Here's an old sea tale I found stashed on a floppy disk -
Vaughn’s connection with USS Anderson
“While perusing the web site for Tin Can Sailors, I found the USS Anderson (DD- 411) and spotted the name of Malcolm Hoefle, TMM 1/c that was aboard during the time we rammed her after being pulled off the reef during the Kwajalein invasion many years ago. I emailed him a note asking if he recalled us ramming his ship when another ship was attempting to tow us both back to Pearl Harbor after we both grounded on a coral reef. His reply follows.
“Hello Vaughn, at the time you mentioned of your ship hitting us, I was in my bunk getting my first good sleep in a week when the 450 crashed into us, you crashed into my bunk area by putting a sizable dent in the hull and right over my bunk. You bet I remember it. It must have taken me at least 30 minutes to go back to sleep. I didn't hear of any threats to blow the 450 out of the water if you continued hitting us, it doesn't sound like Mr. Alexander but I guess having to assume command after the death of Commander Tenant a few days previously and then almost immediately running over an uncharted coral pinnacle and disabling his new command must have irritated him a little. We have a reunion coming up in St. Louis in September and I will remind our Anderson Vets group of the incident. By the way since you asked, a TMM is a torpedo man Rate. I recently got a USS Ronald Reagan cap with all the scrambled eggs on it so when someone sees that and asks what I was in the Navy; I just tell them I was an Admiral! I was quite pleased but really surprised to get your E- mail about something that happened so many years ago.
Malcolm Hoefle,
Brazoria Texas -
TMM 1/c USS Anderson 00-411.
I did some more looking and found this info about the Anderson. On 30 January 1944, during the close inshore bombardment of Wotie Atoll Marshall Islands, an enemy shell hit the bridge killing six men (including her captain, Commander J. G. Tennent and wounding 14. The following day she screened the heavy bombardment vessels at Kwajalein. Badly damaged by grounding on a reef 1 February 1944, Anderson underwent repairs at Pearl Harbor until 15 June. While Anderson was on patrol off Leyte 1 November 1944, a Japanese kamikaze crashed on her port side aft killing 18 men and wounding 20. I found it interesting to happen across an old sailor that was part of our history 58 years ago that day when we were drifting and bobbing in the South Pacific Ocean.
Vaughn.”
Vaughn’s connection with USS Anderson
“While perusing the web site for Tin Can Sailors, I found the USS Anderson (DD- 411) and spotted the name of Malcolm Hoefle, TMM 1/c that was aboard during the time we rammed her after being pulled off the reef during the Kwajalein invasion many years ago. I emailed him a note asking if he recalled us ramming his ship when another ship was attempting to tow us both back to Pearl Harbor after we both grounded on a coral reef. His reply follows.
“Hello Vaughn, at the time you mentioned of your ship hitting us, I was in my bunk getting my first good sleep in a week when the 450 crashed into us, you crashed into my bunk area by putting a sizable dent in the hull and right over my bunk. You bet I remember it. It must have taken me at least 30 minutes to go back to sleep. I didn't hear of any threats to blow the 450 out of the water if you continued hitting us, it doesn't sound like Mr. Alexander but I guess having to assume command after the death of Commander Tenant a few days previously and then almost immediately running over an uncharted coral pinnacle and disabling his new command must have irritated him a little. We have a reunion coming up in St. Louis in September and I will remind our Anderson Vets group of the incident. By the way since you asked, a TMM is a torpedo man Rate. I recently got a USS Ronald Reagan cap with all the scrambled eggs on it so when someone sees that and asks what I was in the Navy; I just tell them I was an Admiral! I was quite pleased but really surprised to get your E- mail about something that happened so many years ago.
Malcolm Hoefle,
Brazoria Texas -
TMM 1/c USS Anderson 00-411.
I did some more looking and found this info about the Anderson. On 30 January 1944, during the close inshore bombardment of Wotie Atoll Marshall Islands, an enemy shell hit the bridge killing six men (including her captain, Commander J. G. Tennent and wounding 14. The following day she screened the heavy bombardment vessels at Kwajalein. Badly damaged by grounding on a reef 1 February 1944, Anderson underwent repairs at Pearl Harbor until 15 June. While Anderson was on patrol off Leyte 1 November 1944, a Japanese kamikaze crashed on her port side aft killing 18 men and wounding 20. I found it interesting to happen across an old sailor that was part of our history 58 years ago that day when we were drifting and bobbing in the South Pacific Ocean.
Vaughn.”
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