USS Lowndes APA-154

Newsletter

JUNE 1994

BUD KAUTZ CC&BW

Page 2 missing

Page 3:

ED. McKELLAR - Waianae, HI - I remembered something that our Executive
LCDR Bernard related to me about Edgar Hinton our gunnery officer.
My No. 1 baker Lazenby found out that the Exec. liked cake, so about
every three weeks he would bake a birthday cake and take it to the
Exec. saying it was his birthday. The Exec. kept the cake to himself
and shared it with no one. One day while we were around San Pedro
the Exec. went into his cabin and found Hinton sitting in the toilet
eating some of his cake. He restricted him to his room for five days.
When Hinton's wife came aboard to see him, she asked the Exec. "Why
did you restrict Edgar?" When told the reason she said "I don't blame
you".

HELP - HELP - HELP!

CLARK MARTIN - Richmond, Va - Among the many legends and sea stories
circulating about the crew of the USS Lowndes is one that sticks
in my memory and which I need to confirm or explode.

At some time near or after the end of the war, the ship received
a message to transfer one LCVP to an APA in our division (TransDiv
Fifteen?) because one of theirs had sunk. One of our boats was
selected and the Supply Officer prepared an invoice to record the
transfer and clear our records. The coxswain of the escort LCVP had
instructions not to release the boat being transferred which was
in good condition unless he obtained a signature on the invoice.
About an hour and a half after the message was received, the coxswain
gave the Supply Officer a copy of the invoice bearing the signature
of an officer of the other APA. At the time the coxswain said that
they had not only carried out the instructions to effect the transfer
but that they had intercepted the boat which was supposed to have
sunk and had picked up four men of that boat crew and taken them
back to their ship just before their boat disappeared in the sea.
I know the crew of the USS Lowndes responded to orders quickly and
efficiently and I am reluctant to question legend, but it would
certainly be helpful if someone, preferably a participant in the
"rescue", could verify the story. When? Where? What was the name
of the other ship? Who were the boat crew of the Lowndes? Did it
really happen or was the Supply Officer being "snowed" again?

Is there someone out there in o-or ranks able to put Clark's mind
at ease?

JIM CHILCOTE - Pocatello, ID - I am enclosing a copy of the Plan
of the Day for 19 February 1945. As I feel that it will be of
interest. From its appearance and format, it looks like my work as
that was part of my ship's office duties. I am trying to recall the
appearance of Lt. Cmdr. Harrison Gardner. As a matter of amusement,
I note that the roster indicates my rate as Y2c. I left the naval
service as Ylc, so in the interim I've been reduced in rate, and
not even having the opportunity of appearing at Captain's Mast. Oh
well! If all goes well, we'll enjoy seeing one another in San Diego.

Note: See Jim the pen is mightier than the sword.

Shipmates, take notice - I depend upon you to notify me of any errors
or changes on our roster and mailing lists. Drop me (Bud) a line
to make proper corrections in the future.

BILL TAYLOR - Elizabethtown, PA - Amelia & I have been busy since
our Reunion in Boston. In November I flew out to the Los Angeles
area to visit my sister who is terminally ill with cancer. In mid
December Amelia went to Costa Rica with our daughter Gail they were
there 4 days. Then we spent a few weeks in Florida in February. Our
9 year old grandson who lives in Germany flew to Orlando where we
picked him up. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort of Disney
World for 6 days during which time we did the Magic Kingdom, Epcot,
and MGM Studios theme parks. It was the first time we spent a lot
of time alone with Alexander. The 3 of us enjoyed the time together.
In addition to the time at Disney World we spent 3 days in Kissimee.
From there we took a one day tour of Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space
Center. We plan to be in San Diego for the Reunion.

Jim & Ina Mae Ross will be leaving for Germany to visit their son
in July and return in August. Have a pleasant trip.

BILL DAVIS - Portage, IN - Recently received a video tape of the
three Reunions taken by Jim Frieden and got to "Meet - see all you
men and Ladies (Lowndes Lovelies)" on tape. Really enjoyed viewing
the tape. It sure is nice to be back in touch with the "Gang" and
will not allow it to disappear like it once did. I remember VJ Day,
Ernie Ross, myself and our wives. We had been to a movie in California
and as we exited - the whole city was going Mad! Wild! The war news
- that it was over just came through and what a wild celebration
was going on.

