USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham in World War II : war service of Wenham men and women and civilian services of Wenham people > Part 14
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For the next 48 days the home of the 800 odd men being shipped, was the U. S. Army Transport U.S. Grant. Ports of call during the voyage were Colon, Balboa, San Francisco, Hawaii, Guam and finally Manila.
At Manila the remaining casuals were assigned to Nichols Field, Rizal, P. I. or Clark Field (heavy bombardment).
"I was assigned to the 20th Air Base Group at Nichols Field. Also stationed at Nichols Field were a Pursuit Squadron, Head- quarters Squadron and Observation Squadron. At this period all planes on the field were of the 1933, 1934 vintage and older, except for the addition of a couple of squadrons of P-40 Pursuits, a few B-18s, some P-36s taken from the Swedish Government and a C-39 cargo plane. These comprised the bulk of our defensive force. With the exception of the B-17s brought in by the 19th Bombardment Squadron, just a short time before war was declared, this was our equipment! When the Japs attacked, the majority of these planes were caught on the ground at Clark Field while waiting permission
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to get into the air. The only ones, to my knowledge, which were able to fly were those stationed at Delmonte in Mindanao. This was the situation all over the island of Luzon. The 3rd Pursuit was almost completely wiped out at their field at Eba during lunch time. Clark Field was hit at the same time.
"Even when men came wandering into our bivouac, outside of Nichols Field, in a dazed and 'broken spirit' condition, it was hard to believe we were actually in the midst of war. Nichols Field had been hit only once during the early morning of the day after the attacks on Clark and Eba Fields. From that day on it wasn't hard to believe that we were at war, as the Japs hit us daily at 11 A. M. Our men used to set their watches by them, they were that precise. They came in from the North at ideal bombing height of approxi- mately 10,000 to 14,000 feet and plastered us daily, with negligible interference from our single ground battery. Our other ground defense consisted of air-cooled Lewis machine guns, converted 50s and a few water-cooled 30s effective against low altitude strafing attacks only. Enough cannot be said of the courage of these men who took up the battle on their own initiative with weapons of this type and with the odds so much against them. I might add that at this time morale remained at its highest-there never was a doubt that equipment would be arriving at any time and reverse the whole picture.
"Fifth columnists ran rampant at this time and it was practically impossible to stop them unless one happened to be on the spot before they started. Manila night spots carried on about as they normally did. It seemed that no one wanted to admit that Manila would fall or that the war would last more than a few days.
"Conditions became more and more serious. When four planes were ordered to leave I had orders to go on one of them as Radio Operator. The remaining B-18s and the C-39 were to be used to fly pilots to Australia, where our planes and supplies were being sent following the attack on the Philippines. The reason I was sent was because I had made the same flight previous to the outbreak of the war. We had to take with us an engine for a B-17 of the 19th Bombardment Squadron, which was grounded at Darwin because of engine trouble. It was our plane's honor to fly Capt. Colin Kelley back with us. On this trip out we left Nichols Field on December 19, 1941 a little after midnight. From there we went to Delmonte on Mindanao, staying there for the morning. In the afternoon we went to Tarakan in Dutch Borneo, from there to Balikpapan in
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Dutch Borneo, over to Makassar in Celebes, down to Timor and on to Darwin in Australia. Our attempted return to the Philippines failed as the Japs were coming south too fast. We were able to get back to Balikpapan where the Dutch informed us that everyone was evacuating Tarakan. It was necessary for us to return to Darwin.
"Our supplies were then coming in at Brisbane and other ports on that coast so we were sent there. It was at Archerfield in Brisbane that the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron was organized. All available ships were taken over, (if they could carry supplies) and the squad- ron was formed. A couple of the planes were new. They were C-53s which had been shipped over and assembled but the brunt of the loads were carried by the ships which had flown south from the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies. By the standards of later- formed squadrons, I doubt if any of the planes would have been allowed to fly. At this time it was a necessity and the flights were made. It was this outfit (the 21st and the 22nd) which made the then largest movement of troops by air, from Australia to New Guinea, the bulk of a division being moved. It was an outfit that literally lifted itself up by its own bootstraps. The Squadron main- tained routes and flew anything, anywhere in Australia and at the same time had planes in New Guinea to supply the troops who were fighting their way from Port Moresby across the Owen Stanleys to Buna. These planes were rotated in order to give the same type of flying and flying conditions to all. Practically all the supplies were dropped to the troops in the Owen Stanleys from an altitude of 20 to 50 ft., sometimes lower, depending on the pilot.
