December 25, 2013
— Open Blogger Ace and the co-bloggers are often respectful in their remembrance of Veterans and of the wars they fought but, today, I would like to say a special thanks to one Vet in particular.
Mr. Harrison and I are not personally acquainted but that fact is irrelevant for what I do know is this: He served our nation during the The Big One; World War II. As a young man he signed his name on the dotted line and took an oath to protect this nation and, in doing so, helped to ensure freedom for Americans in the generations who followed. My grandparents and my mother before me, and now my daughter who succeeds me, have enjoyed liberty because he had the courage to fight for us. So, again, I need to know no more to know that I owe this man a debt of gratitude.
That said, what I do know is this:
Seaman Calvin Harrison served on several ships during World War II, including the USS Mahogany.
Mahogany (YN‑1was laid down 18 October 1940 by the American Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, Ohio; launched 13 February 1941; and commissioned 22 December 1942, Lt. R. L. Collins in command.
Shortly after commissioning and sea trials, Mahogany reported to Argentia, Newfoundland. There she conducted net tending, rescue, and icebreaking operations through 1943. On 20 January 1944 she was redesignated AN‑23. Four months later, having received additional armament and equipment, she was assigned to the Pacific Fleet. She completed passage through the Panama Canal 14 July and continued on to San Diego for further exercises. Arriving Pearl Harbor in August, she soon steamed westward; and, from 14 September into March 1945, she laid and tended torpedo nets, moorings and buoys, and participated in various towing, salvage and demolition operations in the central Pacific. By April, Mahogany had moved to the western Pacific for the invasion of Okinawa. She operated with minecraft during the 82‑day campaign, 1 April to 21 July, and then remained in the Okinawa Gunto area until after the end of the war.
On 14 September 1945 Mahogany. caught in a typhoon, grounded on a reef in Buckner Bay. She was towed to Guam for repairs, but these promised to be so extensive that she was scrapped. After salvageable equipment had been removed, she decommissioned and her hulk was destroyed 19 April 1946 at Guam.
Mahogany received one battle star for World War II service.
Following an honorable discharge, Mr. Harrison joined the Merchant Marines and served aboard the Liberty ship, Joseph V. Connolly. The Connolly and her crew had the grim responsibility for returning the dead to the states until, in January 1947, the ship caught fire at sea and sank with her cargo. Blessedly, her crew was rescued.
On 12 January 1947
In January 1947 USAT General R. E. Callan responded to a distress signal from Army Transport Joseph V. Connolly which was burning at 39°48′N 54°37′W, some 890 nautical miles (1,650 km) east of New York. Freighters SS Union Victory and Black Diamond each picked up a lifeboat, while General R. E. Callan picked up the remaining two boats. The Army transport stayed with the burning hulk of Joseph V. Connolly until being relieved by Army ocean-going tug LT-788. General R. E. Callan was ordered to Halifax with the survivors. All 46 hands from Joseph V. Connolly were saved by the three ships, while the ship itself was lost.
Today Mr. Harrison is 91 years old and in Hospice Care in Florence, SC.
I wish I could provide more information about Mr. Harrison but, alas, my limited research skills have yielded little. For the above information, I am grateful to Bill Krzyk of Honor Flight Myrtle Beach, a wonderful organization, who first brought Mr. Harrison to our attention and who responded quickly to a request for information. As well, Mr. Krzyk was kind enough to send a recent photo of Mr. Harrison who is seen holding a Christmas tree sent to him by the firefighters of New York City.
Saying "thank you" to the men and women who risked their young lives in service to our great nation will never be enough but, today, we can assure that Mr. Harrison's name and photo will be seen by the thousands of followers who visit this site and he will be remembered. And, if Mr. Harrison should ever find himself reading this post he will know that today and forever more, he is in our thoughts and our prayers.
It's the least we can do.
(All comments unrelated to this topic should be directed to the open thread below. Thank you for your consideration.)
