Hey all,
The anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor is just behind us, and I probably should have posted an update as a rememberance. I feel like I dropped that ball. After all, if Pearl Harbor had not been attacked, would our forces have been involved in WW2 as they were? How would history have played out if the Japanese had not gone on the offensive? That being said, there was an article in our local paper that stuck with me about a veteran and his monumental effort to serve the men who died that day. I believe this gentleman needs a few more kudos. His name is Ray Emory, a resident of Honolulu. Ray is 91 years old, a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. This article stuck with me because in it I learned that there are over 2,400 Americans who died during the attack are buried in a volcanic crater called the Punchbowl. The dead who could be identified have markers, but evidently these markers did not list the name of the ships on which they served. Other graves bore generic markers, because the bodies could not be identified. Ray has been on a 20 year campaign to do a couple of things. One, is to see that these men get new markers identifying them with the ship on which they served and died, and two, to exhume the remains of those who, with modern technology and forensic techniques, can be identified and work to return them to their families. The article in our local paper was written by Audrey McAvoy with the Associated Press, and can be found here:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/pearl-harbor-survivor-helps-identify-unknown-dead-17896709

Reading the article will tell you his story better than I can. I'm hoping Ray has many more years to continue his work, and that he has someone to pick up and continue when he cannot. CNN also posted an article, so here's that link: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/06/us/pearl-harbor-anniversary/index.html

What an amazing man, among many amazing men and women who were witnesses to this horror.  Some of the men from Strong were also at Pearl that day, among them Stanley Hoder, father of Andy Hoder who has been so supportive of this project.   Stanley and others survived to fight another day, and for that we can be grateful. 

Tammi

      I thought it was time to put up a review of the book, Sunk in Kula Gulf by John J. Domagalski. Though I'm only through a third of the book, I've covered the portion of the book that discusses what happened to Strong on July 5th, the evening before Helena was sunk. Not only have I learned a bit more about what happened with Strong during this engagement of the Japanese and in this phase of the Solomons campaign, but I've learned more about other aspects of their time at sea.

     The book begins with Helena's story in January of 1943. Since Strong didn't pull into Guadalcanal until February 7th, they aren't part of the story at this point. It isn't until April of 1943 that these ships are brought together in port at Tulagi, into Task Force 36.1. Shortly after being brought together with the rest of the task force, they engage and help to sink Japanese submarines in the area. They were also together during mine laying operations in the Blackett Strait on the evenings of May 13th and 14th. Mr. Domagalski does a good job of detailing these operations and I can find corroborating documentation with what I have on Strong.

     Domagalski mentions the formation of the CIC, or command information center, as being an integral part of planning and strategy for operations in the Pacific theater. First used in early 1943, it was an area of the ship's superstructure designated for collecting radio reports, performing radar plots and analyzing and interpreting data. Since this was my great-uncle Billy's area on Strong, I enjoyed reading about the operations and learning more about his duties.

While reading Captain Wellings letters, he mentions stops in port, but in his letters could not be specific. One of his favorite things was to go to the beach early in the morning and get in a swim before breakfast. He also talks about playing softball with the enlisted men, officers verses and such, but I was never sure where they were. In the book, Domagalski talks about Paradise Beach on Espiritu Santo, just a short walk through the jungle from port. There was also space nearby for volleyball, horse shoes, baseball and softball. A small nearby island had a recreation center for the men to visit. They would get their two chits for beer and head off for a good time. There were also movies at night while in port at Espiritu Santo. Tulagi was also a port of call, but didn't have quite the same facilities.

And just like the sailors of Strong, the men of Helena were lonely, homesick and desperate for mail from home. Thankfully Captain Wellings wrote home often, and because of this I have some wonderful personal insights on his time away at sea.

The only other book I've seen that covers the ordeal of Strong is Into the Shadows Furious by Brian Altobello. Altobello mentions my great-uncle in his book and mentions the fact that he and his superior officer Lt. Jetton and the fact that they didn't make it off the ship.  He also details the 43 days Hugh Barr Miller, Jr. spent on Arundel Island.. These books are well worth your time and effort to read. The more new books come out with information on Strong, the better chance we have of seeing something truly happen to tell her story. Mr. Domagalski will be doing some book promotion next year, but currently only has three dates for events: January 26th, 2013 in Huntley, Illinois; March 13-14th, Washington, D.C. Details are here: http://www.amazon.com/John-J.-Domagalski/e/B003TSV8H4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1#/ref=la_B003TSV8H4_st?qid=1346204653&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB003TSV8H4&sort=daterank

If you are in those areas or have the opportunity to go hear him speak, it would be a great experience. I've contacted him via email, and he was kind enough to share some of the documents he found pertaining to Strong. More data for my personal archives!

