THE LATEST SCUTTLEBUTT .........
Query from the Webmaster: Does anyone know what happened to Shipmate FRANK ADAMS after Dec. 7th '41? Frank is listed on the SURVIVOR pages as a Sea2/c. The Archives files I have at one time reported him missing; then reported KIA, and finally as a Survivor. There appears to have been no record of him being a member of the UTAH ASSOCIATION.
If you know anything re Frank please e-mail us. There are people asking about him.
Bill H. 02-05-09
December 7, 2008
Each 7 Dec, pennants are raised from the signal tower in the midst of Pearl Harbor. Today's sailors may find the combination of pennants to be an unreadable code. Yet to the sailors of 1941 still standing duty at their posts aboard USS ARIZONA and USS UTAH could read this 1941 era message clearly:
"To All Ships: Well Done"(Thanks to: David Aiken, a Director: Pearl Harbor History Associats, Inc. http://pearlharbor-history.org/)
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NEWS ABOUT SURVIVORS:
JULY 2005 Following is a newspaper clipping from the San Jose CA Mercury news.
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MAY 2003 We recently heard from shipmate Luther Tyndall who was the Ships Boatswain (Chief Warrant Officer) aboard Utah 12-07-1941. Luther attached a photo taken in 1954;
"Boats" is now 94 years "young" and is living in North Carolina.
Although unable to attend our reunion, he paid his dues and joined the USS Utah Association.
WELCOME ABOARD SHIPMATE!
Luther also honored us with a recent photo and he obviously looks pretty spry for a 94-year old recruit!
Sad Postscript: Boatswain Tyndall was transferred to the staff of the Supreme Commander in 2006.
DECEMBER 6, 2002 A special memorial ceremony observing the 61st anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack was held aboard USS Utah Memorial at sunset. Among those participating was the twin sister of the tiny baby girl whose remains are entombed in the ship's hull, Mary Kreigh, Delores Higdon, niece of Electricians Mate Rudy Martinez, KIA aboard Utah on 12/07, Senior Chief Journalist Philip Eggman, USN, and USS Utah survivor Gene Seltzer.
SPECIAL SALUTE To shipmate Guy Pierce whose transfer to the Command of the Supreme Commander was posted on our "IN MEMORY" page in December. Click http://www.ussutah.org/in_memoriam.htm
Guy's widow Mary and son Robert Pierce, plan to have Guy's remains interred aboard Utah December 6, 2003.
A quote from Shipmate Jim Oberto made on 10-29-2002
" I, as you know, was a high school band director/trombone player when my Naval Reserve unit was called to duty. I dragged my trombone along with me. I truly believed the saying, "I'll be back in a year". Not wanting to get out of practice, I hauled my trombone along; it was in my locker when the UTAH went down. So, when I pass on and my urn is put back in the old girl, I'll go to my locker and get my trombone back."
20 June 2001
Honolulu Hawaii, December 7th 2002. For his exemplary work in promoting the history and memory of the USS Utah and it's crew, our association awarded Phill Eggman Senior Chief Journalist, U.S. Navy this certificate:
At left is shipmate Robert V. Johnson filming the sights. Bob was in Hawaii during the 60th anniversary commemoration services, but missed the group photo on the Ceremonial Boat.
Sad Postscript: Shipmate Bob Johnson was transferred to the Staff of the Supreme Commander in 2002.
For more on Shipmate Johnson click here
The above photo of our old shipmate Mack Boynton recently received (2007) from his lovely bride Sharon. Who else can put on their Dress Whites from 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940 or 1941 Uniform? Great Going Mack; 4.0
Shipmate James Clark, Gm3/c on 12/7 now lives in Marshall TX. James Retired as a Chief Gunners Mate many years ago!
The Boyntons, Mack and Sharon - Christmas 2008
This is said to be the Navy's latest recruiting photo. We love it!
UNITED STATES SHIP USS FLORIDA BB30
Our old ship was often referred to as being of "The Florida Class." Here are a couple of photos and a bit of history on BB30:
"The fifth Florida (BB-30) was launched 12 May 1910 at the New York Navy Yard, sponsored by Miss E. D. Fleming, daughter of a former Florida Governor; and commissioned 15 September 1911, Captain H. S. Knapp in command.
When commissioned, the battleship (BB-30) displaced 21,825 tons; was 521'6" in length; had a beam of 88'3"; drew 28'4" of water; could make 21 knots of speed; was manned by 1,001 officers and men; and was armed with 10 12" guns, 16 5" guns, and 2 21" torpedo tubes. She was the lead ship of the Florida Class. She was decommissioned 16 February 1931 at the Philadelphia Naval Yard, strickened from the list 06 April 1932 and scrapped at the Philadelphia Naval Yard under the terms of the London Naval Treaty* of 1930. Scrapping was completed on 30 September 1932. [*Where have we heard of this before?]
USS FLORIDA BB30Note: Due to space and time limitations FLORIDA's outstanding record of service to our country, including her WW1 service was omitted here. For more details on this great old ship please try web searches for USS FLORIDA BB30.
Due to an increase in Web Space we are now posting photos of anyone who served aboard USS UTAH at any time.. Photos (preferably in uniform) should have been made during the years of service on the Utah. Please include the following info when furnishing photos:
1. Name and highest Rank or Rate held aboard the Utah.
2. Years of service aboard the ship; i.e., 1940-41, 1929-34.
3. E-mail photo to: william.hughes2ATcomcast.net
4. Photos can be reproduced at office supply stores on a laser copier very economically and mailed to Webmaster.
Does anyone recognize the "slightly tattooed" sailor in the photo below?
Hot Dawg! The sailor in the picture has been identified thanks to Shipmate Mack Boynton.
It's Frank Briggle -- one of the tattoos says Great Falls Montana -- where he was born. He was Cox'n of the Captains Gig on the UTAH. 5/30/07
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
by John McCrae
LOOKING FOR LOST SHIPMATES? SUBMIT NAME AND RANK/RATE; We Will Share Information! Does Anyone know what Happened to:
BURHOP, E. C. Rm3/c ADAMS, Frank, Sea 2/c
