Photo By Sgt. Samuel A. Nasso | Nine veterans, including eight Coast Guardsmen and one solider, from the USS Samuel...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- World War II veterans of the USS Samuel Chase, a Coast Guard-manned ship, gathered for a memorial service at Cherry Point’s chapel, June 8, in honor of their fallen comrades, who paid the ultimate sacrifice more than 60 years ago.
“As we remember here today, the shipmates who have passed away, please bless all those who have gone before, as we recall their lives once more,” read an excerpt from the invocation by Cherry Point’s chaplain, Cmdr. Carl P. Koch.
The memorial service included an invocation and benediction read by Koch, a floral wreath presentation, a tribute to deceased members of the Samuel Chase, and the playing of taps.
The Samuel Chase was involved in several World War II campaigns, including the North African occupation in November 1942, the Sicilian occupation in July 1943, the Salerno landings in September 1943, the invasion of Normandy in June 1944, and the invasion of Southern France in August 1944.
The ship’s claim to fame is their part in carrying some of the first wave of troops to the D-Day invasion of Normandy, one of the bravest operations in American history.
Following the memorial, the veterans and members of their families gathered for lunch at the Hancock Lodge, a recreational area aboard the air station.
Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron integrated with the veterans and discussed their experiences with one another over lunch. The veterans talked about floating around the world, working on the ship, what is was like to be away from friends and family, and told remarkably vivid stories about their experiences.
More than 60 years later the men who served on the Samuel Chase are still being achknowledged for their actions in World War II. All the men at the reunion were awarded a Combat Action Ribbon and citation for their efforts in World War II. John Olha, Samuel Chase veteran and the treasurer of the group, read the citation for the Combat Action Ribbon and awarded a ribbon to each fellow Samuel Chase veteran in attendance.
“It feels like family; bringing us all together like this,” said Dick Sheeran, the president of the Samuel Chase Association. “We were all teenagers for the most part and going through what we went through just makes the times we get together that much more worthwhile.”
The veterans and family members then climbed aboard the tour bus and received a tour of the air station.
“The memorial and tour today was just beautiful,” said Sheeran. “Today was a very well-organized get together and I don’t think it could have gone any better.”
The Samuel Chase received five battle stars and several awards and decorations for its World War II service. It was decommissioned Feb. 26, 1947 in Norfolk, Va.
The 29th and final reunion of the association produced a somber feeling for the veterans and their families. Though it will be the last time they get together and reminisce of old times, they will never forget what they did and their place in American history.
“It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced,” wrote Tom Brokaw, an American broadcast journalist and author, in his book “The Greatest Generation.”
For more history on the Samuel Chase, visit the Web site at http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Samuel_Chase.pdf.
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.18.2010 10:55 |
| Story ID: | 51608 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 548 |
| Downloads: | 344 |
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