Off to finish the book and learn more about the men of Helena!

Tammi

*Got the book today!  He has some amazing resources within it, and I've already highlighted many to ask him about.  I believe I will have a better picture of the events leading up to the loss of Strong, and just a better understanding of what led to the engagements around New Georgia Island in general.  Back soon with a more complete review!

Hello all,

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!  Right before the holiday, I learned about a new book that has details on the Battle of the Kula Gulf and the fate of the USS Helena.  The best thing about this though, is that the author also researched the fate of Strong and has covered this in the book.  An email buddy, a man who survived the sinking of Helena and was present in the gulf the night Strong went down sent me an email about this new book.  For kicks and giggles, here's the Amazon.com link for you:http://www.amazon.com/Sunk-Kula-Gulf-Incredible-Survivors/dp/1597978396/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353705259&sr=1-3&keywords=john+j.+domagalski

The title of the book is Sunk in Kula Gulf by John J. Domagalski.  I've included the book on the Navy Links and Research page with the ISBN for you to locate the book for yourself.  I purchased a copy, and am still waiting for it to come, but I also found contact information for Mr. Domagalski.  Since I get a kick out of locating people who will be awesome resources, I sent him an email and he was kind enough to respond.  After the holidays there may be an opportunity for him to share information with me regarding his research on Strong at the National Archives.  Since it's difficult for me to get to D.C. any time soon, anything I can learn from someone who has been there will be so helpful. 

After I get the book, I plan to post a review, especially if he's found any really interesting stuff that I have not seen or shared before.  I look forward to getting my hands on it any day now!

Tammi

Today is Veteran’s Day, the official holiday set for tomorrow the 12th.  I wanted to talk a bit about the history of the day, and I will.  But a friend on Facebook had something really special to say today, and I just have to address it.

The whole reason I started this web site is to honor my great-uncle Billy, a young man I never knew and who died way before he had the chance to make a major impact on the world.  As it is, in the short 24 years he was given, he managed to make impressions on people that persist today.

When Billy graduated from Transylvania University in 1940, he spent the better part of the next two years teaching, some at his former school in Mount Sterling.  One of his students was Betty Tipton, now in her 80’s and going strong.  Betty told me a story once about a spelling bee she participated in back in March of 1941.  Betty had worked hard to learn her words, and Mr. Hedrick spent extra time after school working with her to help her get them right.  The spelling bee took place, and Betty came in first.  To this day, she still has the certificate signed by Billy, and considers it a treasure.

Betty’s family plot at Machpelah Cemetery in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, is near the Hedrick family plot.  When I met her the first time, she told me that she visits her family plots often, and when she does she never fails to say “hello” and acknowledge the Hedrick family stone which bears a plaque honoring Billy and his service on the USS Strong DD 467.  His remains are not there, but nevertheless, she feels honored to have known him and has never forgotten the person he was.  Her niece, Mary Treadway, says this:
“Tammi a special memory of your Uncle Billy Hedrick or Mr. Hedrick on Veterans Day as my aunt Betty will always call him. We stopped by to say "hi" to him today while at his resting place.”

 There’s not too much else you can do to compliment the memory of a special person, than to continue to acknowledge their life and their legacy over time.  Sharing that story with me means something. 

Woodrow Wilson sponsored the first Armistice Day honoring the sacrifices of men who served in WWI on November 11, 1919, saying:
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

May 13, 1938 the day became a legal holiday, dedicated to the cause of world peace.  In 1945, a WW2 veteran named Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama suggested the day ought to honor all war veterans, and not just those from WWI.  President Eisenhower supported this idea, and the very first holiday dedicated to all vets was in 1947.  It took until May 26, 1954 before Congress finally made it law.  By June 1st, they had decided to change it from Armistice Day officially to Veteran’s Day.