"In the Coral Sea Battle it was our job to fly gas and 500 1b. bombs to the base at Buna for use by the planes carrying on the direct attack against the Jap ships.
"In July of 1943 I was sent back to the States. As replacements, three other men and myself were sent to the 39th Troop Carrier Squadron at Camp Mackall in North Carolina. This was a base where paratroopers and airborne troops were trained. After several months with this outfit, I was transferred to the 314th Troop Carrier. We were supposedly being trained for action in England. However this didn't materialize and this was my last active part in the Air Corps.
"If we should be so unfortunate as to become embroiled in another war, I hope it won't be 'too little too late' as was the watch-word in the early part of the South Pacific and the Far East Campaign. A lot of fine men lost their lives due to neglect by people who did not
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realize the position we tried to hold with so little support.
"Let me say in closing that the treatment our troops received in all the countries was, in my opinion, the best that could be given. I was fortunate enough to meet a very fine girl in Brisbane, Aus- tralia, who later on became my wife, Irene Ellen Hampson."
On December 11, 1944 Nathan Prince was honorably discharged from the service, because of arthritis, after some weeks at Army & Navy General Hospital in Hot Springs, Ark.
Distinguished Flying Cross awarded by Lieut. General George C. Kenney, Fifth Air Force "for extraordinary achievement while participating as a radio operator in aerial flights in the New Guinea area from April 1942 to November 1942. He took part in more than fifty missions, dropping supplies and trans- porting troops over territory that was continually patrolled by enemy fighter aircraft. Often landings were made on fields which were only a few miles from Japanese bases. These opera- tions aided considerably in the recent successes in this theater." Air Medal with one cluster
Distinguished Unit Badge for Coral Sea Battle
Distinguished Unit Badge for Philippine Islands
Distinguished Unit Badge for New Guinea Campaign
Air Crew Member Aviation Badge
Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with stars for Philippine Islands,
Dutch East Indies, Papua, New Guinea, Northern Solomons. Philippine Defense Ribbon with star for Philippines World War II Victory Medal
SYDNEY HARDY PRINCE entered on active duty as an Avia- tion Cadet in the U. S. Naval Reserve on January 9, 1943. He was sent to Williamstown, Mass. to Flight Prep School and to Chapel Hill, N. C. to Pre-Flight School. His next assignment was to NAS, (Naval Air Station), Glenview, Ill. for primary training and to Cor- pus Christi NAS for basic, instrument, and advanced training in PBYs (Catalinas). From there to Banana River, Fla. for opera- tional training in the PBM (Martin Mariner), a twin engine flying boat. "This training was mainly to check us out in the PBM, and while doing so, give us patrols, gunnery hops, night and day celestial navigation hops and bombing runs. All this prepared us for the
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foundation of a squadron which was grouped and designated as Pa- trol Bombing Squadron (VPB) 25 at Harvey Point, N. C. where we had our shake-down training."
Hardy Prince went overseas with his squadron and they trained at NAS Kaneohe, Oahu, an advanced operational area, from Sep- tember to November 1944. His duties were varied and he acted as Pilot, Navigation, and Photo Officer.
"In November 1944 the Squadron winged up to Leyte Bay, P. I. where the suicide divers were sent by the Japs as a typical, but rather ineffective bankruptcy measure. The landing area was rug- ged but we still sent our planes out in all weather, including one un- forgettable typhoon which we flew directly through to check on a convoy, rather happily one of ours, returning, as we later heard, from the initial siege of Okinawa. The work at Leyte was strictly patrol and anti-sub, not interesting, but essential. During the greater part of our time in the Philippines we were seaplane-tender-based, but when the Seabees got it squared away we based at Jinamoc Island in Leyte bay." Shortly after Chirstmas of 1944 they went to Mangarin Bay, Mindoro, where they took part in China Sea patrols prior to the Manila invasion. In March 1945 they returned to Leyte and Hardy Prince was promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.).
"While stationed on Mindoro the Squadron was running anti-sub and anti-shipping patrols to Hunan Province of China and it was on one of these patrols that our PBM ran into trouble on New Years' Day 1945, right against the China coast.