MIKE MICHALSKI - Austin, TX - "HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY"
Jerry, Renee' & I went to Maui and Oahu and had a great time. We
snorkled and saw and fed fish of all colors and sizes. After we
got used to the snorkle - it was fun. We took a 45 minute helicopter
ride over a volcano, down through a narrow winding valley until we
came to a tall waterfall, then flew straight up to the top of the
mountain - just clearing treetops as we dropped over into another.
Flew over acres of sugar cane and pineapple fields. Then out over
the ocean to look for whales on their way back to Alaska for the
summer. Rented a car to see other areas of the island. Went down
120 feet in a submarine - specially built to watch marine life.
Attended a luau, watched hula dancers and other entertainment nightly.
Then to Oahu and rented a car and visited the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
and the U.S.S. Bowfin submarine where our mutual friend, Stan Dunn,
drove us up into the mountains to give us a closer look at pineapple
fields then through the military bases and showed us how the Japanese
flew in on their attack of Pearl Harbor. We then toured the island
and went through the only hotels that were on Wakiki Beach during
WWII, the Royal Hawaiian and the Moana. Went up the coast and saw
the Halona Blow Hole and beautiful snorkling beaches and coral reefs.
Back through the mountains to Honolulu. The statue of the King of
Hawaii was in the process of having a complete re-do of the
surrounding area - it will be a great improvement when completed.
We also visited the Marine Museum - which was very interesting.
Finally it was time to head back to the States. A trip enjoyed by
all. We recommend it!

May 6th - Congratulations Dan & Lera Wisdom on their 22nd Anniversary.

-5-

MY LOG & DIARY - FRED BRINKMAN

July 3 to July 10, 1945 - Dropped anchor in Guam harbor on July 4th.
All our cargo is unloaded to boats in the Bay. One recreation party
on Guam.

July 11 to July 18, 1945 - On July 11th we receive orders to report
to San Francisco. Anchors aweigh from Guam with 200 Sea Bee passengers,
the U.S.S. Lowndes is Stateside bound.

July 19 to July 26, 1945 - Underway at sea, bound for San Francisco
on a straight course. The best cruise we have made to date. On July
26th we near the California coast.

July 27 to August 3, 1945 - Our long-awaited liberty begins in Frisco.
I receive four liberties in Frisco and have a helluva swell time.
There's nothing Stateside can't cure.

August 4 to August 11, 1945 - On August 4th I receive a seven-day
leave which I spend in Los Angeles. It's eat, drink and be merry -
especially the latter two. Seven days - very short, very sweet.

August 12 to August 19, 1945 - Back aboard the Lowndes, liberty
continues in Frisco. Four more big liberty nights wind up my Stateside
cruise for the present time, even though Japan surrenders.

August 20 to August 27, 1945 - On Monday, August 20th, 1700 Army troops
are embarked, whom we will transport to their occupational territory.
Underway on August 20th we again say "So Long Stateside".

august 28 to September 4, 1945 - Dropped anchor off Eniwetok on
September 1st. Peace treaty is officially signed the next day (Bud
Kautz' birthday), ending World War II. Leave Eniwetok on September
3rd. Mail is no longer censored. All troops remain aboard.

September 5 to September 12, 1945 - Arrived in the Ulithi Islands
an September 7th. Underway the same night. Anchored off Luzon Island
in the Philippines on September 10th. Unloaded Army troops on Luzon.

September 13 to September 20, 1945 - Traded with Philippine natives
and made one "Pom Pom" liberty on Luzon. U.S.S. Lowndes anniversary
on Sept. 14. Went to Leyte on this day. Embarked Army troops at Leyte.
Underway on Sept. 18th.

September 21 to September 28, 1945 - Left the Philippines and arrived at
Aomri, on northern Honshiu on September 25th for the first occupation
landing of north Japan. Disembarked all our troops. Liberty on the beach
on Sept. 27th.

September 29 to October 6, 1945 - Underway on Sept. 29th. Left Aomori
Japan and arrived at Saipan on Oct. 4th. Passengers loaded the next day,
and on Oct 6th, the Lowndes is again underway from Saipan.

