AG and MM Board

Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Morris Wiseman on June 29, 2010, 12:08 pm

Information posted on your web site re date of the collision of the subject troop ship and the French aircraft carrier Bearn is inaccurate. I know because I was a young member of the 78th infantry division in Hold #2 of the troop ship when it collided with the Bearn and killed 114 soldiers in Hold #1.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Avory on October 15, 2023, 4:32 pm, in reply to "Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

No idea if anyone is still watching this forum, but I am grateful to those who've shared information! I'd love to see any additional info folks have that can't easily be googled, and you can contact me at avory@avoryfaucette.com.

My maternal grandfather, Bruce Daniel (Dan) Sapp was on the McAndrew and I know he was a member of the Army Air Force though I can't figure out the unit at the time, since the letters I have from him unfortunately skip over the period from November 1944 to June 1945. However, I know that my paternal grandmother had quite a shock when my parents were getting married back in the 80s and she mentioned her brother, Army Private Walter Avory Buckles, Jr., who had died in the collision with the Béarn, and Grandpa told her that he'd been one of the men on that ship who survived and they were trying to help those they could. Wild connection! I assume my Grandpa, Dan Sapp, must have been in Hold 2 and my great uncle Walter Buckles was in Hold 1.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Peter Boccelli on January 1, 2018, 11:16 pm, in reply to "Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Any Armed Guards rember my father
Faustino Boccelli was on board when it got hit

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Steve Funderburk on December 5, 2017, 10:17 am, in reply to "Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My dad who is 91 was also aboard this ship when it collided with the French aircraft carrier Bearn. He was in Hold #2 of the ship the night of the collision. He was part of Company D18th infantry division. He still has vivid memories of that night at sea and all that transpired. It was only recently that he remembered the name of the ship.
Anyone with pictures of the ship before and after it collided with the Bearn I would appreciate emailing me a copy so I could share with my dad.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Julianna Miller on June 25, 2019, 12:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My dad , cpl, David Freightenburgh, 101st Divisipn,
He says he survived the collision because he didn't join in that night with the guys in the lower holds in a card game. He had many memories of that sad night til the day he died at age 92.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by MaryBeth Moss on March 14, 2017, 12:07 pm, in reply to "Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Could this ship have picked up my Uncle Gordon Fugee?

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by HMC Chuck Fugate USN Retired on April 30, 2016, 1:39 pm, in reply to "Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I am a volunteer with HOSPICE VET to VET program in Belleville Illinois and a Retired NAVY Corpsman. The Vet I am working with was a crew member of the J.W. McAndrew during WW II. He was a Quartermaster on board. Looking for information concerning the ship, crew, actions etc that may trigger conversation. He said his best memories were at sea. Any help I would be greatful. Thanks Doc Fugate HMC (SW) IDC

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Mark Pennartz on November 9, 2016, 9:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My father was wound near Metz Fr. His name was Conrad H. Pennartz. He was transported from South Hampton, England on 14 Feb, 1945 arriving Boston, Massachusetts 25 Feb, 1945. He was patially paralyzed below his waist and would have been able to get around with crutches.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by MaryBeth Moss on March 16, 2017, 12:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I believe the McAndrew may have rescued my uncle who was on the USS Roche on way to reinforce soldiers lost to the Battle of the Bulge. Private Gordon Fugee.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Jerry on August 14, 2014, 5:07 pm, in reply to "Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My Uncle was Bryan Turner and he was aboard the JW McAndrew and he was among the missing. I have a copy of the Case History for Remains Declared Non-Recoverable. Item 4 states that of the 81 Army personnel originally swept into the sea from the damaged hold of the transport, 13 were rescued by the escort vessels, reducing the final total of Army fatalities to 68. These casualties are the subjects of the instant case.
Did you know Bryan Turner?

