COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2561
Location: Rapid City, SD | Subject: An interesting day -
I learned some months ago that there is A Veteran's Writing Group in Rapid City that meets once a month. So I invited myself several months ago. Only went once...other things took precedence in my life, then I simply forgot a couple times. Even if I write it my calendar, guess I have to look at the calendar once in a while, or . . . .
Anyway I did go this morning and sat next to a WWII submarine veteran. He wrote the names and hull numbers of the two boats he served on, but he did say that he might not spell the names of the boats right. A submarine sailor that can't spell? Whoever heard of such a thing?
Howsomever, this is the info that he gave me. During the war, he served on the USS Asperow (SS-309). After the war he served on the USS Cachino (SS-345). Anybody recognize these names and numbers?
He also questioned whether my brother actually served on a submarine during WWII because he thought that the Cachino (SS-345) was one of the last boats built that served during the war. Boy, if he's right, I'll have to question whether Slim really was in the submarine service during WWII. 'Spose he made it all up?
And to make it even a smaller world, this man's wife is a retired R.N. who knew and worked with Elmer's wife...who was also an R.N.
Then, there was an interesting speaker; also a WWII Navy man, who told of his experiences on both a battleship and a destroyer. W-e-l-l, I think that's what he said. He spoke for an hour and a half without even having any notes. He did pass some books around so we could see what he was talking about. About not remembering what type of ships he served on; it's all you guys fault. You've taught me to know that there's only two types of ships - submarines and targets. He served on a couple of targets.
Now, to make my world even smaller, I told the speaker that we were cousins. We're not, really, but we did share an uncle. This "uncle" was his by blood and mine by marriage.
One of the things that I remember him talking about, was that when one of the long battles was over, he decided to go to his bunk for a nap. When he got there, there was another man sleeping in it. Oh, I forgot. They had picked up a bunch of survivors of this particular battle. Anyway - the sleeping man woke up while my "cousin" was standing next to the bunk and told him that he had found his name on the mattress sack, so thought the bunk was for him. He had the same last name as the teller of the tale. Or - maybe the bunk kidnapper just told him that? Hmmm
Good night, all,
Cora
Edited by Corabelle 2008-10-12 5:14 PM
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Plankowner
Posts: 9165
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: An interesting day -
USS Aspro SS 309, USS Cochino SS 345 (Cochio sank in 1949 from a battery explosion and fire.
Highest hull number to make a war patrol was the USS Cutlass SS 478. Cutlass arrived at Pearl Harbor 15 July, 1945 and put out on her maiden war patrol 2 days later. Assigned to patrol in the vicinity of the Kurile Islands, she entered the area one day after the Japanese surrender, remained on observation patrol until 24 August, then returned to Pearl Harbor. She sailed on 2 September for New York, arriving 24 September to receive visitors through Navy Day.
Highest hull number to sink a ship on patrol was the USS Runner SS 476. On 10 July, 1945 while on patrol in the Sea of Japan, she intercepted two worthwhile targets, a tanker and a minesweeper. The tanker and her two escorts escaped the spread of torpedoes fired at them, but the minesweeper W-27, was splintered by three of Runner's torpedoes. Before departing station, Runner received 16 downed aviators from Gabilan (SS-252) and Aspro (SS-309) for transfer to Guam, where she arrived on 24 July.
Is possible the two men had the same name. I have a more unusual last name but have still met folks who I am not related to with the same name. Hedman is the #14042 most common last name. 0.001% of last names in the US are Hedman. Around 2500 people have Hedman as a last name!
Ric |
An interesting day -
