Next Tuesday January 8th at 10:00 pm EST, a new documentary on the USS INDIANAPOLIS will air. The documentary covers the discovery of the wreck in August of 2017 by the crew of the RV PETREL, a research vessel owned the late Paul Allen and his company Vulcan, Inc. To see a promotional video click here: USS INDIANAPOLIS

Update: to access the stream of the documentary, click here: ​https://www.pbs.org/show/uss-indianapolis/?fbclid=IwAR2QSiPUW8sG6TpEjJxa_XLI4MTXm2jd_DJlPnTvhq1JIWYNfhJxBcOpeEY

So 2018 is nearly behind us. A lot happened that was shared through the blogs and much happened that was either too difficult to share or information that was confidential and can't be shared without permission. For the highlights of the year I put together a brief monthly synopsis below. 

​January – The first week of December 2017 Greg and I were in New Orleans, where we met Kevin Wheeler. Kevin is the son of Lt. Virgil Wheeler, a survivor of the sinking who went on to practice law and lead a very interesting life. In January our shipwreck hunter David Mearns was in New Orleans on business and was able to meet with Kevin. I’m always pleased when the people of STRONG have the opportunity to meet with the people who have made this project come alive over the years. Also this month, my website broke over 26,261 hits for the first time! I also began researching some of the men lost with Lt. Hugh Barr Miller, Jr. with the help of Jason Dawsey of the National WW2 Museum in New Orleans. Lastly, I talked with David about approaching the crew of the RV PETREL with some questions. David has worked with these guys for years. I was curious if they would care to have me contact them.​

February – As to the last sentence above, David hooked me up with Paul Mayer of the RV PETREL crew! This began a wonderful friendship and for that I will always be grateful. As part of Paul’s continuing research on the STRONG and the events of the sinking, I asked Stephen Harding if he would send him a copy of The Castaway’s War, which he obliged. Paul was very open and I learned much about life on board a research vessel. I look forward to learning much more over time, and thank David for the assist. Web hits were at 21,895, a bit down from last month.

March – This month had its ups and downs. The main event was that the RV PETREL made an attempt to locate STRONG based on the coordinates available and were unsuccessful. While disappointing, we have got to look at it from the point of collecting data. At least they know where it’s not, so when they go looking again they don’t need to cover the same territory. This month we also discussed having a plaque made for the first time. Shipwreck hunter David Mearns completed questions for an upcoming article for Military History Magazine for Stephen Harding. It came out in the April edition of the magazine. Web hits were back up at 27, 650 for the month.

April – RV PETREL had located the wreck of the USS HELENA CL-50 back in March. They had to wait for the proper time to release news of the find and that happened in April. During the time she was discovered and the announcement though, I lost one of my contacts who had been on HELENA when she was hit. Fran Reiber lost his battle with time and went to the great sea beyond. It’s always sad when one of these men is lost to me. These sailors have provided me with so much information over the years. His loss hurt me greatly. Also lost this month, Mrs. Bettyjo Monroe, wife of Joe Monroe of the DD-758, the second STRONG. A very sweet lady and Greg will miss her teasing him. Web hits for this month were at 28, 015 and climbing again.

May – This month Greg and I finally met Paul Mayer in person! Paul and his wife Rosie live outside of Chattanooga. Being familiar with the drive down (our daughter used to live there), we easily made the trip and spent some very lovely and informative time with them at their home. Also this month I created a design for the plaque and submitted it to the trophy company to create. In May, web hits dropped a bit to 26,024.

June – The new book by David Mearns titled The Shipwreck Hunter was released in the US! He writes about me and the project in the final chapter and I couldn’t be more grateful for his consideration. I continue to make edits to the plaque in progress. June web hits dropped back to 22, 082.

July – The 75th anniversary of the STRONG sinking was on the 5th of the month. A few days later the RV PETREL announced the discovery of the wreck of the USS WARD, a destroyer present at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. I received the final draft on the plaque design and looked forward to sharing the finished plaque with the families. On their way back from attending a reunion of USS INDIANAPOLIS survivors, Paul and Rosie Mayer stopped in Lexington to have lunch with us and visit a while. Warmed my heart that they wanted to say hello and spend some time. Love having them as new friends! July web hits are at 24, 752.

August – Through an Australian man who visits my Facebook page for the project (thanks Nigel!) I made contact with a woman, Ender Rence who lives and works in the Solomon Islands. She could be very helpful in the future and I’m glad to know her. The plaque came back to the trophy company, but incomplete and I had to send it back for the finishing touches. Got it back before the end of the month. They did a beautiful job! This month we also lost Junior “Rocky” Britton of the DD-467. I got to meet Rocky in Gettysburg in 2015, so did David Mearns. Thank you Darlene, for keeping me posted on this. Web hits for August are at 25,864.

September – We attended the reunion in Baltimore/Annapolis and had a wonderful time! We visited Stephen Harding at his History.net offices in Tyson’s Corner. Very cool visit to the magazine offices and we came away with some free magazine copies. I also discovered the book Bones of My Grandfather by Clay Bonnyman Evans. After reading the book, I found I identified with him and his mission. Meeting him is now on my bucket list. Web hits for this month reached 28, 133.

October – This month we lost Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and owner of Vulcan, Inc. Allen owned many research ships, among them the MY OCTOPUS and RV PETREL, both of which spent time in the Kula Gulf searching for STRONG. It still boggles the mind that he gave of his organizations time and expertise to help our cause. Even more so that there could still be more help in the future. I had so hoped to meet him some day. Also this month I solved the mystery surrounding the remains of one STRONG man who died on Arundel Island, Edward Deering. Still working on what may have happened to the other four men in regards to what happened to their remains after the war and have been in touch with the DPAA and other organizations. A blog on this is to come, I’m still working out some things. Web hits are at 29, 561.

November – David Mearns won the Mountbatten Award for his book The Shipwreck Hunter! His book was chosen out of 38 different books on maritime history. Congratulations to David! A new high for web hits at 29,933! The most ever!

December – Nothing to report this month. PETREL is still in the South Pacific and taking a holiday break, while Paul Mayer is home with his family and will report back toward the end of the month. They will remain in the South Pacific for the time being and I’ll keep all posted if anything of interest develops, anything I am at liberty to share that is. I truly believe it will. Web hits for this month still being tallied.

So much for the year behind. There will be more interesting things coming in 2019, rest assured. With the upcoming productions of movies for The Last Battle and The Castaway’s War, both from books by Stephen Harding, I’m sure there will be plenty to report later in the year. I’m also anxious to see if David Mearns has any new adventures to share. Stay tuned all, and thank you for all your support and encouragement through the year. I couldn't do this without you! Happy 2019!!!

​Tammi

​I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is recovered from the tryptophan overload. I have a couple of wonderful things to share. First, the 11th Annual International Conference on WW2 history is about to begin. Much of it can be viewed live! To learn more, click this link: WW2 Conference 

Also, there will be a second documentary on the discovery of the USS INDIANAPOLIS found in 2017 by the crew of the RV PETREL. This documentary will be broadcast on January 8th, 2019 on PBS. For more information and to access the first show broadcast live in September of 2017, click here:  Vulcan Inc. 

Our friend Paul Mayer is in both, of course. I can't wait! And this conference will be amazing. Maybe I'll pick up a couple of ideas for blogs. As at any time, if you have a suggestion for a blog or would like to contribute one yourself then feel free to contact me at [email protected]. 

Tammi

Image above borrowed from : www.vulcan.com/

Earlier this week I sent a note around to the families of the STRONG project about the death of tech icon and uber philanthropist, Paul Allen. Mr. Allen started out as a partner to Bill Gates and created the Microsoft empire. At age 30 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease and quit the company to pursue his own path. This path was amazing and over the decades he created philanthropic organizations under the umbrella of Vulcan Inc. to support the arts, culture, science and exploration, environmental and humanitarian causes and even owned a few sports teams such as the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trailblazers. A trailblazer he was for sure. In 2009 he was diagnosed with and treated for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Complications from a recurrence of the disease recently resulted in his death. 

Over the past few years, he even allowed for the use of his company time and resources to attempt to locate the STRONG DD467. So far, she has eluded their technology and did not show up within the coordinates set down by the Navy data. However, the fact that he was on board with this boggles the mind and I am forever grateful to the crew of the OCTOPUS in 2015, David Mearns of Blue Water Recoveries, LTD and the crew of the PETREL early in 2018 (thanks Paul,Rob and other guys!) for the efforts. It saddens me to no end that I will never be able to thank him in person. I had hoped one day to bring him a bottle of good Kentucky wine and some Buffalo Trace bourbon balls (my gift of choice, the best bourbon balls ever) and just say, "thank you Paul". So, I sent a note to his sister Jody in a condolence card. Knowing the thousands of cards and letters the family may receive, I doubt she will ever see it, but I thanked Paul through her. It will have to be enough for now. 

If anyone else would like to send a card or condolence to the family, the address of Vulcan Inc. is below:

Vulcan Inc. at 505 5th Avenue South, #900, Seattle, WA 98104

I'm also adding a few links to articles and to the Vulcan website so you can see the depth of his commitment to improving and educating the world he lived in. May his missions and works live on.

Vulcan Inc.: http://www.vulcan.com/

CNBC article: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/15/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-dies-of-cancer-at-age-65.html

-Tammi

A few days ago I discovered a wonderful article on line and shared this email with my list:

"Hello families,
I'm in the process of researching the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) and their work in particular in the South Pacific right after the war for a future blog. I'm also trying to solve a mystery, but more about that later. In the process of some Google searching I came across a wonderful article. Clay Bonnyman Evans became involved with a man named Mark Noah, founder of a recovery group called History Flights. Noah and his team have for years raised money and volunteers to search for the remains of Marines lost in the islands of the Pacific. Evans became involved due to his desire to locate the remains of his grandfather lost in November 1943 on Betio Island on the Tarawa atoll, Lt. Alexander Bonnyman. From the article: "Though 56-year-old Evans, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, had never met his grandfather, it was his greatest wish to find Bonnyman’s remains and bring him home to the United States." His search effort eventually paid off and resulted in a book that came out this past July, "Bones of my Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of WWII". After reading the article, I ordered a copy of the book. 

Just in case some of you might like to do the same, here is the link to this article: https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/battlefield-archaeology-world-war-ii/

FYI, by the end of the article I was nearly in tears. There is much in here that I identify with, and I'm sure it will ring true for many of you." 

Since sending the email I've made contact with Clay. He was happy to have me share the information here on the website and to help promote his book, Bones of My Grandfather. To have the experience on such a personal level as Clay did - that's what I imagine I will feel if given the chance to visit the burial site of my uncle Billy in the Kula Gulf. The emotions will be overwhelming, but it's something I must do. If it's presented to me, I wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world. 

To learn more about Clay and his grandfather visit his website here: https://claybonnymanevans.com/alexander-bonnyman-jr/

To order the book on Amazon, click here: Bones of My Grandfather

Tammi
​

So, to put last week in perspective…….
First, I have to thank the men and women of the USS STRONG Association for another wonderful and well planned week of togetherness, travel, learning new things and meeting new people. We always look forward to what has become a family reunion and appreciate all the hard work that goes into hosting the event. Thank you all so much!

Greg and I arrived Monday with plans to visit D.C. on Tuesday. Monday night we had a very nice dinner with Jim Kelly and his lovely daughter Cathy at Red Lobster near the HUGE mall and casino complex not far from the hotel. Thank you again Jim for your generosity!

We got up Tuesday morning and headed to the train station via the hotel shuttle, bought tickets for the MARC to Metro Centre and two trains (and a confusing ticket buying process) later we exited the train at the intersection of 18th and I Streets at Farragut West. Google Earth says it’s only 0.84 miles from there to the WW2 Memorial, our first destination. In 95 degree heat with a higher heat index and a husband nursing a swollen knee (he was determined to walk it), it felt like much more. The Washington Monument was to our left, but we didn’t go visit there. Photos would have to do. We got some good photos at the WW2 Memorial. This was on my bucket list of things to do because of Billy, and it felt good to be there. Next was to walk past the Reflecting Pool, which upon reflection really needs a good cleaning. Whomever takes care of it is neglecting their duty.

The Lincoln Memorial sits at the end on the east bank of the Potomac River. By the time we got there, we were both hot, hungry and thirsty. Thankfully they have a great but expensive deli just south of the memorial where we took care of 2 of the 3 issues. Next stop, cross the Memorial Bridge and see if we could make it to Arlington National Cemetery.

