[ USS CHENANGO ]  A Personal Account of WWII USS CHENANGO
Home History WWII Journals Photos Letters/Poems Contact
  A Few Letters ...

May 2012
I just came across your site and remembered that my father, Richard J. Seyler, was also on the Chenango during these times. He, like many others, didn't talk much about this time. He was a medic on the ship.

There is a book called "The Little Giants" which describes the crash and fire and about what my Dad did during that time. (pgs 368-369). He saved "the first lieutenant who had been scalped and was bleeding profusely. All Seyler was carring was his first aid pouch, but he immediately began working to save the grievously wounded officer...His prompt work saved the officer: in fact, the man would be left with only a small scar as a reminder of this close call." After that my Dad was underneath the flight deck where a group of men were trapped with a loose 500-lb bomb. Just under these men on the forecastle was my Dad, wading ankle-deep in gasoline. "Suddenly it ignited...engulfing the men in flames. Quick work in turning hoses on each other prevented many serious injuries" My Dad's hair was burned off and he suffered other burns...he was in sick bay with his own head wrapped up like a mummy's. He still continued his duties and dressed others' wounds and burns. I have some photos he took while evacuating the pows from Nagasaki.

My Grandson, Joe VanderWende, is currently in the Marines (just returned from Afghanistan in Dec). He is stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC but is on the USS Wasp for Fleet Week in NY this week.

Also, another side note: Dad was stationed at Great Lakes at the hospital and we lived on the base for 4 years (approx 1954-1958). Prior to that we lived in Japan on base in Yokosuka (approx 1952-1954).

My Dad passed away from colon cancer (possibly from radiation in Nagasaki) in 1991.

Thank you for your site as it was interesting to read others comments and thoughts.
~Bonnie Sue Seyler Boyd

Response:
I am glad you found my site, and spent time writing me of your Dad's heroics. We were at general quarters through the time of the fire. I remember that 500 lb bomb, and the fire, and then the  at sea. Your father was a true hero, and I know you are proud of him, and I am proud to call him my shipmate. I will try and get this information on my website. Thank you again.
~R. Fischer


My Poetry Inspired by WWII ...
Library of Poems:
(Available as .pdf downloads)

The following by R. Fischer;
Remembering
Why
Icons
  Winner of "Editor's Choice Award" for
  outstanding achievement in Poetry
  Presented by poetry.com and
  International Library of Poetry.

Thank You
Uncommon People
Thanks for the Memories
The Greatest Generation
Wake up America
Chenango (Lucky Lady)

Author Unknown;
I liked the Navy

 


July 9 2011
My Grandfather Robert Exum is still very pround to have served with you all on this ship, My whole life, my grandfather told me stories about all thats you guys had encountered. He is 94 years old as of Jan.
~Stan R. Gallemore

Response:
Hi Stan, Good to hear from you. Did your dad get to see my website? It is good that so many shipmates are still alive, and use computers. I will be 85 in a few days July 14. I cannot say I remember your grandfather. What division he was in. Over the years it does not matter as we are all SHIPMATES. Again thanks for reading my site, and if you have any questions, please get back to me. When you see your grand father please Shake his hand for me, and tell him there are still more Chenango shipmates alive and remember those days.
~R. Fischer

June 16, 2011

Thank you so much for sharing your photo's and stories. My father, Lucian Gooch, was an Army Combat Engineer in the South Pacific. The USS Chenango brought him home after the war. I have a few photographs of him on the Chenango and his 'Order of the Golden Dragon' certificate. Dad returned with a purple heart and two bronze stars; I understand why he wouldn't, but I wished he could have shared his experiences with me. He died when I was 14 and almost never talked about the war. Your web site helped. Thank you, and thank you for your service.
~Barry Gooch

Response:
Hi Barry,
Glad you caught my website. Chenango was busy after the war ended taking p.o.w. out of Nagasaki, bringing a special service group into Japan for the Army, and also moving troops back to the U. S. I hope your dad had a good voyage home as we went through the Panama Canal to Boston. I am always interested in the men hat have touched my life in some way, and I hope he had a good life after the war. Thanks for visiting my site, and If there any pictures you would like to copy feel free to do so. I hope you have a good life.
~R. Fischer



June, 5 2011
R. Fischer, Thanks so much for this great web site. I just found papers that showed my father Lt. Bayard K. Smith was a pilot on board the Chenango in WWII. He was called back up and died at the beginning of the Korean War, so was never able to tell me about his experiences. I had no idea!

