Every December I do a recap of the things that have happened with the project over the past year. This one has been monumental. So, without further adieu….
January – A new documentary on the USS INDIANAPOLIS was aired on PBS. Next, I posted regarding a mystery about a young man who died on Arundel Island with Lt. Miller, Edward A. “Eddie” Deering. Eddie’s fate had always intrigued me, as he was found and reburied in Manila. That still leaves the mystery of what happened with some of the others. This is not yet resolved. Soon after, I established contact with Eddie’s family, which led to them coming to Savannah in September. Also, a new book “Tin Cans & Greyhounds” was released by author Clint Johnson. I was consulted on this book and am referenced in the back. A good read!
February – The RV PETREL located and reported on locating the wreck of the USS HORNET on CBS News. Stephen Harding released information on his new book “Escape From Paris” to be available in October. And the best yet – the wreck of STRONG was found!!! STRONG was located on February 6th, but I was not allowed to make the information public until the 26th. We did it, with the help of some wonderful, dedicated and profoundly generous people over several years. I’m still pinching myself to make sure it really happened. The best news ever!
March – The RV PETREL located the wreck of the USS WASP, another aircraft carrier. Links on the website lead to video and a survivor account of the sinking.
April – Dates and information for the 2019 reunion were announced. Greg and I were able to head to the Chattanooga area to meet up with Paul Mayer! We so enjoy Paul, Rosie and their menagerie of sweet fur babies. Paul presented me with a hard drive of video and information from the ROV dives of the expedition to find the ship. Many of you now have copies. If anyone still needs a copy, send me an email and we’ll work it out. Last, I made contact with someone who gave me some valuable information on the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) and the processes of locating and identifying the missing from various wars. This information is still posted and I hope to get updates for 2020.
May – I shared some links to interviews of Stephen Harding, and released info on the Savannah reunion documents.
June – A Facebook friend who has a similar mission posted a wonderful piece, The Ghost Army by Julia McCurdy Gimbel. Sometimes these things should be shared, and I believe Julia’s writing is one of those things. She will have a book coming out about her father in WW2 and I hope to profile the book on the website.
July – Author Stephen Harding was interviewed on “The Castaway’s War” on Australian radio. The link is on the site. There is a wonderful WW2 museum in development on the island of Vanuatu, where the base at Espirito Santo was located. I hope to visit there some day, but for more information check out the link on the post.
August – Three Kentucky boys died when STRONG went down. One was Jesse T. “Tommy” Geralds, and I reported on locating his family. Fred Keller and of course my Uncle Billy were the others. The RV PETREL was featured on an episode of Drain the Oceans, National Geographic Channel. The episode was titled Pacific War Megawrecks. A link to view the episode is on the blog post.
September – All posts were about the reunion in Savannah, again a banner event. Thirteen total family representatives of the DD-467 group attended, including us (Hedrick), the Jelineks (Hackett), the Deerings and the Mullanes. We had an amazing time and we have so many new friends on board.
October - “Escape From Paris” by Stephen Harding was released! Another great book, and if you haven’t picked up a copy then you’re missing out. There is movie buzz around this book as well. Also, Icon Films finally let me release information about the Ultimate Survivor WW2 series and the episode filmed about Lt. Hugh Barr Miller, Jr., including photos from the film shoot on Arundel Island. The RV PETREL also located more wrecks from the Battle of Midway and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Keeping up the good work!!!
November – Unfortunately the Lt. Hugh Barr Miller, Jr. episode that was scheduled for November 18th was switched for Gordon Ramsey! Fortunately though, Icon sent me a link to the program that I was able to share so Ultimate Survivor WW2 with Lt. Miller could be downloaded. I am still waiting to hear if National Geographic will re-start the series in the US some time in 2020. No idea why it was pulled. The missing WW2 memorial plaques that once hung on the chapel walls of a building on Transylvania University’s campus were located! I’ve been 3 years trying to get someone to take me seriously on this and finally got it done. More on that in December.
December – The WW2 memorial plaques are back on the walls, thanks to Transy’s administration and people who cared. A lovely unveiling ceremony was held, I was presented with a flag by Rolling Thunder KY Chapter 5, and expectations were exceeded. What a wonderful way to cap the year.
Still not done yet. At some point and some way, the plaque I had made will be placed in the Kula Gulf. I also want to keep working on what happened with Danny Mullane. He was found, buried then lost again. He’s out there, so he’s still high on my list of priorities. There are also more STRONG families to be found and a movie to be made (if they ever sign a director, get a move on Gold Circle!).
Anyone on this list who does not want to receive further updates, let me know and I will remove you from the list. Otherwise, when I have news to share you will continue to hear from me. Thank all of your for your continued support. A very happy and prosperous, healthy new year to all of you!
