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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Last Patrol - Mission Accomplished
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RMC Bill R. Tatroe, known as 'Chief' to his children, grand & great-grandchildren, ventured out on his last patrol 15 Sep 2008, Monday morning at 3:55am here in Tulsa, OK. Following this stroke on 26 August, Bill fought the good fight. He'd battled back from two earlier strokes in the last 1-1/2 years. He was 85yrs, 6-mos.

All the nurses and staff at the hospital took to him. He was the ideal patient and "always polite" they said. 'Chief' was so compliant, and even said "Thank you" when they stuck him with yet another needle!

A week ago today, we were fortunate to transfer him to a hospice care home... a wonderful place with sensitive caregivers. We were able to be with him in a pleasant environment. There was a birdfeeder out his window, colorful zinnas blooming at the entrance walkway, and of course, we could (and did) play his big band and jazz music all week for him (he was a drummer for 4 decades and this was one of the many joys in his life). The last jam session we had together was with Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

While holding his hand and touching his shoulder, I recounted the good times and our "great adventures" that we were able to take together when he was fit to do so. I reminded him when he taught his great grandchildren the closing song to the Lawrence Welk Show (he rarely missed it at 7pm Saturday nights). They eagerly learned it, and would call him up sometimes and sing it to him: "Good night, sleep tight and pleasant dreams to you. Here's a wish and a prayer that every dream comes true; and now 'til we meet again, Adios, au revior, auf weidersehen.....Good Night!"

He joined the Navy at 17yrs 10-mos, and he served 23-yrs total. Recently I'd asked 'Chief' what he could tell me in general about his PT boat shipmates: "They were a great bunch of guys. You just don't find many people like that anymore."

[blue] "CACTUS CONTROL, PT-47, ALL IS QUIET, RETURNING TO BASE" [/blue]

Randy & Joni (Tatroe) Finfrock
2nd Generation: Ron-2, NOLA Pre-Commissioning Detail, Ron-16B, Miami Shakedown, Aleutians, SFO, Mios Woendi, PT Base #21

Randy Finfrock

Posted By: Randy Finfrock | Posted on: Sep 15, 2008 - 3:01pm
Total Posts: 97 | Joined: Nov 27, 2006 - 6:21pm

Randy - my sincere condolences to you and your family on Chief's passing. It's great that you had such a wonderful relationship with him and I hope that it gives you some comfort in this time of sadness.

It sounds like Bill summed it all up himself - "They were a great bunch of guys. You just don't find many people like that anymore."

God bless you and your family - Bill especially - may you all find peace.

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Sep 15, 2008 - 5:10pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Beautifiul, Beautiful words Randy,
Please accept my condolences to you and your family

Michael

Posted By: Michael | Posted on: Sep 15, 2008 - 5:35pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Randy;

Chief sounded like a wonderful man. My condolences to you and your family. I am sure Chief is Back on PT 47 riding the waves again with his ship mates.

Posted By: Gary Szot | Posted on: Sep 15, 2008 - 5:54pm
Total Posts: 193 | Joined: Feb 12, 2007 - 1:00pm

BILL TATROE........LEST WE FORGET

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Sep 16, 2008 - 9:49am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

A sad note indeed is when these warriors of yesteryear, make their final patrol. He seemed like a wonderful husband, Father, and Grandfather, of which I am sure your Family is most proud. I had always felt that PT stood for more then Patrol Torpedo. It also stood for PLENTY TOUGH, a breed far apart from other generations. Not only did he serve with wonderful guys, on a wonderful boat, but he was a member of the GREATIST GENERATION. He could say proudly, that they saved a World.

Time will heal all wounds. Rest easy that this man is again united with those PT BOATERS that went before him. He is looking into the wind, once again riding the waves, only this time on a peaceful mission with GOD................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Sep 16, 2008 - 11:43am
Total Posts: 3544 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Randy;
My condolences to you and your family. Chief Tatroe sounded like a great guy. Now that 48 is going to be restored, I really wish he had the opportunity to ride her, I wish this for all RON 2 and RON 3(2) guys that are still with us. Today I was present for the Chiefs pinning ceromony at NAB Little Creek, and after reading your post about Chief Tatroe making his last patrol yesterday. all I could think about during the ceromony was guys like him who eternally display selfless dedication to duty, Chiefs like him are a constant roll model for all those who follow him, and even though he never met the Chiefs I saw pinned today, I know a little bit of him has been instilled in each one of them, and they will sucessfully carry on his tradition. He will never be forgotten, because he is a Chief.
He is once again riding that sweet Elco, enjoying the salt spray on his young face, as the 47 roars over the waves. I just hope when the 47 docks, that he can find a set of skins at the CPO club to rock and swing the house down.
Fair winds and following seas Chief Tatroe, save a beer for us at the Chiefs club.
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Sep 16, 2008 - 4:32pm
Total Posts: 3071 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Ted, I'm not sure if I told you this but I use to go to NAB all the time. Do you know Lisa Kilmon there? Works on the PC's. I use to work with her there. I use to love going in there and seeing all the pictures of the PT boats on the walls. I miss that place.

Ray

Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: Sep 16, 2008 - 6:32pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered