Reunion Update and Taps

On December 10 I mailed postcards and emailed  shipmates the notice of the upcoming reunion in April 2013 in Newport RI area. The announcement is also posted on this blog dated December 9.
I have been getting responses and at this time I have received notice that 10 shipmates are planning to attend and 15 are still not sure. That is  total of 25 at this date.
When I make notification of a reunion I get address changes as well as notices that shipmates that have passed on. I have received 2 Taps notices so far this month.
William Vogt passed away on May 17, 2012 . Bill served on the Hazelwood in 1960-63 as an ET in  the Operations department.
Laddie Novak passed away almost 3 years ago on December 24, 2009. Laddie served on the Hazelwood in 1945 and was a deck hand.

2013 REUNION INFORMATION

For your information, I have sent the following email to my email list and I have sent a postcard with the same information to shipmates without an email address. Jim Julian

 

Fellow Hazelwood shipmate,

The RADISSON HOTEL PROVIDENCE AIRPORT has been confirmed as our reunion site. The dates are April 27-29, 2013. The room rates at the hotel will $79.00 or $99.00 for an executive suite plus taxes. These rates area available from April 24 – April 30. You must refer to HAZELWOOD REUNION to get these rates. Call (800) 967-9033 for a reservation.

FRI APR 26 – Bull Sessions all day for those arriving today or earlier.

SAT APR 27 – Naval Sub Base Tour, New London, CT & Mystic, CT. - $25 pp

SUN APR 28 – Battleship Cove Tour and Luncheon, Fall River, MA- $57 w/deli lunch & $61 w/Buffet

MON APR 29 – Newport city and Naval Base tour & Luncheon.- $54 pp

MON APR 29, EVENING – Banquet at Radisson Hotel – Chicken, $33 – Fish, $34 – Prime Rib, $38

Please send me an email letting me know your plans. In other words answer one of the questions below.

( ) I am planning to attend. There will be __________ in my group.

( ) I am not sure yet. Keep me on future mailings.

( ) I know I cannot make the 2013 reunion. Keep me informed of future reunions. No more

mailings will be made to me about the 2013 reunion.

There will be a $30.00 reservation fee for the reunion. This covers the cost of mailings, hospitality room, and refreshments in the hospitality room. If you plan to attend, you can mail a check to Jim Julian, 318 Salt Creek Drive, North Port, FL, 34287 or it will be added to your reservation costs. The fee is fully refundable if you do not attend.

A complete reservation form will be sent in January to those planning to attend. Caps and shirts will be available for purchase. Updated prices are being checked on.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Fred Butler's passing

I recently received the sad news that Fred Butler passed away on October 27, 2012. Fred served on the Hazelwood in the engineering department during the kamikazi attack at Okinawa.
I am inserting the newspaper account of his passing and I hope you are able to read it. If you click on it you will be able to see a larger picture of it.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

USS Hazelwood returns to Newport RI

Yes, The Hazelwood is back in Newport RI (area). That is the model of course.
Carol and I delivered the model and other reunion information to Richard Ernst and he has it safely stored in his company warehouse. For those of you who have not seen the model, it is constructed at a scale of 1/8" to 1 ft. That makes it about 48 inches long. Is mounted on a fine piece of oak and enclosed in a glass cover. All of that then is in a shipping case for protection.
It was made from"scratch" by John Hankinson, a pattern maker and son of one of the 1940's crew.

Here is the model as it was displayed at the 2011 reunion.

While in Warwick, RI, just across the bay from Newport, Richard and Ann showed us the hotel where the reunion is to be held. It is a fine facility and the staff is being very cooperative. The rates they have arranged for us are very reasonable. Free shuttle from the airport will be provided.
While there we took some time to  check out the lounge as you can see in the picture below.

 So mark your calendars for April 26 -29, 2013 and plan to attend the reunion. A mailing and email of detailed information will be sent out in about a month.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

Menford Sutton passing

In Memory of

Menford Lawrence
Sutton

Obituary for Menford Sutton

Menford Lawrence Sutton, 88, passed away peacefully at Arlington Memorial Hospice Unit on Sunday, August 19, 2012. A long time resident of Arlington, Texas, he suffered from Alzheimer Disease for the last thirteen years.

Menford, known to all as “ML”, was born to Jesse Lawrence Sutton and Mattie Ola Harris Sutton on October 11, 1923 in Harrold, Texas, and was the oldest of five children born to his parents. ML was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; Frank Ellis Sutton and Lloyd Paul Sutton.