"At 1300 (Philippine Time) (12 Midnight EWT), our PBM flying boat developed a bad oil leak in the port engine necessitating cutting the engine and feathering the propeller. As soon as possible all unnecessary gear was jettisoned including two 50 cal. machine guns and about 1000 rounds of 50 cal. ammunition-this in territory with enemy planes, and we with one engine and 50 rounds of ammu- nition left. We were at 5000' altitude when we lost the engine and I managed to hold the plane at 400' altitude for the greater part of the 650 miles back to Mindoro.
"We made a single engine landing at Mindoro with exactly three gallons of gasoline in the tanks-so little that we had to be towed to a mooring buoy.
"We also celebrated Thanksgiving!"
S. Hardy Prince was released to inactive duty on December 15, 1945.
Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Medal with two gold stars in lieu of 2nd and 3rd Air Medals, presented in the name of the President and signed by Admiral O. B. Hardison, U.S.N. (ComAirPhilSeaFron) for 35 specific flights between February and June 1945.
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with stars for Leyte and Luzon Operations.
Philippine Liberation Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Citation accompanying Air Medal: "For extraordinary achieve- ment in combat area where enemy aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred."
CHARLES GOODENOW RICE entered on active duty as an Ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve on May 18, 1942. He was commissioned for flight duty from civil life as he held various civil- ian flying licenses at that time. After a brief course at NAS (Naval Air Station), Pensacola, Fla. he was ordered to NAS, Minneapolis, Minn, as a Flight Instructor. This primary flight training base, at that time, had a flight officer personnel of about 25 officers which was expanded to over 150 during the next eighteen months. He was promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.) while at this base.
At the end of 1943, Rice was ordered to Air Ferry Squadron One, NAS, Floyd Bennett Field, N. Y. for the purpose of testing and delivering service type aircraft.
"The Ferry Squadrons (those in the U.S.A. located at New York, Columbus, and San Pedro and designated VRF-1, 2 and 3 respec- tively) were organized near aircraft manufacturing centers. Later on during the war these ferry squadrons were taken under the wing of NATS (Naval Air Transport Service Command). At its peak VRF-1 had over 800 pilots who were in constant motion across the country with service type aircraft (F6F, TBM, F4U, PBM, SB2C, etc. ) delivering them mostly to West Coast ports for shipment to the Pacific. 'War Wearies' were flown back to be used by training schools in Florida, Texas and other locations."
In 1944 he was promoted to Lieutenant. At about the same time, a training school for the Ferry Command was started at NAS, Wil- low Grove, Pa. He was ordered there as one of the ten original in- structors. His duties included instrument flight instruction, check- ing pilots in various type aircraft and ground school instruction.
In the summer of 1945 he was transferred to training school at
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NAS, Dallas, Tex. where he remained until shortly after V-J Day. This was followed by a short tour of duty as one of the officers in charge of enlisted men's discharge barracks at NAS, Norman, Okla.
Charles G. Rice was released to inactive duty on February 1, 1946. American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
NEIL WOODBURY RICE, a veteran of World War I in which he served as Ensign in the Naval Air entered on active service in the Army of the U. S. on April 26, 1942. Due to his extensive knowledge of Alaska and his many years of experience there, he was commissioned as a Major and attached to the Hq. Army Air Forces, Washington, D. C. He spent a large part of 1942 and 1943 in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands on projects connected with Air Force problems. In April 1943 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He was later sent to Australia, New Guinea and the Solo- mon Islands on a special mission. As the result of this trip he was hospitalized and after sick leave, was released from active duty on August 25, 1944.
Legion of Merit awarded by order of the President of the United States. "While assigned to the Office of Assistant Chief of Air Staff-2, Headquarters, Army Air Forces, from April 1942 to July 1944, Colonel Rice rendered exceptionally outstanding services to the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, as an expert consultant on Arctic conditions and problems. His initiative, ingenuity, unique knowledge and extreme devotion to duty were contributing factors to the successful maintenance, use and improvement of Alaskan and Aleutian airfields."
Legion of Merit
World War I Victory Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and three stars.
World War II Victory Medal
ARTHUR G. RICHARD entered on active duty as Apprentice Seaman in the U. S. Naval Reserve on July 19, 1946. He was sent to Bainbridge, Md. for Recruit Training and then as Seaman 2/c went through storekeeper school, also at Bainbridge.
