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USS Menard Logbook
Submitted by
Name: Howard Cederlund
Name: Howard Cederlund
Comments:
There but for the grace of God go I!
The amazing thing was the Kamikaze that crashed into us had a tire on its’ landing gear with the words:
Ford Motor Company, molded in the tire.
This is what George Hanna told me when I met him in Oct. of 2007.
It was outside the hospital in Damariscotta, Maine where I saw a man about my age with a Navy hat. I asked him where he had been in the service, and he said, D-Day in France and then the Pacific.
I asked him what ship he was on and he said. AKA 53, The USS Achernar.
I said to him, you are not going to believe this, but I was in the same place as you 63 years ago.
I showed him the book I had written on the Menards’ history. In it was the story of where we fired at a Kamikaze that missed us, and hit the Achernar, which was astern of us as we traveled in close convoy just off Okinawa.
I always wondered what happened, as all we saw was a tremendous explosion and fire. It was so close that many of us thought we got hit.
George told me how it was just after midnight when the Kamikaze hit the boom and an LCM landing craft on the forward deck. Then, the 500 lb. Bomb it was carrying went through the deck and exploded near the mess hall, killing 5 of their crew and wounding 41.
The ship caught fire and listed badly, but her courageous crew saved her. Several of them were awarded the bronze star for their bravery.
George was on a 20 MM gun just aft of the bridge so luckily was not hurt.
George lives near me here in Maine, and if he can find the picture of the landing gear with the Ford tire, he will send it to me.
Imagine the probability of us meeting after all these years.
It was a wonderful experience for both of us.
Howard Cederlund GM3/c WWII
There but for the grace of God go I!
The amazing thing was the Kamikaze that crashed into us had a tire on its’ landing gear with the words:
Ford Motor Company, molded in the tire.
This is what George Hanna told me when I met him in Oct. of 2007.
It was outside the hospital in Damariscotta, Maine where I saw a man about my age with a Navy hat. I asked him where he had been in the service, and he said, D-Day in France and then the Pacific.
I asked him what ship he was on and he said. AKA 53, The USS Achernar.
I said to him, you are not going to believe this, but I was in the same place as you 63 years ago.
I showed him the book I had written on the Menards’ history. In it was the story of where we fired at a Kamikaze that missed us, and hit the Achernar, which was astern of us as we traveled in close convoy just off Okinawa.
I always wondered what happened, as all we saw was a tremendous explosion and fire. It was so close that many of us thought we got hit.
George told me how it was just after midnight when the Kamikaze hit the boom and an LCM landing craft on the forward deck. Then, the 500 lb. Bomb it was carrying went through the deck and exploded near the mess hall, killing 5 of their crew and wounding 41.
The ship caught fire and listed badly, but her courageous crew saved her. Several of them were awarded the bronze star for their bravery.
George was on a 20 MM gun just aft of the bridge so luckily was not hurt.
George lives near me here in Maine, and if he can find the picture of the landing gear with the Ford tire, he will send it to me.
Imagine the probability of us meeting after all these years.
It was a wonderful experience for both of us.
Howard Cederlund GM3/c WWII
Added: December 10, 2007
Comments:
I was delighted to find this website! My father-in-law was transported from Seattle to Guam aboard the USS Menard in August of 1945. He was one of thousands, but being able to see a photo of the ship, and read about her history helps complete the story of Dad's service in WWII.
This is a well-done site, and I will be sharing the address with family members. Thank you.
And, my thanks to all crew members for your service to our country.
I was delighted to find this website! My father-in-law was transported from Seattle to Guam aboard the USS Menard in August of 1945. He was one of thousands, but being able to see a photo of the ship, and read about her history helps complete the story of Dad's service in WWII.
This is a well-done site, and I will be sharing the address with family members. Thank you.
And, my thanks to all crew members for your service to our country.
Added: November 11, 2007
Comments:
I would really appreciate any information you may have about my late father, Mamerto Cadavos, who was part of the courageous crew of the USS Menard.
Any pictures shared would be awesome. We continue to salute the brave crew and remember everyday their courage and patriotism. God Bless!
I would really appreciate any information you may have about my late father, Mamerto Cadavos, who was part of the courageous crew of the USS Menard.