A member of the “Greatest Generation,” ML enlisted in the U.S. Navy immediately following the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor and spent his wartime service in combat in the Pacific aboard the USS Hazelwood (DD-531). Following two years of combat operations, a kamikaze attack on the USS Hazelwood off Okinawa killed all senior officers and 67 enlisted men on April 29, 1945. As the remaining crew struggled with onboard damage control, ML was tasked with inspecting the exterior integrity of the damaged hull at the water level. That assignment completed and temporary repairs made, the Hazelwood and its survivors returned to Pearl Harbor for permanent repairs. ML and other members of the crew received Honorable Discharges from the US Navy on October 25, 1945, while the Hazelwood continued to serve until decommissioned in 1965.

Following World War II, ML returned to North Texas and entered the Southern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth where he received his PHD in Theology. He also attended TCU while in the Seminary. Following graduation, ML served as a pastor to a Baptist church in Vicksburg, Mississippi from 1949 – 1951. He then returned to Fort Worth where he went to work for Bell Helicopter until his retirement in 1993.

His hobby and love was aviation. A pilot since 1950 and aircraft owner until his illness, ML was enthralled with rocketry and was a pioneer in the model rocketry industry. In the late 1950’s, he and partner Gene Dickerson started Coaster Corporation, a maker and marketer of model rockets. ML’s model rockets were industry leaders. According to Bell Helicopter News, one, the four foot tall Mercury, flew faster than the speed of sound at an altitude of more than half a mile. In 1963, ML and his partner sold Coaster Corporation and its asset ultimately became a part of Estes Industries, the world leader in model rocketry. One model rocket developed by ML Sutton is still in production after more than fifty years.

ML was a long-time supporter of the Big Brothers Big Sisters in Arlington, and he served as a “Big” for many years, mentoring numerous boys supported by this organization. He was an active supporter until his illness.

His survivors are his three children, Dorinda Sutton Cavender and her husband, Hugh C. Akin, his sons, Rodney L. Sutton and his wife, Jeanie LeMoine Sutton and W. Harold Sutton, his six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, two sisters, Evelyn Sutton Roberts and LaVerna Sutton Pugh and numerous nieces and nephews.

ML will be buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211, on Thursday, August 23rd , at 12:30 PM. The assembly point for ML’s interment will be at the cemetery’s “Lane C” at 12:15 PM.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, 450 East John Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas, 75062 or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Another Interesting Email

On August 12, I received the following email.
Dear Jim -
My name is Meridith Constant and I am a granddaughter of Menford L. Sutton, who was a yeoman second class during WWII and was on the USS Hazelwood when it was hit. One of my uncles is named for two friends that perished that day, and I have heard a story that my grandfather swam the boat to aid in determining if it was taking water. He is currently in hospice with advanced stages of Alzheimers; so unfortunately, I have not had an opportunity to talk to him about many things and he rarely if ever talked about that day or others during WWII. I came across your USS Hazelwood blog today and thought I would write to see if you have any information about that day or on my grandfather, I know the family would appreciate hearing/learning more.

Sincerely,
Meridith Constant

I did some searching  in our files and found this card with a picture of Menford,

Using that picture and some help from Meridith I was able to identify Menford in the 1945 picture of the crew in front of the Hazelwood as well as in one of the pictures of the crew taken in Pearl Harbor after the attack. If you look at those pictures you may find  him easily as he was still wearing his hat jauntily on the back of his head.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Re: Who was commnading at the Kamikaze attack?

As you may recall I got this comment several months back:

"I was reading the history of the Hazelwood and was wondering why Cmdr. V.P. Douw is listed as the commanding officer when according to official records my uncle, LtCmdr. Walter A. Hering took command on January 24, 1945 of the USS Hazelwood. LtCmdr. Hering was killed aboard the Hazelwood by enemy air attack on April 29, 1945"

While doing some searching in the records I  have, I found a list of those Killed In Action that fateful day.

In that list it shows WALTER ANDREW HERING, LT CDR as one of those KIA. It also lists VOLKERT PETRUS DOUW, CAPT as KIA.
There was also a copy of an article in a San Francisco newspaper of June 15 with the following: 
"..... Among those listed as dead or missing were Commander V. P. Douw, USN of Abington ......and his relief, Lieutenantant Commander Walter Hering, Jr, USN of ..... GA"

Based on this information and the recollection of at least 2 crew members present, it appears that a formal change of command had not yet taken place and that DOUW was still commanding at the time of the attack.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

More Interesting Mail

In the previous post you saw an email I received. I just received a reply to my request for some additional information and I think the reply is just as interesting so here it is. I have deleted some personal contact information to for privacy concerns.
Coleen's dad is James McMahon, CPO

