USS Pope --- Aftermath .... a report

POSTED FROM EMAIL from Druann Eaton Andrecht

Below is an email that I sent to the WWII Museum in New Orleans. I wanted to share it with any survivors from the sinking of the USS Houston and their families/legacies.

In this email I included the obituary of William “Bill” Robert Penninger who died Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the age of 98. Although he and my father, Andrew Delos Eaton, deceased May 4, 1981 at 64, did not serve aboard the USS Houston, they were crew members of the DD225 USS Pope when it was sunk on March 1, 1942. They also were survivors of the Japanese POW Camp on Makassar Celebes. I would hope that those responsible for the USS Houston website would find the appropriate location on the website. There are few survivors still living

Thank you,

Druann Eaton Andrecht

From: Adrienne Andrecht
Date: January 28, 2018 at 8:29:38 PM CST


To: info@nationalww2museum.org


Subject: Asiatic Fleet

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is truly a tribute to all that served, were imprisoned and gave their lives to insure freedom not only for America but all of her Allies.

Our visit was special but I have to admit I came away very disappointed and saddened. Except for mention of the USS Houston and the profile of a crew member, there was such a void on anything pertaining to the Asiatic Fleet and all of the battles they fought between December 2, 1941 and April 1942. Their heroic stand slowed down the progress of the Japanese Navy, to give the allies time to regroup and improve strategies. Even the bookstore was void of books regarding this very important period of WWII. Is that because there wasn’t a “true victory” but instead the destruction of so many Dutch, Australian, American and British ships, not to mention the number of lives lost at sea, the number of Americans and allies sent to Japanese POW Camps, the live lost there, and the lives forever changed for those that managed to survive.

It has been mentioned that there was a documentary made regarding the Asiatic Fleet but I did not see it nor have I been able to find a copy to purchase.

If I am incorrect in my assessment of the lack of information on the Tin Can Sailors, I apologize. If I am correct, I plead on the behalf of my father, Andrew Delos Eaton, that this over-site be corrected.

My father was only 64 when he died. Recently one of his crew mates passed at 98. How many are left. Will their stories be forgotten? Please do not let that happen.

We have lost another true American Hero from WWII and the Korean War. William "Bill" Penninger served on the DD225 USS Pope during WWII, and was a crew member when the Pope was sunk by the Japanese on March 1, 1941. He and my father, Andrew Delos Eaton (deceased 5-18-1981) were shipmates on the Pope and spent from March 3, 1941 to late August 1945 in a Japanese POW Camp in Makassar Celebes. How many "Tin Can Soldiers" are still living? You hear so little of the heroic activities from December 7, 1941 till April, 1942 when the Asiatic Fleet was destroyed. Such a shame more of their stories have not been told. Sharing with those that still care. May these men and their actions and service NEVER be forgotten.


William Robert "Bill" Penninger
View Obituary


THE AUTHOR
From: Adrienne Andrecht
Date: January 28, 2018 at 10:11:12 PM CST
To: contact@usshouston.org
Subject: Asiatic Fleet