Blog Archives

Postponement of 2020 STRONG Reunion

7/17/2020

Sadly, COVID 19 has forced a postponement of the 2020 reunion in Dayton, Ohio. For now, it's been moved to 2021. Originally we were scheduled to have the 2021 reunion in Newport, Rhode Island. If you are interested in attending next year, keep watching for details. Here's hoping we can get past this, stay healthy and get together in 2021.

This is no joke. Wash your hands, stay at home as much as possible and for the sake of all when you are out in public, WEAR A MASK.

-Tammi

Memorial service for 77th anniversary of sinking of STRONG DD-467

7/2/2020

On Sunday July 5th around noon (EST) the Kentucky Chapter 5 of Rolling Thunder will host a memorial service on the 77th anniversary of the sinking of the USS STRONG DD-467 and the death of my great-uncle, William "Billy" Clay Hedrick, Jr. at the Machpelah Cemetery in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. For STRONG family members scattered across the country, here's a link for you to watch if you like. Also, check out the Rolling Thunder chapters in your state for your missing men: https://www.facebook.com/RollingThunderKY5/

There are two other Kentucky men who died on STRONG that day. Frederick Keller from Jefferson County and Jesse T. "Tommy" Geralds from Barren County were enlisted men who also went missing. Rolling Thunder will also recognize them and has invited their family to attend.

I also learned today that there are four other missing men from WW2 who are memorialized at Machpelah, all from Mount Sterling. Robert Kash Cope and his twin brother Paul MItchell Cope both went missing when the USS HORNET was sunk on October 27th, 1942 in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. Doolittle's Raid airplanes took off from the HORNET. Also lost was LT Dudley Watkins Hunter, Jr, US Army 10th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division lost September 23rd, 1944. Lastly, Walter Marion Johnson, Jr., lost on the USS INDIANAPOLIS July 30th, 1945. Johnson played basketball for Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky. He was a guard in the 1943-1944 season until getting called up to serve.

It's also noteworthy that the STRONG, INDIANAPOLIS and HORNET were all three found by the RV PETREL. Got to be proud to be in this very exclusive group, and very grateful to Vulcan, Inc. for letting it happen.

If you have a man or woman who went missing in WW2, Korea, Viet Nam or any other conflict, check and see if you have a chapter of Rolling Thunder in your county or state. They recognize MIA/POW's and make sure these people are not forgotten. For that, I'm eternally grateful.

Tammi

Postponement of 2020 STRONG Reunion

Memorial service for 77th anniversary of sinking of STRONG DD-467

Tammi Johnson

Archives