1944 Color Film Footage of the USS Calvert and Her Crew in Action

I am excited to be able to post and share this color footage of the Calvert and her crew in action in the Pacific, during the summer and fall of 1944:

This video was provided by Hoyt Worthington, Gunners Mate 2nd Class (WWII). Hoyt recorded the showing of this film at the 1988 USS Calvert Reunion. He was kind enough to send me a copy to post here.

The story behind this color film footage is worth sharing. The Calvert’s official photographer was Chaplain Paul R. Elliott. During the Calvert’s time in the Pacific Chaplain Elliott took photographs and footage of the Calvert in action. At some point late in the war, or after the war was over, some of the footage was turned into this 30-minute documentary.

At several of the Calvert reunions during the 1980s and 1990s Chaplain Elliott would show the film. Hoyt was able to capture the film and narration using his video camera at the 1988 reunion. Although the original film had no sound, in this video you can hear narration from Chaplain Elliott and comments / laughter from the crowd while they watch the movie.

It it truly amazing to be able to share this footage, and to have the background narration for what would have been silent footage otherwise. The original film reels were listed as available through the National Archives and Hoyt made a valiant effort in the mid-1990s to get copies. Unfortunately he was never able to obtain the original film reels as all were lost to decay when they were opened by the National Archives staff. Had it not been for Hoyt’s work to capture this film via his video camera we would have lost a valuable glimpse into the Calvert’s and her crew’s time while at sea during the last half of 1944.

Here are the segments of the 31-minute film (some very short, some long):

  1. Introduction: 00:00 – 00:40

  2. Shore Liberty in Hawaii: 00:40 – 03:30

  3. Crew Decorations by Capt. Sweeney: 03:30 – 04:00

  4. Boarding the Ship: 04:00 – 04:20

  5. Convoy at Sea: 04:20 – 04:40

  6. Enjoying Time Deckside: 04:40 – 04:47

  7. Battle Stations: 04:47 – 04:55 (with Dr. William G. Hook)

  8. Deckside – Working Time, and More: 04:55 – 07:36 (FUBAR the dog can be seen starting at 7:04)

  9. Combat Zone: 07:36 – 09:20

  10. Landing Craft in Action: 09:20 – 11:10

  11. Darken Ship & Enemy Aircraft: 11:20 – 11:35

  12. Domain of Neptune Rex – Crossing The Line Ceremony, Oct 1st, 1944: 11:35 – 13:37

  13. New Guinea – Natives on the Water: 13:37 – 13:50

  14. Deckside: 13:50 – 14:13

  15. Island Seafarers Diving: 14:13 – 15:15

  16. Coming Ashore in New Guinea: 15:15 – 16:58

  17. Lingayen Gulft Action: 16:59 – 17:39

  18. Casualties Come Aboard: 17:39 – 16:46

  19. Japanese (& Korean) Prisoners from Saipan: 16:50 – 22:30 (with Dr. William G. Hook)

  20. Wounded US Soldiers Await Transfer: 22:35 – 24:10

  21. Life-blood of Invasion (Diving & Swimming): 24:16 – 25:45

  22. Top-Side: 25:45 – 26:22

  23. Guns Firing: 26:22 – 27:21

  24. Men & Materials: 27:21 – 27:35

  25. Mail Arrives – DD591 USS Twiggs: 27:35 – 28:16

  26. Rainbow at Sea: 28:17 – 28:30

  27. Divine Services: 28:30 – 29:05

  28. Night Guns in Action: 29:05 – 29:25

  29. AA Flak & Japanese Plane: 29:25 – 29:35

  30. Battle Wagons Pound Coast Line; Ships Hit: 29:35 – 30:20

  31. Heavy Seas, 50 ft. Seas: 30:20 – 31:26

  32. Mission Accomplished: 31:26 – 31:33

  33. The End: 31:33 – 31:42

 

10 thoughts on “1944 Color Film Footage of the USS Calvert and Her Crew in Action”

  1. Sandy Waits

    My Daddy was on this ship from June 1944 through March 1945. His name was Benjamin Lawrence Hearne and he was from Chatham, Jackson Parish, Louisiana. I would love any info if there is any of him aboard the ship and/or battles or if anyone knew or remembers him. I’m not sure how many of these amazing men are still with us. Daddy passed in 1988, the year of the reunion of the members of this ship. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God Bless!
    Sandy Waits

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  4. Natalie Julian

    My grandfather, Patrick Troiano, served on the USS Calvert during WWII. I have several photos of him and other crew members aboard that I would love to share! We would love to know the families of the men that served with him and to share these images with them! Let me know how I can get copies to you!

    1. admin

      Hi Natalie, Thank you for your comment and your willingness to share his photographs! I will contact you via email.

      Chris

    2. Larry O'Connell

      My Grandfather was on the 2nd boat division, his name was Frank Kubiak. Seaman First Class was onboard from 1942 and already had a family of son and daughter, my Mother Dorothy, didn’t have to enlist, but did. Amazing photo found of the 2nd Div. boat crew with Frank Kubiak mistakenly listed as John Zdanoviz and next to Sterling Funck, the author of the ships diary. All this info gained from “Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Services” doc. He worked for Johnson & Johnson but died young at age 54 from cigarette smoking. Much loved and respected. I am his grandson.

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  6. Scott Lonyo

    My Grandfather Richard H. Lonyo from Findlay, Ohio was assigned to the Uss Calvert. I do not know exactly when but he passed in 11.24.45. He was S1c and said at the time the ship was in Bremerton Washington. I can not find him on any ships list. Is there anyone that has any memory or thoughts of him please let me know.

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