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

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

ť Topic: Photos for C J Willis
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=638

I thought I would surprise C.J. Willis, who was with Ron 19, Boat 242. -
Frank J Andruss Sr

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/CJ0020.jpg[/image]

Picture 20- The crew of PT 242. CJ's Boat

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/CJ0021.jpg[/image]

Picture 21- Group of Officers. I think the man to the far right is Captain Van Ness

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/CJ0022.jpg[/image]

Picture 22- Great shot of a Higgins PT Boat, unknown number. Maybe CJ can identify.

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/CJ0023.jpg[/image]

Picture 23- Ron 19's PT 240. Unknown who is on the Bridge. Again maybe C.J. can identify.

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/CJ0024.jpg[/image]

Picture 24- I love this shot with the flag blowing in the wind. Unknown PT boat.............

Photos scanned by Frank J Andruss Sr and included at his PhotoBucket section:
[url]http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/[/url]

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Mar 7, 2008 - 9:53am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Frank:
It certainly was a surprise to see the pictures of all my old crewmates. This picture was taken at Green Island just before Ron 19 was decommissioned on May 15, 1944. Our boat 242 was then placed in Ron 23. The picture is a group of great guys from Maine to California. We worked, ate, slept and fought together for over a year so we became almost like brothers. We were all relieved from duty at the same time in late Nov. 1944 and given 30 days leave back to the States but we were never all together again. I know there are 5 of us still living. I lost track of a couple. Both officers Ens. Don Hanna and Lt.jg Alpine McLane are both deceased. The guy with the bandage on his head is Bob Pratt, QM 1/c from Westbrook, Me. We were both married while on leave in Dec. '44. Our wives came to Boston and were together a couple of months until we went back overseas to the Philippines. We have kept in contact over the years. (By the way he cut his head on a torpedo prop getting on the boat after we were swimming) The curly headed kid on the front row second from the right end is me 64 years ago. Thank You Frank for the memories.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Mar 7, 2008 - 1:44pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm

C.J.

It is certainly my pleasure putting these up for you. Those days must have been something. Young Kids, tough, eager, willing, and ready to fight! I am sure all of us on this board love seeing these types of photo's. I have so many, wish I had time to scan them all but I don't..........

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Mar 10, 2008 - 7:03am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am