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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
PT-323 Pictures
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I have some pictures which I am in the process of scanning. These are of my father and crew of PT-323.
[image]http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/katderrick/Emery%20M%20Newton/1944September-OffBiakarecapturedJap.jpg[/image]
1944 September - Off Biak are captured Japs shown huddled in blankets on foredeck in cockpit are Lts. Newton, Costiagan and Elliott was written on the photo.
[image]http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/katderrick/Emery%20M%20Newton/img063.jpg[/image]
Proud Daughter of:
Lt. Emery M. Newton
PT 323
b. 1913 d. 1997
Posted By: KatDerrick | Posted on: Sep 6, 2009 - 2:40pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Kat
Welcome as a new member to this message board. Please contact me if you get a chance at mosquitofleet@comcast.net
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Sep 6, 2009 - 4:05pm
Total Posts: 3548 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Thank you for contributing, Kat.
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Sep 6, 2009 - 11:25pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Here are a couple more that I found and scanned.
[IMaGe]http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/katderrick/Emery%20M%20Newton/img058.jpg[/IMaGe]
[IMaGe]http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/katderrick/Emery%20M%20Newton/img060.jpg[/IMaGe]
Proud Daughter of:
Lt. Emery M. Newton
PT 323
b. 1913 d. 1997
Posted By: KatDerrick | Posted on: Sep 7, 2009 - 7:49am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Hi Kat,
I am very interested in seeing more of these photos from the PT323. One of the members of Save the PT Boat, Dick Lowe was also stationed on board PT323 (he was aTorpedoman and was manning the bow 37mm cannon when the boat was hit by the Japanese Kamikaze plane in December 1944. I could relay these photos you have posted to him. We have a few photos that we obtained from Will Day but the ones you have are completely new to me. Would you be willing to share more of these with me?
Also, by the way are there any explanations/captions on the back of the last 2 photos? Thanks Jerry Gilmartin PT658 Portland, OR
Jerry Gilmartin
Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Sep 7, 2009 - 8:54am
Total Posts: 1499 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm
Kat: If you would like copies of the pictures I have, post your e-mail address.
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Sep 7, 2009 - 9:28am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Well, I have the book that my Dad wrote with William P. Hall entitled "The Blackjacks". I am going to try and scan it.
As far as the pictures, I scanned those few a bit back. I will go though the boxes again and see if there is anything else on them. It might take me a bit though.
If I forget, nudge me at my email katderrick at hotmail dot com
Proud Daughter of:
Lt. Emery M. Newton
PT 323
b. 1913 d. 1997
Posted By: KatDerrick | Posted on: Sep 7, 2009 - 9:29am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Two more
[IMaGe]http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/katderrick/Emery%20M%20Newton/EMN002.jpg[/IMaGe]
[IMaGe]http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/katderrick/Emery%20M%20Newton/EMN003.jpg[/IMaGe]
I would love help identifying any of the guys in this. My father is front and center.
Proud Daughter of:
Lt. Emery M. Newton
PT 323
b. 1913 d. 1997
Posted By: KatDerrick | Posted on: Sep 9, 2009 - 5:04pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Thank you for the images Kat, they are very interesting. It looks like they named the bow 20mm "Jean". Maybe somebody's wife or girlfriend? Or a mother-in-law with a loud bark.
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Sep 10, 2009 - 9:16am
Total Posts: 2206 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Kat, thank you for posting the photos of your Dad and his boat. They are historically important, and a source of endless fascination for us PT buffs.
Jeff D, I've noticed (and I know you have, too) through the perusal of hundreds (if not thousands) of WWII photos over the years that in addition to the classic and well-known practice of pilots naming their planes, a lot of guys would paint the names of wives and sweethearts on boats, vehicles, helmets, gun barrels and mounts, at their crew positions, gun stations, or, in the case of AAF mechanics/ground crews, on the nacelles of the multi-engined planes they serviced.
You certainly couldn't say those guys weren't thinnking of the girls back home!
Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Sep 10, 2009 - 9:58am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am
Great shot of the 323 boat with its crew.
Posted By: Gary Szot | Posted on: Sep 10, 2009 - 5:36pm
Total Posts: 193 | Joined: Feb 12, 2007 - 1:00pm
Thanks to all of you for the kind words.
According to my Mom, my Dad left the 323 about a week before it was hit. I don't know much more than that. I don't know why or where he went after that. I don't know if crew changes at the same time or not. Any information or generalities you all could give me on that would be appreciated.
I will be scanning at some point over this weekend. My current project is the book The BlackJacks which he co-wrote with a William P. Hall.
My long term goal is to add a page to Wikipedia as there are so few about actual PT boats. That is why I am interested in whom captained the ship before and after him.
Thanks to all of you for you kindness. It is truly appreciated!
Kathleen
Kathleen NEWTON Derrick
Proud Daughter of:
Lt. Emery M. Newton, (Jg)
PT 323
b. 1913 d. 1997
Posted By: KatDerrick | Posted on: Sep 11, 2009 - 5:52pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Great pics. Thanks for sharing
I am a proud Army Strong Dad who has a deep appreciation for all who serve and have served our country.
Posted By: whitakermk | Posted on: Oct 6, 2009 - 6:57pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Thanks for the post - please never be shy about sharing the photo or anything else PT boat, we all have a craving for them.
Dick . . .
Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Oct 6, 2009 - 11:23pm
Total Posts: 1489 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm
Really great pictures of PT-323 and I thank You for posting them. PT 323 other nick-names were SNAFU and Jinx.
In 1999 while researching another boat I made contact with Einrid (Bud) Neet who was on three other boats before being assigned to Ron 21's PT-323 in October 1944. At the time PT-323's CO was Lt. (jg.) Herbert Stadler with Ens. William Adelman XO.
" A Look Inside the Blackjack" On the morning of 12-10-44 PT's 323 and 327 along with Ron 36 PT's 528 and 532 were returning returning to base from night patrol, when out of the brilliant morning sun, the boats were attacked by four Japanese planes. One plane targeted 323, it's pilot's intention was to get this boat by whatever tactics he could. The 323 tried every evasive action possible but the enemy plane with bulldog persistance came on in, in the face of of 323's blazing guns. The plane was hit, but still stuck with them diving into the PT. The diving plane hit the radar mast with one of its wings. The impact of the plane hitting the radar mast tore 323 in half, at the cockpit, amidship. Lt (jg) Stadler and Ens. Adelman lost their lives and several of the crew were wounded.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Wayne%20Traxel/PT-323-1R.jpg[/image]
Ron 21's PT-323 Photo from Mrs. Walter Keuhn
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Wayne%20Traxel/PT-323Charthouse.jpg[/image]
Ron 21's PT-323 Charthouse purchased from PT Boats Inc.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Wayne%20Traxel/PT-323-4-12-11.jpg[/image]
Ron 21 PT323 day after loss 12-11-1944 Photo from Bud Neet.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Wayne%20Traxel/PT-323-312-11-44.jpg[/image]
Ron 21 PT323 Day After Loss 12-11-1944 Photo from Bud Neet.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Wayne%20Traxel/PT-323-5-12-11.jpg[/image]
Ron 21 PT323 Day After Loss 12-11-1944. Photo from Bud Neet.
Wayne Traxel
Posted By: Wayne Traxel | Posted on: Oct 7, 2009 - 11:10am
Total Posts: 248 | Joined: Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am
Yes my father left in the beginning of October. At some point right around then he was injured (I don't know how) and he carried metal in his leg the rest of his life. But I am pretty sure that it was not physically on the 323 that this injury happened.
And yes I was aware of who took over the boat and what happened in December. I always felt some lucky star was looking down on my Dad to take him off the boat then.
But thanks for the rest of the pictures as some I hadn't seen. I will add to my file on my Dad.
Kathleen
Kathleen NEWTON Derrick
Proud Daughter of:
Lt. Emery M. Newton, (Jg)
PT 323
b. 1913 d. 1997
Posted By: KatDerrick | Posted on: Oct 7, 2009 - 4:54pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Great photos, Wayne. Thanks for posting them.
Interesting to note the broken shards of the cockpit windshield at the port side of the 323...seems obvious it was painted-over plexiglass, and in other photos of the 323, it seems pieces of wood were bolted/screwed over the plexiglass of the windshield ..
It's always fascinating to study the details of the boats in these vintage, historic photos.
Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Oct 8, 2009 - 2:56pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am
Kat,
My father, David Michael Myers, was the radioman on PT 323 under the command of your father. He is kneeling on one knee on the far left in the front row. In some photos he is misidentified as "Lange".
Patricia Myers Small
Patricia Myers Small
Posted By: Patricia Myers Small | Posted on: Mar 5, 2017 - 7:05am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
How wonderful to hear from you! I'm still going through my parents things and keep looking for more. But time is always in short supply. I hope to identify all on the pictures at some point.
When I think of all they went through it is just amazing. I sure wish they made men like that these days. My father rarely spoke about the war. It was just something you did. He never spoke of the horrors he witnessed. I had to really prod him for any information.
Glad to see you joined and hope to hear from you again.
Kat,
My father, David Michael Myers, was the radioman on PT 323 under the command of your father. He is kneeling on one knee on the far left in the front row. In some photos he is misidentified as "Lange".
Patricia Myers Small
Patricia Myers Small
Kathleen NEWTON Derrick
Proud Daughter of:
Lt. Emery M. Newton, (Jg)
PT 323
b. 1913 d. 1997
Posted By: KatDerrick | Posted on: Mar 13, 2017 - 7:19am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
I am also very proud of my father. He never spoke very much about his time on the boat but did say that he had the opportunity to meet JFK at some point, and that JFK had asked him to join his political campaign after the war. He died at a young age and was not fortunate enough to know his grandson, Major James David Small, U.S. Army Ranger, West Point Class of 2006 who he would be very proud of. I will post a photo of my son who looks very much like his grandfather. When I found the photo of the crew and the other photos that I had never seen before of my father during the war, I was thrilled. My son has proudly hung the crew photo in his house in Alexandria, Virginia and it will be with him wherever he is assigned. Thank you for your work on this project.
Patricia Myers Small
Posted By: Patricia Myers Small | Posted on: Mar 14, 2017 - 3:42pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Thanks for your post, Patricia. A proud family...
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Mar 14, 2017 - 5:38pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Totally gave me goosebumps to hear about your grandson and the photo! So many feelings from me about the younger generations caring enough to care about WWII men and women.
Kathleen NEWTON Derrick
Proud Daughter of:
Lt. Emery M. Newton, (Jg)
PT 323
b. 1913 d. 1997
Posted By: KatDerrick | Posted on: Mar 21, 2017 - 7:40am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered