USS Menard Bells History


The USS Menard, APA 201, Amphibious Attack Troop Transport, served during World War II 1944-1946 and again in the Korean conflict 1950-1955, The period of 14-17 Sept. 1945 was spent loading cargo and personnel of the 20d Battalion, 8th regiment, second Marine Division on the island of Okinawa.. On the 18th of Sept. the Menard joined Task Group 54.19 enroute to Nagasaki, Japan with occupation forces and arrived at Nagasaki on 23 Sept. 1945. The first military troops to occupy Japan and they were fully prepared for active participation in the Korean War. The Menard sailed from San Diego on the 14th of April 1951 for Pusan, Korea via Kobe, Japan with a full load of Marines from the Eighth Replacement draft. These efforts earned for her a commendation from the Commanding General, First Marine Division. The USS Menard was the first to participate in the operation "Passage to Freedom" for the evacuation of the Vietnamese refugees from Haiphong Harbor to Saigon. In 1989 a shipmate Jim Geralis, gathered twenty shipmates for the first USS Menard reunion. During our third reunion we learned the USS Menard had been sold to the Gillette Razor Company and scrapped the 16 July 1974. The Menard's bell had been loaned to a historical Church in Cheraw S. Carolina. Our shipmates went to work writing their senators and Congressmen. Jim Geralis went to the Gun Factory in D.C. inquiring about the USS Menard bell. The Lieutenant in charge told him you see that stack of letter on my desk from dignitaries that have to be answer. I will give you another bell if you pay for the shipping of the replacement bell and the hanging of the second bell he would release our bell. On March 30, 1993 - $1000.00 later the bell was placed in the hands of shipmate, Charles Lockaby, he took our bell to the bell factory to be refurbished, and then transported the bell to Mobile, Alabama for our fourth reunion. Shipmates gathered around the bell, the only known object left of the USS Menard, the ship that carried men and equipment through two wars. The bell is rung for the deceased shipmate found between each reunion. The bell is taken to each reunion in a trailer made by Leslie Rutherford and Sons. The trailer is all metal construction, painted navy gray with a black water line, and installed on each side is a 12" porthole. USS MENARD APA 201 is printed on the sides and back. The bell has traveled to fourteen reunions; Mobile, Alabama - Oshkosh, Wisconsin -Kerrville, Texas - Seattle, Washington - Bardstown, Kentucky - Albuquerque, New Mexico - Carrollton, Georgia – Portland, Oregon - Branson, Missouri - Colorado Springs, Colorado - Pensacola, Florida - Post Falls, Idaho - Salt Lake City, Utah –Wichita, Kansas. The eighteenth reunion will be September 26 to October 4, 2007 in Columbus, Indiana. The bell was taken to Coronado, Ca. in 1995 so Captain Noah Adair and his wife, Elizabeth could have a chance to see and have their picture taken with the bell. Captain Adair died January 18,1997. The bell traveled over the Coronado toll bridge to Captain Noah Adair's home and back over the San Diego bay which was the homeport for the Menard for many years. The bell was taken to the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas 1995 and rung for the dedication of the 20" by 20" plaque honoring the six Captains and crews that served during the two campaigns. The bell was then taken to Menard, Texas our ship's namesake. At their City Hall we inquired if they knew there was a ship named after their City and County.The Town Historian the Mayor, and newspaper reporter were summoned. They were presented with a picture of the USS Menard and the service history. They were elated and asked to be informed of future reunions and the travels of the bell. We wrote an article about our Kerrville, Texas reunion and placing a plaque in the Nimitz Museum which "The Menard News and Messenger" published in their newspaper. Our USS Menard bell has traveled on land 54,657 miles and has been in 29 states. The Menard's bell passed over the Columbia river on Interstate 5 two times approximately one mile from Vancouver, Washington where the Menard was built. The bell has traveled over the continental divide 19 times at seven different locations. The two highest passes were Wolf Creek pass at 10,850 feet and the Monarch Pass at 11,312 feet above sea level both in Colorado. In Fresno, California on November 11 Veterans Day the bell is placed on a float with many of her shipmates to represent the Menard service during the WW2 and Korean campaign. The Menard's eligibility for the WW11 and Korean and United Nations Services Medals is as follows: The Asiatic Pacific Area Service Medal, with one star. The Navy Occupation Medal, Asia, The China Service Medal, The United Nations Medal, The Korean Service Medal with three stars. Our bell is housed in the prestigious Legion of Valor in Fresno, California between our reunions. The bell was dedicated to the Museum May 30, 1994 by our shipmates. We are proud to have the bell on display in Legion of Valor Museum to be viewed by all. You can visit the Prestige's Legion of Valor's website here

Please remember to sign our log book, thanks!