L-R Jim Vanden Bosch, Tony Johannesen, Dan Smith, Joe Hancock, Keith Miller, Bill Vurnakes, Mike Cracchiolo, Mike Smith, Robert Wido, Jesse Patmore and Frank Harrell.
Candace Smith, Christine Vanden Bosch, Ava - Jim Vanden Bosch's Grandaughter, Jenny - Jim's Daughter, April Hancock, Claire Patmore, Leslye Miller, Janelle Johannesen and Peggy Crocchiolo.
On the hotel terrace, Jim handed out copies of his new book - "They Called Me Doc" to everyone. Joe gave everyone new FMF Corpsmen hats, Cracch gave everyone a nice T Shirt with a red cross and caduceus graphic on the back with wording saying "They Cal Me Doc - Navy Corpsman. Jesse handed out a very moving drawing from a friend, and Candace and Dan gave everyone a bottle of Folsum's Pure Maple Syrup from New Hampshire.
The gentleman sitting second from lef't's name is John Burbage. He is a veteran journalist, editor and book publisher. He wrote a very nice commentary in Charleston's "The Post and Carrier" about the reunion and Jim's new book - "They Called Me Doc".
Sure was great seeing all of our corpsmen together again with their wives and families. More wonderful memories from another great reunion.
We visited Patriots Point where we able to board the Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10), the Destroyer USS Laffey (00-724), and the Submarine USS Clamagore (SS-343).
On the Hanger Deck, a WW II B-25 Mitchell Bomber. The same kind launched for the first time from the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier on the famous Doolittle Raid targeting Tokyo on April 18, 1942 in retaliation for the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Mike on the Hangar deck standing next to a 16 in. projectile used for Iowa Class Battleships.. The USS New Jersey was often off the Vietnam coast providing fire support for our troops. The projectile weighed approx. 2,000 lbs and could be fired 20 miles.
A Vought F4U Corsair with it's wings folded up sits on the Hanger Deck. The F4U went into service in 1943 and was the fastest aircraft we had at the time. It could reach 400 mph.
The USS Laffey. In the Battle of Okinawa on April 16, 1945 she was struck by six Kamikazes and four bombs and stayed afloat. Thirty two of her 336 man crew were killed and seventy one were wounded. During all of this she shot down up to nine enemy aircraft.
Submarine USS Clamagore (SS-343). Built in 1945 she was fitted with technology originally built into two German submarines at the end of WW II. The program was called Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program (GUPPY).
Leslye and Dan in the aft torpedo room. The USS Clamagore had four torpedo tubes in this room.
Plaque Leslye was reading.about the compartment.
April leaving the ship from the rear compartment. On the right you can see the sleeping racks below the torpedo loading mechanism.
The bow of the Clamagore with the Yorktown and Laffey in the background. Looks like they need to do some repair work on the sub.
While going out on the first evening to find food this young lady comes jogging towards us in downtown Charleston. All of a sudden she recognizes Leslye and me and couldn't believe it, as could we. Her name is Tara and is the daughter of one of our old 60 mm mortarmen in Kilo Co.. His name is Dave Smallidge from Brockton, Mass. He, and his wife MaryAnn attend the reunions. Tara comes whenever she can find the time. She's a LCDR in the navy and is stationed at NWS Charleston Navy Base in Goose Creek, SC. Tara has only been stationed there for two weeks. Another one of those "What a small world" moments.
Drawing by Greg
