USS Lowndes APA-154

Newsletter

April 1995

BUD KAUTZ

CONNIE MICHALSKI - Austin, TX - "INVASION OF OKINAWA" - After making
false invasions on the island of Okinawa for several days to keep the
enemy forces scattered, we finally joined the fleet in the bay where
the Big Battle was in full swing. During our stay we learned the true
meaning of what Kamikaze attacks were really like. Our smoke boat &
those from the other ships stayed busy for 4 days & nights trying to
keep us out of sight of the Kamikazes. That meant that anywhere we
went aboard ship we were in thick smoke. We ate, slept, stood watch
& whatever you did in smoke. It was so thick in the well of the engine
room that a white bulkhead 35 feet away could not be seen. Because
of the frequency of the attacks, when we tried to get a bit of shut-
eye the only thing we were permitted to remove was our shoes. Even
with all that smoke a Kamikaze hit the ship next to ours at the water
line in the engine room. Quick action of another ship that was in
position to put it's bow against the side of the ship that had been
hit until ballast could be shifted kept it from sinking. It was then
towed to Guam. At night when the sky was cleared of smoke, the amount
of tracer bullets in the air from our forces & the enemy would make
you wonder how anyone on either side would be left to man the guns.
Depending on the size of the gun, I've been told the tracer bullets
would be seen every 5th, 6th or 7th round. So what was seen was only
about one sixth of what was really in the air. (Jan.'95)

HOWARD D. CHAPPELL - Plant City, FL - Having a wonderful visit this
year, doing some deep sea fishing, golfing and sight seeing. Having
lots of company from the North. Keeps me busy showing them around the
area. Winter is really going fast, will North to Wampum in about the
4th or 5th of April. Then off to Maryland and Virginia to attend our
grand daughter's graduation from William & Mary. Had lunch with John
and Lebby Dyer and friends a couple of weeks ago, they gave us a call
when they were in our area and we were able to spend several hours
visiting for a very enjoyable afternoon. Received the "IMAGE of IWO
JIMA" on February 28th. Began reading it immediately and didn't stop
until I had read it all. Very informative. I learned things that I
wasn't aware of. Disappointed there wern't more responses. (3/14/95.

ELLIOTT T. PILCHARD - Port Hueneme, CA - 27 Mar. 1945 underway to
Okinawa. Arrived 1 Apr. Troops made "dummy assaults" off SE point of
island and repeated on 2 Apr. Purpose was to draw the Japs to the
southeast area. This was very successful and actual landings were made
on the China Sea side in an area from Naha up to just north of Kadena.
We had retired to an area 200 to 300 miles ESE, for about a week. 12
Apr. we arrived on China Sea side, above Naha, and landed our troops.
My recollections of "action" we were involved in are, we laid down
smoke, but that didn't stop the Kamikazes. There was plenty of action.
The Navy took a beating here. Picket boats were very successful in
keeping most of the Jap planes from getting thru to us, tho some did.

GEORGE L. KINDLE - Tahlequah, OK - I received the recent News Letter and am glad
to read all of the news. Had a real bad heart problem last June. I was reading about
George Tuppan having by-passes and leaking valves replaced with St. Jude valves.
That is the type of valves I have and 5 by-passes. After a sort stay at home I had
to go back for more surgery, so have been pretty well occupied recuperating. Keep
sending the News Letters, do enjoy reading about my shipmates. John Lackey visited
me this past sunnier. Sure enjoyed his visit. Enclosed check to help cover expenses
of the U.S.S. Lowndes general and Bowman/Richards memorial fund. (1/18/95)

4/95-3

"THE UNFORGETTABLE IMAGE OF IWO JIMA" COMMEMORATIVE LOG RELATES THE
FEELINGS AND EXPERIENCES OF OUR SHIPMATES DURING THAT CAMPAIGN

The following crew members have contributed to this project.

