panama Canal, and a brief shakedown period at San Diego, the transport arrived at Pearl Harbor on 20 February.
I assume he sailed from Virginia post D-day via the Panama canal to disembark in Tabogo Balboa Panama on the USS Sims. Would this be your assumption as well?
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 7:33am
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
John;
Welcome and Thank you! Finally someone whose relative was stationed at Toboga! You are the first, in all the years of my PT Boat research, and since this message board was first started back in the 1990’s!
Reading through yours and Charlie’s posts it looks like he arrived at Toboga still as a QM. In this rate, he would have probably been assigned to Port Ops, or the Chart “shack” if they had one. Most likely Ops.
If he crossrated to Carpenters Mate as Charlie said, he would be assigned to the Carpenters Shop. He could have worked on some boats.
However, the time frame in which he was there, they started closing Toboga, so he would be packing stuff to be sent back to the US, or moving items off the Island to be distributed to other Navy Shore Commands in Panama, most likely, Rodman Naval Station.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 8:03am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
By the time he got there things were in full swing, he was there to see RON 37-40 pass through training and head out to the Pacific. RON 40, (the last Squadron to go to the Pacific,) Division B (PT 593,594,595,596) was there 1Aug -9Aug to train and on the 9th they we’re loaded on the S.S. William H.Crawford and headed for the Philippines. Division C (PT 597,598,599,600)was the last group to train there, they were there Aug 1- Sept 15 1945. Naval Station Toboga was decommissioned in March 1946.
I was Stationed at Rodman assigned to Special Boat Unit 26 from 1991-1998. Since my wife is Panamanian, I go back every year. I have been to Toboga a lot, sadly, next to nothing remains of the base.
Here is an earlier thread that explains more.
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=2132&pg=1&sc=20&x=0
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 8:09am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
OK, here's his Taboga history. As posted, he arrived in Feb 7, 1945 way after D-Day.
While there, on August 2, 1945, he was reduced in rate from QM3 to Seaman 1st. The authorization cited is a provision that the CO can reduce someone's rate if he thinks he is not qualified for it. Whether that is the case or not, don't know. On scenario is that he wanted to change rates to carpenter's mate so he was reduced in rate so he could work on his new one and not get caught up in being a POA and maybe they had too many Qms on hand. Who knows?
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 12:48pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
But whatever the reason, it didn't last long because on Nov 2, 1945, he was made Carpenter's mate 3rd.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 12:50pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
Back to the beginning, he was assigned to LCT Flotilla 1 from December 1, 1943 til Jan 11, 1944. Flotilla 1 was the LCT training Flotilla out of Solomons, MD.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 1:01pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
He arrived at LCT Flotilla 19 on April 4, 1944. This is the group he was with during D-Day. He was with them until Sept 20, 1944.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 1:05pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
Hi Ted,
Can you explain what "RON 37-40" was? Short for Squadron? You say they passed through training and head out to the Pacific. RON 40, (the last Squadron to go to the Pacific,) Division B (PT 593,594,595,596) was there 1Aug -9Aug to train and on the 9th they we’re loaded on the S.S. William H.Crawford and headed for the Philippines.
Can you tell me more about RON 40 Division C (PT 597,598,599,600). This would have been the division he worked with or supported. Again, he arrived in Taboga after D-Day, likely through RS, So. NOB, Norfolk, VA , then PhibTraBase Little Creek, VA.
Would he have been assigned to RON 40 Division C or just base support as a CM3c?
You made reference to pictures in a message to Frank in March 2011. Can you share these with me please? Email: SaltyFifeDog@gmail.com.
I found images of PT Boats from RON 40 Div. B & C.
Regards,
John
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 1:37pm
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
Thank you Charlie for all the research. If you uncover any pictures I would love to see them.
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 1:55pm
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
I forgot to post the Record of Changes for his arrival to LCT Flotilla 19
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 2:19pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
And I believe he was on the USS Sims as a passenger on his way down to the Canal Zone as all of the people were received from the Receiving Station NOB Norfolk on January 23, 1945
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 2:27pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
OK, tracked him a little further.
