USS Arkansas BB-33
Message Board
 
Messages 1 through 24

24.
May 13, 2011

In Jackson, Missouri Dr. Robert Pewitt is establishing a military display for all services. It will contain tanks field weapons etc. for Army, anchors and ship guns for surface Navy, a Seebee dozer and all sorts of items. This message concerns a 40mm deck gun from the Arkansas BB-33, when acquired it was still attached to a large circle of the actual deck from the Arkansas. He is looking for anyone still living who might be interested in coming to the dedication ceremony. This is tentatively planed for July 2011. Any information can be sent to me and I will pass it on to him.

Thanks,
Harold G. Buckner


23.
Feb. 21, 2011

My father, Nickolas Salata,  served aboard the USS Arkansas in WWII. He also played first base for the ship's baseball team. I have the photo log album of the ship and have the photo of the 1940 team.

Regards,
Nikk Salata
North Berwick, Maine

The 1940 USS Arkansas baseball team.


22.
Dec. 15, 2010

The reason I am writing you is that I have a brochure regarding the Arkansas, that looks like it was from 1945, possibly for the Navy Day Program.  I have attached a scanned copy of it.  It is approximately 8" x 5". Being that my father was in the Navy during World War II, and having attended a reunion last year in San Diego for his ship, the USS Claxton (destroyer), I know how important original mementos are for not only the alumni, but for their families. I would like to send this brochure to an alumni or family member of someone from the Arkansas, and am wondering if you could assist me in this endeavor.  I haven't been able to find a contact on the web, such as a ship historian, reunion contact, etc. so I would appreciate any assistance you might be able to give me.
(Navy Day 1945 Brochure)

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bruce Horvath


21.
Nov. 26, 2010

My father is Earl B. Brown, who was a Chief Petty Officer serving on the Arkie during WWII and currently residing in Florida.

Charlie Brown


20.
Nov. 11, 2010

My father, Anthony Sirco, served aboard the USS Arkansas BB-33 from 1943 to 1946. He is 84 and in good health. In the past he has expressed interest about finding any surviving shipmates. In a post dated 1/18/10, George Keeler Jr. asked if there was a list of survivors; I am wondering if one was compiled. If anyone would be interested in trying to get some of these heroes together again or at least in contact with one another, please email me.

Thank you,
Annette Knipfing


19.
Sept. 2, 2010

Thank you for doing this for all the veterans and family members whose kin served on this battleship. My uncle, George O'Rear, served on this ship as well. We have a few pictures of him and some of the crew while he was on board. Uncle George use to tell us some very interesting stories from his years on the USS "Arkie" as well as other stories while in the Navy. How wonderful it would be if anyone could tell me a few more stories of my uncle during this time.

Thanks,
Susan O'Rear Phillips


18.
Aug. 5, 2010

My dad was William M. Landt aboard the Arkansas. He left the navy in 1946, but reenlisted right after my birth. Unfortunately, he was killed in a plane crash 4 feb 1947. I was 5 months old and never new him. If anyone has anything that they can share with me i'd be most grateful. I just recently got his navy records and am trying to learn more about him and his ship. I have some photos and the ship's book, but I don't have anyway of identifying anyone in them.

Thank You,
Charles W. "Skip" Landt
Colonia, New Jersey


17.
July 11, 2010

My Father, David C. Roberts served on the "Arky" during WWII as an anti aircraft gunner, I have his cruise book, and his "yearbook" from the time he spent on the ship, also  some hand written notes he kept, to include the invasion of Normandy, he wrote what he saw that morning of the invasion when he was at his battle station. I also have some items like letter openers and ash trays he told me were made from melted down enemy aircraft parts. I would love to find someone who knew my Dad. He passed away in 1980. I served in the Air Force for 26 years and was also stationed in the Philippines where I met my wife. The funniest item I have is an autographed picture of provocative Evelyn West Retro Hubba-Hubba Burlesque show girl he had signed in San Francisco 
while on shore leave. I will try to scan and post some pictures in the near future.

Dave Roberts

David C. Roberts seen in the 1945's.
 

16.
May 30, 2010

I am a resident of Maryland and I sell and buy old post cards among other things. I found the below postcard and am wondering if anyone out there can tell me who exactly this young man is. I have tried to research his name and have come up empty. On the back of the card it says in the text:  Marquuerite this is my picture and don't let it scare you for it is not very good of me, Truly, Wm. A. Herz. Also on the back of the card he has written U.S.S. Arkansas, May 21, 1917. So to me this young man is William A. Herz, aboard the U.S.S. Arkansas 21 May 1917.

If we can identify him it would be really great. Also if there is a family member of his out there, I would like in the future return this to his rightful family and will keep it till I can find them. This card was never mailed, no stamp or cancellation stamp either. I am assuming this card came about through an estate auction some time in the past and has passed among many hands before I came to acquire it. Thank you for any help.

Thank You,
Ralph Marquardt 
 
William A. Herz, sailor on USS Arkansas.


Reverse side of the postcard.
 

15.
May 30, 2010

My dad served on her during WWII - his name Benjamin Sanderson, he passed away Jan 17, '02. I have a few artifacts from the Arky and would like to find more... 

Brent Sanderson
Sutton, Massachusetts


14.
Jan. 18, 2010

My father served on the USS Arkansas BB33 during all of WW2. He was a Baker 2nd Class. He recently turned 85 and asks me to see if I could find a list of any of the survivors that he may be able to get in touch with. My father's brother Earl S. Keeler also served during this same time period on the Arkansas. He too is still living and in good health. Could you help me with some type of list?

Thanks for any help you can give,
George (Chip) Keeler Jr.


13.
Dec. 27, 2009

A person named Dewitt Talmadge Forrester 1886 - 7/26/1913 is buried in the same cemetery as my gg grandparents (McCroan) in Cairo, Ga. They were buried in 1857 and 1885. The inscription for Dewitt "Erected by his shipmates of the US Battleship Arkansas". I have been unable to determine what connection he may had to the McCroans and there may be none due to the time between deaths. There are only four recognizable  graves in the very overgrown cemetery. Any help appreciated.

Debbie  Price


12.
Oct. 20, 2009

Most interesting history of this great ship, and associated sites, for which many thanks, especially from the 1917 photo album. I have in our family archive a letter (see below) written to my grandmother from her nephew on board this ship in May 13 1918 " somewhere at sea" . She was Marion Hargan nee Douglas of Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He refers to himself as Petty Officer John A. Douglas youngest son of her brother William Douglas.

I have several reliable genealogical histories of this Ayrshire and Wigtownshire farming family back to 1700. These two members were both born on Mull in 1864 and 1865. But it is the quality of this writer and his ship which impresses me. I would like to do more to trace him and his people after he left the Arkansas, but the photos of his crewmates are so striking.

Many thanks,
Martin Hargan

Reply 1
Apr. 6, 2015

I found a posting on your site from John Hargan re his grandmother Marion Hargan nee Douglas and a letter that was written to her by her nephew, John Douglas from the Arkansas. I am a descendent of the same Douglas family and have been researching the family in Scotland for quite some time. I have more recently been researching the family of John Douglas (the letter writer) in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. I was so excited to find this letter and to learn some more about John Douglas as well as to find that Martin Hargan is also a Douglas descendant and is hence distantly related. Is there any possible way that you can put me in contact with Martin?  I would be more than happy to have my email address made available to him.  I would love to hear from Martin with a view to sharing family information.

With thanks,
Ian Douglas Loiterton
Australia

 
 

11.
Oct. 1, 2009

We are preparing a proposal to create a history book, heavily supported by photos, of the USS Arkansas. We have done 14 other Arkansas history books, and have long wanted to do one of the "Arkie". What would really help is if we could make contact with some veterans who served on the Arkansas during WWII or before.

Appreciate any help with this project

Ray Hanley
Little Rock, Arkansas


10.
Mar. 20, 2009

I found this searching the net for information about the ship and my father who served on BB33 during WWII.
If there is any one out there who may have known F1 Zedenek Rejhon please drop me a line.

Thank you,
Richard Rejhon
Middle Village, New York


9.
Nov. 25, 2008

My Grandfather was William McCormack. He served in the US Navy 25 years. He was on the Arkansas till 1923. He was in the engine room (Chief ). Not sure of rank. He had steam burns on lower legs and ankles. Are their ships roll to verify? I would take any info anyone has.

Thanks,
Bill Satter


8.
Apr. 29, 2008

My father, Charles Widner (age 87), and I are writing his memoirs of the six years he served in the Navy. He served aboard the USS Arkansas BB-33 in 1941. I have his "Neptunus Rex" certificate indicating the ship had crossed the equator on or about August 23, 1941. The only records we have found for the Arkansas put it in Newport, RI until mid-August of that year. Can anyone confirm the ship's probable location during the last week of August 1941? Also, we have a handful of signatures from some of his friends at that time. If able to help, or interested in signatures, please contact me.

