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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: George W. Vanderrbilt
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There were pictures and write up of Lt. Alfred Vanderbilt on page 49 of my vol. II book.
I understand a relative of his George W. Vanderbilt also served in the Navy, may be in
the PT service. Can someone shed some light on this?
Victor

Victor K Chun

Posted By: victorkchun | Posted on: Feb 27, 2013 - 3:49pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

As stated in the Knights of the Sea Publication from HQ:

GEORGE VANDERBILT, Lt. Cdr.,

Ron 12, 7th Fleet.
Born in New York 9/ 23 / 1914.
Ranks: ensign, USNR, 2/11/41 ;
completed Naval Reserve Officers Training School at Newport, RI , 8/ 6/ 42;
Lt. (jr. grade), 8/31/42;
Lt., 5/ 1/ 43;
Lt. Cdr., 10/ 3/ 45 .
Ships and Stations: Dist. Intelligence Office, II th Naval Dist., San Diego, 6/ 4/ 42 to 2/11 / 43;
Ron 12, 2/12/43 to 9/ 7 / 43;
Staff, Com. 7th Fleet, 9/8/43 to 11/20/ 43 ;
Staff, Com. MTB Rons, 7th Fleet, 11/21/43 to 11 / I / 44;
Dist. Intelligence Office, 12th, 11/ 2/ 44 to 8/27/45.

Lt. Cdr. Vanderbilt was authorized to wear the Combat "V" by the President of the U.S., who presented him the Legion of Merit - " .. . in operations against enemy Japanese forces; . . .ˇ 23 special intelligence missions; ... Ied missions into areas not yet reached by Allied forces; . . . obtaining valuable information concerning Japanese craft, material and techniques; . . . pinpointed targets for airplane strikes; .. . directed photographic reconnaissance of enemy installations and coordinated attacks of aircraft and surface forces upon Japanese shore positions; . . . ˇ commanded group of PT boats, Yalau landing; ˇ . . directed PT Boat 341 through uncharted waters to evacuate a dying man; . . . participated in 10 combat patrols for intelligence purposes, frequently carrying out these vital missions in the face of intensive fire from enemy surface craft and airplanes; ... by his superb professional ability, inspiring leadership and steadfast devotion to duty, he contributed to the success of our forces in the South Pacific area and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."

According to the Department of the Navy, additional information regarding the various PT boats to which he may have been assigned and detailed information regarding the duties he performed are not of record.

Lt. Cdr. Vanderbilt was discharged from the USN R under honorable conditions on 6/17/59. He died 6/ 24/ 61 , and is buried in a private cemetery at Arcadia Plantation in Georgetown, SC, where his daughter, Lucille Vanderbilt Pate, now resides with her three surviving children, two sons and a daughter. A fourth child, a son, age 17, died as the result of an auto accident. He was very like his grandfather and is buried beside him.

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Feb 27, 2013 - 4:02pm
Total Posts: 1489 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

victor
while i was in ormoc,pi up to dec,1945 i beleive our commanding iofficer was george vanderbuilt,he stayed at rth e officers quaryeras in the old hotel at the end of the pier in my photos of ormoc.i never heard much abiout him though.i saw his bio that mentioned 1943 or so but i was at ormoc till dec 1945,i had enough points to come home but as i was in a needed occupation i was h eld back from coming home till then,i don,t know if he wqs astill there or not
my best/ earl

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 27, 2013 - 4:35pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Victor;
Alfred Gwynn Vanderbilt ll, was Skipper of PT 196 RON 12
George Washington Vanderbilt lll, was Intell Officer of RON 12
They were brothers.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 28, 2013 - 6:33am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Did George command a boat? Man, calling RON 12 the Millionaire's squadron is not a lie ..............

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Feb 28, 2013 - 7:42am
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

Thank you guys, especially Dick, for just the information I need.
Victor

Victor K Chun

Posted By: victorkchun | Posted on: Feb 28, 2013 - 7:48am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Ted, I remember reading one time that George Vanderbilt killed himself sometime in the 60's. I am not sure if this was the same man from Ron 12..............

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 28, 2013 - 8:04am
Total Posts: 3547 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

sorry/maybe i got george and alfred mixed up earl

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 28, 2013 - 9:00am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Frank;
Yes, it was the same man.

Garth;
No, George W. Vanderbilt lll, did not command a PT Boat. As per Dick's info from Knights of the Sea, George went to Intell School in Newport, RI. Then was assigned to RON 12 as Intell Officer, Just like Byron "Whizzer" White was assigned to RON 10 as Intell Officer, and later Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla 1.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 28, 2013 - 9:25am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Ted,

Thanks, I don't have the hard copy of KNIGHTS OF THE SEA or Dick's CD - both are too expensive for me.

Byron White - the Supreme Court Justice?

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Feb 28, 2013 - 11:06am
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

George W Vanderbilt did kill himself at a young age. I think it was 51 by jumping off a
ten stories hotel due to financial problem according to his wife.

Victor K Chun

Posted By: victorkchun | Posted on: Feb 28, 2013 - 4:00pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Dick;
Can you also print what Knights of the Sea says about Alfred Gwynn Vanderbilt ll career in the PT Boats, please.
Thanks,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 28, 2013 - 7:11pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Ted . . .

There is only a very brief mention of Alfred G. Vanderbilt Plus his name listed in roster:

ALVIN W. PARRY, RdM 2/C, Ron 12.
Born Dec. 16, 1922 in Roanoke, VA.

Began federal career with Navy Department, Wash. D.C., Mar. 1942. Military furlough shortly thereafter, joined U.S. Navy.

Basic at Great La kes NTS, radio school U. of Wisconsin, where call was answered for "volunteers", MTB Rons. Waiting to board USS Iowa, Philadelphia Navy Yard was ordered to join MTB Ron 12, Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Originally assigned as overage to [b]Alfred G. Vanderbilt's PT 196.[/b]

On arrival in Australia received permanent berth on PT 194, as radarman.

Completed 66 combat missions throughout Bismark Archipelago Campaign.

Especially proud of Unit Presidential Citation given by President Roosevelt for outstanding performance during the Huon Peninsula Campaign against the Japanese forces from Oct. 1943 to Mar. 1944.

See partial "PT Boater Roster" listing:

VANDEN BOSSCHE. John W. *
[b]VANDERBILT. Alfred G.[/b]
VANDERBILT. George. III *
VANDER HEIDEN. J ames R.
VANDERLANS. LeoJ.

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 7:50am
Total Posts: 1489 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Dick;
Thanks anyway.

his rank dates are different than George's but as per Earl's info Alfred's should read something like this:
Alfred G. Vanderbilt ll
Ranks:
CWO2 1941
Ensign 1942
LTjg 1943
LT1944
LCDR1945(?)

Assignments:
3rd Naval District NY
MTBTC Melville, RI
CO PT 196 Ron 12, 2/12/43 to 2/44;
Staff, Com. MTB Rons, 7th Fleet, 1944
CO Adv. PT Base Ormoc, P.I. 1945

Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 8:44am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

So, ... George was on PT-194? As a radarman?

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 9:00am
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

So, ... George was on PT-194? As a radarman?

No. Perhaps you should revisit Dick's and Ted's entries. They are clear, concise, and answer the question.

Al Ross

Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 2:33pm
Total Posts: 994 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm

So, ... George was on PT-194? As a radarman?

Ahoy TG.

Easy to make that mistake.

Dick was talking about another fellow who was the radarman on PT-194.

From Dick's recent post:
"ALVIN W. PARRY, RdM 2/C, Ron 12.
Born Dec. 16, 1922 in Roanoke, VA.

Began federal career with Navy Department, Wash. D.C., Mar. 1942. Military furlough shortly thereafter, joined U.S. Navy.

Snipped.

Originally assigned as overage to Alfred G. Vanderbilt's PT 196.

On arrival in Australia received permanent berth on PT 194, as radarman.

Completed 66 combat missions throughout Bismark Archipelago Campaign."

Snipped.

Hope this clarifies things for you.

Cheers

"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too."

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder2 | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 2:48pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Thank you PeterTareBuilder ...

I did read Dick's answer but I thought he mistyped something because the thread was about the VANDERBILT brothers ...

But, thank you for setting it straight PeterTareBuilder.

Garth

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 3:26pm
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

Additionally,

Could someone here tell me if that Byron White that Ted mentioned on the first page of this thread is the same Byron White who served on the US Supreme Court?

Thank you.

Garth

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 3:47pm
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

Garth,

Yes, the Byron "Whizzer" White that was the MTB Flotilla 1 Intelligence officer -- and who wrote the official report of the PT actions of August 1-2 1943 in Blackett Straight, including the ramming/sinking of PT 109 and the survival ordeal of her crew -- was the same one who was later a Supreme Court Justice.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 5:02pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

Guys,
Don't forget Byron "Whizzer" White was a great athelete too. Found this and it is good reading Gary
[url]http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1135166/index.htm[/url]

Posted By: Gary Paulsen | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 5:07pm
Total Posts: 252 | Joined: Feb 14, 2009 - 6:31am

Garth;
in Rush Limbaugh speak DITTO Drew and Gary.
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 1, 2013 - 6:52pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Yes, Ted, Drew and Gary get a BIG thank you from me.

White played pro-football and pro-baseball? WOW! I never knew that. Heck, I never knew that people like Charles Turnning, Mel Brooks, Dale Robertson and Tom Posting actually fought in the war.

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Mar 2, 2013 - 6:02am
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

STUPID me.

It was Charles Durnin ..............

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Mar 3, 2013 - 7:07am
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

STUPID me.

It was Charles Durnin ..............

...and Tom Poston...

Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: Mar 3, 2013 - 7:19am
Total Posts: 994 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm

For those interested in other PT personnel trivia, please see the "WELL KOWN VETERANS of PT BOAT SERVICE": in the "Trivia Section" on this website:

[url]http://www.ptboats.org/20-12-05-trivia-001.html#anchor12-10[/url]

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Mar 3, 2013 - 7:53am
Total Posts: 1489 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Yes Mr. Ross, ... I misspelled Poston too .......... I am sorry ...

