So, in a few short weeks I will be heading to the island country of Vanuatu in the New Hebrides, South Pacific. In the meantime I may have an opportunity to appear on a local history podcast! It would be my first ever public interview. I will share a link as soon as I have more information and the interview is completed. In the meantime, stay tuned and thanks for hanging in with me!

​Tammi

Project USS Strong DD467 started in 1966 when I was 8 years old. However, it wasn’t until 26 years ago with becoming familiar with the internet and the new then Google browser that the doors flew wide open. A search on “USS Strong DD467” provided me with the names and contact information for survivors of a shipwreck that went down in July of 1943, its demise the fault of a Japanese type-93 or “long lance” torpedo. Our family lost my great uncle, William C. Hedrick, Jr., or Billy to them. He was an Ensign in communications on the ship. Up until 1998 I thought everyone on board had died – not so it seems. Years of research, contacts with these men and their families, attending reunions, phone calls, emails and letters, then hooking up with some supremely skilled shipwreck hunters (David Mearns and Paul Mayer) resulted in the DD-467 being located in the Kula Gulf of the central Solomon Islands on February 6th, 2019. She was found by the RV Petrel owned at the time by the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, and her very able crew led by Robert Kraft and his chief researcher and so much more, our friend Paul Mayer. In 2020 they were to again be in the South Pacific and I was to be flown over and a memorial plaque I had made (paid for by the wonderful families of the Strong men) was to be lowered to the site of the shipwreck while being filmed for possible use in a documentary. We all know what happened in 2020. The crew was disbanded, the ship sold and that option was lost to me. So, this beautiful plaque that was made has been sitting in my home office for over 5 years. This year I decided something had to be done. After researching options and consulting with the families we decided that the plaque is to go to the last place the ship had context – the island of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu.

During WW2, the largest allied military base in the South Pacific was based at Luganville on Espiritu Santo. There, they rested between missions, resupplied ships, picked up new recruits, played baseball, volleyball and swam in the ocean while sunning on the beaches. Some of the young officers even got to date the nurses at the hospital unit. This was where they lived and the last place 46 men who perished on the ship took their last breaths on land. After working with the people at the new and improved South Pacific WW2 Museum that is now on what was base property, I feel very comfortable with allowing them to house this memorial plaque. I’ve lost the chance to put it at the wreck site, but here people from around the world will be able to see it, learn about Strong and all the ships that were lost in the South Pacific during this war. Strong will be the ambassador ship of sorts. Films shot using the ROV (remotely operated vehicle) during the search for the ship will be on display on a screen with the plaque display. Others will learn of the work done to keep the memories of these ships, their men and their sacrifices alive.

This has been such a part of my life for decades now. I’ve met the most incredible people – historians, researchers, shipwreck hunters, authors, and the best and most sharing family members I could hope for. So at the end of June this year I am off to the island country of Vanuatu in the New Hebrides, South Pacific and personally taking the plaque with me. There are lots of details to work out, but my flights are set. Thank you Sharon Betts with Avant Travel in Lexington, Kentucky for your help, and I’m not done with you yet!

-Tammi

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Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

