USS Lowndes APA-154

Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 3

JUNE 1995

BUD KAUTZ CC&BW

6/95-2

U.S.S. LOWNDES - APA 154

SEVENTH ANNUAL REUNION
October 5th - 8th, 1995
San Antonio, Texas

Please see enclosed blue sheet for reservation information and hotel
accommodations. Check in: 3:00 PM - Check Out: 12:00 PM

***********************

Use courtesy phone near
luggage claim area or
phone hotel 308-6700 for
shuttle service to hotel,

**********************

The following shipmates and their mates have indicated a desire
to attend our Reunion in San Antonio and the Bowman/Richards Memorial
plaque Dedication at the Admiral Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg,
Texas.

Ed. & Agnes Bensie
Sally Cary
Howard & Lois Chappell
E. Max Cole
Jim Davenport
Carmel & Evelyn Fesi
Joe & Loreta Freitas

Jack & Evelyn Hovey
Dick Jones
Bud & Jean Kautz
John & Betty Lackey
Jack & Marilyn Laird
Don & Joan Macpherson
Connie & Jerry Michalski

Frank & Frances Miller
Leo & Margaret O'Brien
Joel & Mary Rodriquez
Jim & Ina Mae Ross
Dallas & Lorene Stratton
George & Glenda Tuppan

SALLY CARY - Pal ton, PA - Received the Two Jima booklet, it was
very interesting to find out what happened all those years, long
ago. I wish that John had been able to read it but--. Looking
forward to seeing everyone in San Antonio, Texas next October.
Had surgery to remove a cyst from my left hand. At present it
hurts like ----, but the doctor says it'll be in A-One shape soon.
Which brings me to the next thing. I'm having the raffle tickets
printed for the Lowndes Lovelies annual raffle. First prize will
be the afgan. First and second prizes will be cash. Will be sending
the books to everyone on our roster list. (4/20/95)

Note: Sally is CEO of the Lowndes Lovelies who are behind this
worthwhile endeavor. Last year in San Diego it proved what a fine
job our mates did on the raffle. Once again we thank Stan Dunn,
he won $300.00 as one of the prizes and promptly donated the entire
amount to the Bowman/Richards Memorial Fund. Let's all get behind
this effort and make it even more successful than it was last
year. Sally is making another afgan with her own little hands.
She's a good kid.

6/95-3 Vol.7 No.3/3

JIM FRIEDEN - Silver Lake, IN - As one of the radio men aboard the
U.S.S. Lowndes I received a radio message on 12, April 1945 that
President Franklin Roosevelt had died. Within four hours Harry S. Truman

then Vice President was sworn in as the thirty-third President of the
United States. The message was received as the Lowndes was almost to
Okinawa. I don't remember if I took the message to the Captain or if
it was someone else. 50 years ago, hard to remember. (4/12/95)

LEO O'BRIEN - Maiden, MA - Thanks for the booklet of memories of Iwo
Jima. It brought back some memories of things I was not aware of or
might have forgotten. Especially appreciated Erie Niemi's experiences,
my own were not too different than his and I enjoyed them in his
autobiography. A copy which his wife, Ellen, sent me earlier. In the
Iwo Jima booklet it was mentioned that we had the 2nd Marines at Iwo,
I thought we took them to Okinawa. We had the 23rd Battalion of the
4th Marines. It was the 23rd regiment of that division. This I realized
after recently reading a book entitled "Iwo Jima" by Richard Newcomb.
I would recommend reading this book. It pertains mostly to Marine
activities from beginning to end and there is a lot about activity
on the beach. I'm sorry I didn't read it years ago. Bud, I think you
must have been disappointed with the small response from so many. Some
probably thought they had to be in a boat or on the beach. Everyone
on the Lowndes made a contribution of some sort that resulted in a
successful operation and I would have appreciated getting their aspect
of it. (3/20/95)

Note: Leo, if has been suggested that there be an addendum to the
booklet in the near future. As of this date (April) there have been
several late arrivals received. How about it fellows?

