Aug. 2003-1

U. S. S. LOWNDES- APA 154

August 2003 Newsletter

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

e-mail REDLABELBUDDHA@aol.com

I goofed on the May 2003-1 page the telephone number for the Biloxi Beach Resort was in

error, the correct number is (228)388-3310.

Please note that my zip code has been changed from 60050 to 60051 as of July 1, 2003.

There have been many changes and additions to the Lowndes members e mail addresses,

There are several additions to the roster listing in this newsletter due to David locating former

Lowndes crew members.

The following shipmates, spouses and friends have indicated their intentions

to attend our reunion in Biloxi, MS:

David & Odessa Brinkman

Gordon Buck

Jim Chilcote & M. McGrody

John & Lebby Dyer

Ed. King & Lavada Boyer

Mary Gebhart

Pam Hennessey

John & Marilyn Hess

Dick & Roseanna Jones

Bud & Jean Kautz

Herb Kears

David & Joanne Long

Clark Martin & D. Flood

Mike & Jerry Michalski

Roland & Becky Moore

Eileen Murray

Leo& Margaret O’Brien

Jenny & Lori Porter (Kautz)

Ed.& Dolores Person

Warren & Albena Proctor

Arthur & Marjorie Rauseo

Earl & Frances Robertson

Dallas & Lorene Stratton

Bill & Amelia Taylor

Jan Trober

Walt & Jackie Umbarger

(There are still a few postcards that have not been returned.)

To date the following have contributed to the USS Lowndes model fund:

Roberta Brinkman fund Sterling Hornsby

Helen Butler (In memory of Jim Davenport) Bud & Jean Kautz

Howard & Lois Chappell Clark Martin

David Brinkman

(Effort & unlimited time)

David Brinkman is working on another project for the APA Historical Preservation

Project (formally the “Save the Gage”). He and several other guys want to prevent the

Gage (The last APA known to exist) from being destroyed. The Navy is planning to use

it as a target for a sinkex exercise in 2004. He needs people (especially APA veterans)

to write certain congressional people to have the Gage saved. He will have more

information on why the Gage should be saved and a list of congressional people to

contact for assistance in this project at a later date.

Aug. 2003-2

TENTATIVE ITINERARY FOR THE USS LOWNDES 15^th REUNION IN BILOXI, MS

THURSDAY, Oct. 2^nd:

1800	Check in & register - Pizza party in hospitality room
FRIDAY, OCT. 3^rd:	Day trip to New Orleans (0830-1800 Deluxe Continental breakfast at hotel
0830	Bus departs hotel with professional guide
1000	Pick up guide in New Orleans
1230	Lunch on own
1400	Visit National D-Day Museum or explore on your own
1600	Depart for hotel
1730	Return to hotel- dinner & evening on own Hospitality room open
1930	Business meeting

SATURDAY, Oct. 4^th:	Biloxi sightseeing tour (0900-1330) Deluxe Continental breakfast at hotel
0900	Depart on sightseeing tour with professional guide Visit Seafood Museum Visit Mardi Gras Museum Lunch on own
1330	Return to hotel - free time
1700	Group photos - Uglies & Lovelies
1730	Cocktails
1800	Banquet buffet dinner at hotel Hospitality room open

SUNDAY, Oct. 5^th:

Deluxe Continental breakfast at hotel Farewell, see you next year

Package includes all breakfasts, banquet, tours professional guides, taxes & gratuities.

See Page Aug. 2003-9 for details.

Aug. 2003-3

Have just heard from Thomas F. Baker

- (WO)CARP. States that he was aboard the

Lowndes when it was commissioned and did

not leave until after the Iwo Jima and Okinawa

campaigns. His address & phone number is:

102 Southwood Ct.

Graham, NC 27253

(336)222-9753

(Received a phone call from his son

recently and contacted Tom, sent him some

information and he mailed a biographical data

sheet to me. Seems as if we have reached the

end of the rope in locating former shipmates,

then another one pops up out of the blue.)

