Posted by GREG MARTIN on December 2, 2011, 3:26 pm
LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO SERVED ON THE JOHN HOWARD PAYNE DURING THE SALERNO LANDINGS.
Re: SS JOHN HOWARD PAYNE
Posted by Ron Carlson on December 5, 2011, 11:01 am, in reply to "SS JOHN HOWARD PAYNE" Message modified by board administrator December 5, 2011, 12:34 pm
Greg,
The Salerno landings took place between September 9 and September 21, 1943, I believe, or close to those dates.
Following is the list of the Armed Guard contingent aboard JOHN HOWARD PAYNE upon her return to New York City on October 15, 1943. This is very likely the same voyage during which the ship participated in the Salerno landings (for which the Armed Guard crew received a battle star). I assume you are interested in the Armed Guard crew rather than the merchant marine crew, although I can supply the latter if you need it.
I notice that the crew list includes a Lawrence William Martin, perhaps a family member of yours? He is listed as a signalman third class (SM3c), with a serial number (military ID number) of 620-88-91.
This information comes from a search of the subscription website Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com), which is more commonly used for genealogical research. However, Ancestry.com also includes databases listing the names of crew members and passengers who arrived at certain U.S. ports of entry following a foreign voyage. The records for New York are particularly extensive.
Unfortunately I have no knowledge of which of these men, if any, are still living, nor do I have contact information on any who may be alive. You might search the Social Security Death Index (https://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com) for the more unusual names to identify those who have likely died. You may also want to search an online telephone directory, such as www.whitepages.com, for more unusual names. Searching for common names will not be productive as so many individuals share those names.
Good luck.
Ron Carlson, Webmaster Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website www.armed-guard.com
Armed Guard crew aboard JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, departed Baltimore approx. May 6, 1943, arrived New York October 15, 1943
Salvatore Abate Vito Fred Agueci James Robert Allen John Rogers Alstadt Grant Herschelreth Anderson Gerard John Avoglia Wilfred Thomas Bancroft Carroll Wentz Bankert Albert Lawrence Barretto David John Benneche Joseph John Casanelli Jr. Edward John Czarnik Anthony D'Agostino Donald Thomas Darone Joseph Lawrence De Angelo Virgil Elwood de Nyke Frank Anthony Daleo Milton George Freeman Joseph Newton Gerber LT, Armed Guard commanding officer Jack Sydney Greenbaum LT(j.g.), Armed Guard officer Kenneth Adrian Kenny Lawrence William Martin
Edward Harold Mc Collum Collins Melten Medlin Dominick Mule Donald Andersen Ostrander LT(j.g.), Armed Guard communications officer Joseph George Peery Jerome David Pichoff James Alleyd Stanberry Charles Wilbur Stricklen Harland Edward Thompson Aydria George Watkies
I believe this ship was named after my Grand Uncle, John Howard Payne, a pilot who was K.I.A. over Naples in Jan. 1943. I was just thinking about him since yesterday was Memorial Day.
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE was completed by the Kaiser Permanente Shipyard #1, Richmond, CA, on September 30, 1942, at least three months before the death of your grand uncle of the same name. See http://shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/emergencylarge/kperm1.htm and scroll to hull number 490.
The ship was named after John Howard Payne (June 9, 1791 – April 10, 1852), an American actor, poet, playwright, and author who had most of his theatrical career and success in London. He is today most remembered as the creator of "Home! Sweet Home!"
But personally, I like your idea better. Your grand uncle was a brave man. They all were.
Best wishes.
Ron Carlson, Webmaster Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website www.armed-guard.com
Thanks for the info on my dad. He also served on the Ezra Meeker after leaving the John Howard Payne. Would it be possible to get a list of the armed guard crew on that vessel? It would have likely been in late 43 or 44 when he was assigned to the Ezra Meeker.
His name was Lawrence W. Martin and was a Signal Man Third Class (SM3) His id was 6208891