One of the neatest things I've discovered in reading through Gus Wellings' letters is pulling names of various people that were his friends during his time serving in the south Pacific, and then finding these names in published books. One name that stands out is that of Captain Gelzer Loyall Sims of the USS Maury DD-401. In the letter excerpt below, Wellings discusses a wonderful meeting of Sims as they come up alongside then in port on March 18th of 1943:
"Guess what?? The other day I noticed as we steamed into port that Gelzer Sims' destroyer was at anchor. I immediately sent
a message (1000) and asked Gelzer over for lunch. He arrived at 1030 and talked until 1500 when I had to go to a conference – this included all during meal time. He is the same old Gelzer and his old and new stories are gems. He kept all my wardroom officers spellbound all during lunch. He has been out here from the beginning – as he said he arrived here in the Mayflower –it has seemed that long since he has been home. He reports all well with Sue and the family. He really looks fine – but says he would not turn down an offer for a few days rest. Notice the improved ink– my yeoman just cleaned and refilled my pen."
South Pacific Destroyer was written by a man who served aboard the Maury, Russell Sydnor Crenshaw, Jr. In the book, Crenshaw gives intimate daily details of the people who served on the destroyer class ships in the south Pacific and there are serveral references to Strong, to Wellings and other officers as well. Reading a book such as this gives a person insight into the day to day operations, trials and tribulations and the sometimes raucous times during their time of service in the Solomon Islands and beyond. I highly recommend it as a book that will take you back to the time of our relatives when they were in a position to change the world.
Reference to this book can be found on my Navy Links and Resource page.
Tammi
"Guess what?? The other day I noticed as we steamed into port that Gelzer Sims' destroyer was at anchor. I immediately sent
a message (1000) and asked Gelzer over for lunch. He arrived at 1030 and talked until 1500 when I had to go to a conference – this included all during meal time. He is the same old Gelzer and his old and new stories are gems. He kept all my wardroom officers spellbound all during lunch. He has been out here from the beginning – as he said he arrived here in the Mayflower –it has seemed that long since he has been home. He reports all well with Sue and the family. He really looks fine – but says he would not turn down an offer for a few days rest. Notice the improved ink– my yeoman just cleaned and refilled my pen."
South Pacific Destroyer was written by a man who served aboard the Maury, Russell Sydnor Crenshaw, Jr. In the book, Crenshaw gives intimate daily details of the people who served on the destroyer class ships in the south Pacific and there are serveral references to Strong, to Wellings and other officers as well. Reading a book such as this gives a person insight into the day to day operations, trials and tribulations and the sometimes raucous times during their time of service in the Solomon Islands and beyond. I highly recommend it as a book that will take you back to the time of our relatives when they were in a position to change the world.
Reference to this book can be found on my Navy Links and Resource page.
Tammi
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