| The crew spent Christmas in Roseneath, Scotland after completing War Patrol # 1 (Operation Torch / The Invasion of North Africa) | |
| This Christmas was spent at sea in enemy territory as part of War Patrol # 3. While submerged off Tokyo Bay on the south coast of Honshu Island, Leo Choles conducted services in the forward torpedo room. Captain and crew sang Christmas Carols | |
| At the end of War Patrol # 7 the GUNNEL crew got a unique present, 2 Christmas Days. They crossed the International Date Line on Christmas Day as they headed east to Pearl Harbor and so got a repeat of December 25th. | |
| The war was over and the GUNNEL spent Christmas in New London, CT. |
As well as all the officers and men who served aboard the
USS GUNNEL
I spent Christmas Eve 1971 as a 19 year old on board the newly commissioned USS COOK (DE-1083). I had the watch in the boiler room from 8:00 PM until midnight. After watch I went to the mess deck for a cup of coffee before turning in for the night. There was a tiny Christmas tree decorated with items sent to members of the crew from their families. I sat in front of that tree and just let my mind wander as I drank my coffee. The ship was incredibly quite and I'm sure that in my entire life I never felt so lonely. Today there is a new generation of young American men and women
serving on ships, on shore bases and flying missions over every point on the compass. They are soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen. They are on duty here in America as well as in war torn areas like Iraq and Afghanistan. Wherever they are serving they are standing watch for us so we can celebrate the holidays as we choose. Not a Christmas Eve goes by that I don't remember that night so long ago and say a silent prayer for those that are serving today that God will keep them safe and they might not have that same feeling of loneliness. Keep them in mind as you celebrate. They are out there for us.
My most memorable Christmas Eve
This work is a cooperative effort between RAdm Lloyd "Joe" Vasey,
Capt. Guy O'Neil and myself, Jim Lavelle. Many of the crew have contributed stories and photos to this effort as well.
Joe served aboard the GUNNEL as the First Lieutenant, Torpedo and Gunnery officer for the first 2 patrols and as Executive Officer and Navigator on the next 3 patrols.
Guy served as the Commanding Officer for Patrols 6, 7 and 8 as well as the trip home after the war.
I am the son of TM2 James M. "Jimmy" Lavelle who served in the After Torpedo Room on patrols 2 through 8. I was a BT3 (Boiler Tech) on board the USS COOK (DE-1083) during the war in Vietnam. It is a privilege and an honor for me to work with men of such character.
We hope you enjoy reading this book and find the information contained in it interesting and informative.
James M. Lavelle
December 2009
 |
 Sgt. Frederick G. Chapman Normandy American Cemetery Colleville-sur-Mer, France |
memorial page Fred Chapman was killed on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He served with the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. |