I know most of you don’t need to be reminded of what this day is about.  You are veterans or the family of men and women who served in at least one, but sometimes more of the modern day wars and conflicts.  But other family members and friends may need a little prodding to understand that the day is for more than pre-Christmas sales and sleeping late.  They lack your unique perspective and experience on the reason for the day.  They will never see or share your memories of the time you served.  Others will never see what you saw, feel what you felt or live with the physical and emotional scars from your time at war.  And I know you would never wish this on them, but remind them anyway.  We take far too much for granted in this country.  Our loved ones should not be reduced to a commodity of war, and forgotten over time. 

So thank you Dad, Billy, Uncle John, Cousins Patrick and Mike, Uncle Gano, Aunt Stella and all of my relatives and ancestors who put their lives and hearts on the line.  There are really no words worthy enough. 

Thanks again to hubby Greg for his input on the content of this blog.  See, I listen to you.  :o)

Tammi

  Tuesday November 7th is election day. We'll choose the leader, the man, the President who should best represent our needs over the coming four years. This is a privilege I've never taken for granted, even if some times it seems as if there isn't anyone competent enough to carry it off. What one person, what one ideal can serve the needs of all the diverse populations in this country? But I have to believe they do the best they can under the circumstances they are left with. I truly believe in “we the people”, we ARE the government. The officials we elect are put there to represent US, not themselves. We the people, in voting, need to do our best to put good people in office.

As I said, voting is a privilege, one guaranteed to us by the men and women who have fought over hundreds of years to secure this privilege for us. Men and women who have served in everything from the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI and WW2 – and up to the conflicts overseas that still exist today. Without their sacrifices, without their courage and resilience, we might be in a very different situation here. Every man and woman who suffers from post traumatic stress, life altering injuries, every person lost to a battle, major or minor – these people are the reason we go to the polling stations and do our duty to our people and our country. I first voted at age 18, and have missed one local election since then. I firmly feel that if you don't vote then you abdicate your voice, you lose your right to criticize if you are not part of the process. This is something I've always tried to teach my children and to represent by my actions. Many of our fellow citizens may be severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, and have difficulty getting to the polls. I hope their communities can help make it possible for them to get out and cast their vote.

Just for fun, I thought I'd add a few more lines from Captain Wellings letters written about this time in 1942, per the suggestion of my husband Greg. This time 70 years ago, the ship had just gotten back from their shakedown cruise to northern Africa. On October 25th, he writes to his wife Dolly:

“The men know one another and we have developed some real ship spirit.....This trip has been the best of all shakedowns and we are ready for a frolic or a fray.”

November 10th, 1942 he says while in port in Brooklyn, NY:

“Well, here I am still in the big city. I thought the best destroyer in the Navy would be underway by now on its next assignment, but we are still practicing and I suppose awaiting orders. …..I feel certain that I will remain in the Atlantic for awhile after listening and reading the news about Africa....Don't worry about me or my ship. We can more than take care of ourselves. I have every confidence in our ability to uphold our good name.”

The captain had ultimate confidence in his men and their abilities. Until that torpedo found them, they were living up to his ideal. Remember them on Tuesday as you cast your vote.

Tammi

I saw an amazing story on NBC news tonight about 16 year old Kyle Miller, a Boy Scout determined to record the stories of 1,000 veterans of our wars.  The web site link is here: http://voicesfromthefront.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=featured&Itemid=101

I may think of joining this venture, as I've interviewed a few vets myself.  Also, any of you interested in sharing your own stories with Kyle and his group, please do.  He's trying to document the sacrifices and experiences of those of you who went above and beyond to keep us safe. 