The way across the bridge was an easy walk (0.75 miles), but again the heat was getting to both of us. Once across, we saw the entrance to Arlington and the visitor’s center at the top of the hill. To our right across the street was the Metro station. At that time the walk up the hill looked daunting. The Metro Station won out and we headed back to Baltimore for a shower and a very nice supper at the hotel restaurant, the Stained Glass Pub.

Wednesday was our visit to Annapolis and the Naval Academy. We were joined on the tour by Annapolis resident and the son of Lt. jg.O. Milton Hackett, Torpedo Officer on the DD467, Jeff Hackett. Jeff, it was so nice to finally meet you! Another beautiful sunny day, again very hot. The group plan was to tour the site by bus and then attend a memorial service for the combined DD758 and DD467 men in the Navy chapel. We were awed and grateful to have been allowed in there. Just a few days prior the nation buried Senator John McCain in the cemetery at Annapolis. Unfortunately we were not able to visit the cemetery. I got some great photos of the stained glass windows and the area near John Paul Jones’ crypt. During the service, it felt as if Billy were there with me and a part of the group. No way I don’t believe that. Lunch was soon after and then got some time to shop in the Visitor’s Center before heading back to Baltimore.

Thursday was our free day and we had been invited to visit with Stephen Harding, author of The Castaway’s War at his office at Historynet in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia. Steve is also the editor of Military History Magazine, one of many put out by Historynet. Andy Hoder provided our transportation and got us there safely. Seeing Steve again after 4 years was wonderful. So much has happened since then related to the book and will happen in the near future. He was able to share some information with us regarding the movie for TCW and the fact that it’s in pre-production right now. Shooting will start right after the first of the year, if not before. Stay tuned for more information as I will share with the group when given permission. This is going to get exciting! Not to mention he also has a film in pre-production for The Last Battle. Steve will be one busy guy! We also met some of his staff, grabbed some free magazines and soon headed back to Baltimore. Thank you Andy for providing the ride and I hope the toll on the short strip of road we were on wasn’t a problem. Oops, damn EZ Pass lanes! Later that afternoon we got on the light rail from the airport and headed downtown to the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Myself, Greg and Andy had supper at the Bubba Gump’s there. Our very first meal together was in Gatlinburg in 2012 at Bubba Gump’s. So, it felt very nostalgic and was quite tasty. Darkness fell and lightening flashed in the sky as we made our way back to the railway station and home to the hotel.

(By the way, anyone from the film company for The Castaway’s War that might read this – I am sincerely open to sharing information that could add to the quality of the script, such as personal accounts from family members of men who were with Miller on the island. Just sayin’, I have stuff to share.)

Friday found us back in Annapolis, this time for a historic tour of the town on foot and then a boat ride on the Severn River. One impressive stop was the State House where George Washington resigned as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. We stood in the very spot where he, in 1783 became just a citizen once more and retired to his home in Mt. Vernon. Jeff Hackett again joined us for the tour, as part of the walking tour went right by his home. His lovely wife Syd was on the porch waving the Maryland flag to greet us as we walked by. Lunch time was at the Middleton Tavern built in 1750, the oldest in Annapolis. Jeff and Syd joined us, with Reuel and Barbara Kaighn. From the boat on the river we passed the campus of the Naval Academy and were treated to information on the history of the city, founded in 1649. Those who live there are truly steeped in history and in a really beautiful little town that retains its character. We would love to have spent more time wandering the streets and plan to revisit one day.

Our last day was Saturday the 8th, with the business meeting and raffle in the morning. We used the afternoon for packing and resting. Around 5:00, Jeff Hackett arrived bringing a box full of his father’s records from the DD467 and we spent the hour before dinner just pulling files and looking at what I might like to have scanned. We almost missed the opening ceremony of 2 Bells because we were engrossed in it all. Just prior to dinner, those of us who represented the families of the DD467 read out the names of the lost in honor of the 75th anniversary of the sinking. The food was tasty and the company lively. The evening wrapped for us with saying good-bye to Jeff and a quick exit to get some sleep before our early flight the next morning.

