Sept. 2010-2

My Honor Flight Chicago trip to

Washington, DC.

It was only a one day affair starting at

4:30 AM at Midway Airport and returning 9:00

PM. The entire affair was an extremely heart

warming and emotional event. While waiting to

board the plane there were three young and

pretty girls (Legacy Girls) entertaining us for

about 30-40 minutes singing ‘40’s era songs.

While waiting to board the plane. The Honor

Flight Chicago had the entire Southwest

Airlines plane booked for us. Over 90 vets and

many volunteer guardians to cater to our every

whim. The Vets were issued gray tee shirts

and the guardians and volunteers green tee

shirts. Also back packs and a 40 page book

about the monument. The main event was to

visit the WWII Monument which was awesome

and very impressive. I would certainly

recommend anyone having the opportunity to

to the veterans. The organization relies strictly

on donations and will NOT accept money from

vets. One vet sent in a donation, but it was

returned. I filled out an application many

months ago and received a pone call a couple

of weeks ago telling me I was accepted. The

waiting list is about 1300. Guess I was very

fortunate. I was glad that my son, Bill, was able

to be my guardian (Baby sitter). He had the

dubious task of pushing me around in a wheel

chair, could never had been able to attend

without him and others. I believe that he

enjoyed it as much as I did. The HFC brought

back memories with “Mail call”. They passed

out 9x12 envelopes containing actual mail from

relatives, friends and some we didn’t know.

Even letters and notes from school children. I

guess I must have received almost a 100, but

was unable to read them all until arriving home.

Upon our return to Midway there were fire

water trucks sending streams of water over the

plane as a greeting. Deplaning we were

greeted, even as we went through the tunnel

and in to the building. My estimation is that

there had to be more than a couple of

thousand making up the crowd. There was also

a band belting out patriotic songs, even bag

pipes. The crowd was lined up on both sides of

the aisle that we proceeded through. To name

a few, there were firemen, police men, VFW,

American legion, DAR all waving flags that the

HFC had provided. We were in wheelchairs

but, some were able to walk. Welcome signs

and thank you posters were in abundance. A

young sailor pushed me along and when we

passed a platoon of sailors they were called to

attention and saluted. There were many, many

sailors there. I shook so many hands that I felt

like a politician. Going through this line up I told

the sailor to “Stop ! That’s my wife there.” We

back tracked and I lifted the barrier so she

could get to me and give me the best greeting

of the day. It wasn’t too much longer until I was

greeted by more family members. Really, I’ve

never been one to wear emotions on my

sleeve, but even as I compose this I kinda get

a bit choked up. Getting back to Washington,

we also visited the Lincoln, Korean & Viet Nam

memorials. The July 2009 newsletter contained

a description of David Long’s experience of his

Honor Flight to Washington, DC and I am in

total agreement with him as it being a very

emotional event. So did the editor of our local

newspaper, I sent him a copy of the above

recounting and it was published in an issue of

that newspaper.

Honor Flight is a nonprofit organization

created solely to honor America’s veterans for

their sacrifices. They fly our heroes to

Washington, DC to visit and reflect at their

memorials free of charge. Honor Flight can be

contacted: <Honor Flight. org> Insert your state

after Flight’

They depend entirely on donations as

the chart below indicates citing statistics in the

Chicago area. However, the Honor Flight is

available and has branches in many states.

The above mentioned web site contains a map

showing the states involved in this operation

plus much information.

Time is rapidly running out for many of

us. I urge the “Lowndesmen To take

advantage of this opportunity. You won’t regret

it. I heard from Donald Lorenzi that he has

been on the waiting list for two years. Guess it

all depends on the state you reside in.

However, it is well worth the wait and to repeat

myself, the WWII Memorial is very large and

awesome.

“Lowndesmen” a phrase coined by

Gordon Buck.

Sept. 2010-3

Bill Ramsey

Please note my change of address. Also

I thought this might be of interest, a project

being started here in McMinneville. A high

school teacher brought her students out here

to interview WWII veterans. They took pictures

and are going to publish a book on these

interviews. The book will be out in August and

they are going national to try and get students

all across the country to do the same. She

feels like they know nothing of the war and

they need to get a feel of what it was like. The

big news around here is my first grand-

daugther is getting married this summer. I

know we are kind of late but we got a slow

start. Enclosed my check for the treasury.

Bill, a great idea. Please let me know

when the book comes out.

Dottie Bornhorst

I appreciate you sending me the news

about Bill’s ship, the Lowndes. He was so

proud of his Navy days and liked to relive those

days. However, I think I should prefer that my

name be removed from the mailing list since

Bill is no longer with us. Thanks again for

remembering Bill.

After several years of attempting to find

out which Lowndes shipmate was the youngest

it turned out that all data indicated the honor

went to Bill.

Frances Miller

Remembering the San Diego, San

Antonio reunions well with an album full of

good memories. After Frank died one of our

daughters (searched for) and found her half

brother, Frank Leo Miller. He copied his Dad,

joined the Navy at age 17 and spent 3 years

there.