Bill Bornhorst
Fred Brinkman
Jim Bussard
Howard Chappell
Mitchell S. Chasteen
E. Max Cole
Harry Contreras
Jim Davenport
William Davis
Orbie Dickson
Frank B. DuBois
Stanley Dunn
David Frederick
James Frieden
Robert B. Hail, Jr.
Vincent G. Halbauer
Robert J. Henkels
Jack B. Hovey, Jr.
Harley Hughes
Walt Karson
Bud Kautz
Ed. King

John L. Lackey
Jack W. Laird
William Markus
Clark 0. Martin
Connie Michalski
Francis J. Miller
Chuck Munson
Lyman W. Nedeau
Erie Niemi
Leo O'Brien
Elliott T. Pilchard
Warren Proctor
Earl 0. Robertson
Joel Rodriquez
J. Shelton Scales
Cliff Schaffer
Dallas Stratton
William Taylor
Elmer Trevillyan
George R. Tuppan
Otto Walker

Thanks to all the contributors for their assistance in recapturing
memories of an event that occurred 50 long years ago. There are many
very interesting tales contained in this log. There is a correction
to be made on page 2-95-Ia, line 24: Delete "Nedeau". Should read "I
was told via phone that Lyman was the man designated to deliver "chow"
to a division personnel. This was an error in editing. On page
2/95-L date of John Bradley's death was Jan. 11, 1994 not Feb. 11,
1994

Note: These booklets were mailed to all active members of the
U.S.S. Lowndes - APA 154 Reunion Group.

Additional copies are available for $4.00 each - postage included.

LEO P. O'BRIEN - Malden MA - On February 23, 1995 700 pounds of
volcanic rock from halfway around the world came to rest on the New
Britain-Newington town line in Connecticut. They will form the base
of a monument commemorating the lives of 98 Connecticut men who died
in the battle of Iwo Jima. Permission was granted from both the Japanese
and the United States governments. A 25-man U. S. Coast Guard unit
climbed to the top of Mount Suribachi and carried the rocks down. The
dedication took place on the 50th anniversary of the bloody battle,
where approximately one-third of all Marines killed in the Pacific
died. (Suribachi, Connecticut?). Margaret and I went to the
Massachusetts Statehouse on Sunday February 19th to attend a memorial
service for the remembrance of those who died and also the battle of
Iwo Jima. I reminded Art Rauseo about it and he came down also. This
is an annual event, the 23rd of it's kind but a little special because
it being the 50th anniversary of that event. There were a fair amount
of Marines from the 3rd, 4th & 5th Divisions. Three recipients of the
Congressional Medal of Honor stood to be recognized and when they asked
for any Navy veterans of Iwo Jima I also stood. (2/26/95)

LYMAN NEDEAU - Baldwin, MI - Finally going to get started on what I'll
call a rebuttal to the saga of the Lowndes. I do want you to know that
I did enjoy every word of Connie Michalski's tale regarding the salad
topic. I and other shipmates were pretty tired of lamb and spam. I
still eat my share of salads and what's wrong with a cricket salad?
The Japanese and Chinese eat them all the time and they all seem to
be healthy. But sometimes I think it may affect their thinking. Maybe
that's what's wrong with my thinking, along with my age. I just want
to make one more comment about the cricket salad. I might still be
eating it except I am getting too old to catch them or I would try
it again, but my Chick A Dee doesn't know how many it would take to
make this salad. Sure wish I could add more to the history of the
Lowndes, if only I could attend more reunions I might just get to know
more of the old gang, but we have lost so many. Of course the boat
crew had the action and were in the majority of the crew. I keep looking
for names that I can recall but memory fades after these many years
have passed since serving on the Lowndes. Someone has got Mother all
shook up because this has been a lousy winter here in Michigan and
am glad I'm in Florida for the winter. (2/3/95)

JOHN L. LACKEY - Burbank, CA - I was on vacation last October and
visited with Andy Escamilli in Galiup, New Mexico. He was the signalman
on boat No. 2 with me, George Rosenbaum and Bill Caldwell. We were
assigned to boat No. 2 from the day one to decommissioning. I was the
coxswain. I also visited George Kindle in Oklahoma. George was coxswain
on boat No. 19. Sure had a nice visit with these two guys. (1/31/95)