Richard was ordered to Norfolk, Va. for assignment and on Jan- uary 24, 1947 he was sent to NAS (Naval Air Station), Argentia,
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Newfoundland, where his "duties included servicing planes." He expects to be discharged in May 1948.
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
ROBERT WILLIAM RICHARD entered on active duty on July 16, 1946 as a Private in the Army of the United States. He was sent for basic training to Ft. Belvoir, Va.
On November 7, 1946 he sailed from San Francisco on the Army Transport, USS Marine Jumper*, landing at Inchon, Korea where he was assigned to the 3362nd Engineer Base Survey Company at Kunsan and billeted in a rice warehouse.
"The Japanese surveyed Korea about 30 years ago putting bench marks (small square markers) on the highest point of each moun- tain. The Army checked this survey in order to make a more accu- rate map of Korea. This was done by planes taking photographs of the area. The flight strips covered an area two miles wide and forty miles long. These photographs were given to the 3362nd Engineers who sent out small field parties who climbed the mountains, located the Japanese markers and pin-pointed them on the aerial photo- graphs."
The 3362nd was de-activated and Richard was transferred to the 657th Engineer Survey Battalion stationed further north at Yung- Dong-Po. The duty of the unit was the same only in the Yung- Dong-Po area.
Richard returned to the States and was honorably discharged at Ft. Lawton, Wash. on November 18, 1947.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
*Dana Dodge went out on the same ship.
LINDRETH TEMPLE ROBERTS entered on active duty as a Private in the Army of the U. S. on May 22, 1942. After basic training with C Battery 57th Battalion at Anti-Aircraft Replace- ment Training Center, Camp Callan, Calif., he was transferred September 1, 1942 to C Battery, 55th Battalion as Corporal and instructor. He was promoted to Platoon Sergeant March 22, 1943. In May 1944 he was ordered to AAATC (Anti-Aircraft Artillery Training Center) Ft. Bliss, where he served as Section leader of B Battery, 599th Battalion until his discharge.
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In December 1944 the Battalion was shipped to England where they were stationed at Thatcham, working Italian prisoners at a Supply Depot.
"On March 1, 1945 the 599th Anti-Aircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion (M) furnished AA protection for the XII Corps (Third Army) Rhine River crossing at Oppenheim. The gun section moved into position in a congested blackout and began firing at once. In spite of casualties, guns hit and repeated attempts by enemy aircraft to destroy our bridges, the battalion managed to defend the crossing and to bring down enemy planes. The bridges remained intact, and the Third Army troops crossed. Besides their usual work of pro- tecting Army installations, the Unit took on the extra work of haul- ing vitally needed gasoline and personnel reinforcements to forward armored and infantry units during this critical period. They were commended by General Patton. Although this was their first en- gagement, D Battery moved into position without mishap and suf- fered no casualties.
"After V-E Day (May 8, 1945) high pointers of the 599th were sent home. They were replaced by men from other units and were preparing to go to the Pacific. This was called off on V-J Day."
Lindreth Roberts returned to the States with Battery B, 808 Field Artillery in October 1945. He was honorably discharged in Octo- ber 1945 at Ft. Dix, N. J.
Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European Campaign Medal with stars for Rhineland and Central Europe.
World War II Victory Medal
JOSEPH W. RUTTER* entered on active duty as an Aviation Cadet in the Army of the United States, Army Air Forces, on March 2, 1943. He was sent for flight training to the Western Training Command, Santa Ana, Calif. On completing his training he was commissioned as a 2d Lieutenant January 7, 1944 and assigned to the 49th Bombardment Group, Morris Field, Charlotte, N. C.
As Pilot of an A-20 light bomber of the 312th Bombardment Group (L) he flew "20 missions against Japanese positions on New Guinea and 44 missions against airfields and ground positions in the Philippines."
Joseph W. Rutter was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on February *This paper is based only on facts obtained from the first questionnaire.
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6, 1945 and was released to inactive duty on July 21, 1945.
Distinguished Flying Cross awarded for Clark Field Raid, Philip- pines, January 7, 1945.
Two Air Medals for 200 hours of combat flying.
Unit Citation for knocking out airfields in Formosa.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with stars for Netherlands In- dies, Philippines Campaign, Japanese Mandates, Japanese Em- pire, Central Pacific.
Philippine Liberation Ribbon with star for Luzon.
