4-4-44

This was the date that Daddy went into the US Navy.  When I cleaned a bunch of mess in the "carport" room of this old house, I ran across his service papers that Fleta had shared with me.  He lived at Route 1, Alpena Pass, AR.  He had a scar on his left knee and his left hand.  His blood type was A.  He weighed 141 pounds and was 5 feet 9 inches tall.  He had a ruddy complexion, blue eyes and blond hair.  He had 20 20 vision in both eyes and his hearing was perfect.  His preferred occupation was that of farmer.  His next of kin was my Momma and after that he listed Gertie Powell. He named this two children and gave their birth dates.  He gave Richard's middle name as Charley.  He was 28 years old.  His pulse rate was 90 and his blood pressure was 124/82.  His psych test was normal and his intelligence also.  His chest x-ray was neg of disease.  He did not have varicose veins, hernias, venereal disease, or hemorrhoids.  He was a normal male.  He served his country one year, six months, and 12 days.  His service was mostly in Combat Aircraft Service Unit (CASU) 52.

Found this accommodation in his records:  From the Commanding General, V Amphibious Corps

Although considerable mopping up remains the big job is done.  You have captured Iwo Jima, a base deep in the heart of the Empire Defenses.  I salute the gallant men of the 5th Amphibious Corps and it's supporting units who have carried out this attack to the enemy relentlessly for 26 successive days.  A well done to all units of all services participating in the seizure of this Island.

Radio Radar and Electical Shop of CASU 52.  Gilbert Willis Powell was an electricians mate.
Found this photo taken on Iwo Jima and posted by this guy's son with a message asking for all to remember the part the US Navy played in taking Iwo Jima--a land of black sand!
Andrew Lovelady ~ Seaman 1st Class CASU F-52 (Carrier Aircraft Service Unit Forward 52) Photo: Iwo Jima Several Seamen, who left school to join the effort, were included in the waves of Marines who hit Iwo Jima.
My Dad always felt he and others were forgotten, as the Marines are only mentioned,
when remembering the bloody battle on that small, sandy island.
We always laughed when my Dad said that was the 'Ritz' hotel on the right,

and that one of the guys got to it first, and used it instead of a tent. 

Was this guy the Kowalski that was Daddy's buddy on Iwo?

Theodore F. "Ted" Kowalski (1923 - 2015)

NORTHAMPTON - Theodore "Ted" F. Kowalski, 91, of Williams Street, passed away peacefully Monday, May 11, 2015, at his home.

Ted was born Aug. 12, 1923, in Northampton, the son of the late Stanley and Anna (Szczek) Kowalski. He was a lifelong Northampton native, attending city schools and graduating from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in 1942.

He began a lifelong career in the U.S. Navy, enlisting in 1943. He was stationed aboard the USS Piedmont, a destroyer tender, and saw heavy action during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He reenlisted and served aboard numerous vessels including the USS Brinkley Bass, a destroyer, serving as an aircraft carrier escort and anti-submarine duty during the Korean Conflict. He received the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the European African Theatre Campaign Medal, the China Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal and the American Campaign medal. Ted was stationed aboard the USS Brinkley Bass during the Korean Conflict and the boat and crew received seven Battle Stars for their actions. Ted served almost 30 years before being honorably discharged and returning home.

He was a communicant of the former St. John Cantius Church in Northampton.

He leaves his last sibling Helen Bogart of Fairview, many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by several siblings including Henry, Mitchell, Stanley, Chester, Natalie Blanchett, Blanche Motyl, Nellie Merski and Jennie Hyland.

A calling hour will be held Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton with a service at the funeral home at 10 a.m. with Fr. Merle Lavoie, celebrant. Burial with U.S. Navy honors will follow in Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hadley.

Donations in Ted's memory may be made to the Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040, or the Northampton Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 60382, Florence, MA 01062.