- Mar. 2005-1

U.S.S. LOWNDES - APA 154

March Newsletter

Wm. “Bud” Kautz-CC&BW, 34782 Hiawatha Trail, McHenry, IL 60-51-{815)344-6326

e mail: REDLABELBUDDHA@aol.com

****************************************************************************************************************

A reminder, Seventeenth reunion is September 15 thru 18, 2005.

In Oakbrook, Illinois. See January 2005 newsletter.

A detailed schedule of events to follow in

a future newsletter as soon as it is available.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please note: There was an error on the postcard requesting information regarding attending the

reunion. It should have mentioned this is our seventeenth reunion not sixteenth,

Many post cards have still not been returned.

We need to have an estimate of attendees for the reunion organizer

To make this a successful occasion.

Jan Trober has requested items for the Lowndes “Giveaway” event, it appears this has been

one of the highlights well received at previous reunions. The articles can be sent to Jan or brought

to the reunion. Let’s assist Jan in this endeavor.

“HOW to S8MULATE the LIFE of a SA5LOR”

Buy a steel dumpster, paint it gray inside and out and live in it for six months.

Repaint your entire house every month.

Empty all garbage bins and sweep the driveway 3 times a day, whether it needs it or not.

Have your neighbor come over each day at 5 AM, blow a whistle and shout, “Reveille,

reveille and shout all hands heave to and trice up.

Make coffee using 18 scoops of budget priced grounds per pot, allow to simmer for 5 hours

before drinking.

Have your spouse shine a flashlight in your eyes about 3 hours after you go to sleep, and

say, “Sorry wrong rack.”

Set your alarm clock to off at random times during the night. At the alarm, jump up and

dress as fast as you can, making sure to button your top shirt button and tuck in your pants into

your socks. Run into the back yard and uncoil the garden hose.

Raise your bed to within 6 inches of the ceiling, so you can’t turn over without getting out

and then getting back in.

Enjoy! Compliments Sally Cary & John Hess

Mar. 2005-2

Bill Thomas

Who said Navy chow isn’t nutritious, I

enlisted in the Navy December 1943 when I

was 17, I was five foot six inches tall and

weighed 98 pounds on the scale at the

induction center in Salt Lake City, Utah and my

weight was 101 pounds when I got to boot

camp in Farragut, Idaho, I was 17 but looked

more like 13. A kindly, fatherly old doctor took

me into a room, sat me down and said, “Now

son, how old are you really, this is just

between you and me and no one else will

know.” If I had been underage it sure would

have been a short enlistment. Two years and

five months later I was six foot one inch tall

and weighed 155 pounds. My boat was #12 on

#4 davit port side. Lemmons coxswain, O. A.

Smith signalman, Ross deck hand and

bowhook, I was a MoMM and sternhook. The

last time we hit the beach at Iwo Jima was

about dusk. I don’t know what happened, but

the next thing I knew we were broached,

sideways on the beach. A Marine MP came up

and me still wet behind the ears thought that

was strange, a cop on the beach during an

invasion, in my mind MP’s only pulled shore

patrol and brig guard, guess he thought we

were souvenir hunters, “Get this damn boat off

the beach.” That p-------- off me off, I said, “We

don’t want to stay on this beach any more than

you do.” He told us to get our machine guns off

because they were expecting a counter attack.

To this day I don’t remember if I volunteered or

was ordered to pack wounded down to the aid

stations. Later that night one of our boats hit

the beach in what looked like the only open

spot, there was so much wreckage littering the

beach. We got off the beach after dark, but the

Lowndes had retired for the night. There was

an LST anchored nearby with some big

pontoons along side for stranded boat crews,

we came aboard and we got a hot meal, bunk

for the night. Next morning when our ship

came back and we went aboard it.

John Dyer

Lebby is healthiest she has been for

sometime, I am better than nothing. Sure

enjoy receiving the newsletters. Keep up

the good work. Hope to see you all in

Chicago. I guess you noticed we voted right

at the last election here in Florida this time.

Bill Ramsey

So glad to receive the newsletter from

all of you. We haven’t traveled at all the last

couple of years and it looks like our travel

day are over. So I’ll just live through all the

stories in the letters. Thanks a lot. Keep it up.

D. & S. Lorenzi

V\Je are doing great health wise.

Really, really enjoy warm Arizona. Kinda feel

sorry for all you people that live up north

during the winter. Looking forward to the

Chicago reunion. See you then.

Reta Freitas

We are doing fine and still dancing. It

seems to be good exercise. Glad to get the

newsletters and to know what’s going on with

everybody. Joe has been busy making

changes around the house. We are going to

try to make the Chicago reunion this year. Our

best to everybody.

Mike Michalski

If all goes well - as planned. We hope

to make the trip to the reunion this year.

Jerry and I will probably fly to Chicago. If I

have my way we’ll be there a day early for

the usual looking over of the area to see

what is available.

Bill Fletcher

Enclosed a contribution towards

mailing costs - please keep me on your

mailing list. Our Second Marine Division is

meeting in Houston, Texas this summer and

I’ll probably find other buddies who were

afforded your hospitality aboard the Lowndes

in March and February, 1945. “Memories

are made of this.”

Mar. 2005-3

Mitchell Chasteen

Dan Wisdom

Sorry for the long delay in writing,

sometimes just don’t seem to be enough time

to do what needs to be done. Finally have my

own e mail address now instead of using my

son’s. I now have 30 years in the school

district and will probably retire from them in the

next couple of years, have been involved in

restoring military vehicles which I really like to

do, Also old tractors My Dad is 90 years old

and Mom is 84 and in pretty good shape. Both

live on a farm by themselves, farm is rented

out so they get some extra income. Lera has 5

more years to go with the telephone company,

works in downtown Dallas. I try to keep her

from getting bored by giving her all the extra

chores she can handle. Poor Lera, but she has

a bright side now that we have 2

grandchildren, they live 2 houses down from

us. These belong to our oldest son, Matthew.

Stephen graduated from Lou. Tech in aviation

and has all his pilot ratings, goes to a college

in Waco getting his airframe and mechanics

license as well, finishes in April then goes off

the payroll. I enjoy getting the USS Lowndes

newsletters, I know putting out the NL is a job

and hope all appreciate it. I also appreciate all

the photos you have sent of the crew and

wives. I hope the effort to save the last APA is

successful as I got information from

someone** on all the remaining APA’s and the

present condition of them and what countries

own them and their disposal. I will try to send

more e mails in the future on a more consistent

basis. Please inform me if any photos turn up

of the Lowndes crew from the old days aboard

ship. Bud, keep well, tell any crew members

hello and I have never forgotten how nice they

were to me and my family when we were able

to attend reunions.

Your Adopted Crewmember

** Information received from David Brinkman.

Marty Umbarger

Unfortunately we have a National Guard

conference at the same time the U.S.S.

Lowndes reunion in Chicago is scheduled.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Bud, Thanks so much for the prompt

reply to my question concerning the

deceased. I was in error thinking that this

information was readily available on the

computer. (Unfortunately, I do not have one.)

I know that you have taken on a big job and I

don’t want to add to it. Really appreciate

what you are already doing. I was neglectful

in not recording this info from previous

newsletters, will start doing it now. I believe

the list will increase faster with each

publication. At 82 I’m one of the younger

crew members, therefore still able to

communicate. I imagine there are many that

would like to stay in touch but have difficulty

doing so. Not ever being an officer, I’m not

interested in a roster of them. Not important

but was curious why only a few are listed.

Thanks for the newsletters. I’m appreciative

and look forward to receiving them.

One reason that there aren't too many

officers listed on our roster is because we

have not been able to locate many of them,

not that every effort was made. Will attempt

to include a list of deceased in a future

newsletter. Just bear with me, at this stage of

life things move very slow on my end.

Leo O’Brien

Thanks for the newsletter and group

pictures. They are a fine looking bunch. I

especially enjoyed Max Cole’s comments.

I’m sure everyone is aware of my

personal filing system. Going through it one

day I came across a little story related to me

by Leo which I think all will get a large

charge out of it. Forgive me Leo if I’m telling

tales out of school.

