Bud states he spent Christmas in Leghorn (Italy). ..Jan.6 1945 "this morning we got news that the 306 was missing. It was carrying 2 officers,12 crewmembers, and 15 replacements! In late afternoon word came that they were actually save in Joshua. I need to mention here, that Buds # 304 was part of a squadron, "RON 22". They were boats starting with # PT 302 thru PT 313. So they were a tight knit bunch, protecting each other when possible. I am sure they had personal friends on other boats, so if a certain # was MIA, or actually hit, they took it personal.....Jan 10 1945, (4th mission) (Suppose they could of changed the name of the 304 now) Sank 2, F-lighters. Our Skipper, Mr. Knorr is a pretty good Marksman! (An F-lighter is what they called a heavily armored and armed barge, usually ferrying the enemy and supplies where needed.) So that was a pretty good mission. Jan 12,45, Left for Gulf Juan, Franceat 0900 and arrived at 1600. It was rough all the way. Jan. 23, 45 All the crew in the forward compartment were overcome by something. All are in sickbay. Jan. 24, All the crew are okay now. Don't know what it was yet. Jan. 25 45 Cleaned the boat up from the keel up. We all did.... Feb,7- 45 Our biggest target yet. We think it was a K.T. (combination cargo)? Took it down. After the mission, was over, headed for Leghorn, for more fish. (Torpedoes)....Feb 8 -45 Went back to Gulf Juan, for it is still light of the Moon. ...Feb 10-45 The 303, 304, and the 422 boats were credited for a job well done. The officers and crew were given paper to that effect. Now this is funny...Bud states on Feb 22 -45, Left Gulf Juan for Leghorn.(Italy) After arriving a couple of buddys and myself went to straighten out the Leaning Tower of Pisa, without success!
Evidently, they had some R&R coming....Feb. 23 45, Left Leghorn for Maddalena to have new engines put in, and on the 27th, was served spaghetti dinner, by our Skipper, Mr Knorr. (Boy they sound like a tight group of guys). Here are some Sea shots, It appears to be practice runs, blowing off a Smoke Screen for camouflage! CHECK the Guy laying on the bow? Looks like one anyway? The rest appear ready for action!
How would you like to try water skiing behind this?
You can see a good close up of the real deal here!
Here is a copy of ,what every crewmember got. You better know it, inside and out. You will be saving yours and every other crewmembers hides.
.................................from a page..........................,<.WHAT IS A PT BOAT you ask? Very much like FIRE!, your PT can be your best friend or your enemy. It will be your friend only if you know your boat. The first enemy you will encounter is IGNORANCE...your ignorance about PTs. Kill your ignorance at every opportunity. It will be the first step in killing the enemy. The paramount rule is: Know your BOAT. A PT is the fastest warship afloat. Its features of speed and knockout power have been ballyhooed in the press, not without reason. A PT can and has taken on everything from canoes to battleships. Enemy tanks and trucks also appear on the tally sheet. Shooting down enemy planes has been one of the most satisfying tasks. So, whether the enemy be with in reach on or under the Sea, on the land, or in the air, a PT will attack. Be proud of your boat.Make yours the best! But to be proud of it you must know what it is made of and what it can do. Don't forget, it is a fine weapon, but only the weapon, while you are the warrior who through your knowledge can make it a valuable asset....Of Plywood and Mahogany construction, a PT is light yet strong, lightly armored yet strongly armed. Its draft is seldom over 6 feet thus enabling it to maneuver in shallow low water. If you are in doubt as to purpose or usage of a piece of equipment, don't hesitate to ask. Ignorance is no excuse. > stay tuned...
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