USS Lowndes APA-154

Newsletter

August 1995

BUD KAUTZ CC&BW

8/95-2

U. S. S. LOWNDES -- APA 154
October 5th - 8th, 1995
SAN ANTONIO - FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS

Host & Hostess
Mike & Jerry Michaiski

Holiday Inn Express Airport
95 NE Loop 410 & Jones Maltsberger Rd.
San Antonio, Texas 78216
(210)308-6700

$59.00 1-4 persons, per room
per night (plus 15% hotel tax.
Room rate will apply to early
arrivals and those staying over.
Please be certain to mention
U. S. S. Lowndes Reunion Group
when making reservations.
Check in - 3:00 PM
Check out - 12"00 Noon

Phone 308-6700 for
Airport shuttle service.

Notice to those coming to reunion via RV's. Closest to Holiday
Express is Fiesta Kampground Kamp 6. 1326 Austin Hwy.(Business 81).
San Antonio, TX 78209 (210)821-6494. $12.00 daily (2 people).

Directions: If on 1-35 exit 164 on Eisenhower, go west to Austin
Hwy. Left 3/4 mile to Fiesta Kampground on left.

If coming in from the west on 1-10 go east on North Loop 410, pass
Holiday Exp., pass the airport. When reaching the Perrin-Bietel exit
go right to Austin Hwy., go right approx. 2 miles. Fiesta is on the
left just past 7 Oaks Motel.

If arriving from the East or Northeast get on 410 North Loop, go
west pass the airport exit & continue Jones Malfcsberger & turn right
on Mertz St. Look for Holiday Exp. Inn.

U. S. S. LOWNDES REUNION ORDER FORM

Amount
Enclosed

Bus to Admiral Nimitz Museum (Fredericksburg),
tour of LBJ ranch. $25.50 per person

Bus tour of San Antonio, Imax theater, river boat ride,
trolley ride, visit the Alamo, & Hall of Horns.

$26.50 per person

Banquet $22.50 per person

Total:

Please make checks payable
to Mike Michaiski and mail
with order form to:

Mike Michaiski
8706 Mountainwood Circle
Austin, Texas 78759
(512)345-0694

Please respond
by Sept. 1, 1995

Name: __________________ Date: _____________

8/95-3

The Following have indicated a desire to attend the U.S.S. Lowndes
Seventh Annual Reunion in San Antonio, Texas

Ed. & Agnes Bensie - Dorothy Haling - Frank & Frances Miller
Fred & Roberta Brinkman - Jack & Evelyn Hovey - Warren & Albena Proctor
Sally Cary - Dick Jones - Art & Marjorie Rauseo
Howard & Lois Chappell - Frank & Dora Judnitsch - Florence Richards
E. Max Cole - Bud & Jean Kautz - Wallace Richards
Jim Davenport - John Lackey - Bill & Virginia Robinson
Virginia Duncan - Jack & Marilyn Laird - Joel & Mary Rodriquez
Stan & Mona Dunn - Dave & Joanne Long - -Jim & Ina Mae Ross
John & Lebby Dyer - Don & Shirley Lorenzi - Cliff & Mary Schaffer
Carmel & Evelyn Fesi - Don & Joan Macpherson - Dallas & Lorene Stratton
Glenn & Millie Forgay - Clark Martin - Bill & Amelia Taylor
Lawrence Foyt - Ed. McKellar - George & Glenda Tuppan
Bob & Joyce Hail - Connie & Jerry Michalski - Dan & Lera Wisdom
Bill Haling

The purpose of the Memorial Wall at the Admiral Nimitz Museum in
Fredericksburg, Texas is to remember those individuals who died in
the Pacific War. It is often confused with a memorial to ships or units
which served there. It is specifically to remember those who died.
The other limitation is that it must pertain to ships or individuals,
or units which participated in the Pacific War.

We will dedicate a memorial plaque in honor of Donald William Bowman
and Norman Robert Richards on Oct. 6th. (See schedule on page 2. Cliff
and Mary Schaffer have placed a plaque on the wall in honor of Mary's
brother John Natysyn KIA in the Pacific. The commissioning pennant
of the U.S.S. Lowndes will also be donated to the museum.

