USS Renshaw DD/DDE-499

I would like to add my husband's name to your list of deceased shipmates.
The U.S.S. Renshaw was his last duty station before retiring with 20 years
service with the U.S. Navy. He was Chief Petty Officer, Martin H. Kelly,
MMC. He died August 20, 1979 in Edmonds, WA where we lived at that time. He
served on the U.S. Renshaw from July 1958 to June 1961 and was honorably
discharged from the Navy at Treasure Island on July 6, 1961.
For more information, please contact me at [email protected]

I would like to contact some of his former shipmates who served with him
1958-`61

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From: Michael Paige <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 17:12:50 -0500
To: [email protected]
Subject: merry xmas and a happy new year to all

Dear crew members of theUSS Renshaw, I want to wish you all a very Merry Xmas
and a Happy New Year. We are unable to send out Xmas greeting cards this year
on account of illness. Best regards to all crew members
Mike Paige Bkr 1 st class USS Renshaw from1942 and 1943
Michael Paige

ps .Glenn would like to have this put on the renshaw web site if possible
im having trouble with trying to type best regards mike paige.

From: Dick Wenzel <mailto:[email protected]>
To: glenn barbee <mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 11:55 AM
Subject: reunion, 2002

Hi Glenn- I thought this affair certainly was one of the best ever, but aren't they all? The accomodations were first class. The dinner was delicious and the service getting it to us was very efficient. I can't remember two tours that were so good overall. The ride to the top of the arch was breathtaking. The mosaics at the Basillica were beyond imagination, and the brewery was beery, tastefully enjoyable, we got two free samples. Our guest speaker was probably the most interesting we ever had. And, the program went off without a hitch.

I was very proud to be included in the group of WWII guys who were recognized as a group and then individually to receive an award.

2002 will be a tough act to follow. One thing that seemed to have been overlooked was an expression of thanks to the committee who worked their butts off to provide us with a wonderful weekend. I speak for all of us when I offer an appreciative "THANK YOU." I was surprised that the web-site has not been flooded with post reunion comments. I was also disappointed that some of the guys, who through the web-site got reconnected with Renshaw, did not make the reunion, after seeming so excited.Maybe next year. But again, being with you guys and gals, even for a short while, was just terriffic!! I pray we all do it again next year, and God bless the webmaster.

I would like to thank everyone who replied to my posting about my father! You people are great. So far no one remembers him but I am sure someone will. As a follow up note my father, David Edward Davidoff returned to school after his service was over and became a successful surgeon setting up his practice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Though he didn't speak much about his time in the Navy, when he did you could tell it was an important time in his life. I never knew how important until I did six plus years in submarines out of Pearl Harbor!

Thank you once again for all the help so far.

John Davidoff

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From: "John Davidoff" <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2002 03:00:32 -0700
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: help please
My father was a radioman on the Renshaw during World war II. He had told me stories of the Renshaw before his death. If there is an information you could tell me about him and the Renshaw I would be grateful. His name was David Edward Davidoff, he would have been aboard late in the war. His home town was Milwaukee Wisconsin, birth date 2 July 1926. I am his son, John, I did my duty is the USN from 1978 to 1983.

You can reach me at:

[email protected]

Thank you John Davidoff

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From: "Michael Robertson" <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2002 23:24:04 -0400
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: 1965 Log Correction
Glenn,
As I remember it, we didn't discover the crack in the fuel tanks until well after we left Midway in April. In fact, it was the rough seas out of the west that sent white water abeam over the stacks (a 30 degree slow roll at one point- and would she ever come back up?) on the approach into Midway that probably caused the cracks that were discovered several days later, enroute to Guam. We didn't refuel from the Radford enroute to Guam but rather the Cochrane (DDG 21). Radford and Philip left us behind as they made their way to Guam. Anyway, Cochrane had hit her sonar dome on the pilings at Bravo piers a couple of days prior to deployment and had to go into drydock as we were leaving. That put Cochrane several days behind us, thank God!