This year we got home just before the threat of Hurricane Florence became real. We wish those who will be affected by this storm much luck. She’s going to be a real bitch.

Next year, look out Savannah! Can’t wait to see what the next year brings for the project and all the families involved.
​
Tammi

Just a few photos of our day and the beautiful sights. We had a moving memorial service in the chapel, lunch in Dahlgren Hall and then some time to shop and visit. Friday we will be dropped off in downtown historic Annapolis to shop, tour and just enjoy our time here. Also got to meet a "new" DD467 family member, Jeff Hackett. Jeff is the son of Orwall MIlton Hackett, torpedo officer on board STRONG. Milt was a big help to me in putting together some information on my uncle Billy. I'll always be grateful for that!

So hot this week! But the folks are starting to arrive. More later if we don't melt!

​Tammi

Back in May after Greg and I visited with Paul and Rosie Mayer in Chattanooga, I felt the need to get a memorial plaque in the works. Ships located by other researchers in the past eventually had plaques laid at the site to commemorate and memorialize the men who died and those unrecovered who never received a proper burial. I sat down at my computer and looked at a few designs others had used and eventually came up with one that satisfied my need to keep it simple, yet do honor to the men and the ship. A couple of people offered input on additions or subtractions to the design. David Mearns, the shipwreck hunter gave some input on wording for the back side of the plaque and advised about a design element for the edges. Another friend and STRONG family member Andy Hoder helped me see I needed some changes to the dates on the front. I designed the layout and wrote the poem. The next step was to do a paper mock-up of the size and scale needed and take that to the trophy shop. We have a couple in Lexington and I chose one that had been in business for over 40 years, Hallmark Trophies.

After presenting the shop owner Priscilla Marcum with the design and dimensions, I left with her promise to call with a price based on my requirements. She called a few days later with the quote and I asked her to begin work. Just prior to this I made the request to family members for contributions to get the plaque made and the money started coming in. The first down payment on the total was made soon after. Long story short, there are many people to thank for contributing to the completion of the plaque. Contributors were:
Bill Gustavson, David Hermsen, Andy Hoder, Fitz Miller, Pam Dunfield, Alex Bodo, Bob Mullane, Stephen Harding, Mary Steward, Jim Ansley, Lillith Francis, Norine Altman, Thomas Kelly, David DuBard, Kevin Wheeler and James Oberg.

Thank you all for your financial contributions! I hope you are pleased with the results.

This process has been 20 years in the making. From the first efforts to discover what happened with the ship in 1998 up until this year when the prospect of actually locating the ship became so real – well, this was something I had always hoped to do. To complete the mission of finding the ship I had to think about a memorial of some kind. These men who were unrecovered don’t have normal grave stones. Uncle Billy has a brass plaque on the back of the family headstone at Machpelah Cemetery in Mount Sterling, Kentucky and a write up on Find A Grave. Others have something similar, but it’s not the same as having a stone at the site of their true burial. Now we wait and see if we get the opportunity to put this plaque in place. There is no guarantee, as fulfilling this mission is dependent on the goodwill of some very important people. If it is in their power to do so, then you will know about it as soon as I do. I have every faith that we will be able to accomplish this.

An addition to the story…..

When I started the process of the plaque I worked with Mrs. Marcum. She and I went through the design process, changes and edits until everything was right. Toward the end Mr. Marcum was there. Because Priscilla had surgery the day before, he was at the store when I picked up the plaque. As I was making the final payment, he said, “You know Priscilla has always been the one to work with you. This has been a fascinating process. Can you tell me more about it?” So I did. I told him about the ship, about Billy and the other men who were lost, about the efforts to locate the ship so far and that this plaque would be placed when the site was finally located. He walked me out to the car as we talked and placed it in the back of my Escape. Before I left, he told me he was moved by what he learned and asked if he could hug me. I said yes, and when he drew away from me I saw tears in his eyes. Needless to say, I teared up at his reaction. When you start something like this it’s hard to anticipate the impact it will have on other people on the periphery. I see now after all these years and interactions with the friends, families, shipmates, destroyer squadron mates and more that the project I started to honor Billy has become so much more. I am happy and humbled to share every aspect of this with the families and supporters of STRONG and the other ships with her in the Kula Gulf that night.

Tammi