Aug. 2001-1

U.S.S. Lowndes -APA 154

Wm. “Bud” Kautz, CCBW-34782 Hiawatha Trail, McHenry, IL 60050 (815)344-6326

e mail REDLABELBUDDHA@aol.com

AUGUST 2001 NEWSLETTER

Thirteenth Annual Reunion - Oct 11, 12 & 13, 2001

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Again - Please inform the hotel when checking in or making

reservations that you are a member of the U.S.S. Lowndes

Reunion Group.

“Do this by September 27^th”

"" Rates apply 3 days before & after reunion

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

The time has come to start thinking about where and when our

fourteenth reunion will take place in the year 2002. Let’s put on our thinking

caps on so we can discuss this item at our next business meeting.

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

Tentative schedule of events for reunion:

October 11 -

October 12-

October 13-

Attractions: General Jackson

Grand Ol’Opry

Banquet

Check in & registration

Business meeting in evening

General Jackson luncheon cruise

Grand Ol’ Opry - 9:30 PM

Cash bar - 6:30 PM

Banquet - 7:30 PM

- $35.00 per person

- $23.00 per person

- $30.00 per person

Please send payment to John & Lebby Dyer by September 1^st.

Make checks payable to John Dyer-Lowndes Reunion Group. Mail to

8851 East Southshore Dr. - Unionville, IN 47468 Any questions (812)332-0908

Indoor pool, all rooms have cable TV, hairdryers, iron & iron board, coffee maker & modem

hook-up. Full room service, lounge live entertainment, guest fax, complimetary parking and game

room, shuttle service to above attractions, trolley route to outlet malls & restaurants ($1.00 each way).

Airport transportation $11.00 one way or round trip $18.00. Applebee’s restaurant on premises.

Aug. 2001-2

Carmel Fesi

I’d like to refresh Leo O’Brien’s memory about our signalman. Merrill Hart

transferred to the radio gang about a month before we hit Iwo Jima. He was replaced by

Senares, the cartoonist from Brooklyn. Do you remember the special flashlight that was

issued? It had a blacked out lens except for a small cross mark for light to show through.

This light was used when we were called by the control boat at the line of departure for

night runs, the signalman was supposed to be in charge of it. Well one night while circling

around the area waiting to make a landing, we had ten drums of high octane fuel on board.

I asked, “Where is the flashlight?” Senares didn’t know, we had to have this light to give

the signal to the control boat with vertical movement for even number date and horizontal

for odd number date (like 19^th or 20^th of the month.) If you didn’t show the signal with the

flashlight you could be blown out of the water. The P. C. had 20 MM guns trained on every

boat that came along side and we couldn’t find it in the back bilge. We were called along

side, I assume Senares gave the right signal because we were not fired upon. Three trips

to the beach to unload the fuel and the beach master would run us off with the fuel. We

finally unloaded high octane fuel on an old barge anchored about 200 yards off the beach.

There was one lonely marine on the barge. We unloaded the fuel and started back to the

rendezvous area when a mortar hit the barge and it blew it sky high, the poor marine went

with it.

CORRECTION

In the last newsletter “Where were you & what were you doing on Dec. 7, 1941?”

Clark Martin

I was a young Navy Ensign fresh out of 90 day training at Supply School. I had

been out of the University of Virginia for two years and had been working since then. If

memory serves, the exact wording...was. “AIR RAID, PEARL HARBOR, THIS IS NO

DRILL!”

++++++++++++++++++++++4-+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++

Additions to the Lowndes e mail addresses:

E. Max Cole - MaxCole@prodigy.net

Art Wilson - CLIPPER@vcm.com

Scientists have built an atomic clock 100 to 1,000 times more accurate than any

timepiece ever made. Current atomic clock loses a second every 20 million years. The

new clock would need 20 billion years to lose a second.

July 24, 1866 Tennessee became the first state to be readmitted to the Union after

the Civil War.

June 22, 1945 the WWII battle for Okinawa officially ended after 81 days, during

which 12,520 Americans and 110,000 Japs were killed.

Aug. 2001-3

John Lackey

Sorry I’m late sending in my dues. My wife was in and out of the hospital twice this year. She is

doing good now. When we were going to the east coast to decommission the Lowndes I was on mess

cook duty. I told the cook that made ice cream, I would make it if I could serve the men all they

wanted. He said the room is all yours. Where he was serving 7 gallons I served between 30 or 40

gallons a day. That was good duty for me I was in a cool room. I read Mike Michalski’s article in the

March report.

James Ross

You have probably received the information on the “Combat Action Ribbon” by now. “Medals of

America” is a good book for ribbons and medals. It is free and may be requested by calling 1-800-

308-0849. However, the ribbon can be ordered from the Navy department. Major Douglas Thomas

Jacobson (Medal of Honor) passed away In October 2000. He was on the Lowndes landing on Iwo

Jima about 1230 the first day - Jack Lucas and Woody Williams are the only Medal of Honor

recipients left who served at Iwo Jima. The video tape, “Uncommon Valor - the Battle of Iwo Jima” is

available by calling 1-405-841-4004 or ordering it through Master Card or Visa - 1500 United

Founders Tower - Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or www.BRITTAN ENTERTAINMENT, com

Thanks Jim, for the information, consider it passed on.

Located another former crew member- rather he located us. Received a phone call June ld^h from:

Art Wilson - 2704 Sadie Lane - Henderson, NV 89014 - (702)896-4576 - CHpper@lvcm.com

Bill Fletcher

Please accept this check to help defray mailing costs of the Lowndes newsletter. I enjoy

reading about people with whom I associated with incognito and wish all continued joy in your get-

togethers. I may make an effort to drop in on you guys in Nashville. October is my time of the year.

Patrick McGinley

Thanks so much for putting the story of my dad (Andrew John) in the newsletter. I heard from

Leo O’Brien who sent me three more photos of my father. What a thrill! Please used enclosed to help

with postage and mailings. I enjoy the newsletters greatly!

Bill Ramsey

Just finished reading James Bradley’s “FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS.” It’s the story of the “six”

marines that were in Joe Rosenthal’s photograph of the flag raising. It is well written and I learned a

few more details of the battle of Iwo Jima. I would recommend it to be read. This is a book given to

me on Father’s Day by my daughter who had up you this time never brought the subject up. I’m giving

her the APA’s compilation of the event and expect that it will her even closer to understanding what

went on. Thanks for putting it together. I’ll not see you in Nashville because my 60^th class reunion

conflicts.

Ed. Note: E. Max Cole donated this book for our Lowndes Lovelies’ raffle in Las Vegas. One correction. James

Bradley was the son of a Navy Pharmacist Mate who was one of the men that raised the flag. 5 marines and 1 sailor.

Aug. 2001-4

Jim Vaughan

I am looking for anyone that might recall knowing a shipmate from WWII when the U.S.S.

Lowndes took part in the campaigns at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. His name was Joseph Botti a

CMM, a Navy career man. He is the father of one of my daughters-in-law, Cheryl Botti. My wife,

Doris and I spent many happy hours playing cards, square dancing, watching life’s progress, or

just sitting and visiting. I know it is a little late looking for shipmates of his Lowndes, but as I said, if

that fails, perhaps someone from the ship could give me a little more personal touch of what

happened at Iwo Jima and Okinawa than what I have gathered from books, movies, videos, etc.

Joe transferred to the Lowndes on November 6, 1944, where he remained until his promotion to

Warrant on 15 May 1945. For those of you during this time in the operations at Iwo and Okinawa,

I’m sure you well remember the terrible Kamakazi attacks that caused the greatest loss of lives and

ships in our naval history. For these events alone, if for no other reason, Joe said many times that

he felt closer to the Lowndes and his shipmates aboard, than any other ship or station during his

21-1/2 years of active duty in the Navy. He always referred to the Lowndes as “his ship,” the one in

which he took the greatest pride, and to his Lowndes shipmates as those to which he felt the

closest. When he passed away in 1995, Joe was still ALL NAVY, in mind and heart. He also

served on the U.S.S. Saratoga CV3 and various other ships, from tugs to tankers. I am working on

a biography book of Joe, it will be assembled only for our own families.

Ed’s note: Earl Robertson, Lyman Nedeau, Dallas Stratton, John Jurica, Mike Michalski,

Harold. Brunner & John Dyer, all Machinists Mates - did any of you have contact with Joe Botti?

Let Jim Vaughan know, see roster for his address.

Frank Wan its

Received the newsletter and read them all. The article “Iwo Jima Lest We Forget” was

particularly interesting and informative. I’m sorry that we will not be able to attend the reunion at

Nashville. It certainly seems that it will be a very interesting one. Alice and I are doing good health

wise. She is being treated for skin cancer several times a year for removal have been taking cat

scans and blood tests quarterly. We keep ourselves pretty busy with church and family affairs. We

wish you all a happy and successful reunion in Nashville.

John Vernale

Sorry to report that Sally and I won’t be able to attend the Nashville reunion this year. Sally

looks good and feels great, but we will just have to bide our time.

Ed’s note: We will miss and wish them the best.

Salty Cary

I have permanently moved to Arizona - new address is: 1576 E. Cottonwood Lane - #1063

Casa Grande, AZ 85222

(520)426-3821

Sorry to report I will not be able to attend the Nashville reunion and will be unable to

conduct the Lowndes Lovelies raffle this year.

Ed. Note: We’ll surely miss Sally and the very efficient manner she has conducted the raffle.

Aug. 2001-5

Ed. King

I’m a little late sending this info to you regarding the boat crews and boats. As far as I

remember John Lackey was the original coxswain on Boat No. 2 George Kindle was the

coxswain on Boat No. 19 on Boat No. 20 I was the coxswain at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. As you

know the boat crews came aboard the Lowndes as a unit, officers and enlisted men. We went

through training at Coronado, California. The first base or training was called A.T.B. or

amphibian training base. We lived in tents or on the beach.. This training was landing in the surf

and backing out, of course the deck men dropped the ramp and so forth - night maneuvers,

signaling, and getting off the beach without broaching. I can’t remember how many weeks we

were at A.T.B. We were then sent to a base down the Coronado Strand called A.B.C.D.,

“Amphibious Building Construction Division” This taught us howto survive and physical fitness. I

remember the 100 pushups every morning, duck walking and many other physical activities -

boxing, running and Judo. The thing that surprised me was that it wasn’t very long before all of

us were doing the pushups without stopping. At this time the base is used to train the “Navy

Seals.” Anyhow all of the different units met on the U.S.S. Lowndes - APA 154, officers and

men in Astoria, Washington.

Ed. Note: In 1989 Jean and I stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado and took a walk down to

the beach - guess what we saw? LCM’s and LCVP’s making runs into the beach and backing

off. The Amphibious Training Base was still operating then.

John Lackey

You have the crew on Boat No. 2 correct. My crew and I were on that boat from the day

the ship was commissioned until decommissioning. Remember Gordon Holley was coxswain on

Boat No. 4. The second night out at Iwo Jima we hit something that put a hole in the boat, we

were loaded with two cargo nets of mine torpedoes and could not get to the hole. We were able

to signal another boat to come alongside and we took our personal gear and got into it. The next

morning the ship returned and we were put aboard Holley’s boat to operate. Before we went to

Okinawa my boat and 7 more were lost and replaced. E. C. Taylor was a deck hand, I believe

on Holley’s boat.

Harry Ruether

I don’t know who the other crew members were on Boat No. 16. It’s been so long ago.

