Mike Gorman has informed me of the passing of his grandfather, Walter Dawson Gorman, S1c.  He passed away June 22, 2011.  He was 104.  He was still of sound mind and passed away honorably and peacefully in his sleep at home.  Dawson was the first member to be added to the USS Hendry website.  We owe a great deal to the men and women, like Dawson Gorman, who served his country with such distinction to protect our liberty.

Here is what Mike had to say about his grandfather: 

“He told me the horror of  Iwo Jima and the fears of the crazy Kamikaze at Okinawa.  He was a humble man and often shed tears for the many marines he and his shipmates had to bury at sea. 

We must remember that when war started no one knew the outcome or their individual fates.  Those men and women confidently stepped off into the unknown.  They joined not just to support our country but their family and friends in a national effort for our security and freedom.  Neither he or his fellow Americans knew what their fates would be when they each made the commitment to serve.  He was proud of his service but never bragged or boasted of his experiences.  In fact we didn’t get some of the real feelings until late in life. 

I appreciate your website and the contributions of fellow family members.  The sacrifice of so many gave us and my grandfather the opportunity to make the world a better place.  I know my grandfather did best he could both during and after the war.  

Thank you America.

Sincerely,

Mike Gorman

Obituary from NewsOK.com

May 6, 1907 - June 22, 2011

Walter Dawson Gorman passed quietly to join his Lord on June 22, 2011. Pop, as most everyone knew him, was 104 years old. To the very end, he tried to do his part, he tried to do his best, and he never gave up on himself, his family or friends. He was born, May 6, 1907, prior to Oklahoma statehood. He was born on the family farm west of Kiowa in the Choctaw Nation part of the Indian Territory. He was part Choctaw, part Irish and all family. His maternal grandparents came to Oklahoma during the "Trail of Tears." His mother Effie taught school and his father Michael was a coal miner, blacksmith and farmer. He was the third child of eight loving brothers and sisters. He and his brothers plowed fields with a mule, picked cotton, swam in old Muddy Boggy and learned family values. As the depression began, his bank went bust and he lost his college savings. He left college and went to work in the coal mines and oil fields. He married his wife, Mary, in 1928. After moving to Oklahoma City, they had two loving sons, Bill and Don. Pop worked in the lumber and hardware business the rest of his career. Late in his career, he owned his own hardware store, or maybe it owned him. He retired but he remained active and involved with life, family and friends. He taught us how to garden, work hard, fish, drive, barbeque, cuss, laugh and to lend a helping hand. He was an example to all about how to selflessly lead our lives. Pop was part of "The Greatest Generation," the term coined by journalist Tom Brokaw describing Americans that served our country during WW2. He joined the US Navy despite having both age and employer exemptions. He said that, "he did not want to leave his lovely wife and two darling little boys, but he and his brothers all felt the need to do their parts." If one brother was going to war, then they would all join the effort. Kelly joined the Army and saw action in North Africa and France. Homer was a submariner and saw action in the Pacific. Jim served in the ship yards. Pat joined the Marines and served in the Pacific. Pop served 21/2 years in the Pacific and saw action at both Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He experienced the fear and horror of war. Momma Gorman's prayers were answered when all the boys returned home safe and unharmed, although they learned to cuss like sailors. After retirement, he enjoyed many loving years with his wife and family. Family gatherings at Red River, backyard cookouts or Homer's lake cabin were scenes of family unity, love and laughter. Fun loving times that we all still cherish to this day. That Gorman clan of sisters and brothers helped establish many of our values in God, family and country. Mary, his wife, passed away after 72 years of happiness. He remained active to his final day. One of his many hobbies was gardening. Each spring and summer you could find Pop out planting and tending his famous tomatoes. There is a tasty crop thriving in the backyard today. Pop always had the most beautiful flowers surrounding his home. He would take great pride in the plants that he planted in the spring. Pop enjoyed traveling, particularly with family or to visit family. He was a member at Wesley United Methodist church for 80 years. Over his life he taught us about hard work, gardening, fishing, cussing, loving and praying. He so enjoyed family, hugs, kisses on the cheek, an occasional margarita and whooping me or Bill in dominoes. At the age of 101, he broke his hip. With a lot of effort, love, patience, family support and stubborn Gorman persistence, he survived the seven week ordeal and was able to return to live in his home. Then for the first time ever in his life, he joined a gym to exercise and help maintain a healthy lifestyle. For the last three years, the members and staff at PACER have heard him laugh, groan, sing, joke, cuss and grin while he did his best to stay active. In fact, one of his 104th birthday parties was held for him by the good people at PACER. The exercise definitely helped because when he was 102, with the help of some great doctors and surgeons, he successfully defeated colon cancer. For good measure he later beat pneumonia twice. Not bad for stubborn old Okie. He left us peacefully to be reunited with the love of his life. We will miss his singing, kisses, stories and sense of humor. He was a modest man with a loving heart. We are a lucky and thankful family to have shared our lives with Pop. We will miss him very much. Dawson was preceded in death by his parents: older sisters, Tranquil and Vermel; younger brothers, Kelly, Homer, Jim, Pat, Charles; and his wife Mary. He is survived by his Sons and their wives: Bill & Romayne Gorman, Don & Judy Gorman; Grandchildren and spouses: Mike & Wendy Gorman, Mark & Melissa Gorman , Cheryl & Tony Sutton, Pam & Brent Jeffries, Jerry & Kerry Gorman, Tammy & Jeff Holt; Great-Grandchildren: Chelsey & Brant Deakins, Sean Gorman, Matthew Ramage, Gabrielle Jeffries, Hannah Jeffries, Jacob Jeffries, Rachel Gorman, Joseph Gorman, Katherine Holt, Emily Holt, Austin Holt; Greatest Great-Grandson, Cole Deakins; plus so many nephews, nieces, cousins, and other greats or greaters. Funeral services will be Monday, June 27, 2011, at 2 p.m., at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1401 NW 25th Street, with interment following in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Back Row:  

#1 "Joe":  Several Joseph's or "J"'s as first or middle initial, couldn't pinpoint.

#2 "Duty":  Maybe a nickname, couldn't find

#3 Jenkins, Ira A., SM3c, "NC Division", Ada, Oklahoma  

#4 George, Charles D., SMsc, "NC Division", Los Angeles, California

#5 Garcia, Pablo, Jr., S1c,"R Division", San Antonio, Texas

#6 Finch, Harry L.,  Rdm3c, "NC Division", Los Angeles, California.  There was not a "Flinch", but a "Finch".  Perhaps "Flinch" was a also nickname.

#7 Cutting, J.C., S1c, "B&L Division", Houston, Texas

#8 Drury, M.W., S1c, "First Division", Union, Iowa

#9 "Dines": Probably another nickname 

#10 Glasscock, A.C., S1c, "B&L Division", Kiowa, Oklahoma

3rd Row:  

#1 Luster, H.D., RM2c, "NC Division", Goodlettsville, Tennessee

#2 Foster, V.C., S1c, "B&L Division", Fort Smith, Arkansas

#3 Kleinhuizen, M.C., PhM3c, "H Division", Maywood, Illinois

#4 Sabo, John A. Jr., SM2c, "NC Division",  Monaca, Pennsylvania

#5 Farlow Jr., Bryant Hobson, SM3c

#6 Chiodini, C., RM2c  Found him on the roster, but not in any division, which is where I found everyone's hometown.

#7 "Lemaster":  Nothing on him 

#8 Lind, Barrant LuBene, PhM3c, "H Division", Salt Lake City, Utah

#9 Hagedorn, A.W., BM2c, "B&L Division", Fremont, Nebraska

#10 Creasey, J.D., Cox, "B&L Division", Groveton, Texas

Pat holding Joe’s photo

Photo (8-12-1944) of Gavin’s uncles Pat Petillo on right, Joseph on left. Joe (Red) Petillo

Photo of Gavin’s third uncle, Angelo Petillo, who served in China

2nd Row: 

#2 "West":  Nothing on him.

#3 Knoles, M.A. (spelled Noles on your Dad's page), PhM3c, "H Division", Fair Lawn, New Jersey 

#4 Dudley, H.A., RM2c. Found him on the roster, but not in any division, which is where I found everyone's hometown. 

#5 Johnstone, W.J., RM1c, "NC Division", San Francisco, California

#6 Leathers, W.C., RM3c, "NC Division", Amesburry, Massachusetts

#7 "Gilito":  Nothing on him

#8 Hoffman, W.P., MoMM2c, "B&L Division", Columbus, Ohio 

Front Row: 

#1 Cummings, A.E., MoMM1c, "B&L Division", Twin Falls, Idaho

#2 "Pop":  Nickname

#3 Williams, J., STM1c, "S Division", Cleveland, Ohio

#4 "Lt. Lacy":  Nothing on him

#5 "Lt. Belliom":  Nothing on him

#6 Patterson, W.S., Lieut.Comdr.USNR, Dearborn, Michigan

#7 Goddard, N.O., BM1c, "B&L Division", Griffin, Georgia.  I believe #7 "Gotter's" was a nickname for "Goddard".

#8 "Leverone":  Nothing on him

#9 "Pop":  Nickname

Uncle Buck, 

Yesterday was Independence Day and I want to thank at least one of your generation for their service.  It was because of that "greatest generation" that we are not speaking Japanese or German today in America.  I just hope our grandchildren will not have to speak Arabic, Persian or perhaps Swahili.

Below is what I presume to be a ships bulletin (See “Hendry Breezes Bulletin” page 3) from the Attack Transport USS Hendry APA-118 after the Okinawa invasion.  I tried to copy the actual page #3 of it from web site but could not find a way to do it and it still be legible for you.  Since you are no longer internet capable and I am fortunate enough to be able to type,  I decided to transpose the page verbatim from the site for your reading pleasure.  I'm quite sure it will start your old " memory juices" gushing.  Obviously this dilapidated yellowed old copy of what I guess was  a USS Hendry news letter (wiggle sheet) or maybe a Marine publication that I copied from the internet had been cherished and stowed away by one of your old ship mates.  I sincerely hope you enjoy the pages and pictures from the site that I've copied and sent to you by snail mail.  

The one thing that confuses me is all the staff of the wiggle sheet were Marines….perhaps it was a Marine bulletin.  

When reading the bulletin, I was really struck when I read the words:  "Early in the morning the word arrived "the Hinsdale has just been hit"  realizing it was your voice that passed that word over the ships sound powered phones from the Captain of the ship.  I remember you telling me the Captain had told you to report it had taken a torpedo and it turned out to actually be a Kamikaze and you watched the Hinsdale burning, engulfed in flames from the hit. 

If there is any pleasure to be gained in reading this account after 70 years, I hope you enjoy it. 

Wallace