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd AG Chrm on July 4, 2010, 6:12 pm, in reply to "Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I need all the accurate data on the sinking of the USAT J.W. MCANDREW. I have photo of damage
and I worked with the late Palie Mims who was a
soldier aboard at the time.
calloyd

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Dallas Allen on August 3, 2017, 3:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My wife's great Uncle James Eldon Coleman was one of the Army soldiers lost on this vessel. My wife's father told me about Eldon when his mother who was Eldon's sister died in 1989. I have always wanted to know more of the story and haven't been able to find anything on line until now. If it is possible to send me a copy the the photograph we would really appreciate it as we are working on Genealogy.
Dallas Allen, thanks dnd71478@comcast.net

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by C.A.LLOYD on August 4, 2017, 11:50 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

contact me
calloyd@nc.rr.com
919-570-0909
GOOGLE,USN ARMED GUARD WW II

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Walter Holy on February 13, 2016, 10:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

The ship did not sink but suffered much damage to
starboard bow area. I was in the upper hold and we were required to remain until the lower holds were vacated, in the event that the bulkhead would colapse and flood the lower holds.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by USN ARMED GUARD WW II on February 14, 2016, 10:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Walter Holy,
I almost overlooked your message. I went aboard in
Baltimore, Md. after the tragedy. All the crew threw their gear on deck and was ordered off the ship and taken several blocks until they removed some bodies of GIs, we were told, who had been trapped, sealed off and concrete place in the hole where the BERNE hit. Give address and Tel. # and I will get back in touch sometimes tomorrow.

Go to Google and type in: USN ARMED GUARD WW II
if you hadn't done it already.C.A. Lloyd 115 Wall Creek Dr., Rolesville, N.C. 27571 919-570-0909.
clloyd@nc.rr.com

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Henry cook on June 27, 2013, 2:22 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My grandfather died on this ship. His name was Clifford Nowak. Was wondering if you have picture of ship affter damaged

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd on June 27, 2013, 7:50 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Yes. I have several photos and story on the USAT
J.W. McANDREW if I can locate them. E-Mail me or
call USN Armed Guard WW II Veteran's number:
919-570-0909. What Army Unit was your Grandad in?
Charles A. Lloyd Chairman

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Jim Hildebrand on July 21, 2013, 9:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My father was in the 74th. field artillery. He was on the McAndrew. I need to find out where I can locate a framable picture of the shp.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Jim Hildebrand on July 21, 2013, 9:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My father was in the 74th. field artillery.I need to know where I can obtain a framable picture of the McAndrew. His name was Orson Hildebrand and was in the 74th. Field Artillery.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by C.A.LLOYD ARMED GUARD on July 21, 2013, 10:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

WAS HE ABOARD WHEN THE FRENCH AIRCRAFT RAMMED IT OFF THE AZORES? IF SO, I AM GLAD YOUR DAD SURVIVED, OVER 80 DIDN'T. I WAS ONBOARD AFTER
THEY REPLACED THE BOW AND WAS ON THE WAY FROM
THE MED AND ONE DAY OUT OUT THE ROCK, THEY DROPPED TO FIRST ONE AND WHEN THEY DROPPED THE
2ND ONE, WE BROUGHT THE 2800 TROOPS TO NEWPORT
NEWS VA.
E-MAIL ME.
CALLOYD
clloyd@nc.rr.com

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Jim Hildebrand on July 22, 2013, 10:33 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I don't know if he was aboard .The advanced detachment left France on 25 June 1945. Main body left France on 25 June 1945. His 74th. Field artillery book just gives the dates of return no ship name. .He was on the McAndrew sailing on 26 December 1944 with the batallian going overseas. I am interested in where I can purchase a good picture of the ship that I can hand with his military picture.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by C.A.LLOYD ARMED GUARD on July 22, 2013, 1:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

If you will send me an E-Mail address and mailing
address, I can help.
CHARLES A. LLOYD
115 WALL CREEK DRIVE
ROLESVILLE, N.C. 27571

clloyd@nc.rr.com
919-570-0909
usn.armed-guard.com

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Jim Hildebrand on July 23, 2013, 7:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My e-mail address is lawenforcement1941@hotmail.com and my address is 210 West 2nd street, Carroll, Iowa 51401

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Bernie Powell on March 27, 2012, 1:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I was an Infantry Replacement departed Staten Island for Germany about December 1945 aboard the J.W. McAndrews. We were 11 days to Le Havre. Never heard of ship's collision 9 mos. earlier at all. No damage noted or remarked during our crossing (?). The only "identification" we were ever provided about the ship was that she was "...converted banana boat out of New Orleans - once belonging to the Delta Line... (?). And I see (elsewhere) that at least one source refers to her later "sinking" - which is odd to me - as several sources note she was later broken up for scrap at Sparrows Point, MD (?). Rather confusing "documentation" or record here I suggest - would welcome any coherent chronology. Thank you!

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by William Aronis on August 16, 2011, 3:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I was on the JW at the time of the crash.. I was a replacement in the 101 airborne.
I was in the second bulkhead bottom deck when ship was hit.
Did not know name of ship at the time it took me 5 years on the Web to find it.
Dropped out of convoy went to Azore Islands about 10 days then a British ship took us to Liverpool.

Originaly from NYC now live in Kingston NY past 55 yrs.
Then took train to Southhampton finaly joined 101 at a town in France, Auxerre

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by bill on June 20, 2015, 12:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My father, 1Lt Spencer Walton A Company 506th PIR, was also on the same ship. He is deceased now, but would like to know if anyone in the discussion thread knew him.
Thanks,
Bill Walton

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Jerry on August 14, 2014, 5:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My uncle was on this ship. His name was Bryan Turner, Jr from Waverly, TN. Did you know him?

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Catherine Desmarais on March 13, 2014, 10:42 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Mr. Aronis, I'd love to speak to you. Can you email me at stonehouseresearch(at)gmail(dot)com? My mother's first husband was lost during this collision.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Roberta Niche on January 31, 2014, 9:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My dad, Philip Gibney, was also onboard as a 101st AB replacement. He says he was toward the stern, playing poker, when the collision happened.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Catherine Desmarais on March 13, 2014, 10:40 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My mother's first husband was lost on the J.W. McAndrew during this collision. I'd like to to talk to you - can you email me at stonehouseresearch(at)gmail(dot)com?

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Sharon on June 17, 2013, 11:48 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Anyone know Melvin Dingman

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Bonnie (B. J.) Bryan on September 9, 2011, 5:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My 2nd book is about the Armed Guard and the Merchant Marines they protected while delivering supplies to our allies AND the "Mac". I do not have your name as a survivor but located quite a few relatives and friends of those who died. If you'd like to check out the book, you can locate it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. I've sold some of the ones I ordered and will be having a book signing in a few weeks.
Unfortunately history is ot taught as it was in our youth so hopefully the history buffs will share with their young relatives.
Presently I send care packages to our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan, done this for almost 7 years and presently have 12 with 2 having been notified by their mothers their sons will be returning stateside in October so over the past 6+ years, we've mailed to 76 young men and women - 2 wounded, NONE killed!!!
God bless America. God bless us one and all.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Larry Baty on June 12, 2013, 4:10 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Add IVEN S. BIRD to your list of survivors. He is my uncle and I live with him now and he was on the ship when it was involved in the collision. He was one of the FOUR HORSEMEN from the 153rd Airborne. If anyone knows him please email me at larrybaty@mail.com.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Jerry on August 14, 2014, 5:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Did your uncle know my uncle-Bryan Turner

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Larry on August 14, 2014, 7:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

He says he doesn't remember.
He was known as one of the "Four Horsemen"
His name is Iven S Bird

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Michelle Freeman on July 10, 2015, 12:21 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

you said your uncle was in the 153rd airborne. My father was on the McAndrew during the collision. His name is Emil Konrath. He was in the 13th Airborne Division. He was HQ Battery for the 153rd antiaircraft battalion. Is this the same 153rd as your uncle. My father's airborne patch was a unicorn.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Michelle Freeman on July 10, 2015, 11:13 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Anyone out there from the 13th Airborne Division? Again the patch is a unicorn.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by CJ Fitzgerald III on October 17, 2016, 9:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My Dad, CJ Fitzgerald Jr, was 13th Airborne Division, 13th parachute maintainence. He must have been on the JW Mcandrew when the collision occurred as he told me the story multiple times but never called the ships by name. He passed on his 91st birthday last year.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Larry on July 10, 2015, 2:58 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I don't think his patch was a Unicorn. He passed away Oct 17, 2014 so I can't ask him.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Ron Carlson on July 16, 2015, 11:15 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

The uniform sleeve insignia ("patch") for the 53rd Airborne Division was indeed a unicorn. See http://www.ww2-airborne.us/18corps/13abn/13_overview.html or Google for other examples.

Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website
www.armed-guard.com

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Michelle Freeman on August 3, 2015, 11:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Ron,

Does a list exist with the names of all the servicemen that were aboard the McAndrew during the collision ? I have only found a list of those who parished.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Lori Keslar on January 31, 2021, 4:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My father, Larry Lorenzen, was aboard the McAndrew at the time of the collision. He passed away in 2010. My dad had told us the story and my son was able to track down the name of the ship.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Larry Baty on June 11, 2013, 5:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My living uncle was aboard the ship on the day of the collision and we are at the VA as I type this going over his record about this day. He says the number he was giving was 126 men lost.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Jerry on August 14, 2014, 5:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

The total was 68 Army fatalities. I have a copy of the paper work for my uncle Bryan Turner

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Larry on August 14, 2014, 7:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Ok, I will accept that number. He is 88 and not having a perfect memory. I read other accounts that it even was given a higher number from others. Thank you for correcting me.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by armed guard ww ii on August 25, 2011, 9:27 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Did you get POINTERS?
cal

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd Chrm on August 16, 2011, 9:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Get in touch with me and Bonnie Bryan who has written and published a book on the ship titled:"A SHIP THAT NEVER WAS".
calloyd

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd Chrm on August 16, 2011, 8:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Did you know of any of the troops killed? Did you
see the USN ARMED GUARD WEB SITE? We were the gun crews on the McAndrew. Sent telephone number and address. I will call and talk to you. The
Merchant Maries crew ran the ship. I got on it in Baltimore at the "LITTLE BROOKLYN" dry dock.
calloyd 919-570-0909 8 AM - 9PM
www.armed-guard.com

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Morris Wiseman on October 8, 2010, 3:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I boarded the J.W.McAndrew at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, along with elements of the 82nd Airborne and 78th Infantry division. Three days out after we joined a convoy in the Atlantic, during the night we struck the French aircraft carrier Bearn. More than 100 troops, all of whom were in Hold 1, were killed. Fortunately for me, I was in Hold 2. The next morning the rest of the convoy was nowhere to be seen. After lumbering along with a huge hole in our bow, we reached the Azores. The officers in charge refused to land or let anyone off the vessel, so we anchored in the harbor. However, each night troops would secretly climb down the anchor chain and swim to shore where there were lights and music. Finally the officers found out about what was happening and started to arrest troops that were preparing to swim ashore. That's when the mutiny started and merchant marine personnel appeared with weapons. After a stand-off between the troops and the merchant marine and officer personnel a deal was agreed to which involved permitting troops to go ashore in groups of ten with an officer in charge. Each trooper was given 3 escudos. About a week later a Britsh passenger ship arrived and we were transported to it by small craft and had to climb up rope netting on the side of the ship. The British ship took us to Liverpool from which we trained to Southampton, where we sailed to Le Havre.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by William Welch on August 22, 2013, 8:03 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My Father was on the J.W McAndrew when it was struck in the Atlantic. He was a replacement troop for the 82nd airborne. He's still around and describes how a Nazi flying boat would land in the harbour in the Azores as a mail plane while they watched from the shore. Many jeers and gestures were exchanged between the plane and troops.They keep very strict control of the troops while in the Azores.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Larry Baty on June 11, 2013, 8:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Morris,
Do you remember The Four Horsemen? Iven Sam Bird was one of them and he says he remembers your name.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Misty Pinette on June 6, 2012, 10:50 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Hello, I have a paper copy of this ship my father said he was on it and he had the original photo in the left hand corner it has 15 H.M.
c. 23.1q46 dont know what that means! Just wondering if anyone out there might have known my Dad Andy Ammermann,he was 82 airborne 1944-1946 re enlisted 1946-1947 and was in the 5th Air Vehicle Repair Sq. Erlangen, Germany. I am trying to figure out if he was coming or going and when.

Re: Troop ship "USAT J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd on October 8, 2010, 4:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

My brother and I, both USN Armed Guard, boarded the MCANDREW in Baltimore, Md. at what they called "LITTLE BROOKLYN" and we put our gear on board in the morning and all were given LIBERTY
and piled our gear on board and left and were issued chits for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We
found out later that the reason was there was bodies sealed in a compartment they had closed off to keep the ship from sinking. When we arrived, a new bow was already there and the next day, work began to remove the damaged part.
I have photos of the hole. One of the Armed Guard gunners was killed and they buried him at sea. Once repaired, we sailed to Newport News, Va. and picked up food and other supplies and
sailed to Marseille, France and picked up 2800
troops and headed for Japan. One day out, they dropped the first bomb and two days later, they
dropped the other one. Three days later, the Army Men raised hell to come home and the next day, they turned almost 90 degrees and they brought the troops in to New Port News and we made two more trips to Naples and Marseille to
bring back troops. All got off except two who
stayed aboard to take care of the guns until they could be removed. When they changed course and turned us to Newport News, we received orders and we threw all of the ammo over board.

Late in life as a Raleigh, N.C. Fireman, I stepped outside on a dark night with another
fireman, Pallie Mims and I made a statement that there was a lot of stars out and he said that that was nothing compared what you see at sea.
I said, "Pallie, I didn't know you a sailor" and he said, " I won't--I was Army" so I asked him
what ship did he go over on and I couldn't believe it when he said THE USAT J.W.MCANDREW.
I told him that I was on that ship and he asked if I was onboard when the French Aircraft Carrier BEARNE rammed the ship. I told him that
I went aboard later. He turned around and said, "C.A.,I can hear the boys all the time hollering to save them." He died two weeks later at a fire operating the pumper.
Charles A. Lloyd Chairman
USN Armed Guard WW II Veterans
115 Wall Creek Dr.
Rolesville, N.C. 27571
clloyd@nc.rr.com
www.armed-guard.com

Re: Troop ship "USAT J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Peter Boccelli on January 1, 2018, 11:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "USAT J. W. McAndrew""

My father was a signal man on the ship when it got hit he was a armed guard Faustino Boccelli
Alive in fl

Re: Troop ship "USAT J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Walter Holy on February 14, 2013, 5:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "USAT J. W. McAndrew""

Yes, the men in Hold one were hollering but the hatch had been closed and padlocked for fear that the ship could receive greater damage and lose a bulkhead possibly sink the ship or flood the lower compartments. I was in a bunk about 20 feet from the collision point. It deffinitly was a moment to remember. Two of us also were observers at the burial at sea for the Armed Guard.

Re: Troop ship "USAT J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Jerry on August 14, 2014, 5:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "USAT J. W. McAndrew""

Did you know Bryan Turner? He was my uncle.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd AG Chrm on July 6, 2010, 1:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I do apologize for the incorrect wording "data on the sinking". Why I put that is a mystery to me. "AGE"? I didn't read my response so I didn't catch it. Sorry about that. The mispelling of
"PALLIE" MIMS, orginally from Knightdale, N.C. should be corrected, also.
calloyd

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by ted muendel on November 27, 2010, 12:05 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Read the emails with interest. Going thru old photos and saw my dad on deck with the medical staff from the J W McAndrew. During the 1941 - 43 peroid, he was the transport surgeon on board and an Army Major at the time.

Would be interested in any vets who might remember him and could comment for his grandchildren. He died in 1980.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd on November 27, 2010, 8:47 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Click on www.armed-guard.com and then click on
POINTERS and read about the USN ARMED GUARD WW II who were the gun crew, signalmen and Radiomen
om board. I served on her after she was rammed by the French Aircraft BEARNE in early 1945. I would like to have any photos of the MCANDREW
and the crew. I put the POINTERS together for our crew. E-Mail me your mailing address and I will send some hardcopies of the POINTER which
has some stories on the ship. The medics did a great job and a great service to the war effort.
calloyd

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd on November 27, 2010, 9:28 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Contact me clloyd@nc.rr.com
calloyd 919-570-0909

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by ted muendel on November 27, 2010, 12:13 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

forgot to mention that my Dad was called "DOC" but his name was Harold John Muendel and at that time he lived in Dougleston NJ and disembarked out of Brooklyn.

Hopefully many of you still kicking will remember him on board.

I was born in 1942 when was at sea aboard the McAndrew.