I have some other articles and miscellaneous stuff I found and am wondering if you are interested in seeing it. Thanks for doing this
~ Eric Smith

Response:

Hi Eric, First I am sorry to hear your father died in the Korean war. However I am glad you found my site. I did not know your father, there were almost 2,000 men on board coming and going. I have always thought of everyone who served on Chenango as brothers. I am glad that my daughter talked me into putting my pictures and stories on this site. Since it has been on line, it has had aprox. 15,000 hits. It was hacked and down for a few months. It seems that there are children, grand and great grand kids that are wondering about someone who was on Chenango. If you can come away from that site with a little more understanding of what your loved one did, or how they lived, I am glad. I would like to see what you have of your fathers. Thanks again for visiting
~R.Fischer


May 18, 2011
Great website! My older brother was LT Leslie C Hunt, a pilot for VT-25 , which joined the Chenango for the second part of her journey through the Pacific. VT-25 had been on the USS Cowpins prior to joining the Chenango. He never talked about the war, and I'm just now getting around to reviewing his military records, pilot log, etc., to piece together a story for his descendants. Your writing has helped more than you could possibly know. I'm just starting to sort thorough the chronology of events in his record, and when that is done your stories will be even more valuable. Thanks for everything.
~ Bill Hunt


June 17, 2010
I ran across your work here while researching the chenango on behalf of my living stepfather paul brookman, a liberated dutch prisoner of war who worked in a labor camp in nagasaki and who was there the day the bomb fell. he has memories of course of that day in nagasaki, but also of the day a boat, the chenango, came to start him on a long trip home and the next chapter of his life. To your knowledge, are there any photos in existence taken aboard the chenango transporting the people from nagasaki to points beyond? Thank you for your site, and your time,
~David Rush

Response:
I have always wondered how the people that we helped liberate from the Japanese did after the war. Of all of the major events of my life, I am most proud to have been a part of the liberation of the prisoners of war from the Japanese. I hope your father-in-law was able to have a good life after his  return. I am sending the only pictures I have of this event, and will ask if others have any pictures that they would share with you. Thank you for finding my site, andI look forward to hear from you again.
~ R. Fischer

May 30, 2010
I found your wonderful website while doing some research on the USS Chenango. My father-in-law, Howard Tuttle was a torpedo bomber pilot, flying a TBF Avenger off the aircraft carrier Chenango in the Pacific. He attained the rank of first lieutenant and was awarded the Navy's Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was with the Grinning Reaper Squadron. I have a great photo of him flying his Avenger and would be happy to forward it on to you if you would be interested. 
~ Peggy Tuttle

Response:
I am always happy to hear from a family member of one of the Chenango crew. Some months ago someone hacked my website. It was so viscous that the back up disk was damaged. What you now see is a whole new website. Many of the letters from readers, and pictures sent to me are lost. I had over 8000 hits on the first one. My daughter has created this web site. I did not know Howard, but I am proud to have served with him on Chenango, and have always admired the heroic deeds of the men that flew the aircraft off of her deck. I am writing this letter to you on Memorial Day, with many memories passing through my mind. Thank you for finding and reading of “my life on Chenango”. May God bless you as you honor the veterans in your life on this Memorial day.
~ R. Fischer

June 17, 2010
I ran across your work here while researching the chenango on behalf of my living stepfather paul brookman, a liberated dutch prisoner of war who worked in a labor camp in nagasaki and who was there the day the bomb fell. he has memories of course of that day in nagasaki, but also of the day a boat, the chenango, came to start him on a long trip home and the next chapter of his life. To your knowledge, are there any photos in existence taken aboard the chenango transporting the people from nagasaki to points beyond?

Thank you for your site, and your time,
~David Rush


Response:
I have always wondered how the people that we helped liberate from the Japanese did after the war. Of all of the major events of my life, I am most proud to have been a part of the liberation of the prisoners of war from the Japanese. I hope your father-in-law was able to have a good life after his  return. I am sending the only pictures I have of this event, and will ask if others have any pictures that they would share with you.

Thank you for finding my site, and I look forward to hear from you again.
~ R. Fischer


May 30, 2010
I found your wonderful website while doing some research on the USS Chenango. My father-in-law, Howard Tuttle was a torpedo bomber pilot, flying a TBF Avenger off the aircraft carrier Chenango in the Pacific. He attained the rank of first lieutenant and was awarded the Navy's Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was with the Grinning Reaper Squadron. I have a great photo of him flying his Avenger and would be happy to forward it on to you if you would be interested. 
~ Peggy Tuttle


Response:
I am always happy to hear from a family member of one of the Chenango crew. Some months ago someone hacked my website. It was so viscous that the back up disk was damaged. What you now see is a whole new website. Many of the letters from readers, and pictures sent to me are lost. I had over 8000 hits on the first one. My daughter has created this web site.

I did not know Howard, but I am proud to have served with him on Chenango, and have always admired the heroic deeds of the men that flew the aircraft off of her deck.

I am writing this letter to you on Memorial Day, with many memories passing through my mind. Thank you for finding and reading of “my life on Chenango”. May God bless you as you honor the veterans in your life on this Memorial day.
~ R. Fischer


May 1, 2010
I just found your web site and noticed the letter from a relative of Earl Ress of Tell City, Indiana. My dad, James Kenneth (Jim K.) Thornburg, of Moberly, Missouri , served on the Chenango with Earl, and Earl and wife, Maude, were lifelong friends of my dad and mom. They shared many good times in the years after WWII in a friendship begun on the USS Chenango. Both are gone now as are their wives, but younger generations find their history with your help.
~ Jane Kay Orton


Response:
Thank you for your letter, and I hope you do get a better feel for how things were on Chenango. I did not remember your dad, or his friend. It has been too many years, and so many men on that ship. I am happy to keep those memories alive through my web site.
~ R. Fischer


April 30, 2010
My father Jim Mushett was on the Chenango at the age of 17 in 1944 until 1946. He was a belly gunner. My mother had a painting done of the ship and gave it to my father. He just passed away April 24, 2010. I do not believe he was aware of your site. He would have really enjoyed it. Just wondering if you remembered him.
~ James Mushett Jr


Response:
Thank you for looking at my site. I wish I could tell you that I knew your father. I was on Chenango when your dad was but so long ago, and so many men on that ship I do not remember him.  I will say this "I respect the men that were gunners on our torpedo bombers". That took special skills, and bravery. You should be very proud of him. I am proud to have been one of his ship mates.
~ R. Fischer


February 9, 2010
My uncle, Earl Ress, served on the Chenango and it was fascinating reading your website. It gave me insight into his experiences. Thank you!
~ Tom Ress


Response:
Thank you for visiting my website. I do not remember your uncle however it was a long time ago, and there were almost 2000 men on Chenango. I am proud to have served with him.
~ R. Fischer


January 29, 2010
My father A.J. MacDonald was assigned to the USS Chenango, Torpedo Squadron 25 in September 1944, he was a turret gunner on a TBM. I have his Aviators Flight Log Book which shows 357.8 hours of flight time attacking enemy targets while assigned to the Chenango. He was awarded a DFC which I believe was from his time on the Chenango. Previous to the Chenango he was assigned to the USS Hornet CV-8. He had 378.5 hours of time from Bombing Squadron 8 and other aviation units. Wish I knew more, he passed away in 1990. He was awarded a DFC which I believe was from his time on the Chenango. I wish I knew more about him.