Condolences to Goldie Johnson - John R. Johnson passed away on April
11, 1995. He will be missed.

In the Navy Museum in Washington, D.C. there is a stature of BM Charles
W. Riggin of the U.S.S. Baltimore who was killed in Valparasio, Chili.

This statue and two others was made entirely of 26,000 silver dimes
contributed and melted down for this project.

NOW YOU KNOW DEPARTMENT

50 years ago last Easter Sunday Leo O'Brien and Arthur Rauseo were
discharged from the Navy.

The hearts of Americans collectively pump more than 400 billion gallons
of blood daily, equal to the flow of the Mississippi river at
Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Americans toss back 15.7 million gallons of beer and ale; that's 28
million six-packs. The bottles and cans from a day's drinking would
fill a baseball stadium to a depth of 30 feet.

August 25th - HAPPY BIRTHDAY - DAN WISDOM

CONNIE MICHALSKI - Austin, TX - "In Convoy" One night while we were
in convoy we had to stop our ship because of an unexpected vibration
in the engine room. It took awhile but the cause was corrected and
we got underway again - and so to speak — put the pedal to the metal
in an effort to rejoin the convoy. On the mast were small lights,
red, white and green which could be programmed to flash in different
frequencies or code for identification. The code would change at
different time spans in an effort to avoid the possibility of the
enemy using it. However, during the time we were stopped (we were
later told) the gang in the signal room hadn't changed the code at
the specified time, therefore when we did approach the convoy, it
was night time and we were challenged by one of the other ships in
our convoy. We responded with the incorrect code resulting in a 5"
shell passing over our bow. Immediately our radio in the hands of
our skipper advised them who we were. Their answer was "Get your
signals correct, because we've got the next shell aimed right at you.
Always, fun and games. Another night while in convoy I was on the
throttle in the engine room when general quarters sounded by the
announcement that two unidentified planes were approaching at 10 miles,
then 8 miles and finally 6 miles when we got orders to stop engines.
A message came down from the bridge that two ships at the rear of
the convoy were really putting up a barrage of bullets. Shortly after
the bridge informed us that one of the planes had been shot down,
soon after, the other one was downed, after each announcement I would
signal down to the man at the boilers to keep him informed. About
ten minutes later the bridge advised everyone that the planes were
ours and that a can (destroyer) had been sent out to search for the
men. They were rescued and were OK. They had been on a mission and
had been in battle with the enemy. They forgot to turn on their
signaling device upon approaching the convoy that would let us know
they were friendly and not enemy. So we lost two planes but no
pilots, (file)

WALT KARSON - Elk River, MN - Received our local newspaper and read
two articles of interest. One was of the dedication of a veteran's
memorial, a six sided piece of granite. Each side of the monument
features an emblem of the five branches of service etched into the
glossy black stone plus the American Legion emblem on one side. The
second article was about a sailor that was on Iwo Jima. After reading
this editorial I called him up and made a date to see him. We got
together in the afternoon. He was just as glad to talk to me as I
was to hear his story. He was with the 133rd Naval Construction
Battalion Seabees. He Trained for the invasion of Iwo on our ship
the U.S.S. Lowndes. As is known, we trained around the Hawaiian
Islands. Just imagine, we were aboard the same ship and didn't know
each other until we met 50 years later in the same town. He was taken
aboard the Lowndes and treated for shrapnel wounds. After several
days of good treatment and good chow he rejoined his outfit. They
were sent to Iwo to rebuild the air runways so our bombers could land
there in an emergency, on their way to Japan and returning. He said
he was in the 3rd wave and when the ramp failed he went over the side
into waist deep water and headed for the beach where all hell had
broken loose. In battle he was a runner for a company commander. Small
world, isn't it. I have now found a friend and shipmate who was on
the good old U.S.S. Lowndes - APA 154. I'm sure we'll get together
from time to time to compare notes of our time aboard ship. Iwo Jima
book - great remembrances for the crew of the Lowndes. My wish is
that all living shipmates of tliat great ship get to read it. (6/1/95)

