Reports from the Crew

Please put me in your records. I am former seaman 1/c Richard [Dick] Brownell. after 34 months in the old Asiatic Fleet I was transferred from the USS Edsall (DD-219) to the USS Augusta for her homeward bound trip to the good old us of a. they put me in the second deck division as i was a sort of leading seaman, they didnt have that classification at the time. I was also the trainer in #2 turret 8 inch guns which I didn't like by the way an old topside sailor does not like to be totally enclosed far down in a dark hole. We had a 600 foot long homeward bound pennant, that tore apart while we were getting underway from manila harbor. the officers were supposed to get one blue star each, and the crewmembers were supposed to get one foot of the stripes. Since so much of it was lost in our wake we only got a much smaller piece. on the way back to the states we were part of a problem involving the Hawaii defenses. We came eastward in the center of a big storm and they never did find us. Of course the first thing we did was go to drydock in mare island. I then got my 30 days renlistment leave. Somehow I found out that the augie maru was going to be in san pedro. so on the expiration of my leave I went down to San Pedro to rejoin my ship. she was nowhere to be seen. I asked the shore patrol and he said she had just left for panama and the east coast. I felt neglected, they could have phoned my home and advised me to return early. anyway I immediately crossed the united states [hitch-hiking] to Norfolk, VA. I turned myself in to the receiving station where they were ignorant of the situation. in fact they thought the augusta was still in the Asiatic Fleet. they classified me as AWOL and i was discharged. on dec 8th I went down to reenlist and the dopes said I would have to back to boot camp as I had been out 6mths. what horse manure for an old China hand. so I said screw you and went into the merchant marine where I served as I was eminently qualified. Eventually I found my way back to China and when the war ended I got one more honorable discharge from our nation armed forces. wd6fla@interworldnet.net

We received an e-mail from the Festival of Flags, a Placentia, Newfoundland, based regional development committee regarding the establishment of a museum exhibit near the former U.S. naval base at Argentia. As part of the visual component they wish to acquire material pertaining to the August 1941 Atlantic Conference between PM Churchill and President Roosevelt. Of particular interest at present are charts indicating the exact location of the principle ships involved (HMS Prince of Wales and USS Augusta), and artifacts (ie., comemorative items acquired at the time, or for that matter anything that has some connection to this important event). Anyone who can assist them in this endeavor should contact:
Darrell Hillier <dhillier@thezone.net>
191 Freshwater Rd.
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
A1C 2P1
(709) 754-2954

Franklyn E. Dailey Jr.Capt. USNR (Ret.) dailey@crocker.com: served aboard the destroyer USS Edison (DD-439), which was involved in a number of engagements together with the Augusta during the North African Invasion (Operation Torch). He is the process of writing a very interesting account about his ship which can be found at: http://www.daileyint.com/seawar/seatoc.htm. Capt. Dailey has been in contact with us and has requested our assistance in locating individuals who were involved with Operation Torch especially those who may have info about the ship's radar including the SG. Anyone reading this is encouraged to contact the Captain and visit his website, it is highly recommended.

e-mail re: Francis A.J. (Frank) Cisek
My father served aboard the Augusta his entire tour during WWII. He was on her during the Normandy Invasion. He told us of the great men who rode on her like Pres. Truman, Churchill, Ike, Queen Victoria when she was quite a looker (his words not mine). When the word was given by Truman that he had just ordered "the bomb" to be dropped and informed the crew the war would end soon. my father says everyone looked about saying what's an a bomb? He was recently given an award by Pierre Salinger for participating in the invasion in Millville, NJ. He has citations on his office wall for crossing the Arctic, and another signed by President Truman himself. He was in Murmansk Russia, Iceland, and numerous other places. When they went into Russia, he had to pull shore patrol, and during the immediate time in Normandy, he was on the guns. when they went into russia, he had to pull shore patrol, and during the immediatetime in normandy, he was on the guns.He loves to tell stories about the ship and those aboard. His name is Francis A.J. Cisek. originally from Phila. PA now residing in southern NJ. I would ask, if at all possible, his name be added to your crew list so that I might be able to show it to him. It would give him great pride and joy. He worked in the boiler room for a time, the guns, during the invasion and at times shore patrol. He was honorably discharged in I believe '46. thank you for taking the time to honor all these brave men who fought for our freedom, it is truly appreciated by all who read it. My email is lcisek@nothinbut.net (Lori Cisek)

GREAT SHIP PHOTOS - ****An excellent assortment of photos of the Augusta, with captions, during its pre-war duty as flagship of the Pacific Fleet can be found at the website of Chuck McPartlin (macpuzl@west.net) whose father served onboard with the Marine Detachment from 1933-38. We thank Chuck for contacting us and letting us know about his private collection.

E-mail received (6/20/97) describing the USS Augusta as viewed from USS Ludlow (DD-438) during the North African Invasion (Operation Torch):

The USS Ludlow (DD-438) and three other destroyers, were dueling with Fortress El Hank. We were firing in an endless chain. [The two outboard ships firing over the inboard ships.] The USS Murphy (DD-603) sustained a hit from the shore battery and was forced to retire. We were making a run down the coast dueling with El Hank when we ran into two Vichy French cruisers escorted by four French destroyers sallying from CasaBlanca. To correct their fire each gun was firing shells with a different color dye. We were hit in the officers wardroom by a six inch purple projectile and the sides of the ship looked like a rainbow from near misses. We were hauling butt, both on fire and laying down a smoke screen, when passing us to port came the heavy cruiser USS Augusta and the light cruiser USS Brooklyn. The Augusta opened up with the forward guns of its main battery just as it was passing us. A beautiful sight....
The Ludlow suffered no casualties during this engagement.

