USS Guam Website.

Mark Morrison, Owner/Administrator of the USS Guam (CB-2) Website www.ussguam.info reports that after having previously run the website http://www.ussguam.com many years ago, the website is now again in operation with the new name (.info).
The USS Guam accompanied the injured USS Franklin after the March 19, 1945 Attack.
From the Website www.ussguam.info:
March 19, 1945.
Guam’s battle debut continues with five kamikaze attacks on the carriers. During this attack and continued air attacks during that day, a suicide plane crashed into Intrepid’s aft flight deck, and then plunged into the sea. Enterprise suffered a bomb hit near the island superstructure. Despite the damage, both Intrepid and Enterterprise continued to operate. The aircraft carrier Franklin(CV-13) was victim to two bomb hits, and Wasp (CV-7) received bomb hits as well. Guam managed to destroy four of the enemy planes.Guam is assigned to Task Unit 58.2.9, a salvage unit ordered to escort the damaged Franklin from the combat area. This unit was composed of cruisers Guam, Alaska, Pittsburgh and Santa Fe (CL-60) and three destroyer divisions.
If you have any interesting USS Guam information, please feel free to forward it to Mark at  info@ussguam.info.

Obituary, Hal Cayton

CAYTON, Hal 90, of St. Petersburg, passed away Feb. 27, 2013. He worked as an electrical engineer for over 30 years and was employed by Monsanto. Hal was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross. He proudly served our country in the Navy on the USS Franklin and was a wounded veteran. Some of Hal’s hobbies were ballroom dancing, fishing and building. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Wandalee; stepdaughters, Karin Welch of Valrico and Gerilee Carson of Missouri; as well as 6 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 5 pm Monday, March 18 at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 4545 Chancellor St. NE, St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project in Hal’s honor. Hal will be deeply missed by his family and friends, but will live on in their hearts and memories. Condolences for the family may be left at hillsboromemorial.com.

Published in the Tampa Bay Times on March 18, 2013

Obituary, David V. Lawson

David V. Lawson LUBBOCK-David V. Lawson, 87, of Lubbock died Sunday, March 17, 2013. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Kenny Venable officiating. David was born on Dec. 4, 1925, in Waco, Texas, to Ruby and Minnie Louise Burdick Lawson. He was a WWII Navy veteran and retired after 37 years with the United States Postal Service. He was a charter member of the Hillcrest Country Club. He loved playing golf and his golf buddies, as well as horse racing. Survivors include three daughters, Judy Matlock of Azle, Texas, Peggy Freeman and husband Jesse of Lubbock, and Becky Taylor, also of Lubbock; two sisters, Virginia Young and husband Don of Lubbock, and Nancy Hagler of Temple, Texas; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

68 Years ago today- March 19, 1945

About the USS Franklin

The USS Franklin (CV-13)

Before dawn on 19 March 1945 the U.S.S. Franklin, who had maneuvered closer to the Japanese mainland than had any other U.S. carrier during the war, launched a fighter sweep against Honshu and later a strike against shipping in Kobe Harbor. Suddenly, a single enemy plane pierced the cloud cover and made a low level run on the gallant ship to drop two semi-armor piercing bombs. One struck the flight deck centerline, penetrating to the hangar deck, effecting destruction and igniting fires through the second and third decks, and knocking out the combat information center and airplot. The second hit aft, tearing through two decks and fanning fires, which triggered ammunition, bombs and rockets. The Franklin, within 50 miles of the Japanese mainland, lay dead in the water, took a 13° starboard list, lost all radio communications, and broiled under the heat from enveloping fires. Many of the crew were blown overboard, driven off by fire, killed or wounded, but the 106 officers and 604 enlisted who voluntarily remained saved their ship through sheer valor and tenacity. The casualties totaled 724 killed and 265 wounded, and would have far exceeded this number except for the heroic work of many survivors. Among these were Medal of Honor winners, Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. O’Callahan, S. J., USNR, the ship’s chaplain, who administered the last rites, organized and directed firefighting and rescue parties, and led men below to wet down magazines that threatened to explode, and Lieutenant (junior grade) Donald Gary who discovered 300 men trapped in a blackened mess compartment, and finding an exit, returned repeatedly to lead groups to safety. The U.S.S. Santa Fe (CL-60) similarly rendered vital assistance in rescuing crewmen from the sea and closing the Franklin to take off the numerous wounded.

The Franklin was taken in tow by the U.S.S. Pittsburgh until she managed to churn up speed to 14 knots and proceed to Pearl Harbor where a cleanup job permitted her to sail under her own power to Brooklyn, N.Y., arriving on 28 April. Following the end of the war, the Franklin was opened to the public, for Navy Day celebrations, and on 17 February 1947 was placed out of commission at Bayonne, N.J. On 15 May 1959 she was reclassified AVT 8.

The U.S.S. Franklin received four battle stars for World War II service.

