Dec.2002-1

U. S. S. LOWNDES - APA 154

December 2002 Newsletter

Wm. "Bud" Kautz, CCBW- 34782 Hiawatha Trail, McHenry, 1L 60050 (815)344-6326
e-mail REDLABELBUDDHA@aol. com

The Indianapolis, IN reunion was a very successful one due to the efforts of Walt and
Jackie's son, Marty and daughter-in-law, Rowana. Ironic that a whole horde of "Anchor Clankers"
had to defer to Army personnel to arrange for a Navy reunion. Must say that the Army training
opted for a great get together of the Lowndes crew members, spouses, family members, and
friends. At the Nashville reunion Walt and Jackie had volunteered Marty and Rowana to undertake
the task of setting up our fourteenth reunion. They all did a terrific job in making arrangements with
the Indianapolis Athletic club, tours including the Indy 500 mile track and museum, Scottish Rite
Cathedral, World War Memorial and American Cabaret Theater. All this plus lunches and dinners
at various establishments. Also a tour of Brown County, IN tour that Jackie Umbarger arranged for
several shipmates and spouses to enjoy the many scenic views that Jackie said would make the
trip worthwhile. At the Saturday evening banquet time was taken out for the "Give-away prizes
event". The success of this affair was due mainly to the efforts of Mary Gebhart and Jan Trober,
Daughters of Earl and Frances Robertson. They made sure that everyone received a prize.

Ed. note: Wonder what they have cooked up for 2003 in Biloxi? Sure it will be interesting.
More from Jan regarding the 2003 reunion in this issue.

The following in attendance at our
Fourteenth reunion in Indianapolis, Indiana:

Lavada Boyer, Bud & Jean Kautz, Waily & Jackie Richards,
Howard & Lois Chappell, Ed. King, Earl & Frances Robertson,
Jim Chilcote, David & Joanne Long, Dallas & Lorene Stratton,
John & Lobby Dyer, Don & Shirley Lorenzi, Bill & Amelia Taylor,
Mary Gebhart, Margaret McGrody, Jan Trober,
Mike & Pam Hennessey, Leo & Margaret O'Brien, Marty & Rowana Umbarger*,
John & Marilyn Mess *, Keith & Lorraine Richards, Walt & Jackie Umbarger

* 1st timers

Representing 13 states

Hoping for a greater turnout for our Fifteenth reunion in Biloxi, Mississippi in 2003.
Please make note of the dates: October 2nd thru the 5th.

David Brinkman has created a CD-ROM regarding the history of the U.S.S. Lowndes. This
CD contains many photographs of the Beach Party and candid photos of shipmates, history of the
ship, personal accounts of the Iwo Jima campaign, videos of several reunions. Anyone desiring a
copy of this CD please contact David. The cost is $5.00 per CD or 5 CD's for $20.00. David has
indicated that a portion of this money will be returned to the Lowndes treasury.

Ed. Note: I have watched this account of our ship and shipmates and have found it to be
extremely interesting and certainly worth the small cost involved.

Dec.2002-2

Leo O'Brien

Thanks for another happy reunion of the
USS Lowndes. A special thanks to Walt and
Jackie and their son Brigadier General Marty
Umbarger and his gracious wife Rowana. They
were the perfect hosts in every way. They were
patient and solicitous to our every need. Walt
and Jackie were kind to take the early arrivals,
O'Brien's and Lorenz's on a private tour of
Brown County. We made a brief stop at the
Umbarger feed and grain business in
Bargersville. For city folk we were impressed
by the number and size of the silos and the
whole operation. Walt's two boys now run the
business. Then we visited the town of
Nashville, Indiana with all it's shops and
restaurants and busy narrow streets and lots of
pedestrians and customers. This was a very
special treat for which we thank Walt and
Jackie. Our stay in Indianapolis was ideal, right
in the middle of the city and just across the
street from the Veterans Memorial. Being early
arrivals we visited it on our own and really
appreciated the effort put into this museum.
There were displays and uniforms and artillery
from some very early wars in the area up to the
present time. This should be a must on any
visitor's list of things to see and do in
Indianapolis. And yes, we visited the Scottish
Rite of the Mason's Cathedral which was very
impressive; and the Speedway which brought
back memories of old time racing, but I think I
was most impressed by the USS Indianapolis
Memorial and the banks of the beautiful canal.
I could not help but think that the USS
Lowndes was down in those same waters
before the Indianapolis was sunk late in July
with a loss of 811 sailors. Thank God we had
escorts. Thanks to Earl Robertson's daughters,
Mary and Jan, they made for a lively banquet.
Marty Umbarger wound up the evening with his
eloquent words to remember the crew of the
Lowndes and our generation of
Americans. He left me with a proud feeling.
Thanks Marty. We hope to be in Biloxi in 2003.

