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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
Information needed about MTB RON 21 and Alamo Scouts
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Hello everyone,
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Russ Blaise and I am the Executive Director of the Alamo Scouts Association. My father was an Alamo Scout in the Southwest Pacific Theater during WWII. The Alamo Scouts were under the command of General Walter Krueger, Commanding General, Sixth Army. The Scouts were made up of 6 or 7 man teams that conducted reconnaissance and raider work totaling over 108 missions behind enemy lines. The PT boats and their crews were vital to the success of their missions, which brings me to this great website...
I am looking for any information or leads about a PT Boat under the command of Lt. Commander Selman S. Bowling, MTB RON 21, that carried an Alamo Scout team (Sumner Team) to reconnoiter PEGUN ISLAND of the MAPIA Group to determine the possibility of effecting the rescue of 3 Air Corps EM left ashore. The mission was on 23 August 1944. I do not know the number of the PT Boat or the name of the Skipper and crew. There were two other PT Boats that went with them.
You can read about the mission on this web page: [url]http://www.alamoscouts.org/features/war_stories/pegun_island/main.htm[/url]
I was wondering if anybody ever had any contact with Selman S. Bowling or his family? Or any contact of crew members of MTB RON 21?
Also an officer named, Lt(jg) Malloy (first name unknown). He was the liaison from MTB RON 21 and the Alamo Scouts
NOTE: In some Skipper logs, Alamo Scouts could be the same as Army Scouts.
Thank you for your time and I'm hope is that someone from that squadron will surface.
Russ Blaise
Executive Director
Alamo Scouts Association
asa at alamoscouts dot org
Posted By: Russ Blaise | Posted on: Jul 15, 2008 - 6:24am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Hey Russ,
I looked on this website Information, and it lists Ron21 Commanding Officer as LCDR Selman Bowling. As the Squadron Commander, he would be able to pick any boat in the squadron to go out on. The boats assigned to RON21 were 128, 131, 132, and 320-331. LCDR Bowling was not the boat captain, but he was their boss. Hopefully this may narrow it down a little. Jerry PT658 Portland OR
Jerry Gilmartin
Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jul 15, 2008 - 8:33am
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm
Hi Jerry,
I knew that LCDR Selman Bowling was the Squadron Commander, I just worded it wrong. Thanks for pointing that out. I'm new in researching PT boats. Pretty cool stuff... Bowling could of been on the PT boat that the Scouts were on. I'm taking a guess because, Lt. Sumner, the Alamo Scouts team leader talks about him in his memoirs.
Thanks again,
Russ Blaise
Executive Director
Alamo Scouts Association<
asa at alamoscouts dot org
Posted By: Russ Blaise | Posted on: Jul 15, 2008 - 8:48am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
On August 23, 1944, Commander Selman was command of all PT's in the New Guinea area. The book "At Close Quarters" has a little information regarding PT boats landing and picking up scouts at several locations. This was done by several squadrons. I could not find any reference to August 23, 1944.
Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jul 15, 2008 - 2:09pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
I have done a little more reading of At Close Quarters, especially at page 256. This is only a guess, but boats from Squadrons 24 and 25 could have been involved in the Mapia Islands. They were at Amsterdam Island which is much closer than the boats based at Mios Woendi. There is no mention of the Mapia Islands, but that the boats made twenty special missions,to land and retrieve Army and NICA Scouts. Can anyone out there from 24 or 25 help with information?
Were the Alamo Scouts part of the Bushmasters who were in some of the New Guinea landings?
Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jul 16, 2008 - 8:28am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Hi QM,
Were the Alamo Scouts part of the Bushmasters? No not really, but some of the Bushmasters became Alamo Scouts.
Sumner Team first mission was 21-22 July 1944 Geelvink Bay, Dutch New Guinea. MTB RON 21 was the squadron that took them there. Does "At Close Quarters" have any reference to that?
PEGUN ISLAND mission in the MAPIA Group. I'll have to dig a little deeper myself.
On 25 August 1944 - Woendi Island Naval Base (PT). The team saw Bob Hope show. That was from, Sumner's diary.
Because of the top secret nature of their missions, bad records were kept. We find ourselves spinning in circles.
Thanks,
Russ Blaise
Executive Director
Alamo Scouts Association
asa at alamoscouts dot org
Posted By: Russ Blaise | Posted on: Jul 16, 2008 - 10:45am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
I have the book and read it several times plus it's a great reference book. Now, I think I need to read it again. I never paid much attention about the scouts and want to see what they say.
Ray
Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: Jul 16, 2008 - 3:01pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
At Close Quarters does not have any detailed information on the activities of the Alamo Scouts. The following information is an example:
As part of the preparation for Army landings on Noemfoor, PT's landed and picked up several scouting parties. PT 193, Ron 12, and PT 331, Ron 21 put one of these parties ashore at Bani Point on the night of June 24/25 and picked them up later that same night. Page 251. This was from Mios Woendi.
If the Scouts were at Mios Woendi for the Bob Hope show, my guess is that the trip to the Mapia Islands would have been from Mios Woendi.
Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jul 17, 2008 - 7:31am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Just as a reference you can go to this web page and scroll down and you will see all the Alamo Scouts missions listed with their place and date. Note, sometimes those dates could be off a day or two The list is showing two teams with the date of 21-23 June 1944 on Noemfoor Island.
[url]http://www.alamoscouts.org/special_forces/missions.htm[/url]
My father's travel log shows Woeni to Noenfoor, Noemfoor to Pegun (Mapia Islands), Pegun to Noemfoor, Noemfoor back to Woendi just in time for Bob Hope.
[url]http://www.alamoscouts.org/special_forces/missions_log.htm[/url]
[How do you go from killing Japs and coming close to being killed yourself two days before sitting down watching a Bob Hope show, that's really something...]
Hey, hi, Ray. Glad you could join us. How did that interview go with your father by Lance?
Russ Blaise
Executive Director
Alamo Scouts Association
asa at alamoscouts dot org
Posted By: Russ Blaise | Posted on: Jul 17, 2008 - 8:31am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
It went great! They talked for over an hour. I'm taking my Mom and Dad to dinner tonight. It's their 60th anniversary. WOW!
Ray
Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: Jul 17, 2008 - 9:10am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
That is great Ray. Give them my regards.
Ed
Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jul 17, 2008 - 9:21am
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am
if my memory serves me correctly we,on two occassions,had aboard our pt 108,in 1944,two teams,consisting of one scout and two natives and one outrigger canoe.we took them to a japanese held island,.name forgotten by me,where they slipped into the water on station and proceeded to the island.they were to scout the enemy island and then to be picked up,if they survived at a later date by a pt boat at night.we were not the boat designated to pick them up.these guys had an uncanny nack of slipping the outrigger into the water without so much as a ripple..they were so quiet you didn,t know they were there.it was quite eerie to watch this at night on a patrol station.;i give them a lot of credit for doing a very dangerous job.don,t know of the scouts name or outfit. we started the patrol from emirau island base. earl
earl richmond
Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Jul 17, 2008 - 9:49am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm
CORRECTION THAT WAS A US MARINE BATTALION THAT OCCUPIED SESAPI BEFORE IT BECAME A PT BASE UNIT. EARL
earl richmond
Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Jul 17, 2008 - 7:18pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm
Here is additional information from The Saga of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 12:
The afternoon of June 24 [PT's 193 and 331] landed an army scouting party to search Noemfoor Island as a part of the night's mission. These specially trained Alamo Scouts prowled around two of the airstrips and elsewhere on the island for two days and a night. Picked up by the same PT's the scouts reported that there were some 3,000 Japanese on the island. later the reports would set the figure at 6,000.
I feel that it is necessary to make some comments. First, an afternoon landing does not sound correct. The usual landings and pickup were at night. Second, if they were on the island for two days, it seems that they would have been there either two or three nights.
Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jul 17, 2008 - 7:18pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
60 years! That's great, Ray. I hope you took them out for a lobster dinner. Did I read somewhere that your father lives in Arizona or that he was just on a trip there?
Russ Blaise
Executive Director
Alamo Scouts Association
asa at alamoscouts dot org
Posted By: Russ Blaise | Posted on: Jul 17, 2008 - 9:20pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
QM-
Nice work. The Alamo Scouts did not go in at Noemfoor during the day. They sent two boats in shortly after midnight on/about 21-23 July 44. HOBBS and McGOWEN Teams conducted the mission. According to Hobbs, they were observed throughout the mission, but the Japanese allowed them to complete it. Ah, another mystery!
