Finding men
On Mon, 1 Sep 1997
Melinda min@totalnetnh.net wrote:
Hi!
I'm looking for anyone that served aboard the USS Barton and any
information about the destroyer and if there are any reunions.
A month ago a man (that served aboard the USS Barton) e-mailed me with
his Tel number, unfortunately, I have misplaced this information during
my move.
I am trying to help my Dad in getting the USS Barton noticed because of
the extraordinary circumstances it went through during the Korean War
and the extraordinary men who kept her afloat!
The USS Barton (DD-722 Barton) was an Allen M. Sumner Class. It was
initially commissioned December 30, 1943 and finally stricken October 1,
1968. On October 8, 1969 it was sunk as target off Virginia.
One of the many stories; which I see as pretty significant, passed on to
me by my Dad is as follows:
While on their way to a distress call from another ship the USS Barton
hit a mine, which blew a hole so large that most of the side of the ship
was gone.
Any other time, a hole so large would have sunk a ship but the
expediency, knowledge and bravery of these men rebuilt the ENTIRE side
of the ship and not only kept her afloat during this process but
continued on their mission at 1 knot an hour!
Several men lost their lives, but through God's blessings much fewer
than expected were lost.
This story is pretty amazing to me and I feel these men should be honored
in some way. If possible, I would like to get a picture on the web
alongside the other destroyers. My Dad has several pictures and I am
encouraging him to write his stories.
Please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you.
God Bless,
Min
min@totalnetnh.net
Other ships in Squadron
USS JOHN R PIERCE DD-753
On Tue, 17 Mar 1998
Updated 21 Spt 1999
Wes Kreske Email addresswrote:
3804 Fairlawn Hgts SE
Warren, OH 44484
phone: 330-856-3354
fax: same
datein: 1949 dateout: 1953
I am Co-Founder and Chief Recruiting Officer of the USS John R.
Pierce DD-753 Sailors Organization Inc. We have reunions every
year and in 98 it will be our 8th year.
Our flag ship was the Barton DD-722, Soley DD-707 and Strong DD-758
were also with us.
You mentioned our flag ship Barton but none of the rest of the squadron.
When the Barton hit the mine out at sea we were the ship that took on
the flag officers and brought them back to the States 3 months later.
I also believe that up to that date 6/52-9/52 we were the worst ship hit
by shore battery to that date. That happened on 8/6/52.
Wes Kreske co-founder
USS John R. Pierce DD-753
Sailors Org. GMSN
Photo needed
On Thu, 03 Dec 1998
Ed Park Email address wrote:
My father served on the USS Barton in the late 50`s. I would like to
get a decent size picture and frame it for him. Would you know where i
might find something like this.
Thanks,
Ed Park