Any pictures shared would be awesome. We continue to salute the brave crew and remember everyday their courage and patriotism. God Bless!
Added: October 23, 2007
Comments:
My grandfather George E. Charland served on the menard, he was at Okinawa, Nagasaki and Sicily, he did Saturday night Oct. 6th 2007 he was 84, He sure loved his vet hat, RIP grandpa I love you
Admin reply: We are very sorry for your loss. May God Bless him and watch over your family during this difficult time.
My grandfather George E. Charland served on the menard, he was at Okinawa, Nagasaki and Sicily, he did Saturday night Oct. 6th 2007 he was 84, He sure loved his vet hat, RIP grandpa I love you
Admin reply: We are very sorry for your loss. May God Bless him and watch over your family during this difficult time.
Added: October 9, 2007
Comments:
I think I need to ammend my earlier post. The USS Menard is not listed on my dad's discharge papers (which I just found). So I'm thinking that his time aboard the USS Menard was when he was traveling to shore duty in Shanghai, China - and that's when he received his Mysteries of the Far East certificate.
I think I need to ammend my earlier post. The USS Menard is not listed on my dad's discharge papers (which I just found). So I'm thinking that his time aboard the USS Menard was when he was traveling to shore duty in Shanghai, China - and that's when he received his Mysteries of the Far East certificate.
Added: October 7, 2007
Comments:
My father, John C. McKey, served on the Menard during World War II. He passed away last Wednesday, Sept. 26. I discovered Howard Cederlund's book on the website just this year, and we were able to read it aloud and show the pictures to my dad, which he enjoyed very much. I know his shipmates will remember his sense of humor, including his uncanny ability to imitate a freight train, making others around him look for that train in the middle of the South Pacific! He was never able to travel to the reunions, but he enjoyed the news about the ship and was very proud of his cap. Thanks to this website, his family can know more about what life was like for him aboard ship. I would love to hear from any of you that remember my dad.
Admin reply: My God Bless him as well as your family. May he rest in peace and his memories never be forgotten.
My father, John C. McKey, served on the Menard during World War II. He passed away last Wednesday, Sept. 26. I discovered Howard Cederlund's book on the website just this year, and we were able to read it aloud and show the pictures to my dad, which he enjoyed very much. I know his shipmates will remember his sense of humor, including his uncanny ability to imitate a freight train, making others around him look for that train in the middle of the South Pacific! He was never able to travel to the reunions, but he enjoyed the news about the ship and was very proud of his cap. Thanks to this website, his family can know more about what life was like for him aboard ship. I would love to hear from any of you that remember my dad.
Admin reply: My God Bless him as well as your family. May he rest in peace and his memories never be forgotten.
Added: October 1, 2007
Comments:
hey you guys! i miss u all so much.. cant wait to see you next month!!! love ya much!
hey you guys! i miss u all so much.. cant wait to see you next month!!! love ya much!
Added: August 26, 2007
Comments:
Great job on the website..The book "Passage to Freedom" by Ronald Frankum has just been published. It details the events surrounding the movement of refugees from Haiphong to Saigon,(1954 if memory serves me), an operation in which the "Champ" (the Menard) played a prominent role. I have ordered a copy from Amazon....GinsbergXray!
Great job on the website..The book "Passage to Freedom" by Ronald Frankum has just been published. It details the events surrounding the movement of refugees from Haiphong to Saigon,(1954 if memory serves me), an operation in which the "Champ" (the Menard) played a prominent role. I have ordered a copy from Amazon....GinsbergXray!
Added: August 16, 2007
Comments:
My nephew "Brian Peterson" told me about this site. What a wonderful thing. Family history is just awsome. My father was Thomas "Pete" Peterson. Would love to hear from any of you that knew him.
Pam
My nephew "Brian Peterson" told me about this site. What a wonderful thing. Family history is just awsome. My father was Thomas "Pete" Peterson. Would love to hear from any of you that knew him.
Pam
Added: August 8, 2007
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Name: CSM Joseph R. Menard Jr.
From: Elk Grove, CA
E-mail: jrmemard@surewest.net
A Google search lead me here. I used to drive by the ships moored in storage in the East Bay, never imagining one carried my family's name. Haven't been to Menard, TX yet but would like to. Thanks to all my fellow veterans who served on her.