BILL DAVIS - Portage, IN - Received the latest issue of the Lowndes

News Letter and appreciate it, it's so good to hear what's happening,
etc. of so many shipmates, their wives and families. I'm coming along
very well since the quadruple by pass last April. Doc is pleased with
my recovery (as I am!). Wish to say that Lillian and I had the great
pleasure of having shipmate Bernie Tracz spend at least 6 days with
us at our summer fishing camp and I'm sure he had a good time too.
We rehashed a lot and tried to recall old times. I taught him a few
tricks on how to hunt for and catch blue gills. He went home with a
cooler full of filleted blue gills. Of course, being a kind hearted
guy he gives most to his friends and neighbors, as we do. Lillie decided
to redo the interior of our house, spent a bundle!! Not to be outdone,
I got a 20 + 40 + 80 meter antenna for "Ham" operating. Am studying
for my Advanced Class license manual and brushing up on Morse code
to pass the test sometime before April. The new antenna gives a fella
extra bands where it's not so crowded. Wrote letters to DuBois,
Chasteen, Frieden and Ross. Also called old pals Hoffman and Umbarger.
Ross, his wife and my wife and I came out of a theater and the
horns were blowing, crowds cheering, a throng filled all roads and
sidewalks. The place was "Crazy" with joy. Japan had surrendered! Have
quite a few heavy expenses during the past year so will be unable to
attend the reunion in Texas. Kind of wish I could roll back the years.
Enclosed a little bit to help pay for postage. (1/24/95)

BUD - Jean and I were in Fort Wayne, IN in February helping our son
move into his new house after he left Nashville, TN. We took time out
to have dinner with Jim and Maggie Frieden at Don Hall's Guesthouse
(Site of the 1991 Reunion). It came out that he and Walt Umbarger went
through boot camp, radio school, boarded the Lowndes together had
appendicitis and both have sons in the National Guard. (2/3/95)

4/95-5

WALTER KARSON - Elk River, MN - Received the October and January News
Letters and it's great reading about what goes on at the Reunions and
in the lives of our shipmates. It's great to see so many names on the
roster. Thanks for the U.S.S. Lowndes history booklet. Read it over
several times and now I know when I came aboard and where I have
traveled. It also answered questions about some of my shipmates in
my division. Last year was a disaster for us and we like to forget
it, soooo, I am getting around to talk about making the trip to the
Reunion in San Antonio, Texas, hope to make it. Fran got cabin fever
so we booked a tour to Arizona. Will keep in touch. (1/21/95)

Average temperature in San Antonio, TX - September 85° October 80°

FRANK WANITS - Shroon Lake, NY - Last October Alice and I visited in
Seattle, WA. Prior to the trip I had written to George Tuppan and
he responded by informing me: 1.- The floating bridge we used had sunk
about two or three years ago. 2.- We could get a drink at the bar,
not like the last time we were there, we had to get a permit, go to
a liquor store and then to a club for a set-up. He was right, we saw
the new floating bridge, got a drink at a bar and even went to the
locks that the U.S.S. Lowndes used to get to Lake Washington. Everything
else has changed or is new. The total area grew by leaps and bounds.
Sometimes the traffic rivaled that of Los Angeles, California. We would
like to go to the Texas Reunion but our "last" daughter is getting
married this year, so it's a little early to say we will make it,
(2/2/95)

JAMES J. BORN - Agoura Hills, CA - After 33 months duty I returned
to the good old USA and received a 30 day leave. Had orders to report
to the Lowndes - APA 154 in Seattle, Washington July, 1944. Took over
the 3rd Division for a while. Had run ins with the Gunnery Officer
and a Warrant Bos'n. The first time, I was coming out of the barracks
whistling. The Gunnery Officer hollered at me, I didn't answer, he
hollered again, I still didn't answer, then he said "There are only
two people who whistle in this Navy, one is a Bos'n and the other is
a darn fool." A 1st Lt. with him told him I was a Bos'n. The next time
was aboard ship, I was loading a 5" shell, one of the seamen put it
on the rack and somehow it went down. I picked it up and put it over
the side. The Gunnery Officer gave me hell and said "I shouldn't have
done that, it wouldn't go off." I said "I wouldn't bet on it. I've
seen it happen in New Guinea." The Captain came back and told the Lt.
I was right in doing what I did. I left the Lowndes around the 1st
of September. We were about 500 miles off Eniwetok when 9 of us received
orders to return to the States. We were dropped off at Eniwetok and
I got back to the States the end of September 1945. Stationed at Great
Lakes for three months learning about atomic energy and teaching Civil
Defense in Chicago. Two years in Japan, back to Long Beach for 30 months
working with the mothball fleet and shore patrol. Could never make
Chief so on June 13, 1960 I retired from the Navy. That made me a 20
year man.

