USS Lowndes APA-154

Newsletter

APRIL 1996

BUD KAUTZ CC&BW

4/96-1 U.S.S. LOWNDES - APA 154 REUNION GROUP

APRIL 1996 NEWS LETTER

REUNION Oct.17-20

Wm. "Bud" KAUTZ CONTENTS
34782 Hiawatha Trail
McHenry.IL 60050
(815) 344-6326

CONTENTS

Myrtle Beach Martinique Resort Hotel Brochure

Financial Statement
Letter to Mr. Wm. Lowndes
Lowndes Tales
Tentative Schedule
* Activities Questionnaire
Activities Available
Hotel Reservation Cards to follow

Martinique Hotel
Oceanfront at 71st Ave. N.
Box 331
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578
1-800-542-0048
1-803-449-4441

* Please return activities questionnaire to Fred Brinkman as soon
as possible. Time is of the utmost importance to make arrangements
for an enjoyable reunion. Do not hesitate to contact Fred for any
additional information required or suggestions.

Fred Brinkman
1140 Green Valley Lane
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
Telephone: (803)772-5296

January 16, 1996
William Lowndes
P.O. Box 5042
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29304

Dear Mr. Lowndes:

It was great to talk to you today and to confirm that you are a direct descendent
of William Lowndes, the prominent South Carolinian, Congressional leader and
Presidential nominee for whom our USS Lowndes APA 154 was named.

I am enclosing information that we have obtained during the past two years about
William Lowndes and the upcoming reunion of our ship that bears his name.

As indicated on sane of the enclosures, I would like to get William Lowndes
nominated and elected to the South Carolina Hall of Fame in recognition of his
outstanding accomplishments for our state and the nation.

You mentioned that a biography an William Lowndes has been written by a University
of Georgia professor. I would like to obtain a copy of this biography and will
appreciate any other information or recommendations you might offer that could
appropriately tie in with our reunion at Myrtle Beach on October 17-20, 1996.

We will invite you to attend one of the reunion functions, preferably a banquet
on Saturday evening, October 19 at the Myrtle Beach Martinique Hotel. The group
would be honored by your presence and participation.

I look forward to communicating with you in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely

Fred Brinkman

Note: Fred has worked very diligently to obtain the above
information. This all came about with a photograph George
Tuppan took of a grave marker on his way through South
Carolina. Thanks George.

FINANClAL STATEMENT - FEBRUARY 29, 1996

4/96-2

Balance September 30, 1995: $2843.35

INCOME

Contributions - General Fund		740.00
* Bowman/Richards Memorial		267.00
Lowndes Lovelies Raffle..	575.00
** Surplus - 1995 Reunion...	446.03
Sale - Iwo Jima Pins		52.00
Sale - Iwo Jima Booklets.		17.00
Sale - Ship's History Booklets...		17.00
Sale - Cookbooks		12.00
Sale - Photos		5.00
Sale - V+50 Hats.........		10.00 $2141.03
	Total	Income---------$4984.38
DISBURSEMENTS
Printing.................	......$	75.60
Postage..................	...... 152.20
Haling/ Richards Expenses	...... 1	071.67
Supplies.................		56.28
F. Brinkman 1996 Reunion.	...... 1	000.00
		2.00 $2369.66
Balance March 31, 1996---		—————————$2614.72

* NOTE: There is a surplus of $254.78 in the Bowman/Richards
Memorial Fund. $120.00 will be allocated to enter
Donald & Norman into the united States Navy Memorial
Log in Washington, DC. Leaving a grand total of
$134.78 to be added to the General Operating Fund.

** Surplus due to an anonymous contributor.

THE FOLLOWING REUNION MEMBERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE BOWMAN/RICHARDS MEMORIAL FUND

B.	F.	Binney	D.	& W. Haling	C.	C.	Michalski	C.	W.	Schaffer
F.		Brinkman	R.	J. Henkels	F.	J.	Miller	Mrs	•	C. Seay
J.	W.	Bussard	H.	J. Hughes	J.	F.	Morrissey	W.	L.	Taylor
H.	D.	Chappell	F.	T. Judnitsch	H.	D.	Moore	E.	L.	Trevillyan
M.	S.	Chasteen	J.	F. Jurica	R.	M.	Neilan	W.	B.	Thomas
J.	G.	Davenport	W.	B. Kautz	L.	P.	O'Brien	G.	R.	Tuppan
W.	R.	Davis	Mrs	. G. Kindle	E.	T.	Pilchard	J.	A.	Vernale
F.	B.	DuBois	J.	L. Lackey	B.	J.	Ramsey	0.		Walker
S.	H.	Dunn	J.	E. Layton	Mrs	•	F. Richards	F.		Wanits
J.		Dyer	H.	D. Long	W.		Richards	R.		Warnberg
J.	H.	Eriandson	D.	E. Lorenzi	E.	0.	Robertson	J.	B.	Weatherbie
D.	F.	Fearing	W.	L. Markus	W.	H.	Robinson	H.		Workman
J.	J.	Freitas	C.	0. Martin	J.	V.	Ross	Mrs	•	J. Zinkgraf
R.	B.	Hail	E.	G. McKellar	Mrs	. R. Schadler

