These are some random pictures from that first journey overseas. Next stop: New York! Pictured below is Gibraltar 1944.
On the back of the picture below is written, "Tunis, North Africa, 1944" Port of Bizerte North Africa, 1944. Though it looks like a desert notice the ship that is actually in the water to the left of the tower. The following pictures are quite out of order but they were just recently found. The first that we was taken in North Dakota simply has "1942" written at the bottom. The man in this great picture is identified as John Muldon.
A troop train now takes our new graduates to Orange, Texas where they will become the first crew of the new U.S.S. Pride DE 323. But before heading off to Texas here are a couple of pictures left from Wahpeton.
The Prairie Schooner announces the graduation of Company 12 and the end of their time at the North Dakota State School of Science.
Anewspaper article clipped from the Barberton Herald, William's hometown newpaper, reads:
WILLIAM VALENCHECK IN COAST GUARD CLASS
GREAT LAKES, Ill., July 29th. - William Valencheck, 22 son of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Valencheck, 393 Thrid Street, Barberton, member of the U. S. Coast Guard, has completed 16 weeks of instruction at the U. S. Naval Training School for machinist's mates at the North Dakota State School of Science Whapeton, N. D., and now awaits assignment to active duty.
The diploma reads, "This certifies that VALENCHECK, William S2c has satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of study at the U. S. NAVAL TRAINING SCHOOL (MACHINIST'S MATE) WAHPETON, NORTH DAKOTA this 17 day of July 1943.
This is the last issue of the Prairie Schooner that we have as it is almost good bye to North Dakota State School of Science for Company 12 and hello Texas. Here are a couple of stories from the 16 July 1943 edition.
NAVY TAKES FIRST CHINESE FOR SUB COMBAT DUTY.
Fong On Git, better known to his shipmates in New London and Wahpeton as Daniel Fong, graduated from the basic course at the Navy Submarine Base, New London, Conn., several weeks ago with a standing of sixth in a class of several hundred.
Danny graduated from the Machinist Mate School here at Wahpeton on April 17 and was sent to Submarine Base instruction before entering combat duty with the U. S. Navy Submarine Force. He is believed to be the first Chinese ever to be accepted for submarine combat duty in the United States Navy.
According to word received from New London after completion of his basic course at that school, he had been an exceptional student – attaining a grade of 3.78 – a perfect grade is 4.0.
As a result of his high standing (and being the) first Chinese to serve on American submarines, the Mayor of Chinatown in New York and several other Chinese dignitaries feted him at a dinner and presented him with a wristwatch. At the dinner, Danny had difficulty handling his chopsticks because he had not used them for so long.
Fong was born in Kwantung Province, China, the son of Noon Fong, an American citizen. While a boy, he went to a Catholic mission school and learned English and Chinese. When he was seven years old he and his father left two younger brothers and his mother to come to San Francisco.
He went to public schools and was graduated from Galileo High School in June, 1942. In August, he reached his seventeenth birthday and two months later joined the Navy. Upon completion of his “boots” he spent four months here at Wahpeton (. . .)
In direct contrast to his barracks which houses 200 men, Fong has a suite to himself in the Hotel Ambassador in New York for his stay there.
A NOTE OF FAREWELL TO COMPANY 12
Precision and exactness as to machining has been the keynote of all of your training for the past four months at this (facility). With this intense training you have reached a full realization of the paramount necessity of perfection in the proper repair and maintenance of all types of machines. This training in precision and exactness you can apply to yourselves as men and perfect yourselves in your military duties so that you will be just as dependable and efficient as the machinery which you have been learning to keep in perfect working order.
There is a degree of tolerance in machining that you keep to a minimum. Learn to keep within that degree of tolerance in yourselves.
I want to congratulate you upon being a very fine company also to thank you for the cooperation that you have given the school officials and your officers. May you carry that same spirit to your future places of duty.
The very best of luck to each of you.
GEORGE FENDER, III Lt. Comdr., D-V (S) USNR, Commanding Officer
NEWS AND VIEWS AROUND THE BARRACKS
SECTION “P” By Lawrence Moise
In last week’s SCHOONER, there was a little mistake about who made Company 12 the best-looking Company on the drill field every Saturday. I think it was mostly due to Sam Kerr, our Company Leader. All of the Coast Guard seem to have done pretty well as Company Leaders and Section Leaders. Lots of luck to a swell bunch of guys.
SECTION “A” By Alfred A. Buss
We are glad to express our congratulations to Company 12 on their coming graduation, and wish them very good luck.
(…)
The highly lauded Ship’s Company didn’t bother Sections A and B in the least. They remembered Farragut’s motto: “Damn the Torpedoes – Full Speed Ahead!” After the second inning Ship’s Company was getting plenty seasick.
The highlight of the game was when the much publicized Ship’s Company got their first three batters on base, but lo and behold, their 22-caliber rifles started to shoot blanks and their runners died on base.
Nivens showed them what a 16-inch gun was like when he hit a long line drive over the left fielder’s head. Incidentally, he was still chasing the ball when Niven’s crossed home plate.
OUT OF THE G.I. CAN
Saw a comment the other day that the figures on the rapidly increasing number of divorces would indicate that America is still the land of the free. True enough, but the large number of marriages indicate that it is also the home of the brave.