Normally by the end of the year I send out a note with any accomplishments on Project Strong DD467 from the past year. Given that there's not much to report, it's a bit late. But there were a few things that I managed to cobble together and they will be as follows:
January - I sent a letter out to some people I thought might finally help me put the plaque in the water, people from Triton Subs mainly. I got a letter back expressing support for my efforts and they offered to speak with someone who could help me. I had hope for a bit that something might happen, but as the weeks went on, this died. So, I sally forth.....
February - Nothing of note.
March - The RV Petrel was hit by high winds at the drydock in Leith outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. She was heavily damaged. At this point in time she was and still is owned by the US Navy. Greg and I had a trip planned to Edinburgh and while there, hoped to get photos of the ship.
April - We did visit Edinburgh this month and on a trip to the HMS Brittania at Leith were able to see Petrel and take photographs. Unfortunately we couldn't get closer than the deck of Brittania, but it was a good experience. This ship, while lost to us is still the vessel that found Strong. She will always be a part of the history of this project. 
May - Nothing of note.
June - On a trip to England with a cousin, I was able to visit my very first WW2 site in Coventry at St. Michael's Cathedral. The church was bombed during the Blitz in November of 1941 along with much of England. Munitions factories in the area made Coventry a target. There are very few original buildings standing, but some Tudor period structures survived. It was a wonderful and meaningful trip. 
July - Petrel had been taken to Tampa, Florida for repairs. I tried to find news of the progress, but was unsuccessful.
August - Our friend Paul Mayer spoke and did a slide show of his career work at the Museum at Five Points in Cleveland, Tennessee. My friend Debra Watkins is the Curator of Collections and Education there and I introduced them a few months ago. It was a well attended event, including us, as it was the first time I'd ever had a chance to hear Paul speak publically about his work. I believe he will be called back again in the future. 
September - I had a wonderful WhatsApp chat with Jimmy Carter, the volunteer from the South Pacific WW2 Museum with whom I've been working. He lives in Australia, and to me I geek out knowing that from Lexington I can speak with someone half way around the world on a cell phone! Anyway, we began laying the groundwork for getting the plaque to Espiritu Santo in 2024.
October - Nothing to report.
November - I started researching flights and costs, and inviting people who are interested in accompanying me to the South Pacific. It remains to be seen on all accounts. Not an easy jaunt!
December - We have a new Strong family member, Scott Misturini! His grandfather Mario Misturini was an Italian immigrant, came here at age 13. He was in his early 20s on the ship as a Fireman 2nd Class. I welcomed Scott and have shared the Strong histories with him and his family. My friend Julia Gimbel and some friends have started a podcast based on the history of women in WW2, World War S.H.E. (shared human experiences). I got an invitation to attend a symposium at the National World War 2 Museum in New Orleans February 29-March 1st, and am planning to go. While there I may be interviewed for the podcast and am very excited about that! I will share a link when it airs. There is also a possibility that Steve Harding's book The Last Battle will finally become a major motion picture. Shooting may begin in spring, but I will keep all posted on that. Good luck Steve, it's about time!

I'd really like to heartily thank all the family members that have stuck with me and with each other for the past several years of our contact since it began in 2011. Those of you who had family members on Strong DD467, those who were lost and those who survived know what we've all been through as a group and now an extended family. Some knew your men, some didn't, but we all know them now. I can't forget all the historians, researchers and wonderful shipwreck hunters (Paul and David) and authors (Steve) who have been on this journey with us. Without them, none of this would have been possible. You have become part of the family, too and will always be so. As 2024 begins, there are things that could and should happen for me to lay the project at rest. If I manage to pull off getting the plaque in a place of context, then I can come home and finish the book I started. And we're still holding out hope for a movie of The Castaway's War. I have a couple of angles to work and Steve Harding has his. We'll see who is successful first. A bottle of champagne or good Kentucky bourbon to the winner, how about it Steve?

A very Happy New Year to you all!

Tammi Johnson
Project USS Strong DD467

And a sad P.S.
I have some troubling news that kind of breaks my heart. Back in March I learned of and shared the information about the damage done when the RV Petrel was knocked over by high winds while in drydock at Leith Harbor, Edinburgh, Scotland. She sat there tilted over for months waiting for repairs. This summer they finally patched her up enough to send her to a shipyard on the west coast of Florida and I thought she would be repaired. Alas, it wasn't to be. The ship that discovered the wreck of USS Strong DD-467 and many others is in the process of being scrapped. Scrapped! I suppose the damage was too great, but it still hurts. If COVID hadn't happened I could have been on the ship in 2020 putting the plaque in the water. Now, I have other options to follow. That ship and her crew will always be special to me and the families. It's sad to see the Petrel go out this way. ​

Well, edits have been made because we had to cancel the trip to New Orleans, the original point of this blog. The rest below however, that still came to be.

