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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Treasure Island
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Hi all,
Wondering if anyone can give me any information on the Naval Training Base at Treasure Island,San Francisco during WW2.Im looking for info or records of Motor Torpedo Boat Base 4 which was formed there in October 1942.The secret code name for MTB Base4 was "OKRA Detail 69"
I believe the Base crew only had 150 men and about 5 or 6 officers when they arrived in Cairns aboard the Liberty Ship,George Chaffey in Jan 1943.
Thanks fellas any info appreciated.

Michael Hallinan

Posted By: Michael | Posted on: Jan 19, 2008 - 4:51pm
Total Posts: 218 | Joined: Aug 6, 2007 - 7:25pm



I am not certain, but I believe that Treasure Island was primarily a transfer point where personnel were stationed on a temporary basis while awaiting transportation overseas. Also, personnel returning from overseas were there awaiting orders for leave and for transfer to a more permanent base.



Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jan 19, 2008 - 5:24pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



I WAS SENT TO TREASURE ISLAND IN 1943.WAS THERE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AWAITING EMBARKATION TO S.PACIFIC.I THINK THERE WERE ABOUT 3-4000 PERSONEL THERE.I WAS ASSIGNED TO THE GALLEY WHILE THERE.I THINK I HAVE A THANKSGIVING MENU THAT WAS SERVED.ALSO WAS AT PLEASANTON,CALIF FOR A SHORT TIME.WE HAD LIBERTY IN SAN FRANSISCO.ANYONE REMEMBER THE PEPSI COLA BLDG AND THE STAGE DOOR CANTEEN?A HUGE PLACE AND MANY GOOD TIMES.DID NOT KNOW OF RON 4 OR THE PT BOAT GROUP THERE THOUGH.
EARL PT108 RON 5

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Jan 20, 2008 - 6:50am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



My grandfather was there as a staging point before boarding a troop transport for New Guinea via Hawaii. Sorry...no info (or pics) on PT's there...

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net


Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jan 21, 2008 - 1:03am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



i was at Treasure Island for about 3 weeks in '44 waiting for
a troop ship cruise to the Pacific. Liberty in San Francisco was
great. But three of us did have a run in with the S.P's when
we got into a brawl with 4 Marines on Market street.
Memories...

Cheers,
gus - ron 33

Posted By: area51 | Posted on: Jan 21, 2008 - 8:34am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



For information regarding base four, have you contacted PT Boats, Inc. in Germantown TN?

Assuming that you have little information about the bases, I can add a little about their duties. The base force may have assembled at Treasure Island awaiting shipping out, but their training would have been at meny stations throughout the country. The base force consisted of many specialists. Motor Machinist mates would have been to the Packard engine school. There were also carpenters, electricians, radio and radar repair, torpedo repair, and other technitians that I cannot recall at the moment. The base force personnel were needed to help the boat crews keep the boats seaworthy. PT boats were not attached to a base force.

The book "At Close Quarters" includes a brief report on the miserable conditions at Base Four. I could not find any books available through PT Boats, Inc. that include the bases.



Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jan 21, 2008 - 6:29pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



IN THE BOOK"THE UNIYED STATES MOSQUITO FLEET" IT GIVES LISTS OF ALL THE BASES.IT DOES NOT SHOW TREASURY ISLAND AS ONE OF THEM.SO APPRENTLY BASE 4 MUST HAVE BEEN MUSTERRED THERE AND THEN TRANSFERRED OVERSEAS.IT SHOWS BASE FOUR AS OPERATING FROM;NEW GUINEA=CAIRNS,AUSTRALIA, KANA KOPA,MILNE BAY, LADAVA,MILNE BAY, HAlmahere, morotai
the book also has maps of operating bases in the pacific,english channel and mediterranean areas and spots the bases there.it also gives info as to what the bvarious bases were there for
earl pt 108 ron 5

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Jan 21, 2008 - 7:03pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



