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Posts:
1
Registered:
4/29/08
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(1 of 7)
Apr 29, 2008 1:28 AM
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I accidentally stumbled on Battle 360 and was astounded to see that my dad's ship, the USS Smith, was predominantly featured in the episode on the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. I knew a little about it because of sketchy stories handed down mainly by my mother. My father was a pharmacist mate on the ship for all its many months in the Pacific. He never spoke of it. After the war he suffered emotional problems and for a time received a service-connected disability. However, he was able to return to a productive life and raised two children. I believe he was haunted by the horrible deaths of shipmates he and the ship's doctor tried to save. I have since shared the DVD with other family members. It has been a deeply moving experience. My dad died five years ago at the age of 86. I doubt he would have been willing to relive the tragedy of those awful times. Nonetheless, my grateful appreciation to the History Channel and the producers of such a magnificent program. It is a true tribute to those who served and suffered in the Pacific in World War II. Fred S., Rohnert Park, CA
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Posts:
48
Registered:
4/15/08
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(2 of 7)
Apr 29, 2008 8:08 AM
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THANK YOU FRED. mESSAGES LIKE YOURS HAVE TRULY MADE THIS PRODUCTION A SUCCESS. tHE sKIPPER PF uss smith really was hero of the day when he drove his little ship into the wake of another to put out the fire.
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Posts:
2
From:
Birmingham, AL
Registered:
7/26/08
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(3 of 7)
Jul 26, 2008 2:28 AM
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My Dad, George Phillips was also on the USS Smith. He and others put together the War Diary and the Wartime Cruise of the USS Smith DD 378 which records the Battle of Santa Cruz that you mentioned and and I would love to share the Dirary as well as some of the news paper stories and pictures with you if you are interested. My email address is tp355@aol.com
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Posts:
2
From:
Birmingham, AL
Registered:
7/26/08
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(4 of 7)
Jul 26, 2008 2:39 AM
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I saw your reply regarding the USS Smith's involvement in the Battle of Santa Cruz. My Dad, Chief Petty Officer George Phillips, was on the bridge that day. I can't imagine the horror the survivers witnessed that day and his account of that day was amazing.
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Posts:
1
From:
North Bay Ontrio Canada
Registered:
1/4/09
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(5 of 7)
Jan 4, 2009 3:55 PM
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I have been following the USS Smith story for some time and I am presently working on a manuscript. I was wondering if anyone new that thie were Canadian volunteer sailors on that ship. I was informed that there were three Canadians...Unlessmy sources are wrong?
In any case the men on this ship were strong hearted and hero's...to me any way!
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Posts:
1
From:
Mt. Olive, Alabama
Registered:
4/6/09
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(6 of 7)
Apr 6, 2009 2:07 PM
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My grandfather was on the USS Smith during WWII. His name was Charlie R. Bull. He volunteered at the age of 31 to fight for his country. I have his ships annual and a 45 pistol he bought from someone on the Smith. I live here in Brimingham and restore WWII jeeps. I am working on a NAVY jeep which I plan to stencil as it would be assigned to the USS Smith. He told me a few war stories towards the end of his life.
Ronnie Guin
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Posts:
48
Registered:
4/15/08
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(7 of 7)
Apr 11, 2009 10:08 AM
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Hello Ronnie. I am so glad TV Producers included USS SMITH
AS THAT WAS A TERRIBLE SURFACE BATTLE BY A FEW OF OUR SHIPS WITH A MAJOR ENEMY tASK fORCE. i WAS NOT IN ENTERPRISE at that time but many did see action by SMITH poke her bow into wake of SOUTH DAKOTA TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. aLL MESSAGES FROM FAMILIES OF SHIPMATES ON SMITH ARE MOST REWARDING. tHIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF DECISIVE nAVAL bATTLE OF gUADALCANAL 13-15 nOV 42 IN WHICH ENEMY SUFFERED LOSS OF MANY SHIPS INCLUDING 11 TR4OOP TRANSPORTS, aFTER NOON 13TH OUR ENTERPRISE PLANES BEGAN TO ARRIVE AND STRIKE AND THEN LAND AT hENDERSON FIELD AND ALL WORKED WITH CACTUS AIR FORCE IN ACTION 14TH. AND 15TH,.
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