Tammi
January – A new documentary on the USS INDIANAPOLIS was aired on PBS. Next, I posted regarding a mystery about a young man who died on Arundel Island with Lt. Miller, Edward A. “Eddie” Deering. Eddie’s fate had always intrigued me, as he was found and reburied in Manila. That still leaves the mystery of what happened with some of the others. This is not yet resolved. Soon after, I established contact with Eddie’s family, which led to them coming to Savannah in September. Also, a new book “Tin Cans & Greyhounds” was released by author Clint Johnson. I was consulted on this book and am referenced in the back. A good read!
February – The RV PETREL located and reported on locating the wreck of the USS HORNET on CBS News. Stephen Harding released information on his new book “Escape From Paris” to be available in October. And the best yet – the wreck of STRONG was found!!! STRONG was located on February 6th, but I was not allowed to make the information public until the 26th. We did it, with the help of some wonderful, dedicated and profoundly generous people over several years. I’m still pinching myself to make sure it really happened. The best news ever!
March – The RV PETREL located the wreck of the USS WASP, another aircraft carrier. Links on the website lead to video and a survivor account of the sinking.
April – Dates and information for the 2019 reunion were announced. Greg and I were able to head to the Chattanooga area to meet up with Paul Mayer! We so enjoy Paul, Rosie and their menagerie of sweet fur babies. Paul presented me with a hard drive of video and information from the ROV dives of the expedition to find the ship. Many of you now have copies. If anyone still needs a copy, send me an email and we’ll work it out. Last, I made contact with someone who gave me some valuable information on the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) and the processes of locating and identifying the missing from various wars. This information is still posted and I hope to get updates for 2020.
May – I shared some links to interviews of Stephen Harding, and released info on the Savannah reunion documents.
June – A Facebook friend who has a similar mission posted a wonderful piece, The Ghost Army by Julia McCurdy Gimbel. Sometimes these things should be shared, and I believe Julia’s writing is one of those things. She will have a book coming out about her father in WW2 and I hope to profile the book on the website.
July – Author Stephen Harding was interviewed on “The Castaway’s War” on Australian radio. The link is on the site. There is a wonderful WW2 museum in development on the island of Vanuatu, where the base at Espirito Santo was located. I hope to visit there some day, but for more information check out the link on the post.
August – Three Kentucky boys died when STRONG went down. One was Jesse T. “Tommy” Geralds, and I reported on locating his family. Fred Keller and of course my Uncle Billy were the others. The RV PETREL was featured on an episode of Drain the Oceans, National Geographic Channel. The episode was titled Pacific War Megawrecks. A link to view the episode is on the blog post.
September – All posts were about the reunion in Savannah, again a banner event. Thirteen total family representatives of the DD-467 group attended, including us (Hedrick), the Jelineks (Hackett), the Deerings and the Mullanes. We had an amazing time and we have so many new friends on board.
October - “Escape From Paris” by Stephen Harding was released! Another great book, and if you haven’t picked up a copy then you’re missing out. There is movie buzz around this book as well. Also, Icon Films finally let me release information about the Ultimate Survivor WW2 series and the episode filmed about Lt. Hugh Barr Miller, Jr., including photos from the film shoot on Arundel Island. The RV PETREL also located more wrecks from the Battle of Midway and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Keeping up the good work!!!
November – Unfortunately the Lt. Hugh Barr Miller, Jr. episode that was scheduled for November 18th was switched for Gordon Ramsey! Fortunately though, Icon sent me a link to the program that I was able to share so Ultimate Survivor WW2 with Lt. Miller could be downloaded. I am still waiting to hear if National Geographic will re-start the series in the US some time in 2020. No idea why it was pulled. The missing WW2 memorial plaques that once hung on the chapel walls of a building on Transylvania University’s campus were located! I’ve been 3 years trying to get someone to take me seriously on this and finally got it done. More on that in December.
December – The WW2 memorial plaques are back on the walls, thanks to Transy’s administration and people who cared. A lovely unveiling ceremony was held, I was presented with a flag by Rolling Thunder KY Chapter 5, and expectations were exceeded. What a wonderful way to cap the year.
Still not done yet. At some point and some way, the plaque I had made will be placed in the Kula Gulf. I also want to keep working on what happened with Danny Mullane. He was found, buried then lost again. He’s out there, so he’s still high on my list of priorities. There are also more STRONG families to be found and a movie to be made (if they ever sign a director, get a move on Gold Circle!).
Anyone on this list who does not want to receive further updates, let me know and I will remove you from the list. Otherwise, when I have news to share you will continue to hear from me. Thank all of your for your continued support. A very happy and prosperous, healthy new year to all of you!
Tammi
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