From: Dictionary Of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol. II, 1977, pp. 443-444

Obitary, John K. Chisolm

John K. Chisolm, 92, passed away Saturday morning, Feb. 23, 2013, at his daughter’s home in the Lake Hiawatha section of Parsippany, N.J. Relatives and friends are invited to call Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 N. Beverwyck Rd., Lake Hiawatha, (973) 335-4700. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Private cremation will follow. For further information, please see parsippanyfuneral.com. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., John lived in Caldwell, N.J., and Cedar Grove, N.J., before moving to Fairfield, N.J., in 1962. Mr. Chisolm was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He served in the Asian and South Pacific Theatres aboard the USS Intrepid and the USS Franklin, from which he was ejected during battle. He received numerous medals and citations for his service, including two Purple Hearts. He worked as a plastics engineer with Owens Illinois in Wayne, N.J., for many years before retiring. He was honored to serve as grand marshal of the Fairfield Fourth of July celebration in 2007. Mr. Chisolm was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen (nee Groman) Chisolm; a sister, Janet Connelly, and a niece, Pam Metrokotsas. Survivors include his daughter, Linda Osgood and her husband, Robert, of Lake Hiawatha, and three grandsons, Ryan, Jared, and Shane Osgood. In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations to either the Humane Society or Disabled American Veterans.

Published in Star-Ledger on February 25, 2013

Obituary, Bernard Kleiber

Kleiber, Bernard

Bernard Kleiber, 92, of Plymouth, Wis., went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, after a short battle with cancer. He passed away in his home surrounded by his family and immersed in their love.

Bernard is survived by his adoring wife of 66 years, Carole. Theirs was a true love that will carry through eternity. Bernard and Carole, both originally of Manitowoc, were dairy farmers in Branch, Wis., before moving their dairy operation to the Plymouth area in 1959. Bernard was a renowned herdsman. Prior to meeting Carole, Bernard served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Franklin during WWII. He received a bronze star for his service. He retired from farming in 1985 and spent time with family on both the Plymouth farm and at their home in Cedar Key, Florida. Bernard had the privilege of participating in the Honor Flight for WWII veterans this past summer.

Bernard was an amazing and loving husband, father and grandfather. He was quiet by nature and exuded a strong and very charismatic presence. He was very well respected by his family and the community as being a gentle man of honesty, strength and integrity.

Bernard was married to Carole Rose (Holschbach) on Nov. 27, 1946, at Holy Innocence Catholic Church in Manitowoc, Wis. Their marriage was blessed with thirteen children and their loving families: Bernie and Nancy of Whitewater, Bill and Kathy of Sarasota, Florida, Joe and Veronica of Viroqua, Mike and Barb of Gillette, Paul and Patty of Plymouth, Pat and Jane of Darlington, Frank and Judy of Nekoosa, Bob and Diane of Elkhart Lake, Mary and Jeff Richter of Elkhart Lake, Ann and James Schultz of School Hill, Carol and Gregg Morgan of Dawsonville, Georgia, Theresa and John Moore of Elkhart Lake, and Borge and Katie of Plymouth. Bernard and Carole have 37 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Bernard was preceded in death by three great-grandchildren.

Bernard was born on July 30, 1920, in Manitowoc County, the son of the late Anton and Mary (Zipperer) Kleiber. He was the eldest of twelve children. Bernard is survived by his sisters Delores Holschbach, Helen and Fred Crocker, Rosie and Ted Jarosh, and Monica and Gene Ahrens; his brothers Ben and Patty Kleiber, and Jerome Kleiber; his brother-in-law Andrew Holschbach; as well as his sister-in-law Merle Kleiber. Bernard was preceded in death by his sisters Rita Kleiber, Marion Holschbach, and Dorothy Peterson; his brothers Richard, Tony and John; his brothers-in-law Donald Holschbach and Pat Peterson; and his sisters-in-law Gloria Kleiber and Harriet Kleiber.

Bernard’s wife Carole is the fourth of eleven children of the late Alphonse and Mary (Svatek) Holschbach. Bernard is survived by Carole’s sisters Marian and Floyd Zeman, Joan and Clem Krueger, Marcella Duellman, Pat Becker, and Elaine and Ozzie Juedes; Carole’s brothers Andrew, Norbert and Norma Holschbach; as well as sister-in-law Mary Holschbach. Bernard was preceded in death by Carole’s sisters Beatrice and Lawrence Drida, Liz and Joe Korinek; Carole’s brother Ronnie and Carol Holschbach; Carole’s sister-in-law Marion Holschbach; as well as Carole’s brothers-in-law John Becker and Charlie Duellman. Bernard and Carole had 148 nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call Friday (March 1) from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Suchon Funeral Home (1317 State Road 67, Plymouth), and again on Saturday (March 2) from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (115 Plymouth Street, Plymouth) prior to the funeral mass which will be held at 11:00. The burial will take place immediately following the mass at the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Bernard’s name.

The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit http://www.suchonfh.com.

