An answer to Jake Lazzari

Comments: I am the grandson of Lt. Irv Boaz.My grandfather passed away over 15 years ago.John Cottingham, the Safeguard's communications officer and officer of the deck at the time,wrote an account of the rescue of a downed air force plane on 13 January 1953.It was published in 1999 and my mother received a copy as a gift.Also enclosed with the book was a letter from the pilot of the plane.

Mr. Cottingham researched the deck logs of the Safeguard as well as the logs from the HMS Opossum.He also interviewed survivors of the incident.His account is entitled "Rescuing the Rescuers-The saga of Dumbo Mike".

When we received the book,there was also enclosed a grainy picture of the event.In the picture there are about 25 men at the stern of the Safeguard pulling ropes attached to a seaplane with ice everywhere.

My grandfather spoke very highly of his tour of duty aboard the Safeguard and remained close friends with several crewmembers throughout the remainder of his life. Kevin Boaz Lunt

Keywords: USS Safeguard (ARS-25),Lt.Irvin Boaz,Lt. John J. Cottingham,rescue of "Dumbo Mike"

53-56

Comments: Any of my shipmates from 1953 to 1956 Contact me

Keywords: Aubrey Gross, Duane Badder & Chuck King

Outstanding Highlights 1952-1953

Comments: OUTSTANDING HIGHLIGHTS 1952-1953

JAKE THE BULL JERRY LAZZARI

SEPTEMBER 22,1952 THE USS SAFEGUARD LEFT SASEBO JAPAN AND RECEIVED A DISTRESS CALL FROM THE MINESWEEPER USS FIRECREST WHICH WAS ON FIRE. WHEN WE ARRIVED ON THE SITE THE FIRECREST WAS ON FIRE AND ALL HANDS HAD ABANDONED SHIP.(I BELIEVE THERE WERE 84 MEN INCLUDING OFFICERS). THE SHIP WAS BURNING AND SMOKING BECAUSE SHE HAD WOODEN DECKS. THEY ALSO HAD ALL THEIR MINESWEEPING NETS OUT. THE USS SAFEGUARD HAD TWO SETS OF MONITORS AND THEY WERE BOTH WORKING AT FULL CAPACITY POURING WATER INTO THE USS FIRECREST. AT THE SAME TIME WE WERE DIVING INTO THE OCEAN AND RESCUING THE OFFICERS AND CREW. ALL THE OFFICERS AND CREW WERE RESCUED AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. WE BOARDED THE FIRECREST AND THE TOUGH JOB OF BRINGING THE NETS IN(MANUALLY) BEGIN. ALL IN ALL WE WERE VERY SUCCESFUL IN SAVING THE CREW,SHIP AND SALVAGING THE NETS.

JANUARY 13,1953 WE GOT UNDERWAY AFTER WE PICKED UP FOOD AND FUEL FROM THE BRITISH. IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD AND WE HAD ICE ON OUR DECKS. WE GOT A DISTRESS CALL LATE AT NIGHT THAT AN ARMY AIR FORCE RESCUE PLANE HAD WENT DOWN IN OUR VICINITY. THERE WERE NINE MEN ON BOARD THE PLANE AND THE PLANE WAS IN THE WATER ABOUT 50 TO 75 YARDS OFF OF THE BEACH AND THEY WERE BOUNCING UP AND DOWN IN THE WATER. I TIED A SPANISH BOWLINE IN THE BITTER END OF A ROPE AND THREW THE ROPE TO THE MEN ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE. THE MEN ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE HAD TO PLACE THEIR LEGS INSIDE THE TWO LOOPS OF THE BOWLINE AND TIE A HALF HITCH AROUND THEIR CHEST. THE TIMING HAD TO BE PERFECT AS THE SHIPS FANTAIL WAS BOUNCING UP AND THE AIRPLANE WOULD BE DOWN AND THAN IT WOULD BE IN REVERSE. THERE WERE EIGHT OR NINE OF US ON BOARD THE SHIP WITH THE ROPE OVER OUR SHOULDERS AND WHEN THE FANTAIL OF THE SHIP AND THE BOW OF THE AIRPLANE LINED UP THE WORD WOULD BE GIVEN TO GO AND WE WOULD RUN AND PULL WITH ALL OUR MIGHT. WHEN THE ROPE BECAME TIGHT THE PERSON ON THE AIRPLANE WOULD SLAP UP AGAINST OUR GUNNEL OF OUR SHIP AND THAN ONTO THE FANTAIL. WE DID THIS NINE TIMES AND RESCUED ALL NINE OF THE AIRMAN. I HAVE PICTURES THAT WERE TAKEN AT NIGHT OF THIS RESCUE. AFTER THE RESCUE WE WERE ORDERED TO SINK THE AIRPLANE SO THE ENEMY COULD NOT SALVAGE THE PLANE. WE KEPT RAMMING THE AIRPLANE AND FINALLY SANK IT. WE DID ALL THIS IN THE EARLY HOURS WITHIN YARDS OF THE ENEMY GUNS AND THE ENEMY DID NOT FIRE ON US. OUR SHIP HAD AN EXTRA THICK BOW WHICH ENABLED US TO RAM AND SINK THE AIRPLANE. IT WAS VERY COLD AND THERE WAS ICE ALL AROUND US AS I BELIEVE WE WERE INTO MANCHURIA. IN 1952 AND 1953 THE USS SAFEGUARD HAD MANY SALVAGE AND TOW OPERATIONS.

JERRY LAZZARI (JAKE THE BULL)

Keywords: Keywords: Jake,The Bull,5 major battles,friends Tresick,Lanham,Knierim,Grady,Gay,Tonks and many others. commander Lt.Boaz.

THE BEGINING 1952

Comments: The Begining 1952 Jake the bull JERRY LAZZARI

Unit: USS SAFEGUARD ARS 25

Comments: I reported on board the safeguard June 1952. It has been 52 years since these events occurred so be patient with me if I make some mistakes but I will relate the events to the best of my memory. When I reported aboard the ship it was being recommissioned. I certainly remember learning how to chip paint and remove the tacky substance that had been put on the ship to preserve it. The entire crew worked very hard to make the ship seaworthy. I went to diving school in Pearl Harbor and also took most of my training off the fantail of our ship. The training was exactly what they showed in the movie "Men Of Honor". We left Pearl Harbor in the early part of August 1952 traveling toward Japan. We got a distress call from Johnston Island that a tug boat had sunk in the entrance to their harbor. When we arrived at the entrance to the harbor we found out that one tug boat was towing another and the tow line had an eye splice on both ends and when the line became taught,one tug boat turned on its side and sunk but the other boat had cut the line and was ok. We raised the sunken tug without any problem. The water was a beauitful green and very warm so the captain let us go for a swim. I jumped off the bow of the ship and was having a great time when all of a sudden I heard someone yelling. Suddenly I realized that they were yelling SHARK!!!SHARK!!!. I was a good swimmer and I swam fast enough to set an Olympic record!!!. When I boarded the ship I looked back and all I could see was shark fins. No one even had an encounter so we were very lucky. When we got to Johnston Island they told us that there were so many sharks they never went swimming.(Johnston Island is so very small it must be an awful place to be stationed. We proceeded on our journey to Japan,but we stopped at Iwo Jima and officially relieved our sister ship,I believe it was either the Grasp or Grapple. Our sister ship had taken a hit in the captains stateroom and was damaged considerably. We proceeded to Sasebo Japan and pulled a liberty. Our next destination was korea and that will be another story that I will write about later.

JERRY LAZZARI (JAKE THE BULL)

Keywords: Keywords: Jake,The Bull,5 major battles,friends Tresick,Lanham,Knierim,Grady,Gay,Tonks and many others. commander Lt.Boaz.

ANSWER TO JAKE LAZZARI

Comments: Jake Lazzari's comments of Safeguard activities during winter of 1952 and 1953 are indeed very accurate. I was first class Metal smith on Safegurd during this period and worked closely with salvage crew and divers. I was not a diver but all of metal smith shop was considered part of salvage crews. I worked with all of them. One thing Mr Lazarri neglected to mention there were four COMSERVRON commendtions during this period. I was indeed lucky to be amove that group of four. The other three were Ralph Bowen who advanced to LCDR, Sam Houston a Machinist Mate and another Boson mate named Cronin. I forgot his last name. Thanks Jake for wonderfull trip down memory land

Luke Norville

Keywords: Luke Norville Served on recommission crew of USS Safeguard (ARS 25) And crew member until January of 1954.

USS ENHANCE

Comments: REMBER THE SAFEGUARD WAS ON THE ENHANCE DURING OPERATION END SWEEP AND THAY CAME TO ARE AID DURING A FIRE ON BOARD THE ENHANCE OFF NORTH VIETNAM MARCH 1973

GARY JEFFRES EM3 USS ENHANCE MSO 437

Keywords: USS ENHANCE MSO 437

Manchuria-Korea-1952-1953

Comments: Manchuria-Korea-1952-1953

I would first like to make a couple of corrections to my last two correspondences. First of all we went to Johnston Island not Johnson Island as I showed it. I am not sure the ship that caught fire was the Uss Enhance or the USS Firecrest. My notes reflect that it was the Uss Firecrest on September 22,1952.

On September 25 the Uss Safeguard left Pusan for SOKCHO-Rhee Korea. My notes reflect that the Safeguard operated out of Wonson Harbor. Most of the time we were doing what they called flycatcher patrol.(Flycatcher patrol is when you patrol along the beaches trying to draw enemy fire.

The larger ships are waiting for the enemy to fire and they will spot their gun emplacements and destroy there guns.(This is done in the darkness of night.)

We also were sinking mines as the Red Chinese in Manchuria were setting loose to intercept our ships along the coast of Korea.

Sometime in November we were in combat when the Uss Lewis was hit and 11 men aboard that ship was killed. The Safeguard was supposed to have two weeks of r&r but we were sidetracked and we were between Yokuska and Yokahama.

We worked night and day repairing a fuel line which had sprung a leak. At that time they said it would cost the government $7500.00 a day.(some R&R) On December 1st 1952 we pulled liberty in Atomi Japan and the following day we went on manuvers(Zig-Zaging)with the new Snorkel type sub shooting dummy torpedoes at us.

On December 7,1952 we were underway for Sockcho-Rhee to pull a beached LST off the breakwater December 10,1952 found us taking a tow (Uss Electron AKS 27)to Sasebo. December 13 underway with a tow to Nagasaki. December 26 underway for Inchon. January 1st 1953 the Safeguard was at a little island called Choto.

We layed buoys and than we were undeway for Manchuria to assist the Missouri in finding some choice targets so she could bombard the beaches. On January 6,1953 we trailed behind the Missouri (being there in case she went aground) when she bombarded the beaches.

I was the Helmsman during the campaign and the British were also involved. On January 13th we got underway and picked up fuel and food from the British. There was ice on our decks and it was mighty cold.

We got an emergency call that an army air force plane had went down in our vicinty(Read my other article on the rescue.)January 14th to 27th 1953 Ice all around chiping and shoveling ice off of the decks.

After 3 weeks at choto we were relieved to go to Sasebo. We arrived at Sasebo brought on supplies(no break)than we were underway for Po Hang. January 26th finished job at Po Hang than to Sokcho-Rhee. I stood watch all night on a LST guarding our pumps and equipment.

January 27th to February 7th we have been working 24 hours a day 7 days a week on the LST. We are now on our way back to Sasebo doing 2 knots with the LST as our tow. We arrived in Sasebo the morning of the 7th and I pulled my first liberty in 45 days. we got an emergency call the next day and we left Sasebo with only half a crew. We went to the straits and pulled a merchant ship off the beach(Sea Leader.)

February 10th back to Sasebo and picked up 36 men who were on liberty and missed the fun. February 20th the Safeguard is now in Wonson. February 24th the Safeguard went in 7/8 of a mile from the enemy beach laid a buoy and flares went up and we were looking down the enemys gun barrels as tracers were flying everywhere.

We saw them fire on an AMS but we got out without being hit. March 9,1953 I got the scare of a lifetime when I made a Dive to retreive an anchor dropped in a panic when another ship had been fired on.

This was supposed to be just a routine operation but when I got down to the anchor I noticed what looked like a string laying across the anchor. I called topside and explained what I was looking at.

The more experienced divers said don't touch anything we will be right down!!! Being only 19 years old with not to much diving experience,I was scared to death!!! When the other two divers arrived they carefully traced the string until they came unto a mine.

They diffused the mine saving the ship,the ships crew and myself. March 28 underway for Sokcho-Rhee March 30th working setting up beaching gear on a beached LST. April 15th still working on LST and striping it down. April 22nd had a bombing last night and went to general quarters. Ship ok but 12 American servicemen killed on the beach.

April 23rd Still at Sokcho-Rhee working on salvage party. A wire pennant got loose today and knocked five men down hurting all five. I was fortunate to be on the bitter end. April 26th Sokcho-Rhee we laid three sets of beaching gear in record time. May 3rd 1953.

In Sasebo cleaning up ship for return trip to Pearl Harbor. May 7th getting underway for Iwo Jima. Arrived Iwo Jima and transferred gear. Now underway for Pearl Harbor and arrived at Pearl Harbor May 21st 1953.

Almost all of the above was taken from a little notebook that I kept and jotted things down from time to time.

Not included in the notebook is a little story that happened one day and I don't remember where or when but it happened. I was Bowhook on the Motor Whale Boat AND we were going back to the ship from the beach. A helicopter went by and crashed just off of the beach. We immediately went to there aid.

I hooked one man brought him aboard and I hooked the next person and brought this person aboard. I than hooked the next person aboard. The second person I brought on board was a woman. We took the three people to the beach and one man said to me you just saved the movie actress Piper Lauries life.

I am not sure that this is true because years later I tried to contact Piper Laurie when she was in Reno but I didn't get any response.

As I look back over the years,I find I have never worked as hard,endured as much physical and emotional strain as I did on board ship. For someone that loved to sleep,I learned during wartime your body does adjust to little or no sleep.

I believe this will be my last article as it covers most of my time on board the USS SAFEGUARD. I was discharged December 1953.

Yours Truly: Jerry(Jake the Bull) Lazzari

Keywords: Jake The Bull,5 Battle stars USS SAFEGUARD ARS 25,Personal friends: tresick,lanham,grady,gay,tonks and others.

Have a USS Deliver ARS 23 lighter

Comments: I came in possesion of that lighter back in the 1990's, when I was sailling on the west coast, it was given to me by an older gentleman whos name I canot remember. I was looking at the Ships website and realized that the crest on my lighter was different from the one on your web site. So if anyone is interested I can send you a picture of that lighter. Cheers!

Keywords:

Served aboard USS Safeguard ARS-25

Comments: I served aboard the Safeguard from Oct 1952 until early summer 1955. I remember performing salvage duties off the Korean coasts of various sorts. The major operation was refloating the SS San Mateo Victory. I have a few pictures of Safeguard personnel aboard the San Mateo preparing to do diving operations.

We also did several towing operations; these include barges, tugs,and disabled LSTs.

Keywords: ARS-25 USS Safeguard; Oct 1952-Summer 1955

USS Safeguard logbook Jan.13,1953

Comments: I am researching this for a friend that was on board.

Keywords: USS Safeguard rescue of disabled aircraft Jan. 13,1953

Diesel Fuel & Cancer

Comments: My father, Charles Bowers, served as a Chief MotorMac on the USS Grasp. Being medically discharged in 1945; he was also denied any disabiltiy benefits until 1995. He passed away this past October, at the age of 86, from cancer of the liver, lung and lymphnodes. My mother received no spousal benefits and is now being denied any survivor benefits. We are trying to find out any information connecting intense, prolonged exposure to diesel fuel fumes and lung cancer. This may be my mother's only hope to secure any benefits. I also served in the Navy and would like to be truly pround of my country in knowing that they do take care of their people. It was a hard won battle (20 years worth!) for his disability. My family's lives may have been very different if we had had the extra monetary help, but that was then. My mother is 77 and is not asking for much, but what was rightfully due to her. Please email me with any information that may help us in this matter. Thank you!

Keywords: USS Grasp, 1942-45 time frame

USS Safeguard ARS-25

Comments: Is there any way to confirm who the Captain of the Safeguard was during the San Mateo Victory salvage?As I recall,Lt.Irving Boaz commanded at that time and was releaved shortly after the operation.I could be wrong,but if I'm not,it is a shame that he is not given credit.I hope you are able to check records.Thank you,in advance. Niles M.Ohl Hon. dis. US Navy

Keywords: USS Safeguard

Luther Norville

Comments: USS SAFEGUARD (ARS25) USS DELIVER (ARS23)

Keywords:

Citation - Successful Salvage Mission

Comments:

Citation Headquarters Commander Navy Forces Far East Public Information Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE W/PIX 12 May 1954

YOKOSUKA, JAPAN, May 12 -- Navy crews in the Far East were hailed today by top military leaders for completing one of the most difficult salvage operations undertaken in this area.

Officers and men of the salvage vessels USS Safeguard and USS Grasp and the fleet tug USS Takelma were praised by Admiral Robert B. Carney, the Navy's Chief of Operations, for succeeding in a month-long struggle to refloat the merchantman SS San Mateo Victory.

The naval crews and ships had to work 32 days to free the freighter, which had grounded literally "high and dry" -- with three quarters of her weight resting on rock -- on Che ju-do Island off South Korea's south coast during the foggy night of April 5.

The Navy assigned a veteran salvage officer to supervise the refloating task after preliminary surveys showed that almost half of the ship's hull was exposed on the rock, above low tide. The experts calculated that 6,000 tons of her 8,000 ton weight was resting on the beach.

Lt. Cdr. A. W. Mott, salvage officer on the staff of Commander Service Squadron Three, who supervised salvaging of a similarly beached SS Cornhusker Mariner last year, determined that although large holes had been torn in the San Mateo's hull by jagged volcanic rocks, enough buoyancy could be obtained to float her without extensive repairs. But the problems of removing rocky pinnacles which had broken through the ship's hull and clearing a channel to the open sea remained.

Crews from the salvage ships worked nearly around the clock for a month, stopping only when heavy seas, squalls or high tides kept them from their work.

Beaching gear was fanned out from the San Mateo to maintain control of the stranded vessel, while a tow cable was run out to the USS Grasp. Sailors used sledgehammers and pneumatic drills to cut away the stubborn rock, while Navy divers planted dynamite in the underwater coral.

The fleet tug Takelma arrived on the scene to take over the towline in preparation for the "big pull." But the elements were still on the winning side.

On May 7 at high tide the San Mateo inched off her rocky mooring as the Takelma pulled her toward the open sea. The month's labors had not been in vain. The San Mateo Victory floated again.

The USS Safeguard, Grasp and Takelma are assigned to Service Squadron Three, Pacific Fleet, commanded by Rear Admiral Roy A. Gano of Pipestone, Minn. And Falls Church, Va. The Grasp is commanded by Cdr. J. C. Hale, The Takelma by Lt. J. D. O'Kane and the Safeguard by Lt. F. W. Rodgers.

Keywords: USS GRASP (ARS-24), USS TAKELMA (ATF-113), S.S. SAN MATEO VICTORY, S.S. CORNHUSKER, SALVAGE, NAVY DIVERS, TUGS, CHEJU DO, SERVICE SQUADRON THREE (SERVRON 3),