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From the President Hayward "Tom" Thomas...

  
          Last October 23, I met in Chicago with Warren Shoenheider who is heading up the preparations for the 60th Reunion assisted by Walt Schuchman and Sharon Petrovitch, daughter of Alfonso Yelli - USS Chatelain. Reunion 2004 is beginning to look like a BLOW OUT maybe so much so that we will have the "high class" problem of making room for all of us members of TG 22.3 Association and our children, grandchildren, and friends. etc.
        The next day I represented the Association on a Museum of Science and Industry Task Group that is planning "Exhibits for the 21" Century." It is an honor for the Association to be involved in this and a fascinating assignment. The next and last meeting of this Task Group is in February. Hope to have a more definite report then...        Hayward "Tom" Thomas - President
  
     
  U-505 Exhibit Status  
 

        On August 7th, Keith Gill, Curator for the U-505, and David Kohnen, the Historian, who with Keith, is planning and writing the material for the new Exhibit, took Warren Schoenhider, Walt Schuman, and me on a 3 ½ hour tour. Their planning for the Exhibit is well along. They are doing a great job. The result when completed will be an absolutely fascinating exhibit. Construction is way behind schedule. The “basement” for the new building where the sub will be located is half dug, delayed by ground water intrusion. The city is digging a pedestrian tunnel under Lakeshore Drive and the combined water barriers should solve the problem, but it appears the opening of the new Exhibit may be delayed until after the beginning of 2005. “Junior” will be moved from its present location on three “steerable” motorized dollies. However the hull must first be reinforced in the three areas where cranes will pick it up. The amount of rust is frightening. Some areas are almost completely rusted through. Keith Gill figures several hundred tons of rust must be removed before the sub can be properly reinforced and painted. The dollies will “drive” the U-505 around the building. Cranes will place it on three pylons of timbers topped by the cradles on which it will finally rest on the Exhibit floor...        Hayward "Tom" Thomas - President  

  
     
 
     
  A New Hat for TG 22.3 Members  
 
          Al Zielen and I got to talking about the "Baseball Caps" worn by the TG 22.3 Association members and discovered neither of us thought the present caps are very distinguished looking - everyone - but everyone - wears baseball caps; every baseball player in the country, and thousands of tourists and vacationers in Bermuda shorts. There is absolutely nothing about the baseball cap which intrinsically identifies the wearer as a veteran or as being in any way associated with a veterans group. We thought something a little "snappier" was needed for our outstanding organization in order to distinguish us from the "maddening crowd".
 

        Casting ideas about, the steel helmet, while certainly a highly distinguished piece of military headgear - impossible to confuse with baseball caps - was the first to be discarded; we decided it was too heavy, hard to fold, even harder to unfold, and on a hot day in the sun would cook what little brains we have left. And - when worn "en mass" - we would be confused with a herd of migrating turtles.

        Well - after much cognation we thought maybe the garrison cap would meet the bill. Done in navy blue with gold piping it practically screams "NAVY" and it provides lots of room for the Association Badge, ships names, and reunion pins and hardware. So Al ordered up a couple of prototype caps from a supplier and we wore them at the Minneapolis reunion. Joe Villanella snapped a neat picture of Al and me wearing the caps but this picture of Marcy modeling the cap is far more fun to look at (sorry Joe - pretty girls win out every time - we even think it might make a good recruiting poster for the Association - see above.). So let us know what you think about this cap - Al can get them made to order if there is enough interest...    Don Baker
 
     
  Click on the icon to let Don know what you think of the garrison cap  
     
 
     
  USS Slater DE 766…  
 

        Presently undergoing restoration, the USS Slater DE 766, a Cannon Class DE, is now berthed at Albany, N.Y. Commissioned in May 1944 the Slater was named for Frank O. Slater , killed during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942 while serving aboard the cruiser USS San Francisco. Following a shakedown cruise to Bermuda in June 1944, Slater first served as a sonar school ship in Key West. In late 1944 she went on Atlantic convoy duty escorting ships to the British Isles. In June 1945 she headed for the Pacific where she joined Task Unit 33.2.4 in Manila. During her Pacific duty she escorted convoys to Manila, Japan, Biak, N.E.I. and the Carolines. She was eventually placed in reserve and out of commission in May 1947.
        In March 1951 she was transferred to Greece. After 40 years service in the Greek Navy , Greece donated the Slater to the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association (DESA). Destroyer sailors around the nation raised $275,000 to bring the ship back to the United States. Towed by a Russian tug, Slater arrived in New York from Crete on August 27, 1993. In 1997, the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum (DEHM), which now owns the Slater, signed an agreement with the City of Albany to have the ship permanently located at Albany on the Hudson River. Since that time Slater has been undergoing a program of refurbishment and restoration provided entirely by volunteers supported by financial contributions. Parts from DE's from all over the world have been scavenged and brought to Albany for installation on the Slater in an effort to restore her to her original WW II configuration.
        The biggest problem now is raising funds for the Endowment Fund to preserve the Slater for all time. The goal is $l,600,000 and as of July 1, 2003 monies received amounted to $438,986. If you care to support this project you can make a pledge and payments as you see fit. A $25.00 donation per year puts you on the mailing list to receive DEHM's quarterly newsletter "Trim But Deadly" - a must read for all ex-DE sailors. (Contributions are tax deductible under IRS 501 3(c) regulations). You may contact DEHM by e-mail at [email protected] or DESTROYER ESCORT HISTORICAL MUSEUM, P.O. BOX 1926, ALBANY, N.Y. 12201-1926.
…contributed by Vice-President Julian Austin TM 2/C USS Chatelain DE-149

 
     
 
     
 
 
     
  Arthur L. Davis S 2/c USS Chatelain  
     
          Died Oct. 8th, 2003 Burial in Merrillville, IN. Art and his wife Gloria were very active in the affairs of the TG 22.3 Association in which Art served as Historian and they attended most of the reunions. He was a Battle Star member of the Association, having served aboard USS Chatelain and participated in the capture of U-505.  
     