Tammi

    This morning my husband and I were watching a program on the History Channel 2 called Digging for the Truth with host Josh Bernstein. The program was based on underwater survey of a site off the coast of Crete, and they were in the process of fitting a ship with the necessary equipment to do a sonar sweep of the depths in the Mediterranean Sea to search for they mythical site of Atlantis. I started thinking about the use of specific equipment in searching for wrecks, and decided to refer to David Mearns for some information on equipment he's used in his explorations.  David has given me permission to use excerpts from his books, and in The Search for the Sydney: How Australia's Greatest Maritime Mystery was Solved, I found some great references to the importance of sonar (also referred to as a "towfish")  in surveying the location of a shipwreck.  Page 122 has a section titled 'The nuts and bolts of a shipwreck search', with David writing:

     “In deciding which technology and methods would work best in the search for Kormoran and Sydney I never had any doubts that the correct tool to use was a deeptow side-scan sonar. This technology had been pioneered in the 1980's and it was ideal for locating lost shipwrecks in the deep ocean, especially when the area to be searched was large. I had used this type of sonar in the past to locate much deeper shipwrecks, including Lucona, Derbyshire and Hood, as well as the SS Rio Grande, a German blockade runner that Blue Water Recoveries found at the mind-boggling depth of 5,762 metres and in doing so was awarded a Guinness World Record for discovering the world's deepest shipwreck. Nevertheless, while depth was a factor in our choice of equipment, it was actually the combination of extreme depth plus the enormous search area that made the search for Kormoran and Sydney a perfect candidate for using this rather unique search tool........In its most general form a sonar can be thought of as a powerful underwater flashlight that uses sound waves, instead of light, to image objects on the seabed. Specifically, a side-scan sonar is one that is towed at the end of a long steel cable connected to a survey ship and can scan the seabed to either side of the ship's track to create a coherent two-dimensional map of the surface and objects lying upon it. Under the watchful eye of a skilled expert viewing and interpreting the sonar images as they are created in real time, a side-scan sonar is the surest way to detect shipwrecks whether their hulls are intact or shattered and even when the surrounding seabed is complicated by rugged geological formations. 
     A deeptow side-scan sonar is simply one that can operate very deeply, to a maximum of 6,000 metres (3.25 nautical miles).”

     David goes on to explain that this sonar needs to be towed at great depths in order to obtain acoustic shadows, which “can tell us a great deal of information about the height and shape of the object, especially as the basic two-dimensional nature of a sonar image means that an object's height is not directly apparent in the image and has to be inferred.” The particular sonar he used for this venture to locate Sydney and Kormoran was the SM-30 side-scan sonar from Williamson & Associates, pictured above from page 124 of the book. If you'd like to learn more about the capabilities of this sonar, check out the web site: http://www.wassoc.com/Upload/Specifications/sm30.pdf

     If I get really lucky, some day I'll get to see this piece of equipment in action as it locates the debris field and wreck of the USS Strong DD 467. Until then, I'll continue to learn what I can about what it will take to get us there.

Tammi

Today they had their annual meeting and raffle to raise money for the association.  We missed it by being at the Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge.  They made $962.00 for their efforts, just shy of the goal of $1000.  Next year the meeting is planned for Pensacola, Florida.  I know a couple of folks who could have been here this year that may need to make it next year, as it's in one of them's back yard (and if you're reading this, you know who you are).

The banquet was tonight, a good dinner was eaten by all.  Prime rib and chickens were consumed in mass quantities and we dickered over who was going to get the chocolate cake or apple crisp.  No blood was shed and we worked it out.  :o)

The sign in the photo saw the group come in and will see us out.  It's been an honor and a privilege to be here with these men and their families this week.  There were a few people representing the DD 467 group - myself, Andy Hoder, Jim Merriman and his son, and the family of the recently passed Peter Karagines, including daughter Linda who I've been in contact with for a while now.  The old guard is fading but as long as there are some of us who remember, we'll do what we can.

I'm closing out the evening in the hospitality room with the guys, getting last minute stories and just shooting bull.  I love it. 

As Jim Merriman says, "Sailors, rest your oars", so until next year and they all come together again.  Smooth sailing, men of Strong.

Tammi

It's been exhausting here in Gatlinburg, mental as well as physical.  I spent about an hour and a half yesterday communing with the guys in the hospitality room.  This bull session was preceeded by the memorial service to the recently departed and long departed men of both the 467 and th 758.  Mr. Merriman and I have had numerous conversations over the past days, and I was sorry to see him head for home today.

Last night we had a great time at the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show.  A few of the Strong family got pulled up on stage for some "spooning" fun.  The folks at the theater were so kind to recognize the Strong Association and in particular, Jim Merriman, the only 467 man in attendance.  What an honor, and what a truly good time.

More later, having too much fun to spend too much time on the computer!

Tammi