But, of late (this past week?) I have been dealing with a manic-depressive brother who now has a heart problem who's my primary care-giver who needs surgery ...

So, my mind has been otherwise engaged with more important matters than actor's name.

So, I apologize for misspelling Mr. Durnin's and Mr. Poston's names ........

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Mar 3, 2013 - 8:30am
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

Something about Mr. Brooks was that he dug up mines and fought in the Battle of the Bulge and my uncle fought in that battle too.

I did not know that Mr. Durnin was captured by the Germans after he was in the first wave on D-Day.

My respect for both men skyrocketed after I learned that.

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Mar 3, 2013 - 9:34am
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

Garth,

You're NOT stupid...but...it was Charles Durning, not "Durnin."[:-veryhappy-:]

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Mar 4, 2013 - 1:32pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

Thanks Drew ..........

I remember him in THE FINAL COUNTDOWN and THE BEST LIL' WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS.

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Mar 4, 2013 - 2:25pm
Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm

I have a photo of G. Vanderbilt and PT-342 skipper Herbert Punches in my Dad's photo album. Very neat. Dad said Vanderbilt had great maps....now that makes sense.

Posted By: Jeff Sherry | Posted on: Mar 5, 2013 - 2:37pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

I have a photo of George Vanderbilt aboard PT-342 with skipper Herbert Punches...Dad always said he had the best maps. This thread explains a lot.

Posted By: Jeff Sherry | Posted on: Mar 5, 2013 - 4:12pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Jeff;
Could you post the photo of George Vanderbilt on PT 342 with Herbert Punches. While I have some photos of Alfred V. the only photos I have of George, are of him presenting the Vandebilt Cup to 1936 winner Tazio Nuvolari and his Alfa Romeo racing team
Just as a side note(which became alot longer than I thought, it would), Jeff, he was an OUTSTANDING selection for RON 12 Intelligence Officer,(he ended the war as Intell Officer 12th Naval District 11/ 2/ 44 to 8/27/45.). He was an very experianced Yachtsman, in fact before the war, He owned several yachts and used them to conduct scientific expeditions all over the globe. His voyages conducted important research in expeditions to Africa in 1934 and aboard the schooner Cressida(Pioneer's first name), he made an ocean journey in 1937 to the South Pacific notably in Sumatra that carried out a systematic study of more than 10,000 fish specimens (434 species in 210 genera).
His fifth major expedition was on the schooner Pioneer in 1941 to the Bahamas, Caribbean Sea, Panama, Galapagos Archipelago and Mexican Pacific Islands. During World War ll Pioneer became IX-79 EL CANO: On 13 Jul 42 VCNO asked BuShips to negotiate a bareboat charter agreement with the owner of the auxiliary steel schooner yacht PIONEER at $1.00 per year. This vessel had been designed by Cox & Stevens and built by Krupp's Germaniawerft at Kiel, Germany, in 1927 as CRESSIDA for the German-American industrialist Hermann Oelrichs, who was a member of the Vanderbilt family. She was reputed to be one of the fastest tall ships on the west coast, often making 14 knots in races off Newport Beach, Calif. Oelrichs sold her in the mid-1930s to George Washington Vanderbilt III, who used her for recreational cruises and to explore Africa and the South Seas. Vanderbilt renamed her PIONEER after 1937 and before visiting Isla Floreana (Galapagos) in her on 4 Jun 41.
On 17 Aug 42 the Navy assigned her the name EL CANO "after the former vessel of that name" (presumably ELCANO, PG-38), and she operated during the rest of the war "in service" in the 11th Naval District. A report that the Coast Guard used EL CANO ex PIONEER for merchant training between 1939 and her return to the MC on 31 Aug 42 appears to be inconsistent with the preceding information, but merchant training could have been her function in the 11th Naval District. The schooner was returned to Mr. Vanderbilt in late 1945. PIONEER made her last major voyage in 1951, from California to Hawaii, and then remained pierside at Newport Beach from 1954 until Vanderbilt's death in 1961. She was sold in 1965 to Windjammer Barefoot Cruises and converted into the passenger ship YANKEE CLIPPER. She was refitted in 1987 with a third mast and a top deck. Windjammer ceased operations in 2007 and the ship is now (2009) laid up in Trinidad and looking for a buyer.
His former yacht, the Pioneer, is now the Yankee Clipper, which sails with passengers in the Caribbean for Windjammer Barefoot Cruises.

He also established the George Vanderbilt Foundation for scientific research but outside academic circles, his important work has mostly been overshadowed by the lavish lifestyles and the Vanderbilt mansions of some of the other members of the Vanderbilt family.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 6, 2013 - 7:10am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Ted,

That is interesting info on Vanerbilt. I had no idea. It would be easier for me to e-mail a copy of the choto but be forewarned it is small and kind of dark. I'll do my best.

sherry4@zoominternet.net

Jeff

Posted By: Jeff Sherry | Posted on: Mar 6, 2013 - 3:54pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Jeff;
Ok, thanks.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 7, 2013 - 5:20am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am