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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
Afro Americans in the PT SERVICE
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=5086
I have decided to research and work on a subject not really touched on. My research will be called "Afro Americans in the PT SERVICE during WWII". This is not going to be easy although I have found 4 men that served with the Squadrons during WWII. I have a few photos so far and will be working with Alyce at PT HEADQUARTERS to try and fill in some of the holes. Any help any of you may have please let me know. This photo shows Joshua Oneal onboard PT-195 with Squadron 12. One man from Springfield, Ma. served and his name was Bruce Bryant Jr.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Dec 13, 2021 - 1:47pm
Total Posts: 3545 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Back in 2006 a gentleman named Glenn Knoblock was seeking information here about African-Americans serving with PT boats:
Topic: African-Americans and PT boats
[url]http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=129&sc=20&pg=1&x=0[/url]
Topic: PT Crew Records
[url]http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=179&sc=20&pg=1&x=0[/url]
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Dec 15, 2021 - 4:12am
Total Posts: 2203 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Thanks Jeff. I had long forgotten about this conversation, so what is here helps out a lot. I wish Glenn had left his E mail so i could obtain a few photos
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Dec 16, 2021 - 4:18pm
Total Posts: 3545 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Frankie . . .
I'll send you (by email) the last known email I had for Glenn Knoblock.
Dick . . . .
Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Dec 16, 2021 - 9:55pm
Total Posts: 1488 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm
You're welcome Frank.
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Dec 17, 2021 - 5:18am
Total Posts: 2203 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Thanks Dick I got the E Mail and have sent him a message
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Dec 17, 2021 - 9:22am
Total Posts: 3545 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Looking forward to your findings. We have all seen and heard about the Red Tails and watched Cuba manning the .50 at Pearl to shoot down a Zero because he was done in the mess hall and took the initiative to grab a gun....but this photo is very interesting. At a time when African and Filipino Americans were shunted off into support jobs (orderlies, cooks, truck drivers, etc), here is a guy in a volunteer outfit who, for appearances, is just one of the combat crew. Hopefully he related his experiences from his point of view to someone in his family.
Posted By: frankd | Posted on: Dec 20, 2021 - 8:13pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Information is just incredibly difficult to find out of any of them went out on a PT Patrol. A real needle in a haystack
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Dec 22, 2021 - 12:49pm
Total Posts: 3545 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
I'd assume if he was a crewman he’d be listed in the Deck Logs. Which should show the dates onboard. The War Diaries would show the patrols for those dates.
Posted By: PT127 | Posted on: Dec 23, 2021 - 9:27am
Total Posts: 35 | Joined: Aug 21, 2011 - 1:32pm
Did a quick search on Oneal and Bryant, the two names from the first post. Havent found Oneal yet.
Bryant, his name is Desso Bruce Bryant, Jr. Appears he had been in the navy since 1936. Many different ships. He was in RON 1 (Div 1 - 1942), Ron 3 (Div 2 - 1942) and RON22 (1944).
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Dec 23, 2021 - 12:29pm
Total Posts: 611 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
Thanks Charlie, Bryant is the one person I was able to get the most information about. I was going to post the Newspaper articles here, but t says the file was too large. Here is what the article mentions
Bruce Bryant Jr. was born abt. 1918 in the city of Springfield Mass. He would attend Springfield Schools and was a member of Central High School where he played Football, Baseball, Basketball, and was a member of the Glee Club. He would enlist in the Navy two months before Pearl Harbor on October 6, 1941. At the time he signed his draft card, Bruce lived at 200 Quincy Street in Springfield, Mass. His service number was 212-45-84. Bryant served in five major engagements during the war having served in Midway, Wake Island, the battle of the Coral Sea, and two Savo Island (Guadalcanal) battles. He was a graduate at the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center and would first serve with Ron 1 out of Pearl Harbor. He would be appointed officers Steward 2/c later serving with the PT Tenders USS Hilo in 42 and Ron 3 with Division 2 in Guadalcanal under Lt. Jonathan Rice, and USS Jamestown in 43 where he was appointed ST1/c. He would also serve on the USS California and USS Maryland. Bryant would become the Fleet boxing champion after a series of elimination bouts while in Long Beach California. His last PT squadron was with Ron 22. He married the former Japaline Allen, a Kansas City girl later heading back to the PT SCHOOL waiting for anther assignment.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Dec 25, 2021 - 8:07am
Total Posts: 3545 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Interesting. A few reporting errors. He first enlisted on Oct 5, 1936. Although some muster reports list it as 1938. And the Receiving station in San Diego list it as Oct 5, 1941. Typos everywhere.
But most Musters report it as Oct 5 1936.
According to the Muster Report of Changes from RON 1, He was Honorably Discharged on Oct 5, 1942 (in Hawaii). He re-enlisted on Oct 6, 1942. This would make sense as a 6-year enlistment would expire in October 1942.
He sure did move around a lot during his career. Sometimes hard to keep track of his different stations/ships.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Dec 26, 2021 - 1:38pm
Total Posts: 611 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
Thanks Charlie for always digging through the records to help inquiries, It's much appreciated for all the help you lend to the forum.
Dick . . .
Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Dec 28, 2021 - 1:57pm
Total Posts: 1488 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm
Thanks Charlie I have made the corrections as you have reported
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Dec 31, 2021 - 12:57pm
Total Posts: 3545 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am