Also, does anyone know Gus, from PT 497? He doesn't have a posted email and I would like to get a message to him. His boat landed THOMPSON Team on Poro/Ponson Islands on November 13/14.
Thanks
Lance
Posted By: Alamo Scout | Posted on: Jul 18, 2008 - 6:18am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Russ, my parents live in Mesa, Az. They're up visiting for three weeks.
Ray
Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: Jul 18, 2008 - 6:49am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Ray, I live in Tucson. Next time I have to drive to Phoenix I should stop in and say hi to your folks.
Russ Blaise
Executive Director
Alamo Scouts Association
asa at alamoscouts dot org
Posted By: Russ Blaise | Posted on: Jul 18, 2008 - 7:53am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
My Dad would like that Russ.
Ray
Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: Jul 18, 2008 - 2:10pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Lance
Yes, I remember dropping Alamo scouts in Ormoc Bay
during a november patrol. At the same time we also picked up
wounded U.S. airmen that had been shot down several days prior.
gus RM3c PT 497
Posted By: area51 | Posted on: Jul 18, 2008 - 4:15pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Gus,
Thanks for the reply. I am writing an oral history of the Alamo Scouts (almost finished), and I am including in the book all the narrative I can from PT boat crews. If you're interested, I would very much like to include your account and those from other crew members who had contact with the Scouts. Also, I'll need a wartime head and shoulders photo of you.
Look forward to hearing from you Gus. Please drop me an email at Zee61@aol.com.
Lance
Posted By: Alamo Scout | Posted on: Jul 19, 2008 - 3:16am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
That sounds like part of the mission the 495 was sent out to do on tthe 19/20th.
Ray
Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: Jul 19, 2008 - 8:03am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Ray,
On one of the reports you sent to me there is a summary of the drop off:
13/14 November 1944
"1555, PT's 492 (OTC) and 497 underway on mission to land scouts at Poro Village, Camotes Group. Scouts went ashore at 2250. At 0210, boats unloaded supplies for scouts, returned to base at 1145."
Per HQ, 6th Army, report of Alamo Scouts Missions on Leyte:
"PORO Island, Camotes - 14 November to 21 December 1944. Established radio station, organized guerilla information sources, reported all enemy convoy activity between CEBU and ORMOC, reported enemy activity on PACIJAN, PONSON, PORO islands, guerilla situation and civilian situation. Lt. George S. Thompson and Lt. Wilbur F. Littlefield."
BTW- what is meant by OTC?
Thanks PT guys; we love this stuff. Keep it coming!
Lance
Posted By: Alamo Scout | Posted on: Jul 19, 2008 - 10:19am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Hi Lance, I know what you're saying but if you read what you sent me the Lutz team were bringing 2 stretchers and medical supplies for some crashed pilots. Coincidence?
Ray
Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: Jul 19, 2008 - 6:21pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Ray,
Coincidence--I would say so. As for the dates, according to Ross's diary he was in camp cleaning gear on November 13-18. He also states that "Lutz is going back to the states." Lutz never performed another mission. He had jungle rot so bad that he had to return to the states and get further treatment. He never returned to the SWPA.
Concerning the general situation, there was a lot of air/naval activity in that area Ormoc Bay and Camotes Islands area during the Leyte Operation and U.S. planes were frequently shot down during that time resulting in stranded and wounded fliers. The guerrillas often recovered and cared for them until they could be returned by PT or turned over to U.S. units. Outside the Ormoc city area, SUMNER team alone recovered five such downed pilots and returned them to friendly lines.
With that said, I still don't trust official reports either!
Lance
Posted By: Alamo Scout | Posted on: Jul 20, 2008 - 4:42am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
OTC, I think, means Officer in Tactical Command. Can anybody confirm or correct this?
Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jul 20, 2008 - 5:41am
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am
PT 132 with the NELLIST TEAM performed missions with the Scouts on Mindeano, PI. On one return trip, the boat was strafed by Jap Planes. Several scouts were injured, and 2 Sailors were killed. Not sure if this was the same mission, but on October 26/27 a Jap Plane dropped a bomb near PT 132. In this engagement, Ensign Paul Jones, his second officer, and eight men were wounded. My records do not indicate if the other men injured were Scouts. Two Sailors were killed in this attack.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 25, 2008 - 3:56am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Frank -
Yes, PT 132 and PT 326 were on that mission to Mindanao to pick up NELLIST TEAM. On the way back to base an enemy plane bombed and strafed the 132. Three navy men were killed (Betz, Speer, Vining). Alamo Scouts Dove, Smith, Asis, and Siason were wounded. I interviewed Paul Jones not long ago. Still has a great memory for a man in his 90s.
Lance
Posted By: Alamo Scout | Posted on: Jul 25, 2008 - 4:53am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Lance
Thanks for your information on this mission, espcially the names of those Killed and Injured ( I did not have this info) When you are done with your work, will there be a book available............
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 25, 2008 - 5:52am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Frank:
Glad to help. I am compiling an oral history of the Alamo Scouts, but it is not exclusively by Alamo Scouts. I'm also including various accounts from PT crews, Filipino guerrillas, and others who conducted ops with the Scouts or who provided support. Have tapped into a wonderful community of men in the PT family. Everyone has been most gracious in submitting recollections, reports, etc., and by consenting to be interviewed over the phone. Will spend a week in the National Archives beginning tomorrow and hope to uncover many more PTs who helped the Scouts but who are to this point anonymous and/or unheralded.
Lance
Posted By: Alamo Scout | Posted on: Jul 28, 2008 - 8:15am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Lance
This sounds like a fun mission of which I hope you are able to gain more information. I have always wnated to visit the archives, but now with my knees so messed up, I am afraid i could not handle the walking around. I don't wish arthritis on anyoone...........
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 28, 2008 - 9:04am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Hello everyone, looking to find any of the 4 PT boats that assisted Nellist and Rounsaville Teams with the liberation of a Dutch Governor and his family, and 52 Javanese (along with 12 French), from an internee camp at Cape Oransbari on 4-5 October 1944. Seventy-eight people in all. Have the mission report, but no names or boat numbers mentioned. All I know is that a M.M. 1/c K.W. Sanders (USN) was part of the contact team and that the boats were operating from Woendi Island. Anyone know Sanders or the boat he was on? The evacuees were returned to Biak Island and turned over to NICA personnel. A Dutch officer, Louis Rapmund, worked from nearby Roemberpon Island, and assisted Alamo Scouts and other Army and Navy units in the Geelvink Bay area. He was killed in Oct 1945, but I have found and spoke with his daughter who is interested in speaking with anyone who had contact with Rapmund.
Lance
Posted By: Alamo Scout | Posted on: Oct 1, 2008 - 4:57pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Hello everyone. I need your help finding PT boat crews to interview for an upcoming book!
As the historian for the Alamo Scouts Assn., I am compiling an oral history of the unit to include accounts by PT boat members who had contact with and/or who supported Scout missions in New Guinea from Dec 43-Oct 44 and in the Philippines from Oct 44-Oct 45. I believe that including accounts from PT boat veterans adds balance and perspective to the Scouts incredible record of some 110 missions behind the lines without losing a man killed or captured, and will help shed light on the importance of PT boats and their crews in the Scouts success. It is hoped that the book will be published late this year. I have already interviewed over a dozen men and hope to continue for another six months.
Those Alamo Scouts missions supported by PT boats operated mostly from Fergusson Island, Mios Woendi, Biak, and Roemberpon Island in 1944, and from and from numerous advance PT bases on Leyte and Luzon. Those PT boats and other naval craft known to have supported Alamo Scouts training and live operations are:
PTs 74, 127, 132, 190, 193, 194, 300, 312, 317, 321, 326, 331, 363, 379, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 494, 495, 497, 522, 523, 524, 546, 551. LCIs 364, 432. LCS 10, LST 708.
If you served aboard one the boats listed above or on another boat which supported the Alamo Scouts, please drop me an email. Thanks for your help…and for your service. Please visit our website at: www.alamoscouts.org
zee61@aol.com
Lance
Posted By: Alamo Scout | Posted on: Jan 19, 2009 - 10:41am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered