All posts in category Letters from the past

Letters

God Bless Zachary Fisher

June 21, 1999

Hi John (Simonetti)

God Bless Zachary Fisher. When I visited the Intrepid for the first time since I served aboard her for 2 years during World War II (1943-1944) I flew off the Intrepid in a T.B.F. Torpedo Plane (the Avenger) as a Radio/Radar Operator.

The Intrepid received the award as the Best Ship in the Fleet. She was hit with a Torpedo and, and five times with Japanese Kamikazes. When you see the Fighting I film, on the History Channel, you will see my plane go over the side 90 feet – upside down – after being hit with anti-aircraft fire while photographing Kwajalein in the Marshall Island.

Zachary Fisher knew the history of the Intrepid and he was determined to save this Historic ship for Posterity.

I was proud to have served aboard the Intrepid. She is now a definite part of history. Zachary Fisher was always ready to help the Military (Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. He was a true Patriot who loved this County, the United States of America.

Joe Leotta, Former Crewmember, 1943-1944

June 23, 1999

Dear John (Simonetti)

About 8 yrs ago, I was driving down town, New York, on 12 Avenue when I saw “CV11” on this big Aircraft Carrier. I said to myself, “That can’t be the Intrepid I was on!”

Well, the next day I went on the Intrepid and sure found out when I met former crewmembers Joe Leotta and Frank Doria. After asking how this ship got here they mentioned Mr. Fisher so many times. I got to know Mr Fisher very well – the greatest guy I ever met!

God be with him always.

Thank you,

Hector Giannasco, Former Crewmember, 1943-1944

____________________________________________________________________________________________

“TWINS who served…”

“Sir:

As per requested…following is some information regarding me and my twin brother Alfons. We have served aboard three (3) combat ships in the Pacific and they were the USS Henderson, USS Gambier Bay and the USS Intrepid. We were assigned to the Intrepid on December 8, 1944 at Hunters Point, CA and served aboard her until December 31, 1945. When aboard the Gambier Bay we survived when she was sunk during the surface battle in the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 25, 1944. We were awarded 30 days Survivor’s Leave and our Leave Papers read…”Report to the U.S.S. Intrepid (CV-11) at Hunters Point, CA”.

Ed Krzemecki, Former Intrepid Crewman”

Newspaper Notice:

“Twins Serve Together” – U.S.S. INTREPID (CV 11): Alfons Krezemecki, shipfitter 2/c and his twin, Edward, shipfitter 2/c served aboard the a/c carrier where planes took part battering Okinawa prior to Marine and Army landings. Both Al and Ed were never separated during their service in the Navy, even in combat, since they enlisted together in the Navy.”

Forced to abandon ship from the USS Gambier Bay, they lashed themselves together before going over the side. The Gambier Bay was one of the two (2) U.S. CVSs sunk after the heroic stand against – at that time – a Jap battle fleet of superior speed and gunpower.

Much of the history of the Intrepid belongs to the tale of repairing battle damage, and is a tribute to the repair party training program and to the valiant efforts of the men who risked their lives to fight fires and rescue trapped personnel.

Few experiences of naval life could exceed the havoc and the terror of a major conflagration. Planes burn fiercely and ammunition explodes – all within a slippery, slanting space made black as night by the heavy smoke. Yet these men knew they must do – and did it. The ship lived and salvage work began.

Does anyone remember Intrepid’s mascot dog that had one black eye? His name was “Pooch”?

A PATHETIC AFTERMATH of the battle was the plight of the survivors of U.S. sunken ships off Samar. The men from the Gambier Bay, the Saint Lo, the Johnston, Hoel and Roberts, were left in the water, hanging onto rafts, nets, and wreckage, suffering from thirst, sunburn, and attacks by sharks, for two days before rescue ships arrived to take them onboard. This failure was a disgrace to the Seventh Fleet authorities charged with responsibility for the rescue of personnel.

Many died from thirst, wounds and exhaustion. Two men were known to have perished from the attacks of sharks, Those still alive were picked up on the morning of October 27^th by sub-chasers and LCI’s from Leyte Gulf.

Let Us Not Forget Those Who Have Gone Before Us

2 Comments

by cv11texfcm on April 18, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in FCM Notables, Letters from the past, War/Sea Stories/Videos

Posted by cv11texfcm on April 18, 2013

https://cv11texfcm.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/twins-who-served/

Roll of Honor Aircrewman

“January 4, 1999

Dear John (Blog editor)

Enclosed is some of the info you requested regarding my Distinguished Flying Cross. Along with some before and after photos that I would like returned if possible. I have included a rough draft of a bio that will be presented to the nominating committee by my sponsor for induction into the “Enlisted Combat Aircrew Roll of honor” at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum aboard the USS Yorktown in Charleston, SC. Also included is a consolidated list of the 3 combat flights recorded in my flight log book that made me eligible for the DFC. Congressman Bill Pascrell will be presenting the medal to me later this evening with family and friends being present.

Sincerly,

Steve Mihalovic, ARM1/C, Radioman/Gunner, Former Intrepid Crew Member”

_____________________________________

Chief of Naval Operations

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to…

AVIATION RADIOMAN FIRST CLASS

STEPHEN R. MIHALOVIC

UNITED STATES NAVY

…for service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight with Bombing Squadron SIX from 19 November 1943 to 13 August 1945. In the successful completion of 23 missions, Petty Officer Mihalovic contributed materially to the success of Unites States efforts. By his undaunted courage, superb airmanship, and unyielding devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Petty Officer Mihalovic reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

For the President,

J.D. Johnson

Admiral, United States Navy,

Chief of Naval Operations

________________________________________

COMBAT DECORATIONS:

Distinguished Flying Cross

Air Medal w/3 Gold Stars

Navy Unit Citation w/1 Star

Asiatic/Pacific Area w/5 Stars

Air Medal w/3 Gold Stars…

…in lien of a 2nd, 3rd and 4th Air Medal

Missions served from the USS Enterprise (CV 6), USS Intrepid (CV 11), USS Hancock (CV 19)

Mihalovic

(L)Frank Doria, Hector Giannasca, Mr/Mrs. Bob/Gwen Kofnovec, Tony Zollo, Steve & wife

Let Us Not Forget Those Who Have Gone Before Us

“That can’t be the Intrepid…!”

“June 23, 1999

Dear John (Blog editor)

About 8 yrs ago I was driving down town on 12 Ave when I saw #CV11 on this big aircraft carrier. I said to myself…”That can’t be the Intrepid I was on!”

Well! The next day I went on the Intrepid and sure found out when I met former crew members – Joe Liotta and Frank Doria. After asking how this ship got here they mentioned Mr. Fisher so many times.

I got to know Mr. Fisher very well. The greatest guy I ever met. God be with him always.

Thank you.

Hector Giannasca, Former Crewmember”

Let Us Not Forget Those Who Have Gone Before Us

“I went over the side…”

“June 21, 1999

Hi John (Blog editor)

God bless Zachary Fisher. Five (5) yrs ago I visited the Intrepid for the 1st time since I served aboard her for 2 year during World War II, 1943-1944. I flew off the Intrepid in a T.B.F. Torpedo plane, the Avenger as a Radio Radar Operator. The Intrepid received he award as the Best Ship in the Fleet.

Intrepid was first hit with a Torpedo and 5 times with Japanese Kamakazies. When you see the Fighting I film on the History Channel, you will see my plane go over the side 90 ft upside down after being hit with anti-aircraft fire while photographing Kwayalein in the Marshall Islands.

Zachary Fisher knew the history of the Intrepid and he was determined to save this historic ship for posterity.

I was proud to have served aboard the Intrepid. She is now a definite part of history. Zachary Fisher was always ready to help the military, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. He was a true Patriot who loved this country, the United States of America.

Joe Liotta, Former Crewmember, 1943-1944″

Let Us Not Forget Those Who Have Gone Before Us

5 Comments

by cv11texfcm on April 18, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in FCM Notables, Letters from the past

Posted by cv11texfcm on April 18, 2013

https://cv11texfcm.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/i-went-over-the-side/

A Former USS Intrepid (CV-11) Crew Member Blog - Introduction

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“TWINS who served…”

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“I went over the side…”

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