“Went to a restaurant in San Francisco

with several shipmates. Being a good

Catholic I ordered fish, wanted shark but was

informed they had no shark, I then asked for

barracuda, again the waitress said that

wasn’t available either. I then said, ’The good

Lord knew that I had asked for Fish.’ So give

me steak like the rest of the guys ordered.”

Mar. 2005-4

David Brinkman

I’m still looking through over 100,000

films in the National Archives.

Title: “SAN FRANCISCO RECEIVES

“NEWS OF JAP SURRENDER.”

The date is August 14, 1945 and the

location is San Francisco. The film starts off

with footage from an APA going into the San

Francisco Harbor and then it ends showing

celebrations on the docks after the end of the

war is announced. Some of the footage is

around pier #2. The Lowndes deck log shows

that we were docked in the harbor at maybe

pier #36. Does anyone know or remember how

many APA’s may have been in the harbor at

that time (tens or a hundreds)? This may be a

good film to obtain.

Scanned images of the entire Lowndes deck

log are now on line. There are2 ways to

access:

Calendar:

http://www.lowndes.net/lowndes/decklog/calendar.

htm

1. Through a Calendar page where you

can pick a day to start viewing:

2. Crew member index to log:

http:/www.usslowndes.net/Lowndes/decklog/dinde

x.htm

By crew member.

View all the Lowndes crew and see when

they boarded the Lowndes and when they

left. Also see when they had a temporary

transfer, an injury, a violation (this ranges

from being an hour late from leave to a court

martial and discharge.) Check out a member

of the Beach Party who got a bad conduct

discharge after only 5 weeks on the ship.

Stay tuned for updates of the list or do your

own searching with the calendar.

J. Shelton Scales

Since I was not a member of the Lowndes

crew. Please eliminate my name from your

mailing list. Thanks and Semper Fi!

Col. Scales USMCR-Ret. Was very much

involved with the invasion of IwoO Jima.

While aboard the Lowndes he carried an

envelope with highly classified material

marked TOP SECRET He also contributed

information for the Lowndes Iwo Jima

booklet. See page 2/95-M for more details.

Harry Contreras

In response to your request in the

latest newsletter, for the Lowndes reunion

attendees and other shipmates about

continuing mailing the newsletters. I wish to

take this opportunity to thank you for all the

efforts you have put into the Lowndes

newsletters. I am proud to have been

included in the Lowndes newsletters. As

more time goes by, some of the details of my

service aboard the ship seems to e fading

from my memories. I feel sad about giving

permission to not send me any more. Again,

thanks for the past considerations for the

information about the ship.

I will abide by their wishes to be

removed from the mailing list after this issue.

Marlene Rezza Schadler

Please make the following correction

on the e mail listing “Rezza”. I only mention

this because the Rezza is my Dad’s name -

the most important part. As always, thank

you for all the time and effort in putting out

the newsletters. Also enjoy receiving the e

mails from Lowndes crew members.

Randy Vavrek

Sorry it has taken so long to respond.

It has been 8 years since my Dad G. Tuppan

passed away. My Mother and I have so

enjoyed being included in the USS Lowndes

reunions. My Mother has entered a beautiful

home, Park Regency, just 2 miles from our

house and easy to visit. She has a regular

routine , but needs 24/7 care. Enjoy reading

the newsletter updates of the crew.

Mar. 2005-5

TAPS

James C. Chilcote

Born Feb. 3, 1917 in

Ridgeway, PA and

passed away

suddenly on Sept.

15, 2004 in Boise,

Id. He grew up in

Cleveland, Ohio

where he attended

public school

Jim & Son Charles in Ciants dugout

graduating on the honor roll. He

came west in Oct. 1935 where he

joined the CCC. While residing in

Vale, CO he played on a minor

league baseball team. Worked for

the Quartermaster Corps of the

U.S. Army before enlisting in the

Navy Sept. 1943 in Boise, ID.