Hi Jim,

He served on the Hazelwood for 5 years, starting in 1959. My sister and I have great memories of visiting the ship, especially when it was “parked” 3 ships out and we had to cross 3 to get to it. How my mom managed 4 of us little kids on the ships is beyond me! There are a few names that stick in our minds to this very day – Ensign Harwood, Mr. Creek, and a sailor named Julian. We always thought that was his first name, but interesting that it’s your last!! My dad was in 35 years, and on a lot of ships, but we always considered the Hazelwood as “his” ship, our favorite. He was Chief Petty Officer, and I know was a navigator at one time, but he was so many things, not sure if that was his duty on the Hazelwood. I have a bell from the Hazelwood’s lifeboat mounted outside the door of my house – from when it was scrapped, I think!

 My dad’s email is *********@charter.net. Telephone is 413-***-****. Hopefully, his computer will be back up soon.

It’s great to be reminded of the “old days”!
Colleen

I plan on calling Chief McMahon one of these days just to reminisce and encourage him to attend the reunion!!

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Interesting Email

Shipmates, I received this email recently and thought you would find it as interesting as I did. We do have a James McMahon in our mailing list but I am not sure if he is Colleen's father. I have written to her to get more information though. I will post more information as I receive it.

Sir,

 I was doing a search on the USS Hazelwood today, and came upon a website that had the statement “run up the Roadrunner flag” under the ship’s name. So I did a search on USS Hazelwood Roadrunner flag, and up came the picture of Captain Lilly’s birthday party with the Roadrunner flag. My dad made that flag!! I remember from when I was a kid. We 4 children were always so excited when the Hazelwood was in port and we could go on it. I remember watching movies in the chief’s quarters. It was a wonderful time for us. My dad happed to call me this afternoon, and I asked him why he made the flag, and he said “Captain Lilly wanted it”. When I asked why the Roadrunner, he said “because we were fast.” Your website has brought back a lot of great memories. My dad’s computer is down right now, but when it’s back up, I will make sure he checks it out!

Colleen McCartney

 (Chief McMahon’s daughter)

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Passing of Hank Miscowicz

I received an Email from Jen Poyer, The granddaughter of Hank Miscowicz indorming me of his passing on July 1, 2012.  Hank served on the Hazewlwood during WW2. The following is the notice posted by the funeral home.

Henry E. "Hank" Miskowicz
Born: 1923 Died: 2012

Henry E. “Hank” Miskowicz. Age 89. U.S. Navy Veteran W.W. II. Beloved husband of the late Mary Anna nee Zielinski. Loving father of Gerry Miskowicz, Margie (Tom) Poyer and Cathy (John) Carroll. Proud grandfather of Jenny, Tommy, Lisa, Amy, Scotty and Robby. Dear brother of the late Edward “Flash” Miskowicz, Leonard Miskowicz, Raymond Miskowicz and Evelyn Trojonowski. Funeral Friday 9:30 A.M. from The Brady-Gill Funeral Home 16600 S. Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park, IL to St. George Church. Mass 10 A.M. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation Thursday 3-9 P.M. 708-614-9900 or www.bradygill.com

2013 REUNION SCHEDULE

Richard Ernst has completed the basic planning for the coming reunion in the Newport area. Here is the schedule as it now stands. Of course there may be some small changes as the reunion gets closer.

A mailing will be made in the future with reservations forms and full information when we get a little closer to the reunion date.

Saturday, April 27. 2013
Naval Sub-base, Nautilus Museum and free time In Mystic, CT

The tour bus will depart the Radisson Airport Hotel in Warwick, RI at 9:00 am and travel to the Naval Submarine Base, New London, CT. Passengers will get a windshield tour of the base. After the tour, Passengers will be taken to the USS Nautilus Museum for free time to explore. At noon the bus will bring the group to Mystic CT for free time to shop and have lunch on their own. A 3:00 pm departure is planned.
Cost is estimated to be $25.00 per person and includes roud trip bus and driver gratuity.

Sunday. April 28. 2013
Battleship Cove

The bus will depart the Radisson Airport Hotel in Warwick, RI at 10 am for Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA and return at 3:00 pm. Lunch is included at Battleship Cove. You can chose the Battleship Buffet or a lighter deli lunch.
Cost is estimated to be $61.00 for the Battleship Buffet or $57.00 for the deli lunch. The rate includes bus transportation, admission into Battleship Cove, lunch and driver gratuity. 

.

