Mar. 2007-1

U.S.S. LOWNbES - APA 154

MARCH 2007 NEWSLETTER

Wm. "Bud" Kautz-CCBW, 34782 Hiawatha Trail, McHenry, IL 60051 (815)3446326

_________________________ e mail: redlabelbuddha@comcast.net___________________________

Reunion dates: October 4 thru 7^th, 2007.

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

I’m hoping to make this 19^th reunion in St. Louis, MO as memorable as I possibly can. I

also hope and wish that many that have - will attend and those that have not - will make this

one their first. If there is another reunion in 2008, I feel that it will have to be in the Midwest

again, since I know it has been getting more and more difficult for many to travel. This reunion

will be held in St. Charles, MO where history comes alive every day. With its 19^th Century

architecture, one-of-a-kind shops, unique museums and glorious festivals that celebrate a rich

history. From fur trappers & traders in the 1700s to the rendezvous of Lewis & Clark in 1804. St.

Charles has always been a perfect place to meet for over 200 years.

This year I have contracted with Holiday Inn-Select (St. Charles), 4341 Veterans

Memorial Parkway, Phone (636)928-2927. The hotel is located just 12 miles from Lambert

International Airport. The room rate will be $82.00 per night with rates guaranteed three nights

prior and after our event. And there is a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. There is

also shuttle service available within a 5 mile radius of the hotel. I working on the events and

details will follow. Be sure to mention USS Lowndes Reunion when making reservations.

Jan Tober

Enclosed with this issue of the newsletter is a brochure describing the hotel. Also

enclosed is a stamped and ready for mailing post card requesting the intentions of shipmates,

spouses and siblings to be returned as soon as possible so Jan will have information to set up a

successful reunion. There are many attractions to be visited in St. Louis and St. Charles. I’m

sure Jan will arrange an interesting tour for our enjoyment.

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport

Serviced by Air Canada, America West,

American Airlines, Comair, Continental, Delta,

Frontier.

Midwest Connect, Northwest, Southwest

Airlines, United, USAirways.

For those attendees taking an alternate

mode of travel to St. Louis, like the Q2 please,

allow plenty of time as the Q2 travels only 6”

for each gallon of fuel so make sure you have

enough motion lotion to make the trip.

See Page 6 for more information about

tours and attractions supplied by Jan Trober.

SELECT"

ST. PETERS/ST. CHARLES

(St. Louis Area)

4341 Veterans Memorial Parkway • St. Peters, M0 63376

Mar. 2007-2

Frances Robertson

We sure had a good time in Seattle and

hope to see all at the St. Louis, 2007 reunion.

What fascinated us was there were no

telephone or electric lines from pole to pole as

in other cities. We really need a system like

that in our city. For several days we had lots of

rain and covered the trees when it froze. The

electric was out. Some areas got hit hard. The

limbs in our yard came down and one snapped

the line from the pole to our house. But, my

jack of all trades, hubby, rigged up a temporary

set up so we had electricity and heat. The

fellows that did the repairs for the utility were

from Minnesota. We seem to be getting along

OK except for some aches and pains that

come from being senior citizens.

Ed. note: This all happened after their

return from Seattle and should not affect our

reunion in October.

Mary Schaffer

Enjoy getting the newsletters, keep

them coming. I will try to make the reunion this

year, but I’m so busy baby-sitting for my great

grand daughter who is not 1 year old yet. She

really keeps me busy.

Robert Warn berg

Enclosed my dues for 2007. I always

enjoy reading the newsletters. My grand son,

Scott who attended the reunion in Las Vegas is

now head of the Air Force hospital in Alaska as

a top Sgt.

Right, Bob you should be proud of your

son and his accomplishments.

Lorene Stratton

I’m walking pretty well with a cane.

Dallas still plays softball, but I guess our

traveling days are over. Our kids came down

and picked us up to go to South Carolina for

Christmas.

Joyce DuBois

Thanks for the newsletter, Enjoy

receiving them. Frank is Doing well

considering his problems.

Certainly wish the best for Joyce and

Frank.

