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USS Wantuck (APD-125)
Photo by Hal Barker. Copyright 1989.

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51 Messages - Newest to 24
Current Message 1 - September 23, 2009
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Entry: 71726
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

USS WANTUCK CREW 1955-1958

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Ronald Parker wrote on 2009-09-23 17:52:15.0

Comments: Looking for former crewmates and anyone that would have a crew list for 1955-1958.I Remember crewmates Ross Pintaudi, Paul Harlowe, George Marker, Stewart Clancy And others.

Keywords: I served aboard the USS Wantuck, USS Le Ray Wilson and the USS Clearwater County.

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Current Message 2 - September 21, 2009
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Entry: 71689
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

The Wantuck

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Jim Andrus wrote on 2009-09-21 12:36:11.0

Comments: I was On the old Wantuck when that acceident happened, and I can remember a few of the guys who were part of the crew, and I wonder if they are still around. here is the list. Jim Ufkes, Ralph Ringle, Leon Pryor, Jerry Jones, D.D.Lane, Padon, Gereld Lentini, there are many others in my mind, and I will think of them. I stated aboard and help decommission the old girl and then they took her out and used her for sub practice.

Keywords:

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Current Message 3 - October 27, 2008
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Entry: 67639
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

Father Served on the Wantuck

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John Chick wrote on 2008-10-27 12:26:59.0

Comments: My dad, Jimmy L. Chick, served on the Wantuck late forties, early fifties I believe..he died when I was 14. I have pictures of him, and his buddies, on the Wantuck but little else....would love to know if anyone remembers him.....

Thanks. John G. Chick

Keywords:

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Current Message 4 - August 25, 2008
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Entry: 66976
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

USS Wantuck APD 125

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Gordon Tuckett wrote on 2008-08-25 11:50:08.0

Comments: I was a Sonarman aboard the Wantuck from Jan 1955 through August 1957 after the collision. I have copies of the San Diego Unions story of that collision which I reread this morning. I was transferred to the Weiss APD 135 in September 1957. We made a trip to Alaska and the Weiss was taken to Long Beach in December for decommissioning. I was discharged at that point two months early.

Keywords:

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Current Message 5 - August 25, 2008
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Entry: 66975
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

USS Wantuck APD 125

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Gordon Tuckett wrote on 2008-08-25 11:50:08.0

Comments: I was a Sonarman aboard the Wantuck from Jan 1955 through August 1957 after the collision. I have copies of the San Diego Unions story of that collision which I reread this morning. I was transferred to the Weiss APD 135 in September 1957. We made a trip to Alaska and the Weiss was taken to Long Beach in December for decommissioning. I was discharged at that point two months early.

Keywords:

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Current Message 6 - June 6, 2008
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Entry: 65951
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

Donald McClung

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Allan McClung wrote on 2008-06-06 23:18:21.0

Comments:

Keywords: My father was on the USS Wantuck, I believe during the invasion at Wonsan/Inchon. I believe he would have been an officer in the engine room. I remember references to Cdr John B. Thro. If you have information or stories about my dad or those times on that ship, I'd love to hear.

Thanks,

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Current Message 7 - June 4, 2007
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Entry: 61210
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

USS Wantuck, Jul-Aug 1957

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James Hickman wrote on 2007-06-04 20:14:34.0

Comments: I was assigned to the Wantuck right out of IC School and was there but a short time before the collision. That night I was doing the sleeping watch in the Gyro Compass room, on the floor. Much as I hate to say this, the collision did not wake me up, but the alarm of losing power did. After turning it off and checking the Gyro Compass, I was going back to sleep when my boss, IC3 John Wagner came running down with a life jacket on. I remember stringing wire for communications, stopping to have the dry heaves. Canned water and sandwiches for the next two days.

Keywords: USS Wantuck

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Current Message 8 - August 14, 2006
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Entry: 58477
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

LOOKING FOR: DONALD D. LANE

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Jerrel Jones wrote on 2006-08-14 13:08:43.0

Comments: Looking for Donald D. Lane, at that time he was BT3, on watch when the collision occured.

Keywords: Served aboard USS Wantuck APD 125, 1954~1957,Looking for friends that was also aboard, during the collision of 1957.

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Current Message 9 - April 1, 2006
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Entry: 56489
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

Served on wantuck Apr. 49 to Dec. 49

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Joe Mansfield wrote on 2006-04-01 16:17:08.0

Comments: Had a great time in San Diego, Long Beach,and Honolulu Worked with a great crew, some of my working budd- ies were George Kohl,Bristo,Allore,Tissure,Bob Makerson,Brunner,Jones, Ray mattingly and many more.

Keywords: operation miki sept-oct 1949

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Current Message 10 - December 1, 2005
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Entry: 54428
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

USS Wantuck APD 125 (1951 - 1952)

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Archie Backlin wrote on 2005-12-01 15:17:31.0

Comments: Perry and I got aboard around the same time in 1951. I wrote awhile back, but I didn't seem my comments from that time. We were shot at from the shore outside of Pusan (I originally wrote Wanson). Looking at the Korean map it doesn't seem right but I doubt that we would have been north of the 38th parallel during the day within sight of land. The ship was also challenged by the USS Missouri off the west coast of Korea and almost had them shoot at us when someone reallised that we were on the wrong radio frequency. Perry remembers the names of more of the crew than I do and I think that he is still alive. He visited my wife and I last year and his health was not the greatest. Contact me by E-mail or regualr mail if you want more info and I'll send it to you ASAP.

Keywords: Perry Rockwell RM 1st (personal friend)

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Current Message 11 - August 17, 2005
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Entry: 52685
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

U.S.S. WANTUCK

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Bruce Yenerall wrote on 2005-08-17 00:00:00.0

Comments: Still looking for anyone that might have a list of all personnel who served aboard the wantuck in the 40's anyone with info on how i can obtain one please advise. dad served aboard the wantuck in the mid 40's tks

Keywords:

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Current Message 12 - April 29, 2005
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Entry: 50516
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

VINCENT J CERRITO

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VINCENT CERRITO wrote on 2005-04-29 20:28:29.0

Comments:

Keywords:

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Current Message 13 - April 20, 2005
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Entry: 50301
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

Remembering APD 125 Wantuck

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HAROLD SCOTT Peterson wrote on 2005-04-20 22:22:03.0

Comments: fond memories of those years on the wantuck and the boat ride to the beach and getting towed back out to the channel after getting stuck on the beach on the 3 wave ,and all the wire on the screw when they hoisted the vp back on board And the harley shop that burned down whilewe were in HonKong (with My harley in it,in SanDiego)

Keywords: HSPete(you know what the HS stands for) BT3 when I left the ship

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Current Message 14 - April 19, 2005
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Entry: 50278
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

LOOKING TO HEAR FROM SHIPMATES OF MINE DURING MY 1955-1958 SERVICE ABOARD THE USS WANTUCK.

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RONALD PARKER wrote on 2005-04-19 17:35:37.0

Comments:

Keywords:

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Current Message 15 - January 14, 2005
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Entry: 48158
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

Wantuck

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Stewart Kelley Clancy wrote on 2005-01-14 21:03:00.0

Comments: I was a sonarman aboard the Wantuck in late 1955 and all of 1956. I transferred off a few months before the collision with the Lenawee. I knew Chief Hawkins well, along with sonarmen Coffin and Tuckett, radarmen Parker and Pintaudi. Our captain was LCDR Wyatt, a genuine quality Captain.

I would be interested in hearing from any crew member that remembers me from that tour.

I also remember a radarman by the name of Marker.

Please e-mail me for contact information.

Keywords: USS Wantuck APD 125

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Current Message 16 - December 23, 2004
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Entry: 47664
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

uss wantuck apd125

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monte stram wrote on 2004-12-23 12:15:04.0

Comments: In the many E-Mail messages,on this web site, there was a message from Mike Byrd, with a title of ,"Photo Collection". Mike was asking anyone who knew his father, Jim Byrd, Quartermaster/Signalman aboard the Wantuck. Mike mentioned a few names that appeared on a photo left by his now deceased father. My name was one of the ones listed. If anyone knows how I can contact Mike Byrd ..... whose message was dated April 4th, 1999, ..... I will be happy to communicate with Mike and fill him in on some personal and interesting stories about his dad and my personal friendship.(I couldn't find an E-Mail address for Mike, thus this message to anyone who can help). Mike may be living in the Houston, Texas area.

Keywords:

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Current Message 17 - December 15, 2004
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Entry: 47529
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

Wantuck collision

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Dave Miller wrote on 2004-12-15 18:00:03.0

Comments: I was sleeping when the Lenawe hit us. Going to the forward engine room I ran into it in the port passageway. I was glad to read Heltys posting as we had conflicting info on what happened to them. I finished my enlistment on the Wilkenson DL-5.

Keywords:

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Current Message 18 - December 15, 2004
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Entry: 47528
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

Wantuck collision

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Dave Miller wrote on 2004-12-15 17:53:26.0

Comments:

Keywords:

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Current Message 19 - December 11, 2004
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Entry: 47452
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

storekeeper/payroll clerk helper 50 and 51 until jan 52

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Bill Thornton wrote on 2004-12-11 19:25:48.0

Comments: I think it is great to visit with these ole shipmates. I still remain a 20 year old sailor and remember those two years and l month with honor. I am now 74 and retired but in good health with a good retirement income, so life is good.

Keywords: I was on head phones between command and combat on the bridge. Also, a storekeeper and helped with payroll. Operated ship's store got several months. My boss was 1st class Homer Williams; a hell of a guy to work for and be a friend of.

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Current Message 20 - November 28, 2004
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Entry: 47150
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

My last name

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John Wantuck wrote on 2004-11-28 22:07:17.0

Comments: My dad was named Andrew Wantuck....i am John. I have little information about my last name and would love to hear about it. My e-mail is here so if you have any info please contact me...thanx

Keywords:

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Current Message 21 - October 29, 2004
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Entry: 46555
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

list of crew members

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bruce yenerall wrote on 2004-10-29 18:39:30.0

Comments: my father, like many, was aboard the wantuck in the mid to late 40's. i would like to know if or where i can get a list of names of the crewmembers attached to this ship during this time frame. dad's name is field m. yenerall aka don yenerall dad would have been 17-19 during that time. please advise. tks.........

Keywords:

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Current Message 22 - October 20, 2004
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Entry: 46393
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

Served aboard Wantuck '52 thru '55

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Ken Bittner wrote on 2004-10-20 22:11:20.0

Comments: My name is Ken Bittner. I served aboard the Wantuck from 52 thru 55. Looking for anyone who served at that time, but especially Charles Lee Parker, and Carl Sauls. Charles parker was from San Luis Obispo in California. I think Carl was from around Coco Beach Florida. Anyone who knows me or the whereabouts of Charles or Carl feel free to call me at 812-422-8929, or email bartlettfam@sbcglobal.net

Keywords:

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Current Message 23 - September 20, 2004
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Entry: 45917
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

seeking information

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vincent cerrito wrote on 2004-09-20 23:15:03.0

Comments: looking for any one who served aboard the uss wantuck in 1944 till the end of the ww11. thanks

Keywords: world war 11

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Current Message 24 - April 3, 2004
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Entry: 42095
USS Wantuck (APD-125)

USS Wantuck

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George Santo wrote on 2004-04-03 09:01:39.0

Comments: The skipper when I was aboard was Captain John R Thro. He made Comander and we became the flag for Commander Transport Control Div 12

I remember the "raids" and other assignments to this day.

Keywords:

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Wolmi-do

On Sat, 24 May 1997 
Bert Kortegaard korteng@rt66.com wrote:

80 Mimbres
Los Alamos, NM 87544

Personally, I would like to see a little more on the Navy, particularly 
PHIBPAC.

My ship, the USS Wantuck, APD125, not only took the 5th Marines 
into Wolmi Do at Inchon, along with other missions, but also took the
British Royal Marine Commandos in on two raids on the East Coast.

I think these were the same Commandos who got shot to pieces
trying to relieve the 1st, 5th and 7th Marines later in the reservoir 
at Hagaru Ri, Yudam Ni, etc.


My ship was an Attack Transport. She was about the size of a Destroyer 
Escort mounting a single 5" main battery, with 4 LCVP assault boats; two
on davits on either side, aft. When on missions like the Commando raids,
or as when we carried UDT Team 11 at Wonson to clear mines, the LCVP's 
would tow rubber rafts with troops or UDT guys. There were 4 APDs in 
service in PHIBPAC at that time. 

I would like to find any of the commandos or Marines who we took
into combat, or evacuated when wounded, and/or any of the old Wantuck 
crew. I'll buy the beer ....

Update: 8/21/98


In case you're interested, I just put up a web site with a couple of 
pics of the Wantuck, including one somebody took of us a couple of hours
after we initiated the ground action there by landing the 5th Marines in
the assault on Wolmi Do.

Wantuck Website

Bert Kortegaard, ET1, USN, 7989466

More History


All the assault beaches were attacked at favorable tides. Although
there were air attacks for about nine days on all communication
roads, railways, etc at Kunson (a diversionary ploy), the only
beach preparations for Inchon were the two day Destroyer, Cruiser
Air bombardment before the assault, and again in the morning 
before we went in, along with the awesome LSMRs.

The tides were high enough for our LCVPs to get the troops to 
Wolmi-do, and in the afternoon to the seawalls at the other beaches, 
where the Marines were able to do their thing. In between the
two assaults the tides were out, and Wolmi-do was surrounded
by a sea of mud.

There really weren't any preparations to do, except search for mines,
and the ROK small craft had tested that.

What you may be thinking of is Palmi-do? That was a joint
CIA-military operation, led by Navy Lt. Clark, an old China 
hand, with an army captain and three enlisted men. They landed
on Yonghung-do, a week before the main assault. That's a real 
small island at the mouth of the channel, ten miles from Inchon. 

They fought off the NK in small boats, killing about 16 of them, 
organized the South Koreans to help them, and scouted the tides, 
mud-flats, and seawalls. One of the Koreans they recruited even 
got on Wolmi-do for a look-see.

The main thing they did, they got an old light-house working on
Palmi-do, and had it going when MacArthur sailed by in the
Mount McKinley. He hadn't a clue that it was operating courtesy
of mission "Trudy Jackson".

The down side, when Clark moved his small unit to Palmi-do, the
NK came back to Yonghung-do, lined up 50 South Koreans who 
had helped Clark, and murdered them all. A favorite NK tactic.

My regrets about the KW are that we never rounded up the
guys who did tens of thousands of murders like that, and hanged
them all. !

The specifics on the above come from my notes which I took
while preparing my Korean War site, and the bibliography I
used is listed there. I do have one other reference, which I
never tracked down, and probably you'd need to get it from
some government archive.
Karig, et al: Battle Report, the war in Korea (pp 176-91)

If I get time, I'll track down the references I used for my
notes, and put something in about it on my Inchon page.
That Clark must have been one helluva man, and their
mission deserves to be remembered.

Thanks for reminding me. Hope this helps.

Bert Kortegaard
http://rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/arms.htm
http://www.kmike.com/apd125.htm


Follow up on Marines

comments: 
From: WillieOz Email address

Date sent:  Sat, 28 Feb 1998 
To:    korteng@rt66.com
Subject:   Wantuck

Hi,

Read your memo about the Wantuck. The marines you mention were the 41st
Commando, RM. They were based with us , NBG-1 ,stationed at Camp
McGill, near Yokosuka, along with UDT-1 who I think went on a few 
operations with you fellows

regards,

Bill Osborne, ex rm2, 
HQU1, Naval Beach Group One.

Info wanted on ship

On Sat, 3 Jan 1998 
William Wantuck Email address wrote:

phone: 713-723-2768

I am William Wantuck, a Navy Vetern who served aboard the USS Montrose
APA 212 during the Korean War, makeing the landings at Inchon. 

I have always wanted to know something about the USS Wantuck because the
ship has my last name. I did run across the ship once in Pacific waters
but couldn't get aboard due to limited time.

Please contact me if you have any information on this matter.
William Wantuck, Houston Texas...


More on Wantuck Name

On Mon, 6 Apr 1998 
Bert Email address wrote:
Ted,

Here's a copy of my reply to Bill Wantuck who asked on the 
Wantuck page about the origin of the ship's name. He replied
to this post saying that Private John Wantuck was a distant
relative of his.

Bert

=======
Hi again, Bill,

The Wantuck was in Tokyo bay at the time of the Jap surrender.
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq69-1.htm

She was converted from the DE692, and apparently had a
reunion I never heard about. Here's the contact person's
phone and address:
http://www.army.mil/VETINFO/Detail.CFM?alumni8__ID=102468

If you are related to one John Joseph Wantuck, a Marine Private
probably killed early in WWII, it appears that the Wantuck was named
after him.

-----------
http://www.marylandsilver.com/books.htm
World War II
   American High Speed Transports; APD's
   Crosley Class, (TEV) conversion
   A study in Blueprints 

   155 pages. By Duane D. Borchers, Sr.

This is a 11" X 17" soft cover book of plans. It contains 54
blueprints, ship histories and ships history of the Crosley class of
 U.S. High Speed Transports. Ships of class: APD
 87-139. Index.

Wantuck, John Joseph, Private, pg.10 
USS Wantuck (APD-125), pg. 10

You might also check the Dictionary of American Fighting Ships, Navy
Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History
Division. 


That's about all I'm likely to find out. Good luck with the contacts.
 Bert


Photo collection

On Sun, 4 Apr 1999
Mike Byrd Email address wrote:

My name is Mike Byrd. I am the eldest son of two brothers of James
(Jimmie) Lewis Byrd. My dad, 19 at the time, was a signalman and radio
operator on the USS Wantuck during the Inchon invasion. 

Unfortunately, my dad was killed in 1958 in an industrial accident here
in Houston. I was 3 at the time and by brother Steve, was 3 months. 
Obviously, due to my age, I have very little recollection of my dad but
am very fortunate to have a number of photo's (approximately 50) he 
took during his tour aboard the Wantuck. 

I am attaching a few of them in this EM. In particular, he took 
some specific photo's of crew members and I have their names on the 
photographs. I have photo's of Noyer, Carl; Maynard, Mize; Smith, 
Calvin, Mitchell, Ken; Stram, Monte; Wallace, George; Crawford, Earl; 
Hester, Bill; Murphy, John; Lord, Jim; Oaks, Ernie; Haupt, Ed; Barnes, 
Bill; Cordova, Moses; Coffman, Fred; Stevens, Richard; and Kerwin, Chic.

In addition, I  have a number of photos with unnamed crew. I also have 
a newspaper article from the Houston Chronicle dated 21 Jan 1951, when 
my dad and Chief Mitchell were interviewed about their experiences in 
Korea. Chief Mitchell had returned to a recruiting post and my father 
was home on leave visiting his mother.

I am sure my dad would have been pleased to pass this on to his 
shipmates. Also, I would very much appreciate hearing from any of his 
shipmates who can tell me anything about my dad.


ARCHIE L BACKLIN's Tour History

On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 
"David L. Backlin" Email address wrote:

APD 125

Date: Tue, 19 Nov 1996 13:00:49 -0600 (CST)

I wrote my father the other day to ask about his navy career. Here is 
some of what he had to say:

Edrei

From: MR ARCHIE L BACKLIN Email address

After radio school in Madison, WI, I ended up on a mine sweeper in the
Pacific. The USS Inaugural, AM242. 

.. the war had ended and there was a bunch of mines around Korea, yes 
Korea, that the B29's had dropped to waylay the Japanese shipping.

We helped get them out. Later we, the young crew all replacements by 
this time, mothballed the tub in Orange, TX. It was sold later and the 
last I saw it it was below the Arch in St. Louis.

... I was in the navy that time for about a year and a half. Got re-
called for Korea and ended up on the USS Wantuck (we called) it 
something else. It was the APD125; a converted destroyer escort that had
been modified to carry commando type troops north of the 38th parallel. 

We took ROKS (Republic of Korea) troops, British commandos and Navy 
Frogmen, I think they call them Seals now, up north at night and they 
would sneak in a raise a bit of hell.

My job in this was minor, I was what they referred to as a radio girl; 
radio operator. Recieved morse code messages and copied them down with 
a typewriter, manual kind in those days; all capitol letters with a 
different number row that had a zero with a crossbar thru it. 

Most messages were in coded groups of mixed numbers and letters and we
very seldom ever found out what was in them. These messages were broad-
cast 24 hours a day and we copied them all but only'broke' the ones 
for us. On rare occasions we got to send a message in morse code.

During "operations" we got a chance to broadcast voice once in awhile. I
spent about a year and a half on the Wantuck also; spent a very short
time on another APD, I think the 124, and was just about ready to go 
back from the west coast when I got my second discharge.

Total time about 3 years in the navy with a break for four years of 
college.

Green Beach

On Wed, 9 Dec 1998 
Gene Schloegel Email address wrote:

I was the medic that served on the USS Wantuck on the mission of both 
the green beach landing at wolmi do, (inchon) and the commando raids
listed on your site. 

we had to bury a commando (british) at sea who was killed on one of the
raids. the other raid was with the marines. I was in landing boat
for both raids. 

the raids were on the dark of the moon, it was so dark that you could 
not see your hand in front of your face, the LCVR assult boats were 
guided to the beach by use of a radar screen attached to back of the 
boats.

There was a house close to the entrance to the rail tunnel which the 
commandos took control of. The tunnel was then mined. A train went 
through the tunnel just prior to being blowned. 

The rail tunnel blew when the commandos were loading back into the boats
to return to the ship. The blast lit the sky and exposed the commandos 
to the korea machine guns which open up on the beach area killing a 
commando. 

The five inch gun from the Wantuck open up and silence the machine guns.

The ship also was the first ship to enter inchon harbor for the landing
at wolmi do green beach. When the war started the Wantuck was in 
Hong Kong as station ship to remove the americans if china was to try 
to take hong kong.

Hong Kong was the best Liberty Port in World at that time. Most of crew
was not to happy to leave it.

 my email is gschloegel @ msn.com