Thanks for asking about my hips, they’re

doing fine, it’s the rest of me that’s gone

downhill, but like Jean keeps reminding me,

“You’re still able to get around.’’

Dotty Flood

Thank you, Bud, for keeping me on the

Lowndes mailing list for the newsletter...guess

I really don’t have a right to be there but do

enjoy hearing news of those I have met, and

those I came to know though Clark Martin.

Dotty we would like to continue sharing

news of Clark’s former Lowndes shipmates.

Mitchell Chasteen

I was a radioman aboard the U.S.S.

Lowndes from the time of it’s commissioning

until I was discharged in November of 1945.

My wife, and I, attended the first few reunions

but as the years progressed they became more

and more difficult for fionacial and/or physical

reasons, At the end of of 2009 I’ll be 87.) Being

a radioman, they were the only crew I got to

know, at least well enough to remember. Over

the years their names disappeared from our

newsletter so I lost much of the interest in it

that I once had. I’ll always appreciate the

expense, time, and effort you spent providing

the newsletter. Needless to say you did me,

and others, a great service by providing the

news that was good as well as bad. I now feel,

however, it is time for my name to be removed

from the mailing list. The years have taken

their toll but I’ll always remember the months I

spent aboard the U.S.S. Lowndes and always

wish the best for all of the crew.

Joyce Ringo

Please take me from your mailing list -

you’ve done so much - thanks for all you’ve

sent.

Mitchell and Joyce, your request are

duly noted, however, if you change your minds,

you will be welcome to return to the roster.

Joyce DuBois

Bud, good to talk to you on the phone.

Enclosed is a contribution for the endowment

fund. Please keep me posted on it’s progress.

Sept. 2010-4

Leo O'Brien

Sorry for the delay. The website is a

great idea. Margaret had an accident in late

April. She broke her right hip and right shoulder

and had to have a partial hip replacement.

I know the feeling Margaret, just hang in

there and follow the given instructions and all

will be fine.

Bill Dunbar

My Dad, who died 20 Years ago-

ironically a day after the Lowndes was

destroyed - was a doctor on the ship. I have

photos and a brief, incomplete

autobiographical ‘sketch’ he dictated to his

secretary in 1982. It’s pretty interesting stuff,

the recollections of a 63 year-old man on his

times as an egotistical, impatient 25 year old

doctor. He recollects some of the Marines and

sailorshe knew and or treated, and even

mentions watching the flag go up on Suribachi.

What’s missing unfortunately is his account of

Okinawa. I remember asking him when in his

life he was most frightened and his answer was

at “Okinawa”. I guess the ship and all others

around it were under pretty heavy fire and I

think I recall him saying that the ship was a

near casualty of a Kamikazi. Anyway, I plan to

make copies of the photos (some of the

silliness of the equatorial crossing

shenanigans) and his recollections. I will gladly

add them to the stash o Lowndes memorabilia.

I’d love to hear from some of the sailors who

knew my Dad. Mr. Kautz remembers him and

that made me feel great Thanks again to Mr.

Brinkman for his hard work in putting and

keeping the site together. I look forward to

further correspondence - maybe I’ll attend as

Dad’s proxy. My most heartfelt thanks to all of

you vets out there

Marty File

I am Joe and June Zinkgrafs daughter.

She still loves getting the newsletter. Mom just

turned 84 and is in long term care due to her

advanced Parkinson’s disease, but she is still

very cognizant and enjoys keeping up with

information. You are greatly appreciated.

Stan Dunn

As I told you when I talked to you

recently I told you I left the Bowfin Park in May

2008. Mona’s health had really failed and I

moved here with her. She could not breathe

and we replaced the carpet to cut down on the

dust, installed wooden flooring and a new air

conditioning unit. In the end she spent about a

month in the hospital. They did all they could,

but in spite of a long time on a forced breathing

machine she passed away, the cause of death

being respiratory failure. She passed away in

January 2009. Sorry for the typing and typos

This is a 1943 Standard upright machine just

like the one I used on the LOWNDES, and like

me has seen better days. I turned 88 on

November 22 and am going strong, retiring

here was planned because of TRIPLER ARMY

MEDICAL CENTER and they have provided

me with the finest you could imagine. It is a

real pleasure receiving the Lowndes

newsletter, let me put in my two-bits worth of

thanks for all you and Jean have done to keep

so many of us still connected. The same goes

for David Brinkman. I don’t have a computer,

but the idea of a web site sounds like a good

idea. Let me hear as plans progress and I will

be happy to chip in my share of the needed

funds. I apologize for the typing and for taking

so long to write. Since I have broken the ice

maybe I’ll get hot and send some of my

memories of the good old days on the

LOWNDES. Yes some of them were good.

Aloha to Everyone.

Will certainly keep you appraised of the

status of the Lowndes web site. And look

forward to hearing of your experiences aboard

the ship. I imagine as yeoman you were

exposed to many interesting incidents that

occurred on and around the bridge. Sorry to

hear about Mona, hang in there guy.

A bit of trivia

During the Pearl Harbor attack, The Japanese

lost 55 Airmen

9 Submariners KIA

4 Midget submarines

27 Aircraft

We wish her the best.

