Most of you are familiar with the history of Desron 21 in the South Pacific, just because of Strong. DesRon 21 was formed when enough Fletcher-class ships arrived in the South Pacific (first arrival was Nicholas followed fairly soon by O’Bannon and Fletcher) The squadron was formally organized in March 1943 after the 1 Feb 1943 sinking of DeHaven (John Bailey info).
Seven ships took part in the actions accompanying Strong: 3 light cruisers; USS St. Louis CL-49, USS Honolulu CL-48, USS Helena CL-50; and 4 Fletcher class destroyers making up the destroyer squadron: USS Chevalier DD-451, USS Strong DD-467, USS O’Bannon DD-450 and the USS Nicholas DD-449. We know the fate of Strong, and the other three destroyers had various circumstances. Chevalier too, was sunk in battle in October of 1943. O’Bannon had a long and deservedly decorated life before being scrapped in June of 1970. The “Nick” was also one of the most decorated ships of WW2, and like O’Bannon she was sold for scrap in October of 1970. Oh, to have one of these valiant ladies for a museum! And while that can’t be, we do have a piece of the Nicholas that has been saved.
According to a former sailor on the Nicholas, John Bailey, a portion of the mainmast has been recovered. About his service on Nicholas: "I was DASH Controller and Gunnery Officer when serving on the Nicholas in the late 1960s, then worked under Admiral Zumwalt in Saigon running the Navy’s language school (in “modern” times, “Gunnery” was a division and not THE Weapons Department head as during WWII)". John is working on a book about the history of Nicholas and traveling the country meeting with veterans and visiting places where he can learn about the history of the ships she sailed with and the men who inspired their names. I hope to meet him this year as he makes his way through Kentucky. Below, check out his account and what’s going to happen with this piece of his beloved ship.
“Zidell Marine, a ship breaker in Portland, Oregon, purchased the Nicholas following the “Nick’s” decommissioning on 30 January 1970. As the “Nick” was being towed up to Zidell’s yard on the Willamette River, the tip of her mainmast struck the Ross Island Bridge. That incident may or may not have prompted Zidell to remove the upper third of the mast and mount it at the Portland area Sea Scout base on the Columbia River astride Portland International Airport.
No one in our veterans’ association was aware the mast still existed, but somehow the word filtered down to me just prior to our 2015 Portland reunion. A fellow shipmate and I had a look, decided then-and-there that nothing would do but we gather at its base for a group shot.
A few years ago the airport authority notified the Sea Scouts their 28-year lease would not be renewed for local security reasons. I was contacted by Sea Scout director and told if we wanted our mast back, come and get it. One of our member, living along Highway 5 in Washington, asked Chehalis Veterans Memorial Museum if they would mount the mast on their grounds, to which they said YES. Now it’s all about welding the mast back together, painting it, designing a suitable foundation (in a flood plain) and seeing it up for a flag ceremony next Veterans Day.
Both Nicholas and O’Bannon were named after Marines. Presley O’Bannon (1st lieutenant in Marine Corps during First Barbary War 1801-05) is buried in the Frankfort Cemetery (in Kentucky) somewhere near (the grave of) Daniel Boone. I’m going to mount grave markers on the Nicholas mast pedestal in Chehalis, a replica of the Nicholas grave marker (for Samuel Nicholas, officer in Continental Marines in Revolutionary War) and a look-alike for O’Bannon. With some identifying brass plaques mounted nearby, this will give our West Coast Marines a place to toot their horns on Vets’ Day and the Marine Corps birthday.”
What he doesn’t mention here is that in Zidell’s reception area they have mounted what may be a piece of the hull of Nicholas on the wall. He and his wife visited the facility and were told this by a receptionist whom he says wanted to put a smile on their faces. I hope her information is true. Quite the story and so lucky to have a piece of this great ship that others can visit. We wish John and the members of the Nicholas Association much luck in getting this completed and will post information and photos once the mainmast is in place and ready for viewing! Below are photos of the journey to move the mast and others that tell a bit about how the mainmast was recovered and links to the museum in Chehalis, WA and Zidell Marine.
