Renshaw Shipmate Notes 2013

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499

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Dec 22, 2013

From Webmaster:  Received an email from shipmate John Domini this week...

I served on the USS Renshaw from 1963 as an E-2 until August 1967 as an E-6. ST1. My email address is jonldom@aol.com and I welcome all correspondence

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From: Michael Shaver
Nov 6, 2013

Hello,
I just wanted to let you know that my Father, Ray W. Shaver, who served on the Renshaw during WWII including the torpedo attack as a Fire Controlman O, First Class, passed away at the age of 94 in California. He will be greatly missed and is survived by his sister, 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
Regards,
Michael

From: Glenn Barbee
Nov 7, 2013

Michael,
Thanks for getting in touch with us. I wanted to acknowledge your email and to let you know I'm away from home this week. I'll be updating the website after I get home this weekend. I'll add your Father's name to our honored list of departed shipmates.
Regards,
Glenn Barbee
Fire Controlman First Class (1959-60)

From: Michael Shaver
Nov 7, 2013

Thanks Glenn, here’s my Dad’s ‘Rating Description’ and a pic of the Renshaw

 

Note from Webmaster:  The Fire Controlman rating was established around 1941 and selectees came mainly from the Gunner's Mate rating at that time.  Later, when radar and other electronics increased in the job, it was changed to Fire Control Technician. Shipmate Shaver's designation was Fire Controlman O.  My understanding is that the "O" stood for "Optics."  Similar designations in the FT rating in later years included FTG (guns) and FTM (missiles), among others. In any case, the job and responsibility was to point and control the firing of the ship's guns. Don McElfresh, Jim Giddings, and (later) I worked on the same equipment that was handled by Shipmate Ray Shaver during WWII on our ship.

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From: "gerald phillips" <gphillips@telepak.net>
Date: October 16, 2013 at 15:18:31 EDT
To: <barbeeg@hartcom.net>
Subject: service abourd renshaw

I served aboard the USS Renshaw from June 1955 to Sept 1958 . My rank was SO2.

Gerald L Phillips

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From: Michael Robertson
Sent: Wednesday, October 02, 2013 7:51 PM
To: Jan McCurry; Jim Giddings
Subject: Joe Stone Passing

Jan & Jim,

Could you pass on to the group…

RD3 Joe Stone (1963-1965), “Stoney,” passed on 30 September 2013 at his home in Brookside, FL, from a massive heart attack. After leaving the Navy in 1965, Joe went on to become a very successful commercial electrical contractor in Florida and the Southeast. Joe had been fighting emphysema for many years. Along with many of his Vietnam-era shipmates and fellow radarmen, he attended the Renshaw Reunion in Buffalo 2006.

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9/20/2013

From Webmaster

I received an email from Jan McCurry this past week letting me know that one of our WWII shipmates has passed away. Eugene "Queenie" Schindler has attended many of our reunions over the years and he was known and loved by our crew members from throughout the 28-year life span of the ship. He will be missed by all of us. Rest in Peace, Queenie.

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Sully <sully@psci.net>
10:58 PM  9/15/2013

My name is Gary Sullivan and I was stationed on the Renshaw 69-70 and was a BT3. could you please add me to your email list. sully@psci.net

Thank You

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From: <bpreville@comcast.net>
Date: Sat, Sep 7, 2013 at 6:17 PM
Subject: Jack Katz
To: barbeeg@hartcom.net
Glenn,

This past week I spoke to shipmate Jack Katz, and in addition to
his having Parkinson's Disease, he fell and broke his leg,femur bone.
Jack is now recovering at a rehabilitation center. His wife, Nancy,
said,"My speaking with him was better than any medication he was
given."

So Shipmates, help Jack with a quicker recovery, and send him a
card, e-mail or phone call to wish him well. Jack can be reached at:

1500 Sheridan Road - Unit 1c
Willamet, Ill 60091
Phone # 1-847-251-8276
E-mail nanjack@ameritech.net

As a reminder Jack is a recipient of the Silver Star and Purple Heart
for the action he took when the Renshaw was torpedo by a Japanese
submarine.

