MOORE MEMORIES

USS BELL ASSOCIATION (DD587)

JANUARY, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE:

Ø HAPPY NEW YEAR

Ø MAILBAG

Ø DUES

Ø AN INTERESTING NOTE

Ø A DAY IN HISTORY

HAPPY NEW YEAR Y’ALL!

As you can see, I did not get to finish the newsletter timely and before the holidays.  I did survive the holidays and truly look forward to a wonderful 2005.  I should be in my new home by spring and do so look forward to being out of this apartment.  My cat, Pitty Pat will also be very happy to have her big yard to play in once again.  She has been so good, but cries a lot as she misses her old neighborhood. 

Well, we had a great time at our reunion in Kentucky.  The areas of Covington, Fort Mitchell, Newport and Cincinnati are truly beautiful.  The time of the year was perfect as the trees were beginning to turn in color and the sky was a beautiful blue.  A few clouds came in one day and cooled the temperature down a little, but still nice weather. 

Shipmates attending the reunion this year were Arthur Arbogast, Lawrence (Larry) Assip, Jimmy Faith, Maurice Moe, Mike DiVeronica, William Cavanaugh, Mario Capitanio, Tom Gutierrez, Edward Flowers and Al Lewis, along with many family members and friends of the Bell.  This was Larry and his wife Claire Assip’s first reunion.  It was wonderful meeting the two of them and we hope they will be able to attend this year.

Our City Tour was really great.  We had a guide that was so knowledgeable about the area around each of the cities.  After the tour, we stopped at the Hofbrauhaus for lunch.  The food was good and the entertainment was fun.  There was an accordion player named Jack Frost and he had everyone involved in the songs and fun.  The owner was also quite entertaining. 

Our Memorial Service at the World Peace Bell was beautiful.  A bagpiper played Amazing Grace after which Gina Daniels gifted us with her beautiful voice in song.  Shipmate Jimmy Faith conducted the memorial service message.  Sherry Chapman and Kathy Neilson (Jimmy’s daughters), read the names of the deceased shipmates and Maurice Moe rang the ship’s bell.  After our service was over, we were taken outside to see the Peace Bell up close.  Debbie Kayse who is with the Verdin Company, who made and donated the bell, hosted our group.  She told us the very interesting history of the Bell and then rang the Bell in honor of all shipmates.  It was a really nice service.  We then went to Main Strasse and had lunch and did a little shopping.

On Saturday morning a brief business meeting was held after which we had a fantastic auction.  Shipmate Al Lewis (being a professional auctioneer) conducted the auction.  It was so much fun.  We had so many great gifts to auction and everyone was really into it.  We made almost $800 for the treasury and looks like this will be one of the highlights of our reunions from now on.  Saturday night was our Farewell Banquet.  As usual, we all enjoyed our time together and it seemed as though our time had gone by entirely too fast. 

The shipmates met Saturday afternoon to review all the information we received from the hotels and convention bureaus this year wanting to host our 2005 reunion.  The decision was made to hold the 2005 reunion in the Washington, D.C. area.  I have already begun working to the next reunion and will have the information ready when the next newsletter is printed.

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MAILBAG

Dear Friends, Family & Shipmates:

Happy Holidays!  I hope your 2004 was as good to you as it has been for me.  This year has been filled with trips to see my girls in Kentucky, Texas and Arizona.  As you can see by my return address, I have moved again – back to Sierra Vista.  This has always been home base.

I began the year doing various things around my house in Las Vegas, just some improvement.  Naturally I had to get my garden ready for spring planting and put in an apricot tree to replace the one that died.  Naturally I did all this not knowing I would be moving.   

My grandchildren are getting bigger.  I enjoy being near them very much.  Thomas is now 13, Danielle 12, Lauren 7 and Andrew is 3 ½.  In March I visited Kathleen & Tracy in Kentucky.  They have a nice home on two acres of land.  He is working on an Army base in Tennessee and enjoys what he is doing.  It was a happy visit.  I met his Dad & Mother.  I enjoyed the visit and the dinner with his Dad & Phyllis.  They have a nice home on a beautiful lake.  You know how I enjoy fishing but I didn’t fish, but was tempted.  I have been in the water twice and I don’t want to entertain that a third time.  I enjoyed my flight to Kentucky.  I had the pleasure of sitting next to a young lady (Jean) and the flight time went by quickly.  She was very talkative.  I gave her my life history and she enlightened me with her background.  We exchanged addresses and now write to each other.

In August, I put my home in Las Vegas on the market and by September I had it sold in time to move back to Sierra Vista for the holidays.  I was able to find a new home with just about everything I need – four bedrooms, living room, dining room, den and kitchen.  Plenty of room for company.  Adelaide, my youngest daughter, has been the backbone of this whole operation.  I never realized how much Loretta did all those times we moved.  I took of the moving and she did all the rest.

I can’t leave out Andrew (911).  I can’t tell you how much I enjoy being back and having the time to be with this little adventurer!  He keeps me moving and I really enjoy the company.  God willing, I will have all my girls here for Christmas, naturally the grandchildren and the dogs.  You all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

                                    Ralph Marino, 3889 Paseo de Cardo, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650-9582

            I can hardly see but I will try and write you a line.  Here is a check for my dues.  I am sorry I am so neglectful, but that goes with my 86 years.   Yours truly, Donald Wall, 5240 Harris Road, Homer, Louisiana 71040.

            Thank you for the card from all the USS Bell people and a special to you, Ann.  Thanks for the calculator.  It has nice big numbers.  That was very nice of you to send this. THANKS. I hope the reunion went well.  Tom says the next one is in Washington, DC.  Sounds nice.  I hope I can go, but I can’t walk very much.  The next time you make out a newsletter, please thank the USS Bell people and give my hello to everyone.  I miss them all and you Ann.  The group always has a great time.  Love to you all.  Jim Humbert, 1810 Marywood Avenue, Aurora, Illinois 60505.

            My father, Roy A. Cameron, served on the USS Bell in WWII.  He is in an assisted living (Wellington Place) in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.  He has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but is alert.  His address is 2904 South Wilson Dam Highway, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35661.  If anyone is in the area, please stop by.  You may send any information or dues statements to me.  Enclosed is a check for dues.  Sincerely, Dennis Cameron.

            People I love you and pray for you.  Have a good one and many more to come.  Harold Hughes, 844 Stetson Road, Exeter, Maine 04435

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DUES

Good news! Dues are still $10.00 per year.

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AN INTERESTING NOTE

I received an E-mail from a gentleman who had served in the Navy during WWII.  He said he had found some USS BELL artifacts listed on EBay and thought I might like to check it out.  I wasted no time in checking for the information on EBay and found the notice he was talking about.  They were asking .50 for the items.  I am not familiar with the EBay process, but e-mailed the gentleman and told him that I would like to speak with the person who was advertising these items for sale but did not know how I could get in touch with her.  He soon E-mailed me and gave me the lady’s personal E-mail address.  I quickly sent her a note asking about the artifacts.  She said she had been to an estate sale and had purchased some of the furniture and a few other little things.  She said there was an envelope in one of the desk drawers with some papers regarding the family member that had served in WWII.  She said he was a tailor on the ship and apparently the widow was either moving in with family or into a smaller residence.    I told her I was interested in purchasing these items and she said that she would be happy to send them to me at no charge.  She was just happy someone wanted to keep them.  They arrived a few days later and when I opened the envelope, the first thing I saw was the USS Bell logo.  I took the papers out and saw the collection contained some newsletters and other papers from WWII.  I discovered these belonged to Mr. Pat DeSimone who was a tailor on the USS Bell.  What a nice person to try and find someone who would be interested in this material.

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A DAY IN HISTORY

UNITED STATES SHIP BELL (DD587)

Thursday 1 July 1943 - 0800 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1016 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Friday, 2 July 1943 – 0800  Mustered crew at quarters.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  Made weekly test of magazine sprinkling valves.  Condition satisfactory.

