24.
Mar. 1, 2011

On April 16, 2011, the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, CA will celebrate the 69th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. Since 2011 is the Centennial of Naval Aviation year, we will be featuring the Navy personnel who played a key role in the success of this daring mission. These include Francis S. Low, who had the original idea of  launching Army bombers from a Navy aircraft carrier to attack Japan; Donald B. Duncan, who performed the initial feasibility study and was the Navy's coordinator for the project (ie, Lt. Col. Doolittle's counterpart); Henry L. Miller who instructed the USAAF pilots in how to make carrier launches; and Hornet's own Intelligence Officer, Stephen Jurika, who provided much of the targeting and plotting information to maximize the impact of the few bombs that were dropped (his Order of the Rising Sun medal was one of those wired to a 500lb bomb on April 17 for special delivery on Tokyo the next day). Anyone who has photographs, documents or artifacts pertaining to this "cruise" that might be of value to this commemoration event are asked to contact ACHF Trustee Bob Fish at bob.fish@uss-hornet.org

Thanks,
Bob Fish

23.
Feb. 24, 2011

I am trying to find out when my brother served on the Hornet CV-8 and what battles took place during his service. His name was Gerald R. Williams and he was an Aviation Machinist's Mate. He enlisted before Pearl Harbor bombing and once told me he served on the Hornet and described some action around Guadalcanal. That's all I know. Any info appreciated.

Carl Williams

22.
Feb. 8, 2011

The 69th Anniversary Reunion of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders will be held April 14-17, 2011 in Lincoln/Ashland, NE. All five surviving Doolittle Raiders are slated to attend. We would be honored to have any USS Hornet crew members, or their families, attend.  For further information, please visit www.doolittlereunion.com .  The brave crew of the USS Hornet played a pivotal role in this important mission.  We hope this invitation reaches the surviving crew members and their families.

Bob Joyce
Co-Chairman Doolittle Raiders 69th Anniversary Reunion
Bob@doolittlereunion.com
402-871-5304

21.
Feb. 6, 2011

I am trying to find any information I can about my father's half-brother Leonard Calfee. I know that he was originally from West Virginia, spent many years in the Navy, and finally retired in California. I'm fairly sure he was on the Hornet (CV-8) when it was sunk. He was a fleet champion boxer. (lightweight?) Anyone with any info at all, please post.

Thank you in advance,
Bill Pilkenton
Lyons, New York
(You have my permission to post my email.
(wpilken1@rochester.rr.com ) 

20.
Oct. 4, 2010

I cannot thank you enough for your website on the USS Hornet. I have been trying to find out some information about my Uncle. All I knew was that he had died in WW II possibly aboard either the Hornet or the Wasp. I found his name on the list of causalities aboard the Hornet at the Battle of Santa Cruz. If there is anyway I can get anymore info would you please email me back. He was my father's youngest brother and my Dad served in Alaska during WWII. My uncles name was Virgil E. Daniel. My fathers name was John Thomas Daniel. They were from Georgia.

Trudy Bolt

19.
Sept. 24, 2010

Just looked at the material on Hornet. This is an amazing and powerful collection; thanks for putting it all on the net.

David Luck

Keith R. Hanson seen during World War II.

Keith R. Hanson seen in 1995.

17.
May 23, 2010

Homer Lee Barker, USN 337-28-53, whom I knew, was an enlisted crew member of the USS Hornet. He was a ship's barber and was featured in at least one public relations photo released by the USN to the media.  However, he was listed as one of the survivors of the USS Barton (DD-599) which was sunk November 13, 1942.  Was he transferred to the Barton after the Hornet was sunk on October 26, 1942? Thank you for any information you might provide. Homer Lee Barker survived the war but was killed in an automobile crash on July 4, 1949.

Regards,
J. Dale West
Longview, Texas

16.
Apr. 12, 2010

My name is James Johnson I went to join the Navy in Wichita Falls, Texas on May 3rd 1942. I couldn't meet the weight for my age (17). A Chief gave me a dollar and told me to go to the store near by and buy all the bananas I could and eat them and come back. I made the weight at noon was put on a special train headed for the west coast at 6PM and three days later to San Diego Calif. Naval Training station on a Saturday Morning.

A guy came out to the train and said all Marines to my right and sailors to my left. We were taken to a big  building where they had a bunch of crazy guys with hair clippers and cut off all our hair. We then went into another building and when we went in they lined us up by size. I was last as I was small 128 Lbs and 4-1/2 feet tall. Mean green fighting machine. One of them said that looks like pokey bait. Never did find out what the heck that was.