Sheldon Preville

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To: Webmaster

August 18, 2013

Hello Glenn,

My father Maurice H. Nimmons, a native of Anderson, SC, served aboard the USS Renshaw DDE 499 from January 1952 - September 1954. He was a Gunner's Mate 3rd class GM3.

He served manning the 52" guns, helped with downed pilot recovery as well as the Operation Castle detonation. He helped with the relocation of the island natives and livestock before the blast.

Went through boot camp at Camp Pendelton in San Diego, CA.

He asks that he be added to your email list. His email address is ruthcnimmons@nctv.com

Thanks,

Maurice Nimmons, Jr.
Charlotte, NC

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From: Joseph Neal
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 8:11 PM
To: jgg3950@roadrunner.com
Subject: Captain Carl R. Quanstrom, USN (Ret)
 
Mr. Jim Giddings
Treasurer
USS Renshaw (DD/DDE - 499) Association
 
Dear Jim, 
 
Captain Carl (Red) R. Quanstrom, USN (Ret) passed away on April 3, 2013 in The Villages, FL at the age of 90. He served aboard the USS Renshaw (DD/DDE - 499) as Executive Officer from November 1958 - July 1960. He was very proud of his service on the Renshaw and enjoyed the memories and friendship of his fellow shipmates. His obituary is attached.
 
Sincerely,
 Joe Neal
 
Joseph F.H. Neal
Captain, USNR (Ret)
Son-in-Law                                                                

                                       

                                             Capt. Carl R. Quanstrom

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From: Donald McElfresh
20 July 2013
Hi Glenn:
 
I think the caption of lower left photo in the group of ship's photos is incorrect. It says that it is next to the carrier Enterprise and probably at Pearl. The reason I think this is wrong is that the ship's name is painted on its starboard side. The only time that I'm aware that this was done was during the Navy Day parade in New York City Harbor right after WWII, when she carried Truman on her. All the ships in the harbor were identified this way. Take a look and see if you agree with me.
 
Don
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Don, You’re probably right. When the picture was submitted to the website, the statement was not definite as to location and the identification of the carrier. I’ve changed the tag line to “Location unknown”, the carrier “could possibly be” the Enterprise. 

Glenn

 

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thomas ray <surveyorbill@yahoo.com>
Jun 27, 2013
To: Webmaster

Hello. First I want to thank shipmates for emails in answer to my request for information in reference to a VA claim for PTSD.
Attached is a pdf file of my request and a reply from the National Archive . they sent me Decklog copies of the subject event which all will be interested to read. The Archive is a resource that needs to be made available to shipmates. Thanks for the support.

Thomas Bill Ray TM3 1966 and Professional Land Surveyor.

View Decklog from October 1966

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From: James E. Barth <jeb9925@verizon.net>
Date: Wed, May 8, 2013 at 5:23 PM

Subject: Don McCurry

To: barbeeg@hartcom.net

To all, My mother and I are deeply saddened at the passing of Don. Don was a wonderful person and his passion and love for the USS Renshaw, its crews and families will be difficult to duplicate. My father served on the USS Renshaw during the Korean War. My father started attending the annual reunions with my Mom and I which is where I met Don. We then hosted a reunion in Tampa, Fl. and Don was a great help and guidance to my father and I. Don made me feel like a part of the Renshaw family, even though I never served on her decks, I thank you Don for making me feel at home and part of the Renshaw family with all of you. I’m sure that I speak for all when I say how much you’ll be missed. May God Bless you and keep you in his loving care. R.I.P. dear brother, we have the watch from here.


James E Barth, son of Edgar A Barth and Marilyn
Tampa Fla.

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From: Webmaster

Date:  April 25, 2013

Subject:  Don McCurry

It is with sadness and sorrow that we report the passing of our shipmate and friend, Don McCurry, today. He has been through an extended illness, which included a long hospital stay and a liver transplant. He was finally able to go home to Stover, Missouri, with Jan and he suddenly developed a problem breathing. The emergency medical personnel were not able to revive him. Don will be missed by the entire Renshaw family. He has been a central part of all our reunions for the past several years. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jan and the family.

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From: Donald McElfresh <donmcelfresh@sbcglobal.net>
Date: April 9, 2013 9:48:36 AM EDT
To: Glenn Barbee <barbeeg@hartcom.net>
Subject: Robert J. Schuster, Sr.
Glenn:

Please add to the list of our deceased Robert J. Schuster, Sr., Capt. (Retired) USN. Bob came on board ship while we were in Pearl, as an Ensign in 1950, following graduation from Penn State. Bob was 84 and died on April 6th, after an over five year battle with pancreatic cancer. Bob was my Mk.56 gun director officer and was the Mk. 37 main gun director officer during our fight with enemy shore batteries in October 1951. Bob, during his retirement also wrote three novels that are avaiable through Amazon.com.

Sincerely,

Don McElfresh

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From: "Glen Blackway" <grblack@verizon.net>
Date: March 12, 2013 11:45:13 PM EDT
To: <barbeeg@hartcom.net>
Subject: shipmates
Reply-To: <grblack@verizon.net>
You can add my name and email to the list of Renshaw shipmates

Glenn Blackway FTG2
1967-70
Huntington Beach, California

I also have a lot of small pictures taken on board
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February 26. 2013

Don McCurry is continuing to improve following his second liver transplant.  Physical Therapy seems to be doing its job. He is sitting up, walking with help, and communicating to those around him. Keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Glenn

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From: Donald McElfresh <donmcelfresh@sbcglobal.net>
Date: February 23, 2013 2:41:19 AM EST
To: Glenn Barbee <barbeeg@hartcom.net>

Subject: USS Renshaw, a bit of history

We all know that President Harry S. Truman "rode" on the Renshaw when he inspected the fleet during the Navy Day Fleet Review in New York City Harbor on 27 October 1945. Now, from an old letter I recently found where I wrote my parents on 14 October 1950, nearly five years later, "Well, thrill of thrills. I saw Harry S. yesterday. Stood in whites and neckerchief at attention at rail in sun for 3 hours until he passed by in a small boat." Additionally, we were tied up near the Main Gate, across from the Officer's Club. After Harry S. toured the harbor, his motorcade drove to the O-Club. We shifted sides and manned the rail to stand at attention for him, again. He had just come back from Wake Island where he had met with General MacArthur. A bit of Renshaw history.

Don McElfresh (ex-FT/2)
1950-52

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From: Donald McElfresh <donmcelfresh@sbcglobal.net>

Date: February 7, 2013 11:50:10 AM EST

Subject: Dick Wenzel - USS Renshaw DD/DDE-499

Over 20 years ago I began attending my ship's reunions. In WWII the Renshaw, a Fletcher class destroyer, fought in the Pacific and was torpedoed in the beginning of 1945 off the Philippines, losing 19 of her crew. After the war she was decommissioned, recommissioned by my bunch on June 1, 1950, and went on to serve the fleet for another 20 years and two more wars, Korea and Vietnam. Right after WWII war the former crew members of the 499 started their annual reunions. A bunch of young kids who had survived. In the late 1980's (I believe) the WWII sailors decided to invite to the reunions we who had served on her later. That's when Becky and I met Dick and Kay Wenzel. We were on a reunion tour at the Statue of Liberty. Dick was a sonarman, and I would tease him about mistaking the submarine's periscope for a floating broomstick. My expertise on the 499 was in anti-submarine warfare, so we had a common kidding point. Through the years we became close through our e-mails, telephone calls, reunions and Christmas cards. His sense of humor was about as corrupt as mine. But, I always let him know that the destroyermen of WWII were my childhood heroes and that we were their guests at the reunions. That no matter what we did on the 499 we could never come near what they did. Dick was gracious about it and kidded me in return.

In reading the Renshaw internet billboard a few minutes ago I found that Dick had died on January 27 from the after affects of a stroke. He was 92 years old. He will always be in my mind that young sonarman on a Fletcher class destroyer in a long ago war. I will miss him...real bad.

