SS Ezra Meeker
Posted by James Smith on June 24, 2009, 10:02 pm
I am looking for shipmates of Jack C Smith,who were in the Armed Guard during action in the harbor of Palermo,Sicily, July 11-12, 1943. Even though only two days were listed the Letter of Commendation stated this lasted four days, and later in August, 1943, enroute to Gibraltar, the ship was attacked by 25 German planes and the gun crew was credited with shooting down four German planes. Jack was nominated for the Bronze Star for this and other actions. Three people who served with him were Lloyd Register, of Graceville, Fl, Edgar Virtcher, and Mac MacMillian. Smith, Register, and McMillan are deceased. Mac's wife's name was Marie (now deceased), Smith's wife's name is Virgie, and Register's wife is named Bonnie. Jack later went on to serve in the Merchant Marines and served on the Sinclair Opaline, SS Vicksburg, and a number of ships for the Lykes Lines. I wonder if anyone has any further info. I am especially interested in the name of a magazine which published a description of the Sicily incident with the title "To the Shores of Sicily" authored by Lt. Blair Walliser, United States Coast Guard Reserve. I have pages 25-26 of the magazine, but no name of the magazine. Jack may have gone by the nickname "Red' because he had red hair. He was from Bluff Springs, Fl, and it doesn't even exist anymore as a mailing address. Anu info you have would be appreciated.
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