World War II Victory Medal
GEORGE VINCENT SARGENT was commissioned Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve in April 1937 and entered on active duty on May 12, 1941. He was sent to NAS (Naval Air Station), Newport, R. I. for training and assigned to the USS West Point, a transport, in June 1941 remaining with her until February 1944. During that time the ship was engaged in transporting troops to Scotland, North Africa, India, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Guadalcanal, Hawaiian Islands and returning wounded and refugees to the United States.
The West Point took part in the evacuation of Singapore and George Sargent describes this as follows :
January 28, 1942
"On board USS West Point. Steamed through Sunda Straits (between Java and Sumatra) with four other transports and five British warships heading for Singapore to disembark troops and take aboard evacuees. Japs only 60 mi. from Singapore-we still have 300 mi. to go. Leaving Sunda Straits, we formed in column to pass through narrow Banka Strait (between islands of Banka and Sumatra). At 12 noon, lone Jap bomber dropped bombs-no hits. However, Japs had spotted us. Heard Jap woman broadcast to- night that Japs had complete control of Sunda Straits-wonder how we got through !
January 29, 1942
"Docked at Singapore at 8.30 A. M. At 11 A. M. Air raid alarm sounded-saw three formations of Jap bombers coming in from North ; about 54 planes, no opposition-too high for AntiAircraft fire-British had but few fighter planes to intercept. Bombers con- centrated on Naval Base-did not bother us.
January 30, 1942
"At 11 A. M. Air raid alarm sounded-nine Jap bombers came
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down along the docks, dropping their bombs. None hit us-landed alongside, ahead and astern, enveloped in smoke. They hit trans- port USS Wakefield astern of us-6 killed, 6 wounded. At 11.30 started taking on evacuees, women, children and old men, all races, creed and color. At 12 noon air raid alarm sounded-evacuees start- ed to get panicky. Dock crowded with women and children, thought Japs were back to finish job they started. No bombs dropped on docks. Left dock at 6 P. M. with a whole skin.
January 31, 1942
"Steaming out toward Sunda Straits-still holding our breath. February 1, 1942
"Out through Sunda Straits and into Indian Ocean.
February 4, 1942 (Epilogue)
"Baby born aboard ship today to one of the evacuees-it was named West Point Leslie Shelldrake!"
George Sargent served as Division Officer, Senior Watch Officer (bridge) and Troop Management Officer. His last duty on board was Gunnery Officer and Head of Department. He was promoted to Lt. (j.g.) in July 1941 and Lieutenant in July 1942.
In February 1944 he was transferred to the USS Chiwawa (AO 68), a fleet tanker. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in March 1944 and served as Executive Officer of the Chiwawa until November 1945. The Chiwawa took part in the invasion of South- ern France standing by to refuel the warships and transports taking part in the landing of troops.
George Sargent was promoted to Commander January 1, 1946 and released to inactive duty February 2, 1946.
American Defense Service Medal with Bronze A
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with star for evacuation of Singapore.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with star for Invasion of Southern France.
Philippine Defense
World War II Victory Medal
THORNDIKE KIMBALL SARGENT entered on active duty as a Private in the Army of the U. S. on March 2, 1942. He was assigned to the Air Forces and sent to the 78th Air Base Squadron, Moody Field, Ga. for basic training and to Dow Field, Bangor, Me. for
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overseas training. This consisted of "chemical warfare drill, rifle practice, camouflage and various topics of orientation." From there he was sent to Grenier Field, Manchester, N. H. awaiting orders and transportation to port of embarkation and finally to Camp Patrick Henry, Va. for processing for overseas duty.
On November 30, 1944 he sailed from Newport News, Va. with an AAF unit on the SS William S. Blount and landed at Naples, Italy. From there he was sent to Augusta, Sicily awaiting orders which, when they came, ordered him to report to the 19th Replace- ment Depot at Marchanese, Italy. The Replacement Depot assigned him to the 1417th AAF Base Unit at Capodicino Airport, Naples which (January 1944) was engaged in ferrying supplies for air- craft maintenance from the port of Naples to airfields all over the European Theater of Operations.
Sargent had been promoted to Staff Sergeant in August 1943 and as Air Corps Supply Technician, his duty was to issue aircraft tools and parts for aircraft maintenance for shipment to airfields in the ETO.
As our front advanced, the 1417th Air Forces Base Unit moved north and operated from the Campino Airport at Rome. From this airfield Bologna, Italy, and other targets which prevented our taking the Po Valley, were bombed.
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