May 2010-1

U.S.S LOWNDES -APA 154

May 2010 NEWSLETTER

Web Site: <USS Lowndes>

Wm. Bud Kautz-CCBW, 34782 Hiawatha Trail - McHenry, IL 60051 - (815-344-6326

Redlabelbuddha@comcast.net

STAMPS

When the public first demanded a stamp commemorating the Flag Raising

picture, the US Post Office initially rejected the idea out of hand. "No

living person(s) can appear on a US stamp," they replied. But the public

demand was so great that Congress pushed for the stamp. It was issued

just five months after the Flag-Raising. On the day of issue, people stood

patiently in lines stretching for city blocks on a sweltering July day in 1945

for a chance to buy the beloved stamp.

For many years, this was the biggest selling stamp in the history of the US

Post Office. (Over 137 million sold.)

Click to see a large view.

A retouched copy of the original photograph. Issued in 1995 to celebrate

the 50th Anniversary of the first Iwo Jima stamp.

Anyone remember these?

Lowndes - APA 154 Model

May 2010-2

Responses to PROPOSED USS LOWNDES WEBSITE (1)

David Brinkman

The endowment fund sounds like a

good way to go and Odess and I would be glad

to manage this. The cost of the web site is

about $95 a year and a $15 a year for the

name: www.usslowndes.net. Believe it or not,

the cost of these things are going down. A fund

of 2500 might earn enough money to cover the

web costs. I have a lawyer friend that may

have some ideas on how to do the endowment

fund. Let me talk to him. At some point in the

future, I would also submit the data from the

web site to the National Archives to ensure that

it is not lost.

In the meantime, we need to be thinking

of what to do with our USS Lowndes reunion

group s treasury. It appears that not many of us

are going to last too many more years and we

more than likely will forego any more reunions

to enable having a discussion regarding this

subject. Need input from member.

Bonnie Welker White

The family of Harley Max Welker is in

total agreement with you that the USS

Lowndes web site should be preserved, so

we re in favor of doing whatever it takes to

assure that. Also we re in favor of submitting

the data to the National Archives to ensure that

it is not lost and is available to future

generations. Thanks to you for all your hard

work. Keep us posted on what needs to be

done to make this happen.

Jan Trober

I am in agreement - If David would like

to take it on, I support that. Preserving the

history of the USS Lowndes - APA 154 is very

important. Regarding the Reunion group funds

- I refrain from giving my input. Those funds, I

feel, should be decided by the men of the USS

Lowndes.

John Hess

Go with it. You have my vote. Right,

David does fit the bill.

David Long

I think that is great. I vote yes and will

contribute to the fund. It is sad that we will not

have any more reunions, but that is being

realistic, we are victims of the clock.

Jan Przbylski

That rocks!!!! I love that web site. I found

my Dad s name in the deck log. I m going to

print them out and send them to my Mom.

She ll get a kick out of it. Thank you sd much.

I ll spend more time with it soon. I appreciate

the information Bud.

Don t thank me, Jan. David Brinkman

has included the deck log along with many

more interesting facts of our ship on the web

site. He has done a terrific job of Making the

Lowndes a part of history on the web

G. S. Adams

I think it s a wonderful idea.

Pam Hennessey

Dad, I think the idea of an endowment to

fund the Lowndes website is a wonderful idea.

It would be a good way to keep the Reunion

Group linked (in addition to the newsletters) in

the event there are no more reunions. Your

newsletters could be published on the website

and maybe have to mail paper copies to those

without Internet access (thereby saving

postage). I know David would do a great job,

and I think it is very important for all the

shipmates to keep in touch. However, I will

miss seeing everyone at the reunions, it s a

great group of people.

Shirley Hornsby Wetzell

Count me in, My Dad, Sterling L.

Hornsby, took his last voyage Dec. 24, 2009,

but I want to continue to honor his memory and

that of his former shipmates.

May 2010-3

Patricia O Neal Grant

Additional responses to proposed

USS LOWNDES WEB SITE

Earl Robertson

I think it should go to either fund, the

Lowndes website that David Brinkman does

or be given to the US Navy Memorial in

Washington, DC. Either one is good with me

unless someone has any other suggestions

they can bring up.

