Brooklyn (CL 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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Floyd Taylor Cited By French Gov't. New Orleans, La., August 30.-In behalf of 'the French Government. me Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star was presented -August 22 fto Floyd Otis Taylor, Signalmain, 2-c, USN, for his heroism during the in- vasion of Southern France in the autumn of 1944. Signalm-an Taylor, who formerly lived -in Walnut Ridge, received the deggra,tion'- from Commander J., B. Ogle, USNR, District Communica- tions Officer, at headquarters of the Naval District here in New Orleans. Taylor, who is at present on duty in Communications at -the Port of Ernbarkation, in New Orleans, was assigned to the Cruiser, Brooklyn, iii June of 1943. On this vessel 'he wok part in the invasion of Sicily and Italy. Just before the invasion nf Southern France ihe was trans- fer,-,id .to the American Liaison Unit aboard the French mine laying cru- iser, Emil Bertin. While- aboard the French warship, he served as a sig- nalman to faciliaite communications with American naval ships. g The citation accompanying his Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star., which was signed by Voe Admiral Lemonnier, Chief of fthe General Staff of fthe French Navy, said that during the operations and landings at Provence in August and Septem- ber, 1944, he exhibited proof under fire of the enemy of the highest military qualities and greatest brav- ery. Previously, the United States Navy Department had taken cognizance of 'I'aylor's gallantry in action by awarding him a commendaitionf rib- bon for his services on the Emil Bertin. Signalman Taylor served in the IPBVY from 1927 fto 1930, and again enlisted February 13, 1942. He wears the European-African ribbon with three stars, fthe American Theatre gibbon and the Good Conduct rib- ou. ' In the early part of the war he served on a submarine chaser off the Florida Coast. Later he' spent six months as a signalman striker BbO81'd.i,llC U.S.S. Alcor, a ,training ship. Since returning to the states in December, 1944, he fhas been on i Fl d O ' Arclr3ansa1slSHeXYIlpRdUSN crew was born 6f10f99 in JSSSUP 5!15!27 f ev lste In the Navy on a minority cruise ori . . rom Little Rock, A k Trammg at Hampton Roadg, 231518. He received his Boot Ee Weis discharged 4f15f30 to pursue a career as a Civilian ut a ong came World War II and chan ed all that H, . e glgsrrzlegntg gat ,lgavfi to 30 by Signing ur? with the Draft physical butlta liihink that he had a chance to pass the the Nag R e, fmy had. an eye on him. He convinced 2!13!42 yi d ecruiter to enlist him .atgain for 4 years on an was sent to the USS P 478 for dut . The vessel being a subm ' h A ' y the coast of Floridgrine c aser operating out of and along if22f42dhe convinced someone on the Alcor to swap with B1i1O2g1KIyi?t one year later he was transferred to the USS 13 Ad . Ili for dUtY.w1th Commander Cruiser Division th, mira .T. DUBOISB for the invasion of Sicily. He was en Sent 0Ve1' to BRQ0KLYN's ships company and was Tent to the French. Mlnelaying Cruiser Emil Bertin as a iason communications operator, during the invasion of Southern France. After this operation he was sent to shore duty in Burwood, La. and discharged in 1946. Before the 90 days were up he reenlisted and completed a 20 year Navy Career. By a.prev1ous marriage TAYLOR has a Son and Daughter, Son is Robert J. Taylor, and Daughter is Carmen Maria Taylor. He has remarried to Lola C. TAYLOR and she had a Son and two Daughters. right above Floyd and Lola TAYLOR, 1978 The Signal Bridge is a busy place, most of the time. Awarded Croix de Guerra. Floyd Otis Taylor, signalman 2-c. of 2123 North McKinley street, has been awarded the Croix de Guerrei with a Bronze' ....... .. -. . ' l St 3 r b Y th ,,,. mi. , French govern-2 - 1 .,,f m e n t for hxsl 2 heroism during 1 rf ' - . . H ,fa i 9. xr the i n v a s 1 o n .'rg,,'ff:za,.- ' .aw 'K f.,.s.s:r?. of f S o u t h e r n' fri, t, - France in the f l ais tau of 1944. I .,,,, , xi i e citation X 'md - sigiiif f:'g .az.z:1:a During the 'ifigiii g' operations and, . landing at Prev-s 1, n.ei:-xi. 227.239 43gf:53:5.,'cyg,- . - ' ence.. France., mf August and September,-'1944,',he'? exhibited proof, under fireot the! enemy, of, the, highest militaryg qualities and greatest bravery!! Signalman . Taylorfserved in gthei 'navy-from 1927 to. 1930 and re-en-i listed in February, 1942. He 'servedi on the cruiser Brooklyxrbefore bail ing' transferred -to the A American liaison unit aboard , the - French .mine laying .cruiser Emil Bertin. 