​"Between this, and the plans I'm trying to make (research to do, people to notify, dates to set, ho boy....) for heading overseas to Vanuatu this summer, this promises to be a very busy year. Some of you expressed an interest in joining me on this trip, and when I have a bit more information to share I'll get back to you, soon I hope. For 3 years I've been in an anxious limbo. Three years of waiting to see what I could do with the plaque and where it would go to live in a place of honor. I finally see the light at the end of this tunnel thanks to the South Pacific WW2 Museum and the support of their top volunteer, James Carter. Upon returning home from the South Pacific, I can finish the book I started. Whether or not it will get published, to be determined. I've also been advised to set up an LLC - I have no head for business, and am looking for someone locally to help me out. This should be interesting. 

And last, but not least - the latest edition of the South Pacific WW2 Museum newsletter. They just received a nice grant that is allowing them to further new construction. Check out their Facebook page to see the progress: SP WW2 Museum Just click the links."

So, a bit of news to share and another chance to wish everyone a very happy holiday season!

-Tammi

It's been a while since I had something of substance to chat about here. Lately I've been reading a lot of books about the role of women in WW2 - reading about things and scenarios that were totally unknown to me because we never learned of them in school. The history of men in the wars that have served in wars which involved the United States is well documented. It's taken years, decades for this particular history to come to light. Many are written by women, including The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan, Code Girls by Liz Mundy, D-Day Girls by Sarah Rose and Wise Gals by Nathalia Holt. There are also books by women about historically important WW2 incidents such as Indianapolis by Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic. 



(Image above from ASU World War II studies program site)

When did the world finally figure out that women had been contributing all along? They weren't just Rosie Riveters working in the factories. These women were physicists, chemists, code breakers who broke the codes of the Japanese and Germans (including working with Enigma) that saved allied lives and thwarted Axis missions, pilots with deep roots in aviation, and spies - oh, they were amazing spies! And just like the men, many put their lives on the line and died for their efforts. 

There are many more books out there that tell stories nobody has heard before. And now, there are some women who have begun a podcast to educate others about these extraordinary stories. Through the National WW2 Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, via Arizona State University, a person can obtain a Master's degree in WW2 history. A friend of mine, author of the book about her father's WW2 role, Student, Sailor, Skipper, Survivor, and WW2 researcher Julia McCurdy Gimbel took this course and graduated. In the process she met five other women, kindred spirits absolutely, and became fast friends. These six ladies have developed a podcast that will feature stories about women in WW2 and women who have had a part in telling WW2 stories, both family related and otherwise. This is a great opportunity for others to see the contrubutions made by mothers, grandmothers, aunts, great aunts and more; maybe not combat related, but the war could not have been won without their brains, their courage and the energy they brought to the effort to bring our men home alive - or at the very least to bring them home. The podcast is titled "World War S.H.E.", for "sharing human experiences". The ladies refer to themselves as the "Riveting Rosies" and include Julia, Angelica Cordero, Laura Bailey, Carys Caffarel, Robin LaCorte and Mary Ellen Page. They are all of varying ages and backgrounds and share a common love of WW2 history that makes this possible. The first podcast went up a few days ago. To have a listen, click here: World War S.H.E. 

There might be an opportunity for me to appear on one of these podcasts. If Julia and her friends feel I can make a contribution in talking about Strong, I'll let you all know. In the meantime, let's give these ladies a listen, give them some hits and make it a popular place to park and listen for a bit. Share the link with friends and family, especially if you have daughters, nieces and such who might want to learn about these women. 

And to those who may be interested in following me to Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu next year, I'm doing some research and hope to soon share information with you on timing and travel details. It's all still up in the air, but I will let you know more as soon as I have something viable to share with you. 

​To everyone, have a wonderful holiday season, whatever and however you celebrate. I hope to have some exciting stuff to share with you all soon!