Posted by: Open Blogger at
06:52 AM
| Comments (73)
Post contains 784 words, total size 5 kb.
Merry Christmas NDH and a special thanks to the brave men who fought for us. Forever grateful..
Posted by: armadillo at December 25, 2013 06:58 AM (qQk+U)
And...I would bet that if you asked Mr. Harrison about his service, he would be humble and gracious.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 25, 2013 06:59 AM (QFxY5)
Posted by: Dave S. at December 25, 2013 06:59 AM (UvR6d)
Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 25, 2013 07:00 AM (XIxXP)
Posted by: Gmac-Pondering the coming implosion, and hoping its 404care at December 25, 2013 07:01 AM (IanLz)
Posted by: M. Murcek at December 25, 2013 07:05 AM (GJUgF)
Posted by: Andy at December 25, 2013 07:06 AM (1iTuz)
Posted by: Yoshi, Aggrieved Victim of the White Man at December 25, 2013 07:11 AM (QyDWe)
Posted by: Infidel at December 25, 2013 07:11 AM (6bvBO)
Posted by: armyvet at December 25, 2013 07:14 AM (xrMjU)
A very Merry Christmas to MR. Harrison and all the other Vets we are still lucky enough to have with us this Christmas. And I would like to give a big Merry Christmas to all the members of OHSU ( Operational Health Support Unit) Portsmouth, especially the Navy Corpsmen ( and our cousin Medics in the Army and Air Force) for the great job they do each and every day:
The Corpsman's Christmas Poem
"'Twas the night before Christmas as I flew o'er the Marine Base,
when I spied a young man who seemed out of place.
His eyes showed compassion, his hair a bit long,
but his head was held high and his body was strong.
His air was confident, his uniform smart,
but what impressed me most was the size of his heart.
For he embodied honor, one of this country's best,
and the words U.S. NAVY showed large on his chest.
As I stood there in wonder and gazed into his eyes,
the words that he spoke took me quite by surprise.
"What's wrong Santa, haven't you ever seen a sailor before?"
I sensed something special and longed to know more.
"To be honest, this field thing wasn't part of my plan,
but God didn't give me a boat or tin can."
The words he spoke next surprised me all the more,
"But I'm as proud of my Navy as I am of the Corps!"
"Don't worry Santa, that I'm a sailor you see,
for when a Marine goes down they will still call on me.
They'll forget I'm a sailor, they'll call in my stock.
At the top of their lungs they'll yell ,"Get me the doc!"
"And I'll answer that call, anytime, anywhere.
Though I know I'm a target I really don't care.
I'll face incoming fire as I race cross the land,
and use my very own body to shield a downed man."
"Working long hours and into the night,
my unit's battle is over, but I'm just starting to fight.
For the life of every Marine is sacred to me.
I refuse to surrender them to death, and in that I'll find victory."
"And yet I'll take the time to comfort a dying man,
to sit down by his side, to reach out and hold his hand.
For it takes as much courage to care as to fight.
For just as the poem says, many don't "go gently into that night."
"Santa, it's not any one uniform that makes you a man,
but rather it's those ideals for which you choose to stand.
I draw my line here, it's long and it's plain.
For pain, hurt and suffering are the things I disdain."
I know very well that I may lose my life,
so that a Marine may see an unmet child and young wife.
So Santa, it really doesn't matter if they don't like my hair.
I'm a Navy Corpsman, their Doc, and I'll always be there."
"I follow the brave docs who have come long before,
from Belleau Wood, Iwo, and Lebanon's shore.
As history proudly shows, they all gave their best,
and for those who have died, surely they're blessed."
"At Inchon, the gulf and times during Tet,
our brothers have fallen, but we carry on yet.
For we carry their honor and legacy still."
As I held back my tears it took all of my will.
I had to leave him there for I had other plans,
but I knew in my heart that the Corps is in good hands.
As I flew away I heard his laughter, it rang so loud and clear.
