USS Symbol (AM-123)

Navy BBS

Legacy Messages - 1995-1999

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Roger Pelletier wrote on August 6, 2019

Send Email To ROGER PELLETIER

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City and State: EVENSVILLE TN

Unit:

Service or Relationship:

Comments: I'm the nephew of ARM1 Lionel F. Pelletier Jr. rescued by the USS Symbol on June 11, 1943 after the PBY-5A Catalina that he was in crashed in moderate seas to rescue the aircrew of an RAF B-17 which had also crashed. My uncle was the lone survivor in one of two rafts after serious exposure to the elements. He tended to the survivors despite his injuries and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal by the President and also awarded the King George medal by the Ambassador of Great Britain to the US. I have both medals because of the crew of the ship. Thanks crew of the USS Symbol.

Keywords: Rescue

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Albert Veit wrote on February 22, 2013

Email Update Needed

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City and State: GROVE CITY PA

Unit: USS KEARSARGE (1952-1953)

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: After service with the Mexican Navy, the Symbol was
deliberately scuttled in October 2000 near Cancun,
Mexico as an artificial reef/dive-object, she now
lies in approximately 90 feet of water.

Keywords: USS Symbol deliberately scuttled

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Thomas E. (T.E.) Moore wrote on January 10, 2012

Send Email To THOMAS E. (T.E.) MOORE

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: On June 19,1953, a F9F-2 aircraft of Squadron VF-91
off of the aircraft carrier USS Phillipine Sea-CVA-47
ditched in Wonsan Harbor. The pilot, Lt.H.L.Foshee was
rescued by the USS Symbol-AM-123.WELL DONE, USS Symbol
-AM-123.

Keywords: F9F-2-VF-91-USS Philippine Sea-CVA-47-Bu.No.123405-

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Thomas E. (T.E.) Moore wrote on January 5, 2012

Send Email To THOMAS E. (T.E.) MOORE

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: On 29,May1952, an AD-4 Navy aircraft Bu.No.123951,of
Squadron VA-115,flying off of the USS Philippine Sea
CV-47, was hit by enemy AAA fire, there was aircraft
engine failure, and the pilot ditched in Wonsan
Harbor. The USS Symbol AMS-123 rescued the Navy pilot,
Lt.(jg)Peter S.Swanson. WELL DONE, USS SYMBOL.

Keywords: May,29,1952-Wonsan Harbor-AD-4 USS Philippine Sea CV-
47-Bu.No.123951-

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Lawrence Wood wrote on December 4, 2009

Send Email To LAWRENCE WOOD

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My dad John was on the Symbol for a while though I don't have specific dates. He passed in Sep 2007. He mentioned (and has pictures of shells splashing in the water around them) begin shot at until a destroyer laid down a smoke screen. He also mentioned an incident where they were to fire tracers over a "dark spot" in the water at night and hit a sampam laying mines. Does anyone remember the sampam incident? He also mentioned something that I hope I'm not getting wrong, but there were apparently some guys doing commando raids to blow up some bridges or something. Does anyone remember this? Thanks.

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James Davis wrote on June 26, 2009

Send Email To JAMES DAVIS

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City and State: WHITE LAKE MI

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: For My Father and
William (Bill) Davis Jr., Boatswains Mate First Class,
Age 85, of Pleasant Hill, Ohio passed away Monday, June 15, 2009. He was born June 7, 1924 in Jasper, Ohio.

He is survived by his wife Rosemary Nagel Davis. They were married on May 5, 1947, and had six children. Patricia Elaine Van Hook, William Gregory Davis (deceased March 1952), Joseph Patrick Davis, Stephen Scott Davis, James Christopher Davis and Peter Craig Davis. Mr. Davis is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and one sister, Charlotte Justice.

Mr. Davis graduated from East High School in Portsmouth, Ohio and was raised in East Portsmouth. He was a United States Navy World War II veteran, serving from 1942 until 1946 aboard the USS Merrimack (AO-37), and in the Korean War from 1950 until 1952 aboard the USS Symbol (AM-123), after which he received his Honorable Discharge. Mr. Davis was recipient of five medals for his service. The American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five stars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

He moved to Vandalia, Ohio in 1952, worked at L. C. Cassidy and Sons for 25 years, where he worked in Sales and as a Supervisor, and later for Guardian and Gale Insulating Co. Mr. Davis retired in October 2002.