Bowman/Richards Memorial Fund statement as follows:

Total Contributions -$2378.00,Plaque -$350.00, B/R Exp.-$1690.91.Museum -$82.31,Log.-$120.00

JACK HOVEY - Pasadena, CA - We made it thru Christmas and New Years
with our large family. Then on the 6th of January the so called bottom
fell out. Evelyn and myself went down to the harbor to remove all
the Christmas decorations on our boat which we used for the Christmas
parades in local marinas San Pedro, Long Beach, Los Alamitos,
Huntington Beach and Newport Bay. Well we then washed the boat,
cleaned up the below decks, cabin and galley, fired up the engines
and checked all the electronics, etc. We then took our tender
(inflatable dinghy) and attempted to launch it to the snap davits
aft. As we attempted to drop it in the bay, (our age became a factor)
Evelyn fell between the dock finger and the boat on the port side.
As I grabbed her and brought her up on the dock I could see her right
leg was very badly damaged. Real quickly I took her into the boat
and wrapped the leg up to slow the blood flow. Some friends on the
dock stayed with Evelyn while I ran up and down the dock looking
for emergency equipment. Finally 3 fire trucks, 2 paramedic units,
harbor patrol, Huntington Beach, Orange County sheriffs and 200 or
300 people arrived. During this excitement my heart ran out of oxygen
and this old buffalo went down like Buffalo Bill Cody hit me with
a Henry repeater. Well, we filled both paramedic units and ended up
at Pacific hospital, Evelyn in emergency and me in intensive care
unit. Evelyn had 32 stitches outside and 12 inside, she is still in
a cast. I have slowed down a little bit but am walking two miles a
day and following orders much better than I did in the Navy. First
heart attack since my double bypasses in '84 and '87. We have two
great things going for us this year and expect to make them both.
First, our 50th Wedding Anniversary - July 23rd, 1996 and second,
being with all our friends and shipmates in Myrtle Beach, SC for the
reunion. This isn't a war story but it was very scary to us at the
time.

JAMES CARSON - Rockford, IL - I was in the original crew that put
the U.S.S Lowndes in commission. I did not get out of the service
after the war, I went on and served 13 years in the Navy and would
have stayed longer but I got married and couldn't get to stay home
so I changed over to the Army and finished out 20 years and 20 days.
Have been married for 42 years. Four children, 13 grandchildren and
2 great grandchildren, so you can see we are pretty busy.

WALT KARSON - Elk River, MN - I am trying to put together some kind
of a small book or something on the 2 years I was in the Navy. Half
of my tour was aboard the U.S.S. Lowndes. Since I came aboard at Pearl
Harbor and we left for the war zone, no camera, so no pictures of
the islands and the ship were taken. No souvenirs were bought, but
I do have a good deal of information about our ship. With the booklets
of Iwo Jima and Okinawa it should make good reading for my
grandchildren in the future. Of course, I will welcome any additional
information or photos anyone has to offer. Every little bit will help.
Fran and I had planned to make the reunion in San Antonio including
a 2 week vacation visiting friends in Alien, Texas, then to the Ozarks
where Fran has relatives. So as the story goes, good plans are shot
in the @#$%&*() but had to miss this one because of health reasons.
Our next trip will be to Mayo Clinic. Have you heard the one about
the "Golden Years?" Wonder what they mean.

AGE IS NOT IMPORTANT UNLESS YOU'RE CHEESE

LEO O*BRIER, Maiden, MA - Thanks for the note about Major Scales
and his trip to Saipan and Iwo Jima. I saw a picture in a paper of
veterans from the United States and Japan at Iwo for the dedication
of a memorial. The article said there was little cordiality between
both sides. Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. Regarding Newcomb's
Iwo Jima book, he mentions a Lt. "Smiley" Johnson who was killed
on the first day or so and there is a ball field or sports arena
named after him in Mauri where the 4th Marines trained with us. I
remember him aboard the Lowndes when they used to do calisthenics
on the hatches, he would be stripped to the waist and believe me,
Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't have much on him. Although I never spoke
to him he looked like a like fellow and seemed to get along well
with his men. Even at a young age when I heard he had been killed
I thought to myself that there is not too much in life that is
permanent. If this could happen to him, then who among us is safe?
As I write this there is about 14" of snow on the ground and more
to come. Glenn Forgay wrote that Merrill Hart was on his boat. There
definitely was a Merrill Hart on boat #15 with me and Jack Hovey
and Camel Fesi. Margaret and I are looking forward to Myrtle Beach.
Unlike Cliff Schaffer there is no —-—--—- taking place, he is
younger than roe.