We were completely high and dry (except for all that contaminated fuel) and independent (ISE) about 100 miles north of Guam for about eight hours. The water was so clear that when the cooks threw trash over the side, you could see it sink for a long time. There wasn't even enough lighter fluid in the ship's store to light a boiler. Somehow or other, the snipes kept aux power going- I think it was the big old diesel forward of 2nd Division berthing and Chiefs Quarters. Several shipmates threw fishing lines aft of the fantail for a couple of hours, but didn't catch a damned thing.

Anyway, Cochrane showed up in the afternoon and passed a 1-inch fire hose to us by small boat (theirs) and pumped NFSO through a P250 pump (theirs), enough to get us into Agana. I'm sure that the hose was declared expendable after that operation.

By the way, the photo of the ship half out of the water was taken on the 1963-1964 cruise by one of the unrep ships. I don't know which one yet. That was the unrep where a couple of 5 gallon buckets of white paint got loose on the highline. The pallet smashed into the forward bulkhead and the paint cans burst open, totaling the ladder on the starboard side leading up to the 01 level forward of Weapon Alfa. I heard that Deck wasn't happy about that. I believe the movie(s), Shane Part 57, and mail came aboard at the aft station. (I was on the 1965 cruise book committee and we used that photo for our front and back fly pages.)

It was great to see you again at the reunion. Keep in touch. I've got a lot more sea stories.
Found these on the net.

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From: [email protected]
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 21:02:28 EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Here's Dad
Here is my first attempt ever, to send pictures. Hope you guys can make them
out. I think the first picture is from Dad's medal ceremony at the Home.
From left to right, is Celeste (pest #2) her daughter, Carla, Uncle Joe.
Aunt Nena (Dad's sister) And me, Camille (pest #1). The second picture is a
close up of Dad from a picture taken in Australia. My Mom's favorite. Seems
Mike Paige and Dick Wentzel also had their pictures taken then. Enjoy your
reunion.

Hi Glenn Hope this finds you well. Thought you would like to hear that
today we presented the NJ Distinguished Service Medal to Dad. Through this
site I Have made life-long friends. Friends like Mike Paige, Len Porter and
Dick Wentzel. My father's friends!!! Also Mike's daughter Barbara. I have
even come to know and become friends with Pat, Tom O'Rourke's daughter. I
have come to learn that Tom was the single most important influence on my
fathers entire life. My father is the man he is today because of Tom (or Tim
as some called him) I have come to know my father's sea Pappy through his
daughter Pat. Isn't this all amazing?? I am forwarding you an email I
just sent to Mike and all my new Renshaw friends. Thank you for all your
attention and help. I deeply apppreciate all of you. Camille

Got your e-mail. We may have met but am not sure as 1960 was when I first reported to the Renshaw. It was very close to Christmas of 1960 in Sasabo. Paul Waters (SOG2)? was on the Quarter Deck with the ASW officer at the time. Your name seems familiar. I have now also been in contact with Herb Fabricius who was the LPO for Sonar. Our paths have crossed numerous times over the years. I was a sonarman while aboard the Renshaw and made SOG2 when xfered. I cross rated to OT in 1972 and retired as OTCM in 1986. I must apologize, but I will not be able to make the reunion in St. Louis. But am enjoying being able to finally talk to old shipmates or those who served aboard the Renshaw. My big regret is that over the years my two cruise books got lost during many shipments! Have fun at the reunion and post my e-mail and address on the bulletin board. Thanks for the e-mail.

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From: "Robert Reed" <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 18:18:48 -1000
To: [email protected]
Subject: email list
aloha
please include my name in the email list
robert reed 1963-1964 cs1
[email protected]

i served exactly 364 days just as i said when i went aboard " i will be here less than a year"
Robert Reed
I forgot to mention that Chief Huntley was my relief
Robert Reed

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From: "Gary Mock" <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 12:03:41 -0400
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Add to list
MM2 Gary J. Mock 1960-1964 E-mail address is : [email protected]

I'm trying to find shipmates J.D.Coombs, James Frazier Jefferies, Fellows named....Duke,Wagner, Hendricks, and Epperson.....also the Golden twins...all stationed aboard the same time as myself.

