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From: "Donald Wandell" <[email protected]>
Date: December 30, 2003 7:48:55 PM EST
To: [email protected]Subject: Farewell to Sol Rosenson
I was asked to notify you shipmates, that our friend and shipmate Sol Rosenson, passed away yesterday. It is a sad day in 2003 to say GOODBYE to our shipmate Sol and the year 2003 at the same time. I should mention, also that Mike Paige is having a rough time, I hope Mike will snap back.
FAREWELL, SOL we will miss you.
Your friend and shipmate, Don Wandell
---------
From: "Tom Rogers" <[email protected]>
Date: December 30, 2003 12:01:46 AM EST
To: [email protected]
Subject: Renshaw Crew
Hi
I was a RM on the Renshaw from 11/62 to 11/64. I don't recognize any of the names on the email list, but would like to add mine!
I am surprised there is no mention of the typhoon the Renshaw survived, barely, (late '63?, no, that was when Kennedy was assassinated, I was the RM on watch, I believe we were in Tokyo bay. I really don't remember when the typhoon was) when she was the station ship out of Formosa. I can't remember the name of the port (Kailshung?) I was on the bridge when the ship took a 40 degree starboard roll, this resulted in the port shaft burning out, the starboard flare below the bridge smashed in, all the ships external antennas were lost, the captains gig was lost, the captains head in his sea cabin came off its mounts; the resulting water shorted most of the equipment in the radio shack. If I remember right we had to use the old WWII TBM in radio III amidships to communicate with.
Anyway! Amazing what one comes up with when entering words in google!
Hope to hear from you
Tom Rogers
2232 Kimberly Dr.
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
[email protected]From: Donald McElfresh <[email protected]>
Date: December 7, 2003 4:59:53 PM EST
To: [email protected]
Subject: Mrs. Mary GaulAl March (FT/1950-51) called the other evening to tell me that Ken
Gaul's (SO/1950-52) wife of nearly fifty years, Mary, had died in August
2003. Those who knew Mary will miss her greatly. Becky and I had the
privelege of staying with her and Ken years ago, and remember so well a
house filled with art, friendship, and good cooking.Don McElfresh (FT/1950-52)
-----------
From: "Donald Wandell" <[email protected]>
Date: December 5, 2003 12:45:58 PM EST
To: "Richard Post" <[email protected]>, "Michael Paige" <[email protected]>, "Glenn A Barbee" <[email protected]>, "Dick Wenzel" <[email protected]>, "BRODIE BUDD RILEY" <[email protected]>
Subject: Up date on Sol Rosenson's condition
To our Renshaw shipmates
I just got a message from Mike Paige on the condition of Sol Rosenson. Mike has been in contact with Sol's wife and found out that Sol has been rushed back into the Critical Care Unit and is in very bad shape, So; needs our moral support and our prayers for a speedy recovery.
Don Wandell-----------
From: "Donald Wandell" <[email protected]>
Date: December 4, 2003 2:55:02 PM EST
To: "Glenn A Barbee" <[email protected]>, "Dick Wenzel" <[email protected]>, "Richard Post" <[email protected]>, "Michael Paige" <[email protected]>
Subject: Searching for a shipmateHello Shipmates,
I got a e-mail from Brodie Riley, looking for information on THOMAS REDDINGER. I couldn't help him, though I remember the name, only I could not remember the man.
What was Tom's rate, where was his duty station, I would appreciate any information you might have. This is not an emergency, it is help remember a shipmate. Thanks a lot, my friends.
DON WANDELL-----------
From: "Donald Wandell" <[email protected]>
Date: November 19, 2003 8:40:08 PM EST
To: [email protected]
Subject: News of Paul ThorkelsenTo shipmates of the Renshaw;
I have been writing to Paul Thorkelsen, gunners mate, on the Renshaw. Paul doesn't have a computer, so I have been writing to him by US Mail. I received a letter from Paul today and I would like pass on part of his letter to you. He has had some sad and painful times this past summer.