Looks like he went to the Receiving Station NOB Norfolk when he left Flotilla 19 in September 1944. He was sent to the Amphibious Training Station, Little Creek, VA arriving on Nov 17, 1944. Looks like he stayed there until he was sent back to the Receiving Station Norfolk on January 17, 1945 and then to the USS Sims for transport down to Panama.
So, I think this covers most of his career from his arrival at Flotilla 1 December 1943 through November 1945.
Any question drop am a line at chsu@aol.com.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 3:06pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
Charlie, Knowing he was assigned to LCT(6) Flotilla 19 during D-Day, is there any
way of knowing which LCT he was on? The boats assigned to this flotilla were -
206, 538, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 546, 547, 548, 550, 623, 624, 625, 637, 638
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 3:20pm
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
Charlie, Knowing he was assigned to LCT(6) Flotilla 19 during D-Day, is there any
way of knowing which LCT he was on? The boats assigned to this flotilla were -
206, 538, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 546, 547, 548, 550, 623, 624, 625, 637, 638
The only way that I know is to pull the deck logs from each of the LCTs at the National Archives in College Park, MD and go through them util you find him listed. However, having just said that, I just checked the listing of Deck logs they have and....you guessed it, they don't have them; nor from Flotilla 19.
I guess it it possible that it may have it in his service record. But, like the PTs, the administrative level is the Squadron (RON) and that is what gets listed on the service record, the Flotilla is the admin level (the muster list) and that is probably what will show up on his service record. If you want to try that level, I can give you a suggestion on how to get it.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 5:08pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
I acquired his separation papers through my congressman. It took 6 months, but well worth the wait. The detail stops at LCT Flotilla 19, does not give me a hull or craft number.
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 6:02pm
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
Hi Ted,
Can you explain what "RON 37-40" was? Short for Squadron?
Yes Squadron.
You say they passed through training and head out to the Pacific. RON 40, (the last Squadron to go to the Pacific,) Division B (PT 593,594,595,596) was there 1Aug -9Aug to train and on the 9th they we’re loaded on the S.S. William H.Crawford and headed for the Philippines.
Can you tell me more about RON 40 Division C (PT 597,598,599,600). This would have been the division he worked with or supported. Again, he arrived in Taboga after D-Day, likely through RS, So. NOB, Norfolk, VA , then PhibTraBase Little Creek, VA.
During his time there he did in some capacity, supported RON 40, probably also 37, 38, and 39.
Would he have been assigned to RON 40 Division C or just base support as a CM3c?
Yes in some capacity.
You made reference to pictures in a message to Frank in March 2011. Can you share these with me please?
I have photos of RON 40 boats, but none in Panama.
Email: SaltyFifeDog@gmail.com.
I found images of PT Boats from RON 40 Div. B & C.
Regards,
John
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 6:06pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
[b]CHARLIE . . . .[/b]
Thank you for your tireless research and dogged tenacity helping a new member.
Thank you very much, and
all the very best,
Dick . . . .
Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Aug 23, 2022 - 8:32pm
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm
Hi Charlie,
Do you think the PT Boats Inc. museum in Memphis would be able to find what PT-Boat if any he was assigned to from Ron 40?
The lady there Alyce Guthrie says she charges $20.00 an hour to research. As the old saying goes, "Is the juice worth the squeeze?
John
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 24, 2022 - 9:41am
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
John,
PT Boats doesn't have boat logs or boat crew lists (for the most part. So that won't get you anywhere. And since he wasn't a member of PT Boats, Inc, they'll have nothing on him.
He was not assigned to a boat. He was assigned to the US Naval Station, Taboga. They supported the squadrons that came through for training and repairs. That doesn't mean he may not have hitched a ride on one, but he was not assigned to a PT Boat Squadron.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 24, 2022 - 3:32pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
I'll second what Dick said Charlie, and excellent detective work here!
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Aug 25, 2022 - 9:39am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Thank you Charlie & Dick for all the help.
Last question, do you have any pictures to share of Tobago base, buildings or PT boats during his service there?
Thx,
John
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 30, 2022 - 8:34am
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am
Pictures of PT Boats from RON 40, Circa 1945-46
Posted By: DD991Vet8286 | Posted on: Aug 30, 2022 - 8:58am
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: Aug 22, 2022 - 10:53am