Stuart Hyde

We’ve stayed away from Christmas

letters, but 2006 brought so many good

things, we felt an urge to share some of

them. In June/July, Allie had an exhibit of 32

large paintings on display in San Francisco. It

was an exciting experience for us and

visitors. After the Iwo Jima and Okinawa

book. I began a revision of my textbook,

“Television & Radio Announcing”. It will be

the 11^th edition, to come out in 2009 just 50

years after the 1^st edition. We enjoy our life in

Marin. We share our home with Jezebel, our

German Short Haired Pointer, who turned a

vigorous 13 in November. Oh, and I’m

returning to STSU to teach media

performance during the Spring semester.

It appears that the two of them have

no difficulty in not having enough activities to

keep them young and busy.

Marlene & Ronald Schadler

We want to say thanks for keeping us

in the Lowndes family.

Frances Miller

Thank you for remembering me with

the Lowndes newsletters. I shed a few tears,

reading, that the reunion 2007 is going to be

in St. Louis, MO. It was Fran’s Hometown.

Frank had also put in 1700 hours of volunteer

work for the VFW. The firing squad (21 gun

salute) was always peculiar because they

never seemed to be fired at the same time.

Mar. 2007-3

Patrick McGinley

Jackie Richards

My Dad (Andrew John) told me that he

drove the landing craft to the shores. One time

he arrived at the beach with a boat full of

Marines, the front ramp wouldn’t go down.

Mortars were falling all around and so he said,

“Over the sides!” As the Marines jumped out of

the craft, he ran to the front to see what the

problem was. While at the ramp, a mortar shell

hit the steering wheel where he would have

been. He jumped on board another craft and

went back to the ship to get another boat.

Another time he was alongside the ship waiting

for the Marines to get into the landing craft. He

was asleep over the helm. The officer on deck

saw him sleeping and hollered down asking

him what was wrong. Dad told him he had

been on duty for 24 hours. The officer asked

his name and then checked the relief roster.

His name wasn’t on it. The officer told him to

get on deck immediately, get something to eat

and go to bed.

David Brinkman

I had been contacted by Patrick, son of

Andrew - MoMM who was a member of the

amphibian boat crews and made a run to the

beach at Iwo Jima. Served on the Lowndes

from Nov. 1944 to Aug. 1945. Pat took a wild

shot and went to Yahoo! Main page and typed

in USS Lowndes in the reunion link and came

up with my name. Guess if used properly AOL

can be useful. Bill Thomas has a faint

recollection of Andrew, medium height with

curly black hair. Andrew passed away

February 20, 1969.

Roseanna Jones

I just had a birthday last November, my

kids sure know how to throw a party! Received

many cards. Dick and I are so happy here in

Wichita. Where we live is like living in a small

town, as we’re so close to all major stores, a

big shopping mall, Super Walmart and Sam’s.

We have quit camping and sold our truck and

5^th wheel, but we still want to go south to Texas

for about a week or so to visit our friends there

and make a few trips to Mexico.

Wally and I have finally had a good

year health wise. We visited our daughter in

Texas. She was very homesick, so Wally

and I went down again for the week of

Thanksgiving to spend some time with her

and the family as she had a few days off

from her duties as a school nurse. Wally and

I, my sister and husband spent a few days in

Estes Park at our nieces vacation home.

The weather was not the best as we had

wind, cold, clouds, rain and even some

snow. In October we went to Stevens Point,

Wisconsin for Wally’s army reunion.

Mary Fearing

As some of you have heard, I

received some disappointed news in

September, I have cancer, Lymphoma. I had

to have surgery to remove a section of

bowel, that the lymph nodes were attached

to. Due to the side effects of chemo, my

fingers are very numb and it’s extremely

hard for me to write, so Marilyn my daughter

is typing this for me. Dean is doing we;; and

has been a really big help, he says he really

likes to do the dishes now!!! I just finished

my 4^th round of chemo and had another one

December 21^st. Hope the chemo hits the

cancer.

This I gotta see, Dean liking to do

dishes. Wonder if he brought that home from

the Lowndes mess hall duty? Hang in there

Mary, we’re with you.