ADMIRAL MORSELL, DIST. SUPPLY OFFICER VISITS STATION
By Arnold E. Simonton, Yic
Admiral Everett Morsell, who just this week received notification that he had been nominated by the President for appointment to the rank of Rear Admiral, made a short visit to the Naval Training Station Wednesday afternoon. While here, he made a hasty but thorough inspection of the Supply Department while several other officers who accompanied him delved into the problems of the educational program followed here and also as to the success of our War Bond Drive.
The pilot of the Lockheed Lodestar plane, Lt. O. O. Keifer, literally brought the big plane in on a prayer.
Approaching the field from the east, he was forced to use the short runway for landing. He found it necessary to use full flaps and to set the plane down immediately after clearing the telephone poles and wires just across the highway from the field, His landing was a beautiful three-point, attesting to the skill of the man at the wheel.
At 3:45 p.m. the huge plane the largest that has yet landed on the local field, roared down the grass-covered runway, lifted easily into the air and winged towards Kansas City, bringing to a close the first visit by an Admiral to this station.
(SECTION “E” by J. E. De Vito)
Mr. Ness did quite a business on his famous “Hotel Register” last Wednesday in Shop Knowledge by marking all the fellows who were on the self appointed “Admiral’s Reception Committee.”
According to the boys, it was worth losing a few points to see an Admiral land on the station. After all, they don’t come here every day.
PICTORIAL REVIEW OF ADM. MORSELL’S VISIT TO WAHPETON TRAINING SCHOOL
Some notes from the last issue of the Prairie Schooner.
OUT OF THE G. I. CAN
In the parlor there were three -
She, the table lamp, and he.
Two is company, there is no doubt
So the table lamp went out!
Suzie: "With all the good men in the armed services, it's pretty hard looking for a husband these days."
Que: "Just the same, if I were you, I'd leave the husbands alone and look for a single man."
TRAINEES RECEIVE SWIMMING INSTRUCTION FROM CHIEFBIDWELL
In accordance with the navy's policy that every sailor shall be a swimming man, the Wahpeton swimming pool at Chahinkapa Park is being used exclusively by the men stationed at the U.S. Naval Training School (MM), Wahpeton, N. D., each weekday morning. Expert instruction in the art of swimming is being given by Chief Bidwell and it is expected that every non-swimmer will soon be able to pass the Navy Standard Swimming Test.
In order to pass the Navy swimming test, each sailor must swim 50 yards.
ATTENTION
Men, here's a real bargain! Here's a chance to save five cents every time you go swimming during liberty! If you will stop in at the Ship's Service Store before going on liberty, you can purchase a swimming tickets for only TEN CENTS. THAT'S A SAVINGS OF ONE WHOLE NICKLE. If you wait until you get to the pool, it'll cost you fifteen cents.
This letter was sent to the parents of sons selected for further training which did serve Mr. Valencheck very well throughout the rest of his life.
U.S. NAVAL TRAINING SCHOOL MACHINIST'S MATE NORTH DAKOTA STATE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE WAHPETON, NORTH DAKOTA
April 6, 1943
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Valencheck:
As you probably know, your son has been selected for advanced training as a Navy man. He has been enrolled at this school for this purpose.
During the sixteen weeks he will be here, he will be given a specialized course of shop instruction and related class instruction which will prepare him to work for an advanced fireman's and machinist's mate's rating.
This letter is to assure you that we are intensely interested in giving him valuable training. Upon successful completion of the course, he will be eligible for promotion in rate and pay. He will have an education in a skill which will increase his value to the Navy and be of great worth to him upon his return to civilian life.
Please feel free to write us for any information you may desire regarding his welfare or his progress in school.
Sincerely yours, George Fender III Lieut. Commander, USNR Commanding Officer
The Greatest Generation is disappearing. According to Veterans Administration at the beginning of this year there were approximately 5,032,591 veteran of World War II still living in the United States but they are dying at the rate of 1,136 a day. As they die so do many of their memories.Sometimes the memories die before the veteran does himself. Our Father, MoMM3c William Valencheck who served aboard the USS Pride DE 323 and who is now confronting the ravages of Alzheimer’s at the age of 87, has lost much of his memory. Though he never would talk much about his experience of WWII, he cannot now even if he were so inclined.In putting his estate together there was revealed a sizable cache of his memorabilia from WWII. There were letters from old girl friends, pictures of fellow guardsmen, drawings, and other mementos that for us are disconnected from actual people and events. Unsure what to do with all of these images of memories that are in some way treasures, his children thought to begin this blog and post the various items from week to week.The intention is not so much to focus on MoMM (Motor Machinist Mate) William J. Valencheck or even to give an in depth historical analysis of the war, but to give a snap shot of some of what a crew member aboard a U.S. Coast Guard ship during the great war held on to as memories.
On the back of the picture below is written, "Tunis, North Africa, 1944"
Port of Bizerte North Africa, 1944. Though it looks like a desert notice the ship that is actually in the water to the left of the tower.
The following pictures are quite out of order but they were just recently found. The first that we was taken in North Dakota simply has "1942" written at the bottom.
The man in this great picture is identified as John Muldon.