As you walked in front of the guys they would give you Navy uniforms, shoes and funny hats. The only thing that fit me was the shoes. Then they marched us to a field where we were assigned to some guys called Chiefs. They were going to make sailors out of us. I put all my gear into a bag and we walked off to our houses. My chief and I got along  good as were were the same height. We put out names on out clothes and was finally going to chow.

I was not to sure what "Chow" was but the other guys were getting excited. I finally got wise to the Navy and liked it except we only ate bread at dinner and supper, not for breakfast. They kept us pretty busy for four weeks and one morning they gave us a hammock, bag for our clothes, a blanket and pillow. I had a hard time getting it rolled up and tied up. Then they told us to pick them up and put them on our shoulder and ge in line. Heck I could barley drag it much less put it on my shoulder. They finally got onto bus and took us to a pier where this ship was.

They marched us up and took dozen into the durn ship with out any windows and some funny beds, six beds tied onto pole. Welcome home guys. We all ask where we were going. The Chief said you will know when you get there. About four weeks were were told we were going to Pearl Harbor. Finally this is where I was assigned to the USS HORNET (CV-8) 3rd Division gun #5 - sightsetter. I was a real salty sailor.

I went up on the hanger deck and tried to get a bucket of prop wash. I was sent up to the bow where the chains holding the anchors were with a hammer and marlin spike. If the anchor started to slip I was to insert the marline spike into the chain and SAVE the anchor. The best. I was sent up to the place up on the flight deck where people worked and some lived there. It seem that the bos'n Chair was up there and I should get it. Well - this Marine told me I wasn't going to get it and were were talking a little loud when this guy came out and asked the Marine what the hell is going on. He told him I was want to get some type of chair. He asked me "Sailor is your name Johnson?" I said "yes sir". He said "go tell your chief that the admiral desires his presence".

The Chief wasn't to happy about that. I was introduced to the Navy Blue Jacket Manual. Also I was assigned to a fellow by the name of Norman Branyan. He became my friend and brought me into the Navy. We were both on Gun #5 pulled liberty together and were the last people to leave the Hornet via the fan tail on a rope. I was in the water when a Jap dropped a bomb that landed in the water knocking me unconscious. The Destroyer Barton came along side to pick up survivors, one of their officers came down the rope ladder and hauled me up. They put me into sick bay.

When they rushed back to New Caledonia they forgot that I was in sick bay, so nine hours after leaving New Caledonia the Chief Medic told the captain I was aboard. The captain came down and asked me how I felt and I said a little sore but ok. He ask me if I knew any thing about a 20mm gun. I had shot one when we went to the beach to train on the 5 inch and the Marines shot the 20mm. I ask them if I could try and they let me. I told him I could shoot it but couldn't load it as the ammo holder was to heavy for me to pick up, I was on here when we met a Jap task force the night of Nov. 13, 1942.

The 20mm Gun was not originally on that space but was added later on the port side. They had welded only the four corners so when the Barton broke in two it threw me, my loader and gun away from the ship. We were later picked up and taken to New Caledonia where I saw a sign saying Hornet so I told the officer that was with me when we were picked up that I would report to them and explain me being on the Barton. The first guy that saw me was my friend Norman Branyan. Fred your father was the greatest and as a Hornet survivor - you have served us well. God Bless you and the fantastic work you and your friend did for this website.

James Johnson

(Note: It is my sad duty to report that James passed away Jan. 4, 2018. See message 43.)
Michael W. Pocock
Webmaster

15.
Jan. 20, 2010

I am a former crew member of the USS Hornet CVS-12, and am now a member of the board of trustees of the Hornet Museum. I am also a member of the USS Hornet Association and Liaison between the two organizations. The Board of Trustees and the Museum's CEO have agreed that what is missing from the museum is a comprehensive display of items from USS Hornet CV-8, with specific reference to the Doolittle raid from a Navy point of view.

I have contacted the Association, and my entire mailing list of former crew members in an effort to get the word out to any remaining USS Hornet CV-8 crew members and or their families to see if they would be interested in supporting such a display with items and articles pertaining to both Doolittle and CV-8 either as a loan to the museum, or a donation. I found your web site this morning, and would very much appreciate this note be posted on the CV-8 page. Thanks for your great site, and thanks for your help.