FRANCIS J. MILLER - Kearns, UT - I enjoyed reading the "Unforgettable
Image of Iwo Jima" It was nice to read the stories of the shipmates.
The other day I had something that I gave up on ever happening. I went
to our local K Mart store to have a duplicate key made. I was wearing
the hat from the U.S.S. Lowndes reunion, the young man asked me if
I had been in the battle of Iwo Jima? I said I had and that we had
the men of the 4th Division Marines on board. He told me he was in
the 4th Division Reserves and had heard all about Iwo. He would not
accept any money for the key as it was the least he could do for a
veteran. How many times have we said in the past? "You could have a
chest full of medals but they wouldn't buy you a free beer." This was
the first time in all these years things were appreciated and hell,
it had to be by a Marine. One of the reasons the water tenders had
to work the evaporators so hard was, while the crew had to take salt
water showers the men in the laundry would climb into the big washing
machines and take a fresh water bath. One night I was alone in the
laundry taking a bath in the machine when it slipped gears and I was
trapped inside until morning when my buddies turned it on and got me
out. Boy! Was I clean! Looking forward to the reunion in San Antonio.
(5/20/95)

I (Bud) have not received permission cards from 7 contributors regarding
the use of their tales in the Iwo Jima booklet being forwarded to the
Admiral Nimitz Museum. Will assume that they wish to have their stories
deleted from the booklet. Would like to hear from the following:

Bill Bornhorst Harry Contreras Harley Hughes Elmer Trevillyan
Jim Frieden Walt Karson Otto Walker

6/95-4

JOSEPH FREITAS, Gustine, CA - When I came aboard The Lowndes I was

assigned to KP and my first job was to put the potatoes into the
peeling machine. Well I dumped about 100 pounds into the machine,
turned it on and forgot about it. When I remembered it, the potatoes
came out about the size of golf balls. Later on I had the keys to
the food locker and was never in want for something to eat. Our walnut
trees look good so far, since we will be doing our own spraying for
insects this year we hope to have a good grade on our nuts. We hope
to make the reunion in San Antonio providing we finish the harvest.
We survived the floods of '95 but Newman a town just 4 miles from
us had 3 to 4 feet of water down the main part of town. (5/1/95)

EDWIN McKELLAR - Waianae, HI - This is a small world story. I didn't
know until I read the history of the USS Lowndes that when we were
on Oahu for part of our Amphibious training we had sailed to a bay
on the leeward side of the island called Pokai Bay, just over the
mountain from Schofield Army Base. While we were there we picked up
and had Amphibious landings with the Army troops from Schofield. The
amazing part of this story is that for over forty years I have lived
just one house down the canal from this very same Pokai Bay. (5/7/95)

EDWARD L. KING - Cool, CA - The booklet "Unforgettable Image of Iwo
Jima" was very interesting, I'll always cherish it." You know, Bud,
maybe along the line more of the crew will add to the booklet with
war diaries or recall experiences to add to this booklet." While on
this subject, a documentary on Iwo Jima was shown on February 19th".
(It's about the real invasion). Anyone interested in obtaining a copy
- phone 1-800-982-1420 and request "Red Blood - Black Sand". John
Lackey called me from Burbank, CA - Memories, Memories. (3/7/95)

Everybody wants to live a long time, but nobody wants to get old.
The three signs of aging are the loss of memory and I can't remember
the other two.

JACK B. HOVEY, SR. - Pasadena, CA - All hands, General Quarters. "The
Unforgettable Image of Iwo Jima". Outstanding! With tears of pride
and patriotism. Memories of 50 years past, I read the recollections
of my shipmates and of those that kept diaries, over and over. Thanks
to all that contributed to this keepsake. I will cherish it for the
rest of my life and my family will too. Talked to George Tuppan last
week. He is coming along slow but surely. George told me he is able
to walk a little further each day. He and Glenda are taking a special
trip on VJ Day. Received a phone call from an old friend and shipmate,
Glenn Forgay, he and his wife Millie now live in California. We had
a pleasant visit and talked over old times. Sending Bud his new
address. Also would like to thank Leo O'Brien and Carmel Fesi, they
were instrumental in Dan Wisdom and Joel Rodriquez contacting me.
Joel sent me a newspaper article with a photograph of him and Dick
Jones pictured together with a large rendering of the famous Flag
raising on Iwo Jima in the background. The article was a real pleasure
to read and of course appreciated very much, thanks fellows. Look
forward to seeing both of you in San Antonio. To those of us who have
passed on, I say a prayer and thanks. To those of us who are still
on the go, "Hope to see all of you in Texas" (5/15/95

6/95-5 v01' 7 Nc- 3/5

The following article with a photograph of Dick Jones and Joel Rodriquez
appeared in The Monitor - McAllen, Texas news paper. After 50 years
two ex-sailors were reunited to exchange memories of trial by fire.
The two were landing craft crewmen shuttling Marines through the gates
of hell - the shores of Iwo Jima. After the war, Rodriquez and Jones
took different paths. Jones went to Duluth, MN. and worked at U.S.
Steel for 31 years. Rodriquez came home to the Valley and served as
Hidalgo city commissioner. "It doesn't seem like 50 years, I'll tell
you that," Rodriquez said. Jones nodded his head as he leaned forward
on a living room couch in his old buddy's Hidalgo home. Many tales
of courage and tragedy were sparked by their lively conversation. "We
first met when we were in San Diego at the training school," Jones
said. "I was a landing craft coxswain and Joel was a signalman. . .we
were both at Iwo Jima. (5/5/95)

Note: More on this in the Iwo Jima addendum: IJ-ADD-3.

BILL RAMSEY - McMinnville, OR - Received the Iwo memories book. I feel
badly that I didn't contribute to that book. All I can remember is
the frustration of having to just wait around for those small boats
to return and not being- able to do much until they did return - I guess
I figured that the small boat crews and the Marine troops were the
true heroes. Does anyone know where the original flag resides? (4/8/95)

Note: Can anybody come up with the answer to Bill's question?

J. SHELTON SCALES - Martinsville, VA - Well, it's happened again. My
correspondence has backed up something awful, so here goes still another
communal missive. My trek to Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima from 10 to
17, March, 1995 plus having to give a talk on Iwo at the Reynolds
Homestead Educational Center near here on 16, February pre-empted my
letter writing for some weeks. All's well at the "Castle", a new
retirement community into which we moved on 24, May '93. No grass to
mow, no leaves to rake, no gutters to clean - in short, a whole lot
of no getting. Our oldest grandchild graduates from the Univ. of
Pittsburg 30 April and a week later will fly to Berlin for one year
to be a Nanny to two children of friends of ours. It was a
heart-wrenching experience to see Iwo again (14 March). But the changes
were so vast, it was hard to get oriented. The view from Mt. Suribachi
down on our landing beaches was chilling, the Japs watched our every
move. Hill 382 has been leveled. Flowers were blooming; a regular
thicket of saplings covered most of the island. And I'm told that Iwo
is now 45 feet higher than in 1945. I believe it, too, for there's
a spur/cape off the west coast that was not there during our first
visit. There will be a video tape of our Reunion of Honor out soon.
I'm eager to see it. When you are in our area give us a call and come
by to see us. I've a good store of sea stories (AKA lies for the most
part). There's a good supply of grog on hand. I'll try to mail you
more on the return to Iwo soon. Semper Fi. (4/25/95)

JOHN L. LACKEY - Burbank, CA - I sure enjoyed reading all the stories
Tn"The Unforgettable Image of Iwo Jima". I was sworn into the Navy
on April 10, 1944 in San Antonio, I hope to attend the reunion.

Yes John, I will change the city you reside in from Corona to Burbank
in the booklet before sending it to the Nimitz Museum.

6/95-6 Vol. 7-No. 3/6

BERNARD TRACZ - Campbell, OH - Since January I've been having problems
with bronchitis and head colds, but with the weather clearing up some
I'm feeling better and ready to tackle the grass and garden work.
Take care and the News Letters have been super... I've been writing
to about 20 shipmates so far. (4/23/95)

GEORGE TUPPAN - La Habra Heights, CA - Received the last News Letter
and enjoyed it very much. It seems as if our alumni are thinking and
writing so that we may enjoy their thoughts and recollections. I was
thinking (it's hard) that it would be a nice gesture to put Donald
Bowman and Norman Richards in the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.
(5/5/95)

Note: Would like to hear from the USS Lowndes crew regarding this
matter. The cost is $25.00 each plus $25.00 each if a photograph is
included.

JOSEPH H. ERLANDSON - Rush City, MN - Enjoyed reading the Iwo booklet.
It brought some memories back. Dickson's remembrances were the same
as some of mine. (3/14/95)

CONNIE MICHALSKI - Austin, TX - After being at sea for sometime we
anchored off of Saipan and finally got off the ship for a little
recreation. The island had been taken back by our forces prior to
our arrival but there were still enemy snipers. The beach was roped
off giving us room to play ball, drink a few bottles of hot 3.2 beer
or go for a swim. C. F. "Chuck" Murray and I decided to take to the
water. The beach was shallow and we had to wade out a long way passing
some sunken equipment left from the invasion when our forces took
over the island. We were in the water about waist deep when I stepped
on something that felt strange. I said "Hey Murray - wait a minute."
I reached down into the water and pulled it to the surface. I had
a handful of hair - didn't take time to check if it was one of our
guys or a Jap. I looked at Murray and said "Let's get out of here!"
It seemed like, even for a short time one could not .forget that there
was a war going on. (1/5/95)

WALT KARSON, Elk River, MN - Fran and I were married 50 years ago
last July. I was working for Uncle Sam and in uniform just assigned
to a ship on the east coast. Got leave, came to Chicago and went back
a married man. Went aboard a brand new LSM and started for the Panama
Canal, then the Pacific and to Pearl Harbor where I was transferred
to the U.S.S. Lowndes. I do believe that it was the best move the
Navy made. Anyway it was a good one for me. When I came aboard I felt
like I was in the Navy. She was a great ship to be on, duty wise and
sea worthiness. She had a good crew as I can see from the interest
(still) that is written in the News Letters that I receive. Sorry
that I can't make the reunions as much as I would like to. We have
good hands (host & hostess) at the helm for the reunions. Speaking
of the helm, as a coxswain I had a chance to be at the helm of the
Lowndes at times. She responded to the wheel real great. (1/6/95)

Trivia from Jim Frieden - Who loaned who 50<F to a Lowndes shipmate
fifty years ago and was never repaid. Wonder how much interest has
accrued to date. Anyone willing to venture a guess?

6/95-7

Vol. 7 No. 3/7

FINANCIAL STATEMENT - MAY 31, 1995

Balance December 31, 1994 $2510.03
INCOME

Contributions $410.00

Bowman/Richards Memorial Fund 265.00 *
Iwo Jima Booklets 12.00
History Books 9.00 $ 696.00

$3206.03

DISBURSEMENTS
Printing $200.42
Postage $369.01
Supplies $35.75

Misc. expenses $34.94

1995 Reunion expenses $144.45

Reunion notice 1.00 $785.57

Balance May 31, 1995 $2420.46

* Bowman/Richards Memorial Fund total $1790.00 less $350.00 (Plaque)
leaving a balance of $1440.00. Any surplus will go into the general
operating fund. Additional expenses are anticipated for the dedication
ceremony in Fredericksburg, Texas.