Shipmate located:

Roger E. Solley

440 Via Linda Vista

Redondo Beach, CA 90277

<twosolleys@aol.com

Returned Mail:

James T. Tolle

Mrs. Chas. Murray

Jewel Jesky

Mrs. Albert Resetar

Mrs. John Johnson

Mar. 2007-4

Jim McKellar

Last September I had the honor of

accompanying my 90 year old Father, Ed, to a

reunion of his former shipmates from WWII in

Seattle, WA. During the event I learned a lot

about the Navy’s role at Iwo Jima. For

instance, as you watch the movie “Flags of Our

Fathers” you’ll see a broached LCVP, PA 154-

21 broached on the beach. The attack

transport USS Lowndes - APA 154 that

carried the 4^th Marines from Maui to Iwo Jima

and the Lowndes Beach Party making a

landing on the shore. The Lowndes also

operated as an alternate hospital ship tending

the many wounded brought to the ship. The

ship got underway only when the Kamikaze

attacked. As my Dad said, “One came right

over our mast and took out one of the picket

ships on the other side.” Later in the battle all

hands were on deck as a group of Marines and

one Navy corpsman pushed to the top of

Mount Suribachi and raised the US flag on the

mountain top. During the reunion, it became

clearer than ever to me that all of those who

served in any capacity in WWII, whether in

combat or industry, were just regular people

from everywhere who did more than you ever

thought you were capable of doing. Then you

came home and built a country that I have

enjoyed all my life. From my heart, I say Thank

You.

Thank you Jim for your personal input.

For anyone desiring to contact Jim, he can be

reached at: <jim@CertifiedHawaii.com>

Joe ErSandson

I remember Orbie B. Dickson and I were

in a so called foxhole with others. I don’t

remember when, but Donald Bowman came

over the edge of the foxhole and stood there

with a Jap’s gold tooth in a pair of pliers. Don’t

recall how much longer after that when

someone came by and told us that Bowman

had been killed. If I remember right, Dickson

had been at Guadalcanal before Iwo Jima and

was a little more stable than I was. I just

wanted to get the hell out of there but he held

me back and I thank him for that. Fred

Brinkman mentioned that Jerome Freider

received a citation and he sure deserved it.

also remember he was carrying and helping

the wounded all the time. We were carrying

ammo or something closer to the front in the

middle of the night and he was taking care of

the wounded in the rain. I believe some of us

came off the island on the 5^th day on an LST>

Ed. note: Yes David in answer to your

query, it was common for the Japs to have gold

teeth, thereby making them one of the

collectibles for the American GTs. Does the

above tale by Joe give you an insight as to

some of the things that went on during WWII?

Do remember helping Don give giving Derral

Easter, a member of our Beach Party, a shot of

morphine after sustaining a wound and will

NEVER forget his glassy eyes from the

reaction of the drug used to ease his pain. To

this day, can’t understand how some of the

younger people of our generation can think it

so cool.

Bill Dunbar

David, again I am compelled to tell you

how much your work means to me, and now to

Robbie. Having lost my Dad when I was 17,

the kids know only stories, and of course the

war seems to them like another world. For an

11 year-old boy, there’s nothing cooler than

having a relative who was in a war. And the

fact that your site tells the story just brings that

part of Dad’s life to life. And now the movie will

do a bit of the same, I’m sure. I think I’ll risk it

and take Robbie, my son, to see the movie.

He’s quite mature and level-headed, like his

namesake.

Ed. Note: As much as Lt. Dunbar and I

didn’t see eye to eye during that time of stress

and strife, I’m sure if we were to meet now

after all is said and done there would be some

things that we would certainly agree on in our

golden years.

Mar. 2007-5

TAPS

William H. Robinson

Bernard G. Tracz

Harold K. Castine

Born March 15, 1926 in Akron,

Ohio and passed away November 3,

2006. A military funeral was performed

by the VFW Honor Guard. Joined the

Navy at Erie, PA February 1944 and

boarded the Lowndes in December at

Pearl Harbor as a Flc. His watch station

was as a lookout and his General

Quarters station was in the shaft alley.

He left the Lowndes December 1945 as

a MoMM3c in San Francisco, GA where

he was assigned shore duty and drove a

truck. Last active duty was at Camp

Shoemaker in May 1946. Trucking

agreed with him and he owned several

rigs for 6 years before joining Roadway

Express in 1954 until he retired in 1986

after 31 years. He spent every free

minute during the summers on His

Correct Craft Competition Ski Boat.

Survivors include 3 children and 6

grandchildren.

Born August 22, 1925 in Campbell,

Ohio. Passed away September 2006.

Enlisted in the Navy December 21, 1943.

Served on the Lowndes September 14, 1944

(Becoming a Plank Owner) to December 17,

1945 as a RM2c. He served at the U5TN ay

Great Lakes, IL and also on the USS YDG 8

before being discharged from the Navy on

May 16, 1946. Attended the NTSCH at

Northwestern University. As a civilian he

was employed as a shipping clerk for the

Hackett Company in Warren, Ohio before

retiring August 22, 1990. His passion was oil

painting, giving numerous paintings to his

family and friends. He was also an avid

bowler, belonging to several leagues, and in

his earlier years enjoyed polka dancing. He

is survived by a niece, a nephew; 2 great

nephews and a great-niece.

Born in Columbia, SC. Passe

away August 16, 2006. He enlisted i

the Navy During WWII and cam

aboard the Lowndes On September I²

1945 and left the ship March 23, 194^

He served primarily in the Sout

Pacific where he also served aboard th

USS Prairie and other ships during tha

time. Participated in the Iwo Jima an

Okinawa campaigns. After bein

discharged from the Navy he returne

to the Mill Village and was employed b

the Olympic Mills. In the mid-sixties h

left the Mill and went to work for th

United States Postal Service froi

which he retired in 1988. Surviving ar

his wife, Hilbert; Son Joby; daughter

Karen and Debbie; a niece and severe

nephews; great-nieces ands great

nephews.

While on the Lowndes he was

BM2c_t no other information available.

Mar. 2007-6

Is there someone from your military days you'd like to see?

They may be at’’ the ...

USS LOWNDES 2007 REUNION

St. Charles, MO ~ October 4^,h - 7^lh, 2007

Welcome to St Charles

St. Charles, once the capital of Missouri is the oldest city on the Missouri River, founded in 1769. Today,

historic St. Charles offers many unique shops, restaurants and cafes. Your reunion program offers plenty of time

on Saturday to explore this very historical area, and take part in St. Charles’ annual Oktoberfest festivities. On

Friday you will have the opportunity to tour neighboring St. Louis, which was defined as a world-class city when

they hosted the 1904 World’s Fair. St. Louis’ key role in the development of America’s west is evident today in

this city of diverse attractions and cultural experiences. Friday evening join your friends for a great meal and a

good laugh at the Die Laughing Comedy Club located in your hotel. The USS Lowndes reunion will provide many

wonderful opportunities to catch up with your friends and family while exploring the place where the ice cream

cone, iced tea and hot dogs were invented.

Hotel Information

The reunion officially runs from Thursday, October 4^th through Sunday, October 7^lh. You will be staying at the

full service Holiday Inn Select St. Peters-St. Charles which is located at 4341 Veteran’s Memorial Parkway, St.

Peters, MO 63376. The hotel is located close to many of the area’s most popular attractions.

Reservation Information

The room rate is just S82.00 plus tax per night. For those of you who choose to arrive early or stay late, the

same room rate is available three days prior and three days after, based on availability. Please make your hotel

reservations NOW by calling the hotel directly at the following number 636-928-1500.' You may request specific

room types when you call to make your reservations (handicap accessible room, etc.). The hotel check-in time is

3:00pm. Please, do not expect to get into your room before then. Make your reservations NOW, you may cancel

your hotel room up to 24 hours prior to arrival and not be charged. Be sure to ask for the USS Lowndes reunion

rate. They will ask you for a deposit or credit card number to guarantee your room reservation. The hotel is

holding rooms until they sell out or August 24^th, 2007, whichever comes first.