Ed note: I believe Leo's statements
above has expressed the feelings of the ship-
mates, spouses, friends and relatives who had
the good fortune to attend this reunion.

Herb Kears

I guess you have figured out that I didn't
make the reunion in Indianapolis this year
Maybe next year. Since I last wrote about 2.5
years ago,(it seems) many things have
happened to me. A year and a half ago my
sister, whom I lived with, died of Alzheimer's
and I ended up with the house and car, both of
which I sold. Four months after she died, I
moved to Oceanside, California, where I reside
by myself. Enclosed are my dues that I owe.
My new address & phone number:

76 Oakwood Ln
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760)433-2407

102 AND COUNTING

News-Press photo by Dan Saaraon

Florence Richards celabrated her 102 birthday at Beverly
Healthcare, 1420 N. 10th St., on Tuesday. She Is pictured with
her daughter, Virginia Duncan of Nebraska City. Richards, who
was born on a farm near Dunbar, Taught school at Meadow
Grove, Madison and Crete, before coming to Nebraska City in
1943. She said she always worked hard, went to bad early and
tried to live a good life.

Jerry Michlalski had back surgery and will spend
some time in the hospital. Cards can be sent to:

Brackinridge Hospital
601 East 15th St.
Austin, TX 78701

Or to 8706 Mountainwood Circle
Austin, TX 78759

Dec.2002-3

Libby Dyer

What a great time we had at the
reunion. Indianapolis sure has changed since
we lived there back in the '50's. I think I could
live there again if they had warm winters??
We enjoyed everything, so much fun to see
everyone again. Really missed those that
were not there. Hope everyone can make it to
Biloxi, MS. Thanks to all the Umbargers for
making such a nice reunion. We arrived back
in Florida on the 29th of October.

Don Lorenzi

We arrived home safely. Thanks to
everyone for a great time at Indianapolis. The
reunions seem to just keep getting better.

Walt Umbarger

Weather here in Florida is hot but cools
down somewhat at night, but it beats the
weather back home, temperature wise. Lots of
friends already here but lots more to come. At
our age some of them will not be here this
year, lots of new friends to get acquainted
with. Jackie and I are getting to the top of the
list, or should i say the bottom of the list,
whichever, but we find all of them very nice
people. Had a message when we got home
from Jerry Michalski. They sent their regrets
about missing the reunion. She informed us
that she has to have a colonscopy in
November before they get to her back
problems. Taking lots of pain pills to get
around.

Mike Michalski

Jerry is scheduled for back surgery on
December 30, 2002. The doctors estimate it
will be a 12 hour operation for Jerry. Then a
long period of rehabilitation.

Ed. Note: We wish the best for Jerry
and hope to see them in Biloxi.

See page 5 for more regarding Mike.

Tommy O. Lewis

I was a shipmate on the USS Lowndes.
My sister-in-law found the web site for me and I
was excited to find out about the ship's crew. I am
unable to travel and telephone communication is
difficult because of my hearing. My daughter is
typing this for me because I do not have a
computer but she will print your response and I
will be excited to respond. Looking forward to
hearing from former shipmates.

Tommy O. Lewis
5316 Lynch Dr.
North Little Rock, AR 72117
(501)945-3950

Ect. note; Tommy was also a member of
the Beach Party.

Jan Trober

Want to say that I really enjoyed this year's
reunion in Indianapolis. I had an absolute blast. I
love talking and visiting with everyone. For me it is
like going to a family reunion and visiting Aunts &
Uncles that you don't get to see very often. Marty &
Ro have become like cousins and I had a great time
talking and laughing with them. We stayed up a little
too late after the banquet and might have gotten a
little rowdy. I really hope that they will get to attend
the next reunion in Biloxi. And speaking of the next
reunion in Biloxi I have tentatively set up the dates
as October 2nd through October 5th. Ray Casey at
National Planners said the weather is usually great
that time of the year. He also said that the hotel we
will be using is right on the beach. And the cost
should run around $68.00 per night. I also want to
express to those shipmates who have never
attended a reunion, to please come even if it is just
once. Next to family, few bonds are as strong as
those formed by shipmates. I have been amazed
when speaking with different members of the
Lowndes that so many did not know each other on
the ship. And yet their lives have been woven
together with the fabric of life at sea and combat that
has made an everlasting bond that has not faded
with time. Bring your wives, your sons and your
daughters that they too may hear the stories, meet
the men and briefly glance into history and learn
what life was like for a sailor aboard the USS
Lowndes.

Ed note: Rowdy? They don't know what
rowdy is!

Dec.2002-4

Ed.McKellar

I should be scolded for not keeping in
touch. This has been and still! is a bad year for
me. Margaret and I took a long sail on the QE
2 (87) days and I have been under medical
treatment ever since. Have to say I am very
much improved. It seems there are brain cells
you use up faster than they are replaced and
for a while I was a basket case. Just now
getting used to a new medicine that will replace
those cells. Enough about my health and
recovery. Now, about my Naval history. I joined
the Navy 1, June 1932 and have been on the
Navy pay roll for over 70 years. See if any of
our shipmates can top that. I started out as a
yeoman (now called personnel men) but found
I liked the commissary branch better. I was a
cook, baker, butcher and while I was a Chief
(PA) waiting assignment I made Warrant Pay
Clerk and was immediately sent to put the
Lowndes in commission as its commissioning
officer, Clark O. Martin was my boss "and an
excellent one." We started out with 4 supply
officers and ended with just C. O. and myself,
as we were the only regular Navy. For several
months prior to decommissioning I acted as
pay master. As you know, the reason we had
so many doctors, we were the relief hospital
ship. Our ward room was used as an operating
room and we stayed in port with the hospital
ship. We could watch the Marines progress
every day. We were about the only APA to see
the flag go up on Mount Suribachi. Keep the
letters coming and give my regards to C. O.
and Max Cole and the rest at the reunion.

Ed. Note; this letter was received Aug. 23,
2002. Too late for inclusion in the August
newsletter.

Bill Ramsey

There's not too much to tell for this year.
Just the usual things that happen to 80 plus
year olds. I started out this year with a slight
stroke which took about 6 months to get myself
back to normal and the latest was a cataract
operation that was most successful and now I
can read signs again. Rosemary had some
time with the doctors which was a result of a
congestive heart condition but now seems to

be normal as long as she keeps the activity to
a reasonable level. I was eating dinner with
one of the residents of our community not long
ago and in our conversation discovered that
her husband had been assigned to one of the
attack transports in our squadron that took
troops into northern Japan. It's really a small
world. He had died about 2 months before and
I'm sorry I didn't get to know him. I think the
ship he was on was the USS Newberry

Ed. Note; Bill that was the APA 158.

E. Max Cole

Have to admit it: the old mule ain't what
he used to be. I have to say with regret that I
couldn't make the reunion at Indianapolis. It
was my birthday weekend, too! I did want my
presence to be there some way, so the
$100.00 check I've sent to be given to a lottery
winner. After my birthday, I will be 3 years from
90, and this brings with it - for me, anyway - a
broken knee ligament, together with arthritis.
My right shoulder is acting up again after years
of being OK with an earlier operation. I am now
legally blind, and my eyesight seems to be
getting worse. But what can a guy expect when
he discovers he's older than Walter Cronkite?
Here's hoping all went well in Indianapolis and
sincerely hope I can make it next year. A knee
operation may help things, and that seems to
be the main trouble, getting around. Sorry my
letter didn't get there in time. Should have
mailed it earlier, but I kept thinking I'd get there
myself. So it's a good idea to keep the money
for next year in Biloxi.

Note: Max' check came too late to be
included in Jan and Mary's "Prize give-a-ways"
and will be used for next year's reunion with
Max' permission. We certainly hope that he will
be able to attend the 2003 reunion. Take care.

J. Trober & M. Gebhart

We would like to take this Opportunity to
thank everyone who contributed to the
attendance prizes and helping make it a
success. Also thanks for making each reunion
memorable to us.

Dec.2002-5

Mike Michalski

Bud: You wrote me asking about
the1917 Maxwell I had. It wasn't a big car as you
described, it was about the same size and
looked like the steel Model T ford touring car.
Steel, meaning the radiator shell was steel and
it was painted black as were the fenders. The car
was four cylinders with floor mounted shift lever
between the front passengers. Enclosed is a
photo I just found. It was cream color and had
natural colored light oak spokes and wheels. We
belonged to the Antique Automobile Club or
Horseless Carriage Club. We had annual tours in
different cities. We hosted the 7th tour of that
organization too. Like the Lowndes the members
were from all walks of life, lawyers, business
owners, you name it. But we had one thing in
common, we all liked the old cars and the entire
family participated and dressed accordingly from
the turn of the century to the flapper era of the
late twenties.

Ed. Note: I remember Mike relating to me
that he and Jerry dressed up in dusters to go on
a scavenger hunt. They also had to operate the
windshield wipers manually, at that time they
were not operated by vacuum or electric. Below
is a copy of the photo Mike sent.

Lorene Stratton

We enjoyed the Ship's reunion, black eye
and all. It is always nice to see old friends. I had
no damage to my eyes so had cataracts
removed from both eyes. It is wonderful how
bright everything is now. Of course the black eye
has faded away. Was quite a conversation piece.

David Brinkman

I talked to Mr. Joe Rosenthal for almost
40 minutes. He left 3 messages at my work
number over a weekend. He was very
interested in learning more about the Lowndes'
duties on the beach. His memory is very good.
I guess because he's had to talk about it
almost daily for the last 57 years. He told me I
did the right thing contacting him about the
photo taken on Iwo Jima.

Ed. Note: There is more regarding this
subject on page 8.

Frank Miller

Sorry we missed the good company at
the reunion this last year, but looking and
hoping for the year to come. Taps are played
to often here. I am still on the VFW Honor
Guard and give the honors an average of three
times a week. We all still feel it is our honor to
be able to do it for our fellow veterans who
have given so much for our country.

Maggie Frieden

We are the same old dull people. Work,
eat and sleep. The grain has been harvested a
week ago the last week in November, so now
they have been hauling it out. I thought for sure
we would get to come to the ship's reunion in
Indianapolis, but wont you know that is when
the biggest part of the harvest started. Our son
who is in the National Guard full time said he
and I would go, but it didn't workout due to the
old ding bat over there. The National Guards
were frozen to their stations. Our son hasn't
had to go yet, but all the other boys have been
sent to Fort Knox. Von didn't have to go
because he was in the process of being
transferred from Warsaw, IN to the South Bend
Brigade. I hope none of the troops have to go
over. Do you think that Saddam Hussein is
related to Adolph Hitler? I must bring this to a
close and hope for world peace and all that
good stuff.

Ed. Note: I'm not sure what Lorene
means when she writes "Old" friends.

Dec. 2002-6

Louis Bull

Sorry for my lack of correspondence
lately. My wife and I just had twins (November)
and we have been overloaded. My father,
Calvin Thomas Bull was on the Lowndes. He
passed away in 1992. He never talked about
the war with me, but after many years I am
trying to learn as much as I can about his
experiences (especially at Iwo Jima and
Okinawa). I am proud of my father and all
those who served in WWII, especially those on
the USS Lowndes. I am planning to scan my
father's diary and send an electronic file for the
web site. I have a few pictures that I will also
send as soon as I can find the time. Would
appreciate any information from his former
shipmates. My address is:

6001 E. Berry Ave.
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
(303)770-6335

David Brinkman

Louis Bull,

Great diary/log by your dad!
It includes information and details I haven't
seen in other logs. I see why your Dad and my
Dad may have become friends... Baseball.
Louis has given permission to put the diary on
the Web Site. I have created a CD-ROM
version of the Lowndes Web Site and placed it
on a CD-ROM that can be played in any PC
with Windows 98 (or newer).It contains several
hundred photos and pages of the Lowndes
history and newsletters. Unlike the internet
version, I have included files from St. Louis,
Pennsylvania and Myrtle Beach reunions and
video and audio/music from WWII. This is a
demo version as I still need to fix a few things
and add more reunion video. Just put the disc
in and it should automatically start. I should
have very shortly a complete version of the
CD-ROM and could make copies for the
reunion group.

Ed. Note: Walt Umbarger brought his
lap- top to the Indianapolis reunion and
displayed the disk in the hospitality room. It
brought quite a few chuckles from the
attendees. Thanks David. See page 1 for
additional details.

Bill Taylor

It was good to see everyone at the
Indianapolis reunion and to enjoy their
company as we took part in all the activities
that Rowana and Marty set up for us. Our
Lowndes crew certainly benefited from the
tribute that Marty and Rowana gave to their
parents. The reunion activities were very well
planned and I thought the food was excellent.

Jackie Umbarger

Walt and I made a trip to Atlanta,
Georgia on the week-end of December 15th to
witness the pinning of Marty's promotion to
Major General in the National Guard. It was
pretty impressive. The actual promotion date
was November 19th. That is when the Senate
confirmed his nomination to MG. A big

"CONGRADULATIONS MARTY"
You deserved it.

Ed. Note: A very personal thank you to
both Bill Taylor and Marty for all the help they
afforded this old and decrepit editor at the
Scottish Rites Cathedral and the Indianapolis
War Memorial, it was greatly appreciated.

By the way, Happy belated 81st
birthday Walt. (12/22).

Lois & Howard Chappell

We want to thank Walter and Jackie for
a wonderful time in Indianapolis. Everything
was so well planned and of such interest. We
can only imagine the hours spent planning it.
We want to thank you again for all the help with
Howard and his wheel chair, your son and his
sweet wife were always there when we needed
them, it isn't every day we have a "General"
pushing Howard's chair. Thank you again. We
are looking forward to next year.

Ed. Note: It's always great to see
Howard and Lois' smiting faces.

Dec.2002-7

A few highlights about the site of the
Lowndes 2003 reunion:

The Robertsons

Marty and Rowana, thank you for being
such a terrific Co-host and hostess. Because of
you our visit to Indianapolis was a very
memorable one and are looking forward to
Biloxi, Mississippi in 2003. Hope to see you
there. Earl has had his day of aches and pains
and I'm still being pestered with arthritis.

Ps: Marty take care and keep yourself
safe on your overseas tour.

Ed. Note: Earl and Frances, hang in there.

TAPS

Received word from David Brinkman
that his mother Roberta Weaver Brinkman
(widow of Fred) passed away on Nov. 18, 2002.
Born July 13, 1920 in Richmond, VA. She Attended
Richmond Business College. She moved to St.
Petersburg, FL in 1947 where she met her
future husband and they were married in 1948.
They moved to South Carolina and she supported
her husband during his career with the
Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina
Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism. Survivors are
Daughter, Terri Stevens; Son, David
and wife Odessa; Sister Dorothy Weaver and
brother Raymond Weaver; and "the apple of
her eye" grandson, Jeremy Brinkman.

A few highlights about the site of the Lowndes 2003 Reunion

Welcome to Mississippi named from an Indian
word meaning, " Father of Waters". Also
nicknamed the "Magnolia State" and referred to as
the "Bayou". State. Mississippi was organized as a
territory April 7, 1798 and became a state in 1817.
Biloxi was originally occupied and used as a
hunting grounds as early as 8000 BC. In 1838
Biloxi was incorporated as a township and is the
oldest town in the Mississippi Valley, the area
reflects a strong ethnic heritage representing the 8
flags flown over it in the past 300 years. In 1848
the Biloxi Lighthouse was erected and in 1908 the
first Mardi Gras Parade took place in this city. For
the hardy souls among our group who want to let
loose of a few bucks there are 9 casinos in the
city. There are also many attractions to visit.

Ed. Note: I must apologize for the
lateness of this issue of the newsletter. Just too
many distractions going on before and after the
holidays.

Fred Brinkman hosted the 1996 reunion in
Myrtle Beach, SC.

