Dick Jones We won't be able to attend the reunion. Our plans have changed. Instead of the Branson trip, we are going with about 40 friends on a cruise in November and feel that we can't do both. Have a great time and hopefully we can attend next year. Mitchell Chasteen Had advised earlier that we planned to attend the reunion in Branson. Fro reasons beyond our control I must advise that we will not be able to make the reunion. Needless to say that I was looking forward to seeing many of my shipmates and am saddened that we can not attend. We know those attending will really enjoy themselves. Have notified Mary Gebhart. Warren Proctor Due to health problems we have decided not to try to go to the Branson reunion. Sure hate that too because I know it will be a fun time.  They have good shows.  Have fun!. Stuart Hyde I'm still going over the vast amount of material Bud and David have collected, assembled and put forth on the website.   It's possible to write a narrative of the Lowndes with what we have, but I'm hoping for more-- as I've already mentioned.  I'm still looking for information about how much training for our groups of crew members:    coxswains, pharmacists mates, deck hands, gunners, boat officers, radiomen, signalmen, cooks, and so forth.    My thinking is that perhaps the most noteworthy miracle of the Lowndes history is that we did so well with so little relevant training.  An example:  I was in V-12 school school for two semesters, and Midshipman School for four months, and didn't learn much of anything about the duties I was

expected to perform.   Later on we learned about gunnery stuff that was only appropriate to battleships and cruisers;   how to row a whaleboatl ship and aircraft recognition (which was OK but which was pointless for those on transports); how to drill(march), and how and when to salute.   Just Before reporting to the Lowndes, though, I had four months of amphibious warfare training in San Diego, and that's what got me through the early weeks before I began to learn from experiences, and with the help of the regular Navy men.  If anyone has any infornation regrading my request, PLEASE send it to me. Ed. Note Note:  This explains the actions of our officers while on the ship.  Suggestions anyone? Chuck Rogers My grandfather served aboard the USS Lowndes 1944-1945, L. B. Rodgers S1c.  I've always wondered about his service.  I found out quite a lot, probably more than he wanted me to know.  I am forwarding the information I gathered to him, I know he will get a kick out of it, he resides in Dallas, TX and is in declining health.  My address:   13135 Acacia Ave., Victorville, CA.  L. B.'s is 8565 PArk LAne #1901, Dallas, TX 75231. Welcome to you and your grandfather to the reunion group. Mike Morrissey Writing to inform you that Catherine Morrissey, widow of John, passed away on May 30, 2004 (age 91).  John was proud to have served, even though he had two children at the time he entered the Navy.   One of the things he mentioned abaout his tour in the Pacific was when his brother was brought aboard the Lowndes after being injured on one of the islands. Ernest O. Scott passed away on May 14, 2003. No further details available.

August 2004-3

Walt Umbarger I am getting along fairly well, just can't walk very far at one time.  I am so proud of Marty and Rowana arranging their schedule for this reunion, they both are so busy.  There will be four of us plus some extra for the drawings.  Let me know if there are any changes in the schedule. Jim Vaughn Aye, Aye old friends.  E-mail received OK.  Thanks for the continued good works.  Read all the newsletters and enjoy them all.   Would like to hear more about Okinawa, the last battle of WWII and the last APA for my old shipmates Joe Botti. Ed. Note:  I have attempted to garner more information regarding the Okinawa battle, but haven't been able to get much.  I would appreciate it if the reunion members would search their memory banks and send their recollections to me. Reuben Johnson I didn't get the stamped addressed post card you mentioned in the March newsletter.  But that's OK as I doubt I would make the reunion.  I'm enclosing my dues for 2004.  May get some information togehter one of these days.   Thanks for keeping everything going well. Ed. Note:  Reuben, be assured that I will keep on your fanny that you to get that information together and send it to me.   Consider this as one instance to be sure you live up to your statement. The rest of the reunion group members take note. Arthur Rauseo Does anyone remember any burials at sea that were executed while serving aboard the Lowndes?

Donald Furth Sending a little soemthing to help with the great efforts on the mailings.  I'm afraid we won't make it to Branson but we surely wish you all a most successful time together.  Maybe we'll make it some day.  Thanks again for all the efforts to keep us in touch. Ed. Note:  Donald is a former shipmate that David Brinkman has located. A bit of trivia Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving 100%.  We have all been to those meetings where someone wants over 100%.  How about achieving 103%, here is one answer:  A little math that might prove helpful what makes life 103%. If ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ IS represented as: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Then: H A  R  D  W  O  R  K 8 1 18 4 23 15 18 11 = 98% And,  K  N  O  W  L  E D G E 11 14 15 23 12 5 4 7 5 = 96% But, A  T   T   I   T  U D E 1 20 20 9 20 21 4 5 = 100% And, B   U   L  L   S H  I   T 2 21 12 12 19 8 9 20 = 103% So, it stands to reason that hardword and attitude will get you there, but bullshit will put you over the edge. Contributed by Clark Martin. Ed. Note:  Thanks Clark for clearing up an age old preconception.

June 2004-6

TAPS

Otto H. Walker Born November 19, 1921 at Nellis, West Virginia.  He enlisted in the Navy May 1940 in Richmond VA.  As a S1/c.  Boarded the Lowndes Sept. 14, 1944 and became a Plank Owner as a result of the commissioning of the Lowndes in Astoria, OR.  He served aboard the ship until the decommissioning on April 17, 1946.  Otto was also a Pearl Harbor survivor.  While aboard the Lowndes his watch and GQ stations were in the galley.  Last active duty was in Little Creek, VA with a rate of CCS.   As a civilian he worked for 27-3/4 years in the mining industry. 1 year- Steel Mill Pueble Co., 1 year oil and gas driller - Spencer, W.V. 8 years as a lino type operator for the Coal Valley News.  Retired in August 1983.  Survived by his wife, Ruth, 4 children, 11 grandchildren.  He said that all of his children went to college and he had to leave the room because he wasn't smart enough to converse with them. Ed. Note:  I would disagree with his statement.

Buell F. Binney Birth place, Wray, Colorado Sept. 1920 and Passed away on June 13, 2004 at the Cameron Regional Medical Center.   He had been a resident at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron, MO since October 2000.   Military rites were conducted by the Joseph L. Norton VFW Post No. 919.  He enlisted in the Navy September 1942 at Kansas City, MO.  Boarded the Lowndes in Astoria, OR Sept. 15, 1944 as a MM3/c.  Stood watches on the throttle and his GQ station was in the engine room.  Left the Lowndes Oct. 1945 in Seattle, WA as a MM2/c and was discharged at St. Louis, MO.  After discharge from the Navy worked at a welding and machinist shop, then as an industrial electrician for 25 years.  Retired in 1982 but still lived on a farm helping his son.  He is survived by his wife, Mildred of 61 years, 4 children, 9 grandchldren and 7 great grandchildren.