NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
APA-191 Pondera
Commanding Officer Photos, Biographies and Crew Photos
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| Commanding Officers |
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52k | Pondera's first commanding officer, Captain Lawrence J. Hasse, USNR, received his first appointment as Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve in 1928. At that time he was already a veteran of many years experience in the Merchant Marine. In January, following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, Captain Hasse entered active duty, and he was assigned as examination officer for the Chesapeake Bay Area. Following this assignment he was sent to Norfolk, VA., as Assistant Captain of the Port. In May 1942, Captain Hasse took over the post of Executive Officer of the USS Big Horn, followed by his assuming command of USS Rio Grande in February 1943. When he returned from Alaskan duty on the Rio Grande, Captain Hasse was ordered to Baltimore and assigned to the USS Chikaskia as commanding officer, and with this ship he reported to the Pacific in 1944. When he returned to the West Coast in July, 1945 Captain Hasse was assigned to the command of the USS Pondera, and remained as commanding officer until the 2nd of August 1945. | Mary Williams | |
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153k | Pondera's second commanding officer, Captain Morris Seavey, USNR, veteran with battles of the sea--veteran of battles against our common foe, assumed command of the USS Pondera, on the 2nd of August 1945, and remained in command until the 24th of December 1945. Previous to Captain Seavey's entering the Navy, he had seen many years of service as a Captain in the Merchant Marine Service. During that time he spent several years with the Dollar Line in their round-the-world and transpacific service. Captain Seavey's last command in the Merchant Marine, prior to coming on active duty in the Navy, was as Master of the Dollar Line Steamship President Harrison. Although busily engaged with the Merchant Service, Captain Seavey found time to maintain his membership in the US Naval Reserve, of which he was a member for seventeen years. During this time he was appointed as coordinator Merchant Coastwise and the US Navy. Before reporting to the USS Pondera Captain Seavey was in command of LSD No.4. While in the Asiatic-Pacific Area he was in six major engagements and two of these were in the Philippine Area. Now that the war is over Captain Seavey has returned to civilian life, and to his home of Port Townsend, WA. | Mary Williams | |
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169k | Pondera's third commanding officer, Captain Edwin J. Taylor Jr., USN, was born in Grand Forks, ND. After completing his secondary education, a career in the US Navy was decided upon. He was awarded an appointment to the Naval Academy and graduated from the institution in 1924. Since graduation Captain Taylor has served aboard the USS Arizona, USS Maury, USS Pensacola, USS Trenton, USS Mississippi, USS Northampton and USS Alabama. During 1943 and 1944 Captain Taylor served as Executive Officer aboard Battleship "X," better known as USS South Dakota. As Chief of Staff of Cruiser Division 5, Captain Taylor witnessed knock-out blows delivered to the weakening Japanese. Ships from the division hit the Japanese at Iwo Jima and knocked him out of the waters at Okinawa, and the road to Tokyo was left wide open. The fighting war is over but another task remains, transporting men back to the States, and Captain Taylor reported to the USS Pondera as Commanding Officer to help complete the tremendous job at hand. | Mary Williams | |
| Executive Officers |
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95k | Pondera's first Executive Officer, LCDR. L.M. Fabian USNR, September 1944 to June 1945 | Mary Williams | |
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121k | Pondera's second Executive Officer, LCDR A.G. Scott USNR, June 1945 to August 1945 | Mary Williams | |
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124k | Pondera's third Executive Officer, LCDR Thomas W. Beers USNR, August 1945 to December 1945 | Mary Williams | |
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97k | Pondera's fourth Executive Officer, CDR C. Donald Brown, USN, January 1946 | Mary Williams | |
| Officers and Crew Photos |
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78k |
FRONT ROW, Left to Right LT. R.D. Murray, LCDR. G.B. Glave, CAPT.(MC) E.J. Taylor, CDR.(MC) A.H. Hubenka, LT.(ChC) J.J. Tubbs, LTjg. C.E. Carlberg, LT. S.W. Horzempa SECOND ROW, Left to Right MACH. R.W. Brennan, LTjg. B.J. Chartier, LTjg. F.M. Cornell, LTjg. J.A. Kisner, LTjg.(DC) G.T. McDowall, ENS. J.T. Connolly, LT.(MC) H.H. Hanson, LTjg. R.J. Luzinski, Bos'n. W.H. Yound, ENS. J.C. Seeger THIRD ROW, Left to Right LTjg. J.K. Shifler, LTjg, F.X. Miller, LT.(SC) J.F. Fisher, ENS. J.J. Volchko, ENS. G.A. Stewert, ENS. K.A Meyer FOURTH ROW Left to Right LTjg. R.W. Meikle, LTjg. D.C Gulick, APC. E.L. Scott, ChPayClk. G.R. Wayland, LTjg. F.W. Loomer, ENS. W. J. Ruane, ENS. J.C. Holcomb |
Mary Williams | |
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75k |
FRONT ROW, Left to Right ENS. John .J. Volchko; John P. Worrell, Cox.; Harold E. Chisholm, S1c; Ervin W. Heling, Cox; Demecio, J. Lueras, S1c; Charles E. Brewer, S1c MIDDLE ROW, Left to Right James R. Wiggins, S1c; John W. Elliott, S1c; Warner G. Shelton, Cox.; Kenneth L. Sossaman, S1c; Raymond K. Hudgins, Cox. TOP ROW, Left to Right Harold K. Schubert, S1c; Wayne W. Beverly, S1c; Chester P. Kempton, S1c; Abner J. Kidder, S1c; Name Missing |
Mary Williams | |
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88k | Second Division BOTTOM ROW, Left to Right LTjg. C.E. Carlberg; A. Ashley, BM2c; J.R. Perry, Cox.; V.R. Jordan, S1c; T.D. Grooms, S1c; L.S. Bills, S1c; K.D. Heitz, S1c; ENS. F. Brajkovich MIDDLE ROW, Left to Right R.W. DuBois, Cox.; O.D. Linebaugh S1c; K.W. Fine, S1c; R.R. Caffey, S1c; M.C. Fenske, S2c; J.O. Lawson, S1c TOP ROW, Left to Right R.J. Lamb, Cox.; M.B. Kinyon, S1c; C.R. Springer, S1c; G.F. Osborn, S1c; R.L. Alper, S2c; R.P. Garvey, Cox. |
Mary Williams | |
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