Boarded the Lowndes Oct. 1944 as

Y2c. His GQ and watch station was

on the bridge. While on the

Lowndes he participated in the Iwo

Jima and Okinawa campaigns. Left

the Lowndes Feb. 1946 as a Yle, was

employed by Consolidated

Freightways and continued there

for 33 years until retirement as an

office administrator. Survivors are

Virginia Chilcote Cowden, Gene

Chilcote, Richard Chilcote and six

grand-children

Born Nov. 28, 1925 in

Glendale, CA. Passed away Dec. 27,

2004. Joined the Navy July, 1943 in

Los Angeles, CA. came aboard the

Lowndes Oct. 1944 in Astoria, OR.

Departed the Lowndes March 1946

as a QM3c. Was QM on reserve

D.E. out of San Diego training P.O.

in reserve unit. Last active duty

Mar. 1946. Graduated College

(Junior) with associate in arts

degree 1948. Applied for

commission in 1951, passed all tests

except physical (bad knees).

Worked for Los Angeles County

road Department on survey crew

for eight years also with other

agencies as an engineering

draftsman, construction inspector,

materials tester and other related

engineer jobs until retiring.

Mar. 2005-6

Taps

Annabelle Dawson

Annabelle writes to inform us

that her sailor (Rank) passed away

on December 8, 2004. He was born

September 5, 1910 in Sissonville,

West Virginia. Enlisted in the Navy

June 28,1941 and boarded the USS

Lowndes in San Francisco as a Lt.

Commander in 1945 and left the

ship December 31, 1945, his last

active duty. Was promoted to

Commander and released from duty

shortly after. Practiced surgery in

Charleston, West Virginia from

1946 to 1985, then retired.

Annabelle says he told her many

stories. He had served on another

ship before coming to the Lowndes.

Survivors include four children and

five grand-children.

Bob Wurth

It is with sadness that I

report the passing of my wife ,

Martha of nearly 50 years. She was

a wonderful wife, mother and a

friend who touched many lives.

It sounds like everybody had a

good time in Branson, Missouri.

Martha and I spent several days

there about six years ago and loved

it. Don't know if I'll make another

reunion or not. Attended the one in

Fort Wayne, Indiana and really

enjoyed it.

Chuck Rodgers

I am saddened to report the

passing of my grandpa, L. B. Rodgers on

Jan 12, 2005 in ballas, Texas. He served

aboard the USS Lowndes. He was quite a

man, he never spoke much about his time

in the service. I was glad he found the

USS Lowndes web site last year, he truly

enjoyed it.

The above is a note written to

David Brinkman. Chuck and L. B. came

across the Lowndes web site last summer

and Chuck really got into the history of

the ship the last 6 months. David being

the son of another crewman (Fred) says

he knows

Chuck is left with some special

memories and pride in his grandpa.

S. Lee Holderman

My Mother, Mrs. James Holderman

passed away Feb. 22, 2004. She had lived

with us the past 2 years in Conroe, Texas

and she really enjoyed reading the

newsletters. I would like to receive the

newsletters in the future. A wonderful

job has been done with the web site and

documenting the history of the Lowndes.

My husband, Mike plans to scan some

photos and forward them to you. Thanks

for keeping us posted.

Condolences have been sent to the

bereaved families.

Mar. 2005-7

WHO haven't YOU seen in over 40 years?

You'll never know, unless you attend the...

USS LOWNDES 2005 REUNION

Chicago, IL

September 15^th - September 18^th, 2005

Chicago, known at the “Windy City” offers more to do and see than any city in North America.

You will be awed by the gleaming skyscrapers, the beautiful lakefront, breathtaking architecture,

wonderful museums, theater, restaurants and world-class shopping along the Magnificent Mile.

You will have the opportunity to experience some of the city’s top attractions. Tours include a

sightseeing tour, a visit to the Navy Pier and an evening dinner show. There will be many

opportunities to spend time with family, friends and shipmates.

