USS Lowndes APA-154

Newsletter

OCTOBER 1994

BUD KAUTZ EDITOR

10/94-2

THE FOLLOWING WERE IN ATTENDANCE IN SAN DIEGO:

Ed & Agnes Bensie
Fred & Roberta Brinkman
Howard & Lois Chappell
Sally Cary
James Chilcote
Frank & Joyce DuBois
Stanley Dunn
John & Lebby Dyer
Joe & Loreta Freitas

Jack & Evelyn Hovey, Jr.
David & Joanne Long
Don & Joan Macpherson
Clark Martin
Edwin McKellar
Virginia McGrody
Connie & Jerry Michalski
Francis & Frances Miller
Leo & Margaret O'Brien

Charles & Joyce Perdue
Patricia Perdue
Elliott Pilchard
Arthur & Marjorie Rauseo
Bill & Virginia Robinson
Cliff & Mary Schaffer
Bill & Amelia Taylor
Elmer & Edna Trevillyan
George & Glenda Tuppan

STATES REPRESENTED & NUMBER OF ATTENDEES

California -	13	Massachusetts	- 4	South Carolina - 2
Florida	2	New York	- 2	Texas - 2
Hiwaii	2	Ohio	- 4	Utah - 2
Indiana	2	Pennsylvania	- 7	Virginia - 1
Idaho	2

Elmer & Edna Trevillyan travelled the least distance. After checking
with American Airlines and consulting the Atlas it has been determined
that Stan Dunn & Art Rauseo each traveled 2614 miles to San Diego
but, Ed McKellar living on the west coast of Oahu beat them out by
a few miles and earns the distinction of having travelled the farthest,

WINNERS OF THE LOWNDES LOVELIES RAFFLE;

1st. Prize: Stan Dunn

$30Q.OO in cash which
he promptly donated
to The Bowman/Richards

Memorial Fund. Thanks.

2nd. Prize: Loreta Freitas

$50.00 in cash.

3rd. Prize: Stuart Brokenshire

Beautiful afghan
crochetted and donated
by Sally Cary.

4th. Prize: Stan Dunn

3 day week-end in
Myrtle Beach, SC
donated by Fred Brinkman,

5th. Prize: David Long

Bottle of JB scotch.
(Enjoy)

6th. Prize: Fred Brinkman

1 bottle of table wine.

Perdue picked the above
winners out of the hat.

Mr. Charles

Sally's afghan
gold lettering
on blue.

Our general fund was enriched to the tune of $315.00
through the efforts of the Lowndes Lovelies group.
Thank you Sally, for the time you devoted to this
endeavor. You did a splendid job that is appreciated
by the Reunion Group.

Fred Brinkman has circulated a petition to nominate William Lowndes
to the South Carolina Hall of Fame. The United States Navy made a
decision to place the name of this distinguished statesman on one
of its World War 11 ships - The U.S.S. Lowndes APA 154.

At the business meeting in San Diego a vote was taken and it was
decided to hold the U.S.S. Lowndes Seventh Annual Reunion in September
or October, 1995. San Antonio, Texas will be the location. Dates will
be determined by Connie & Jerry Michalski, host and hostess of this
event, pending arrangements to be made to our advantage regarding
the hotel and tours. Bear in mind that this Reunion will also feature
the dedication of the Bowman/Richards Memorial plaque along with the
donation of the commissioning pennant to the Admiral Nimitz Museum
in Fredericksburg, Texas. Connie & Jerry have their work cut out for
them. I'm sure they will welcome any comments or suggestions to make
their task easier. Good luck! Details will be made in future News
Letters as they become available.

Fred & Roberta Brinkman Have collected a lot of information on
facilities and potential activities for possibly inviting the U.S.S.
Lowndes Reunion Group to consider South Carolina in the fall of 1996
for the Eighth Annual Reunion. Of course if there is an alternative
location they would enjoy the Reunion without the work involved.
However if the group would want to come to South Carolina in the future
Fred & Roberta would be willing to host the event before they get
too old (those are Fred's words).

Again we thank Stan Dunn for the flowers he always sends to our
Reunions. Too bad he forgot to bring his usual smoked fish.

A special thanks to Charles Perdue for his efforts in bringing in
the Color Guard from the local high school and having Mr. John Moore
give a very informative talk on "The Evolution of the American Flag".

Sure that all at our banquet learned a lot from this presentation.

Thanks, also, to George & Glenda Tuppan for their donations of snacks,
napkins and tumblers for the hospitality room. They also donated the
sailor hat and neckerchief that was won by Leo O'Brien. Leo also made
a comment that after hearing all the war stories from our shipmates
he wonders if we all were aboard the same ship. Tales do get
intensified with the passing of years, that is not to take away from
the enjoyment of hearing the many incidents that took place.

Don & Joan Macpherson were not to be outdone, they donated American
Flags and landing craft pins to all attending our Reunion. Don also
brought along Fanny Packs with the ship's name on them. Anyone
interested in purchasing one please contact Don.

This was a very special Reunion that Jean & I will remember for a
long time to come. Through the thoughtfulness of George & Glenda Tuppan

along with our shipmates and spouses they managed to have a three
tiered wedding cake wheeled to our table commemorating our 50th
Anniversary. How the two of them managed to get everyone to sign the
greeting card is beyond us, we were always in the vicinity. No wonder
George kept calling us up to learn if we would make the Reunion after
my hip operation. Glenda informed us that George is a softie and was
a basket case before the Reunion attempting to find our photograph
with our marriage license on the back, we had passed them out at the
first celebration. Needless to say, it certainly was a great SURPRISE.
Thank you, one and all.

JACK W. LAIRD - Valparaiso, IN - I remember after landing occupation
forces at Aomori, Japan we got liberty. We were told to stay with the
group, no wandering off the path, road, whatever. Being 2-3 weeks
past being a teen ager I knew that all rules could and would be broken!
When I saw what looked like a good item to bring home laying in a
ditch I had to run over and pick it up. It turned to be a little "jar"
with lids after being cleaned up. They are l^" in dia. and 25" high.

JOSEPH BOTTI - Corona, CA - Greetings from the Circle City and our
Mobile Home City. I came aboard the U.S.S. Lowndes, as I can best
recall, on or about 18 October, 1944, and after having the honor of
helping land the First Marines on Iwo Jima, and having the heck scared
out of me when the Japs frightened us from the famous attack on
Okinawa, then landing an attack group an 1 April, 1945 in another
spot on the island. My time on the Lowndes was ended by being
transferred to the U.S. for reassignment as Warrant Officer, which
I maintained until retiring from the Service. I cannot add anything
other than havingbeen on the ship for that short length of time,
and unfortunately, made very few friends aboard, and having retired
from the service very soon after that time, I cannot recall anyone
with whom I had been truly a SHIPMATE. I'm 84 years old and the doctors
dictate my chances of attending Reunions, but will attempt to in the
future.

ELLIOTT PILCHARD - Port Hueneme, CA I vaguely remember the
Commissioning Ceremony...I know we had some "chow" afterwards. Then
we had to go to Fire school, gas mask drills, using tear gas...swimming
school - no liberty 'till you passed this one. Remember jumping in
the pool with water logged capox (sp) life jacket on, and I sank right
to the bottom...had to fight to surface...then into pool with "whites"
on... had to take pants off - tie legs - throw over head to scoop air
and use that for floatation. The time there at Astoria was for the
most part, boring... at least for me. I very seldom went to Portland...
tho it was nice... the people were "very good" to the Navy - we felt
good about that. Nothing like Norfolk, Va and a few other ports that
really didn't like the Navy. As we "caught up" with our chart
corrections, we found time on our hands and were usually through for
the day by noon. Several got part time jobs driving cabs.. .several
(including me) got jobs loading freight cars for Pillsbury Flour Mills.
Believe me...it was easy...they told us to "Take it easy" so we did.

MITCHELL CHASTEEN - Florissant, MO - After boot camp, late in 1942,
I was sent to the Naval Station in Astoria, Oregon. During the 2 years
there I became RM3c. I was still there when the U.S.S. Lowndes was
commissioned. I had seen about 50 small carrier escorts (CVE's)
commissioned prior to the arriving of the APA's. There was a ship
commissioned every Saturday. First the CVE's then the APA's. All were
built in Portland and came down to the mouth of the Columbia River
(Astoria) to be commissioned. I was assigned to the Lowndes on
September 14, 1944 when she was commissioned. My last sailing was
the trip to Aomori, Honshu to Seattle. We arrived there October 18,
1945 where my discharge proceedings began. Shortly after returning
home (St. Louis, MO) I met a girl that became my wife just 6 months
after. She was 17 and I was 23.

Our compliments to Charlotte for the very efficient manner of setting
up the tours and keeping track of all the old folks at the Wild Animal
Park, Harbor Cruise and Coronado. Also in making arrangements for
the enjoyable time we experienced at the Saturday evening banquet.
She acted as financial secretary for our San Diego Reunion and
certainly was a tremendous help to the Macphersons & Tuppans. We were
very lucky indeed.

At the last couple of Reunions George Tuppan has expressed a desire
to have SOS at one of our brunches. Lo and behold being on the Reunion
committee he finally was able to fulfill his wish. It was one of the
dishes served at our Sunday Brunch. Thanks to Otto Walker for supplying
the recipe. Hey! It wasn't bad at all. Brought back memories.

MAX COLE - New York, NY - Sorry to miss the San Diego Reunion but
I've had three (count 'em) operations since the last Reunion. None
of them all that serious, but they kept me off the playing fields
a lot this year. I am returning to good health since the latest
operation last June, but physical therapy took up a good portion of
my time. So...do stay in touch, and I expect to make the 1995 gathering

JIM FRIEDEN - Couldn't make the Reunion because his company is building
on their silo in September and there is grain to be transferred.

Fred Brinkman reports that John & Sally Vernale were unable to make
the trip because they were afraid Sally's special diet may not be
available. Fred also had lunch with Dallas Stratton, because of a
deer hunting trip with his grandson Dallas was unable to attend.

ART & MARGE RAUSEO - We really had a nice time in San Diego. It was
so beautiful. Our trip home was wonderful.

CONNIE & JERRY MICHALSKI - Dear Glenda & George: We had a great time
at the Reunion. All of your efforts "Showed" -- everything was so
organized and went so smoothly. I hope we can do the same in Texas.
Thanks George for the "Grits".

LEO & MARGARET O'BRIEN - George & Glenda: Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
For all your hard work and a very successful Reunion. We enjoyed sunny
Southern California and all of your plans. I hope this missile doesn't
go through Chicago.

JOHN & LEBBY DYER - Dear George & Glenda Just want to say thanks for
a great time in San Diego. We appreciate all you did for us A WHOLE
BUNCH! Hope to see you next year. Thanks again.

A little known fact concerning a shipmate of ours:

Ed. McKellar is the champion cribbage player in Waianae, HI.

FRED & ROBERTA BRINKMAN - Dear George & Glenda: we were pleased to
be with you for our U.S.S. Lowndes APA 154 50th Anniversary Reunion.
You along with Co-hosts Don & Joan Macpherson and their assistant
Charlotte provided a very enjoyable Reunion, doing an outstanding
job and we appreciate it. The U.S.S. Lowndes Reunion attendees in
San Diego signed a resolution recommending the nomination and induction
of William Lowndes into the South Carolina Hall of Fame to honor this
distinguished statesman for whom our ship was named. I will present
this resolution at the meeting of the South Carolina Hall of Fame
Board of Trustees on September 30, 1994. It usually takes years before
a candidate can be nominated, elected and inducted into the Hall of
Fame, so it would be a bonus if William Lowndes could get this honor
by the time of our Reunion at Myrtle Beach, if that is the site for
1996. The interest and support of the Lowndes crew as signers of the
resolution should be very helpful.

ED & AGNES BENSIE - Great Reunion! We visited the Freitas' at their
ranch. It was very interesting. Jean, I've become addicted to those
watermelon suckers. (Note: Both Agnes and Jean had me - Bud - hobbling
all around Tiajuana looking for that candy shop and guess what? We
found it by accident).

SALLY CARY - Pal ton, PA - I had a great time in San Diego. Really
enjoyed meeting everyone again. I got to the base and had the
opportunity to visit my son's ship (U.S.S. Juneau LPD-10) when it
came in, it was down at Pier 12. I left San Diego on September 21st
at 7:45 AM and arrived home that afternoon at about 5:30 PM. It was
a very good flight. I can't get over what a good time I had. The tours
were great. I can still see the expression on the room service guys
face when he saw a male in my room with me, he didn't know it was
my son.

Juricas unable to make Reunion this year, Julia had hip surgery. Plan
to make it next year.

Bill Davis had quadruple by pass surgery so he and Lillian. A good
reason not to make the trip.

Stuart & Jewel Brokenshire have health problems preventing them from
attending the Reunion.

Rowena Brunner is in poor health so she and Harold opted to take a
pass this year.

Bob & Jane Hazelett were involved in moving at the same time the
Reunion was taking place.

W. D. Flagg has had 2 strokes recently but is coming along fine now.

Good luck to all during their time of need. Hope to see them next
year in San Antonio, Texas.

By the way there was another couple that was present at the U.S.S.
Lowndes Reunion in San Diego - Bud & Jean from Illinois.

10/94-7 RESOLUTION

TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME

Adopted by
U.S.S. LOWNDES A.P.A. 154 50th YEAR REUNION

September 17,1994

WHEREAS, William Lowndes of the State of South Carolina had an outstanding record of

achievements as a member of the State Legislature and a leader in the Congress of the
United States during his relatively short life from 1782 - 1822; and

WHEREAS, in Congress he was a strong advocate of increasing the nation's military and naval
strength and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Navy Affairs as well as
Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and in other key leadership positions;

and

WHEREAS, he was nominated for President of the United States by the South Carolina

Legislature (but declined to accept) and prominent statesman Henry Clay described
Lowndes as "the wisest man I ever knew"; and

WHEREAS, the States of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi all recognized the outstanding

achievements of this distinguished South Carolinian and named counties for him in
each of their respective states; and

WHEREAS, the United States Navy made a decision to place the name of this distinguished

South Carolinian on one of its World War II ships - the U.S.S. Lowndes A.P.A. 154;

and

WHEREAS, after being launched in July, 1944, the U.S.S. Lowndes engaged in World War II

operations involving the transport of troops in the Pacific area and participation in the
battles oflwo Jima and Okinawa, including landing operations by the ship's beach
battalion during the assault on Iwo Jima; and

WHEREAS, the U.S.S. Lowndes Reunion Group takes great pride in the important role of our
ship in World War II and we are honored that this A.P.A. 154 ship was named in
memory of William Lowndes of South Carolina and the three counties of the United
States that bear his name;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED this 17th day of September, 1994, the 50th Anniversary Year
of the U.S.S. Lowndes, that the U.S.S. Lowndes Reunion Group gives special
recognition to the outstanding South Carolinian for whom our ship was named -
William Lowndes;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that William Lowndes be given consideration for nomination and
election to the South Carolina Hall of Fame to ensure that this distinguished
statesman can be permanently memorialized in the Hall of Fame Museum for the
information, education and enjoyment of visitors from the United States and
throughout the World.

10/94-9

CHANGES & ADDITIONS TO SEPT. 1994 ROSTER LIST

H. David Long
496 West Lake Rd.
Genesco, NY 14454

Glenn W. Forgay (915)267-2267
Lawrence L. Foyt (713)864-0876
Mrs. Charles Seay (703)634-1356

Please check roster list and forward any corrections to Bud.

On a sad note - Erie Niemi battled cancer for several years and lapsed
into a coma on June 2, 1994 and passed away on June 30, 1994. He
was 69 and served aboard the U.S.S. Lowndes during W.W.II, after
the service he attended college in Chicago and graduated as an
electrical engineer. He moved to New Jersey where he was employed
in an arsenal for 26 yrs. Erie is survived by his wife Ellen and 4
sons. Rites were conducted by the American Legion, of which he was
a member, in Bruce Crossing, Michigan. Regrets have been extended
to the family.

SMALL STORES

Art Rauseo has a few hats left
from the San Diego Reunion (Gold
on Black). Anyone desiring one
please contact Art. Cost?
$11.00 postage included.

For the benefit of the newly
located shipmates there are
still some U.S.S. Lowndes
cookbooks available. All recipes
submitted by crew members and
spouses. Cost? $7.00* postage
included. Contact Bud.

* Money collected from sale
of these items will go into
the general fund.

A 25 page U.S.S. Lowndes History
booklet will only cost you $3.00*
postage included. Contact Bud.

CONTRIBUTION - 1995 LOWNDES REUNION GROUP

NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY, STATE & ZIP:

TELEPHONE:

ENCLOSED IS MY CONTRIBUTION FOR: $ DATE:

BOWMAN/RICHARDS MEMORIAL FUND

(Mail to Bud Kautz)