In 1836 the siege of the Alamo began in San Antonio, Texas and lasted 13 days.

J. SHELTON SCALES - Martinsville, VA - Thanks for sending me a copy of the
Lowndes/Iwo booklet. It brought back a flood of memories. On 10 May I'll fly to
Saipan where we landed on 15 June '44 and on ''4 March will spend a day on Iwo Jima.

JACK B. HOVEY - Pasadena, CA - Surprise No. 1 . Received a most pleasant
phone call from a very great and close friend - Rhonal Shy. My favorite
nickname for him was (Reagan). I can't even begin to say how much this
call mean' t to me. You see Reag and I spent some good times together.
At The Iwo invasion Shy was transferred to the Beach Party and Leo
O'Brien, Fesi and I had been in the water for about three days, hitting
the beach two or three times to unload 50 gallon barrels of fuel. After
putting them on an old barge (which was later blown sky high) We
returned to the ship. As I walked along the passageway there was Reagan
propped up against the bulkhead with his arm bandaged and a Purple
Heart in his hand. Surprise No. 2. Received a phone call from Dan
Wisdom, had a very nice conversation with him. I am sorry I could not
help him in locating a friend of his Father-in-law (Gordon R. Holley).
Am looking forward to meeting with him in San Antonio and at the Admiral
Nimitz Museum.

HARRY CONTRERAS - Mesa, AZ - I came aboard the Lowndes a couple of
days after it docked in Astoria and helped get the ship ready for
commissioning. During my tour of duty aboard the Lowndes I knew most
of the shipmates names and ranks. Only the ones in the signal division
are the ones I remember after all these years. Prior to coming aboard
the Lowndes I Had served a year on a destroyer, (DDS 113 USS Rathburne),
an old 4 stacker from WW 1 . I thought I was an old salt by the time
the Lowndes entered my tour of duty. My fondest memories of sea duty
is the time spent aboard the USS Lowndes. Of course there were many
outstanding incidents that occurred that I was involved in but that
can wait "till another time when we can B.S. at a reunion.

JOE ERLANDSON - Rush City, MN - Enjoyed the Iwo Jima booklet, it brought
back memories. Dickson's remembrances were the same as mine. I remember
he and I were in a so called foxhole with others. I don't remember
when, but Bowman came over the edge of the bank and stood there with
a Jap's tooth in a pair of pliers. Don't recall how long after when
someone came by and told us Bowman had been killed. Dickson had been
at Guadalcanal before Iwo and was a little more stable than I was.
I wanted to get the hell out of there and he held me back, I thank
him for that. Brinkman mentioned Frieder getting a citation and he
sure deserved it. 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 don't
know if this is a clear memory or I dreamed it that way, but that's
how I remember it. I believe some of us came off the island on the
5th day on an LST.

VINCE G. HALBAUER - Kansas City, MO - Received the "Unforgettable Image
of Iwo Jima" booklet of our days in the service of the Navy, aboard
the Good Ship Lowndes - APA 154. It made me feel like I was back in
the service again with my good buddies. I got a letter from my good
buddy Bill Davis, who was in the radio gang with me and other fellows,
all good guys.

Fredericksburg, TX - Birthplace of Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz,
Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during World War 11. Site of
the Museum of the Pacific War. Settled in 1846 by German immigrant

BILL MARKUS - Chicago Heights, IL - Received "THE UNFORGETTABLE IMAGE
of IWO JIMA". It really brought back memories. After reading the
booklet, I felt a sense of being very proud that I had a part in this
historic event. I shall never forget February 19, 1945. I say a prayer
for all the brave men who lost their lives. This book will be preserved
by me and passed down to the younger generation for use in their studies
of historic events in WWII. (2/24/95)

EARL 0. ROBERTSON - St. Louis, MO - I have to say that I enjoyed the
compilation of "THE UNFORGETTABLE IMAGE of IWO JIMA" Enjoyed reading
it very much. (Editor's note to Robbie - Yes the K ration caper really
did happen as described in a previous News Letter. With all the static
I got from ship's company the first time I pushed the Marines ahead
of them for early chow how could I forget?)