The reunion officially runs from Thursday, September 15^th through Sunday, September 18^th. You

will be staying at the full service Hilton Garden Inn Oakbrook Terrace which is located at 1000

Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. This full service hotel offers many amenities including a

fitness center, an indoor pool, an on site-restaurant as well as room service. The Hilton Garden Inn

is located close to many of the attractions you will be visiting, as well as several shops and

restaurants. The room rate is just $79.00, plus tax per night and includes complimentary breakfast

daily. (If you want to come in earlier than September 15^th or stay later than September IS⁰¹, the hotel

has a limited number of rooms available. These are based on availability with the hotel and are on a

first come first serve basis.)

Please make your hotel reservations NOW by calling the hotel directly at 630-941-1177. You

may request specific room types when you call to make your reservations (handicap room, etc.)

The hotel check-in time is 3:00 PM. Please, don’t expect to get into your room before then.

Make your hotel reservations NOW! Due to the popularity of this city the hotel will sell out fast,

so DON’T get left out by waiting too long. We have a limited number of rooms and may not be

able to get additional rooms. Book immediately - you may cancel your hotel room later, and not

be charged. Be sure to ask for the USS Lowndes reunion rate of $79.00 per day. They will ask

you for a deposit or credit card number to guarantee your room reservation. You must call by

August 12^th to receive this guaranteed rate. If you will be driving and need directions, please

ask the hotel when you make your reservation. Reunion forms and a roster of attendees can be

found on your private website at www.militaryreunionplanners.com/Lowndes.htm

See you in Chicago!

'Mar. 2005-8

USS LOWNDES 2005 REUNION PACKAGE

REUNION PACKAGE _____________________ people at $169 p.p.=____

The reunion package includes all of the following events: Events A, B, C, D, & the hospitality room.

(Taxes & gratuities are also included with these meals.)

EVENT A: Friday, September 16th Super Sightseeing Tour (9:00am-3:00pm)

EVENT B: Friday, September 16^th Drury Lane Dinner Theatre (6:00pm-11:00pm)

PLEASE SELECT;Roast Sirloin of Beef and/or Chicken Marsala

EVENT C: Saturday, September 17^th Navy Pier & Sightseeing Cruise (9:30am-3:30pm)

EVENT D: Saturday, September 17^th

Gala Banquet Dinner (6:00pm at the Hilton Hotel)

PLEASE SELECT: Seared Salmon or Roasted Breast of Chicken

If you have additional guests that are only attending the Banquet, please select from the following:

ADDITIONAL BANQUET DINNERS:

PLEASE SELECT: | | Seared Salmon _______ people at $34 p.p =____

AND/OR | | Roasted Breast of Chicken people at $27 p p.=

Cancellation Insurance: (Full Refunds)

people at $6 p.p.=L |

ENCLOSED PLEASE FIND g| ! TO SECURE REUNION RESERVATIONS

»> PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:

N ame: S pouse/G uest

Address: City St Zip

Phone(Home)Phone:(Work/Other)

Additional Guests: _

Emergency Contact During Reunion: Ph:

Years Served: 19 to 19 E-Mail Address:

Yes, I have made my hotel reservations at the host hotel (Hilton Garden Inn, Oakbrook Terrace)

Check In date: Check Out date: Confirmation #:

I will be attending the reunion, but will not be staying at the host hotel.

»> SEND COMPLETED FORM BY AUGUST 5 WITH CHECK MADE OUT TO:

Military Reunion Planners^ P.O. Box 1588, Colleyville, TX 76034

Late Reservation forms will be accepted on a space available basis

You may wish to make a copy of this form for your records. For more information call weekdays: 817-251-3551 or Email :

info@MilitaryReunionPlanners com . Reservation forms and full payment must be received by August 5 ,2005. Request for refunds

must be made in writing and postmarked before August 5^th. There is a $3 refund processing fee. No refunds will be made after August

5^th unless you have purchased tour cancellation insurance. There is a $25 returned check fee for NSF. Your cancelled check is your

receipt & proof of purchase. For a written confirmation, please enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope. NRP will not be held

liable or failure of vendors to provide contracted services, or any injuries/accidents that occur during the reunion. Sorry, no refunds

will be given after September 12 ^r‘ for any reason.

www.MilitarvReunionPlanners.com

| Date Rcv’d I Check# | Amounts | XCL # |