Susan LaBay

I will answer for my Dad, Alonzo

Hodgson. I think that he will agree that the

memory of the USS Lowndes should be

perpetuated. Dad will be visiting me and I ll

have him read the proposal and get his

definite feelings in regard to it. He had a

knee replacement last summer and is doing

well, but slowing down. We sure do

appreciate David s efforts toward the

Reunion Group and fully support using the

funds to create and maintain the Lowndes

website and the National Archives effort.

Gordon Buck

Bud, I m sure all the crewmen of the

Lowndes join me in letting you know how

much we appreciate your tireless efforts for

all these years to keep the Fraternity

together. We also appreciate David

Brinkman s input and assistance. His Dad

would have been proud of him. Time is

winding down for all of us plus those who

have already left are so proud to have

served our country and received recognition

to be called Lowndesmen.

rm sure I speak for David in regard to

Gordon Buck s plaudits for our efforts in

trying to keep the Fraternity above water.

We appreciate the kind words expressed by

Gordon, thank you.

Thank you, David, for the information

about my Dad, Alex Richard O Neal. He

passed away in 1984 and my Mom in 2000.

I have a grandson that was named after my

Dad and was in the Marines. He was in

Camp Pendleton, CA. In Iraq two times. He

would like to know as much as possible

about his great grandfather as possible. We

must keep the memories alive of the

greatest people. Our country needs to know

how much they all gave.

Hank Rafalski

I m writing in behalf of Howard P.

Thomas who was aboard the USS Lowndes

in 1945 while at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

He s still around and very much a part of his

community in Folsom, CA near Sacramento.

He s wondering if there will be any more

reunions coming up. His friend .

I have received a phone call from

Howard and am waiting for more information

regarding his tenure on the Lowndes

.Howard boarded the Lowndes on Dec. 1,

1944 as a RM and had a medical transfer

from the Lowndes at a later date.

Trivia time

Several years ago I made note of the

fact that I and several buddies were

returning from a trip to the Smoky

Mountains. We stopped at Indianapolis, IN

to visit the Indy race track. I had a 1936

Oldsmobile at the time (1941) and was

allowed to take a spin around the track.

However, an attendant sat in the passenger

seat and saw that I didn t attempt to speed

around. It cost me 25 cents for the privilege.

The upshot of this tale is that my son, Bill

upstaged me in 2007. He was on one of his

bike tours to raise money for the

Indianapolis Zoo and the diabetes fund and

pedaled around the track a couple of times.

Where it cost me a quarter it cost him

nothing.

May 2010-4

Stuart Hyde

Hi, Bud, Like you, I m going through lots of

physical problems, but because we ve both

been achievers, it s my belief that neither of

us is ready for the old folks home.

Sometimes , I wonder. I came across

something I wrote and read at the banquet at

the San Francisco reunion. Maybe this will

be of use in a newsletter. Please let me know

if there is anything I can do to help you in

your ongoing role as Keeper of the

Lowndes. Sixty-four years ago, a group of

young men, some in their teens, were aboard

The USS Lowndes. Most of us were barely

trained in our shipboard duties when we

arrived. The ship was commissioned in Sept.

1944 and after provisioning in Seattle, San

Francisco, San Diego & San Pedro, left for

the Hawaiian Islands for 4 months of training.

During that trip, drills were held every day -

man overboard, abandon ship, collision & fire

drills. The next 4 months were spent

practicing invasions. We invaded Maui

perhaps as many as twenty times, delivering

battle-ready Marines to the beaches.

Gradually as we learned our duties, we

became more confident & cohesive &

efficient. All units including boat crews &

Beach Platoon began thinking of themselves

as team members of a part of competent

fighting ship. That s where the bond began.

On Feb. 19, 1945 we transported 1,500

Marines & Seabees from Saipan to Iwo Jima

Landing them on Red Beach II. For several

days our landing craft delivered

reinforcements, food, fuel, ammunition &

medical supplies. Returning to our ship with

wounded Marines for treatment by our small

staff of surgeons & hospital corpsmen. We

landed our Beach Battalion of 43 men on

Dog-Day plus 1. When we retrieved them on

Feb. 24, 4 of our shipmates had been killed

& 13 seriously wounded. This affected all of

us & there our bond became greater. On

Mar.4 we carried wounded Marine casualties

to hospitals on Guam. Of the 321 injured

men we treated we lost only one due to his

injuries. 1-1/2 months later we delivered

wounded Marines to Okinawa where we were

in constant danger from Kamikazi attacks.

