Category Archives: Crew

Captain Edward J. Sweeney – Commanding Officer – Aug ’43 – Sept ’44

Here’s the start of a page dedicated to Captain Edward J. Sweeney.

Captain Sweeney was a well-liked officer aboard the Calvert well before he took command in August of 1943. He first came aboard the Calvert in late October ’42 when he and much of the Harry Lee’s crew were transferred to the Calvert when the Lee broke down just prior to steaming for North Africa. More information on Captain Sweeney’s Naval career was published by Russ Padden at the USS Neshoba web site.

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Sweeney, Captain Edward J - 1944

Here are my grandfather’s fond memories of Captain Sweeney:

More to be added soon.

2013 Reunion Highlights, Des Moines, Iowa

I’m a year late posting these photos from the 2013 U.S.S. Calvert Associates Reunion, but better late than never 🙂

Many thanks the Seyes family for hosting the reunion in Des Moines, IA.

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2013 - USS Calvert Reunion - 0019 2013 - USS Calvert Reunion - 0018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Working to restore power at the hotel, 24 hours after we lost power.

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To All Hands, an Amphibious Adventure – Invasion of Sicily, July 1943

The following pages and photographs are taken from the book To All Hands: an Amphibious Adventure by John Mason Brown. This book covers the life aboard a troop transport during the invasion of Sicily.  The book was published by Whittlesey House in late 1943. The last few chapters were written while aboard the Calvert and many of the photographs in the book are of the Calvert and her crew. ** The contents of this book are now in the public domain.

The author was a drama critic before joining the Navy. During Operation Husky (the invasion of Sicily) he was attached to Admiral Kirk’s staff.  A Lieutenant at the time, he read the daily announcements and news over the public address system while aboard Kirk’s flagship. The transcript of Lt. Brown’s announcements form the bulk of the written content for this book.

Kirk’s command ship en route to and during the invasion was the USS Ancon (AGC-4), code named Spelvin in this book. Admiral Kirk (“The Flag”) joined the Calvert in Oran, North Africa after the invasion for the voyage back to Norfolk, VA. Here the Calvert’s code name is Bond. Many of the pictures below were taken aboard the Calvert. My Grandfather, Sterling Funck, annotated his copy of this book with the notes I’ve added below.

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The following chapters are transcripts of Lt. Brown’s announcements aboard the Calvert en route back to Norfolk, VA.

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Harold Pottinger, Y2c – WWII-era Crew Member

Francis Harold Pottinger enlisted in the Navy in May 1943, entering the war at the age of 17. Shortly after boot camp he joined the Calvert in Norfolk VA and he was assigned to the 2nd Deck Division. During his first year Harold spent his time as a general deck worker, including in his words, “scraping lots of paint.” He eventually struck for Yeoman and ultimately joined the ship’s office.

Harold passed away on December 9th, 2014 at the age of 89. His obituary is available here.

Here are pictures that Harold provided from his time ashore in Hawaii in 1945:

1945 - Pottinger, Harold - Hawaii 1945 - 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1945 - Pottinger, Harold - Hawaii 1945 - 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harold can also be seen in the front row of the 2nd Division crew photograph.

Harold was released from the Calvert in May, 1946 and was discharged from the Navy, returning to Louisville, KY. A frequent attendee of the Calvert reunions throughout the years, Harold enjoyed sharing his experiences during his time aboard the Calvert and of his fond memories of his shipmates. His niece, Judy, is currently capturing his story and his family’s history in a series of books.

Reference to Harold’s oral history recording is available here.