Rolf Sabye
Liaison USS Hornet Museum
USS Hornet Association

14.
Jan. 8, 2010

I was told a story of a seaman who played guitar on the Hornet who found out his wife didn't love him anymore and subsequently broke his guitar into pieces and threw it overboard. If anyone can validate this story I'd appreciate it.

Thank you,
Candido Bretto

13.
Nov. 22, 2009

My father was Aviation Electrician Chief  Leroy E. Butts Jr. He was on the Hornet when it was first commissioned and remained on it until it was sunk. He was one that was picked up by destroyers running with it. He and another chief had a small shop they worked out of and they alternated working. Dad had filled in for the" other chief" some day before that fateful day and the other chief decided to "pay him back" and worked Dad's shift that morning. When one of the explosions went thru the hanger deck, it took out Dad's work partner.

Another wonderful story took place in Cape Canaveral, Florida some time in 1976 while Mom & Dad were living there. Dad was still a member of the Fleet Reserve and attended many of their functions. It was announced that then Major Jimmy Doolittle & his wife were being honored at an "Invitation only" dinner & dance at the large officer's club there. Dad wasn't on "the list", so he got out his "Card" that all sailors get when they cross the International Date Line, laminated it, put on his tux & Mom put on one of her Eastern Star dresses, & they drove to the club.

There were young sailors in full dress uniform "guarding" the entrance. Dad could see the crowd getting ready to be seated and saw Doolittle at the front table. Along with several high ranking officers and Florence Henderson and her husband just about to sit down. Dad gave the young sailor attending the invitees his "Dragon" card and told him to take it to Doolittle. The sailor took one look at it, saluted my Dad, and excused himself. He proceeded all the way around the crowd to the table where Doolittle had already sat down. The sailor simply held the card over Doolittle's shoulder for him to see and Doolittle studied it, and told the young sailor to bring Dad and Mom up to his table. While he returned and escorted my Mom first followed close behind by my Dad, Doolittle had Florence Henderson and husband move down several places and welcomed my folks to sit alongside him. His first words to my Dad were, "I know I can't possibly remember you, but I know you were there" "Thank you Sir".  Dad was introduced to the group as one of the shipmates on that historic raid.

That card and his Chrysler watch were the only things he managed to get off the ship, (along with a couple other wallet items). After Santa Cruz, he served 3 years on the Saratoga. I feel honored to have had him for my Dad & hope this story can add to your book.

Jim Butts
Craig, Colorado

12.
Nov. 17, 2009

It is my sad duty to report the passing of Clarence Moore "Bob" Logsdon, crewman on Hornet from start to finish. Clarence passed away on Nov. 16, 2009.

(read a Tribute to a former crewman)

4.
Aug. 4, 2008

My name is Edward Johnson, and I am writing in reference to my great uncle, Dr. John Mitchell Johnson, Jr.  He was aboard the USS Hornet CV-8, and lost his life during The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. I have been to the
websites, and I am amazed at the information available, especially the numerous photos of the battle.

I know very little about my uncle, except for what was written in the local newspapers about him after his death. I am looking for anyone who can provide any insight, or perhaps has a story to share. Any help would be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Edward Johnson
Ft. Worth, Texas

3.
Jan. 26, 2008

Mustin-Hornet Reunion: The reunion will be at the Holiday Inn Sunspree in Virginia Beach on 4/17-20/08. Tours will include the Norfolk Navy base, Williamsburg, nautical history museum in Newport News etc. Please have anyone interested contact me at this address. (FREDB1048@aol.com)

Thanks,
Fred Branyan

2.
Jan. 23, 2008

Hello. My name is Carol D. Muery. I came across this website while doing research on my uncle’s military service. On the “Roll of Honor” for the USS Hornet (CV-8) under May 21, 1942 you list a Muery, J. T. as deceased. You list him as an ensign (VB-8). You note that his plane (8-B-9) crashed on a recon mission.

This is my uncle and he is still alive. Please remove his name from your list of deceased veterans. His plane did go down and he was recovered after surviving the 20+ day ordeal. His plane mate, Walter Richter did die.

Carol D. Muery
Huntsville, Alabama

1.
November 11, 2006

My cousin, Bowman McNulty was aboard the Hornet when she was sunk at the battle of Santa Cruz. I believe he was an electricians mate at the time. He survived the sinking and lived until 1968 when he took his own life from struggles he never got over from his wartime experiences. If there is anyone that served with him I would love to hear from you.

Pastor Danny Wilson