ALOHA!
Webmaster: Thanks for the chance to locate great guy after one half-century:
Ray Harrington, Bo'sun (I believe). He was assigned to me to treat for a very
serious illness on leave in '44 in Bklyn Navy Yard. Any word about or from
Ray would be a !wow! and almost unbelievable. He was aboard for famous
"pass on review" in 1945.

Mahalo!
Ted CONNELLY, PhM2/c (in '45)
[email protected]

Hi Glenn - Just to let you know that my father (Charles Gonzalez ) has been
nominated for the NJ DSM. He will be awarded this medal on Aug. 13th. My
sister and I, along with our husbands and children will accept for him. Then
my brother-in-law, a Viet Nam Veteran and past National Commander of the
Italian American War Veterans, will present the DSM to him in a small
ceremony at the nursing home. We will accept this in valedation of service
and sacrifice to our country on Aug. 13th not only for our father but for all
the Renshaw crew. Because of this website, I have come to know my father
better, I have met his Renshaw friends through email and have also made
friends with the daughters of 2 of my father's closest shipmates. This has
surely been an amazing journey for me. I am grateful for all the
information, support and encouragement I have gotten through this site.
Thank you all!! Camille Gaeta__________

I AM PLANNING A 80TH BDAY DINNER FOR GUY WHO SERVED ON THE RENSHAW 1941
THRU1945. DETAILS ARE BELOW. IF POSSIBLE, A BDAY CARD FROM THE RENSHAW CREW OR A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RENSHAW WOULD BE NICE. IF SUCH A CARD IS
POSSIBLE, SEND IT TO :

GUY'S 80TH BIRTHDAY DINNER DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS: SATURDAY, 10AUG02 6:00 PM DINNER RESERVATIONS COCKSCOMB RESTAURANT HULTON ROAD 380 ROUTE 909
412-826-9122 / 413-826-9325 FAX

Glenn I noticed my e-mail is wrong its [email protected] instead of [email protected].
Also, sorry I couldn't make the Norfolk reunion and look like I won't make the St.Louis one either due to my wife and medical problems. Had a full knee replacement and now looks like the other is going to have to be replaced.

Len Paulson(Leonard W. Paulson, TE(RM)C, transferred to DesDiv252 staff and make LDO Ensign in 1962, now retired LCDR and living in Charleston,SC
Like to hear from anyone during the 1959 to 1962 era.

Hi There, I am a construction worker, currently working in Pearl Harbor, HI. While excavating pier 370 on Ford Island, we found a cigarette lighter which had been in the water for some time. I put a picture of it below. Is anyone interested in this item?

On April 29, 2002 I went to Seoul, Korea and met with Capt (R) Dong,
Hwan Hwang, who was in charge of the search for the wreck in 1993, and
found it(?). They used side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler. "They"
are the ROK Navy. Also, they made a video of the hull of the wreck. I
spent three days with Capt. Hwang and his lady friend Jeong. On Friday I
met with the U.S. Naval Attache' Seoul, who invited me to a bar-b-que at
his house on Sunday. The attendees at the bar-b-q were from ONI
(Washington and Pearl). The food was great. I came back on May 10.

Al March, Mike Grove (retired Captain, was a Lt. on the 499 on July 28,
1951) and I are working with others for a new, a more detailed
underwater investigation of the wreck. She sits in 240 feet of water
with a six knot continuous bottom current.

Hi Guys:
I just read my e-mail message and there is one correction. I met with
the ROK Navy people in Inchon in 1993, and they investigated for the
wreck in 1995, two years later. Hwang contacted me in September 2001.
Guess my mind's "losing it."
Don

Good morning,
What a pleasant and delightful experience it is to Find a USS Renshaw web sight.
I served on her(or is it 'it" now) in '56-'57 as a radarman (RD 3) It would be great to hear from old shipmates.
Please add me yo your E-mail list.
Thank you,

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From: "John S Zaccaria" <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 07:00:33 -0500
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: RE GUY ZACCARIA

ANYONE INTERESTED IN CONTACTING GUY ZACCARIA ( RENSHAW 1941 THRU 1945) CAN DO IT THRU ME AT MY EMAIL ADDRESS [email protected]

IF YOU WISH TO CALL, THE BEST TIME TO REACH HIM IS BETWEEN 9PM & 10 PM EASTERN TIME.

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From: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 22:09:23 EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Medals/Ribbons
Hi - Just want to thank all of you who responded to my inquiry about
replacement medals/ribbons. I took your advice and wrote a letter, on my
father's (Charlie Gonzalez) behalf to the Dept. of the Navy . Other advice
was to buy replacement medals/ribbons. But I want to try to get the real
ones first. I sensed a discouraging feeling among you when told it could
take from 3 mos. to 3 years to receive them. Well guys, it's 3 WEEKS later,
and I just got them! They are beautiful. I am proud and honored to have
them. The Navy came through. Again. Thanks guys.

I have been off-line with computer trouble, since I sent out
messages about Mike Paige going in for surgery. I don't know
if any of my other messages ever got out and received . I
got a new message from Mike that he was home and
recouperating and his operation was successful. The messages
I sent, pertaining to Mike coming home, are doubtful as to
whether the got out and were received.

I just found your website and was interested it the history of the Renshaw since my father served on the ship during WW II. He was always proud of his service on the ship and the part he played in saving it after it was torpedoed. He attended the reunions for many years and kept in touch with many of his Navy buddies until his death. I would appreciate it if you would add his name to the deceased crew members. His name was Thomas O'Rourke (he was called Tim by a number of the guys on the ship) and he passed away on May 10, 1997, at the age of 92.

Just saw a great documentry on destroyers and it started me thinking of when i was on my way to Okinawa November, 1962.

I was pulled off the APA at Pearl and told to report to (what I think was the DE Renshaw . When I got to the ship she was in dry dock for refitting. Stayed overnight and was sent to marine barracks the next day.The ship didn't need me . A navy error.

Anyway, do you know if, in fact, she was in dry in 1961? I kind of have a kinship to the crew and one particular person who showed me around. He had, I brlieve, two fingers missing on one hand. They, the crew, were all very nice to a jarhead.

Glenn- Mike Paige was a ships baker in WWII, and he was a great one, also a great shipmate. Mike attended many reunions at NYC and Jersey City. His health turned bad and he has been in poor shape for many years. He will have heart surgery May 24. It would be thoughtful to drop Mike an e-mail, and also to remember him in prayer. His e-mail address is in our web site list. Thank you

Yo Glenn- I hope this finds you and yours all well and good. Except for the foibles attendant with age, we in Myrtle Beach are fine. I would think that with reunion 2002 only four months away, there would be more traffic on the web. It would be great if every crew member, on the internet, would state his intention about attending this years affair. This just might influence someone who is on the fence into attending. This would primarily be aimed at the WWII guys. Last year we only had 11 or 12 men show up at the great
gathering at Norfolk. This was our lowest representation. I feel that men can become disinterested when they get the idea that so few people will attend that there is no use in going. WWII numbers are shrinking rapidly but I am hopeful that we will pick up some men who used to be regulars, then, for reasons of their own dropped out.

It has been an interesting year being in contact with crewmen who have been out of touch, and it will be rewarding to see these men in St. Louis. Also, talking with family members looking for info about men who served aboard 499. It was nice that these folks found some answers. Some of them show an interest in joining us in 2002, and I hope that they will come, as they are very welcome

I said this was aimed atWWII guys, but let it be known that I look
forward to seeing all you men from later crews.

