Shipmate Email

My father Alex Mouledous served on the Barnes. I told him about the web site. He appreciated looking at the photos and reading the e-mail. He is in at least one of the photos. He does not have a computer, so I relay the info to him. Thank you for putting together this page. It has brought my dad down memory lane and he has shared some interesting stories about about his service years. thanks again

Alex mouledous Jr.
ayakjr@aol.com

From: jabclark@swbell.net

My name is John B. Clark. I joined the Navy in January 1943 and remained on active duty until June 1946. In the late summer of 1945, I boarded the USS Doyle C. Barnes. I served first as it's sonar officer and later as gunnery officer. When I reported aboard in Manila, I suppose your father had sailed for home, along with many of the other "plank" owners. I remained aboard until we decommissioned the ship in San Pedro, CA in June of 1946. I stumbled upon your web site while searching for information concerning DE 353.

Note: Mr. Clark and I have been in contact many times since his first email. I asked his permission to share with you his "Memories Aboard the Barnes".

Greetings. My name is Lester W. Kalch and I served on the Doyle C. Barnes from May, 1944 to September, 1945. I'm still alive and continue to get one foot in front of the other. I found your webpage in the July/August, 1999 DESANEWS and enjoyed reading about your father. You did a great job on your webpage.

I didn't personally know your father, but knew of him. He was a radioman and was positioned in the radio shack. I was a torpedoman stationed on the stern depth charge tracks, so I didn't have much contact with him.

I left the Doyle C. Barnes in Borneo shortly after the war ended because I had to return to the states on leave after the war was over in September because my father died on my 20th birthday, July 16, 1945. I was a plankmember and enjoyed my days onboard the DE but would not care to do it again. I saw myself in the photo on your webpage of the crew in Orange, Texas at the commissioning. I am the fellow in the second row from the right, about seven from the front. I'm still as good looking now as I was then (yeah, right).

I'm using my daughter's e-mail address. If you care to correspond, you can do so through her address or at my home address: <snip>

L.W. Kalch
stricker007@hotmail.com

I found your name in the most recent DESA newspaper. Needless to say it was very exciting. It is the first time a DCB name came up and I have been getting the newspaper for years. I originally lived in N.J., but now reside in Palm Beach Gardens in FLA. My name is SAUL WEISMAN . I was aboard the DCB from its shakedown, picking her up in the Boston navy yard and was there until March 1945 when I was sent home on a troop ship Gen. H.W. Butner to San Diego. I was a radioman during my tour with special training for German sub warfare. Needless to say my training was useless in the Pacific. I certainly would like to hear from you. I knew guys as Jack Voorhees, Oscar Fowler, Chris Visvis, Phil Camarata and Mr Baker was the communications officer.

{2006- Mr. Weisman is now deceased]

Thank you for your very informative narrative on the Doyle C. Barnes, I have been wanting to know everything I can about this ship and the man for whom it was named. Doyle C. Barnes was my grandfather, and I did not know him (obviously) and my mother and grandmother Dorothy C. Barnes have both passed away leaving no history for me to follow, so thank you again for this information, it means so much to me.

Sincerely,

Holly Harlan
grandaughter of Doyle C. Barnes

Subject: Son of a Doyle C Barnes' Sailor!
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2000 22:20:47 EDT
From: ABE544@aol.com

Thank you for your web page. My father served on the Doyle C Barnes (Benjamin L. Abrams). I was just sitting here tonight and thought about looking on the Internet to see if there were any sites on my fathers ship, and to my surprise your web page was the first hit. My father & I have talked about his journeys aboard the ship. My father has pictures of the baseball field with the sailors actually playing ball, along with other various pictures. I can't wait to show my father you web page. If you are interested in any of the pictures that my father has please let me know.

Thanks Again,
Aaron L. Abrams

Subject: D. C. Barnes Plank Owner
Date: Sat, 8 Jul 2000
From: Elmer J Norgard - ejandemnorgard@juno.com

I would like to introduce myself. I am Gunners Mate 2nd Class E.J. Norgard. I am listed on your web page as a plank owner. I remember your father. I served on the ship from commissioning to decommissioning. I have numerous personal pictures, many pictures aboard ship, going thru the canal, etc. Also Borneo, and various places aboard ship and at different locations. I have a copy of the Kuching Surrender papers. I would be happy to send copies if I could have the mailing address. Feel free to contact me by e-mail:

Subject: D. Robert Baad USS Doyle C. Barnes
Date: Sat, 8 Jul 2000
From: baad@gateway.net

It is with great sorrow that I tell you my father, Dale Robt. Baad, passed away on 4/21/98. He died from a blood clot entering his lungs after a serious bout with cancer. I stayed with him to the last, and at the time of his passing, he was peaceful. For the record, he was well known and liked. He was a loving husband, and good friend to all who knew him. And, he was the best father a guy could ask for. I miss him everyday. Thank you for your site.
Sincerely, Robert Baad

From: Bunker2k@alltel.net

Hi. I found your website on the Barnes awesome. I was doing research for my dad's ship and the Barnes was his first and favorite one. Lots of good info I got from your site. Thanks! My dad was on the Barnes from 22 Nov 1945 in Shoemaker, CA and i'm not sure when he left, but he was on it over a year.

Tom Maines
[son of Homer L. Maines]

From: highflyer@mediaone.net

Hello!
I was very happy to have found your wonderful page. My dad is 2nd from left, in the second row of the crew picture. He is Lt. (jg) Francis A. Harrington. He died a few years ago and I sure miss him. Hope to hear from you!

Regards,
Skip Harrington

My name is Tom Johnston. I was so excited to find your webpage on the Doyle C. Barnes. My grandfather also served on this ship. He has been looking for more info regarding this ship. I think he may even have a few pictures. I'm sure he would also love to correspond with you. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Tom Johnston
tnjanice@juno.com

Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2000 11:37:24 EDT
From: OBell49@aol.com

My dad served on the Barnes in '44. I have his "Ancient Order of the Deep" card which is dated Nov 1-1944 but I have little information regarding his shipboard service. Your website is superlative!! Like others in your
e-mail, I found it a treasure of info. I hope that some of my dad's surviving shipmates, who remember him, might read this and contact me. If my memory is correct he spoke of working in the engine room (machinst mate).
Thank you again for this great site. I am the only son of an only son so my two sons are especially eager to learn more about their paternal grandfather.

Thanks,
Oscar C. Bell, Jr.
[son of Oscar Bell]

2003

My name is Darrow Webb and I'm the son of USS Doyle C. Barnes plankowner, L.M. Webb.

I very much was thrilled when I found your web site while exploring with my grandson last Saturday. I was very proud to show him my Dad's fine ship and tell him some of the stories I used to hear from my Dad of their wartime South Pacific experiences. My Dad was killed in a car wreck Nov. 1, 1958 so these visits to his past through your work are much appreciated!

It was a pleasure to find your website. My father who was on the Barnes I believe from 1943-1945 is in one of your pictures! It is the first one one the left. Where you said the "barnes had a handsome crew>'" He is third from the right in the top row. His name was William Henry Duchscherer Jr. from Louisville, Kentucky. We grew up hearing his stories of the Barnes and are very proud of his service. Unfortunately he is gone now and I am trying to preserve his war memories as best I can . He died suddenly and pre-maturely at 64. Your site is fantastic and a real tribute to your father and all the men on the USS Barnes. I would love the cd-rom and also any stories etc you can share. I will also review things with my brothers and we may be able to also contribute. We will never forget the service of al these men. Our Dad was so proud to have been one of them!
thank you and best regards,
LESLIE Duchscherer

Hi,
I'd like to inform you that my grandfather - Harold Q. Smith (MM3c) He passed away on September 7, 2002. I'd love to hear stories about him if there is anyone on the ship who remembers. The only story I have is one night a bunch of them got real drunk, and he woke up the next day with a tattoo of an anchor on his arm. Cute :-) Anyways, please let me know if you can point me in the right direction. Thank you very much!!!