Ken Williams torp@ibm.net

VIDEO AVAILABLE FOR USS HOUSTON (CA-30) sister ship to USS AUGUSTA - (June 7, 1997)

We received the following e-mail from Vic Campbell and post it here for everyone's information:

"Have just completed for market, a video about USS Houston (CA-30) sister ship to the Augusta. Our video includes some newsreel footage of Augusta (and possibly others of the class) to help tell the story of the Houston. Houston was sunk in Sunda Strait Feb 1 1942. We have a web site at http://www.grade-a.com/houston to supply information on the video and other resources. I will make a point to add a link to sister ships like Augusta as soon as I can."

Kind Regards, Vic Campbell producer

(May 14, 1997) I am a 30 year old registered nurse and collector of WWII militaria. About two years ago I bought an officers "transport coat" in New York.. It was pristine and upon rumor belonged to the late Rear Admiral Wright - captain of the USS Augusta during the Atlantic Conference. Further research led to a letter received by his son attesting to this and confirming my coat as his father's. He stated that his father was to become a rear admiral and that his father's brother also became an admiral. Also sent was photocopy of a picture taken aboard ship with Churchill's back to the camera and Capt. Wright saluting (unfortunately not wearing my coat in the shot) The picture was signed by Roosevelt to Wright's brother - a correspondent with the Buffalo Post (?) traveling to cover the conference. The reason that I write is that I could not find his name on your page - only a Wright in the enlisted section. Was he indeed the Captain during this time and can you give me any more information about him/his accomplishments while onboard etc.? Thanks in advance
David Meyer DMEYER@KUMC.EDU

WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (NWSA) -- A piece of Navy history was recently presented to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Wash. John Welch, a civilian employee, came across a flag with links to the late ADM Chester W. Nimitz and thought it would make an ideal gift for the ADM Nimitz Hall Galley. The Yacht Ensign, which dates back to the mid-1930s, was accepted by NAS Whidbey Island skipper CAPT Larry Munns. It came from the estate of Frank and Martha King, residents of Oak Harbor, Wash. Welch, a computer specialist with Information Resource Management, had helped settle the estate. The flag was donated in memory of Frank King who had received the flag from then-CAPT Nimitz while serving as a ship's carpenter on USS Augusta. Nimitz later served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II. According to King, Nimitz expected the best from his men and treated everyone with respect. This teamwork made USS Augusta one of the best run ships in the fleet during the 1930s. King's wife Martha was known throughout Oak Harbor. She was an author of children's books and an active worker in community causes. "I am sure she'd be proud to have this flag here at NAS Whidbey Island for all to see," said Welch.
-USN- Navy News Service 4/10/97

John T. Vallone:

KING GEORGE VI and PRESIDENT TRUMAN meet onboard the Augusta - 1944

During 1944 President Truman met with King George VI of Britain on the Augusta. He came aboard in the uniform of a Fleet Admiral and was also escorted on an inspection of the ship's Marine Corp detachment by the President and Capt. James Foskett, the Commanding Officer of the Augusta. Earlier Truman had lunched with the King aboard the British battle cruiser Renown. (The photo at left of King George VI (who is on the left) was provided to this website courtesy of John Vallone)

STORM AT SEA

In 1945 the ship got underway from Southampton, England to bring home 1,500 soldiers heading for port in New York. Enroute the ship was trapped in the Atlantic Ocean being battered by over 65 knot gale force winds. Word was flashed to London that the ship had been damaged (structural) and was returning back for emergency repairs hoping for either Southampton or Plymouth...that never happened...all navigational aids were unavailable and now for at least a day or so, no one could get a fix on our actual location. Finally there was a break in the clouds and the navigator, the Chief QM and able first class petty officer was lucky to get the sextons out and get a celestial fix. We were about 200 miles off the coast of Portsmouth, England. Bingo!

We were able to return to Portsmouth where repairs were made in a dry dock. Subsequently the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, one A.E. Allaway gave a reception to the Captain, officers and ship's company on 23rd January 1946.

What is not reallt known about the storm , besides being lost, is that the ship lost steering control at the bridge site!. Steering was immediately shifted to auxiliary steering station aft. Moments later water gushed in from the fresh air vent from up top side, and this knocked out the port steering engine. This was immediately reported back to the bridge to engage the starboard steering engine. For a moment there was no steering but a little sweat on the brow! Can you imagine having full right rudder on and the ship doesn't respond to the assigned steering course given by the OD on the bridge!! How do I know about this factual situation you ask? I was that Quartermaster 3rd.class at the wheel in auxiliary steering station back aft.

You have never lived until you are caught in the Atlantic Ocean, lost for a short time, battling gale force winds!

WHEN THE SEAS ARE CALM SHE IS BEAUTIFUL BUT WHEN THE OLD GIRL KICKS
UP HER HEELS SHE'S THE MEANEST BASTARD IN THIS WHOLE WIDE WORLD !!!...