Don McElfresh (ex-FT/2)
USS Renshaw, DD/DDE-499
1950-1952

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Received from Sheldon Preville 30 Jan 2013

 

 

TO ALL SHIPMATES:


IT GRIEVES ME TO INFORM YOU, THAT OUR GOOD FRIEND AND SHIPMATE, DICK WENZEL PASSED AWAY SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2013. HIS WIFE KAY, CALLED ME THIS PAST WEEK, TO TELL ME THAT DICK WAS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER HAVING SUFFERED A STROKE, AND HAD DEVELOPED PNEUMONIA. UNFORTUNATELY, HE NEVER RECOVERED.
AMONG OTHERS, DICK AND I WERE PLANK OWNERS ON THE RENSHAW, BUT I NEVER DID ATTEND ANY OF THE EARLIER REUNIONS. IT WAS NOVEMBER 2002, WHEN I PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE IN THE TIN CAN SAILOR NEWSPAPER. DICK BEING A GUNG HO REUNION FOUNDER CONVINCED ME TO ATTEND THE 2003 SAN ANTONIO REUNION, AND FORTUNATELY, HAVE BEEN TO EVERYONE THROUGH 2011.
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, DICK AND I BECAME CLOSE FRIENDS. WE HAD MANY ENJOYABLE PHONE CONVERSATIONS REMINISCING ABOUT PAST REUNIONS, AND OUR TIMES IN THE NAVY.
DICK, WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM, AND CERTAINLY BY ME.


SHELDON PREVILLE


KAY WENZEL CAN BE REACHED:
3800 GREENFIELD ROAD
ALLISON PARK, PA 15101
412-526-6047

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From Webmaster

29 January 2013

Subject: Dick Wenzel

It is with sadness that we report the passing of our shipmate and friend, Dick Wenzel, this past Sunday, 27 January 2013. Dick was a proud member of our WWII Crew and he attended our reunions for many years.  Here is an excerpt from his obituary that ran in the local paper near his home in Pennsylvania.

"Richard C. "Dick" Wenzel, 92, of Springdale, passed away Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, surrounded by his family at the home of his daughter, where he was residing. He was born in Springdale, Oct. 20, 1920, to the late James and Leah Kilgore Wenzel, and had been a lifelong resident of the Valley. Dick graduated from Springdale High School in 1938, and was of the Presbyterian faith. He served his country in the Navy as a sonar operator and served aboard the USS Renshaw during World War II. He was active on the reunion committee for those who served on the USS Renshaw and took pride in all the gatherings. Dick was a local businessman in Springdale for more than 20 years, having owned and operated Wenzels Tavern."

Dick will be missed by all of us.

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From Webmaster

Subject: Don McCurry

We're happy to report that Don has continued to improve during his stay in the hospital in St. Louis. The second liver transplant has been successful and the liver and other organs are functioning and getting stronger. Jan posts news of his progress on Facebook regularly and she let us know this past week that she is now going to post the updates once a week while things are progressing nicely. She is going back to their home in Stover, MO, for a week for some much needed rest. Her sister, Jane, and other family will keep Don company while she's recharging at home. We'll continue to keep Don and his family in our thoughts and prayers as his recovery continues.

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From: Len Rinker <w2isn1923@gmail.com>
Date: January 21, 2013 11:51:01 PM EST
To: barbeeg@hartcom.net
Subject: USS Renshaw

My name is Leonard Rinker. I was on the Renshaw from 1964 to 1967 in the after boiler room.  I am looking for info on Robert Lane. He was in the forward boiler room. He was from Buffalo, NY and I was from Niagara Falls, NY. Any info on how to contact him would be helpful. Thx for your time.

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To all Renshaw shipmates:

Happy New Year 2013. With this, we start our info notes file for the new year. Let us hear from you. We don't have means for you to post your note here directly, so just send it to me in an email and I'll put it up.

Glenn Barbee, Webmaster

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