-Tammi
Chehalis Veteran’s Memorial Museum in Chehalis, Washington
Zidell Marine Portland, Oregon
P.S. John's book will be titled, "Sisters in War, Sisters in Peace: USS Nicholas (DD-449) & USS O’Bannon (DD-450), First Fletcher Class Destroyers". Release date TBA
Captions provided by John Gregory Bailey
Seven ships took part in the actions accompanying Strong: 3 light cruisers; USS St. Louis CL-49, USS Honolulu CL-48, USS Helena CL-50; and 4 Fletcher class destroyers making up the destroyer squadron: USS Chevalier DD-451, USS Strong DD-467, USS O’Bannon DD-450 and the USS Nicholas DD-449. We know the fate of Strong, and the other three destroyers had various circumstances. Chevalier too, was sunk in battle in October of 1943. O’Bannon had a long and deservedly decorated life before being scrapped in June of 1970. The “Nick” was also one of the most decorated ships of WW2, and like O’Bannon she was sold for scrap in October of 1970. Oh, to have one of these valiant ladies for a museum! And while that can’t be, we do have a piece of the Nicholas that has been saved.
According to a former sailor on the Nicholas, John Bailey, a portion of the mainmast has been recovered. About his service on Nicholas: "I was DASH Controller and Gunnery Officer when serving on the Nicholas in the late 1960s, then worked under Admiral Zumwalt in Saigon running the Navy’s language school (in “modern” times, “Gunnery” was a division and not THE Weapons Department head as during WWII)". John is working on a book about the history of Nicholas and traveling the country meeting with veterans and visiting places where he can learn about the history of the ships she sailed with and the men who inspired their names. I hope to meet him this year as he makes his way through Kentucky. Below, check out his account and what’s going to happen with this piece of his beloved ship.
“Zidell Marine, a ship breaker in Portland, Oregon, purchased the Nicholas following the “Nick’s” decommissioning on 30 January 1970. As the “Nick” was being towed up to Zidell’s yard on the Willamette River, the tip of her mainmast struck the Ross Island Bridge. That incident may or may not have prompted Zidell to remove the upper third of the mast and mount it at the Portland area Sea Scout base on the Columbia River astride Portland International Airport.
No one in our veterans’ association was aware the mast still existed, but somehow the word filtered down to me just prior to our 2015 Portland reunion. A fellow shipmate and I had a look, decided then-and-there that nothing would do but we gather at its base for a group shot.
A few years ago the airport authority notified the Sea Scouts their 28-year lease would not be renewed for local security reasons. I was contacted by Sea Scout director and told if we wanted our mast back, come and get it. One of our member, living along Highway 5 in Washington, asked Chehalis Veterans Memorial Museum if they would mount the mast on their grounds, to which they said YES. Now it’s all about welding the mast back together, painting it, designing a suitable foundation (in a flood plain) and seeing it up for a flag ceremony next Veterans Day.
Both Nicholas and O’Bannon were named after Marines. Presley O’Bannon (1st lieutenant in Marine Corps during First Barbary War 1801-05) is buried in the Frankfort Cemetery (in Kentucky) somewhere near (the grave of) Daniel Boone. I’m going to mount grave markers on the Nicholas mast pedestal in Chehalis, a replica of the Nicholas grave marker (for Samuel Nicholas, officer in Continental Marines in Revolutionary War) and a look-alike for O’Bannon. With some identifying brass plaques mounted nearby, this will give our West Coast Marines a place to toot their horns on Vets’ Day and the Marine Corps birthday.”
What he doesn’t mention here is that in Zidell’s reception area they have mounted what may be a piece of the hull of Nicholas on the wall. He and his wife visited the facility and were told this by a receptionist whom he says wanted to put a smile on their faces. I hope her information is true. Quite the story and so lucky to have a piece of this great ship that others can visit. We wish John and the members of the Nicholas Association much luck in getting this completed and will post information and photos once the mainmast is in place and ready for viewing! Below are photos of the journey to move the mast and others that tell a bit about how the mainmast was recovered and links to the museum in Chehalis, WA and Zidell Marine.
-Tammi
Chehalis Veteran’s Memorial Museum in Chehalis, Washington
Zidell Marine Portland, Oregon
P.S. John's book will be titled, "Sisters in War, Sisters in Peace: USS Nicholas (DD-449) & USS O’Bannon (DD-450), First Fletcher Class Destroyers". Release date TBA
Captions provided by John Gregory Bailey
RSS Feed