Son, Ted Muendel

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd on November 28, 2010, 8:23 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

TED,
I AWAIT YOUR E-MAIL. THE USAT J.W.MCANDREW WAS
A FAST SHIP FOR IT'S DAY AND IT MADE IT THROUGH THE WAR. I WAS ON HER HEADED TO JAPAN WITH SOME
2800 TROOPS WHEN THEY DROPPED THE FIRST BIG BOMB.
3 DAYS AFTER THEY DROPPED THE LAST ONE, AFTER
THREATENED MUTINY, THEY CHANGED COURSE AND BROUGHT THE TROOPS TO NEW PORT NEWS, VA.. I
MADE 2 MORE TRIPS ON HER TO THE MED BRINGING
HOME TROOPS
LAST E-MAIL UNTIL I HEAR FROM YOU.
CALLOYD

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd on November 27, 2010, 11:57 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Did you get my response?
calloyd

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Morris Wiseman on July 6, 2010, 11:55 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I was aboard the J. W. McAndrew along with a buddy of mine, David Yerkes, when it collided with the French aircraft carrier. Our ship was severely damaged and as I indicated previously, most of the troops in Hold #1 were killed. Contrary to your statement, the ship did not sink. It was abandoned by the rest of the convoy and limped along until it reached the Azores, where the mutiny occurred.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Walter Holy on February 14, 2013, 5:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I was on the ship when it collided with the
French operated Carrier. The Convoy did depart and I recall seeing it disappear over the horizon with columns of smoke being the last we saw of the other ships. Two escort destroyers remained with us and circled our ship. I found out later that they were not aware of how many troops were in the water until approximately six hour had passed. They did pick up 13 survivors. We drifted for a period and finally went broadside to the swells and rolled, as I was told, to 44 and 1/2 degrees and had it gone to 45 degrees I probably would not be writing this.
They finally covered the hatches with Canvas and, again as I heard, pumped air into the holds to assist in keeping the lower bulkheads secure and not collapse.
We eventually limped into the Azores at Puenta Delgarda and remained for a few days.
There was no Mutiny at the Azores.
On about the 4th day in port a ship bound from Australia to Liverpool waited at the 3 mile limit for us to be shuttled on an Escort Destroyer to the ship, The DeNother Castle.
Upon arriving at Liverpool a minor dust-up with the troop Commander may have been seen as a Mutiny. Let me explain. We as a group of Paratroopers were a bit cocky and we had a countdown such as 48,49 and on 50 and all hollerd "Some shit". The troop Commander was making some comments, the subject I cannot recall, when someone gave the count. Immediately the troop commander drew his pistol , grabbed one of the troop and asked" Who said that" holding the pistol to the troopers head. As one, we surged forward with knives drawn confronting the troop commander. He hastily released the man holstered his pistol,Stated "this is the worst troop formation that he had ever encountered" and began to leave when someone again gave the count with 48. This may have been the Mutiny referred to in previous material.
It finally took five ships to get me to France and the war zone.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd on March 28, 2015, 12:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I wonder how many are still alive that was on the ship when rammed or served on her later when I did
or later. There is a book about her.
Charles A. Lloyd Chairman
USN ARMED GUARD WW II VETERANS
Rolesville, N.C. 27579
919-570-0909 3/28/15

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Walter Holy on October 26, 2015, 5:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I was an "Underage Veteran" having just turned 17 when the collision occurred. I am one of thousands who "beat" the system and entered service"illegally" Some men as young as 12 and some womwn as young as 13 when the legal age for women during WWII was 19 with a parents consent.

See OLDVUMS.Org and google my name "Walter Holy"

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Edgar MacArthur on April 11, 2015, 3:46 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I was on the McAndrew when it collided with the carrier. I was in the compartment directly behind the one that was hit. The sound of the carrier's bow grinding away over my head was pretty scary. We went up on deck and expected to be told to get into a lifeboat but fortunately the ship stayed afloat.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Walter Holy on February 14, 2013, 5:00 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I was on the ship when it collided with the French operated Carrier. The Convoy departed and I recall seeing it disappear over the horizon with columns of smoke being the last we saw of the other ships. Two escort destroyers remained with us and circled our ship. I found out later that they were not aware of how many troops were in the water until approximately six hours had passed. They did pick up 13 survivors. We drifted for a period and finally went broadside to the swells and rolled, as I was told, to 44 and 1/2 degrees and had it gone to 45 degrees I probably would not be writing this.
They finally covered the hatches with Canvas and, again as I heard, pumped air into the holds to assist in keeping the lower bulkheads secure and not collapse.
We eventually limped into the Azores at Puenta Delgarda and remained for a few days.

There was no Mutiny at the Azores.