Thanks for the responses guys,I got the info about Treasure Island from an book enitled "I Didnt Know That" its a history of Cairns in WW2,a member of that Base Force recounted his memories of those days.Ive tried to get in contact with the author to see if i could get his contact details,as my grandfather was also part of that force,but no luck yet.
Unfortunately the base forces dont seem to have an excellent site such as this one,so its very hard to get any info.You men on this board have helped me considerably,but theres so much more i want to know.I wont bore you with the whys and hows of my search again,(if you want take a look at previous posts by Myself and Katrina)
Just as an interesting aside to the story of Base 4,apparently PT121 and PT122 delivered Base building materials to Cairns in late 1942 but these were plundered before the Force got there.I think these boats also worked closely with the Base Force as well
Does PT Boats INC have email contact and who would be the person to talk to?
Cheers All

Michael Hallinan

Posted By: Michael | Posted on: Jan 21, 2008 - 8:26pm
Total Posts: 218 | Joined: Aug 6, 2007 - 7:25pm



was curious if anyone outthere had anything to do with terminal island?

kendall p. strehle
avr c-26654

Posted By: kendall strehle | Posted on: Jan 24, 2008 - 11:55am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



was curious if anyone outthere had anything to do with terminal island?

kendall p. strehle
avr c-26654

Posted By: kendall strehle | Posted on: Jan 24, 2008 - 11:55am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



I realize that much time has passed since this topic was begun but my Dad, William H. Mclemore, was on Base 4 in Cairns in Spring 1942 and went up with the base as it moved forward. He was usually assigned to duty on base but he volunteered as a replacement on PT 121. He was only there for a few months when the boat was sunk off New Britain. After the boat went down he was assigned back to Base 4 until he was finally relieved for liberty in Spring 1945. (The two replacements previously sent both became ill and were sent back to Sick Bay in Australia). Dad was part of Ron 8. After his leave in Spring 1945, he was assigned as an instructor at Treasure Island. He had originally been assigned as an instructor at the PT school back east but a CPO that he had served with on the USS Augusta in the 1930's saw his name and had him reassigned since his family lived in San Francisco. Dad was discharged Dec. 7, 1945.
If anyone has a quest ion that they would like me to ask Dad for them, please e-mail me at Jamjar5174@att.net Dad was commonly know as "Pops" during the war because when he arrived in Cairns, he was almost 27 and had already been in the Navy. . Pretty old compared to most of the men out there. Dad will be 95 in May.

Jeanne

Posted By: Jeanne Roberts | Posted on: Feb 10, 2010 - 2:25pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



I realize that much time has passed since this topic was begun but my Dad, William H. Mclemore, was on Base 4 in Cairns in Spring 1942 and went up with the base as it moved forward. He was usually assigned to duty on base but he volunteered as a replacement on PT 121. He was only there for a few months when the boat was sunk off New Britain. After the boat went down he was assigned back to Base 4 until he was finally relieved for liberty in Spring 1945. (The two replacements previously sent both became ill and were sent back to Sick Bay in Australia). Dad was part of Ron 8. After his leave in Spring 1945, he was assigned as an instructor at Treasure Island. He had originally been assigned as an instructor at the PT school back east but a CPO that he had served with on the USS Augusta in the 1930's saw his name and had him reassigned since his family lived in San Francisco. Dad was discharged Dec. 7, 1945.
If anyone has a quest ion that they would like me to ask Dad for them, please e-mail me at Jamjar5174@att.net Dad was commonly know as "Pops" during the war because when he arrived in Cairns, he was almost 27 and had already been in the Navy. . Pretty old compared to most of the men out there. Dad will be 95 in May.

Jeanne

Posted By: Jeanne Roberts | Posted on: Feb 10, 2010 - 2:27pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



Hi Jeanne, I realise it's been several years, but I'm working on an article about the sinking of PT 121.
Is your father still alive and were you able to find any other members of the crew?
Thanks
Pat



Posted By: Thomas | Posted on: Feb 28, 2015 - 8:26am
Total Posts: 6 | Joined: Nov 15, 2018 - 7:52pm