"The United States entered World War II December 8, 1942. In 1943 Marvin was commissioned Major in the Army and took command of the dredge Chester Harding. The Harding and several other sea-going hopper dredges were fitted with 3-inch deck guns and 20-millimeter antiaircraft guns, and sent to Europe. Marvin, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, was designated commodore (a senior U.S. military captain who commanded squadrons of more than one vessel). He was the first Army officer to become commodore of a fleet of merchant vessels, in this case four dredges that crossed the Atlantic."
A few days ago my cousin Dallie showed me the star (from the pennant that flew on his vessel) that Uncle Marvin brought home after the war.
Hand written on the star are these words: "US DREDGE Chester Harding Homeward Bound Pennant 1945 Commanding Officer M.W. Howard, Ocracoke, N.C."
Our current Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of Infant & Childhood Mortality on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072113.htm.
Wow, what an interesting career your uncle had! And what a wonderful memento for your family. I'm reading one of the books you recommended about WWII and really learning. Thanks for sharing - always informative and captivating.
ReplyDeleteHow neat! I love how you have these various trinkets and mementos from Family long ago!
ReplyDeleteWill be out there at the end of the week, hope to see you around!
A NPR promo for a program referred to the use of the star on our flag. The choice of stars was a first and dang, at this point I don't know the reason why. Just wanted to throw it out there first thing this morn before the coffee has cleared the morning brain fog.DD
ReplyDelete