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Letters
Chief Machinist Mate James Edwin Pike survived sinking of USS. Perry In regards to James Edwin Pike, my Dad I received your letter and pics in regards to the USS. Perry that was sunk in 1942 with 53 survivors. One of which was my Dad James Edwin Pike. He was a Chief Machinist Mate in the US Navy and served for 20 years. His discharge was in 1945 and they even asked him to re-up he told me then. Thanks to the men of the HMAS Southern Cross for rescueing him from the depths of the Ocean. Then again as I read he was in a Harbor. He told me of many stories, one of which was that on another ship they, the crew and Captain had to beach their ship. They cut down all the masts and camoflaged it as a Japanese fleet came by just later and they were mechanically unable to evade them. However the ruse did work and they were able to be reactive later on. Sailors do like to go on a toot now n then and he told me of a woman he knew many years ago in the Asiatics. Aparently sometimes he was liquified and the womans Dad was a doctor who would give him a shot of B and sober him up instantly so he could return to the ship. What sailor didn't do a bit of drinking in the Navy. James Edwin Pike served on a multitude of Destroyers and Cruisers in the Navy and I would imagine in many departments. Mostly he was noted for his Engineering abilities and even served as Chief to the Engineering crew in the Merchant Fleet in the Atlantic also. I believe he was on loan from the Navy as the Merchant Marines in regards to their convoy vessels had trouble training their crews being so many of them were young. There is another ship my Dad did mention that he served on which was the USS Helena and one time a Flag ship. He had a list of ships he served on but to this day after his death I've not been able to find it. I did see his old Uniform a few times and all the metals he had on it and my Dad would say that they were only a few as there was only so much room just on the left breast area to place them. He also served in G2 military intelligence while serving on many ships in relation I would imagine to the War and I believe drug Trafficing in the Asiatics. I can only imagine that it was to stem the tide going to the States and elsewhere. After the War my dad held several positions in factories as a Machinist and was once a Forman for an Air Compressor Company. Later he started and kept a business for 17 years in an Aircompressor Company in sales and service. I went on many service calls with my Dad to fix Air Compressors in the San Francisco Bay Area. In retirement he lived with my Mom in Clearlake County in California just about a two hour ride from the Bay Area. I also served in the US Navy for about a couple of years during the Vietnam War. I served on the USS Bon Homme Richard CV 31 and the USS Kitty Hawk CV63. I also served in Engineering and guess where, Air Compressors in A division. Its a shame my Dad is no longer with us as he died in 1987 due to a congestion malady at Oak Knoll Hospital in Oakland, California. I as I am sure many more people will miss him. I'm glad that he had time from I'm sure what was a busy setting to write a thank you to HMAS Southern Cross.
My thanks for the detail about your Dad, he obviously had an interesting time of service in the USN. If you go to this URL: http://www.usshelena.org/ca75.html you will find a good deal of information about USS Helena. Best wishes, |