Saturday, 3 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Sunday, 4 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Monday, 5 July 1943 – 0750 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Tuesday, 6 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Condition normal.

Wednesday, 7 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  1425 HARDIN, R.B. SC3c, USN, was transferred to MCB, Argentia, Nfld. With bag, hammock and transfer papers for treatment. 

Thursday, 8 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Friday, 9 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  Made weekly test of magazine sprinkling valves.  Conditions satisfactory.  1330 BROWN, Robert E., S2n, V-6, USNR; WILCOX, Donald E., S2c USN, were transferred to RecSta, Boston, Massachusetts for general detail, records and transfer papers forwarded by registered mail.  Authority:  ComServForLandSubOrdCom railgram.

Saturday, July 10, 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  No absentees.  Captain inspected crew, living spaces and engineering spaces.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Sunday, 11 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Monday, 12 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Tuesday, 13 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Wednesday, 14 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Thursday, 15 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  1300 Transferred WALL, Donald W. S1c, V-6, USNR with bag, hammock, records and transfer papers to NOB Argentia, Nfld, for treatment.  Authority BuM&S Form “G”.  The Disbursing Officer issued semi-monthly monies to the Officers and crew.

Friday, 16 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  Made weekly test of magazine sprinkling valves.  Conditions satisfactory.

Saturday, 17 July 1943 – Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  1600 Six (6) inch hole made in port side frame 28 by tug coming alongside.  Repaired same.

Sunday, July 18 1943 – 0745 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  1400 Pursuant to BuPers desp.160235 of July 1943 Lieut (jg) V.D. GORMAN (E-V(S), USNR, was detached from this vessel and ordered to report to com. Three New York, NY for further assignment.  1718 ADAMS, G.I. S2c, V-6 USNR; DICKMAN, C.J. S2c, V-6, USNR; DOW, E.B. S2c USNR; GUILIOU, F. J. S2c, V-6 USNR and MILLWEE, D.F. S2c, V-6 USNR were transferred with bag and hammock to NOB Argentia, Nfld, FFT RS NORVA FFT Radar Operators School, Virginia Beach, VA., records and transfer papers accompanied men.  Authority:  Comservforlant.  KALISH, A (n), EM1c, USN and SCHMITTNER, J.C. MM1c USN, were transferred with bag and hammock to NOB Argentia Nfld. FFT to RecSta, Long Beach Long Island, NY for FFT to USS PICKING detail, records and transfer papers accompanied men.  DEAN, H.M. Cox, USN; GILLELAND, J.E. SM1c, USN; RUTLEDGE, J.B., Cox, V-6, USNR and STIEBER, A.B., Cox, USN were transferred with bag and hammock to RecSta Boston, Mass. For duty in the USS HAILIGAN detail.  Records and transfer papers accompanied men.

Monday, 19 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Tuesday, 20 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Wednesday 21 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  1800 Pursuant to BuPers Des. 171066 of July 1943 Lieut. R.C. STARKEY, USN was detached from this vessel and ordered to duty at NAS, Dallas, Texas.

Thursday, 22 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees. 1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Friday, 23 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1130 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  Made weekly test of magazine sprinkling valves. Condition satisfactory.  1445 CAPITANIO, Mario Augustino, F1c, V-6, USNR; McRAE, James Albert, S1c (SV) USN and BOROWICZ, Leo Thomas, S2c, USN, reported aboard this vessel for duty.  1700 BYLSMA, John Duane, S2c, V-6 reported aboard this vessel for duty. 

Saturday, 24 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  No absentees.  0920 Pursuant to SOPA, Argentia, Nfld. Letter of 24 July 1943, GEIER, Theodore H., Y3c, USNR, OSBORNE, George W. S2c, V-6 USNr; ENOS, Duncan J., S2c V-6, USNR; ESKRIDGE, Kimsey C. Y2c, V-6 USNR, and OLSZEWSKI, Edward (n), Cox, USN reported on board for passage to the United States.  0930 SPILLERS, Lewis (n), MM2c, V-6, USNR, RUEHL, William Edwin, E3c, V-6, USNR; BARRY, Robert Thomas, S2c, V-6, USNR; FRIVALDO, Victorio (n), St1c, USN;  OTTEY, Harry Raymond, FC3c, V-6, USNR; O’KELLEY, Benjamin Morgan, Jr. S1c, V-6, USNR and TERRY, Charles Ervin, S2c, V-6, USNR reported aboard this vessel for duty.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazine and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.

Sunday, 25 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  1130 Captain held mast and awarded the following punishments:  BOROWICZ, Leo Thomas, S2c USN, failure to relieve the watch.  Sleeping in another man’s bunk.  Fifty hours extra duty.  BECKER, John Albert, MoMM2c, V-6 USNR, shirking duty, to carry out the unexecuted portion of sentence of S.C.M approved by ISIC on 6-11-43.  To be discharged from the U.S. Naval Service with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

Monday, 26 July 1943 – 0730 Mustered crew on stations.  No absentees.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  1700 BECKER, John Albert, MoM2c, was discharged from this vessel and the naval service with a Bad Conduct Discharge in execution of the sentence of a summary court-martial.  1800 HARE, Oswell Hobart, MM1c, USN was discharged from this vessel and the naval service with an honorable discharge by reason of expiration of enlistment. 

Tuesday, 27 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  Absentees: BRANCH, John Ellis GM3c, USN; SCHEID, Harry Logan, Bkr2c, USNR and STOEKLE, Albert Edward F1c. USN.  1000 BRANCH, John Ellis, GM3c returned absent over leave since 0745, 27 July 1943.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  1130 The Captain held mast and awarded the following punishments: BRANCH, John Ellis, GM3c, failure to check out on liberty and Absent Over Leave two hours and fifteen minutes, fifty hours extra duty.  1400 HARE, Oswell Hobert MMJ1c, this date reenlisted on board this vessel for a period of four years. 

Wednesday, 28 July 1943 – 0800 Ensign Kent Ellis, E-V(S), left ship on three days leave.  STEVENS, W. H., SoM3c left ship on three days leave.  Mustered crew at quarters.  Absentees:  CHILDERS, B. SC2c; COLLIGAN, G.J. EM2c, and JENKINS, C.W. F1c.  0845 CHILDERS, B. SC2c, returned absent over leave since 0745 28 July 1943.  1000 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  1030 KANERVA, Arvo Konstantino, S1c(SV) and LIPKIN, Benjamin (n) S1c(SV, reported for duty on board this vessel.  1115 BOGUSKI, C.K. S2c, was returned aboard by Shore Patrol in a drunk and incapacitated condition.  1130 The Captain held mast and assigned the following punishments:  STOECKLE, A.E. F1c, Absent Over Leave about 21 hours and 30 minutes.  100 hours extra duty; SHEID, H. L. Ekr2c, Absent Over Leave about 18 hours.  80 hours extra duty;  CHILDERS, B. SC2c, Absent Over Leave about one hour; incapacitated for the proper performance of duty due to previous indulgence of intoxicating liquor, Bad Conduct Discharge.  BOGUSKI, C.K. S2c, drunk and incapacitated for the performance of duty, 25 hours extra duty.  1340 NEWMAN, C.R. WT1c, left ship on 3 days leave.  1400 SMITH, R.D. TM1c, left ship on four days leave.  1445 COLLIGAN, G.J. EM2c was returned aboard by Shore Patrol.  1500 CHILDERS, Buford, SC2c, was discharged from this vessel and the naval service with a bad conduct discharge in execution of the sentence of a summary court martial.  2130 TILLMAN, H.F. CGM(AA), BERNSTEIN, L.P. CRM(AA); BOWERS, E. J. S2c(SV); BURCHARDT, A.J F2c(SV); CHERRIMGTON, K.K. F2c(SV; CUSHING, L.C. s2c(SV); DAMERON, W.P. S2c(SV0; DANIELWICZ, L F2c(SV); DEPA, J.A. F2c(SV); FAITH, J.W. S2c; FREDERICKSON, A.R. F2c(SV); HUERTA, F. S2c; JORDAN, C.T. S2c; KRATZ, W.H. S2c(SV); MOORE, W.R. S2c; PANGANIBAN, C.C. Matt1c; RUSSELL, W.A. S2c(SV), WHITE, J.B. Cox; WOODS, M.L. S2c; and ZEIGLER, P.E. S2c; reported for duty on board this vessel.

