I'm starting this page as a Memorial to Honor my Dad, Warren Kenneth Mathews who served in WWII on the USS Walke DD-723.
They say a man never dies until he is forgotten so I pray by this site, long after I'm gone his memory will live on.
This site is also to show my SUPPORT for our TROOPS!
ABOVE ALL THIS IS A MEMORIAL SITE DEDICATED TO MY DAD IN LOVING HONOR OF HIS MEMORY.
A quick note about me. Besides the fact that I still miss my Dad terribly since he past in 1974 I am crippled & suffer severe chronic pain. I get an Epidural every 3 months in my lower back that usually helps some but the one I got on Sept 17th got botched causing me even worse pain & hellish migraines forcing me 2 resort 2 pain pills & Zomig every day. I was also recently diagnosed with stage 3A breast cancer so I’m fighting that battle also which is my 3rd battle with cancer. So if I seem 2 not be “on my game” as I would try 2 be I hope u will understand. I Will continue 2 do the best I can here 2 help u all 2 raise ur rating & page views as best I can. I thank u all 4 ur prayers & support.
God Bless u all.
Cathy
PEARL HARBOR
Police Artist Backs Claim That Texas Man is ‘Kissing Sailor’
Friday, July 27, 2007
FOX NEWS
No one believed Glenn McDuffie when he claimed to be a smooching sailor in a famous photo 62 years ago. Today, the Texas man has enlisted the help of a police sketch artist to vouch for him.
And she has.
"His face, his nose, his eye brow shape, his hairline, his hair texture - it all lines up,” famed forensic artist Lois Gibson told FOX 26 News in Houston.
Gibson’s opinion is a strong one, considering that her work has helped Houston Police solve over 100 crimes. She has also been featured in Oprah's magazine, People magazine, and the Guinness Book of World Records, MyFoxHouston.com reported.
“It's time somebody told the truth about it,” McDuffie said of the classic black and white photo, a symbol of relief at the conclusion of World War II.
McDuffie’s claim would be news to several other ex-sailors who also say they’re the amorous swabbie.
THIS IS MY DAD'SHIP OFF MARE ISLAND March 24, 1945.....I think it was still leaking...they had just gotten back from the war.
WE PROUDLY HONOR Lt MICHAEL P. MURPHY
"The actions taken by Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a former lifeguard from Patchogue, on a June afternoon in 2005 earned him, posthumously, the Congressional Medal of Honor -- the United States' highest military award.”
Please pay your respects to him at the “SOLDIER’S WALL” on page 53.
http://www.soldierwall.com/wall.php
TEMPORARILY UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
Do to the fact that Cathy is gravely ill I will be managing this site for her.
PLEASE KEEP HER IN YOUR PRAYERS & SEE MY SHOUT BOX FOR INFO ON THE WORLDWIDE PRAYER VIGIL FOR HER ON NOV 11 AT 11:11am LASTING ONE HOUR.
December 28: Today's Notable Birthdays Happy birthday: David Archuleta, John Legend, Seth Meyers, Sienna Miller, Twila Paris, Maggie Smith, Denzel Washington, Woodrow Wilson and others. Is December 28th your birthday? How will you celebrate? What notable individuals share your birthday? View more
MY DAD AT THE GREAT LAKES NAVAL TRAINING STATION. .. MY DAD JOINED THE NAVAL RESERVES ON OCTOBER 14, 1943
HE WAS CALLED INTO ACTIVE DUTY ON THE WALKE ON JULY 21, 1944.
SHIPMATES OF MY DAD.
WILLIAM R. HARDIN WITH HIS SHIPMATES ON THE WALKE
IN WWII.
Torpedo Tubes…what my Dad worked with.
Anomoly on the USS Walke DD-723
The Allen M. Sumner class destroyer USS Walke, DD-723 was somewhere in the Pacific Ocean performing a drill. In this drill, the gyrocompass was covered, and all navigation was done using the magnetic compass. During the drill, the captain was not on deck. The crew was to navigate for a period of time using only the magnetic compass.
The drill had been going on for some time when suddenly, the compass swung wildly toward starboard. The crew scrambled to correct course to match the compass heading, but the compass didn't move. Shortly, the compass swung wildly to port. The crew again attempted in vain to correct by turning to port. After a short time, the compass returned to normal, allowing the crew to correct course. The Captain, understandably upset about the wild turns in what was supposed to be a straight-course navigation, flew onto the bridge wanting to know what was wrong.
No answer to the anamoly was forthcoming. Of course, I know exactly what happened. A pocketknife had been placed next to the compass. When the ship began to swing to starboard, the knife was moved to the port side of the compass. After a swing to port, the knife was removed again, completely unknown to the bridge crew, but for one man. That man was the culprit, Billy Walker.
A SHIPMATE OF MY DAD EARL HARVEY MORRIS.
Earl H. Morris, Great Lakes Naval Training Station, December 1943
EARL HARVEY MORRIS BOUND DIARY.
CLICK ON IT TO GO TO WEBSITE TO READ
THE ENTIRE DIARY.
THE FIRST PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO MEET
THO I KNOW I'LL NEVER GET A CHANCE TO
IS A SHIPMATE OF MY DAD'S WHO WAS THE FIRST
SHIPMATE I WAS ABLE TO CONNECT WITH WHO
WAS ON MY DAD'S SHIP WITH HIM...WE HAVE BEEN
EMAILING BACK & FORTH FOR SOME TIME NOW.
I CANNOT REVEAL HIS NAME BUT HE HAS BECOME VERY
DEAR TO ME...IT TOOK ME ALMOST A YEAR TO GET
HIM TO TELL ME ABOUT THAT DAY THE SHIP WAS
ATTACKED THAT CAUSED THE DEATH OF COMMANDER
DAVIS...WHEN HE FINALLY DID, THIS IS WHAT HE
WROTE ME ABOUT IT:
Dear Cathy
The 723 saga.
About Jan 3,1945 the 723 raised anchor in Leyte and set
off as part of an invasion fleet to the main Philippine Island of
Luzon at Lingayen Gulf.
It was the 6th of January 1945 when the 723 made an early
morning arrival in the Lingayen Bay, on the
Island of Luzon in the Lingayen Gulf.
We split away from the main fleet and in the early morning
arrived in the Gulf.
There we joined up with a few mine sweepers, as well as
another DD from our squadron and an Aussi destroyer.
Our mission was to protect the minesweepers as they did
their work. McArthur had said the sky would be filled
with allied planes but the only friendly’s I saw were some
hellcats bombing the beach. Then all hell broke
loose as we were attacked by four or five Jap
suicide planes. One crashed into the port side of
the bridge and turned the bridge into a flaming mess.
The plane carried a bomb when it hit the ship which did not
explode. The skipper COM Davis leaned over the bridge
rail and shouted to us right below him to get a hose into
the CIC as there was a live bomb in the blazing inferno.
The skipper was aflame 99% what we could see but
remained in charge of the crew and ship's safety
until he expired.
It turned out that the bomb went thru the CIC and didn't
arm itself until after passing thru the ship.
Our skipper was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
He got the Medal the hard way. His widow addressed the
crew just as we were returning to sea after repairs.
Cathy I hope that this tells a part of the courage of
George Fleming Davis, our Captain.
Dick
Music:
THE SHIPS MOTTO..."GO GALLANTLY"
Movies:
TV:
Meaning of Flag Draped Coffin.
To understand what the flag draped coffin really means...... Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers. Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776? Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day! The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life. The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life. The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world. The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance. The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong." The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that They pledge allegiance to the flag of the United! States Of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic. The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.! The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded. The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born. The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. The 13th fold or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nation’s motto, "In God We Trust."
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today. There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why. Share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to, the symbol of “Liberty and Freedom."
MAYBE THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD READ THIS EXPLANATION BEFORE THEY RENDER THEIR DECISION ON THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. FORWARD IT; MAYBE SOMEONE WITH THE NECESSARY POWER, OR POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL INFLUENCE, WILL GET IT TO THEM. IN THE MEANTIME, MAY GOD PROTECT US ALWAYS. ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
Books:
MY FIRST HORSE CRISTY AND HER FOAL LISA.....MY DAD WENT WITH ME TO LOOK AT HER WHEN I BOUGHT HER...SHE COULDN'T BE RIDDEN BY ANYONE BUT THE WOMAN WHO OWNED HER AND EVEN SHE HAD A HARD TIME HANDLING HER WHICH WAS WHY HER HUSBAND INSTISTED SHE SELL HER OR HE WAS GOING TO SEND HER TO THE DOGFOOD MEAT MARKET. THE WOMAN RODE HER AROUND FOR ME TO SEE HER. I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR MY DAD'S SUPPORT I NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUY HER EVEN THO I HAD SAVED MY OWN MONEY TO BUY HER WITH....MY DAD ALWAYS SUPPORTED ALL MY DREAMS.