David Brinkman has located another

crew member. William Thomas Sanders,S1c.

According to Tom’s son in law he served

aboard the Lowndes and will try to bring him to

the reunion in Biloxi. His address is:

PO Box 775

Pinson, AL 35126

(205)681-8094

(Wm. Has informed me that due to

health he will be unable to attend our reunion.)

(Will add these to the reunion roster and

mailing list. Seems as if the name Thomas has

made the list again.)

Gordon Buck

As I reminisce some names come back

to me. Ray Eagan, HC1c now a retired fireman

in Orange County, NJ., Bob Leet, HC1c,

Olean, NY., Davie Follette, dental assistant,

Minneapolis, MN. The 2 “old men” W. W.

Woodie Long, HC1c a butcher from Orlando,

FL., Ralph Baylis, HC1c from Newark, NJ went

back to Shell Oil. These 2 were the first to go

home after the war. Joe Kabilo, PhM2c (and a

licensed embalmer) from Youngstown, OH was

transferred to the hospital in Guam and died of

hepatitis while there. Mannie Lieder, PhM1c

(dental assistant), Bill Hill PhM1c (surgical

assistant) from Philadelphia, PA. And of course

Bill (Fred?) Brinkman and Jack Laird. Maybe

Jack Laird should take a crack at these names.

See you in Biloxi.

(How about it Jack, can you shed any

light on the fellows mentioned by Gordon? Or

for that matter, can anyone else out there have

any information regarding them?)

Lois Chappell

I am so sorry to have to write this letter,

but Howard and I won’t be able to attend this

years reunion. This spring Howard developed

two ulcers on his left foot and no matter what

we used, they continued to grow and get

deeper, then they were in the bone and he had

so much pain, even the medication only took

the edge off. His circulation was so bad in that

leg since they took the large vein to try and

save the other leg. The doctors decided to

amputate on May 13^th. Howard is in a nursing

home for rehab, just a few miles from home.

He will be fitted for a prostheses as soon as his

leg is ready. Now the question is, can I take of

him at home. I have a conference meeting with

the staff to review the plan of care. We brought

him home for a cook-out on Father’s day, he

seemed pleased and was able to transfer from

the car to the wheel chair, so we will just hope

and pray for strength and guidance in care. His

attitude is good and I know he would love

hearing from any of his shipmates. I’m not sure

just how long he will be in the nursing home.

Jameson Care Center

3349 Wilmington Road

Newcastle, PA 16105

(Received above letter in late June.

Cards can be sent to the home or to his home

address in Wampum. Needless to say, we will

miss their smiling faces in Biloxi. Good luck!

Howard.)

How can you have a total of 30 cents

with 2 coins and one of them is not a nickel?

Anyone coming up with the correct

answer will receive free, a 1 year subscription

to the USS Lowndes newsletter.

Aug.2003-4

Wally Richards

Jackie had open heart surgery on June

16 at Creighton University Medical Center (St.

Joseph’s) in Omaha. She had a triple heart by

pass and got along great and no pain. Two of

the girls were with us to help out with cooking,

etc. We all stayed at our sons home in Millard

while Jackie was at the Medical Center.

Thanks for all the thoughts, cards, flowers and

especially the prayers. They WORK!!!

An update. Just a short note to

everyone about Jackie’s recovery from the

surgery. She is now at home and doing very

good. Had an infection in her left leg where an

artery was taken to do the by-passes. She got

an antibiotic and looked a lot better. Does tire

easily, but started on Cardiac rehab three days

a week.

(Received 2^nd letter on June 29^th)

Joe Freitas

Just letting you know we are still moving

around but have slowed down a lot. Arthritis is

really getting the tour. Mamma especially, it

takes her longer to get going in the mornings.

But she still is able to cook for me. Hello to

everybody, we think of them often.

(Best wishes to all for a speedy

recovery.)

Sterling L. Hornsby

On. December 5, 1941 I was stationed

on the USS Elliot - DD 146 and as we pulled

out of Pearl Harbor a Japanese plane was

coming in for a landing. It was carrying two

Japanese diplomats to Washington to

“negotiate peace.” Fleet maneuvers took place

around the Johnston Islands. On the morning

of December 7, 1941 I had just finished

breakfast and was stepping to the bridge to

begin my 8-12 watch. One of the officers

informed me that Pearl Harbor had been

bombed and the fleet immediately returned to

port. There were rumors that a battleship had

been sunk, but we couldn’t believe that could

have happened. On approaching the harbor on

December 9, we saw that it was much worse

than that. One story we heard was that all the

officers on the Utah had been killed. A chief,

the highest ranking sailor left alive, tried to get

the ship out to sea but didn’t make it. A

chaplain on the ship helped man the guns,

Singing “Praise the Lord the Lord and pass

the ammunition” as he did so. The Elliot was

on patrol duty at Pearl Harbor from 1940 to

1942. After the Pearl Harbor attack we spent a

year on antisubmarine patrol. We may have

sunk a small one , but we weren’t sure.

Transferred to San Luis Obispo, CA for training

in the Beach Party. President Roosevelt visited

at Camp Pendleton while we trained with the

Marines. From there on to Astoria, OR to board

the USS Lowndes as a SM1c. Then on to Pearl

Harbor for more training. At Iwo Jima I was on

the bridge when the Executive Officer,

watching through binoculars, said “they’re

raising the flag.” After Iwo on the way to

Okinawa we saw the Enola Gay take off but

had no idea what was about to happen. I may

not have all the details exactly right, but this is

pretty much how I remember things. I still live

in Dallas, TX.

A bit of trivia

(July 2, 1776 the Continental Congress passed

a resolution that said, “these united colonies

are, and of right, ought to be, free and

independent states.’)

If a statue in the park of a military person on

a horse hasboth front legs in the air, the

person died in battle, If the horse has one front

leg in the air the person The person died as a

result of wounds received in battle, if the horse

has all four legs on the ground, the person died

of natural causes.

Only two people signed the declaration

of independence on July 4^th, John Hancock

and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed

on August 2^nd, but the last signature wasn’t

added until 5 years later.

Aug. 2003-5

Joan Macpherson

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend

the reunion this year in Biloxi, MS. It sounds

great. Enclosed is my check for dues. I always

enjoy the newsletters. Thanks for keeping me

informed. Good health and lots of fun.

Reuben Johnson

The newsletters are a terrific way of

keeping “Our ship” ship shape. Our crew is richly

blessed. I’m so far behind right now, hoping to

catch up one day soon. God bless the good folks

of our crew. Will send some info later.

Jim Chilcote

I’m enjoying early summer in my new

Boise home Trust that all is going well with

everyone. I neglected to send the area code for

my telephone number. Complete number is:

1 (208)327-1157

Harley Workman

I first want to apologize for not keeping in

contact. I intended to attend some of the

reunions, but it seems something always came

up to interfere. I had back surgery three years

ago and still have a hard time to work far. I’m not

complaining as I know there are many worse off.

We are kept busy with our children who are

scattered all over the nation. It’s good but time

consuming, sending dues as I want to continue

getting the newsletters. My friend, Frank Miller

passed away My 14^th and enclosing his obituary.

I will miss him very much. He kept me informed

of the things going on with the Lowndes crew.

Vivian and I attended his funeral. The days in the

Navy was a learning experience and one we will

always remember. Te Lowndes was a good ship

and a lot of fine people. Keep the newsletters

coming.

Shirley Wetzel

Thank you for responding so quickly. My

Dad Sterling served on the Lowndes and many

times he told about how he and Billy Biggers

Were picked for chiefs school - the officer in

the pharmacy helped them, I think he said -

and that’s why he didn’t get to go with the

landing party at Iwo Jima. He has talked

about leaving Pearl Harbor a day or so before

the attack, and about the ship turning around

and going back. He hasn’t said too much

about what he experienced when the ship got

back to the Harbor, other than to say it was a

big shock for a young country boy who’d

never been out of Texas to see what men

could do to other men. My Dad has been

getting the newsletters, and saved them all.

I’ve been putting all the information together-

he never really talked about a lot of what he

went through during WWII until the last few

years. He had surgery in February and there

were complications. He was in intensive care

for 17 days, just went home in May. He’s

always been strong and in pretty good health,

and it shook us all up to come so close to

losing him. Dad would love to go to the

reunion, but he’s still very frail, and is not

likely to travel too far from home. I’ve been

thinking of the reunion in October. If he gets

strong enough, I may just put him in my car

and bring him. I’m not sure why he never

went to one - maybe because he’s kind of

shy, or didn’t want to bring up old memories. I

think this might be the time for him to go.

(We certainly wish the best for Sterling

in recuperating and sure hope he can make

the reunion, I’m sure he will find it rewarding.

Shirley is his daughter.)

(Sometime ago I asked about a Lake

Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubuna-

ggungamaugg located in Massachusetts, but

our shipmates in that state didn’t respond to

my query. To enlighten them here is the true

meaning, it is a Native American word that

means, “You fish on your side; I’ll fish on my

side; nobody fish in the middle.’)

How does that grab you fellows?

Wally Richards

We have a new e-mail address change

- wjrich@megavision.com. Lost quite a few

messages when we had computer cleared of

viruses. Keep those cards and letters coming.

Aug. 2003-6

David Brinkman

For a possible museum exhibit, I have located a museum quality model ship builder that has

experience building WWII ships including Haskell class Attack Transports.

To date the following have contributed to the USS Lowndes model fund:

I received much better copies of the Lowndes (Haskell APA) blueprints from the Smithsonian

and have placed scanned copies on the Web site at:

http://www.usslowndes. netlowndes/ship.htm

I’m working on a VHS tape that will include many of the photos from the Lowndes Web Site.

This is mainly for those that don’t have computer/internet access. Below is a 12 minute sample from

this video that includes about 140 WW II Lowndes photos and Navy songs. If you have a fairly new

version of Microsoft Windows, try clicking on this link

http://www.dobrinkman.net/usslowndes/video2/photos_med wmv

If the above does not work and you have the Real Video Player, try clicking on the link below:

http://www.dobnnkman.net/usslowndes/video2/photos__med.wmv

The main page for the Lowndes is now at: www.usslowndes.net You can get to everything

from this page. If you want to access the newsletters, you need the password which is: 1945

The old page www.usslowndes.com has been terminated as of July and changed to:

www.usslowndes.net

I have some new digitized videos on the web site of a couple of WW II APA’s.

The first is a 16 or 8 mm film from 1945 on the USS Kames (APA-175). This ship was, like the

Lowndes, was built in Oregon in 1944. The video is in 2 parts. Click on the links below to start. These

videos require a fairly new version of Microsoft’s media player. If it doesn’t work, come to the reunion

and I’ll have copies of it there.

Partone: http://www.dobrinkman.net/iowndes/video/APA175_ partl.wmv (15 minutes)

Part two. http://www.dobrinkman.net/Sowndes/video/APA175_part 2.wmv (15 minutes)

Here’s ^{3 NaVy CO,Ortra,n,ng v,deo about Am}P^hib’^ous Assault Operations filmed on the USS Rockbridge (APA-

http://www.dobrinkman.net/lowndes/video/amphib.assault.wmv (25 minutes)

I have just received a complete copy of the Deck Log (860pages) and have placed the first

400 pages on the Web site starting with the commissioning date of Sept. 14, 1944 through July 1945. Still a

lot to do...Take a look:

http:www.usslowndes.net/lowndes/deck-log/htm/1944-9-14.htm

You can navigate with NEXT, PREVIOUS, and CALENDAR links at the bottom of each page.

