This “Quilt of Valor” was presented to Doug Aitken at a dinner preceding the regular November monthly Masonic Meetiing at his Lodge. It was made by a member of the Amador Valley Quilters #2 of Pleasanton, CA. The affair was a COMPLETE surprise to him. At the last minute he was asked to wear his uniform as there …
Loving tribute to A.W. Hodde, Jr.
This newspaper tribute was published recently in the Banner-Press, in Brenham, Texas. Hodde’s wife, Virginia submitted the clipping to the Jeff Veesenmeyer, author of Kamikaze Destroyer. She wrote… “We have your book and all of our kids have read it. They put this notice in our local paper.” Hodde was the gun captain on the portside 40mm gun. He was …
New book includes Hadley battle at Okinawa
I met Ron MacKay at the LSM/LSMR Association Reunion in Buffalo. My father served on LSMR 411. Ron has authored the book “The U.S. Navy’s Interim LSMRs in WWII”. He shared the following excerpt from his book describing the scene on 11 May 1945 after the Hadley’s famous battle. Ensign Paul S. Vaitses, Jr., the Executive Officer aboard LSM(R) 193, …
Shipmate Ted Davis shares his memories
Hadley shipmate Ted Davis S1/c (Signalman) still has vivid memories of 11 May 1945. He was on the bridge of the Hadley that morning. When GQ was sounded Davis was told to go down and help pass 40mm ammo clips. When he reached the main deck he saw a Jap float plane heading straight for the base of the bridge. …
Kamikaze pilot’s documents have been translated
This document was found on the Kamikaze pilot who crashed into the Hadley. The translation printed alongside document is in quotes below. On 25 May 1945 a work party was sent down into flooded engine room of the Hadley. They were to recover the bodies of five shipmates. It had taken two weeks to patch the hull and pump …
Tom English honored at Military Ball
The Knights of Columbus in Sun City, Florida honored Tom English at a Wounded Warrior Military Ball. Tom had no idea he was to be awarded his Presidential Unit Citation and Purple Heart awards. These were ribbons he earned while serving on the USS Hadley during the Okinawa battle on 11 May 1945. Tom attended with his lady friend, Mary …
USS Hadley featured in Tin Can Sailors newsletter
The Tin Can Sailors Association featured “Kamikaze Destroyer” with a 3 page cover article in their July/Aug newsletter. That’s Lt. Patrick MCGann above the scoreboard on USS Hadley’s bridge. This photo appears on Page 213 in the book. McGann was awarded the the Navy Cross for his record setting gunnery display. The article includes excerpts from the book.
Tin Can Sailor reviews “Kamikaze Destroyer”
The Tin Can Sailor quarterly newspaper reviewed the book “Kamikaze Destroyer – USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD774) ” in their April issue. There will be an excerpt from the book featured in the July issue. This will reach 16,000 members of the organization and will be available on all active duty destroyers. Here is the review as listed in the book and …
70 Years since fateful day of 11 May 1945
DECK LOG – USS HUGH W. HADLEY: 11 May 1945, 0830 commenced maneuvering to repel attack. 0835 Commenced firing. This was the log book entry 70 years ago today aboard the USS Hadley. During the next 90 minutes the Hadley crew would destroy 23 Japanese planes, an all time Navy record for a single engagement. Their scoreboard showing all 25 …
Dell Burt Hall to be awarded Purple Heart
Hadley shipmate, Dell Burt Hall is mending after his fall on the ice this winter. He is getting around with a walker and still able to drive to his favorite restaurant for a biscuit and gravy breakfast. The big news from Dell is that he is finally going to receive his Purple Heart for combat injuries 11 May 1945 on …