He loved fishing and boating.

The viewing was closed casket at Morton and Whetstone Funeral Home on June 17, 2009 in Vandalia. The burial, with Naval Color Guard honors, took place at Polk Grove Cemetery in Butler Township June 18, 2009 after a Catholic Mass was held at St Christopher Church in Vandalia, Ohio. In Lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to one of the following charities: the Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimers Foundation or to have masses said in Williams memory.

If any ship mates remember my Dad, please feel free to e-mail any stories, remembrances or old photos.

God Bless all that served.

Keywords: USS Symbol (AM-123), Korea 1950-1952

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Tonya Benefield wrote on August 16, 2006

Email Update Needed

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City and State: HOPE HULL AL

Unit: ?

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father is Stewart C. Moody and was assigned to the USS Symbol AM 123. We are looking for anyone who may have served with him. Daddy remembers a few names; Roonie Weed and Eddie Raygo. If anyone has any infromation please e-mail me.

Thank You,
Tonya

Keywords: Served on the USS Symbol AM 123 during 1951 and 1952. Served as a fireman then transfered to underwater demo training.

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Jesse Howze JR. wrote on March 30, 2006

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I live in Florida now, retired on a island, lately dodging hurricanes.......Married to same girl I met in Long Beach California........50 years now, 3 kids, and 6 grands.

Keywords: I was aboard the USS Symbol 1953 to 1956. My friends were Joe Shreiner, Red Green, Hoffman, McQuire, Miller, Langston, Johnston. LaPorte, Poe.........if anybody is familiar with anything here, would like to hear from you

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Frederick Miller wrote on July 6, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit: TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: The following obituary was published in the Albany (NY) Times Union on 7/6/2005.

Frank B. Pioggia

GUILDERLAND Frank B. Pioggia, of Guilderland passed away on Monday, July 4, 2005. A decorated U.S. Navy World War II combat veteran, he served in the Fifth Fleet on the USS Minesweeper SYMBOL, seeing action in both Atlantic and Pacific campaigns, participating in the invasion of Southern France and sweeping mines from the coastal waters of Japan. Mr. Pioggia was a graduate of Rutgers University and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, New Brunswick, N.J. A career banker with First Trust Company, Bankers Trust and First American, he retired as a vice president. He later joined Troy Savings Bank as vice president. Well known in area business circles, Mr. Pioggia was a member of several organizations and served on the boards of the Albany Area Builders Association, The South Mall Towers and Eastern New York Contractors Association. Frank was an avid golfer and enjoyed time spent with his family in Vermont and Cape Cod. He was a communicant of Christ the King Church. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Antoinette (Lupo) Pioggia, brothers, Anthony and Daniel and sister, Angela. Frank is survived by his cherished wife, Ann Kathleen Martin with whom he shared a marriage of 45 years in sickness and in health. He was the devoted father of five children, Holle Garvey (Philip) of Westfield, Mass., Linda Pioggia of Saratoga Springs, Frank J. Pioggia of Guilderland, Martin Ionescu-Pioggia of Carrboro, N.C. and Kathleen Hughes (Michael) of Albany. He is also survived by a brother, John and a sister Mary, both of Albany; and six grandchildren, Christian, Bradford and Ansel Garvey, Kieran and Sarah Ionescu and Jason Hughes. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. The parish family of Christ the King Church will gather at 4:30 p.m. for a service of prayer and remembrance. All are welcome. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of Christ the King, Guilderland. Burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Those who wish may send a remembrance in his name to the Adult Day Health Care, c/o Sandra Osborne, Director, V.A. Stratton Medical Center, 113 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208.

Keywords: Served on the USS Symbol during WWII with the 5th Fleet

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Jimmie Pappan wrote on May 12, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State: WICHITA FALLS TX

Unit: USS SYMBOL AM 123

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: Was in Okinawa when the BIG STORM CAME THAT WAY. wE WENT TO SEA AND RODE IT OUT.. WHEW..

Keywords: Was with sweeping group working out of Okinawa and was there when the war ended..Went to N Japan and did sweeping, then to Sasebo, Formosa

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Entry: 49028
Subject: USS SYMBOL AM 123

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Joseph R. (Joe) Schreiner wrote on February 19, 2005

Deceased

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City and State: VANCOUVER WA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: I'm a little late in registering with the Symbol group.I've been a member of the Korean War Project for about a year now and have made several contacts with ex-shipmates from the Symbol and also the LST 799 that posted messages in this site.I've been in contact with Two fellows for the last forty five years,Vern Burchard who lives in Havre,Montana, and Jesse Howze who lives Placida,Florida.It would be good to hear from any other ex-shipmates.Will there ever be a ships reunion?It would be nice,we're not getting any younger.Regards to all.Joe Schreiner.

Keywords: Sasebo,Wonsan Harbor,Korea, and liberty.

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Entry: 48318
Subject: USS SYMBOL 123 - H. WAYNE GOTHARD (ACE)

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Mike Gothard wrote on January 22, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My Dad, H. Wayne Gothard (Ace) served on the USS Symbol as a cook from 1952 - 1956. I was wondering if any of his shipmates remember him. I spoke with his this afternoon and told him I would write and ask. Thanks! Mike Gothard

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Entry: 45961
Subject: USS SYMBOL - LT HENRY T. JACOBSEN

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Melissa Duggan wrote on September 23, 2004

Send Email To MELISSA DUGGAN

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City and State: CORTE MADERA CA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My dad was the Captain of the Symbol during the Korean war -- LT Henry T. Jacobsen. He passed away very suddenly last year, and I'm trying to find as much information as I can about Daddy's service time -- personal stories, information about what those years were like. Daddy was a very private man, and didn't share many stories with us about his war experiences...though as a girl I remember on a family vacation in Mexico we went looking for and found the Symbol after she had been decommissioned and became a part of the Mexican Navy. Any information would be deeply appreciated. Thank you

Keywords: USS Symbol AM 123, shipmates, minesweeper,

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Entry: 42280
Subject: ROSTER??

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Jill Howard wrote on April 12, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: TX

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I Need the roster for the people that were on the USS Symbol AM 123. Thank you

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Entry: 36211
Subject: LOOKING FOR SHIPMATES

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Albert Sullivan wrote on August 11, 2003

Send Email To ALBERT SULLIVAN

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City and State: CHARLOTTE NC

Unit: USS WAXBILL AMS39

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Looking for shipmates

Keywords: USS Waxbill AMS39 Korea

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Entry: 31498
Subject: USS SYMBOL AM-123 ( 1ST - TOUR )

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Larry G. Gilbertson wrote on January 25, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: PORTLAND OR

Unit: YEOMAN, USS SYMBOL ( 50' - 53 ' )

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Am wondering if any of you who served aboard the USS Symbol AM-123, a Minesweeper, are still kickin' ? I was a Yeoman 3rd class, aboard the Symbol during the Korean War from 1950 - 1953, when I was discharged. It has been over 50 years since I served aboard the USS Symbol, and its just tough to remember the names.... I'd love to hear from any of you guys ?
Sincerely, Larry G. Gilbertson

Keywords: USS Symbol AM-123 Bill Banks - Storekeeper who was from the San Francisco area. Symbol's radioman was from Montana. Costa from California, is another shipmates name I remember..

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Entry: 30082
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William Bales wrote on December 2, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: KODAK TN

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments:

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Entry: 29844
Subject: EVERETT SCOTT

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Danny Scott wrote on November 23, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: EVERETT WA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father (Everett Scott)joined at 17 for a 'kiddie cruise'. He was possibly on the 2nd run to Korea since he remembers 1. bringing prisoners on board 2. being fired on by shore batterys until a British ship intervened 3. had a mine explode and a piece of it land in a water bucket in front of him.
His biggest gripe was that one of his superiors liked him and always gave him unwanted responsibilities such as supervising the refueling of the ship, needless to say something always went wrong! If you read this dad you can correct me.