This is part of Paul's letter.
Now the sad news. My wife died July 2nd this year, and I really got depressed, it was our 58th anniversary , it really shook me up.
After that, I got sick and was hospitalized in intensive- care. I had blood transfusions and intravenous injections of iron and antibiotics. I got better and went home. In 3 weeks, I had to go back, I couldn't walk. My knees swelled up and the pain was terrific. A bone specialist [ orthopedic ] siphoned out 200cc's of liquid from my knees. A few days later I could bend my knees some. It took a while for me to walk again with a walker. At the same time, they were treating me for infection, must have been from the blood I received. Anyway, I am now walking fairly well and feel better.
Paul went on to say he was doing pretty well with his pet dog, Tippie and with the help of some good neighbors.
I thought some of you might remember Paul and would like to send him a note of good wishes. His address isPAUL THORKELSEN,
8738 95TH. LANE SW.
OCALA, FLA. 34481
Thank you my friends, Don Wandell----------
From: "Richard Post" <[email protected]>
Reply-To: "Richard Post" <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2003 20:10:08 -0400
To: "Glenn Barbee" <[email protected]>
Subject: Reunion
Hi Glenn;
First of all i want to say what a wonderful Reunion we Had inSan Antonio ,to all who attended it was great seeing all the Shipmates from World War II, Korea, & Vietnam.
My thanks to the Committee for a job well done,everything went according to plan & wasnt the Hotel out of this world with the Breakfast Bar & the Happy Hour,we did justice at the Happy Hour,but all in all it was a good time had by all,
To all of my Shipmates stay well &until we meet again next year God Bless.
From
Dick Post & Virginia----------
From: "Dick Wenzel" <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 12:59:53 -0400
To: "Glenn Barbee" <[email protected]>
Subject: Reunion, San Antonio, 2003
Dear Glenn
Another great reunion, they just get better and better. San Antonio a very interesting city with much to offer. The Woodfield Suites, with the large rooms and the freebies that were offered, went a long way to making this an exceptional affair. We missed some regulars who did not make the reunion, but we welcomed many first timers who were happy that they attended. The banquet night allowed us to enjoy a delicious buffet, and an enjoyable program to wind up reunion 2003. My sincere thanks to the committee folks who work so hard to make these things happen. THANK YOU ALL. Let's all think Portland, we are! Dick Wenzel----------
From: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 19:25:14 EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: (no subject)
HI GLENN& AYAKO. JUST A BRIEF NOTE TO TELL YOU ABOUT HOW MUCH WE ENJOYED THE REUNION. IT WAS A REAL GOOD TIME, WELL PLANNED, WELL EXECUTED. WELL DONE GUYS!!! YOUR PLAYING AND SINGING BROUGHT BACK THE YEARS. WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS THE MEMORIES OF THE CREW AND THE TIMES THAT CAME BACK TO ME. I WAS A WILD KID AND DIDN'T APPRECIATE THE GOOD PEOPLE I SERVED WITH AT THE TIME. I SURE DO NOW. GOD WILLING WE WILL DO IT AGAIN.
GOD BLESS. PETE&GALIE HENLEY----------
From: Moose <[email protected]>
Subject: Msg from Mike Paige's Daughter
Dear All,
Mike's grandson (my son, Eddie) is in the process of upgrading Grandpa's computer. He is not up and running yet, but will be soon. I am managing his e-mail account for now and reconfiguring things.
Please note his NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
Any other e-mail addresses you had for Mike Paige are not longer valid, so please save this one in your address book.
For all the Renshaw sailors -- thank you from the bottom of my heart for your correspondence with my dad -- as his health has declined and made him unable to get around, the computer has become his only link to the outside world. The comraderie that is shared by all of you from the Renshaw is a blessing and words cannot express my gratitude and how I feel about all of you. Dad has told me many stories, and in many ways I feel like I have known many of you all my life. Your generation is (and always will be) THE GREATEST GENERATION.