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE OUTSIDE OF A HORSE THAT IS GOOD FOR THE INSIDE OF A MAN.
Heroes/Idols:
MY DAD…THO HE PAST AWAY IN 1974 HE IS STILL MY HERO AND ALWAYS WILL BE. HE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN AND FATHER AND HE TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT LIFE. HE INSTILLED IN ME A LOVE OF HORSES FROM THE BEDTIME STORIES HE TOLD ME WHEN I WAS A KID ABOUT BEING A WATTERBOY AT THE OLD CALVARY IN CLEVELAND WHEN HE WAS A KID. HE TOOK ME FOR MY FIRST RIDE AT TRAIL O’ PINES IN WHILLOUGHBY HILLS. I ALSO BECAME A TRAIL GUIDE THERE WHICH WAS A GREAT PLACE TO GROW UP. I RODE MY HORSE DOWN TO SQUIRE’S CASTLE EVERY CHANCE I HAD. MY DAD WAS AN AVID CLEVELAND INDIAN’S AND CLEVELAND BROWNS FAN. HE TOOK ME TO MY FIRST BASEBALL GAME WHEN I WAS A KID. MY DAD WORKED AT TRW IN EUCLID, OHIO AND ALSO DROVE A YELLOW CAB IN CLEVELAND PART TIME. WE GREW UP IN WILLOWICK, OHIO ON 327th STREET. IT USED TO BE A STREET FULL OF GREAT MAPLE TREES ON THE TREELAWNS AND IN THE BACK YARDS. IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO GROW UP. MY DAD WAS EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD TO ME AND I STILL MISS HIM TERRIBLY.
MY DAD’S HERO WAS COMMANDER GEORGE F. DAVIS
Medal of Honor citation Commander George F. Davis' official Medal of Honor citation is as follows: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Walke DD-723 engaged in a detached mission in support of minesweeping operations to clear the waters for entry of our heavy surface and amphibious forces preparatory to the invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 6 January 1945. Operating without gun support of other surface ships when four Japanese suicide planes were detected flying low overland to attack simultaneously, Commander Davis boldly took his position in the exposed wings of the bridge and directed control to pick up the leading plane and open fire. Alert and fearless as the Walke's deadly fire sent the first target crashing into the water and caught the second as it passed close over the bridge to plunge into the sea off portside, he remained steadfast in the path of the third plane plunging swiftly to crash the after end of the bridge structure. Seriously wounded when the plane struck, drenched with gasoline and immediately enveloped in flames, he conned the Walke in the midst of the wreckage; he rallied his command to heroic efforts; he exhorted his officers and men to save the ship and, still on his feet, saw the barrage from his guns destroy the fourth suicide bomber. With the fires under control and the safety of the ship assured, he consented to be carried below. Succumbing several hours later, Commander Davis, by his example of valor and his unhesitating self-sacrifice, steeled the fighting spirit of his command into unyielding purpose in completing a vital mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country." Other Navy awards: Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit.
COMMANDER DAVIS WAS FURTHER HONORED BY HAVING DAVIS DD-937 (q.v.) NAMED FOR HIM.
MY NEWEST HERO JAMES R. SKINNER...MY ADOPTED SOLDIER...AIR FORCE SECURITY FORCES...I AM SO PROUD OF WHAT HE IS DOING FOR OUR COUNTRY AND SO HONORED BY THE GIFT OF KNOWING HIM...HE HAS BEEN DEPLOYED OVERSEAS AND RETURNED JUNE 7th.... I HOPE U WILL KEEP HIM IN UR PRAYERS.
My Beautiful Daughter Wendy
My Wonderful Son Danny who’s the Sunshine of my Life.
My first born Son Joe
Wayne E. Keller