JIM DAVENPORT - San Antonio, TX - "OKINAWA" We had a part of the Marine
Second Division on our ship. We arrived April 1st, 1945 - Easter Sunday.
We were a part of the greatest Naval armada in history! On that first
morning our troops and the Beach Party made the fake landing on the
east side of the island while the west side was assaulted by the
Marines, Army and Seabees. As I remember, we were in Buckner Bay for
only one night. It was a night to remember - pitch dark with smoke
boats out and suicide planes droning overhead and plunging into the
bay - hitting some ships and of course missing some. When we were
topside we were ordered to lie face down on the deck and it was a
terrifying time. As I remember, the next day it was decided by the
powers that were in charge that they were not going to use the Marine
Division at that time and our ship and the others that had the 2nd
Div. on board were sent into the China Sea about 300 miles away where
we ran into a typhoon. Do you remember the huge waves and the Marine's
cargo breaking loose in the holds? Working parties were sent down to
secure the loose cargo. It was pretty dangerous work. After nine days
we went back to Okinawa and unloaded about half of the troops we had
on board, was there about two days and saw many planes shot down. On
April 15th we left for Saipan where we unloaded the rest of the troops,
but not the cargo. On the 27th we loaded troops again to take to Okinawa
but our orders were canceled and we went in again and unloaded troops
and all the cargo. Okinawa was an unforgettable experience. It was
the only battle in history where the Navy had more casualties than
the ground troops.

LYMAN NEDEAU - Baldwin, MI - As time goes on I hope to get more and
more of the history of the U.S.S. Lowndes - APA 154. As for the

reunions, it conflicts with our traveling in the spring and fall, to
Florida and back to Michigan. If it took place in the summer or winter
and near us it would be possible to attend. Have been doing quite a
bit of big sail boating. To Chicago, Port Huron, Mackinac Island and
ports in between. Even that is not as often as it used to be. It's
a young man's job, and that I'm not. I believe I'm going to wear out
one of these days. Our mobile home requires a lot of work to bring
it up to date. Usually I walk about 7 miles every day (at one time
did 10) and it was a 20 minute mile, now it's 22 or 23. Had I known
I would live this long I'd have taken better care of myself. (4/18/95)

LEO O'BRIEN - Maiden, MA - Received a newspaper clipping from Joel
Rodriquez with an article regarding he and Dick Jones citing experiences
at Iwo Jima, interesting. Joel wanted Jack Hovey's address. In thinking
of Jack, he was the coxswain of my boat along with Carmel Fesi and
Merrill Hart. Don't remember who was the signalman or who was the deck
hand, I was the MoMM. I wonder how many boats can be identified as
to boat numbers and the names of the crew members. I have never seen
such a listing and wonder if one exists, would it be worth the bother
to try and find out through the News Letters? Something to think about.
(4/12/95)

How about it fellow shipmates, Drop me (Bud) a line on this subject,
maybe we can help Leo. Just a postcard should do it.

Your Name:

Your Boat Number:

Shouldn't be too difficult.

BILL THOMAS - Oroville, CA - Thanks for the Two Jima book. Don't know
if I'll be able to make the reunion in San Antonio or not. (6/14/95)

DALLAS STRATTON - Belleview, FL - We are going to Mt. Rushmore,

Yellowstone then north to Alaska. The 70 and older baseball team that
I play on qualified for the Senior Men's softball world series
tournament in Palm Springs, CA October 1st thru 3rd. We'll leave
California and plan to be in San Antonio October 5th thru 8th. (6/12/95)

JIM BUSSARD - Columbus, OH - Enjoyed reading the remembrances of "The
Unforgettable Image of Iwo Jima". (6/1/95)

MITCHELL CHASTEEN - Florissant, MO - For health reasons we can not
make it to the coming reunion. Maybe the next one. Thanks to the News
Letters keeping us advised on our shipmates. (6/9/95)