Bob Wurth

In response to the Newsletter . I ve

certainly enjoyed it in the past, but also

realize that it just doesn t happen. Thanks to

your dedication and effort. As to the future?

We are all getting close to the end, so this is

just a thought, maybe once or twice a year

would be sufficient to keep crew members

basically informed as to what s going on.

Another thought would be to find a younger

generation person that would be willing to

take over the job. Sorry about the delay in the

response.

Thanks for the suggestions. Working

on the younger generation idea. Anyone else

have thoughts on this subject?

Jan Trober

Bud, Haven t heard from you since

Christmas and was wondering if everything is

okay with you and Jean. (All s well).

Both of my folks are doing as well as

can be expected. Mom turned 86 in January.

Mom and Dad had their 64^th (I think or 65 )

anniversary in January. Dad has had a series

of injections done to his eye. I m not sure if

his eyesight is improving but it is not getting

worse. He has to use a big light and a

magnifying glass to read his Newsweek

Magazine. Dad had a pacemaker inserted

November 30, 2009. My Mom fell again and

fractured her hip about a week before Dad s

surgery and went to rehab. The rest of us are

doing good. Mark and Mary stay busy with

her job and his business. Sister-in-law, Angie

Turin has put her life on hold to take care of

Perry s Mom who is in poor health and her

son who broke his neck, back and shattered

his pelvis in a terrible motorcycle accident.

Perry has his band Typical Bill that gets

together every week. They play classic rock

to hard rock and can really get loaded

sometimes.

Hang in there guys

May 2010-5

Connie (Mike)&

Geraldine (Jerry)Michalski

Kindred Spirits & Partners in Life

Died 61 days apart after 61 years of

marriage. Jerry and Mike were long time

residents of Austin, Texas. Mike was born Dec.

13, 1914 and last years were impacted by

Alzheimer s disease, passing away on August

15^th at the age of 94. Connie was born in

Sunnyside, TX. Enlisted in the Navy Mar. 3,

1942 at Houston, TX. He served in the Pacific

as a Machinists Mate on the Lowndes, He

boarded the Lowndes as a MM2c on Sept. 14,

1944 becoming a Plank Owner and saw action

at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Left the ship Dec.

13, 1945 as a MM1c in San Francisco, CA.

Discharged at Camp Wallace, TX. He took

pride great pride in getting the ship underway

from a dead stop in 45 minutes (normally took

2 hours). As a civilian was a partner from 46 to

47 at Rollin Electric, Co. 47 to 56 managed

Worth Elect. Co showroom. 56 to 65 owned

and managed Ideal Lighting Co. In May 1965

hit the highways representing Lightolier,

Halcolte & Kichler fixtures mfg s. for 30 years

covering 5 states. Upon his retirement at the

age of 80, Kichler created a salesman integrity

award in his honor.

Geraldine Jerry Michalski was born in

Evansville, Indiana and moved to Texas at the

age of 16 where she worked in the family

TAPS

Day is done.

Gone the sun

From the lakes

From the hills.

From the Sky

All is well.

Safely rest.

God is nigh.

Fading light.

Dims the sight.

And a star.

Gems the sky.

Gleaming bright.

From afar.

Drawing nigh.

Falls the night.

Thanks and praise.

For our days.

Neath the sun.

Neath the stars.

As we go.

This we know

God is nigh.

grocery store. After graduating from business

school, she worked as an accountant in

Houston. She and Mike met after he returned

from WW II and were married in 1947. They

volunteered at a hospital gift shop and ran the

Next to New Shop. She was also office

manager for Mike during his career. Jerry s year

long battle with lung cancer and grace, ended

on October 15, 2009 at tyjhe age of 83.They are

survived by their daughter, Dr. Renee Michalski

of Waco, Texas.

Many former shipmates and spouses

may remember the outstanding job they and

Renee did hosting the Lowndes reunion in San

Antonio, TX. The highlight of the reunion

was,with s Mike s assistance and efforts two

plaques were installed on the wall at the Admiral

Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, TX. The

plaques were placed there in honor of Donald

Bowman and Norman Richards, both members

of the Lowndes Beach Party and KIA at Iwo

Jima.

May 2010-6

Sterling L. Hornsby

Sterling was born on September 27,

1920 in Brown County, Texas and passed

away on December 24, 2009. When he was

15 years old he worked for the CCC.