Hi Glenn, Hope you are fine. This website is a wonderful example of living history. I have been generously informed of the Renshaw's life and the lives of some of crew through technology, an instant connection with our past. I am enjoying these contacts immensely and learning so much about those times.
My Dad (Charlie Gonzalez) is hanging in there. I have been keeping him abreast of all my correspondences. He is deeply moved. It pleases me so to see him perk up with focused interest each time I bring up the Renshaw. But surprisingly, this whole experience is helping me more than I thought.
That's good!! I have a question for you. As I read more of the details in my Dad's discharge papers, I read on his Notice of Separation paper, under Remarks, there is listed - Point System; Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon-4 Stars; American Area Ribbon: Victory Ribbon. I have not seen these in my Dad's personal stuff. Is there a special Dept. in the Navy where I can receive repacement Ribbons? Thanks for any info on this. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Dick Wenzel for all the info he has sent me, Len Porter for his many emails describing life then, Bud Riley for givng me details of the Battle of Tinnian Island. (No wonder Dad never spoke of the War) ; and Mike (The Baker) Paige for knowing my Father so well. When
I first mentioned Mike Paiges name to my father he cried so much, but tears of joy. When I asked my Father if he had a message for Mike, he blew his nose, thought hard for at least 3 minutes and said, "Tell Mike, it's his turn to buy!"

Glenn- I was just reading your bulletin board( great Job) and I came across dicks letter about out first reunion. Everything Dick said about the reunions is correct, but since we are setting history down I would like to get in a few licks. First of all Tommy McGown was the Renshaw yeoman. When we all got out, and we all came home together at about the same time, December 1945. Tommy lived in Woodside Queens, for the records that is part of NYC. Tommy got in touch with all of us that lived in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and some from New Jersey. For the first three or four years we met in the back room of a bar in Woodside, across the street from Tommy's house. This is the watering hole that Tom hung out in.

As the group grew, and grow it did, we moved to the Hotel Dixie on 42nd street in NYC about two blocks west of Times Square. In those days NYC did not have a bus terminal and the Dixie had a terminal for all the busses coming in from Jersey etc.beneath the hotel. This bus terminal along with a hotel above it turned the Dixie into the most famous whore house in NYC. Every hooker in New York worth her salt, hung out at the Dixie.( eventuall NYC built a Port Authority Bus Terminal on 8th Ave from 40th and 42nd St, and the Dixie was torn down. To this day the hookers hang out from the new terminal and all along 8th Ave).

After a number of years in N.Y, Harold Taylor started helping Tom and eventually Harold took it over. It seems that when Harold took over we moved out of the Dixie and into New Jersey. I can honestly say that when we moved to New Jersey all of the wives were happy. A lot of the wives in those days never believed that the Renshaw Reunion was just a bunch of guys exchanging war stories. They all believed that we were just a bunch of old GI's working over the Dixie hookers. I read Dick' s letter to you Glenn on this subject and I just thought that I would like to round it out with this little bit of history. I am sending a copy of this letter to Dick.

As for the Web Page, great job, keep it up.

Pete Lavina

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Note from Webmaster Sunday 28 April 2002

I've had a couple queries and comments about lack of new information on the site and on this section. When I get new data, I always post it, but we should keep in mind that the website is working for us every day, 24 hours a day. The big advantage is the help it gives us reaching new people for our group. So, don't be disappointed if you find the site exactly like you left it the last time you logged on. The word is getting out and we are happy with the results. Right now, our next big event will be the 2002 reunion in St. Louis. We hope to see you there.

Glenn
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From: Charles Newcomb <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 20:29:58 -0700
To: [email protected]

Subject: Renshaw E-mail list

I just discovered the Renshaw Intenet Page... wow! Thanks for the
memories. I even see a few old shipmates on the e-mail list.
I have a 1966 WestPac cruise book. Would you like me to scan some photos and send them?