To date this year there have been 20 (less than 14%)
contributors to the general fund and 10 donors to the
Bowman/Richards Memorial Fund. I'm sure that the crew members
of the Lowndes are aware that the cost of printing and
mailing the News Letters has increased in recent years.
Excluding the Ladies and the Honorary members there are
144 on our roster and 100 active members. Which leaves 44
that we have had no response from.

CONTRIBUTION - 1995 U.S.S. LOWNDES REUNION GROUP

NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY, STATE & ZIP:

TELEPHONE:

ENCLOSED IS MY CONTRIBUTION FOR: $ DATE:

BOWMAN/RICHARDS MEMORIAL FUND: $

(Mail to Bud Kautz)

6/95-8

U.S.S. LOWNDES (APA 154)
PLAN OF THE DAY FOR SATURDAY, 9 JUNE 1945

Duty SK: Thode, S1c
Duty MAA Born, BM1c

Duty Medical Officer: Lieut Hughes.
Duty PhM: Hill, PhMlc.
Duty Yeoman: Young, Y1c.

0548 Sunrise. Light ship. (pass word over all speakers)

0550 Call PPO's and BM's.

0600 Reveille. Trice up bunks.

0630 Call mid-watch standers.

Breakfast.

0730 Pipe sweepers. Empty all trash containers.
0745 Muster on stations. Turn in muster reports to the ship's office,
0800 Turn to.
0815 Sick call.

1030 Mess cooks report to the mess hall.
1115 Mess gear.
1130 Pipe down to mess.
1300 Turn to.
1530 Mess cooks report to the mess hall.

Pipe sweepers; empty all trash containers.
1600 All hands not on watch assemble at No. 2 hatch to witness

the arrival of Davy Jones.
1615 Mess gear.
1630 Pipe down supper.
1730 Dinner in the wardroom.
1800 Coca-cola sales in the mess hall.
1812 Sunset. Darken ship.
1830 Sick call.
1930 Eight o'clock reports.
2130 Taps.

Memorandums:

1. All coca-cola bottles will be returned to cases in the
mess hall when emptied. These battles are not to be thrown away.

2. Lost: 17-jewel ESKA wristwatch, Serial 11549. Finder
return to C. Faltesek, S1c.

L. A. Judin
Executive Officer

6/95-9
Received the following letters:

The Iwo Jima book just arrived and have been reading it and all
about what the boys have been through. Didn't get the word of
Norman's death until March 10, 1945. Word was slow. Norman couldn't
tell me where he was when he left the United States. He mentioned
Wesley Follett, Jerome Freider and Billy Pierce in his letters.
We met Fred Brinkman in May 1946. He has kept in touch with me
since 1945. He is a wonderful friend. Not sure I will be able
to come down to the Reunion and dedication in Texas. Time will
tell. Would love to meet you and Fred.

Friend Mrs. Florence Richards

I am writing this letter to let you know the situation here in
Pueblo with my mother (Mrs. Dorothy Haling). She has not been
well lately and has had a hard time talking. She was told by a
doctor she had some mini strokes but at this time has suffered
no other ill effects. She does want to come to the reunion and
dedication but due to the time in between now and then it is hard
to say if it will be possible. At 82 one can't know if she will
be able. It is a very kind thing that the shipmates are doing
for Don.

Sincerely
William E. Haling

Editor's note:

Mrs. Richards - Norman's Mother. (94 years young)
Keith S. Richards - Norman's Brother
Wallace Richards - Norman's Brother

Mrs. Dorothy Haling - Donald Bowman's Sister.
William B. Haling - Donald Bowman's Nephew.

Thank you for sending me another copy of the News letter. I want
to try and keep in touch for my dear George. He always looked
forward to reading about all of the guys. Jack Hovey Sr. sent
very comforting words that expressed his feelings as to what kind
of a man and shipmate George was. Jack was coxswain of boat #15,
George was on #19 and I think Jack Lackey was on #20.

Mrs. George (Leia) Kindle