Monday. April 29. 2013
Newport, RI

                      The bus will depart the Radisson Airport Hotel in Warwick RI at 9:00 am for Newport RI. The bus tour escort, Ernie Pina, will give a 90 minute narrated tour of Newport. Upon completion of the tour we will go to the Officer's Club on the Newport Navy Base for lunch. After lunch there will be a windshield tour of the base. Upon completion of the tour we nwill go to the pier or Dewey Field for a Memorial Service. If time is available a free tour of the museum is available. Departure from the base is scheduled for 4:00 PM.
Cost is estimated to be $54.00 per person and includes the Newport tour, lunch, Navy Base tour, driver and guide gratuity.

Banquet
Radisson Airport Hotel

The banquet will be held this evening. Details will follow.

Re: Who Was Commanding at Okinowa

Today I received the following email from Murray Palladino.

"Dear Jim,

It was my understanding that Cmdr Douw was still in command on the 29th of

April 1945. I don't recall hearing of any change in command. Being in the radio group I would think we would have received some notification. I do remember hearing that Cmdr Douw was to be relieved,

Murray Palladino RMC 3rd

1943--1946"

I recall seeing a list of those KIA at Okinawa  in one of the booklets from a past reunion. We have quite a bit of memorabilia and I have not yet had time to search through all of it.  When and if I find the list I will post it on the blog.

REMINDER: The 2013 reunion will be in the Newport area April 27-29. More info will follow as it develops.

HOW TO MAKE A COMMENT ON A POST

This information was posted previously, but I feel it is worthwhile to have it posted again for your information. When making a post if  you leave your email address within your post I can reply directly to  you if you have a question.
1. Click on "Comments" at the bottom of the Post you wish to comment on. If there is already a comment there, you can read it and there will be a block where you can make a comment if you wish.
2. Write your comment in the block provided.
3. Click on the "v" next to "Comment as:"
4. Click on "Name/URL"

NOTE: It is possible to comment anonymously but it is preferred you leave your name. If you want to comment anonymously (No Name shown), click on Anonymous.

5. Type in your name in the "Name" block.
6. DO NOT ENTER ANYTHING in the "URL" block.
7. Click "Continue" - Your name will show up without the "()" following it when the comment is published.
8. Click either POST or PREVIEW
9. Provide the code provided and your Comment will be posted.

 Don't forget to look at the comments when you are reading down through the Blog. You will find they may be interesting and may even be asking a question that you can answer .... with a comment.

PS: If you wish to contact me directly rather than leaving a comment you may do so by emailing me (Jim Julian) at dd531reunion@earthlink.net

Who was commanding at the Kamikaze Attack?

The following comment was left on the Hazelwood history posting of August 6, 2009.

“Don May 4, 2012 8:38 PM

I was reading the history of the Hazelwood and was wondering why Cmdr. V.P. Douw is listed as the commanding officer when according to official records my uncle, LtCmdr. Walter A. Hering took command on January 24, 1945 of the USS Hazelwood. LtCmdr. Hering was killed aboard the Hazelwood by enemy air attack on April 29, 1945”

It was my understanding that when the attack occurred, that the commanding officer and a relieving commanding officer were killed. All records that I recall indicate that the captain was V. P. Douw. I am sure there are some records in the boxes that I have that may confirm this but I have not had time to dig them out as yet.

I did call Otis Wolfe and spoke to him about this and he felt sure that Douw was the commanding officer. He had no recollection of a new commanding officer being on board ready to take command. It is quite possible that the records referred to by ”Don”, may have stated that Hering was assigned to take command but it was never completed. In wartime it sometimes took a long time to get to a station, especially a naval war vessel in the Pacific.  

If any other shipmates have information on this, please post it or email me at dd531reunion@earthlink.net. I will then post it.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Updated Hotel Information

I have called the Radisson's toll free number and have confirmed they have the "USS Hazelwood Reunion" rates correctly listed as $79.00 for a standard room and $99.00 for suite. These rates are good from April 24 - April 30.  Here is the hotel contact information as published on their web site:

Radisson Hotel Providence Airport

2081 Post Road, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886, USA

Reservations: +1 (800) 967-9033 US/Canada Toll-free

Telephone: +1 (401) 739-3000

Richard Ernst is now working on the finer details of the reunion and more will be posted as we have it available.  We hope to see many of our shipmates at this reunion.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

CORRECTIONS TO RADISSON INFORMATION

Shipmates: I know it is early to make reservations but just in case you are going to call the hotel, use the  following number to reach the operator and the reservations desk.  (401) 739-3000

A toll free number is also available but they do not have the special rates in the system yet. I will post that information when is verified the rates are in the 800 number system.