Michelle Miner

2005

Greetings: My name is Autman D. Shore, I am a plank owner of DE 353. You will find my name in your crew list. I was radioman and served with your husband. I remember him well. I was recently just toying around with my computer and decided to see if I could any information on the Barnes. Golly, I was suprised. You have done a marvelous job and I thank you for all the memories. I kept in contact with only two of my shipmates: William Gatlin of Phoenix, Arizona and Donald Mayotte of Hudson Falls, New York. Sadly they have both died. You show Gatlin as deceased but I can't find anything of Mayotte. Mayotte was radio operator and Gatlin was radio tech. Mayotte was not a plank owner but came aboard shortly after we left Orange, Texas. Do you have any info. on Mayotte also we had a mate whose name was Simon ( don't remember if that was his first or last name.) And there was a mate whose name was Symon (same deal - first name or last) they both were from Pennsylvia but I can't remember what city. I would sure like to find out about those two. I remember Vorhees, Camarada, Avart, and Golden. So sorry they are all dead; they were about the same age as me. I will be 83 years old in October and so far I am doing very well. Never have been sick (honest) for which I am grateful. Never been in a hospital except to visit some one who was in there. I'll be in touch with you later.

Autman Shore

My name is Sandy Miller...my Uncle, John Amole, was a plank owner of the Barnes...he is in his 80's now and talks all the time about his time in the Navy...it's a link we have, as I served in the U.S. Navy WAVES during the Vietnam War. I know he would absolutely love to see these pictures...If you could send a CD it would be a wonderful gift for me to present to him.

Sandy Miller

2006

I just wanted to contact you to let you know that my Dad, Salul Weisman passed away on September 9, 2005. He enjoyed emailing crew and family memebers on this web-site, and proudly put his bumper-sticker that said DE Sailors.

Dad was 79 years old and lived in Palm Beach Gardens, florida.

Peter Weisman

Thanks for the absolutely awesome website. My dad William G. Bailey was a crew member on the Barnes. He is still alive and well living in Marietta, GA with my Mom. They have been married for 63 years. I have attached a story that my son wrote recently telling my dads story. It blows me away going back to your website after listening to Dads account. He has not seen the website yet. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Cheers,
Joel Bailey

I told my dad all about you, he really greatly appreciates what you are doing for his father. My grandfather, Peter Brozino, did 2 years in the army, 20 years in the Navy, was a police officer, was a correctional officer, and was the oldest man with cancer to earn a college degree in Putman county FL. So for you to do what your doing for him and his shipmates is really greatly appreciated.
Just coming off sea duty now on shore duty and seeing my grandfather did deployments just like I have makes me feel really good. Also makes me stop and think that he and I so far are the only people to have the last name Brozino that have served in the Navy.

Thank you ,
Bo Brozino
EL Cajon, Ca 92020

Sister Ship USS Jaccard DE - 355

Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2000
From: "Roy Kilwin" kilwin@sonnet.com

My name is Roy Kilwin and I was part of the nucleus crew on the USS Jaccard and served on her until she returned to the states after the war ended.I was an electricions mate and worked on interior communications and gyro. I live in Sonora ,Ca. and would like to hear from anyone else that served aboard her. Thank you for your web page and for gathering this information.

Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000
From: Paul Abrahamian paulabe@mindspring.com

Very nice to hear from you. I forwarded your e-mail to Al Gregg. If anyone knows info about the jaccard, it's al. also all about DESA. Our 1999 reunion was in West Virginia. We had a very solemn memorial service at the Navy Memorial in downtown Washington, complete with Navy color guard and bugler for taps. Rear Admiral Mckinney (ret) spoke some eloquent words. Our 2000 reunion was in Lancaster,PA. We have a hard core of about 15 shipmates plus wives and girlfriends which brings us to about 28-30. We have lost some shipmates recently which is very hard on us. We have also discussed contacting the other division ships for a divisional reunion. More later. Paul

Sister Ship USS Kenneth M. Willet DE- 354

Sir,
I don't know if you are interested but my 73 year old Dad was an electrician on the Kenneth M. Willett (DE-354) during WW2. He doesn't have a computer but can be reached through me or by mail at: Gustave Lamarre
<snip>
I myself during the 60's served on a destroyer tender (USS Everglades AD-24) so I have a great interest in DD's & DE's. I wore my Dad WW2 dress blues when I was in. Have a good Day!
Adrien Lamarre