 
 
 
Art Davis S 2/c (L) and Joe Villanella (R) Rdm/2c of the USS Chatelain
 
     
          We mourn our great loss. Art passed from us suddenly on October 8th. He was instrumental in bringing the crew of the USS Chatelain together at all the annual conventions. He traced every crewmember, wrote a short history about each, published a book containing a history of our ship and Task Group 22.3 and sent a copy to each shipmate.
  
          A few years ago I got in touch with each of our crew suggesting a donation to purchase a plaque honoring Art. Everyone agreed and we presented it to Art at a reunion in Florida. I am sure he treasured that plaque.
        When Art walks up that gangway to the big DE in the sky, he will be greeted by Capt. Foley, Capt. Knox, crewmembers Donzella, Priddy, Wernichi and all the rest of the officers and crew that have gone on before him.
        Art, the whole crew of the USS Chatelain wish you smooth sailing. God Bless !		  
 
...information provided by Joe Villanella Rdm/2c USS Chatelain
  
     
  John W. Bersch - USS Chatelain  
     
 

        Died Nov 20, 2003. John served aboard USS Chatelain, participated in the capture of U-505, and was a Battle Star member of the TG 22.3 Association. He is survived by his wife Treva.

...Information provided by Treva Bersch

  
     
  George Ehrhardt MoMM 3/c - USS Flaherty  
     
 

        Died August 25, 2002. Survived by wife Nora and daughter Karen. George was aboard USS Flaherty when U-505 was captured in 1944. He and Nora attended the 50th reunion in Chicago in 1994

...information provided by Bill Smith - USS Flaherty

  
     
  Howard "Bill" W. Marrow FC 2/c - USS Flaherty  
     
 

        Died 2003 - Survived by wife Ellen. Bill was aboard USS Flaherty for the capture of U-505. He and Ellen attended many TG 22.3 Association reunions including the 50th reunion in Chicago in 1994.

…information provided by Bill Smith - USS Flaherty

  
     
  Mary Lou Ingels  
     
 

        Beloved wife of Dick Ingels USS Guadalcanal crewman. Mary Lou passed away last Nov 8th after a long struggle with cancer; a memorial mass was held at The Old Mission in San Luis Obispo on November 12, 2003.
She was born in San Francisco in 1935 and attended schools in San Francisco, Los Angeles and the San Diego College for Women. In 1955 she returned to San Francisco where she worked 35 years for Union Oil Co. In 1990 she and husband Dick made their home in Avila Beach, California. Mary Lou enjoyed traveling and the many trips accompanying Dick to his annual Navy reunions. She was a member of the Women's Alliance for Hospice for San Luis Obispo County. She is survived by her husband Dick, 2 brothers, 2 nieces, 3 nephews and Dick's 2 sons and daughter.

…information provided by Dick Ingels - USS Guadalcanal

  
     
  E. J. "Jack" Gillespie Quartermaster 3/c - USS Guadalcanal  
     
 

        Born April 6, 1925. Died September 4, 2003 in the Veterans Hospital near his home in Eagle, Idaho. Jack is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joyce, two sons, three grandchildren, and his brother. After his retirement from the Los Angeles Police Department after 20 years service, Jack continued his career in law enforcement by serving as Chief of Police in Dunsmuir, CA and later as head of security in the community of Sun River, Oregon before retiring to Eagle, Idaho. He was involved in many youth programs, including YMCA and Babe Ruth baseball. Jack attended his last reunion in Branson in 1999.

...Information provided by Joyce Gillespie

  
     
  Floyd R. Helm S/2c - USS Guadalcanal  
     
          Aboard for the commissioning of USS Guadalcanal in September 1943 and present when U-505 was captured. Floyd died April 17, 2003 and is buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery.

…information provided by daughter Karen Stigers

  
     
  William L. Bowne LCDR - USS Guadalcanal  
     
          Born November 30, 1918 - Seattle, WA; died May 25, 2003 - Schenectady, NY
William served aboard USS Guadalcanal during the capture of U-505 and was a Battle Star member of the Task Group 22.3 Association. He continued on in the Navy after WW II and served during the Korean war. He was married to Phyllis Tolman on July 11, 1944 and is survived by his wife Phyllis, two daughters, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
He was a founding member of the Task Group Association, working closely with Jack Dutton and Dick Ellis in 1988 and 1989, and was responsible for the drafting of the Association's by-laws.
William was active in the Masons and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9132 in Niskayuna, NY. During his working career he was a representative for several companies.

…information provided by Phyllis Bowne

 
     
  Alexander L. Bubniak EM2/c - USS Flaherty  
     
          Alex was born Sept 8, 1920 in Amsterdam, N.Y. where he grew up. He died July 28, 2003 at his home in Amsterdam where he had lived all his life.
During WW II he served aboard the USS Flaherty during the capture of U-505, and also served aboard USS Columbus and USS Shubrick.
In 1949 he married Adelaide Dybas. They had four children and five grandchildren.
He worked for over twenty years for General Electric in Schenectady, NY, retiring in 1982. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Church, its Holy Name Society, the St. Michael the Archangel Society, St. Stan's Seniors, the Polish-American Veterans, and American Legion Post 701. He joined the Task Group 22.3 Association in 1989 and he and Adelaide attended eleven of our reunions.

…information provided by Adelaide Bubniak