"Hey Santa, how 'bout a nice pair of boots for the 26 miler next year?"
Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 25, 2013 07:15 AM (3HRWH)
Two suicide attempts thus far this AM, one off to surgery. They could use some prayers. (Who can't?)
http://tinyurl.com/o3jq624
Posted by: OG Celtic-American at December 25, 2013 07:19 AM (QuZie)
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at December 25, 2013 07:21 AM (HVff2)
Now, a note from a wretched grammar-nazi:
"...the least we can do..." Have always thought this a miserable expression, as if we search for the least thing we can do to get off some hook or other.
Posted by: nobreakfast at December 25, 2013 07:23 AM (n+Wwn)
Posted by: fastfreefall at December 25, 2013 07:25 AM (Tz35j)
Posted by: and irresolute at December 25, 2013 07:29 AM (RqHWH)
Posted by: westminsterdogshow at December 25, 2013 07:40 AM (4+5ym)
Posted by: YTown Guy at December 25, 2013 07:44 AM (das+y)
Posted by: John W. at December 25, 2013 07:45 AM (PVBzL)
Posted by: Joe at December 25, 2013 07:46 AM (fFaR7)
Posted by: Comanche Voter at December 25, 2013 07:53 AM (VAche)
Posted by: DAve at December 25, 2013 07:53 AM (b7yum)
Posted by: Edward Cropper at December 25, 2013 07:54 AM (U8fWd)
Posted by: navybrat at December 25, 2013 07:55 AM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: shredded chi, the young curmudgeon at December 25, 2013 07:56 AM (D0Qc2)
Posted by: Mama AJ at December 25, 2013 08:00 AM (SUKHu)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 25, 2013 08:04 AM (olDqf)
Posted by: VKI at December 25, 2013 08:05 AM (qySNZ)
From a WW2 Navy pilot's daughter
Posted by: Ms. M at December 25, 2013 08:10 AM (+qScL)
Posted by: EROWMER at December 25, 2013 08:14 AM (OONaw)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at December 25, 2013 08:25 AM (mIeWj)
http://tinyurl.com/o3jq624
Posted by: OG Celtic-American at December 25, 2013 11:19 AM (QuZie)
-------------------------------------------------
'Tis the season..........unfortunately.
And Merry Christmas to all the foreign-war vets. You deserve it.
Posted by: Soona at December 25, 2013 08:29 AM (gNBIS)
Posted by: Hanoverfist at December 25, 2013 08:43 AM (ecN6u)
Posted by: Chrissy Liebowitz at December 25, 2013 08:47 AM (iB0Q2)
Posted by: zombie at December 25, 2013 08:48 AM (+cx5n)
Merry Christmas to all. Y'all....
Posted by: backhoe at December 25, 2013 08:56 AM (ULH4o)
Service such as your cousin's buys a lot of free passes for assholishness.
It sucks, but those are the rules.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 25, 2013 09:10 AM (QFxY5)
Posted by: Jeff E at December 25, 2013 09:26 AM (doTwC)
Posted by: WalrusRex at December 25, 2013 09:32 AM (VKNCj)
Posted by: eman at December 25, 2013 09:32 AM (EWsrI)
Posted by: Carol at December 25, 2013 09:33 AM (z4WKX)
With my Dad's recent passing (WWII, Korean and Vietnam vet) we're not having much in the way of festivities. My sister thought ahead and bought some Swiss Colony stuff and along with a few presents we celebrate.
The few presents were good, though and so is the food. I tried bagels and lox for the first last night and yummy!
Posted by: Ed Anger at December 25, 2013 09:34 AM (tOkJB)
Posted by: Some Guy in Wisconsin at December 25, 2013 09:37 AM (txvt7)
Posted by: teej at December 25, 2013 09:38 AM (3R0Zs)
Thank You Mr. Harrison for serving...and sacrificing...so that my family and myself live free in the Greatest Country than Man has yet created.
