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