You will all be hearing from dad as soon as Eddie modifies a keyboard for him. You can write to this address now, and the messages will be stored and be there when his computer is fully operable.
Love to you all,
Barbara Dudek
[email protected]----------
From: Donald McElfresh <[email protected]>
Organization: McElfresh
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 00:53:34 -0500
To: [email protected]
Subject: Underwater Attack of 28 July 1951The latest, and possibly last information on our underwater "hit"
research is that the area of the attack in the Yellow Sea is a) in a
major contested area between North and South Korea (within 40 miles); b)
the NK and SK have been fighting over fishing rights in the area
(actually sinking ships); and c) it's an area where "strange" things are
happening. Such as a Chinese submarine running at periscope depth with a
dead crew.
Our Seoul Naval Attache contact (who I met with in 2002), now in
Okinawa, and returning to Korea, maybe, this year, is keeping "an eye
open" for us. I joined the Dallas chapter of NIP (Naval Intelligence
Professionals) this year (which the Naval Attache also belongs to) for
the purpose of gaining research contacts and to submit an article on
"Chinese Submarine Sailors In Port Arthur, China During The Korean War,"
to the NIP Quarterly magazine.
Beyond the above, that's it. See you'all in San Antonio in a couple
weeks.
Glenn, I hope to have a "surprise" put together for you for the reunion.Regards,
Don McElfresh, Fire Control (1950-1952)----------
From: Gerald Wright <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 18:47:18 -0700
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Renshaw Note 2003Further to Bill Sheehan's post, we did not block out the hull number after running out of gas; we altered it somewhat. And I would also like to amend Mike Robertson's recollection of the incident, which includes a bunch of details I had forgotten.
1. The crack in the hull was exacerbated because somebody pumped good fuel into the leaky tank after the problem was discovered. The Captain was not happy with the Engineering Officer.
2. The refueling from the Cochrane (?) did not work. (The Log on this website says the refueling attempt was from the Radford- can anyone clarify this?- my personal recollection is that the fuel came from a DD, such as the Radford, not a DDG). The pumping was so slow that after a few hours we discovered we were burning NSFO as fast as it was being pumped aboard. We were towed into Agana by a fleet tug.
3. The Russians had a trawler spy ship outside of Agana, keeping track of ship movements. The Commodore was riding the Renshaw (he shifted to the Cochrane and waived good-bye after the refueling failed), and he asked for suggestions on how to befuddle the Russians. We had a few. While waiting for the tow, the First Division went over the side (Siazon and Raffo would
remember their efforts) and repainted both the ship's name and numbers. They did a terrific job. We fetched bedsprings from somewhere and hoisted them aloft to look like strange new antennas. When we inched past the Russian trawler under tow, we represented ourselves to be the USS James Bond
(DD-007)!I have a bunch of other stories from that cruise, including:
--How the bosuns acquired a full ton of bronze ingots, to trade with Hong Kong's Mary Soo, in exchange for two pounds of coffee.
--The mess boy who had no ingots to trade so he sold all the blood plasma.
--How we maintained station on a carrier at night in the South China Sea with no working radar (and why we had to).
--How we achieved the highest VD rate (including varieties that the Chief Corpsman had never seen before) in the navy in only one night.
--Why the XO restricted an officer to the ship and then changed his mind.
--What happens to a Captain who wants to have his ship repaired and submits five casualty reports (CasReps) at one time.
--The great nighttime attack on a North Vietnamese PT-Boat squadron (dont tell the Captain).
--Why a pencil was hanging from the Weapon Alpha firing panel.
--The only crew member who set foot on the shore of Vietnam.
--How we tried to provoke the Chinese military, and why you cannot find a record of it in the ships log.
--Unauthorized swim call with sea snakes, offshore from the tiger cages and 20 mi. from our assigned station.
--Why an officer from the ships previous WestPac cruise tried to scuttle his next ship.