Thursday, 29 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  Absentees: CONROW, Joseph Oral F2c.  1015 The Disbursing Officer issued semi monthly monies to the Officers and crew.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal. 1115 The Captain held mast and assigned the following punishments:  COLLIGAN, G.J. EN2c, drunk and asleep ashore, 25 hours extra duty; JENKINS, C. W. F1c, Absent Over Leave for a period of about 23 hours and 45 minutes, 100 hours extra duty.  1400 PLACEMAN, William Bentz, PhM2c, was transferred with bag, hammock, records and transfer papers to the U. S. Naval Hospital, Chelsea, MA for treatment. 

Friday, 30 July 1943 – 0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  Absentees: CONROW, Joseph Oral F2c.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  Made weekly test of magazine sprinkling valves. Condition satisfactory.  1400 Pursuant to BuPers dispatch 282209 of July 1943, Ensign John C. WARD, E-M, was detached from this vessel and ordered to nearest Naval District for temporary duty pending further assignment. 

Saturday, 31 July 1943 – 0040 NEWMAN, Cleo R. WT1c, returned aboard from three days leave. 0235 STEVENS, W.H. SoM3c, returned aboard from three days leave.  0300 Ensign Kent ELLIS (E-V(S), returned aboard from three days leave.  0800 Mustered crew at quarters.  Absentees: CONROW, J.O. F2c.  1100 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples.  Conditions normal.  MARELLA, Louis Charles S2c; BURK, John Walter, S2c; DeWOLF, Robert Frederick, Jr. S2c; and KLENKA, Edwin Felix, S2c, reported for duty on board this vessel.  1130 GIBBS, Francis Raymond WT1c, and NEWMAN, Cleo Robert WT1c, were transferred with bag, hammock, records and transfer papers to RecSta, Boston, MA FFT U.S.S. CHARRETTE.  BRIZZI, Theodore Max BM1c was transferred with bag, hammock, records and transfer papers to Recata, Long Beach, NY FFT U.S.S. HICKOX.  2117 SMITH, R.D. TM1c, reported aboard from four days leave.

And we thought we made mistakes!  Read on!

Newspaper ad on Monday:  “For sale: F.D. Brown has one sewing machine for sale. Phone 758 after 6p.m. and ask for Mrs. Smith who lives with him cheap.”

Newspaper ad on Tuesday: “Notice: We regret having erred in F.D. Brown’s ad yesterday.  It should read: One sewing machine for sale. Cheap. Phone 758 and ask for Mrs. Smith who lives with him after 6 p.m.”

Newspaper ad on Wednesday: “F.D. Brown has informed us that he has received several annoying telephone calls because of the error we made in his classified ad yesterday. His ad stands corrected as follows: “For sale: F.D. Brown has one sewing machine for sale. Cheap. Phone 758 after 6 p.m. and ask for Mrs. Smith who loves with him.

Newspaper item on Thursday: “Notice: I, F.D. Brown have no sewing machine for sale.  I smashed it.  Don’t call 758, the telephone has been taken out. I have not been carrying on with Mrs. Smith. Until yesterday she was my housekeeper, but she quit.”

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I look forward to seeing you all in Washington, D.C. in the fall.  I will have all the information for you in the next newsletter.

WISHING EACH AND EVERYONE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!