-Tammi

     It's been a while since I came to the site. Not much to report on the project, as I am still trying to work out how to get the memorial plaque either to the wreck site, or in the area where Strong DD467 had some context. The next closest and safest location as far as I'm concerned would be the South Pacific WW2 Museum on Vanuatu at Espiritu Santo. The largest allied naval base in the South Pacific was located there. That's where they rested safely between missions. Recreation was available, beer and the Officer's Club were available, and occasionally the ship's captain could arrange for a date with the nurses for a few of his lucky single officers. This was the last place they were alive and the location of so much action relevant to the war effort. Visitors literally from all over the world come through there, and the plaque and story of Strong could become part of a permanent exhibit. So far the families are in agreement and a few even want to go with me to take it over. So, some time next year this could be resolved. I can come home and write the book I've been working on and finish. Sweet and bittersweet at the same time. I don't want to say good-bye to this project and need to find a way to keep a thread going. 

​Tammi

     On July 5th just past midnight in 1943, we lost our ship and 46 of our men. If my time calculations are correct, the Solomon Islands and Kula Gulf are 15 hours ahead of me in EST here in  Kentucky. By the time midnight comes on my July 5th, the anniversary will have already passed at the point of sinking. Eighty years ago. Just needed to post a reminder to think about it.

     Everyone have a safe holiday on the 4th and keep our men in mind. 
​
​-Tammi

Most of you have been following my website and the project for years, and for that I’m so incredibly grateful. I still have a ways to go and will not give up just yet on getting the memorial plaque in the water at the wreck site. Over the past 24 years I’ve come into contact with many people; professionals, family members, historians and so much more. My husband and I have traveled all over the eastern part of the country to reunions honoring the men from the DD467/758, and that included ships that were part of the action in the South Pacific and beyond. But until very recently, I had not ever set foot in a place touched by the horrors of the war. I had that opportunity on June 2nd.

My cousin and I are fans of a wonderful British author. When she found out there would be a fan convention and wanted to go, she invited me to come along. On Wednesday May 31st I met her at Dulles International Airport and we flew together from there to London, then caught a coach bus to Coventry, England – the site of the Blitz by the German Luftwaffe in mid-November 1940. On Friday another lady I met at the convention and I decided to go into town and have lunch and visit the cathedral. At the time I did not realize or recall the part Coventry played in the war. I learned a lot very quickly.

There are three churches clustered together amidst a few historic buildings that lived through the bombing and the new construction that occurred after the war. Holy Trinity Church and cemetery are in front of St. Michael’s, and a newly built cathedral from 1962 sits behind the group. One stands out in particular, the cathedral of St. Michaels, built during the late 14th/early 15th centuries in Coventry. German bombs reduced this beautiful and historic structure to rubble, leaving the main steeple intact and outer walls standing. A burial of the Bishop of Worcester remains. Bases of the columns that once supported the roof remain and lead a path toward the altar. At the altar is a large cross built from burnt wood timbers from the cathedral. On one side is a statue of Reconciliation between the UK and the Japanese people, erected in 1995. I stood in the middle of this devastated structure and something I could not explain came over me. Realization hit me that this was the first time I had ever set foot on ground touched by WW2. Later on I looked up photographs from the time of the bombing. The horror that the people of Coventry and Great Britain experienced can’t be truly put into words. Being there was an honor and a privilege.

The new St. Michael’s can be seen in the photographs, leaning protectively over the ruins of the old cathedral, proving that the people of Great Britain persevered and would not be beaten. Given the chance I’d like to visit more sites, especially the South Pacific. One day I hope to get that chance.

-Tammi
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Click here to learn more: St. Michael’s Cathedral ruins

A very encouraging update on the RV Petrel - she's upright once more! I contacted the Edinburgh Evening News to check and see if there was any change in her condition. A woman named Rhoda got back to me with this article telling of her current condition: Petrel Upright

​There's no way to know what kind of internal damage she sustained in the accident, or how long it will take to make repairs and get her back in action. I only hope that once they do fix her up that the Navy gets the ship back in service locating wrecks. This is doubtful, but it's okay to hope. 

Tammi

*The photo below is from the Edinburgh Evening News article from the link above. Photo of the damage was provided  by Paul Mayer (photographer unknown) on May 10th. 
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