--What that DE was doing over there close to shore at night.
--Why you dont want your wife to hop an MSTS vessel to Japan and meet you in Yokosuka.
--How one officer, standing the bridge watch alone at night, made a slalom course out of hapless coracles in the Taiwan Straits.All of this, and much more, is described in a quasi-novel I have written and cannot get published. Would anyone like to fact-check it? I have a heavy brass DesRon 25 plaque mounted on solid mahogany and an equally heavy brass Renshaw plaque mounted on solid walnut! I also have a
framed 8x10 of the ships-bow-out-of-the-water photo (taken in the Taiwan Straits in early 1964). Does anyone collect this stuff?
--Gerald Wright, Lt., [email protected]
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From: [email protected]
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2003 17:59:38 EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re; WWII Memorial
Hi Glenn -I just registered my Dad, Charles Gonzalez for this long overdue Memorial. Please let all the original Renshaw crew know about this historic memorial. Each deserves his place among America's Heroic Generation and each name needs to be remembered. (www.WWIImemorial.com) All is well here. Dad is declining but still knows us. I will try to attend the next reunion in Texas!!
Best regards, Camille Gaeta
----------
From: "Norm Kuhlmey" <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 15:13:32 -0500
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: add me to your list
My name is Norm ( Butch ) Kuhlmey ,I served aboard Renshaw from 11-1965 to 7-1968 as a Rd sn and Rd3.
I recently found out about this web site and was very pleased to see it,some of the pictures brought back memories of life as a "tin can sailor"that had temporarily been forgotten.
Please add my name and E-mail address to your list .[email protected]----------
From: Jim R Morelock <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2003 20:26:03 -0500
To: [email protected]
Subject: 1955 & 1956
Hello,
My name is Jim R. Morelock. I served aboard the Renshaw in 1955 and
1956. It was my first ship after completion of Electrician School. A
lot of the crew members I served with have faded from my brain. One I
remember real well is Paul J. Charest who welcomed me aboard and to the
Electrical crew. We became very good friends. So close that I lost my
southern accent and when I went back home to Arkansas I talked like a New
Englander. I have wonderful memories from serving aboard the Renshaw. I
left the ship about 1956 and served the rest of my time on the USS
Rupertus DD851. I left the Renshaw as EM2. Thanks so very much for this
nice website. Please add my e-mail address to the list, it is
[email protected]
Jim R. Morelock
St. Joseph, Missouri----------
From: [email protected]
Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2003 00:19:49 EST
To: [email protected]
Subject: Found The Website
Searching the Web tonight and for some reason I decided to plug in the Renshaw. After much browsing I came across the ship's Website. What a pleasant surprise. What was even more surprising was to read Mike Robertson's recounting of our "out of gas" experience on the way to WestPac via Midway. Brought back some real memories. As I recall we blocked out the hull number because a Russian trawler came out to take a look. Add my E-mail to the list. I would love to come to a reunion.
Bill Sheehan, YN3
1964-1966
[email protected]_______
From: "Marty Coyne" <[email protected]>
Date: Sun Mar 9, 2003 13:32:44 US/Eastern
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: infoHi Glen:
My name is Marty Coyne. John M. Coyne is my legal name. I was aboard Renshaw
summer 65 through summer 69. I started in aft fire room, moved to deck force
and ended up in the ET gang. I was 18 years old when I came aboard. Had some
growing up to do. Made 3 Wes Pac cruises. I am glad to see the web sight. I
will visit often. I have several pix. I will go through them and forward
them to you when I can. It has been so many years since I have had any
contact with shipmates.
I live in Bakersfield, Ca. I don't know when you were aboard. Your name
doesn't ring a bell. Look award to hearing from you.