You have me on Boat No. 14, I was on Boat No. 16 with Glenn Forgay, coxswain. Hope this will

help.

Ed. Note: Received this letter from Harry after he passed away.

Ed. Note: The above letters are in response to a question that Leo O’Brien posed a

couple of years ago. See page 9/2001-H. If anyone has more information please forward it to

me. Maybe we can come up with the crew members of the landing craft aboard the Lowndes.

Also several other boats are not on the list, what happened to them?

On June 22, 1945 The World War II battle for Okinawa officially ended after 81 days,

during which 12,500 Americans and 110,000 Japanese were killed.

Aug. 2001-6

MORE ON OUR CAPTAIN

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

WASHINGTON

1 July 1957

My Dear Captain Perdue:

On the occasion of your retirement, I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere

appreciation of your long and distinguished service to our nation.

During your career you have witnessed many advancements in the morale, strength

and efficiency of the Navy. By your grasp of essentials, your ability to make immediate

and correct decisions and your excellent performance of duty, you have contributed

materially to the accomplishment of these results. Your long service has been marked

by the skillful direction, sound judgment and determination which you have applied to

the tasks assigned.

I note your excellent performance of duty in your various assignments in the

FIFTEENTH Naval District from June 1940 to January 1943. You continued your

outstanding performance in the Personnel Office, ELEVENTH Naval District from

February 1943 to July 1944. As Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. LOWNDES from

September 1944 to January 1946 and as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. JASON

from January 1947 to February 1948 you set standards of performance that will be

difficult to emulate. You continued your distinguished service as Director of Training,

with additional duty as Officer-in-Charge, Naval Reserve Training Facility and later as

District Director of Naval Reserve, Headquarters, THIRD Naval District from May 1948

to October 1950. Your loyalty and devotion to duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S.

REPOSE from October 1950 to January 1951 as in your many assignments throughout

your career reflects the highest credit upon you and the Naval Service.

May I wish for you continued success and many years of health and happiness.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas S. Gatos, Jr.

Secretary of the Navy

Captain Charles H. Perdue

U. S. Navy, Retired

Member, Naval Inspection and Survey

Pacific Coast

Broadway Pier

San Diego, 30, California

Ed. Note: Additional information regarding our Captain can be found on the

pages March 2000-10 and March 2001-6 of previous newsletters.

Aug. 2001-7

BOAT NUMBERS & CREWS

#2		#4	#7
J. Lackey	Cox	G. Holley	Cox	G. Dudash	Cox
Caldwell	MoMM	G. Engles	MoMM
A. Escamilli	SM	A. Escamilli	SM
G. Rosenbaum	Deck	F. Detiveau	Deck
		E. Taylor	Deck
#9*		#11		#12
R. Kieme		A. Herrington	Cox	R. Lemmons	Cox
W. Pollock	MoMM	C. Smith	SM	O. A. Smith	SM
H. Sarten				W. Thomas	MoMM
A. Wilson	Deck			J. Ross *	Deck
#13		#15		#16
J. Torelle	Cox	J. Hovey	Cox	G. Forgay	Cox
		C. Fesi	Deck	H. Ruether	MoMM
		Senares	SM	M. Hart	SM
		L. O’Brien	MoMM	M. Rezza	Deck
#19		#20*		#21*
G. Kindle	Cox	E. King	Cox	W. Proctor	Cox
		S. Vlasak	MoMM	G. Kindle
		J. Rodriquez	Deck	G. Dudash	Cox
		F. Detiveau	Deck
#21*		#17
Johnson	Cox	L. J. Foyt	Cox
C. Schaffer	MoMM	M. Wishnoff	MoMM
H. Robles	SM	A. Sefers	SM
* Lost on the beach at Iwo Jima Why 2 No. 21 boats?
Other names in the landing craft division furnished by Carmel Fesi.
E. C. Brown	Deck	H. D. Lemley *	Cox	J. D. Schamburg	SM
J. B. Douhitt*	Deck	R. G. Peese	Cox	Solley	SM
L. J. Foyt*	* Cox	Reynolds	Deck	M. T. Speer	Deck
A. G. Gaspard*	Deck	C. N. Richard	Deck	J. S. Stone	Deck
R. B. Hail*	* Deck	L. B. Rodgers	Deck	R. H. Stoner	Cox
P. Harden	Cox	G. Rowe	Deck	C. Tate*	Deck
Harsley	Cox	W. D.Sanders	Deck	J. Torelle	Cox

