This group photograph of the Calvert’s 2nd Division Boat Crews came from my grandfather’s collection. He spoke kindly of all these men. Many of the exploits of this group are detailed in the Adventures of a Landing Craft Coxswain book.
Click on the photograph to open a larger-sized image.
Here is a slightly different photograph (and inscription on back) from the same day – Appreciation to Larry O’Connell, grandson of Frank Kubiak, for the photographs below and solving a big question I’ve had for many years: i.e., A firm date for the 2nd Division Boat Crew photograph.
Ted Garcia sent in this photograph of his father, David Julio Garcia. David served on the Calvert from ’45-’46 as a cook. Here he is at 86 years old, holding his Navy photograph from when he was 17 years old.
Mr. Garcia would like to hear from anyone from the ’45-’46 era who remembers him. Send me an email and I’ll put you in contact with his son, Ted.
I found this photograph of the Calvert on EBay. It is labeled Hiro Wan*, Japan, October 1945, It’s a great picture of the Calvert. Although she looks rather weathered and I suspect that she was undergoing a major overhaul: All landing craft are missing and paint crews are visible along the side of the ship. A larger photograph can be viewed by clicking on the image.
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):