Sep2010-5

I recently received this email from Odess informing me of David’s medical

mishap.

I am so sorry that David has not replied to your emails lately, but it’s because he

has not been in his best “health” lately—Three weeks ago (August 22^nd to be exact),

@ 8PM, I took him to the Lexington Medical Center ER not knowing what caused his

welts (hives all over his body) that’s “killing” him of of a severe itch; after waiting for

more than two hours, he was finally called to see the dr. Few minutes after he in an

exam room on a stretcher, the nurse found him kinda shivering like in shock...the

next thing we knew, he had, he had anaphylactic shock. He was immediately given

Benadryl IV. The nurse said to him that they thought he was going to “leave”

them)...It was a scary thought knowing that he could’ve died from allergic reactions

right there and then!...We hear some stories about it and how life-threatening. David

was put on steroid (prednisone) and hydroxyzine tabs but then what got him into this

is really severe that he has to go back to the urgent care to get another shot after a

week since the ER visit the welts came back like crazy and so he was given a steroid

shot...he was told to to continue on the steroid and the hydrox tabs and to see his

allergist. He did 4 days later and was prescribed more of the same meds only the

stronger kind. He also now carry Ep-pine shots. David went to see his allergist again

to find out (take a blood test) what bu/insect may or what caused his severe allergic

reaction. He is ok now except for some kind of red zits almost all over his back. For

three weeks, we seem to be always on the alert on what’s going on-like David can’t

sleep almost every night since he started taking the medications, there was also a

time his dose was messed-up that he that he took more than what he was supposed

to take in a day and got him so “drugged” that he wobbles to go to the bathroom at

night. So I had to call the pharmacy to straighten it and was told to call the doctor

and so I did and they called the pharmacy to change the dose i.e. from 25mg to

10mg. I have never been so nervous in my life because of this episode in David’s

life. After about two hours from the time he was treated at the ER, he walked out of it

like nothing happened. But each time, the steroid wears out, the hives come back

again...it does make life miserable. Poor David has to quit drinking beer for thee

weeks until three days ago. Please help us pray that whatever was David’s allergic

reaction will not happen again. We will let you know what the doctor finds out aside

from his suspicion that David may have been bitten by a yellow jacket bee.

Ronnie Milligan

It is with regret that I am sending this note to inform you that my step-grandfather,

Rhonal Eugene Shy passed away on June 3, 2010 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He suffered

head trauma when he overturned his garden tractor while cutting the grass in his yard. We

always referred to him as “Shy”. He was born on November 24, 1923 and served on the USS

Lowndes. He spoke often of his time in the service and on this ship, and he was very proud to

have served. He alsao spoke of his good friend, Carmel Fesi from Houma, Louisiana who also

served on the Lowndes. Shy was 86 years old and he will be missed.

Attempts to reach Mr. Milligan have been unsuccessful. The following is all the

information available. Rhonal boarded the Lowndes September 14, 1944 in Astoria, Oregon

and became a Plank Owner. He left the ship March 23, 1946.

Sept. 2010-6

HERE'S ONE FOR THE MEN WHO REMAINED ON THE LOWNDES FOR MAGIC

CARPET DUTY

Those who were on the Lowndes when we were on □ Magic CarpetD duty may

remember when we took aboard 1,501 enlisted men and 86 officers of

the 86th division of the Army. They boarded the Lowndes on August 23

in San Francisco, and we transported them to the Philippines to

replace Marine, Army, Navy, and Air Corps service men who had been

out □ thereO for many months and, in many cases, years, while they

fought at Tarawa, Pelilieu, Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the

Philippines.

So what's the story here? Well, as soon as they came aboard they

began bitching about their □ unfair treatment. □ They claimed that

they'd served their time, had done their duty in combat, and deserved

to be discharged to return to their families. Of all the troops of

all services we'd had aboard, they were the only ones who continued

to rant about the injustice of it all.

With no disrespect to those men, here are the facts.

The 86th Division (the Black Hawk Division) was activated on December

15, 1942. They trained at bases in Texas and Louisiana before moving

to three camps in California.

They did not go overseas until they were sent to Europe on March 1,

1945. They entered combat on March 29, 1945, and were in battle for

34 days. Their combat casualties in Europe numbered 785, which

included dead, wounded, or missing in action. They actually had 84

KIAs. They returned to the U.S. as soon as the war ended, and

enjoyed more leave time before becoming guests of the Lowndes.

In contrast, the Marine 4th Division, during 26 days of combat on Iwo

Jima, suffered 9,098 casualties.

In thinking this over, I wonder how many of the men who were relieved

by the Black Hawks had been Saipan, Tarawa, Guam, or Iwo Jima

survivors? Or, perhaps, members of □ Navy Beach Battalions. □

As the Black Hawks left our ship in Batangas, Luzon Island, the

Philippines, I failed to see any tears shed by our crew or officers.

Perhaps there were some tears shed by a crewman who had earned a

goodly amount of cash during poker games, but if that is true, that

person has not spoken up.

There you have it - a memory that has lingered long, despite its

ultimate insignificance

Stuart Hyde