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Entry: 23008
Subject: KOREAN WAR SERVICE

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Tim Keen wrote on February 8, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: I was Minesweeping and Gunnery Officer during SYMBOL's first Korean War tour. We did a lot of sweeping and a lot of shooting, but we never did sweep a mine that I know of. Of course, much of our sweeping was in darkness to avoid being shot at. That made sweeping very interesting...couldn't see the ship ahead or anything else. Might have cut some mines in the dark.
The Captain was LT Henry T. Jacobsen. Exec was LT Robert C. Doll. Engineer was Jack Gross. Boatswain McDaniel ran the ship.
Most vivid memory was the bitter cold. No one except watchstanders were allowed below deck when we were sweeping in possibly mined waters, so all hands were topside in the darkness, trying to rest without freezing, for many, many nights.

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Entry: 16515
Subject: USS SYMBOL

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Norm Blackmer wrote on May 12, 2001

Email Update Needed

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Service or Relationship: -

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Entry: 16486
Subject: REUNIONS

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Norm Blackmer wrote on May 11, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ONTARIO CA

Unit: ENGINEMAN AFT ENGINE ROOM

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: ENGINEMAN AFT ENGINE ROOM

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Entry: 5100
Subject: SHIP'S HISTORY - KOREAN WAR SERVICE

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Craig Rothhammer wrote on November 18, 1999

Email Update Needed

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City and State: LA CRESCENTA CA

Unit: USS GRASP (ARS-24) USS BOLSTER (ARS-38)

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments:

USS SYMBOL (AM-123)

(AM-123: dp. 890; 1. 221'2"; b. 32'; dr. 10'9"; s. 18 k.; cpl. 105; a. 1 3", 2 40mm.; cl. Auk)

“The two ships shot up a total of 70 sampans while boat crews captured seven, taking 30 prisoners.”

Symbol (AM-123) was laid down on 18 November 1941 by the Savannah Machinery and Foundry Co. Savannah, Gal; launched on 2 July 1942; sponsored by Mrs. M. L. Mingledorf, and commissioned on 10 December 1942, Lt. Comdr. R. C. Brown, USNR, in command.

Symbol was towed to long Beach on 15 October 1950 for activation and placed in commission again on 28 October 1950 The ship was overhauled at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard from 19 November 1950 to 26 January 1951. After shakedown and underway training, she operated off the California coast through December 1951.

On 4 January 1952, Symbol stood out from Long Beach en route to the Korean war zone She called at Pearl Harbor and Midway before arriving at Sasebo on 1 February.

The minesweeper operated in Korean waters from 7 to 25 February; 17 March to 20 April; 7 May to 9 June, and 29 June to 30 July. Symbol participated in extensive minesweeping and patrol operations on the east coast of Korea including the sweep of Wonsan Harbor. She was also a unit of the United Nations Blockading and Escort Force.

Symbol, operating with Toucan (AM-387), intercepted large numbers of communist sampans running food and supplies along the coast. The two ships shot up a total of 70 sampans while boat crews captured seven, taking 30 prisoners.

Symbol returned to Long Beach from her first tour in Korea on 2 September 1952.

Symbol, in company with Mine Division 54, sailed from Long Beach on 3 May 1953 for her second tour in Korean waters. She arrived at Sasebo on 29 May and moved to Korea on 18 June.

During the next month, she participated in coastal minesweeping operations off the North Korean coast. She was straddled by North Korean shore batteries on 7 July but not hit. Symbol patrolled around Cheju Do, South Korea, from 10 August to 15 September and off the southeast coast of Korea from 29 September to 20 October. The tour ended on 3 December 1953 at Long Beach.

Symbol was deployed to the western Pacific from 21 April to 10 November 1955 and operated along the Korean coast. Upon her return to California, she operated from her home port of Long Beach until 27 July 1956 when she was again placed in reserve, out of commission, and attached to the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Symbol was struck from the Navy list on 1 July 1972 and transferred to Mexico as a sale on 19 September 1972. She still serves that government as Guillermo Prieto (G-02).

USS Symbol received five battle stars for World War II service and two for service in Korea.

From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Keywords: MINESWEEPER, AUK CLASS, WONSAN, USS TOUCAN (AM-387), MINE DIVISION 54 (MINDIV54), CHEJU DO, PEACE PATROL,

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