Enlisted in the Navy June 7, 1940 at Dublin,

Texas. He served on his first ship, the USS

Elliot stationed at Pearl Harbor. She was

one of the ships that left for the Johnston

Islands on December 5, 1941. He was just

stepping onto the deck on Sunday,

December 7, 1941 for the 8 to 12 watch,

when the captain said, Pearl Harbor has

been attacked, we have to go back.

Sterling, Said, There were all kinds of

rumors floating around, including they sank

one of our battleships. He said the crew

couldn t believe that was true, until they

arrived at the Harbor and saw the ships

burning, devastation all around. His best

friend, J. P. Lynch was his shipmate, and he

learned that his brother had died on the USS

Arizona. The Elliot patrolled the coast of

California for several months looking for

enemy submarines, then took part in the

battle in the Aleutian Islands.

He boarded the Lowndes September 16, 1944 in Astoria , Oregon as a SM1c.

He was in Long Beach, CA in October and married Velma Stewart Robertson on

October 7, 1944. Billie Biggers served as the best man. Later he had the chance to

make Chief, leaving the Beach Party to join the Signal Corp. His daughter, Shirley

Hornsby Wetzell said he felt sad that he couldn t go onto the beach at Iwo Jima with the

men he d trained with. Left the ship in Portsmouth, VA as a Chief petty officer on April

17, 1946 when the ship was decommissioned. Watch and general quarters stations

were on the signal bridge. Later duty assignments were at Key West, 1946 - 1947,

Newport, R I 1948 - 1950, Charleston, SC 1950 - 1951, Norfolk, VA 1952 - 1956,

Dallas, TX 1956 - 1959, San Diego, CA 1959 - 1960. Last active duty in 1960 recruitng

station as a CPO. Retired from the Navy June 1960 and was on active reserve until

February 1970. As a civilian employed at Federal Reserve Bank from 61 to 65.

American Building maintenance and finally retired from the work force in 1989. He is

survived by his wife, Velma of 65 years, 5 brothers, 1 sister and 2 daughters, 1 son and

7 grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren. He was buried January 4, 2010 at

DFW National Cemetery, with full military honors.

May 2010-7

Harold Ralph Singer

Born in Independence, KS on April 13,

1927 and departed February 17, 2010. He

served his country with the US Navy on the

USS Norton Sound (AV 11) and the Lowndes

beginning in 1945 when America claimed

victory in WWII, to 1948. Ralph boarded the

Lowndes August 13, 1945 and left April 15,

1946. Received an honorable discharge, re

enlisted. Following his service he returned to

Indiana where he began his career as a design

engineer. Harold s career ran the design

engineer gamut. He worked in the aerospace

industry, specifically in the Apollo program,

helping to design the propulsion systems of the

early rockets. Though his was not a household

name, many of the products he helped design

are used by millions. At his favorite job, M&M

Mars, he designed a machine that would cut

only the best part of the peanut for use in

Snickers candy bars. He is survived by his wife

of 30 years and the love of his life, Bonnie Neal

Singer. 8 children, 13 grand children and 4

great grand children.

Arthur Lee Wilson

Nov.25, 1925-Aug. 24, 2009

Landing craft operator, lost by 5

Japanese fire; Completed all invasion

operations in the Pacific Siapan, Leyte

Philipines, Yokohama, Including Iwo Jima-

wounded in forehead, refused Purple Heart

due to human carnage he observed throughout

the invasion. Saw the first and second raisings

of the American Flag. Okinawa-wave leader at

Blue Beach 1, transported first load of Marines

& Seabees of invasion and was part of the

continuous amphibious landing operations.

Received 3 Presidential Unit Citations for

actions above & beyond call of duty. Served on

the Lowndes Dec. 8, 1944 - Jan. 21, 1944 as a

deck hand. He is survived by his wife, Lillian of

Henderson, Nevada. After his discharge from

the service. He served on the ship from

December 8, 1944 until January 21, 1946 as a

deck hand and participated in the Iwo Jima and

Okinawa campaigns

Biloxi Reunion - 2003

Warren Elbert Proctor

Warren passed away November 2009 at

the age of 91. He boarded the Lowndes

September 15, 1944 and served as a Chief

Petty Officer on the ship. His family had

requested the Patriot Guard Riders attend his

funeral in honor of his military service. He was

a coxswain on one of the landing craft that took

in Marines to the beach at Iwo Jima.

"No other data available.