Mason Vets Visit Ireland
The sailors of the destroyer escort Mason (DE-529), the first crew of blacks assigned to technical jobs on a U.S. warship in this century, were stunned at the warm welcome they received after the Mason docked at Belfast, Northern Ireland. They were treated as Yanks helping to save Britain—not as Negroes.
If they got a warm reception the first time, they got the royal treatment—literally—in March, when they returned for a 50th anniversary visit.
Five of the USS Mason Association spent a week on a trip organized by Mary Pat Kelly, author of Proudly We Served, the recently released Naval Institute Press book on the Mason men.
In Dublin, U.S. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith entertained the group. “I still have a very warm feeling about Ireland,” crewman Mervin Peters told Smith in the Ambassador’s living room.
The men revisited the harbor where they had landed 50 years earlier, but little looked familiar to them. They ended the day with a reception at Belfast City Hall with city officials and Royal Navy veterans.
After two days of parties with representatives of the Queen, the Mason veterans unexpectedly met her majesty herself. She had come to dedicate a bridge, and Kelly arranged an invitation.
“It was terrific,” said Mason Association Chairman James W. Graham of Long Island, New York, upon his return to the United States, “like going back in time and history.”
—Bill Bleyer, New York Newsday
Marolda Wins Oceanic History Book Award
At its annual meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina, the North American Society for Oceanic History awarded Dr. Edward J. Marolda of the Naval Historical Center the 1994 John Lyman Book Award (American Naval History) for his work, By Sea, Air, and Land: An Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy and the War in Southeast Asia (Washington: Naval Historical Center, 1994).
The volume stresses the wartime experience of Navy men and women, American and Vietnamese, who served in the combat theater, and depicts air, coastal, and riverine operations, naval special warfare, and U.S. advisory efforts.
—W. Karppi
Marines Mark Anniversaries
The last of the Marine Corps History and Museums Division’s pamphlets commemorating the 50th anniversary of World War II are The Final Campaign: Marines in the Victory on Okinawa, by John E. Wukovits and The United States Marines on Iwo Jima: The Battle and the Flag Raisings, by Bernard C. Nalty and Danny J. Crawford.
The latter includes information on the six flag raisers pictured in the famous Joe Rosenthal photo. It contains photos, copies of the citations awarded for actions on Iwo Jima, as well as information on the Marine Corps War Memorial.
The two flags raised at Mount Suri bachi are in the Marine Corps Museum, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Open Monday through Saturday: 1000 to 1600; Sunday: 1200 to 1700.
—A. Ferrante
Saratoga Project Stays Afloat
The USS Saratoga (CVA/CV-60) project remains afloat, even though the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc., is $800,000 short of its $3 million public financing goal. After she was decommissioned last year, a “Save-Our- Sara" movement developed quickly in the hope of making her a permanent museum in Jacksonville, Florida. In spite of rough seas, the foundation and volunteers see “Red skies at night. . . .” To help, contact USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc., 420-B Wharfside Way, Jacksonville, Florida 32207, phone 904-858-1000, or fax 904-858-1007.
Association Takes Hard Look
With at least ten cities showing interest in preserving one of the four Iowa (BB-61)-classs battleships recently stricken from the Navy List, the Historic Naval Ships Association Board has voted to express concern to the Navy Department about selecting appropriate sites. Careful consideration must be given to the enormous effort and resources required to maintain and preserve such ships, year after year. Currently, 70 historic naval vessels are on exhibit in 43 cities in the United States and Canada.
Kevin Foster, maritime historian for the National Park Service, detailed newly enacted National Maritime Heritage legislation that will make federal grants available from selling vessels in the inactive fleet for scrap. Half of it must be used for educational programs and half for large-vessel preservation.
Captain James F. Gavin, USN (Ret.), was recently presented with the Captain William Diffley Award. He was responsible for preparing the USS Massachusetts (BB-59) Memorial for public visitation and served from 1976 to 1994 as the founding president of Tin Can Sailors, Inc., which has provided many volunteer hours and since 1992 has awarded more than $350,000 for ship improvements.
Fleet members with World War II ships—such as the USS North Carolina (BB-55) Battleship Commission—are planning major ceremonies for the 50th anniversaries of VE and VJ Days and the end of the war.
—J. Cheevers
V+50 to Honor Heroes
On the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II, 2 and 3 September 1995, Fredericksburg, Texas, will host a commemoration involving an estimated 20,000 participants. Pacific War veterans are encouraged to call 1-800-580- 9218. Registrations must arrive by 1 June.
Coast Guard Seeks Stories
The Coast Guard Historian’s Office has begun an oral history archives that will be available for reference during office hours. All veterans of World War 11 are invited to share their experiences.
Two World War II exhibits will be on display at the Caldwell Fine Arts Gallery in Lenoir, North Carolina, during the entire month of June. And the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center, Tullahoma, Tennessee, hosts a Vietnam combat art show from 1 June to the end of August.
For more on exhibits, write to Community Relations (G-CP-3), and for oral history program details, write to the Historian (G-CP-4), both at the Commandant of the Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20593.
—R. Browning
Recross the Rhine
On Memorial Day Weekend, 27 and 28 May 1995, the World War II Historical Preservation Association presents a 50th anniversary commemoration of the 1945 Rhine crossings in Chestertown, Maryland.
For more about “Across the Rhine!” contact Kirk Ross at 232 Duke of Kent Street, Chestertown, Maryland 21620, call 410-778-2605, or fax 203-379-8586.