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:"
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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.
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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