U.S.S. LOWNDES - APA 154

Newsletter

Bud Kautz

December 1993

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

The Reunion committee are working on the USS Lowndes 1994 Reunion
in San Diego. They need some input from shipmates. Arrangements must
be made soon to get the best possible rates and to book interesting
tours. Your co-operation will be appreciated so PLEASE fill
out and return the enclosed postcard promptly. It's real easy, just
pull down that little handle at the top of the box and drop the card
in. Post Office will take it from there and take right to Don.

The committee is checking out two hotels to see what facilities will
be best suited for a pleasant stay. Details will follow as soon as
they have been formulated.

For those of you who are not aware of the fact that next September
14, 1994 will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the USS Lowndes
commissioning sponsored by Mrs. Fred J. Lundberg, Cmdr. Charles H.
Perdue assuming command.

Please check attached roster list for any changes or errors and send
corrections to me (Bud).

Compiling and sending out these News Letter has been an enjoyable
task and I feel it is a good way for all of our shipmates to keep
in touch with one another between reunions. Also to stir up old and
pleasant memories. Thanks to all who have taken the time to contribute
tales of their experiences aboard the Lowndes. I look forward to
receiving more of them in the near future. It is not my intent to
offend anyone and if that has happened it was purely unintentional.

I said I would remind everybody that I'm expecting more accounts
of experiences and feelings on that memorable day when the invasion
of Iwo Jima became a reality. Waiting to hear from you with bated
breath. Need lots.

50th Anniversary congratulations to: Bill & Lillian Davis 7/15/93
Fred & Peg Gideon 9/18/93

We understand that Howard and Lois Chappell availed themselves of
a trip to Myrtle Beach, a prize they won at our banquet in Boston,
compliments of Fred Brinkman. Knowing this "Young couple" I'm sure
their stay was an enjoyable one.

Dallas and Lorene Stratton were unable to be in Boston for our
Reunion. Reason? A cruise to Alaska.

Jean and I returned from Annapolis where we attended a reunion of
my first ship the USS Reid. One of the sidelights was a tour of the
USN Naval Academy. What an enjoyable sight it was to see the buildings
and grounds. The Brigade practice parade was really something to
witness. Approximately 4200 Midshipmen and women participated, the
entire football field was wall to wall with humanity. We heartily
recommend this be a must when visiting Maryland.

Dec-93

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LOG OF USS LOWNDES Sept. 10 to Dec. 30, 1944

Sept. 10 to Sept. 17, 1944 - USS Lowndes commissioned in Astoria,
OR on Sept. 14th. Arrived aboard the Lowndes on Sept. 17th. with the
Beach Party from Oceanside, CA.

Sept. 18 to Sept. 25, 1944 - Anchored in Astoria for several liberties.
Ship's work consists of the completion and organization of ship and
loading of supplies. Underway on Sept. 25th.

Sept. 26 to Oct. 3, 1944 - Anchored in Bremerton, WA on Sept. 26, loaded
ammunition. Arrived in Seattle the next day to load supplies. Two
liberties. Arrived in Frisco Bay Oct. 2nd.

Oct. 4 to Oct. 11, 1944 - Anchored in bay off Long Beach, CA. Good
liberty in Long Beach. Underway on Oct. 8th for a 5 day shake-down
cruise.

Oct. 12 to Oct. 19, 1944 - Anchored in San Pedro Harbor on Oct. 12th.
The next day pulled into the dry docks in Long Beach for a complete

overhauling. Liberty two out of every 3 nights.

Oct. 20 to Oct. 27, 1944 - Pulled out of dry docks on Oct. 21st. My
last happy liberty in California. Underway on Oct. 23rd. at 0800.
Destination - Pearl Harbor. Au Revoir to Stateside.

Oct. 28 to Oct. 31, 1944 - Anchored in Pearl Harbor on Oct. 29th. Loaded
stores and cargo. Loaded Marine troops at Arthur and made our first
landing maneuvers on Maui throughout the week.

Nov. 5 to Nov. 12, 1944 - Debarked troops and sailed back to Pearl
on Nov. 5th. Next day loaded troops on Maui. Received first liberty
in Hawaii. Maneuvers throughout the week with the Army.

Nov. 13 to Nov. 20, 1944 - Dropped anchor in Pearl on Nov. 13th. Left
the next day and loaded more Marines for additional landing maneuvers
throughout the week on the island of Maui.

Nov. 21 to Nov. 28, 1944 - Received more Marine troops and proceeded
with maneuvers until Nov. 24th. Liberty in Kahului, Maui. The next
day, more troops and operations complete the week.

Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 1944 - Entered Pearl on Nov. 30th. Remained in Pearl
for 11 days with liberty every third day. Routine work each day while
in port.

Dec. 7 to Dec. 14, 1944 - Left Pearl Harbor for operating area on Maui
Dec. 11th. Beach Party has more maneuvers with Marines on Maui. with
the same monotonous procedures.

Dec. 15 to Dec. 22, 1944 Underway around the Hawaiian Islands.

Refueling and ship formation exercises with transport convoy. Firing
drills every day.

Dec. 23 to Dec. 30, 1944 - Beach Party spends 5 days of rugged maneuvers
on beach at Oahu. K rations and water filled fox-holes for Christmas.
Returned to Lowndes on Dec. 27th.

Account of log furnished by Fred Brinkman.

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Sorry I have waited so long in answer to your letter, it seems about
all my time is for John, he is about the same, other than losing his
eyesight, the left is already gone, just a matter of time for the right
one to go, they are doing everything they can to save it, but not much
can be done, poor circulation. I just try to keep him happy, haven't
told him the right eye is giving him trouble. The people here at the
VA are so good to him. I am living by myself, it takes me 1^ hours
to get to the hospital. Usually go three times a week. Sometimes I
feel like selling my home and moving down there, but , I have so many
friends here and know my neighborhood, don't have to be afraid to be
by myself, I did get a dog. Well Bud, enough of my problems, hope you
guys are O.K. Your letters are always welcome to see. Thanks a lot.

Goldie Johnson (John R.)

PS: Let's remember them with a card or two in their time of need.

TAPS

So sorry to inform you that Leonard passed away August 15th. He suffered
a great deal, losing his ability to do anything, while mentally knowing
everything. We had intended to attend the 1992 Reunion and were
disappointed when we couldn't.

Isabel Johnson (Leonard A.).

Leonard was a victim of Lou Gehrig's disease. He is survived by his
wife, 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Leonard graduated from Iowa State
University, worked for Borden's, Carnation - purchased a dairy
processing plant in Excelsior Springs, MO. Spent entire working life
here. Sold plant to son.

Bunnie Jones (Dick Jones) passed away on August 24, 1993. She suffered
with emphysema for several years, she finally succumbed to a stroke.
Shipmates who attended the 2nd Reunion in Duluth, MN will remember
Dick and Bunnie and the fine job they did in hosting the Reunion.

Please forgive this very informal note., but haste and stress may excuse
me. First - thank you for the postcard from Washington, DC and for
remembering us. Next time come slightly further south to Richmond.
Second - it is my painful task to report to you and my shipmates that
Eve passed away September 19, 1993. She was hospitalized August 31,
after a period of declining health, although the cancer had spread,
the period of discomfort was short and pain was minimized. She was
a wonderful "Shipmate" - as are all the Lowndes crew.

Clark 0. Martin

Our sympathy and well wishes to all in their time of sorrow.

Dec. 93
JOHN I BRYAN - Miami, FL - "What do I remember?"

Pre-Commissioning at Seattle.

Commissioning - Tongue Pointy Oregon.

My 1st watch as OD - on a strange ship at midnite, entering Seattle
in a heavy fog!

Shake down - Long Beach and San Diego.

Marine rehearsals on Mauri - and buying a grass skirt in port of
Kahului (for a girlfriend!).

Iwo Jima - Wounded Marines and chilly night retirements.

Easter 1945 - Okinawa - making smoke and hiding from Kamikazes.

Crossing the Equator.