Posted by: MJN1957 at December 25, 2013 09:45 AM (yvVwB)
Posted by: jeff at December 25, 2013 10:01 AM (MOSsR)
Posted by: RoadRunner at December 25, 2013 10:12 AM (kw1xk)
Posted by: Andy in FL at December 25, 2013 10:20 AM (nf/Xx)
Posted by: concrete girl at December 25, 2013 10:25 AM (LhAqq)
https://twitter.com/racingshadoes/status/414526021891670016
Posted by: Jazz at December 25, 2013 11:06 AM (roO4n)
Posted by: Rick at December 25, 2013 11:29 AM (TG6j6)
My father, 104th ID, is a WW II vet. Is in assisted living. I can tell you the folks there know all the words to, for example. "God Bless America". Wonder it that's taught in schools.
They know about WW II and there are a lot of vets, and women whose husbands were vets.
There was a funeral for a Marine a couple of years ago near here. I watched the procession from the church to the cemetery. Passed an assisted living place. The residents were outside in their wheelchairs with staff, each holding an American flag.
Wish we could collect their stories.
Posted by: Richard Aubrey at December 25, 2013 12:05 PM (0EYmc)
Posted by: free tibet, etc. at December 25, 2013 12:44 PM (jAc/f)
Posted by: Meremortal, loving it at December 25, 2013 12:57 PM (1Y+hH)
Posted by: Mos at December 25, 2013 01:26 PM (d6MLH)
Richard Aubrey above (and all) - we CAN collect their stories. Visit loc.gov/vets, download/print some brochures, find WWII vets (or others), get yerself a digital audio recorder and/or camera, and get it done. Like anything, you get 1 or 2 good "hits" for every 10 attempts. I have done about a dozen. Very interesting (but I'm a WWII super-geek), and satisfying. Equally important, get their families (if any) to understand that all of their original photos and documents can be deposited into their "file" at the Lib. of Congress "when the time comes".
Yesterday wife and I visited a WWII-era Navy nurse we know. She retired a Commander, so was pretty high up for her kind at that point in history. Recently she did a short spell at the Balboa Navy hospital; USMC Commandant (& Mrs. Amos) and Command Sgt. Major were in town, visited wounded at Balboa as always ... and then made a separate visit in another wing to this nurse. Staff was pretty surprised the big brass was coming down their corridor. She's quite a character. Sharp as a tack, still. And really, a sort you rarely meet any more. An archetype of her era and (midwest) upbringing.
Now to call the Guadalcanal vet friend, who's even more out of central casting for Depression/WWII classics. Volunteered for the USMC @17 a month before Pearl Harbor.
And then, on the way to my sister's for the annual ritual dinner, we'll stop by a good friend and 27-year Navy SEAL's dad's place to chat - he's also sharp as a tack, and enlisted in August 1941, spent a life in naval aviation maintenance. Was at many of the big shindigs in the Pacific involving our Japanese friends.
So this post was, for me, right in line with my day .....
Merry Christmas Mr. Harrison, to Open Blogger for posting this, and to all here.
Posted by: non-purist at December 25, 2013 01:28 PM (afQnV)
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at December 25, 2013 01:34 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: FOAF at December 25, 2013 02:40 PM (rZ7kp)
Posted by: Xavier at December 25, 2013 03:45 PM (JqAxf)
(From US NAVY Muster Rolls and immigration records)
Mr. Harrison enlisted in the US navy on 5 Apr 1943 at New York, New York. His service records carry the (N) after his name. He joined the Mahogany on 15 Dec 1943.
After the war, he continued in the Merchant Marine through, at least, Oct 1953, serving in the North Atlantic on the Bremerhaven - New York runs.
Well Done.
Posted by: John at December 25, 2013 03:51 PM (GuPKL)
Posted by: Rev. Ira Wallace at December 26, 2013 02:55 PM (kNxoX)
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Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 25, 2013 06:54 AM (DmNpO)