Regards.Marty Coyne
---------
hi glenn,
i have an e-mail change of address which is as follows ([email protected] )
would appreciate if you would make the correction on the e- mail list, hope all is
well wity you, ,glenn i will not be able to attend the reunion , because of my medicle problems, give all the ship mates my best regards &have a successful reunion
best regards michael paige----------
From: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2003 20:28:56 EST
To: [email protected]
Subject: ARTHUR MAYERi would like to inform my father's ship mateS that my father ARTHUR MAYER passed away on THURSDAY JANUARY 30TH 2003 . my father served on the RENSHAW DURING WORLD WAR2. MY FATHER WAS PROUD OF HIS SHIP AND WAS ALWAYS HAPPY WHEN REUNION TIME ROLLED AROUND.THE FUNERAL HOME HAS A WEB SITE IF YOU WOLD LIKE TO READ HIS OBIT AND THAT IS BRADY-GILL.COM THEIR IS A GUEST BOOK IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SIGN IN AND I WILL READ THEM ABOUT ONCE O WEEK AND THEIR IS A SLIDE SHOW THAT SHOWS SOME PICTURES OF HIS LIFE.
I AM HIS OLDEST DAUGHTER MARIE. AND IF YOU WOLUD LIKE TO REACH ME YOU CAN DO THAT ALSO MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS [email protected] thanks again to all of you who knew my father and were his friends in war time
thanksmarie bayer
[email protected]----------
From: [email protected]
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 01:33:31 EST
To: [email protected]
Subject: Deceased Renshaw crewmanHello,
I just wanted to report my father, Robert A. Green to be deceased. He served on the Renshaw during the Korean War as a yeoman. He passed away on January 5, 1988.
He always spoke warmly of his shipmates and of the time he spent on board ship.
I was very pleased to find the website for the Renshaw!
Thank you,
Richard S. Green-----------
Sir:
I'm conducting research for a book on the Cold War. I once read an account written by a sailor who served on a destroyer during he Korean war that told of an incident between an unidentified submarine (possibly Soviet) and the escorts of an American aircraft carrier conducting combat flight operations off the coast of Korea. The article said that after repeated warnings, which were ignored by the submarine, the destroyer was forced to sink the submarine.
Unfortunately, I have lost the article. Can you or anybody in your organization provide me with any help? I know I'm not a "tin can sailor". The closest I have gotten is three months duty aboard the USS Yosemite. I'm a former submariner, a nuclear technician from the USS Parche (SSN-683), now member of the but I hope you won't hold that against me.
Sincerely
Kenneth Sewell-----------
MY BROTHER GUY PASSED AWAY 29 DECEMBER 2002. THOUGHT YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW. JOHN ZACCARIA
"Guy Zaccaria
On December 29,2002 at age 80, of Verona. Son of the late Cosimo
Damiano and Mary Romano Zaccaria. Brother of Joseph of Verona and John of
Houston, TX. Guy was a WWII US Navy veteran serving on the USS Renhaw DD499. There will be a Memorial Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Thursday at 10:30 AM. A reception for family and friends will be held at the Oakmont Elks on Thursday from 4 - 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852 or to the American Diabetes Assoc., 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite
700, Pittsburgh, PA 15235."Contributions can also, be made to the University of
Pittsburgh. For more information on this option call Megan at
412-828-6565, she is the coordinator for the funeral home and can help out.----------
From: john wevers <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 03 Jan 2003 21:13:43 -0500
To: [email protected]
Subject: Renshaw Crew WWIIHi - My name is John Wevers and I wrote a couple of years ago about my
wifes uncle, Paul Thorkelsen. He received a couple of notes from the old
crew and was very pleased to hear from you. I even got a couple of e
mails asking me to keep people posted on Uncle Paul. He celebrated his
80th birthday a couple of weeks ago. He keeps on going and we hear from
him about every month or so. His address remains the same: Paul
Thorkelsen, 8738 SW 95th Lane, Ocala, Florida 34481.
Best wishes to all of you guys.-------
To all Renshaw shipmates:
Happy New Year 2003. With this, we start our info notes file for the new year. Let us hear from you.
Glenn Barbee, Webmaster
-------
