Grandpa's Video

A video of my father-in-laws (and the kids Grandpa's) service in the US Navy in WWII. The wreckage photos are from the typhoon off of Okinawa in 1944, which my father-in-law survived in that little YMS boat he was on. He called it a "cork in a big ocean", and said the only reason they survived was the clear thinking of the ships Captain, who's photo is in the video as well. Dad died in May of 2005, this video is in his honor. We miss him a lot, but he lives on in the minds of his children and grandchildren.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Navy
• WWII
• ships
• typhoon
• minesweeper
• mines

[divisioneight]

Was that typhoon the one Adm. Halsey got caught in? I believe his flagship was the New Jersey at the time and he kept his fleet on course through the storm. Nice work on your dedication to this sailor.

[VestalFirefighter]

I'm not sure on that one, I know it was the big one on Okinowa...

[lushula]

beautiful compilation.

[VestalFirefighter]

Thank you!!

[ingledude]

I just retired after spending the last 12 years in minewarfare. Nice video, the mine sweeping technology hasn't changed all that much. By the way I consider the YMS to be a ship not a boat.

[VestalFirefighter]

Yes, you are correct, it is a SHIP, not a boat! My father-in-law always jokingly referred to it as his "boat", as it wasn't large enough to be a ship! He loved duty on that boat, his best stories are the ones from his Naval days. Their motto was "Wooden ships, Iron men", a pretty fitting motto I may say...Tim

[amphibLST570]

Thank You for your kind words!! My only wish is that this younger generation will not forget what we had fought so hard for!! Their are not many of us left to keep our service alive, for the right reasons we fought that war !!

[divisioneight]

@amphibLST570: Thank you for your service to our Country sailor! You guys earned the rightful title of "The Greatest Generation". I only hope that we can remember those deeds and teach our young to carry the torch forward. Go Navy!

[amphibLST570]

@divisioneight I remember that typhoon off Okinawa in 1945 , I was on the LST570 and we were very fortunate to get thru it. The Wind was so strong that the rain felt like gravel hitting you in the face. I believe the Cruiser Pittsburgh lost her bow during this storm. We previously rode out another Typhoon in Jan. 1945 after we invaded Luzon PI.

[anthonydpaul]

Thanks for the YMS video! I posted it to my blog at yms299.org about my grandfather who served in the Pacific.

[Flyboy243]

God Bless him, the old soul...it's an honor to serve your country,

and an even greater honor to serve humanity and the world.

RIP-USN forever

[philmoretfudpucket]

Div. Eight, The New Jersey was Halsey was on as his Flag Ship when the typhoon sunk some of our smaller ships, the Jersey and Missouri wer the newest Gun Boat in the U.S. Navy at that time.

Philmore T. Fudpucket, an old Sea Dog.

[olddogvideo]

I like the nature of the work you have done, I will say that a voice over would really enhance this and provide a bit more insight into the man and the years on this ship. You don't need more than a couple of minutes instersperese through out. It deserves it.......but good job. Spent my first 13 years avoiding sea duty, only after crossing over to the Army did I learn the rewards of operating smal vessels (tugs)

[Pitcairn2]

Respect to your Grandpa.My late Father served as a Minesweeping officer in the British Royal Naval Patrol Service 1939-1947, helping to clear German (and sometimes British) sea mines around the coast of the UK. The ships were usually converted Trawlers.Conditions were hard, his worst experiences were sweeping mines on the Russian Convoys to Murmansk. The' little ships' carried out a task essential to the war effort.

[dagumol]

My grandfather was a fireman aboard three minesweepers in the China Sea. He served on the USS Threat, USS Impeccable and the USS Sway. Thanks for the video.