It's a great web site, my father enlisted in 1939. His first ship was the USS Hornet CV-8 and was on the Hornet during the Doolittle raid and when she was sunk at the battle of the Santa Cruz islands , he was a gunner on a Dauntless while on the Hornet, Bombing Group 8. He mentioned they flew as many aircraft off the Hornet to a jeep carrier, and that he was on the Chenango till the end of the war. He mustered out in 1946 as a Chief Petty Officer . He saw lots of action in the South Pacific , surprised he lived through it, he also didn't talk much about it when I was young. His last entry in his flight log was 2/11/46.
~ Jay MacDonald


Response:
Your dad was a busy guy. You must be very proud of him. I am glad you found my site, and hope it gave you a better insight into what it was like for him. Thank you for your service to our country.
~ R. Fischer


January 13, 2010
Thank you so much for answering my e-mail, I can't tell you how exited I was to find  your web site.  Mother is still alive and I can't wait to show her the site and pictures to her (and my brothers and sisters). Last night I sat at the computer with my 17 yr. old, who is studying WWII in history class. I can't express my thanks enough in be able to share your pictures and stories with her, and to show her pictures of her grandfather. I think your stories can be invaluable in motivating a new generation. They show what accomplishments young people are capable of.

January 13, 2010
Sorry it took me so long to check this out but I am very impressed, you can be proud of a great life.
~john d maleno


January 12, 2010
My Grandfather Paul Wayne Anderson served on the USS Chenango during WW2. Does anybody remember him. He passed away 1996 in Bel Air Maryland. He was born in Oklahoma and raised in San Francisco, CA.
I believe he was a chief at the war's end. I believe he worked as a boats man or boatswain or something like that. I never was in the Navy so I need help.
~Ron Anderson


Response:
Ron, Thanks for visiting my web site. I am sorry to say that I do not remember your father, as there were almost two thousand men on board Chenango, and it has been over 60 years ago. I will post this letter on my website , maybe some one will remember him.
~ R. Fischer

January 12, 2010
Hi- R.B.Henderson was also my Dad. He was a Pharmacists Mate 2nd class, in "H" Div? We had a lot in common I did not learn until my later years. We both served in the Navy on Aircraft Carriers , Both of us were 2nd class petty officer's. He served in WWll and I was in the Vietnam war . My only regret is that I wished I got to know him better before he died.
~ R. Bruce Henderson

November 18, 2009
Grandpa, I am astounded with this website. I read all of your journals and learned so much about you that I have never known. I never knew that taking an hour out of my day to look through your website would be so easy and enjoyable. I cannot believe everything you went through. I feel blessed to be considered one of your grandchildren and I have also never felt more honored to call you my grandpa. I love you so much grandpa, you are truly a hero!
~ Kelly

April 30, 2008
My father John Klapatch was on the USS Chenango and he died in 1983. Did you know him?

I found your website helpful in letting me know what his life was like on the Chenango. Thank you very much.

I typed in the Navy History of the Chenango from the original images on your website. The typed version is much easier to read. (I am still glad to have the original images also). I would be glad to email you the typed version as a Word doc, or whatever you like, so you could also have the typed version on your website.

Also I scanned in the original 1948 Navy document to my father about the Navy Unit Commendation for him and the Chenango. You could add it to your website, if desired. I hope you hear from you.
~ Janis

March 30, 2008
Is it possible to get a copy of any of the photos listed on the web page? My father, george abbott is shown in the VT-25 photo.He has since passes away and it would be VERY important to me to have a copy of something like this. I myself was a navy VP pilot.
~Michael

October 17, 2007
I found your site while on Chenango County, New York's Web site.. My husband and I and our two sons and their families all live in Chenango County within walking distance of the Chenango River. For those who are not familiar with the area, it is a rural dairy farm area, "Leatherstocking Country" between Binghamton and Utica, the County Seat is the lovely little city of Norwich. Chenango is believed to be an Indian word for the bull THISTLE which is an abundant prickly weed/wildflower in the area... I was not aware that there was a USS Chenango!!! Thank you for sharing your experiences and I hope you and your family are well.

February 18, 2008
Just a note to say "Thanks"! My father, Melvin Denton (Gunner's Mate 1st Class -Indiana), served on the Chenango from 1943-1945. You obviously have A LOT of shared memories. It was like hearing him speak. I hope to post some of his many, many photos sometime in the future.
~Teresa

January 30, 2008
Questions: Do you have the picture of the P.O.Ws that is walking on the flight deck while anchored in Nagasaki, if so could I talk you out of one. and by the way I have received the Medal from Saipan V F W it is a pretty medal easy to acquire.

 
www.ur2creative.com