WALT KARSON - Elk River, MN - Finally returned from our Arizona vacation
tour. Had a flat bottom sitting on the bus for 6,000 miles by the time
we got back to Elk River. One of the first pieces of mail that got
my attention was the "IMAGE of IWO JIMA". Read it page by page and
relived every day of that mission. Now, after reading my shipmate's
accounts of their part in this operation I humbly take my hat off to
a great crew. (Always did say they were the greatest). I was just a
deck hand and was lucky to rub elbows with the MoMM's. After reading
the log for the third time I could almost feel and hear what went on
those first few days at Iwo. It's hard to forget the 16" shells that
were fired over our heads on their way towards the island. I feel
fortunate to have shipmates and friends to write to once in awhile.

GEORGE TUPPAN - LaHabra Heights, CA - Just received the Iwo Jima booklet
and there will always be a special place for it. If anyone asks about
Iwo Jima I'll let them read the accounts of our shipmates so they can
have true picture of what was experienced by them. It will be a must
for my family to read. I'm coming along slowly but surely. My legs
where they cut are healing but it seems to take a long time. Thanks
to all my shipmates who sent cards letters and remembered me in their
prayers. (3/20/95)

ORBIE L. DICKSON - Mount Pleasant, TX - Do I remember Joe Eriandson?
How could I forget a guy that broke my nose, made liberty together
in Palo Alto. We were good friends, were usually there when the other
needed help. Bowman did come over to our foxhole with a tooth in a
pair of pliers or forceps. He didn't have much time as he was as busy
as a cat on a hot tin roof. We did load on an LST but had to wait until
high tide the next day to leave the beach. The next morning some of
us went back on the beach for a few minutes. That's when I discovered
the foxhole Joe and I had vacated had received a direct hit during
the night killing all occupants. (3/28/95)

GLADYS DAHMS - Brush, CO - Thank you for keeping the Lowndes crew in
touch with one another. The years roll by all too fast, I am grateful
for the news of the Lowndes crew. My Husband G. Maynard Dahms was a
LT. JG aboard the ship. Fifty years ago the Lowndes was in the Iwo
Jima campaign - what a stressful time. Maynard passed away in .1976.
Thanks for keeping the Lowndes memories circulating. Enclosed check
to help defray expenses. (4/1/95).

The Bowman/Richards committee will extend an invitation to two members
of the families of Donald and Norman to attend the dedication of the
memorial plaque at the Admiral Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas.
All expenses paid by the U.S.S. Lowndes Reunion Group.

Please check enclosed April 1995 roster list and send corrections^
changes or additions to me (Bud Kautz). Have information that various
area codes are or will be changed in the near future. This information
is necessary to bring our Reunion Group roster up to date. Everyone's
co-operation will be appreciated, this is one way that shipmates can
keep in touch.

The state name Texas derived from "Tejas", Indian word meaning
"Friends". State motto: Friendship. Sobriquet: "The Lone Star State".

In a future News Letter I plan to include an addendum to the
"Unforgettable Image of Iwo Jima". For those shipmates who would like
to relate their feelings or experiences during that campaign your
efforts would be appreciated very much. I'm sure there are some
candidates for this effort remaining. How about it? Jog your memory
and please start writing now. The original version took more than
1 ^ years to put together. The Admiral Nimitz Museum has requested
information regarding our participation in the Iwo Jima campaign.
Before I send them a copy of "The Unforgettable Image of Iwo Jima"
log I would like to obtain permission from contributors to do so.
Can oblige? Please use enclosed stamped and addressed postcard. In
the event that a postcard is not received it will be assumed that
the contributor wishes his tale not forwarded to the museum. Please
respond promptly, if possible would like to have this booklet in the
curator's hands before our reunion in October.

The next best thing to a clear conscience is a poor memory.

********************* NOW HEAR THIS ***********************

The San Antonio, Texas Reunion will be held on October 5th through the 8th, 1995.
Details to follow in future News Letter.
Connie & Jerry Michalski will host this event.

In 1794 President George Washington and Congress Authorized the
creation of the U. S. Navy.

LELA KINDLE - Tahlequah, OK - With a heavy heart I write to inform
the Lowndes crew that my dear husband, George, left us on February
10, 1995. We would have been married 53 years next August 20th. He
had 5 by-passes and never seemed to recover. He was my companion,
best friend and the one who shared everything with me. He leaves
behind, one son, 2 grand daughters and one great grand daughter. Our
sympathies, Leia. (3/2/95)