A run to Espiritu Santo for 100 bottles of A-1 sauce for the officer's
mess; and the Southernmost point of my world travels.

Ferrying European soldiers West.

VJ day in San Francisco.

Occupation of Aomori, Japan - In a fire ravaged city seeing only
1 pole standing - and that with a fire alarm box.

MAGIC CARPET - Everybody out on points!

Near-Collision in fog off San Francisco.

Hospitalization of Capt. Perdue.

Capt. Wentraub - New C.O.

Through Canal to Norfolk.
De-Commissioning - and "Au Revoir".

My debarkation station was starboard (right side to you farmers) of
No. 1 hatch, where Chief Boatswain Mate LOVING launched and recovered
4 LCVPs with the greatest of ease, and I urged many an uneasy Marine
over the side. My GQ station was aft on the 5" gun and 40mm No. 5 (I
think we fired all of 5 rounds in anger!). This much I do remember
directly, but the material Dan Wisdom sent has refreshed my memory
even more - people and events long since forgotten.

BILL DAVIS - Portage, IN - Was reflecting when the Lowndes took
occupation troops to Aomori, Japan. Went ashore there and recall the
destruction there, and how all the people kept bowing as they approached
us. Also, the total absence of any young females. That old propaganda
that we would be so cruel to them I guess.

JOHN VERNALE - Farmington, CT - On occasions I will make a wager on
a horse race. In Connecticut we have off track betting which is
televised from the New York race tracks. I saw this horse whose name
was "Leo & Me". I just had to bet on that horse. See the enclosed
clipping of the race results. How about that for a hunch?

"Don't want to get John in trouble with the IRS so won't mention
the pay off". Wasn't that much anyway.

DAN WISDOM - Terrell, TX - I have received the USS Lowndes commissioning
pennant from Capt. Perdue"s son Charles and it will be available and
donated to the Admiral Nimitz Museum at the dedication of the
Bowman/Richards Memorial plaque in 1995. I have changed jobs and am
now teaching special education to adolescents at a hospital. Enjoy
it much more than teaching agriculture and public education.

"Good luck Dan in your new calling".
Children are a comfort in your old acre and help you reach it faster.

DEC.93

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U.S.S. LOWNDES (APA 154)
PLAN OF THE DAY FOR MONDAY, 25 DECEMBER 1944

Duty Commander: Lt. Hinton., Duty PhM: Bowman, PhM2c.

Duty Medical Officer: Lt.(jg) Wright, Duty SK: Griffiths, SK3c

Duty Yeoman: Chilcote, Y2c., Duty MAA: Born, BM2c.

0550 Call PPO's and BM's.

0600 Reveille. Call all hands except mid-watch standers. Trice up bunks,

0615 Clean sweep down fore and aft except weather decks.

0620 Mess gear

0630 Call mid-watch standers. Breakfast,

0745 Quarters for muster.

Personnel of all divisions, except the Engineeering Divisions,

shall muster with complete helmet, gas mask, life belt, and two

dog tags.

0755 Stand by for colors.

Department heads report to the Executive Officer on the Bridge.

0800 Colors.

0805 Secure from colors. Rig for church.

0810 Turn to ship's work.

0815 Sick call.

0830 Christmas services with communion, in the mess hall.

0900 Liberty

0930 Christmas services with communion, in the mess hall.

1125 Clean sweep down fore and aft.

1145 Mess gear.

1200 Christmas dinner.

1330 Turn to ship's work.

1615 Mess gear.

1630 Supper.

1800 Liberty expires on the dock for non-rated men.

1830 Liberty expires on the dock for rated men.

1900 Liberty expires on the dock for chief petty officers.

Evening sick call.

Sunset Evening colors.

1930 Eight o'clock reports to the Executive Officer.

2125 Tattoo

2130 Taps.

Memorandum:

1. Liberty parties are again warned that the Shore Patrol will pick
up any men from this ship for not wearing their hats squared, for jay
walking or for failing to salute. Men whose names are turned in by the
Shore Patrol for any of the above will be subjected to disciplinary action,

Merry Christmas

HARRISON GARDNER,
Executive Officer,