Dan Widner
Fort Wayne, Indiana


7.
Feb. 16, 2008

My Father was in the Marines and on the USS Arkansas BB-33 from 1942 to Dec. 1944. If any one has any pictures of Harold J. Bennett please let me know. I am the oldest of his four son's. We were all Marines and in Vietnam. My Son was a Marine and was in the first war in the gulf. Our nephew just got back from the war and is a Marine. If any one is still out there send me your email.

Corkie Bennett


6.
Oct. 22, 2007

My father was Robert Chambers Grace. He was called "Bud". He served on the USS Arkansas for sure in 1921. I have the certificate for when he crossed the Equator. I don't know the inclusive dates of his service or if the Arkansas was the only ship he served on. Did the Arkansas at that time have a bear as a mascot? I know that he
used to wrestle the bear on that ship or another. He was also in the Merchant Marine.

Robert Grace
(Also called "Bud")


5.
Sept. 26, 2007

My father was a gun captain on the port-side of the USS Arkansas during WWII, and my father-in law was on the same gun at the end of WWI. In reading a little of the history posted of the Arkansas during WWII, it just does not jive with the history I heard from my father's mouth. The Arkansas was not just a transport ship but was involved in the North African campaign, the invasion of Italy and then on D-Day. The battleship then moved up the French coast to Cherbourg, where my Dad told a story of standing off a hundred yards from shore and having a garrison of German soldiers surrender! The Arkansas then went to the Pacific where the ship and sailors participated in the clean up after Iwo Jima. As any history, facts can become embellished, but I can still see my dear sweet Daddy talking about D-Day in San Francisco in June of 1994, the 50th anniversary of that day!

He was upset that his ship had not softened up the beach enough for the landing at Omaha beach due to faulty intelligence, He had never spoken of this before. He spoke of the body bags lined up to the ceiling, and he cried! Never before! He is gone now as many of his age and ilk, but we his children and grandchildren will always remember what he gave us in love and sacrifice. One of his grandsons followed him into the Navy and was a
submariner, and was in the first Gulf War, and still supports this country as a Reservist. We who are children and grandchildren of the many brave men and yes, women, owe them all a heartfelt thank you and honor for years to come!

Trish

Reply 1
Sept. 30, 2009

I just saw this post and would like to reply to Trish if possible. My Dad was aboard the Arkansas at the same time period and could not talk about the morning they put men ashore on a sandbar by accident and they had to watch them get mowed down with absolutely nothing they could do about it. He could not discuss the incident and his eyes would fill up when the subject came up until the day he died in 2000.

Gail



4.
July 8, 2007

I'm working on a family genealogy project, and am told by my father that his father, Merriman Houston Hudgins, served on the USS Arkansas while in the Navy, but he's unaware of the time period of this service, only able to offer that it was sometime between WWI and WWII. Any assistance at locating his name on a crew roster would be most appreciated. Many thanks.

Karen Hudgins Gorman
York, Pennsylvania


3.
June 20, 2007

My father served on the USS Arkansas during World War I. I have an entire photo album he put together, most of the photos are his, labeled "Photo by Holcomb" and some by Muller. The album is entitled Pictorial Log, USS Arkansas. It is mostly of the crew and various locations, including Cuba and France. I enjoyed reading the information on this site.

Thank you,
Karen Holcomb Cloherty
(Gilbert F. Holcomb USN Collection)


2.
Apr. 12, 2007

My father was stationed aboard the Arkansas during WWII. I would like to find a model of his ship that I could present to him on his 86th birthday. Any help would be appreciated. Charles Brown
Dothan, Alabama


1.
Mar. 13, 2007

1st time touring your site. This is indeed a great adventure. My dad, rest his soul, was on the USS Arkansas in 1938 and I'm presently doing research on the championship football team he left in Baltimore to join the Navy at the ripe old age of 21. He later transferred to the Flattop Yorktown which was severely damaged in a fight then later sunk in the Battle of Midway. We've an 8X10 photo of the Arkansas sailing through the Kiel Canal, Germany before the war broke out with Britain and France. I was trying to see if this could possibly be the last allied military ship to leave Germany making the photo valuable to our family's collection. The Arkansas was one of the ships destroyed later in the 1948 Bikini Atoll blast. If anyone has info on this subject, kindly enlighten me.

Thanks.
Paul Rauser, V




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Page published Apr. 30, 2008