Fri Display

Taffy 3 Model Ship Display Friday Afternoon

Taffy 3 Model Ship Group
October 25, 2019

Gary Scribner with USS Kitkun Bay survivor Don Wilson.

Survivor Herbert Bounds of the USS St. Lo relating a story about the USS Dennis to Neil Boyle. Herb was blown off one of the starboard side sponson after a secondary magazine explosion from a kamikaze strike on the St. Lo on 25 October 1944. The USS Dennis rescued him a few hours later. Herb pointed out exactly where he laid on the deck of the USS Dennis after his rescue: on the port side deck next to the rear 5" gun.

He also showed Neil where he was on the USS Dennis (starboard side just forward of the depth charge racks) when he saw two incoming torpedoes the next day. Herb said that the Dennis successfully avoided the torpedoes by turning starboard into the torpedoes. The torpedoes cleared the stern of the Dennis.

93 year old veteran sailor Vern Kimmell, FC2, was assigned to the USS Raymond DE-341 while still being in the shipyard and remained aboard the Raymond throughout WWII. Stan got to spend over an hour talking to Vern who shared many interesting stories. In addition to Vern's connection with Stan and the USS Raymond, they are fellow Hoosiers; Vern grew up in Vincennes, Indiana.