Please add me to the e-mail list.
Charles Newcomb, SMSN, 1965-67
[email protected]

Thanks!

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From: "Richard P. Gordon" <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 7 Mar 2002 20:18:13 -0500
To: <[email protected]>

Subject: Renshaw crew

I served aboard the Renshaw from 1945 to 1946 as a F1c, engineering forward fire room. I watched the Renshaw go into drydock for repairs. And was aboard when she carried the President for Navy day October 1945. Then to Cooper river SC. where we mothballed some of the ship. It stayed lit off to supply power to the "nest" until I left the ship in July of 1946.

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From: [email protected]
Date: Sun, 3 Mar 2002 14:19:01 EST
To: [email protected]

Subject: SHIPMATE

I am just writing to inform you that my dad, Enginemate Anthony Mateo, served 42-45, had passed on in 1993. I have vivid memories of his recollections of the torpedo strike and other fascinating Rental stories and memorabilia. Please add my dad to the list.
Respectfully,
Richard Mateo

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Hi Glenn,

I am not on the internet yet, but I read some letters written by crew men from the RENSHAW DD499, who were on the ship after I was transferred to shore duty in '45. I would like to write to anyone from the RENSHAW during our duties in the South Pacific and Central Pacific ( marianas). I joined the crew in early May 1943 and went through out the South Pacific and a short campaign in New Ireland and New Britain and finished my time at the Marrianas. We returned to San Francisco for over haul and refitting. I was fortunate to transfer to the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot in San Pablo, in the San Francisco bay. I will be getting on the internet soon.

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From: Michael Paige <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 21:12:11 -0500
To: [email protected]
Subject: searching for former shipmate

HI GLENN ,

I'M TRYING TO FIND A FORMER SHIPMATE ( JOHN PEW) WHO SERVED ABOARD THE RENSHAW. I BELEIVE HE WAS A MACHINEST MATE. IF ANY ONE KNOWS HIS WHERE ABOUT,S CONTACT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS, THE LAST CONTACT I HAD WITH HIM WAS IN THE EARLY FIFTYS, AND HE WAS LIVING IN MAPLEWOOD , N.J.

ANY INFO WOULD BE VERY WELCOME. MUCH THANKS.

A SHIPMATE,

MIKE PAIGE

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From: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002 19:25:54 EST
To: [email protected]

Subject: (no subject)

Hi Glenn -Hope all is well with you. Can you add my father's name to the email list using my email address? Thanks. My father, Charles Gonzalez served as a Machinist Mate 2/c V-6 USNR. He served 3 yrs 3 mos and 26 days. He was discharged on 2-2-46 . Ratings held AS, F3/c, F2/c F1/c MM2/c (What are these ratings??)

Yesterday while cleaning out his basement I came across a folder with all his Renshaw and WWII Papers. I have never seen these before! It is fascinating! I have his Honorable Discharge papers, his
notice of separation, his Navy Training course certificate, his rating
description booklet, a letter from Harry Truman!!! But the best is this little embossed card certifying that he is an official member of "Ancient Order of the Deep" having crossed the equator!!! Signed by J.A. Lark. What is that all about??? I am going to apply for the NJ Distinguished Service Medal in honor of my father's sacrifice to his country. This is mostly for his children and gandchildren as a remembrance.

--------------

January 2002

Note from Webmaster:

I've archived the bulletin board notes from 2001 in a separate file. You can access using the link at the beginning and end of this file.

This is a quiet time of year for our website. However, you have to look close at the changes. We often receive notes from shipmates who have found our site and request to be added to the e-mail list. I recommend that you check that list every now and then. Some shipmate you haven't thought about in years just might show up.

Jan, Sandy, and other committee members are working on plans for Renshaw Reunion 2002. Some preliminary information is posted on this site and people on the postal mailing list will be receiving information via that route soon.

Best wishes to everyone and thanks for your support and kind words about the Renshaw website.

Glenn

Renshaw Shipmate Notes 2002