Published in Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter on February 28, 2013

Obituary, Voley A. Martin

Voley A. Martin, 87, died March 4, 2013, at Life Care Center in Port St. Lucie. He was born in Strafford, Mo., and moved to Port St. Lucie in 1990, coming from Long Island, N.Y. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving aboard the USS Franklin CB-13. Before retirement, he was a watchmaker for Bulova Watch Co. for 40 years in Jackson Heights, N.Y. Survivors include his daughter, Donna Lupinski of Port St. Lucie; son, Voley A. Martin Jr. of St. Petersburg; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Martin; brother, William Martin; and, sisters Erma Timmerman, Georgia Martin and Marie Trogdon. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 260 S.W. Prima Vista Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34983. Services: Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. March 7 at Aycock Funeral Home in Port St. Lucie. A service will be at 10 a.m. March 8 at the First United Methodist Church in Port St. Lucie. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Palm City. A guest book is available http://www.aycockportst lucie.com.

Published in the TC Palm on March 6, 2013

Obituary, J. William “Bill” Shepard

J. William “Bill” Shepard, 97, of Cambridge, passed away on Thursday (Feb. 28, 2013) at the Cardinal House.
He was born on April 26, 1915, in Cambridge, Ohio, son of the late John William Shepard and Edna (McManus) Shepard.
Mr. Shepard was a 1933 graduate of Brown High School. After school, he served eight years in the U.S. Navy, on the USS Pennsylvania at Pearl Harbor and on the USS Franklin from 1944-1945.
Bill was a manager of a branch of Ohio Plate Glass Company in Dayton. He attended Ninth Street United Methodist Church and was a former member of the Alpha Pi fraternity. He was also a member of the Cambridge VFW Post 2901 and for more than 30 years the Cambridge Kiwanis Club.
He was a huge Reds, Bengals and OSU fan, who enjoyed traveling, and making fudge and peanut brittle around the holidays.
Preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wilda Evelyn “Peggy” (Larrick) Shepard, in 2007; two sisters, Margaret Stranathan and Alice Shepard; and two brothers, Warren J. Shepard and Richard Shepard.
He leaves a sister, Rose Ann Davis of Cambridge; and a brother, Arthur E. Shepard of Columbus; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and-nephews, and great-great-nieces and-nephews.
Visitation will be on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the service following at 1 p.m. at Bundy-Law Funeral Home, Cambridge, with Pastor Karen Rawlins officiating.
Burial to follow in Northwood Cemetery.
Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by the Guernsey County Veterans Council.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Guernsey, P.O. Box 1165, Cambridge, OH 43725.
His online tribute wall may be viewed and signed at http://www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.com.

Obituary, Henry W. (Joseph) Tanguay

Henry W. Tanguay
Purple Heart Recipient; age 91

LOWELL — Mr. Henry W. Tanguay, age 91, a well-known resident of the Pawtucketville section of Lowell, died on Monday, March 11, 2013 at a local healthcare facility. He was the husband of the late Claire S. (Gagnon) Tanguay who died on March 5, 2009.

Born in Lowell on March 17, 1921, he was a son of the late Ernest and Laura (Lemay) Tanguay.

Henry was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He served on the USS Franklin as a Photographer’s Mate Third Class until he was wounded when the ship was attacked by the Japanese. He was discharged in August of 1945 with the honors of receiving a Purple Heart.

He was a longtime faithful parishioner of the former Ste. Jeanne d’Arc Church and more recently attended the Parish of Saint Rita. He was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society since 1974, and was part of their visitation committee that would visit the local nursing homes and sing for the residents.

Prior to his retirement, he was employed in the purchasing department for the Harris Corporation in Nashua, NH.

Henry loved spending time with his family and friends and taking trips to the lake.

He is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law, Denis R. and Sue Tanguay and Normand G. and Sheila Tanguay all of Lowell; five grandchildren, Nicole and her husband Mathew Gilliam, Gregg and his wife Erica, Scott and his wife Hollie, Kevin and Crystal; three great- grandchildren, Jordan, Hailey and Esme Rose; a sister and brother-in-law, Germaine Rivard and her husband Gilbert of Dracut; a sister-in-law, Pauline Tanguay of Laconia, NH; also several nieces and nephews.

He was also the brother of the late Gabrielle Leblanc, Florence Tanguay and Paul Tanguay.

TANGUAY — died in Lowell on March 11, 2013. Mr. Henry W. Tanguay, age 91, a resident of Lowell and husband of the late Claire S. (Gagnon) Tanguay. Relatives and friends may call at the ROLAND W. MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 308 Pawtucket Street, Lowell on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. ATTENDANT PARKING. Funeral Thursday morning with a funeral mass to be celebrated at 9 o’clock in the Parish of Saint Rita, 158 Mammoth Rd., Lowell, MA. Committal services and burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford. Those wishing may make a memorial contribution to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Rita Conference, P.O. Box 914, Lowell, MA 01853. For online condolences or directions, please visit http://www.martinfuneralhome.net
Published in Lowell Sun on March 12, 2013