JOE FREITAS- Gustine, CA - Sorry to see that the Texas reunion is in
the first part of October. We will be busy with second picking of
walnuts, and will not be able to make the reunion. If it was later
in the month, fine, but plans are set for the first parto Hope everybody
that is able to attend will have a good time. We hope to make the next
one and see all next year if possible. (7/10/95)

FRED BRINKMAN - Columbia, SC - Roberta and I took in the College
Baseball World Series at Omaha, Nebraska earlier this month. Our
southern teams didn't fare very well. The highlight of our trip was
a visit to Nebraska City with Norman Richard's mother, Mrs. Florence
Richards, and his sister Mrs. Virginia Duncan. Now in her nineties,
Mrs. Richards is a remarkable lady. She guided us on a tour of Nebraska
City. where we saw attractions such as the oldest public building,
the Otoe County Courthouse. On this site is a Veterans War Memorial,
where Norman's name is inscribed on a granite wall along with others
from World War II who died in the service of our country. Mrs. Richards
hopes to come to Texas with her son Wallace and his wife, and daughter
Virginia for the *memorial dedication ceremony at Fredericksburg,
Texas during our 1995 USS Lowndes Reunion. *Donald Bowman and Norman
Richards have been a great inspiration to those of us who served with
them and were with them when they gave their lives to our country at
Iwo Jima. (6/19/95)

ARE YOU TIRED?

The population of the United States is 245 million, 98 million over
60 years of age, which leaves 147 million to do the work. People under
20 years of age total 85 million, which leaves 62 million to do the
work. Deduct 24,800,000 - the number in state & city offices, leaving
200,000 to do the work. There are 188,000 in hospitals, insane asylums,
etc., so that leaves 12,000 to do the work. Now it may interest you
to know that there are 11,998 people in jail, leaving just 2 people
to carry the load. That's you & me, and I'm getting tired of doing
everything myself.

So speaks Bill Davis of Portage, IN.

8/95-7

SCHEDULE FOR U.S.S. LOWNDES SAN ANTONIO REUNION

THURSDAY Oct. 5, 1995

1500

Check in at hotel & registration in Buena
Vista Hospitality Room on 10th Floor.

FRIDAY Oct. 6, 1995

0600 - 0930 Continental breakfast.

0800 Board bus for Fredericksburg & Adm. Nimitz Museum.

1100 Be back in court yard by the memorial wall for the
Dedication of U.S.S. Lowndes Memorial plaque honoring
Donald W. Bowman & Norman R. Richards.
Cliff & Mary Schaffer have placed a plaque on the wall
in memory of John Natysyn (Mary's brother KIA in Pacific)

1200 Lunch on own.

1445 Board bus for tour of LBJ National Park &
tour of Texas White House.

1700 Board bus for return to San Antonio.

1830 Arrive at hotel. Dinner on own.

2030 Business meeting - Hospitality room.

SATURDAY Oct. 7, 1995

0600 Breakfast
0800 Board bus to River Center mall.
View "The Price of Freedom" (Imax Theater)
& video of the battle of the Alamo.

1000 River boat ride in the heart of
downtown San Antonio.

1100 Board bus to the site of the Alamo
(where battle was fought).

1130 A guide will give a brief history
of the Alamo & a 15 minute
documentary video.

1200 Lunch on own. A ticket will be issued
for a 1 hour 15 minute trolley tour
through the King William historical district.

1500 Board bus for the Lone Star Brewery, Hall of
Horns, Fins & Feathers. Hoist a couple of
free beers at the Famous Old Bar. See the home
0'Henry rented for $6.00 a month.

1630 Board bus for return to hotel.
1700 Arrive at hotel.
1800 - 1900 Meet in Rio Grande room - Le Cess Poole.
An express lane may be available.
Enjoy singing group from 1921.
1900 - 2100 *Banquet, raffle & enjoy comradery. *Anyone in need of a
2100 - ???? Hospitality room. special diet please
contact M. Michalski

SUNDAY Oct. 8, 1995 upon arrival.

0700 - 1000 Breakfast & bid fond farewells until next year.

A more detailed schedule of events will be available at check in time.