Aug. 2003-8

Francis(Frank) J. Miller

Born October 4, 1925 in St. Louis, MO.

Passed away on May 14, 2003 in Salt Lake City,

Utah at the age of 77. Survived by his wife,

Frances, of 53 years, 3 daughters, 4

grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Enlisted

in the Navy November 12, 1942 boarded the

Lowndes at the commissioning of the ship as S1c

and was a plank owner. Participated in the Iwo

Jima and Okinawa campaigns. Left the Lowndes

January 1946 at San Francisco with rate of

SSM2c. His watch and general quarters station

was in the combat information center, fire control.

Last active duty January 29, 1946 at NAS St.

Louis, MO. He also served on the USS Hamul -

AD 20. As a civilian he was a telephone lineman

for Southwest Bell Telephone Co. Cable splicer

at Brodwick & Bascom. Milk delivery man, burial

lot salesman, sales manager 3 States Cemetery

Co. Owner of a monument company. Driver

salesman 36 years Consolidated Frieghtways Co.

and PIE. Retired, said,” I helped a lot of people to

heaven by scaring the hell out of them on the

road.” worked part time selling grave monuments.

Police officer in St. Louis 1947 -1948. Frank was

an active member of the VFW Post 7442 and a

proud member of the District 2 Honor Guard

burial team. Full Military Honors were accorded.

H said, “Do not mourn me. I loved life, I enjoyed it

and did the things I wanted to do.”

“Auf Wiedersehn Franz!”

Ruthi Daughter of Harry & Agnes Ruether

I have received the reunion newsletter

addressed to “Mrs. Harry Ruether”. Just

wanted to let you know that both are Harry

and Agnes are deceased. My Mother, Agnes

passed away on November 22, 2002. Please

delete them from your mailing list.

Mildred Mims

I’m sorry I’m late in writing, but getting

Dawson’s affairs in order, I’m run to death.

Dawson was born April 24, 1924 and passed

away April 14, 2003. He enjoyed hearing

about all the reunion group, But I couldn’t

get him to write nor would he talk about going

to the reunions. He was a very shy, caring

person, I’m sending a small check in token

of appreciation for all the joy he got from the

newsletters. I hope the best for all and have fun

at the reunions.

(He is survived by his wife of 53 years, 2

daughters, 7 grandchildren 5 great-grandchildren

and many nieces and nephews. He was a

resident of Cullen LA since 1967. He served in

the US Navy aboard the Lowndes, US Army &

US Air Force, retiring after 22 years. Served in

^l/vw II and the Korean Conflict. As a civilian, 15

years as a guard at International Paper. Member

of Masonic Lodge in Springhill, LA. No further

information available.)

Aug. 2003-9

U.S.S. Lowndes APA-154 Reunion

Biloxi, Mississippi

October 2^nd through October 5^th, 2003

»> RESERVATIONS:

Make my reservation for people at $170 per person. Total enclosed is $

I want tickets for the D-Day Museum in New Orleans. These tickets must be

pre-ordered in advance.

»> NAME: (as you want it to appear on name badge):

Spouse/Guest Name:

Address:

City:State:Zip:

Phone:

Email:

Years on board: 19 to 19 Rank:

Send this form with your full payment ASAP or no later than August 20^th to:

NATIONAL REUNION PLANNERS: P.O. Box 1588, Colleyville, TX 76034-1588

Formore info call: 817-399-1737 or email: info@MilitaryReunionPlanners.com

Note: Tour reservations are non-refundable after Aug 31^st, 2003 unless you add $5 per

person for tour cancellation insurance. Insurance holders may cancel up to October 1^st.

We’ll see y’all in Biloxi\