USS LOWNDES members e-mail addresses:

Dec.2002-8

——Original Message--—

From: Brinkman, David N

Sent; Monday, September 30, 2002 4:35 PM

To; 'dbrinkman@sc.rr.com'

Subject; Conversation with Joe Rosenthal

All.

I just had a nice conversation with Joe Rosenthal this afternoon. He's a wonderful Gentleman and
provided some very important information regarding his photograph of the pillbox which my Dad
(and I believe Jerome Frieder and Wesley Follett) had identified (in notes from 1945) as the
Lowndes Yellow Beach evacuation station. Mr. Rosenthal seems to be in good health at the age
of about 93 and still has a sharp mind and good memory. He received my package with copies of
my Dad's photo and notes and tried to contact me over the weekend. His eyesight is very poor
(He's legally blind) and can only read typed text under a magnification system so he was not able
to read my Dad's handwritten notes. Before I told him what was in my Dad's notes, he said he
had investigated the photo and found his original log he had written on Iwo. To my
disappointment, the picture was taken on D-Day between 2:30PM and 3:OOPM. This would mean
that the corpsmen in the upper left portion of the picture are not Brinkman, Frieder, and Follett
since they landed on D-day+1. Mr. Rosenthai, however, did confirm that this was most likely an
evacuation station on Yellow beach. I had already narrowed the date of the photo to D-day or D-
day+1 since these were the only two days with sunshine (it was cloudy and raining from the night
of D-day+1 through D-day+5). I also calculated, from the sharp shadows in the photo, that the
time was 2:45PM in the afternoon. I think some of the Lowndes beach party members were active
on Iwo on D-day so the identification of other Lowndes members may be correct. Mr. Ronal Shy
was identified and I talked with him a few weeks back (after sending him the photo and notes). In
the photo, his back is to the camera so he can't confirm that that's him and he can't remember
(after almost 60 years) any faces of the other identified crewman so he can't identify them. He did
say that he remembered the evacuation station area to be very similar to that in the photo and
that he was, actively, working that area on D-day. The two radiomen in the front center of the
photograph would be the most likely ones to be identified since their faces are showing.
Especially Ernie Ross. There's a strong similarity between the face in the Rosenthal photo and
the Ernie Ross in the Beach Battalion photo (Note: I talked to Jim Ross a few weeks back and he
said the Ross in the battalion photo was Ernie and not him. Later (I found the signature of E. Ross
on the back of my Dad's copy of this photo). Our big problem now is that the Reunion group has
not been able to find the two identified Radiomen (E. Ross and Darrell Jensen). The reunion
group, however, may be able to confirm that these men were on Iwo on D-day

In closing, it was real pleasure to talk to Mr. Rosenthal. No surprise that he says he gets many
letters and can respond to only a few. He said he was intrigued by this one because it mentioned
the variety of roles the Lowndes crewmen played on Iwo. He said he had the greatest respect for
Navy corpsman but never realized, until now, all the other jobs performed on the beach and in the
evacuation station area by the non-medical Navy ranks. He wants me to send him more
information on this and I thought I would start by sending him a copy of the Lowndes
"Recollections of Iwo Jima" which so many of the Lowndes members contributed stories to.

I told Mr. Rosenthal that it was a real honor for me to talk to him but he quickly turned the credit to
men like my Dad, other Lowndes' crewmen, and Marines on the beach. He said he just felt
fortunate enough that he could be there to see them work.
Mr. Rosenthal now lives in a retirement residential area near San Francisco. Maybe we could
have a reunion there one year and invite him.

Dec.2002-9

PLEASE NOTE:

INFORMATION NEWS SHEET

Please use this sheet to forward any information that may be of interest to your Lowndes
shipmates. Need this for our newsletters. I'm sure there is much out there to share. Check the
enclosed roster list for any additions or corrections to be made to keep it current, especially area
codes that are continuingly being changed. Note separate listing of members e-mail addresses.

2003 ANNUAL DUES - U.S.S LOWNDES - APA 154 REUNION GROUP

NAME:_____________________________________________

ADDRESS:

CITY, STATE & ZIP:

TELEPHONE:__( ).

ENCLOSED MY DUES: $_

Sugested amount $15.00