ABDA not entirely Lost to History

One blogger out there has a handle on the history surrounding this group and the Asiatic Fleet. Here is a great link for those who'd like to see what is being said.

USS EDSALL - FILMS

Jim Nix - Grandson of JJ NIX, the Skipper of the doomed USS Edsall now has a DVD for you. The DVD is a collection of films shot on a movie camera by his grandfather in the days before WWII broke out in the Pacific. This is great archieval film! Get a copy. Send him $12. Mail your order to Jim Nix 3010 LBJ Frwy # 1250 Dallas, TX 75234 .

Jade Rooster by R.L. Crossland

http://dreadnaughts-bluejackets.com/
This is a new book (Fiction) about the Asiatic Fleet about 1913. It could
be an interesting read for people who enjoy historical fiction in the vein
of SAND PEBBLES.

Asiatic Fleet 2006 - Part 4

Part 4 of 4 - The Asiatic Fleet Veterans meet to remember their history and their fellow sailors and marines. The US Asiatic Fleet had a long history in the waters of Asia, but in the first three months of the Pacific War, the fleet was destroyed as it faced off with the superior Japanese Navy. In time, the US Navy gained superiority, but this fleet was forgotten as war strategies changed to "Europe First" and the bad news for months following Pearl Harbor in the Pacific was carefully controlled. The Asiatic Fleet and Allied Dutch, British and Australian ships combined to fight as a unit, but it was not enough. NOTE: You can get the DVD of this by sending $30 to Buzz Creek at 6 Continental Drive, Sparta, NJ 07871. You will receive either (A) SIX (6) copies of the DVD to watch and share with your friends, libraries and schools. OR (B) TWO copies of the DVD and the DVD "Last Stand of The USS Houston". Specify which you desire (A or B). Audio of interviews taken at the reunion will be available to download from the web as MP3 files in the near future.

Asiatic Fleet 2006-Part 3

Many of the photos in these clips were provided by Capt. Ken Vasilik who is also the MC. This is part 3 of four parts to this feature. Note the last part is at the top of the page and first parts are posted down the page in typical blog fashion.

Asiatic Fleet 2006-Part2

This is part 2 of 4 parts from the Asiatic Fleet reunion and remembrance in April.

Asiatic Fleet Remembered

In May of 2006, survivors and veterans of the US Asiatic Fleet met in Asheville to remember their shipmates. This American Fleet had a long history in the waters of the Western Pacific. The Movie "Sand Pebbles" depicts part of their history. A massive and modern Japanese fleet destoyed the Asiatic Fleet and its allies in early 1942. The Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor was unable to come to their aid as planned out in pre-war doctrine. They faught and died with their allies - almost unnoticed by an America that by necessity put its focus on the war in Europe. This is PART1 of the video of the reunion in Asheville. The Mayor of Asheville proclaims Asiatic Fleet Day.

Marine's Marine

Lloyd Willey of USS Houston and a young Iraq War veteran find a bond. This is also posted at the USS Houston blog.

The Chinese Stewards

One of the great stories of immigration to America! Here is a note from T.F. Ting.
Thank you for sharing "update" on your project and those photos posted in FLICKR.com. I have since printed one of Captain Eddie L. Daniel, USMC (Retired) of Bethesda, MD, and me, which I will send to him sometime next week (he was not copied in your e-mail).
Since our last meeting in Asheville, NC, I attended a Navy Family Picnic (15 JUL 06) in Berkeley, CA, with close to 150 mostly family members and (a few) interested friends (of China Gunboatmen of Chinese descent). The affair was co-organized by our friend Lt. (SC) James HUEN, USN (SC) of Hayward, CA. I am certain James and Mrs. WOO (see below) will gladly share with you on the festivity should you be interested.
I have taken the liberty of copying Mrs. Nancy DONG-WOO, daughter of late Zing King DONG, SDC, USN (Retired), this e-mail. She is the other co-organizer of this picnic. She resides in Berkeley, CA, and maintains frequent contacts with Yung Ching CHANG, SDC, USN (Retired) of El Cerrito, CA, possibly the last of Chinese US Navy stewards, and the widow of Yun Sheng KOO, of Berkeley, CA, another China Gunboat sailor, among other (Chinese) navy families in the SF-Oakland Bay Area.
Looking forward in hearing from you soon and learn more about your project.
May the Kind and Merciful Lord watch over you and yours, TF (Falls Church, VA)
BTW, I enjoyed going thru that ME3TV.com site and reading your profile. What? San Pebbles was not one of your favorite books

Shore Leave for the Fleet

All Ashore That's Going Ashore! Charlie Ankerberg and Gene Schindler have passed muster and are shoving off for the beach. The Blackhawk and a nest of four pipers is in the background. Charlie and Gene served in USS Paul Jones which with three other "cans" made the very first surface attack on an enemy of the United States since the Spanish American War at Balikpappan. They also participated in the Battle of The Java Sea. Charlie was, at the time, a signalman and had a very good view of the battle as it unfolded - with devastating results to the combined ABDA fleet. Out of fuel and ammunition, the "cans" were ordered to return to base for fuel and eventually took an Eastward route around Java, thereby escaping the fate of so many of the Asiatic and ABDA ships.

Lem Brigman - Asiatic Fleet

Lem Brigman (in wheelchair) and Margie Traverso and Lowell Larson are pictured here at the Asiatic Fleet reunion in Asheville this spring. A lot of stories were told here. Some were taped. Digital Photos are being collected to share back with everyone by CD. Recorded interviews will put on the web and on CD as well. In addition, the memorial service was taped and a DVD will be available too. CBM Lem Brigman passed away May 28 - barely a month after this photo. He had retired from the Navy in 1962 after a 30 year career. He built himself a 3 master schooner and lived on it for 21 years!

Tattoo - Chicken and Pig

This is the PIG tattoo from one of Lem Brigman's feet. Lem is about 86 years old and was a sailor in the Asiatic Fleet, much of which was lost between December 1941 and March 1942. An old Portugese superstition claimed if a sailor went overboard with a chicken and a pig, he would not drown. Alas, it did not work well in practice. A lot of Asiatic Fleet sailors never came back after their battles with the Japanese Imperial Navy.