On about the 4th day in port a ship bound from Australia to Liverpool waited at the 3 mile limit for us to be shuttled on an Escort Destroyer to the ship, The DeNother Castle.
Upon arriving at Liverpool a minor dust-up with the troop Commander may have been seen as a Mutiny.
Let me explain. We as a group of Paratroopers were a bit cocky and we had a countdown such as 48,49 and on 50 all shouted "Some shit". The troop Commander was making some comments, the subject I cannot recall, when someone gave the count. Immediately the troop commander drew his pistol , grabbed one of the troop and asked " Who said that" holding the pistol to the troopers head. As one, we surged forward with knives drawn confronting the troop commander. He hastily released the man holstered his pistol, and Stated "this is the worst troop formation that he had ever encountered" and began to leave when someone again gave the count with 48.
This may have been the Mutiny referred to in previous material.
It finally took five ships to get us to France and the war zone.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd AG Chrm on July 6, 2010, 1:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Mr. Wiseman,
I didn't know of a Mutiny at the Azores but I do
remember a threatened one the second day after the dropping of the second bomb and the unconditional surrender. I saw a soldier telling
the head Army "HONCHO", and I quote:
"Sir,the war is over and we will not go to Japan for we have done what we came to do and I have blown up things bigger than this ship and this ship will not go through the Panama Canal,Sir, do you hear!!" The next day we headed home. If
they ever did anything to the soldier, I don't
know but I am sure there were many who would have helped him. cal

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Charles A. Lloyd AG Chrm on July 6, 2010, 12:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I KNOW IT DID NOT SINK FOR I WENT ABOARD HER IN BALTIMORE, MD. AFTERWARDS AND THE PUT ANOTHER BOW ON HER AND WE WERE LOADED WITH 2,800 TROOPS
FROM NAPLES OR MARSEILLE AND HEADED FOR JAPAN
AND THEY DROPPED THE FIRST BIG ONE 1 DAY OUT AND
3 DAYS OUT AFTER THE 2ND ONE, THEY TURNED OUR
DESTINATION TO NEWPORT NEWS, VA. AND WE BROUGHT
2 MORE LOADS FROM THAT AREA BEFORE I AND THE
GUN CREW WAS REMOVED.
CALLOYD USN ARMED GUARD www.armed-guard.com

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by L Seevers on January 8, 2012, 1:08 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I have come across 14 photographs of this ship loaded with troops. No dates on the photos. Is this a good place to post them?

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Larry Baty on June 11, 2013, 8:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Can you email me the photos?
Larrybaty@mail.com

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Walter Holy on February 18, 2013, 11:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

It would be nice if you could post them to this site. Always interesting to see history of a ship I was on during the collision with the French ship.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Laura on November 2, 2011, 10:26 am, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I am doing a research paper on World War II. I attend Middle Tennessee State University and we have a memorial wall for soldiers who have attended here and passed away during war. In my history class my teacher assigned names that were on that wall during WWII and on that wall is Bryan Turner Jr. I received his name. However, according to the wall, he died in Azores in 1944???

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Ron Carlson on June 29, 2010, 1:55 pm, in reply to "Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

I would like to correct any errors that may be on the Armed Guard website, but I am unable to find a page that gives a date, correct or incorrect, for the collision between MCANDREW and BEARN.

Could you identify the page on which you found the error? (The Armed Guard website has thousands of pages so finding a particular piece of information can be very difficult if its location is not identified.)

Thanks.

Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard website
www.armed-guard.com

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Walter Holy on February 13, 2016, 10:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

The collision occurred at 0420 hours on the 13th of March, 1945 as per a Navy report I received.

Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew"

Posted by Patricia Overman on January 20, 2017, 6:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Troop ship "J. W. McAndrew""

Hello, I am wanting to document the information about the J. W. McAndrew. One of the WWII Glider Pilots from our Association was on the ship when it was struck. I would like to add to his record any information that is available about this accident. Many from the Advanced glider flight class 44-16 were on that ship headed for the ETO to fly in the Varsity Operation.

I appreciate any help you may be able to give me. Thank you.

Kind regards,
Patricia Overman
National WWII Glider Pilots Assoc. Inc.
National Wing Commander/Web Administrator &
Member NWW2GPA, Inc Research Team whose purpose is to provide and preserve Glider Pilot and Troop Carrier information in order to perpetuate the memory of those men, their service to country, and to keep alive the information of the relatively unknown glider program of WWII.
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/NationalWW2GliderPilotAssociation
website- http://www.ww2gp.org/

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