-6-

THE FOLLOWING SHIPMATES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE BOWMAN/RICHARDS MEMORIAL FUND

B. F. Binney

F. Brinkman

J. W. Bussard

H. D. Chappell

M. S. Chasteen

J. G. Davenport

W. R. Davis

F. B. DuBois

J. Dyer

J. H. Eriandson

D. F. Fearing

J. J. Freitas

R. J. Henkels

J. f. Jurica

W. B. Kautz

D. E. Lorenzi

W. L. Markus

C. 0. Martin

E. G. McKellar

E. C. Michalski

H. D. Moore

L. P. O'Brien

E. T. Pilchard

B. J. Ramsey

W. Richards

E. 0. Robertson

W. H. Robinson

J. V. Ross

C. W. Schaffer

W. L. Taylor

E. L. Trevillyan

W. B. Thomas

G. R. Tuppan

0. Walker

F. Wanits

R. Warnberg

H. Workman

A total of $830.00 from 36 contributors.
Thank you.

Less than 64% of the USS Lowndes Reunion Group
have contributed to the general fund.

As of this date there have been 8 contributions made this year.

Please note the enclosed post card addressed to Mike Michalski
requesting information to assist in setting up the 7th Annual USS
Lowndes Reunion in Texas in 1995. This Reunion will honor Donald
William Bowman PhMic and Norman Robert Richards HAlc (KIA Iwo Jima)
with the dedication of a Memorial Plaque in the Admiral Nimitz Museum
in Fredericksburg, Texas. This plaque has been purchased and is in
place in the Museum. Dan Wisdom has the commissioning pennant and
will present it to the Museum for the permanent flag display.

Answer to "Now you know" in March News Letter - Clark Martin.

Don't forget to rummage through your closets for a photograph of
yourself taken while in the service, bring to Reunion in San Diego.

6/94 -7-

U.S.S. LOWNDES REUNION SCHEDULE

THURSDAY - Sept. 15, 1994

1500 - Check in & Registration

- Welcome Reception/Hospitality Room

- Information/Play or show for interested parties.

FRIDAY - Sept. 16, 1994

0800/0930 - Breakfast on Own

0930 - Board bus for WILD ANIMAL PARK (45 min. ride)
5 mile Monorail Tour. Tour at own pace, see
animal shows. Lunch on own.

1400 - Board bus.

1500/1630 - Bus Tour of Coronado stopping at Hotel Del Coronado
to enjoy some history. Board bus for return to Hilton.

1800 - Business Meeting
1900 - Dinner on Own
2000/'til - Hospitality Room
SATURDAY - Sept. 17, 1994

0800/0900 - Breakfast on Own

1000/1200 - Harbor Cruise (2 hr. 25 miles). Take in the following
sights: Cabrillo National Monuments, Hotel Del
Coronado & the Magnificent Coronado Bridge. Get a
close up look at U.S. Navy aircraft, submarines,
carriers, sleek destroyers & merchant vessels from
all parts of the world & of course, the oldest
merchant ship afloat, the Star of India.

1200/1330 - Lunch on Own at Seaport Village (a shopping, dining &
entertainment complex, known for its show-stopping ,
views, antique carousel & plethora of activities).

1400/1600 - Board bus for San Diego Naval Station & Tour of Ship.
Or if wives prefer - A Tour Guide will join you on
the bus to give you a Completely Narrated Tour of
San Diego, covering many different points of interest,
you will be able to tour at your own pace, the bus
will stop in places you care to sightsee.

1800/1900 - Cocktail Party - Photo Session

1900/2100 - Banquet (Anyone requiring special menu please
notify Don Macpherson)
2100-'til - Hospitality Room

SUNDAY - Sept. 18, 1994

0800/1000 - Buffet Breakfast
********** SEE YOU ALL IN TEXAS - 1995 **********

-8-

SO YOU WANT TO KNOW A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO?

Established on February 18, 1852

San Diego Zoo - Founded in 1815. Coronado has more retired Admirals
than any other city in the country.

Warmest average temperature was recorded on September 2nd. 77°.
Least rainfall on September 9th 0.13"

Forgot what year.

In 1952 Orville Redenbacher developed a hybrid yellow popping corn
that today is found in grocery stores nationwide.

Did you know that the longest hole in one on record is 405 yards?

Through the efforts of Fred Brinkman and George Tuppan in attempting
to determine who, what and where our ship, U.S.S. Lowndes was named
after - we are now as confused as ever but hope to sift through
information our two shipmates have obtained from Departments of
Archives and History of the various states and counties and report
the findings. Fred and George have really extended themselves. Thanks.
Will report findings in future News Letter.

Education is a wonderful thing. If you couldn't sign your name, you'd
have to pay cash.

Reservations 1-800-733-2332
1-800-445-8667

SAN DIEGO MISSION HILTON
901 CAMINO DEL RIO SOUTH
(619)543-9ooo