Airport Transportation & Parking

If you are flying to the reunion, the Holiday Inn Select St. Peters offers complimentary shuttle service from the

SL Louis Lambert Airport (STL). Please advise the hotel you will taking the shuttle when you make your room

reservation. For those of you driving, the hotel offers plenty of free parking. The hotel is conveniently located at

exit 225 off of Interstate 70.

Travel safely and ....

'ee you in St. Charles!

USS LOWNDES 2007 REUNION EVENTS

EVENT A: ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWERY & ST. LOUIS CITY TOUR

Friday, October 5 (9:00am-3:30pm)

Your day begins at the St. Louis Anheuser-Busch 100-acre brewery which is a rich part of America’s brewing

history and the largest of Anheuser-Busch’s twelve U.S and two overseas breweries. The tour begins with a visit to the

historic stable, home to the Budweiser Clydesdale Eight-Horse Hitch, and one of the several national historic landmarks

on the property. Discover first-hand how one of the world’s greatest beers is carefully drafted in the brew house and

packaged in the Brevo Packaging plant. At the end of the tour, there will be samples for all (you must be at least 21 years

of age in order to sample the beers). Relax in the hospitality room as you sip your favorite brew or spend some time

browsing the unique Anheuser-Busch gift shop. Board your coach for an informative city tour. You will learn “there is

more than meets the Arch”. Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis whose interior is covered with 83,000 square feet of

mosaics, the largest such collection in the world. Drive through Laclede's Landing-, a nine block historic area whose old

warehouses are home to many night spots, shops & restaurants set amongst cobblestone streets. No visit to St. Louis is

complete without a stop at the 630-foot Gateway Arch, which is also home to the Museum of Westward Expansion. Take

a tram ride to the top of the Arch or just relax and enjoy a film on how it was built There will be time for lunch on your

own at the St. Louis Station, an urban marketplace with several restaurants and shops.

Please note: The cost of the Tram is $10 per person, and is not included in the price of the tour. The tram ride is not

wheelchair accessible, and is not recommended for those who suffer from claustrophobia or fear of heights.

EVENT B: DIE LAUGHING COMEDY CLUB

Friday, October 5^,h (5:30pm-8:30pm at the hotel)

Join your friends and family for a wonderful evening of fun and laughter. The Die Laughing Comedy Club, located in

the lobby of your hotel, presents a wonderful evening of mystery & comedy. You will begin with a four course meal with

wine, followed by a great show. The show “Lucy Loves Ricky” will be sure to keep you laughing all night long as Lucy

tries to break into show business by getting into Ricky’s new show at the Cope-With Your-Banana. Please meet in the

lobby at 5:15pm.

Please note: 30 people minimum required.

" FREE DAY TO EXPLORE HISTORIC ST. CHARLES

Saturday, October 6^th ~

Your hotel is located in the heart of historic St. Charles; the oldest city on the Missouri River, founded in 1769. St.

Charles served as the State’s first capitol. Explore South Main Street, the preserved historic district with more than 100

shops, restaurants and cafes, all set along the cobblestone streets lined with gas lamps. The Frenchtown area, known for

its antique shopping, has 58 historic buildings of French Colonial and German architecture. You may choose to visit the

Lewis & Clark Museum or the Miniature World Museum, or try your luck aboard the expanded Ameristar Casino - for

real Las Vegas style gaming action.

BANQUET DINNER

Saturday, October 6‘ (7:00pm at the hotel)

Join your friends for your Banquet Dinner at the hotel. Please indicate your entrde selection on your reservation form.

TOUR CANCELLATION INSURANCE

Protect yourself from unforeseen expenses caused by sickness, injury or any other causes that impact your travel

plans. This insurance enables a refund of Tour & Banquet expenses up until three (3) days before the start of your reunion.

If you need to cancel - please call our office immediately (817-251-3551) for a cancellation number. If you have not

purchased cancellation insurance all tour and meal money is non-refundable 6 weeks prior to the reunion.

Notes:

- Tours may be cancelled if a minimum of 30 people per bus is not met. In this case, full refunds will be given.

-Please understand that a certain amount of walking is necessary from the bus to attractions and in some instances to also

sec the attractions. Please consider your abilities before purchasing tours.