* Members of the Reunion Group. Can any of you add to the above information?

Aug. 2001-8

TAPS

HARRY RAYMOND RUETHER

Harry, 76 was born January 11, 1925 and died June 27, 2001 at his

home. Agnes relates that Harry had a massive heart attack, he was standing at

the kitchen sink drinking milk and eating a cheese sandwich and kinda slid to

the floor, hit real hard on his rump then straightened back, he was standing up

when he died, his neck and face was already turned blue. I called 911, they

came and told me hit was too late. Needless to say, I was in shock. He joined

the Navy June 1943 and boarded the Lowndes at Washington as a fireman

1 class. He was a plank owner and was a Master at Arms. He was a member of

boat crew No. 16, GQ station in the shaft alley. Left the Lowndes December

1945 as a MoMM 3c. Last active duty December 24, 1945 at St. Louis, MO.

After discharge he returned to Jefferson City, MO at 8:30 PM. Called it a pretty

good Christmas present. In civilian life he joined the Carpenter’s Local #945 as

a carpenter until he retired in 1987. He is survived by his wife, Agnes and three

daughters, Karen Philips, Pamela Koestner and Brenda Wunderlich and two

sons, Donald and Gary. All residing in Missouri. Three step-daughters, Betty

Reinke, Dorothy Tate and Ruth Schneider. Thirteen grandchildren and three

great-grandchildren.

Condolences have been sent.

Since our last reunion in Las Vegas October 2000 we have been

informed of the loss of the following shipmates:

James B. Douhitt

Joseph E. Layton

Henry F. McNamee

Clifford W. Schaffer

Sept 11, 2000

Dec. 8, 1999

Jan. 24,2001

Sept. 16, 2000

Aug. 2001-9

TENTATIVE TIME SCHEDULE

Thursday Oct 11	3:00 - 6:00 PM Check in & register 6:00 - ??? PM Happy Hour Hospitality room Dinner on own
Friday Oct. 12 Saturday Oct. 13 Sunday Oct. 14	Breakfast on own 10:30 AM Meet in lobby, leave for Luncheon Cruise Dinner on own 8:30 PM Meet in lobby, leave for Gand Ol’ Opry Hospitality room Breakfast on own Free time Lunch on own 6:00-7:00 PM Cash bar 7:00 PM Banquet Hospitality room Meet for breakfast Good bye ATTENDEES
Howard & Lois Chappell	Ed. King & Lavada Boyer	Keith & Lorraine Richards
Jim Chilcote & Margaret McGrody David & Joanne Long		Wally & Jackie Richards
E. Max Cole	Don & Shirley Lorenzi	Earl & France Robertson
Stan Dunn	Clark Martin	Dee Rodgers
John & Lebby Dyer *	Mike & Jerry Michalski	Dallas & Lorene Stratton
Mary Gebhart	Leo & Margaret O’Brien	Bill & Amelia Taylor
Mike & Pam Hennessey	Ed. & Dolores Persons	Perry & Jan Trober
Bud & Jean Kautz * Hosts	Arthur & Marjorie Rauseo	Walt & Jackie Umbarger

OPRYLAND- NASHVILLE

Radisson Hotel Opryland

2401 Music Valley Drive

Nashville, TN 37214

615-889-800 Fax 615-883-1230

www.radisson.com/nashvilletn

1-800-333-3333