Looking over the list of shipmates yet to be located - I believe
that Roy Brown has passed away.

MIKE MICHALSKI - Austin, TX - Yes, the big sign read - Sarakata River
- Swimming secured. The bank of the river was very steep and high
above the water and close to the edge was a huge tree that someone
had attached a good heavy rope to one of its branches. The rope just
beckoned us to come give it a try. We did! I think Bill Taylor was
the first to give it a try. The idea was to get a hold of the rope
and go as far away from the river as possible then run to the edge
of the bank and swing out high above the river and let go of the
rope. Taylor did that and turned loose of the rope just as he reached
the end of the outward swing which caused him to fall to the water,
hitting it on his side which was at a great force that it ripped
his swim suit all the way up to his waist and turning the skin on
his leg pink. %e all learned from that to release the rope just as
soon as you started your return to the bank. When released the rope
just as you started the return you would drop feet first into the
river. At the height we were when we started our drop - it was a
bit of a thrill. Why the river was secured - we never inquired and
didn't get caught, so other than Taylor's little misfortune we had
fun. Those present were, Taylor, Loy, Nedeau, Zinkgraf, Kautz and
myself.

FRANCIS J. MILLER - Kearns, DT - One of the things that has bothered

me over the years has been where in Oregon along the west coast did
we go for gunnery practice? I remember going on the bus from Tacoaa,
Washington and passing through Salem, Oregon, the capital but, as
many times that I've been to Oregon since, I can not remember where
we went for target practice. Maybe one of our shipmates can remember
and clue me in. Am sending along a few crew member names and old
addresses in the hope that it may be possible to locate some of our
former crew members.

Ed. Note: Using Frank's list I have attempted to correspond with
15 former crew members in the hopes that there will be a positive
response.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR 1996 USS LOWNDES REUNION
OCTOBER 17-20 AT MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

(Adjustments to be Made Following Preference Responses Received)

Thursday. October 17

Arrive at Myrtle Beach Martinique Resort - The Reunion Hotel
Registration and Hospitality Room
Dinner on Your Own
7:00 p.m. - American Pride Show at Alabama Theatre

Friday. October 18

Bus Tour of Attractions in the Myrtle Beach Area, to include;

Morning Reception at Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Visit to Historic Brookgreen Gardens and Outdoor Sculpture Museum
Visit to Broadway at the Beach - Lunch and Shopping on Your Own
4:00 p.m. - Dinner and Galloping Horse Entertainment and Competition
at Dixie Stampede
7:00 p.m. - USS Lowndes Business Meeting at Hotel

Saturday. October 19

Free Time Day with Choice of Activities Available, including
Beach Walking and Sunning, Pool, Ocean Pier Fishing,
Golf (Miniature, Driving Range, 3-Par or 18-Hole) or Shopping
2:00 p.m. - Magic on Ice, an Ice Stage Show with Professional Skaters,
Music & Magic
Evening Reception and USS Lowndes Banquet at Hotel

Sunday. October 20

USS Lowndes Breakfast at Hotel
Free Time Activities

ATTRACTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE REUNION GROUP
AT MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

AMERICAN PRIDE SHOW - Carolina Opry, A variety of music
and comedy, from country to bluegrass, as well as a forties
medley and a rock'n roll medley.

BROOKGREEN GARDENS - A showplace of art and nature developed
on the site of a colonial rice plantation. Over 500 of
America's finest 19th and 20th century sculptures and 2000
species of plants. A wildlife park and aviary featuring
native animals and birds is also on the grounds.

BROADWAY at the BEACH - A 350-acre complex includes live
theaters, a nightclub district, restaurants, specialty
shops and more. Famous name entertainers are scheduled
to perform in the Palace. (Lunch and shopping on your own.)

DIXIE STAMPEDE - A four-course feast is served during a
show with audience participation that focuses on friendly
North/South rivalry. Music and comedy are featured, along
with trick horseback riding and an Electric Parade finale.

MAGIC on ICE A high tech ice show with world-class
skaters, lavish costumes, lasers, and fantastic illusions.

MEDIEVAL TIMES - Turns the clock back to the 11th century.
Knights battle and perform tricks on horseback while the
audience dines royally.

CANE PATCH PAR 3 - Three 9-hole courses, the longest course
a total of 653 yards. Ideal for practicing your short game
and for the beginner their (long game). A short distance
from the reunion headquarters. For the die-hards there
are many regulation 18-hole courses in the Myrtle Beach
area. So bring your clubs. More information will be
available at the hotel.

There are many more attractions in the Grand Strand and
Myrtle Beach area for the shipmates and their mates who
plan on an extended stay.

Be sure to mark your calendars with the dates of our
reunion. Sure that Fred and Roberta will make every effort
see that our group will have a very enjoyable stay.

Be sure to see page 7 of this news letter.
Look forward to visiting with old cronies again.