USS IDAHO PRIDE - Dedicated to the Crew of the USS Idaho

12.16.19 - George Edward Beck

Dear Dave: Attached are my Dad's discharge / separation papers, please note he was in the crew of the Idaho, among others, not sure of the dates of service aboard, but I do know he had the extra heavy insulated canvas winter wear. We used them in the Virginia snow, all the other kids went home frozen, we kept playing, guess that came in handy when station was Aleutian Islands, best I could do to narrow it down. My father passed in 1972, age 55. Unfortunately we never talked of his war time experiences like many veterans of that era. I would like to have him added to the roster if appropriate. Thank you sincerely, please advise.

Highest regards,
Dave Beck

12.12.19 - Seeking USS Idaho crew members for the recommissioning of the new USS Idaho

Dave: My name is Richard Fife. I am a retired Lieutenant Commander (submarines) and I reside in the rural community of Blaine County, Idaho. I currently serve on the commissioning committee for the new USS IDAHO, a submarine that is under construction at the General Dynamics Shipyard in Groton, CT.

I am very impressed with your website for the "Big Spud" and have several questions.

Do you have any information relating to a Navy Officer James Fife having served onboard the battleship most likely between WW1 and WW2? He was a Naval Academy graduate that served in submarines before and during WW2.

Would you have any name and contact information on USS IDAHO crew members that are still living? We would like to recognize these veterans during the 2023 commissioning week for the new ship.

As a Commissioning Committee we have plans to build a website in support of the new ship and to a future USS IDAHO Association. Would it be appropriate to link to two sites?

Please consider being a historical resource in support of the Commissioning Committee or if you would prefer a member of the committee.

Best Regards
Richard Fife
LCDR USN (SS) (Ret)

Phone: (208) 260-0364
Send Email

Rear Admiral James R. Fife, Jr. USN (1918 - 1955)

[Read More]

[CLICK HERE TO READ]

Resource: The Navy Department Library "United States at War"
by Fleet Admiral Earnest J. King

09.09.19

Mr. Roye,

In July, 2013, I communicated with you that my father, Raymond Warden, died on August 30, 2012, at the age of 90. He was forever proud of his service in the US Navy, and especially to have had the privilege of serving aboard the USS Idaho, BB-42. You expressed your sympathy, and said that you would be glad to add Dad's picture and obituary to the USS Idaho Tribute website. I apologize for the lateness of my reply, but please find his picture attached to this email and a copy of his obituary below.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your kind attention and condolences. I appreciate you adding my Dad to the Idaho Tribute website. It means a great deal to me and my family.

Kind regards,
Linda Warden-Burglund

Raymond E. Warden Obituary

DERRY, NH - Raymond E. Warden, 90, of Derry, NH, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, in Parkland Medical Center.

Mr. Warden was born in Neptune, N.J. on March 31, 1922, a son of the late William L. and Mary E. (Stewart) Warden. He had resided in Derry for the past 38 years, formerly living in Neptune, N.J. During World War II, he served with the US Navy aboard the battleship USS Idaho in the Pacific. Mr. Warden was a member of the American Legion Lester Chase Post 9 in Derry, NH.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife of 66 years, Edna C. (Henry) Warden of Derry; two daughters, Mary Flint and her husband, Bill, and Linda Warden-Burglund; four grandchildren, Laura Pawlyk and her husband, Jay, Nancy Burglund, David Burglund and his wife, Sheila, and Michael Burglund; four great-grandchildren, Brianna, Julia, Daniel Raymond and Taylor; his sister-in-law, Marie Henry; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, two sisters, and by his daughter, Jane Ellen.

He is buried in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH.

07.29.19

Dear Sir,

I am writing to thank you for creating and maintaining the USS Idaho memorial website for the crew. My paternal great uncle, Stephen Booth McKinney was assigned as Captain of this great battleship in 1939, but he is not in your crew member list. Please see link below for evidence:

[http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/014281.jpg]

There was also life magazine article about him. Here is a link with his picture walking the deck:

[http://navsource.org/archives/01/042/014200c.jpg]

Please add him to your list.

Very Respectfully,

Joe Lacey
Hartselle, AL


US Navy Captain Stephen Booth McKinney - USS Idaho 1939 to 1947

03.06.2019

Dear Sir, My father Henry John Talsma served from 1944 to 1946 as S1c.. He passed from this world on 3/4/2005 Thank you for your service and the memorial page.

Analee M. Moore

03.06.2019

Carl Edmond Spicer was my grandfather. I believe he was on the Idaho from 12/31/20 to 06/30/24.

Donna

03.01.2019 - Jack Edward Thomas

Dave,

My father, Jack Edward Thomas, served on the Idaho. I believe he served on the Idaho between the years 1939 - 1943. I can remember him telling about how the Idaho was in the North Atlantic when Pearl Harbor was attacked.

I am in the process of obtaining records from United States Navy. If you have suggestions on how to obtain his service record promptly, I would appreciate it very much.

Jack Thomas

Request form for WWII to present military records

To request records for anyone serving from WW1 to present, download request form below. It can be mailed in, faxed in or submitted online.

Click here download form

02.26.2019

Hi Dave,

My father was on the USS Idaho '42-45’ he was a pro fighter and trained some fighters while on the ship but he couldn’t fight because he was a pro he was also a baker on the ship. He just passed away Jan 10 (2019) at 94 yrs old. But going thru his stuff we came across a diary of one of his buddies C H Bonner and we would would like to contact the family so we can return this diary. Do you think you can help? My fathers name was Johnny M Dell'Italia or John...Thx

Regards,

John Dell'Italia

Johnny M Dell'Italia

12.30.2018

Hello Dave,
I was hoping to have my grandfather's name (LeRoy Perkins) added to the Idaho crew roster. He served aboard the Idaho from 1934-1941. I've attached a copy of his previous membership card from the USS Idaho Association. Please let me know if you need any additional information.

Thank you,

Rob

11.10.2018 - USS Idaho crew member, Samuel Serfilippi Hello Dave, I was hoping you could add my grandfather, Samuel Serfilippi, to the USS Idaho Ship Roster on the memorial website. I have attached a few documents and photos of relevance. The first is my grandfather's separation papers from the Navy which shows his service on the USS Idaho under item 24, Service (Vessels and Stations Served On). I have included a photo of him from 1944 in uniform as well as his Metalsmith 1st and 2nd Class emblems. Next is a photo of his marriage to my grandmother taken on 5 Nov 1944 in Cohoes, NY, while he was on a brief leave. The sailor all the way to the right in that photo was another USS Idaho crewman, Peter Waz ... he was also from my grandfather's hometown, Cohoes, and served as his best man for his wedding. The last photo is one of my grandfather and an unknown sailor taken on board the ship ... I included it in case you may somehow know who the unidentified sailor is. Please let me know if you need any further information or documentation in order to add him. I appreciate your help. Thanks, Matthew Magin
Hayden-Serfilippi Wedding - Nov 05, 1944 Peter Waz, best man on the right was also on board the USS Idaho

10.19.2018 - Email from Pat Matzke

My father spent considerable time on the Idaho. John J. Matzke USMC.

He was on the Idaho in Hawaii about 6 months before Pearl Harbor and they received orders to head to the North Atlantic.

Pat Matzke

09.20.18 - Request form for WWII to present military records

To request records for anyone serving from WW1 to present, download request form below. It can be mailed in, faxed in or submitted online.

[Click here download form]

Many thanks to Wesley Braswell,for his kind offer to help with this.

09.15.18 - Email from Joe Rein

Hi!

My name is Joe Rein and the attached picture was taken in 1919 in Philadelphia. The 2 year old boy with the sailor suit and USS Idaho hat is my father Joseph J Rein Jr. and his mother Caroline Rein.

[View Original Photo]

My grandfather had been discharged from the Navy in 1918 after serving 4 years mostly in the Panama Canal Zone. He was a Chief Petty Officer and ran a radio station there. Since the USS Idaho was commissioned in 1919 perhaps with my grandfather being a Navy Veteran I'm thinking they might have attended the ceremony and bought the hat there.

Just thought I'd send you the picture after looking on the USS Idaho website.

Thanks for your service(I was Army and my father in the picture retired as a Major in the Army)

Joe Rein

09.15.18 - Email from Wes Braswell

Good Afternoon,

My name is Wesley Braswell. My Great Great Uncle Leon Lee Riggs Served on the USS Idaho as a telegrapher from rougly May 1945 - decommissioning.

I would like to contact William A Gardner if he is still living, and see if he remembers my family member.

I would also like to contact your patrons, that if they would like to request the full records of any vets of the Idaho, the national archives center in St. Louis has all those records available.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Wes Braswell
Waterloo, IL.

08.18.18 - Email in regard to Samuel Funkner

Dave,

My mother-in-law and step-father-in-law have been living in an independent living cottage at Cross Keys Village Brethren Home near Hanover PA. We recently have been going through elder care issues with them and have been going through papers to get them straightened out. They may be transitioning into a continuing care situation, but they are fighting it tooth and nail, bless their hearts! Pop is 92 years old.

Yesterday we came across Pop's separation papers from the Navy. He was in the Navy from December 1943 (inducted) until April 1946. He was a S1c (QM). Apart from tech school in San Diego, he served only on the USS Idaho.

His name on the separation papers is Samuel Funkner. He now goes by Funner -- the whole family apparently changed the name in 1946 to normalize it. He was born in Oct 1925 -- he was inducted into the Navy six weeks after his 18th birthday.

Pop has never talked that much about his service in the Navy. If he ever mentioned the name USS Idaho, I missed it. When I saw it on the separation papers, I googled it and immediately came to your website and to the facebook page. I want to thank you so much for organizing this. it is a wonderful thing you do.

I printed out the current crew list off the webpage and had my wife Ruella give it to him when she went up to visit today. He perked up to hear the name USS Idaho and when she asked him if he wants his name on the crew list, he enthusiastically said "YES!"

We'll work on him and see if we can get him to tell us more about his time on the Idaho. Any suggestions for questions we might ask him would be appreciated. We'll try to get him to sit and look at the pictures on the facebook page and see how he reacts. It's all very emotional I'm sure.

Thanks again for all you do,

John Barnes
Elkridge, Maryland

07.18.18 - Norman L. Lavielle

Dave,

My name is Lewis Dean Lavielle and I have always wished I had asked my father to talk about his service in WW II before he died in 1959. Can your website provide me with resources to find more information about me father’s service in WW II?

Lewis

01.01.18 - John C. Wynn

Good afternoon Dave,

My name is John S. Dunlap, I am a grandson of John Carl Wynn who served on the USS Idaho during WWII. I have some info that may be helpful.

Rate: BM1c (T) V6 USNR

Enlisted 1/13/42 as USNR for three years and placed on active duty immediately.

Date reported to USS Idaho 2/25/42

Crossed Equator 11/15/43 bound south

1/12/45 - Enlistment normally would have expired this date. Is extended for a period of not longer than six month (6) months after the termination of war, in accordance with Alnav 155-41. G.H. Juergens, Ship's clerk USN

While attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. Idaho (BB-42), participated in the following operations:

* 5/11/43 to 5/15/43 - Bombardment and capture of Attu Island in the Aleutians (Naku? Island)

8/15/43 to 8/16/43 - Bombardment and capture of Kiska Island

* 11/20/43 to 11/23/43 - Bombardment and capture of Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands

* 1/31/44 to 2/5/44 - Bombardment and capture of Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Group
2/20/44 to 2/21/44 Bombardment of Maloelap and Wotje Atolls in the Marshall Islands

3/20/44 - Bombardment of Caving in the Bismarck Archipelago

* 6/14/44 to 6/15/44 - Bombardment and capture of Saipan Island in the Marianas Group
6/16/44 Bombardment of Guam

7/12/44 o 7/26/44 - Bombardment ad capture of Guam in the Marianas Group

* 9/12/44 to 9/20/44 - Bombardment and capture of Palau Islands in the Western Carolines

* 2/16/45 to 3/7/45 - Bombardment and capture of Iwo Jima Island in the Volcano Group

* 3/16/45 to 6/20/45 - Bombardment and capture of Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyus Group

(*) Operation for which one star is authorized R.N. Downes Comdr. USN

Participated in the surrender of Japan in the Tokyo Bay area on 2 September 1945 on board the USS Idaho, a unit of the third fleet.

9/21/45 - transferred this day to the staging center, Pearl Harbor, FFT - Interviewed and does not desire to reenlist in the regular Navy.

9/15/45 has 49 points computed in accordance with ALNAV 252-45 Serving outside continental limits of the U.S. on 3/20/44

Completed 3 years 8 months and 13 days

Entitled to wear:
Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Ribbon
American Area Campaign Ribbon
R.N. Downes

Thank You,

John S. Dunlap

Big Guns! Navy Training Film on Battleship Main Gun Operation and Firing

12.07.17 - Email from William A. Gardner

Dave: Your website has just come to my attention, courtesy of my dear friend Roberta.

I served as "M" Division officer on the Idaho from July 1944 thru decommisioning in May 1946. I have several photos which may be of interesting, including an "M" Division group with names,one of whom could be Lester Smith.

I am 97 and healthy, living in an independent retirement facility. All my family has settled in NC, including son and daughter, 4 grands and 8 great grands. To make my life the greatest, I have met Roberta here. Our apartments are near one another, which cuts down driving at night.

Would you like to borrow my stuff? I am not computer literate, so would rely on the USPS. Let me know. I think what you are doing is great.

Lt(JG) William A Gardner, USNR
now just plain
Bill Gardner

USS Idaho
William A. Gardner Lt(lg) USNR Norfolk Shipyard - Spring 1946 Officer of the Deck (Note the sidearm)	William A. Gardner Lt(lg) USNR

William A. Gardner (Standing 7th from left) - Summer 1945
USS Idaho - July 1945 - Leyte Gulf, Phiippines (L to R) Lt (jg) Art Karam, Lt John Longfield (Ass't Engineer Officer), Comdr. W.C. Shofield (Engineer Officer), Ch. Mech S.O. Drayton, Lt (jg) William A. Gardner
USS Idaho - In floating drydock Guam - for kamikaze damage repair - May 1945

11.12.17 - Email from Matt Wilmot: USS Idaho "Order of the Day 04/28/1941

I'm not sure if you would seen have seen this document yet or not, but I wanted to send these photos to you. I purchased this document at a yard sale several years ago and have since had it framed. This is the "ORDER OF THE DAY" for the USS Idaho while it was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the date of 4/28/1941. This provides a detailed list of duties, including names. Please let me know what you think if you have a chance.

11.07.17 - John J. Curley, Jr.'s Navy Ordinance book

Hi Dave. I just came across this Naval ordinance book from my late fathers library that you might find interesting. I noticed that on the 1st page it was inscribed with the information in the attached photos. My father was never on the Idaho as far as I know, but he did serve in the Air force at the end of WWII on Okinawa as a B-29 maintenance technician. Maybe you could post the photos on the website to see if anyone else can shed any light as to whom John J. Curley Jr. was? He certainly had great penmanship! I ave found a reference to that name in a Google search here.

Hope you find this of interest.
Bill Spivey

10.11.17 - USS Idaho Crew List

Hello,
Am writing to ask you to please add my Dad to the USS Idaho’s ship list on your site.
Wallace Monroe Martin (1921 - present) was on the Idaho from mid 1941, for at least most of a year. They were in Iceland when Pearl Harbor was struck. He has always told the story of having to dump the decking overboard, because a lot of the death/injury to the men at Pearl Harbor came from the decking turning into shrapnel. Dad still talks about the clear old oak, 2 inches thick laying at the bottom of the fiord.

Dad was the “Captain’s Talker” back then (not sure what the official title was). I also know that the Idaho was part of the convoy for Canadian merchant ships. Dad always told about one Canadian ship having some sort of engine issue making them slower than convoy speed. Eventually, the convoy saw the ship left behind get blown up by an U boat.
An aside -Based on a couple comments Dad made years ago, I think there is a pretty good chance that the Idaho was used in the US stationing of marines in Iceland pre-WWII.

The USS Idaho made it to Pearl Harbor one month after. Dad says the harbor was still covered in a foot of oil. And he always complained that when they got shore leave, the “stupid” officer had ordered dress whites to be worn. By the time they got to shore, they were all covered in oil spots. Dad griped for decades about having to buy new dress whites, for $3!, due to that stupid officer.

Anyway, will look through his photos and send them along to you soon.
Thank you for your site!
Becky Peck

09.21.17 - Remembering Floyd "Toby" Reynolds Hello, my name is Kellie Reynolds. My Grandfather was Floyd “Toby” N. Reynolds. He served on the USS Idaho from 1944-1946. I do not know his rank or what he did on the ship. I believe he may have been part of the gunnery crew? He is not listed on the crew roster and I would like to have him added please. You do have a photo on your website of him already. He is in the thread dated 11.10.11 with James Moulds. In the picture with the 4 men. My Grandpa is the one furthest to the left with his hand in his jacket. Sadly, my Grandpa has passed on. He passed away March 5, 2015. Thank you for your dedication to our service members in memorializing them. I have attached some photos I have of him as well. Please let me know any information you may have or can find regarding his rank and what he did while on Big Spud. Sincerely, Kellie Reynolds
08.08.17 - Another shipmate added to the crew list. My father Lester Smith served as a Machinist Mate during WW2. I know he was on Board in 1944 and 1945. But I don't know if he was aboard prior. Here is a sketch of him from the time. Gerald Smith

06.09.17 - New mail from Craig Ricketts: Dave, I found some of these when going through my Dad’s stuff after his passing. He was on the USS Idaho at the end of the war and was asked to design an official envelope for this special day. I’m attaching his photo, the teletype authorizing the envelopes, and the memo to my Dad requesting he design one. I have several of these that are post marked on the USS Idaho on VJ day (but not addressed, that I’d be honored to share with any surviving Veterans that may like to have one. Let me know. Best regards, Craig Ricketts - Send Email

Those Who Served: 'We were green as grass'

Mon, 10.17.16 - Paul Wood

PHILO — Harold Thomas saw a kamikaze plane up close as it rammed into the USS Idaho, and survived with only some hearing loss.

He served in the Marines in the South Pacific, including Okinawa and Iwo Jima.

A farm boy who was too busy with chores to play sports at Tuscola High School, Thomas, now 90, made it into the Marines almost by chance.

He had been drafted into the Army right out of high school and was on his way to serve with a couple of friends when they ran into a Marine recruiter.

The recruiter said that if they joined the Marines, the friends could stay together.

“We were green as grass,” Thomas says now. “He had a quota to fill, and we never did see each other again.”

[READ MORE]

07.27.16 - In the mail - Joe H. Adame


[Click on images to enlarge]

05.30.16 - In the mail - "Sons of a Sailor" from Joe Bornhorst

Dave,

I happen to stumble onto your website ... Really interesting!

I am a bit familiar with the USS Idaho as my father served on the ship ... Ralph Bornhorst.

I noticed his photo on one of the group photos ... and I saw on the crewlist his rank is unknown. I will seek out that data and send it to you.

He is 94 and still lives on the farm in a small town of McCartyville, Ohio.
I have forwarded the website to him and I look forward to talking with him soon and helping him, per your request, to submit a few stories, photos, etc.

I do have one photo, (see attached)… I had this painting made 15 + years ago…with myself (in the yellow shirt) and my two sons. Jason (Blue shirt, and Zachary, Red shirt) ...the title of the painting.. Sons of Son of a Sailor… was selected after the famous song written sang by Jimmy Buffet.

The flags across the top of the painting is Navy code for BORNHORST.

I used a photo he had received from the USS Idaho navy days.

(Click on photo to Enlarge)

I also included a video of his 94 the birthday celebration:

~ USS Idaho Sailor Ralph Bornhorst's 94th birthday ~

Feel free to add the photo and/ or video to the website if you feel it has merit..

On this Memorial Day!

I would like to thank you for having the vision to create this website… and the numnerous hours spent assembling the stories and information. well done !

Joe Bornhorst
Son of a proud sailor!

11.11.15 - In the mail "USS Idaho Bell"

My name is SFC William J Brewer US ARMY & IDARNG (RET)

Approximately five years ago while working on a HMMV for the Marine reserve I walked in the Naval reserve center at Gowen Field and noticed the bell in the entry way of the USS Idaho and was blown away to see it in person. I had read the book the thousand mile war a Bantam war book that discussed some of the actions of the USS Idaho fighting the Japanese on American soil in Alaska and being a fifth generation Idahoan and being a combat veteran I studied up a bit on the USS Idaho with supreme pride. It was to my great shock the marines there had not a clue what they had next to their office as I had walked in their front door to see such a great Idaho war veteran of world war two with great excitement. They were baffled by my passion for it and I asked them all to read up on what they had. To see it and to know some of its history made my chest grow out with supreme pride! Hopefully the marines there have learned from this encounter otherwise it should be moved to the state house or the Idaho Military History Museum.

The U.S.S. Idaho and its Sailor’s are some of the greatest veteran’s of our state!

SFC William J Brewer (RET)

11.10.15 - James M Moulds USS Idaho (1943-1946)

08.03.15 - James Dale Sullivan recollects of times on the USS Idaho. (The News-Gazette)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

06.09.15 - Russll J. Miller

Russell J. Miller - Chief Gunners Mate on Tartu 2 - U.S.S Idaho


Walter Bruce Nelson U.S.S Idaho - 8th Division 40MM

04.27.15 - Wishing A WWII Vet A Memorable ‘Honor Flight’

Sonora, CA – Still spunky at 94, retired Mother Lode resident and World War II vet Harry Roberson will be shortly heading aloft on a whirlwind flight honoring his service to the nation.

The opportunity came via a family member, who had learned of the nonprofit Honor Flight group’s mission to provide veterans, particularly those remaining survivors of WWII, to reflect and visit at their memorials and reminisce with their contemporaries. The veterans are transported with guardians via chartered flights that are accompanied by medical staff. Roberson’s flight will be departing from Fresno Airport on April 27; accompanying him on the two-day tour will be grandson-in-law and amateur WWII historian Tony Cunha. [Read More]

Harry Roberson, USMC - USS Idaho

Dec 1940 -Dec 19

Combat Zone: The ‘Hell on Earth’ That Was Iwo Jima

By Suzy Hopkins

On a wind-whipped morning in February 1945, 24-year-old Marine Sgt. Harry Roberson hunkered in a half-track churning across a black-sand beach at the base of Mt. Suribachi, his pulse racing.

He and fellow soldiers in the 3rd Marine Division had already fought the Japanese on Guam, 700 miles to the south. But for Roberson, that jungle fight would pale in comparison to what lay ahead on the tiny volcanic island of Iwo Jima – “Sulfur Island.”

The Marines’ mission: seize the island and its three airfields from the Japanese, who used it to launch kamikaze raids. In the critical final months of the war, the newly captured Iwo Jima would prove to be a strategic U.S. base for attacks on mainland Japan and serve as a lifesaving landing site for crippled U.S. bombers. [Read More]

Francis M. Toale, 97, of Independence Iowa died February 8, 2015 at the ABCM Rehabilitation Center’s East Campus in Independence, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Thursday at St. John’s Catholic Church, Independence, Iowa with Msgr. Thomas Toale presiding. Burial will be in the St. John’s Cemetery, Independence, IA. Friends may call from 3 to 8 PM Wednesday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, IA, and from 9 AM till services Thursday at St. John’s Church. A parish wake service will be held at 3 PM followed with a rosary at 4PM and a military memorial service will be held at 7PM Wednesday at the funeral home.

Francis was born on December 20, 1917 in Independence, Iowa the son of Mark and Teresa (Gibbons) Toale. He attended country school, and later served in the US Navy on the battleship USS Idaho from 1942-1945. He was proud of his service to his country. He was very active in the local community having been past VFW commander and American Legion. He proudly traveled in the Honor Flight to Washington DC in May 2010.

Francis was a lifelong farmer on his family farm and had been an Iowa Master Farmer, and a Master Pork Producer. Other community involvement included being a 4-H leader, township trustee, and ASCS board member. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence, served on numerous councils and boards, and was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.

He married Clara Ramona DePaepe on April 28, 1947 in Independence, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife Clara, six children Rosemary (Ron) Engelhardt of Elkader, IA, Richard (Ann) Toale of Independence, IA, Roger Toale of California, Msgr. Thomas of Dubuque, IA, Don (Marty) Toale of Independence, IA, Sue (Tom) Knapp of Des Moines. IA, 18 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Eileen DePaepe.

Memorials may be directed to the Francis M. Toale Memorial Fund, % BankIowa, 231 1st Street E., Independence, IA 50644

01.05.15

Hi Dave,

Our father, William M. Klein, served on the USS Idaho from February 1943 to November 1945. Along with our keeping a trove of his wartime personal letters to his family and memories of his rare stories of his service during our childhood, we were of late excited to read his name on the ship’s logs, as captured in William Schumann's “The Big Spud,” on pages 164, 174, 196 and 214. Dad was assigned as an ensign, promoted shortly thereafter to lieutenant and sometime near his discharge, lt. commander. He returned to his home town of Kansas City, MO and married Audree Milgram in 1951, with whom he raised four sons. He continued a life of civil service in committing his time to countless community organizations and led Milgram Food Stores, a midwest grocery chain, as its CEO and then Chairman of the Board, until his death in 1979.

After years of periodically searching the web and family scrapbooks for mementos of our father’s service, it’s been a thrill to find and pour through the USS Idaho Pride website and as a result, view a photo of Dad on duty. As well as we can determine and with a good amount of certainty, he is second row from front, second man from left in a large group photo shown in the May 19, 2007 Bulletin Board posting, sent by Mike Swift, link: http://www.nrvhost.com/uss_idaho/05-19-07.html. We would deeply appreciate the opportunity to have Dad listed among his fellow crewmen on the USS Idaho Pride Crew Members page.

Thanks to you and all those responsible for “USS Idaho Pride" for the thought and effort that has made it possible to connect us more closely to one the most remarkable and least seen endeavors of our father's life, and to have a fuller perspective of what makes us so proud and humble as descendants of these Americans.

Best regards,

Nat Klein, La Jolla, CA

Jim Klein, Overland Park, KS

Rob Klein, Needham, MA

* John (Jack) Van Horn's personal diary

~ Many thanks to Jack's son, (Jim Johandes) for sharing ~

Joseph M. Jesse Lesko

To you who answered the call of your country and served in its Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of a grateful Nation. As one of the Nation's finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefullness and calm judgement necessary to carry out that task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace.

~ Harry Truman ~

~ Jesse Lee Batson Obituary ~
(Nov 28, 2013)

08.25.14 - John Frank Jaroszewski (USS Idaho 1919 - 1923)

(Click on images to enlarge)

John Frank Jaroszewski

* John Frank Jaroszewski (1919 - 1923)

Dear Sir,

While doing some research for my son, a DC2 on the USS Wayne E Meyer, regarding his great-grandfather, I ran across your USS Idaho website.

My son was asking for me to figure out what ship his great-grandfather was on when a picture of him was taken on deck while in port in Hong Kong.

I have Grandpa Jaroszewski's Continuous Service Certificate and the Idaho was his first ship. He was assigned to the Idaho on June 30, 1919 with Rate at enlistement of "A.S." on July 1, 1919 the next day his Rate of Enlistment was "Sea 2c". He would be leave the Idaho a "Sea 1c" on July 15, 1921 and join the USS Wyoming on Sept 30, 1921.

On his Continuous Certificate Record, it lists him as "JOHN FRANK JAROSEFSKI" However, the family spelling of the last name is Jaroszewski. He entered the service on Feb 10, 1919 and was honorably discharged on Jan 18, 1936 at the rate of SF1c. Grandpa J was recalled to active duty on April 6, 1942 and finally retired on Sept 10, 1945 as a Chief Ship Fitter.

I know my husband's family would love for him to be included on the USS Idaho's crew registry.

I've included a picture of Grandpa J in Hong Kong and a copy of the page showing his service on the USS Idaho.

Thank you for your consideration.

Gratefully,

Kathe Gunther

Jack Van Horn, Top row fourth from left.

08.22.14 - John (Jack) Van Horn

Hello Dave,

My name is Jim Johandes. My father John (Jack) Van Horn served aboard the Idaho during WWII. If you would like an interesting story of the USS Idaho ... click on the photo below!

~ February 11, 2014 ~

* Mail Call from the Crew
* Photo Albums of Ryle Johnson

Many thanks to 95-yr old USS Idaho crew member, Ryle Johnson, for sharing his photo albums. I called him a couple of months ago and he and his brother had just taken a cruise together to celebrate his brother's 100th birthday. It's always great to hear from one of the crew of the "Big Spud". I still receive about 10 or more emails a month from family and friends of the USS Idaho crew, but when I get to chat with the ones who served our country in WWII, it really makes my day.

I just received this special email in regard to John Huey who not only served on the USS Idaho, but helped build it when he worked in the naval ship yard before joining the US Navy. Tom Williams writes:

Hello Dave,

A man at our VFW was on the Idaho but doesn't show up on the crew list. He was a
GM2c on a fifty caliber. He served onboard in 44, 45, and 46. He carries a purple heart from Okinawa. John is 87. Thank you in advance for your help getting him on the crew list.

John worked on the Idaho before joining the Navy, as a welder. He welded his initials on the bow below the water line. After boot camp, he was assigned to the same ship. His shipmates didn't believe him till BB42 went to dry dock after Okinawa and he showed them the "J.H" on the hull. He also has pic's of the air assault at Okinawa. Thanks for your efforts, he will be pleased to see his name on the shipmate roster .. he thinks no one cares about "The Old Guys" anymore. Thanks, Tom

Tom Williams
Post Commander VFW 7622
New Florence, PA 15944

I hope Tom will show John that his name is now on the USS Idaho Crew List and he will know that "The Old Guys" are not forgotten. - Dave

I also just received an email from a friend of shipmate, Tom Morales, GM2c from 40-45. Tom is in hospice care at his home at this time. If anyone would like to contact Tom, they can SEND AN EMAIL to Annette Morales(Tom's daughter). Our thoughts and prayers go out for Tom and his family and wish him all the best.

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