If you wish to view the hotel's web site and see the amenities available you can go directly to their site by clicking this link.  http://www.radisson.com/warwick-hotel-ri-02886/riproair

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

2013 REUNION INFORMATION

Hazelwood Shipmates:


The 2013 reunion will be held at the Radisson Hotel, Providence Airport, 2081 Post Road, Warwick, RI, 401-598-2100,(radisson.com/warwick). Room rates from April 24 to April 30 are $79.00 per night and $99.00 for an executive suite. When making your reservations you MUST refer to “The Hazelwood Reunion” to get these rates. There is shuttle service from the airport to and from the hotel plus shuttle service to local restaurants that are not within walking distance, but there many that can be reached on foot.

Reunion activities are still in the planning stages and are expected to be held on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, April 27 through April 29, 2013. More information will be posted and mailed to those without computer capabilities on a regular basis to keep everyone updated.

We will use Conway Tours for transportation and CPO Ernie Pina (ret) has agreed to be a guide. He has many contacts in the city Newport and on the Naval base. (He was a destroyer sailor stationed in Newport). Dinner will probably be on Monday at the hotel after returning from the base with Memorial and lunch on the base at the Officers Club if possible. Ernie feels that he may be able to arrange the Memorial with active duty chiefs being the color guard. More to follow!!

If  you have any questions you may email Richard Ernst at rfernst@xrin.com or Jim Julian at dd531reunion@earthlink.net  You may also call Jim Julian on his Cell Phone at 941-276-1217. Richard is doing all of the groundwork and planning in the Newport area and Jim is going to be handling mailings and taking reservations.

We hope to see all of you in Newport in 2013

Dub Keith 51-55

Shipmates, I received the following email from Kay Keith, the daughter Dub Keith. Dub served on the Hazelwood 51-55.
"My daddy passed away at 12:21 A.M. On Friday, December 30th, 2011. This afternoon my brother, sister-in-law and I made arrangements. Shipman's Jim Green Funeral Home in Pryor, OK is handling everything.

Visitation is Sunday, January 1st from 1-5 P.M. At the funeral home.
The location is 1204 N.E. 1st, Pryor, OK (across from the hospital). 918-825-2468
His funeral will be held on Monday, January 2nd at 11 A.M. In the chapel at the funeral home. Graveside services will be followed at Floral Haven Cemetery @ 71st and 129th E. Ave in Tulsa, OK at the Garden of the Last Supper.


Kay Keith

Dub's obituary as found on the Shipman Funeral home site follows. If you wish to see it you can click here to see it. http://www.shipmansfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Wb-Keith/#/Obituary

"W. B. “Dub” Keith, 80, of Spavinaw, Oklahoma, passed away on Friday, December 30, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born on April 14, 1931 in Daytown, Oklahoma in Delaware, County, the son of William B. Keith and Stella (Harp) Keith. Dub faithfully served his Country in the United States Navy. He married Leila Rotert on December 17, 1951 at Jay, Oklahoma. He worked as Operations Manager for Consolidated Freightways for many years. Dub was a member and former Commander of the American Legion, Post #192 in Spavinaw. He was also a former member of Post #1 in Tulsa before moving to the Spavinaw area. Several years ago when the C.B. clubs were popular, he was the past president of Northside Breakers C.B. Club, and past president of Green Country Association; his C.B. handle was “Passkey”. On March 4, 1956 he was appointed as Tulsa River Observer. Dub enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, RVing, and especially watching and feeding the birds. He was creative and enjoyed woodworking and building things among other hobbies. Dub was a true patriot, he loved God, Country and Family and will be so very missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 2, 2012, at 11 a.m. in the Shipman’s Funeral Chapel with Reverend K. E. Gerhart officiating. Interment will be in the Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with Billy Moss, Jack Pease, Ralph Bell, Glenn Eberle, Dee Jay Berry and Joseph Berry serving as casket bearers. Military Honors by the American Legion Post #1 Honor Team and the United States Navy Honor Team. The family will receive friends and family at the funeral home from 1-5 p.m. To leave a personal message to his family, please see his web memorial at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service.
Dub is survived by his children, Alan and wife, Catherine Keith of Owasso, OK and Kay Keith of the home; his brothers, Dennis Keith of Pryor, OK and Frank Keith of Tulsa, OK; his sister, Betty Hammack of Kennewick, WA; three step-grandchildren, Lance, Cliff and Katie; seven step-great grandchildren, Kyla, Mitchell, Joseph, Jessica, Eli, Elizabeth and Issac; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Leila (Rotert) Keith in 2001; three sisters, Barbara Brown, Billie Austin, Imogene McAlister, and three brothers, Virgil Dale Keith, Roy Keith and Gary Keith.
To send a memorial gift to the family of W.B "Dub" Keith please visit our Sympathy Store."

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian