The Sinking Of The U

DUSTSTORMS

Wars play a major role in genealogy.  They bring about the both finest and the worst hours in a family history and create many of the major migrations of families.  The following are transcriptions of letters, statements, and historical references to members of this family.  By clicking on a highlighted name, you can access my searchable GEDCOM.  

This page is always under construction.

King Philips War -- 1675-1676

The Civil War --  Injury in Tennessee

The Civil War -- Mustering of the 43rd Wisconsin Volunteers

The Civil War -- Hospital Duty at Clarksburg, Tennessee

Russo-Japanese War -- Prisoner of War in Japan

World War II -- Pearl Harbor

World War II -- 10th Mountain Division -- Bronze Star

World War II -- War in the Pacific -- The first victim of the Kamikaze, The U.S.S. St. Lo

World War II -- European Theater of Operations -- The Air Medal

Korea

Click on any photograph to enlarge the view.


References to Military Service, King Philips War

Abiel Lamb

The war with the Indians in 1675 – 1676 was one of the severest trials New England was ever called upon to encounter. . .

On July 6, 1675, a body of fifty-two praying Indians, Eliot’s converts, marched from Boston for Mount Hope under the "intrepid" Capt. Isaac Johnson, of Roxbury, who afterwards certified that the most of them acquitted themselves courageously and faithfully. He, with five other captains, was killed while storming the Narraganset stronghold when that fierce tribe was destroyed at the famous Fort (Narraganset) fight, Dec. 19, 1675. The roll of his company, which also embraces men from the adjacent towns, includes these of Roxbury:--

Henry Bowen 

Thom. Cheney

Isaac Morrice 

Abiel Lamb

And others . . .

The Town of Roxbury

Old Landmarks and Noted Personages

Page 17

By Francis S. Drake

Roxbury, October 1878


And Hubbard in his History of the Indian Wars states that Captain Henchman’s company marched out of Boston, Nov. 1, 1675, to rescue some youths who had been captured at Marlborough by the savages and carried off. In this connection the following extracts from a letter of Captain Henchman may be of interest:

"Menden, Nov. 10, 1675 – Honrd Gentlemen; this last night in the close of it I marched to Hassanamesit (now Grafton) with 22 men mounted; believing that some of the enemy were there, dicovered their fire, dismounted, and marched to it in two files; headed the right myself, the other led by my Lieut. Zekill Curtis. My Lt. First got to the wigwam and received a mortal shot at the doore; I hastened to round them in getting close beyond it expecting my men had followed: but all that both of us had was not above five men, one of them my corporal Abiel Lambe, whose strength outstrips me . . . it is a peculiar mercie we were not all slaine, for the Indians issued out and fired on us."

Thomas Lambe of Roxbury

English Puritan

Compiled by Albert Roswell Lamb

1932


William Richard Cutter in Genealogy of Massachusetts says of Abiel Lambe:

"He was a soldier of King Philip’s War, being a corporal in 1675, in the autumn of which year he narrowly escaped being killed by the Indians. In December of that year he was a lieutenant in Captain Johnson’s Roxbury company, and took part in the famous swamp fight near South Kingston, Rhode Island."

Thomas Lambe of Roxbury

English Puritan

Compiled by Albert Roswell Lamb

1932

Link

 

King Philips War

 


The Civil War -- Injury in Tennessee

 

David Mohney

 

From the  "Declaration for Original Pension of an Invalid" dated 29th August 1872

 

David Mohney enlisted in the military service of the United States, at Clarion County, Pennsylvania on the 20th day of August in the year 1861, as a private (elected Lieutenant) in Company "C" in the 78th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the war of 1861, and was honorably discharged on the last day of January, in the year 1863, and that he has not been in either the military or naval service of the United States, since the date of his discharge, nor has he enlisted, done service, or received pay in any branch of the same since that date; that while in the service aforesaid, and in the line of his duty, he received the following wound or disability, and that he was disabled so that he could not travel with the regiment for a portion of the time, the rest of the time was quartered with the Regt.  That while in the service of the United States and in the line of duty at Neely's Bend, Cumberland River, Tenn., on or about the latter part of October 1862, while on expedition his command were ordered to cross a stone fence and in doing so he injured his right ankle so badly that he was shortly after compelled to leave the service on account of it.

 


 

 

From the Physician's Report for Support of Resignation

 

78th Regt. Pa. Vols.

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Jan. 24, 1862

 

1st Lieut.. David Mohney of Col. C., 78th Regt., Pa. Vols., having applied to me for a certificate upon which to offer his resignation, I hereby certify that I have carefully examined the said Lieut.. David Mohney and find that he is suffering from a disease of the tarsal and metatarsal ligaments, the result of a subluxation of the ankle joint which he received 3 month ago.  Believing that it will be a long period before he will be able to perform the duties belonging to his office, it is respectfully recommended that his resignation be accepted.

 

Victor D. Miller

Asst. and Acting Surgeon 

78th Regt., Pa. Vols.

 

 


From the  "Declaration for Original Pension of an Invalid" dated 29th August 1872

"Physician's Affidavit"

 

When Lieutenant David Mohney returned from the army about the beginning of February 1863 he was suffering with an injury of the right ankle.  I made a professional examination of the said Lieutenant David Mohney soon after his return home from the Army in the beginning of February 1863 and I found him upon examination to be suffering with an injury of his right ankle.  I found a partial dislocation of the right ankle joint and the said dislocation had not been properly adjusted leaving the fibula bone extended out over the bones of the heel so that it causes the heel to extend in and he has to walk on the outside of the right heel.  The said injury of his right ankle has continued permanent and stationary in the degree of disability from year to year from 1863 until the last three years in which it has become worse, causing a greater degree of disability.

 

Dr. John Cresswell, New Bethlehem, Clarion Co., Pa.

 

Link

 

The Gallant 78th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

 


 

The Civil War -- Mustering of the 43rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry

 

David Avery Moore

 

Camp Washburn

Sep. 21, 1864

My Dear Mary,

You have more than your share of trouble, & need a double share of grace to sustain you. Go to the strong for strength; "look aloft" or you will fall. May a kind heavenly Father bear you in his arms.

I just received yours of the 18th this morning. I am not very well, but am better than for 2 days past. I have had an attack of dysentery; yesterday blood passed me, but I have got over that now & only feel weak and sore through the bowels. The coffee that we have here makes almost every man sick, & I have quit using it & drink tea. Our company is not yet organized & we have not drawn our clothes yet, & I am getting pretty dirty.

I sent 10 dolls. In my last and I will send 10 dolls. in this. I do not yet know whether I am going to get a furlough or not; if I do get one I would rather carry the money than send it. Some say that we will go south as soon as possible; others say that the Colonel says that he shall not report this Reg. To the war department until we are well drilled. If the latter be true, we shall not go until some time in the winter, if at all. Judge Mills is in Mil. & he told one of our men yesterday that the war would not last until our year was out, because if McClellen was elected there would be a dishonorable peace at once, & if Lincoln was elected, the Rebels would know there was no hope for them & would soon give up.

Another big battle has been fought between Sheridan & Early (Reb.) & S. gained a decided victory; taking 2500 prisoners, 9 stands of colors & 5 pieces of artillery & all the dead & wounded fell into our hands. Prospects so far are encouraging.

Death comes to us in many ways. Narcissa could not bear to have P. go to war; had he gone, they might have lived to meet again or, at least, she & the children might have been spared. God rules. In the hands of God is the safest place, let what will come. I feel one consolation; I hope they were Christians; if so, they have only gone to strike hands with their friends on the other side of the river. It is only a matter of time with us. We are sure to die; so that the great thing is to be ready. I think you had not better go to Chicago; as the excitement of going, & the troubles there, would so prostrate you that I am afraid you would never see our family again. It would no doubt be a satisfaction to you to be there & mingle your sympathies with the rest of the family, but I think that if they recover the bodies & you should see them, you would wish all your life that you had not seen them; because they would not look at all natural after lying in the water for a length of time. I would rather Mother would come and stay with you as long as she can, even if you had to bear her expenses.

What have you done about letting the place? Is the threshing done? Are the boys at work like little men? If they are, tell them I am very thankful that I have such good boys. I pray for you all every day & I want you all to pray for me every day. Some of the men who have come home to be mustered out, are going to enlist & go back if we go. Some say they wanted to stay here.

Mary, if you will keep up good courage and try not to waste your life power by worrying. I shall stand my trials very much better & be less liable to be sick than if I have to worry all the time about you. I try my best not to be overcome by my feelings.

Your loving husband,

D.A. Moore

P.S. Little Mary was 2 years old yesterday. Kiss the little Puss for me. I wish again to kiss you as well as I can.

Link

The 43rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry


The Civil War -- Hospital Duty, Clarksville, Tenn

David Avery Moore

Post Hospital

Clarksville, Tenn

May 1st 1865

My Dear Mary;

Another Mayday has come with its warmth and flowers, but how many flowers bloom upon the graves of our noble boys in blue. How great reason I have to thank God that His kind care has been over me this far & that my life is not only spared but that I enjoy a degree of health & strength, & I have a prospect of returning to my family at no very distant day. I know not just how things are going to turn, but I think according to the order from the war department that I shall soon go home; at least, as soon as slow Mr. Military can drag his slow length around.

My health is better now, than for some time back; yet, I am not fit for duty. Father says in his last, that you had a foot of snow. Here, flowers & fruits, & garden vegetables are the order of the day; although it is quite cool today. Are you going to have plenty of hay? How much is hay worth with you? Peas are in blossom, & have been for some days. I wish you could be here for a short time just to see how it looks. An order has come from our Reg. For all men who are fit for duty to be sent to the Reg. A number of names were mentioned but not mine. None of those who were named are able for duty. I shall send you a yellow rose & perhaps some other flowers if I can get some soon enough. –

I have just been to supper; which consisted of bread, mush, dried beef, sugar, molasses, & coffee, & some butter, through the kindness of a Brother soldier. You see we have something to eat, but it is unlike home fare. Forty or fifty sit at the table, but home faces are not there. However, this is a very good place for a soldier. When I get home I hope I shall not forget the lesson which I have learned in the army, but may ever be grateful for home comforts, & be enabled to accept them as rich gifts from the beneficent hand of God. – More Anon –

I have just read yours of the 21st & 23rd. I do not know why you should think, or be afraid that I would blame you for the use you have made of money. I know very well, that every thing has been from 100 to 300 percent higher than in ordinary times. And I know too that it costs a great deal to meet the necessities of our family; but I hope that Uncle Johnathan will make no mistakes detrimental to my interest. I am glad you have bills of what you have bought; also, of what you have paid. I think there will be no difficulty in settling matters satisfactorily to both of us. I see that some of my questions or, one question which I ask in this about the hay, yours answers.

I am glad if you can be comfortable at all; & O: how I wish you were well. To hear you talk of snow so late in the season; or after it has been warm so long, & flowers are so plenty, & everything is so summerlike as it is here, makes me feel as though Wis. is a cold place.

2nd.

Warm hearts make any place a pleasant one. Although Wis. is so cold I should be very glad to be there just about this time. I should like to attend to putting in something to help us through the year before us. I hope the boys will do the best they can until I come. It may be that I will get home soon. I think I shall be discharged under the order for discharging all men in Hospital who are not under medical treatment; so you need not be over surprised if I should get home in the course of a month or so; yet I may not, everything is so uncertain. I can hardly make out Johnny’s letter; but I believe he wants me to make my hand on this paper, but it is not large enough. Johnny must be a good boy. I thank somebody for that little violet; although there are thousands of them in bloom here. Tell Marny that Pa kisses that little hand.

I have just returned from Mr. Pearls where I took dinner. On the table were radishes & lettuce. Tonight I mean to attend a lecture given by Chaplain Higgins at the M.E. Church South. When some of the folks here thought I had to go soon to my Regiment, they seemed to feel quite bad about it & said they could not spare me. I hope no one’s attachment to me will keep me, when I might be discharged, for, I can think of certain others, who have a stronger claim on me.

The two men who I have been nursing are very much better & are about to be discharged. They are only waiting for their papers to come from Nashville. Peas are in blossom here. You need not take the pains to make out a bill of your expenses to send to me. I will look it over when I get home. The Rebs. Are about used up: they are giving themselves up in every quarter. I seem to be out of interesting matter to write and think it would be as well to quit.

I had a letter from Addie lately – all well but S. Addie did not say what ailed her. I just got a tulip in Dr. C’s room which I will send. I can not tell how many colors I have seen of the Tulip family since spring opened; but a great many. I hope you will not worry about me, nor hurt your eyes by looking down the valley a 1000 times a day until I come. You may pray for me just as often as you please, & I will pray for you. Kiss all the children for me, & tell them that I hope to see them before a great while. I wish to see when I come, that the boys have tried to do their best at getting something into the ground, making garden & C. I learned by father’s letter that Ike’s picture had reached you. I hear nothing from Geo. Lately – heard from him at Nashville last.

My love to you all. A shower of kisses and a tender embrace for each.

D.A. Moore


RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR OF 1904-1905

 

Frank Garbarczyk

 

Statement from Alexander Garbarczyk, 1996, regarding his father

 

Frank Garbarczyk served in the Russian army during the Russo-Japanese War. He was injured in the shelling of Port Arthur, China, when the trench he was in collapsed and he was buried up to his waist.  Paralyzed from the waist down by his injuries, he was taken captive by the Japanese and sent to a hospital in Japan. He said that the Japanese treated him much better than the Russians. His only complaint was that Japanese didn't use salt and the food was usually bland fish and rice.

 

Frank Garbarczyk in Russia.jpg (174553 bytes)

Frank Gabarczyk, third man from the right

 

LINKS

The Russo-Japanese War

This site is a Japanese site, from a school, in English.  I highly recommend it.  Do follow the links to the POW's.

 


World War II

Leo Carl Goheen

 The Sinking Of The U.S.S. St. Lo CVE-63

October 25th of 1944 started out as a fine day. The sun was bright on the horizon as the morning flight of the Wild-cat fighters and Grumman torpedo bombers left the flight deck on the first air patrol of the day. This day's activity took place near the Philippine Islands of the South Pacific. Our task force had six carriers and an escort of seven destroyers. We were near the island of Samara in the Leyte Gulf area.

I was in the air division and all of my time was spent in various functions of duties of the flight deck. At this time, I was on the crash detail of landings and takeoffs. I was the guy in the asbestos suit who was known as an 'Asbestos Joe'! 'Asbestos Joe' was the guy who wore an asbestos fire suit, complete with a built in helmet and face shield. The duty of 'Asbestos Joe', in the event of a landing or takeoff mishap, was to get the pilot, and/or others, out of the plane in case of fire or whatever.

None of the flight deck group had been to breakfast yet, as we were engaged in getting things squared away for the future landings and then head for the mess hall. A sudden announcement came over the P.A. system that the patrolling air-craft had sighted a task force (group) of ships about fifteen miles away. Everybody was put on stand-by and full alert. A few minutes later, the P.A. said the ships had the silhouettes of a given class of Japanese battleships and cruisers with an escort of destroyers. At that moment, there were several geysers of water and booms around us. The Japanese were shelling us from the skyline with 18, 16, and 14 inch guns. The largest guns we had were 5 inches, which only have a range of one third of the enemy. All our group could do was, so to speak, to get the hell out of Dodge.

To the best of my memory, the above action started around 7:15 a.m. (probably earlier). The enemy force was delayed in their pursuit by our flight of aircraft, which numbered about a total of 90 aircraft, The Japanese may have been delayed by our aircraft, but they were persistent. The Japanese kept plugging away, slow but sure.

The enemy ships stayed upwind of us at all times. This maneuver prevented any landing or takeoffs of our air-craft. We had to run into the wind in order for the aircraft to use the flight deck.

Around nine in the morning, one of our ships, the Gambier Bay CVE 73, took a hit at the water line. This hit filled the engine room with water, sending the ship to the bottom of the ocean. As the Gambier Bay was sinking, her sister ships made a circle and threw over what survival gear they could spare. This was a very sad and gut wrenching moment, being forced to leave those fellow Navy guys behind. As the enemy steamed past the sinking ship, they continued shelling until the ship slid down and out of sight.

Our aircraft began to leave us for a recaptured island that had an airstrip that was partially repaired and could be used for landing. On this retaken airstrip, the U.S. planes were refueled and rearmed. Our aircraft would then return to keep on attacking the enemy ships.

The four remaining carriers, not counting the St. Lo, had all taken hits, resulting in various degrees of damage. Those four carriers; White Plains CVE-66, Kalinin Bay CVE-68, Fanshaw Bay CVE 70, and the Kitkin Bay CVE 71; were still able to navigate and maintain their speed. By this time, all of our aircraft were taking turns going to an island for gas and armament, then returning to continue the battle.

During the entire time of this battle, the St. Lo, now and then, would have a geyser of water spray over the flight deck. That was from a near miss that hit the ocean, causing your heart to skip a beat or two. This was a time to look skyward and say 'Thank You'. I think that the time was around 10:00 a.m. that the Japanese gave up the chase and left.

After the enemy left the scene, the aircraft began their return and landing. Each carrier took some of the planes that were from the sunken Gambier Bay. All of our planes, that survived, had landed without any problems, and all had been placed on the elevators and taken down to the hanger deck. There they were being refueled and rearmed.

I told Chief Stokes that I was going to chow. The Chief vetoed my plan and said he and I were staying on the flight deck. I put up an argument about that decision but, needless to say, I also lost that argument.

I had flipped the helmet and face assembly of the fire suit back from over my face and was going to take off the suit. That was when I heard the gunfire cut loose. Chief Stokes and I looked around and I saw puffs of smoke coming from the 20 and 40 millimeter anti-aircraft guns. As I looked up, about 1 1/2 miles above at 2:00, I saw a flight of Zeros. I thought I saw six planes, but I heard there were ten. Two of these planes pulled out of formation and started downward. One of these planes started toward us. What became of the others, I will never know. I had spun around to run and plowed into Chief Stokes. That man still hadn't seen the plane. The plane came down and grew bigger and bigger. Something told me that I might as well stand still.

The plane suddenly pulled out of the dive and swept past the port (left) side of the carrier; about 20 feet above the level of the flight deck; and roared away from the carrier. To this day, I still believe that the pilot saw he was going to miss and managed to pull out; or that he couldn't make himself end his life in a suicide crash. As the Zero thundered away across the ocean, I let out a big sigh of relief, and then I got a shock as the plane's left wing dropped and it came roaring back; still at about the same level in altitude. As the plane approached the carrier, my mind said, "He's going to fire his wing guns!" and I took a dive into a head (restroom) located in front of me. The head was just under the flight deck and the entrance was in the catwalk. The catwalks were about four feet below the flight deck and ran along each side. The Chief had followed me into the head. There was a pronounced shudder in that room which was promptly followed by a mighty boom. The shudder was the impact of the Zero as it slammed into the flight deck just in front of the rear elevator. The bomb explosion tore away one wall of the head and all I saw was a wall of smoke and fire. I beat Chief Stokes out of that room and onto the catwalk.

stloonfire.jpg (32423 bytes)The Kamikaze's bomb fell to the hanger deck and exploded. The planes in the hanger deck were being fueled and re-armed at this time. When that explosion took place, the water mains and the aircraft's fuel mains were split open. This resulted in a tremendous fire and wall of smoke. There was a column of smoke, laced with flames, billowing out of the hole in the flight deck.  Click on the photo to see a larger view of the St. Lo as she burns.

There was a fire hose and a water valve near me in the catwalk. I grabbed the hose, jumped onto the flight deck and ran to the hole, dragging the fire hose with me. Another sailor in the catwalk was opening the water main valve for the hose. Two other crewmen had run up to help me with the fire hose and stood behind me; using me as a shield from the fire and heat. That asbestos fire suit was doing a good job of deflecting the heat from me.

I never heard the explosion that took place at that very moment.  This time the explosion was a torpedo; one of ours; that was in a portable cradle. This torpedo was to be loaded into one of our torpedo bombers that was on the hanger deck for refueling and rearming. The tremendous heat from that raging high octane fuel fire had caused the torpedo to explode. The only thing I was aware of is that I knew I was flying through the air. I felt as though I was just floating very peacefully through the air. Then I became aware that I was no longer floating in the air. I had no idea where I was or what had happened.  Click on the photo to see a larger view of the St. Lo at the moment of this explosion.  You can see the after elevator in the flying debris.stloexploding.jpg (22759 bytes)

This is the point in time that your mind takes over and you have rational and calm thoughts that are very orderly. This is reality making itself known to you, or me, in slow degrees of progressing ahead and easing a person into a brutal situation of what is real, but without panic. The person who panics will become a statistic of past tense. What it boils down to is this: the good Lord was holding my hand and leading me to safety. He did not have me on his list at this time; so he did the rest his way.

What I am now going to say is hard to believe, but is the honest and actual truth of what took place, both in my mind and in my action. When I realized that I was no longer floating or moving, I opened my eyes and realized that I was lying flat on my stomach. I was looking at fire and smoke. This is funny but true. As I looked at the flames, my first thought was 'It did not hurt to die". I had thought that dying would be shear agony. A second thought then popped up; I went the wrong way, meaning that I was now in the place called Hell. Still no panic. Now I became aware that my fingers and toes were wiggling. This led to the realization that I was still alive. I found that my arms and legs would move and I managed to get onto my feet.

My world was still smoke and flames, so I just started walking with no idea when I would step into space, either be dropping to the blazing hanger deck or off the flight deck into the so called deep six. I had walked maybe twenty feet and there lay a ship mate. One look told the story. That poor guy was twisted and had to be broken all over. All I could do was keep walking. In about another fifteen feet, here lay a second sailor. He had the same misfortune as the other sailor. They had paid the final price. Those two sailors were also in the Air Division but in a different function than myself. I knew the two men casually, but not their names. After walking maybe another thirty feet, the smoke became thinner. Then I saw what to me, was a beautiful sight, a fine sun-lit day. This is when I realized that the helmet and face plate had been ripped off the fire suit.

The first sailor to walk up to me was a medic; he asked if I wanted a shot of morphine. I said no and that I was okay. The medic then helped me out of the fire suit, and again asked if I was sure I didn't need help. That conversation should have told me I was a walking mess and didn't know it. The explosion had slammed me into a state of super shock. I called it "never-never Land."

As I was to find out about six hours later, my face was burnt black and was well on the way to a major case of swelling. I saw airmen from my own group but they did not recognize me. Going down in the catwalk, I saw a piece of cord about ten foot in Length, which I picked up and put in my pocket. Why? I have no idea.

About five minutes had passed when over the P.A. came those awful words; "Abandon Ship -all hands - Abandon Ship." Hand over hand, down the ropes; into the sea. The cardinal rule with a sinking ship, is to get well clear of the vessel. When sliding under, the ship creates a vortex, or a whirlpool. That vortex will pull a person under.

Once in the water, I saw a sailor leave a rope and swim as though in a race. No one was able to make the poor guy slow down. Very shortly, he came to a stop and having panicked, he went under and paid the final price. When I had swum about four hundred feet, the ship sank. The carrier was low in the water and as the stern started under, the bow of the vessel began to rise. With the bow pointing to the sky, the St. Lo slid out of sight. In about 12 1/2 minutes, the escort carrier CVE 63, U.S.S. St. Lo, went from reality to history. We had a compliment of 756 personnel, of which 126 paid the ultimate price. Today the U.S.S. St. Lo still lies on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in the Leyte Gulf, near the island by the name of Samar.

The life belt was a hindrance to me while swimming. Remembering the cord I had found on the St. Lo, I tied one end to the belt and the other to my shoulder. While swimming, the belt trailed behind. When resting, pulling the belt in and placing my arms over it, I would then take a break. This idea worked very well.

Once in a while, I would hear a plane, with the power cut down, passing back. By pulling in the life belt, I would signal the air craft. The pilot would wobble the wings of the plane, letting us know that we were not forgotten. That made a guy feel a little bit better. Other times I would hear a plane cranking out the r's. I made a dive down at those times, taking no chances. That life belt on the cord did not hinder me at all at those times.

One may wonder how a person could respond to all of this when the heat is on. All I can say is, when slammed into LaLa Land; one seems to respond in full control and with no pressure.

Shortly after the carrier had sunk, a pilot came swimming up to me pushing a long piece of deck plank from the carrier. He told me to take a hold on the front of the plank and away we went together. We shortly came across another sailor who was in some trouble and joined us. Soon there was another and then I decided to leave them so there would be room for some one else in trouble. I still had no idea that I was soon to be in real trouble myself.

A short time later, I saw a sailor swimming at an angle towards me about two feet below the surface. It was a simple matter to get a hand full of hair and pull the guy up to the surface. I was stunned. That poor guy had no face. I tried to say good bye and let him go. Scenes of this nature all but stop your clock. I just floated in the water for a bit and I guess I may have been thinking about everything when I suddenly realized that I had not seen anyone for some time. Whenever a wave came along, I would look around in all directions. There was not a soul to be seen anywhere. I thought it over for a while, trying to decide what to do. I was thinking of taking off my shirt and pants to reduce the drag but I could not make myself do that. I have no idea why I kept my shirt and pants. I had already kicked off my shoes and socks to reduce the weight and the drag.

As I looked around from the swells and rollers of the water, the only thing I could see was the top of an island sticking about six feet above the water. I believe the island was most likely Samar. I decided to head for that island, even knowing that would be an all night swim. I know I could not have accomplished that feat, but with no other alternative, you try for that slim chance. After swimming for a while, I took another breather. While on the crest of a swell, I looked around and I couldn't make myself believe what I saw. Lo and behold, I was looking at a destroyer. It was moving ever so slow. I just knew it was looking for guys like me. As I watched that beautiful sight, I figured from its position, I had a good chance of intercepting the ship if I swam at an angle to my left. I had a chance of getting dose enough to be seen. So away I went. I kept checking and I soon realized that there was no way. So, I just floated and watched safety moving on.

As I floated in the ocean, after missing that ship, it dawned on me that by now, all the ocean life would be returning to this area as the explosions had long since ended. This part of the ocean was shark haven. Now that thought struck me like a lead balloon. I knew then that this could soon end for me. Then I felt something nudge me in the back. I did not turn around because I did not want to know, or see, what was behind me. Then I felt that nudging again. I just knew it was a shark. I guess I was resigning myself to fate when a voice said, "Hey sailor, do you want out of this water?"

That was the finest voice I believe I have ever heard. I spun around to find a liberty launch from the destroyer that I had been watching. There were four of those destroyers circling around and picking up survivors of the sinking. They had been our escorts in the battle with us that morning. They had been sent back for us. As they pulled me to the boat, the same voice said, "We will help you into this boat." I tried to pull myself up and over. No go. They had to lift me up and in.

When we reached the destroyer, there was a cargo net over the side. This was for the hail and hearty to climb up to the deck. The chief in charge told me they would lower a stretcher for me. I told him I was going up the cargo net and I went up with no trouble at all. I was over the rail and standing on that steel deck of safety. That was a piece of Heaven.

A medic walked up to me and pointed at a hatch (door) about twenty feet away and said "The sick bay is through that hatch and down the ladder. You get your @#% down there." I said "Yes Sir!" and promptly fell flat on my face. I could not get up. I then found out that I was burnt on the face and literally beaten to a pulp. I was later told that I was operating on what is called survival instinct and sheer will power. That was when the worst hurts and pains I've ever known hit me like a ton of bricks. I was placed on a stretcher and carried down to the sick bay.

That sick bay looked liked an over-loaded medical emergency unit. There were sailors being attended to for all kinds on injures that one could think of. Burns, broken bones, amputations, major cuts. This sounds brutal, but it looked like a slaughter house; blood, limbs, you name it.

I was carried into an officer's compartment and placed on the deck (floor). Four other sailors were put in this room also, all in distress. My face was beginning to swell and talking was now impossible. At this point, a corpsman (medic) came in and asked how I was. Although I was unable to answer, he continued by asking where I hurt. All I could do was point to my face and on down to my feet. The medic then told me they could not give me any morphine as it was needed for the amputations, but he would keep checking on me.

A mirror on the wall caught my attention. It became an obsession of mine to get to that mirror and check my face. I finally managed to move myself to the wall and managed to pull my body up to the mirror. The image that was looking back stunned me. It was as though that face belonged to some one else. The face in that mirror was black and swollen, and the eyes were only half open. That ended with my slow slide down the wall and flat on the deck.

During the running sea battle that morning, three of our destroyers had been sunk. The four remaining destroyers were pretty well pounded and shot up. All four of these ships had to keep their bilge pumps running because of the incoming flow of water. Suddenly a loud repeating noise caught my attention. The siren tones where those every sailor knows as the call to "Battle Stations". That alarm went through me like a hot knife. I knew that if a hit was taken, I was a goner for certain. This alarm was a submarine alert. I can't describe the emotions that went through my mind at this time. There were thoughts like 'this is the end of the line'. I made it to safety only to wonder if could soon be over for us.

About that time, an angel appeared by my side. This angel was about 5' 10", probably 180 pounds, had a very fine smile and a very fine attitude. This angel told me that if the worst was to happen, we were going over the side together. He called me his little buddy. This angel was of the black race, which makes no difference whatever. This was a fine guy who had concern for his fellow man. I call him my angel as I could not ask his name. My angel would come in several times for the next 2 1/2 days. He was a very ingenious guy when it came to helping me. To take fluids, he would rub a lubricant of some type on my lips and then work a straw into my mouth. I could then siphon up whatever liquid was in the container. I never knew this angel's name and have no idea whatever happened to him. Who knows, maybe I will get to meet him in Heaven. A man of his kindness is to be treasured forever.

I was to spend 2 and a half days on this destroyer. I spent the entire time lying on the deck of the compartment, unable to talk, sleep, eat, move around or do anything else. During those 2 and a half days, there were several alerts sounded, all of which were subs. The destroyer finally dropped anchor at the island of Palua in the Pacific. Into my room came four sailors with a stretcher. One of the four said, "Okay, partner. We have made it to the U.S.S. Bountiful, a hospital ship, and you are among the first to go aboard." Strapped in the stretcher, I was lowered over the side of the ship to a liberty motorboat which took us to the hospital ship. A cable was then lowered from the hospital ship and attached to the stretcher to bring me aboard.

My eyes had swelled shut by now and my thoughts were of losing my vision along with all the rest of the problems involved. As the stretcher was lowered to the deck, a nurse was asking me questions but there was no possible way for me to answer. I heard the nurse say, "all he does is move his arms. Get him below now." The word "below" turned out to be their emergency room.

The doctor asked this and that, but I could not answer. I do remember him saying "okay, go ahead." That is all I remember of that situation. When I finally came back to reality, (awake) it was two days later. A nurse asked if I could hear her and I nodded yes. The nurse told me they thought I had leg and arm problems. After putting me out, my face was worked on and bandaged up with a full mask from my neck to my head. All they could do was wait until I came to.

Several of the medical personnel told me I came to sometime later and they knew that my legs and arms were in working order because they had to tie down all four until I faded out again. To know I gave them all that trouble still bothers me, but as they say, "whatever will be, will be." I was told that for two days, I would come to and fade out again. After that, I began to act a little on the normal side. You do not know how lost a person can feel until you lose your vision for a week. It is worse when you are unable to talk and can not get up and move around. I had to lay flat on my back because of the face burns and all of the cloth wrappings. Whenever I did move, the face mask would shift and cause the odor of the burns to waft pass my nose. Believe me, that was an awful stench. I think it was a week later when the doctor said they were going to remove my 'lovely' mask, (his words), and then check my eyes and face. After I was placed in a wheelchair, then wheeled to another room, they placed me in another chair. I was told to keep my eyes closed as the masking was removed. The doctor told me that the room was dark so open your left eye only. As my eye slowly opened, I could see very faintly. The same with the other. If a badly pounded person could be elated, I was. Three days later, by keeping the sun to my back, I could leave the compartment and walk around. You have heard the term, "Having your own piece of Heaven." I had mine right then. I was up and around, able to see and able to eat. I even got used to sleeping on my back without turning over.

About the third day on the Bountiful, I became aware of an incident that took place at sunrise every morning. Taps would sound and then I could hear a motor launch start up and leave. I was confused at first. Why was Taps being played at dawn? These were burials at sea. The final rides for those who checked in with the Almighty the night before.

When I was able to do a decent job of walking, I began to venture the length of each deck on the hospital ship, the Bountiful. I was stunned at what I saw. There were service men from all branches of the military. Some 'were in body casts from head to foot. Others were amputees. And more were burn victims. Some of the service men had been shot up. After seeing all of this, I felt that I was a very fortunate person.

The U.S.S Bountiful took me aboard, as a patient, on October 27,1944 and transferred me to the U.S.S. Honolulu, a cruiser, to be returned to the states. I was classified as a medical ambulatory patient, on my feet but under medical care. The medical crew of the Honolulu, told me the ship had been torpedoed by a Japanese torpedo bomber on Oct 24, 1944 while at the Philippines. The ship limped to a harbor that had a portable dry dock. A patch was welded over the hole in the forward hull. The Honolulu was going back to the states for full repairs. I rode that crippled cruiser back to the states. Now I want you - the reader- to know that crossing the Pacific on that ship filled me so full of anxiety that I could hardly stand it. I could just see that ship running into a storm, causing the ship to sink when that temporary plate cracked.

The Honolulu arrived in Long Beach, California on December 5th, 1944. I was sent to the naval hospital there. A few days later, while having breakfast, this announcement came over the P.A. system, "Now hear this, the following personnel will report, in full dress, in front of x building at 1000 hours." I could only imagine what I may have to go through now. What could I have done wrong?

When the four of us arrived at the appointed area, we could not believe what was there. Here were several officers in one area, and a Navy band ready to play. Off to one side, there was quite a large group of patients watching. This was the ceremony of the presentation of the Purple Heart. That Purple Heart medal now has its own special place in the china cabinet in my home.                                    

For me, the sinking of the St. Lo resulted in seven months hospital time. I then was given an Honorable Discharge by Medical Survey on May 25, 1945.

The St. Lo survivors have a reunion on October 25th every year. The first reunion I became aware of was in St. Louis in 1984. At this time, I met a number of the pilots, the mechanics, the metal workers and so on. The metalsmiths were the guys who did metal repairs on the FA's and the TBM's. Some of the returning planes would have gaping holes where a shell hit was taken but did no damage otherwise.

Anyway, while talking with two former shipmates, one of them asked me if I saw that poor guy in the fire suit, doing flip flops, while sailing up and away through the rolling clouds of smoke from that torpedo explosion. He told me they were standing in the catwalk when that explosion took place. You can make a sure bet that my heart did a flip right then. I said yes, I know him very well and please tell me about it. The one then said that there was no doubt that the guy was killed. I said that the man was still alive and well and is here at the reunion. One metalsmith asked me to take them to him. I said, "okay what do you want to know about me."

"You're him?"

I thought they both were about to faint. I should have been more diplomatic in my manner. Can you imagine that it took forty years for me to finally know positively what happened to me on that terrible day in October of 1944. Wonders will never cease.

I had a previous hospital stay in Pearl Harbor. That came about as a result of a banged up right arm while at the retaking of Tinian and Saipan in the Mariannas. That arm injury cost me four months in the summer of 1944.I returned to the St. Lo on Oct 12, 1944. The ship was then sunk on Oct 25, 1944. Since this incident, and my recovery, I developed an outlook on life that I have never changed; regardless of any circumstance that I may have to face. When I open my eyes each morning, it is a fine day.

S1/C Leo Carl "Dusty" Goheen

U.S.S. St. Lo CVE- 63 -VC 65

Escort Carrier

The nickname "Dusty" has a story of its own. I grew up in the great depression era, in the 20"s, 30's, and 40's. The area I grew up in was known as the dust bowl and included Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. When enlisting in December 1942, I was sent to boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. All the other boots were from the East. At first they called me a rebel, later switching to Dusty, a name that stuck with me throughout my time in the U.S. Navy.

Springfield, MO

1999

Links

The Battle for Leyte Gulf

 


10th Mountain Division -- 85th Mountain Infantry

The Bronze Star

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 

 

 


ON THIS PAGE:

King Philips War -- 1675-1676

The Civil War --  Injury in Tennessee

The Civil War -- Mustering of the 43rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry

The Civil War -- Hospital Duty at Clarksburg, Tennessee

Russo-Japanese War -- Prisoner of War in Japan

World War II -- Pearl Harbor

World War II -- War in the Pacific -- The first victim of the Kamikaze, The U.S.S. St. Lo

World War II -- European Theater of Operations

Korea

COLLECTING DUST -- THE OTHER PAGES

Collecting Dust (Home), Layers of Dust, Raising Dust, Written in the Dust, Duststorms, Cobwebs, Dusty Relics

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Martha Mohney Schneck