'He took part in-. the iinvasion 'off Sicily, Italy and Southern Francef and he wears the European-Afri-' can-Middle Eastern. campaign rib- bon with three battle stars, the, American Theater- ribbon .and the Good Conduct medal. He, is staif duty at 'the U.S. Frontier Base, Burwood. Louisiana. Within the past few weeks -he was transferred to the 1121325 of Embarkaition in New Or- Yerle MINER was born 8f6!23 in Pratt, Kansas. He enlisted ln the Navy 9f25f41 and received his Boot Training at NeWP01:t, Rhode Island. Upon completion of Boot Camp he WHS assigned to the BROOKLYN and to the 8th Division for his first duty. He was later transferred to the C Division for radio, and was advanced from Seaman 2c to Radioman lc. He was detached for Home 9f45. He is married, and he and wife Beverly have 3 sons: Ronald b0l'11 1f18f46 and served military service in the US Army: Gary born 4f16f48 and served his military service in the US Air Force: James born 7f6f60 is a student. Miner has his own business, that of a cabinet maker, located In Honesdale, Pa. si- Visual Communications of this type are.a very secure procedure to maneuver the Fleet, or avoid the Enemy. at New Orleans, Lal: Thomas W. HARDING, JR., BMC, USN tretl was born 11!11!22 in Richmond, Va. He enlisted in the Navy for 6 years on 12f9f41 and received his Boot Training at Newport, Rhode Island, and was ordered to duty in BROOKLYN on 1f23l42 at the Brooklyn, Navy Yard. He was first assigned to the 4th Division, 1!23!42 until 3144, and then to the 3rd Division until August 1945 at which time he was ordered to duty for Landing Craft Training at Little Creek, Va. and there followed 10 different shipsg to the Academy at Annapolis, Md.g and MSTS, Brooklyn, New York, and was retired 4!21f61. Decorations include a total of 14 different awards in the 20 year Navy career. His wife Mary Williams Harding to whom he has been married for 30 years gave him a Son David J. Harding, a Son, Thomas W. and a Daughter Janet M. The two Sons are married and they gave the HARDINGS 4 Grandsons. Son Thomas served ZV2 years in Vietnam, in the Navy, and Son, David served 21!2 years in the Air Force. tioned at the Part ,ot ,Embarkation

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Fred Lewis BEYE, SMCM, USN, fretj was born 10112119 in Van Cleve, Iowa. He enlisted in the Navy, f1'0m Des Moines, Iowa, 6118140, receiving- his Boot Training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He reported to BROOKLYN at Lon Beach, Calif. in October 1940, and was assigned to the G Division by the then Executive Officer, CDR. F.C. Denebrink. He was detached and transferred to the USS Gyrasol KPY 271 for duty. He was advanced through the rates to that of Master Chief Signalman on 12116160. He was. spot promoted to Lieut fjgj in 1961, but refused the Commission to go on and transfer to the Fleet reserve 112164. BEYE served in various ships of the Navy, at various schools, and ships of the Amphibious Navy to complete a Navy Career. He married Donna' K. Luing of Rhodes, Iowa at Portsmouth, Va. on 815142 and to this. union was born Gregory F. Beye on 12112144 who was 1n the Navy 111 a Beach Jumper Unit in Vietnam to conduct Psychological Warfare. Debra A. Beye born 9119149: Rick A. Beye born 219151 and Denise K. Beye born 10122153. Decorations: American Defense, WW II Victory Medal, American Theatre, Asiatic Pacific Area, with 6 Stars, Navy Occupation Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Medal, and the proud holder of seven Good Conduct Medals. Since retirement he is in business for himself in the BEYE Real Estate Co., Altoona, Iowa. right LCDR. McBratney, Officer in Charge, Des Moines, Iowa Recruiting Station, congratulating Chief BEYE on his advance- ment to the rate of Master Chief Signalman. Mildred and Lyle HALSTED Lyle W. HALSTED, USN fretl was born 818112 in Dover, Ohio. He enlisted in the Navy 4126133 and received his Boot Camp Training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station for 6 weeks, and then to San Diego, Calif. to complete. He reported to Navy Yard in Brooklyn for the BROOKLYN detail on 6130137 and to be onboard when commissioned. He was assigned to the R Division. HALSTED reported from his previous duty station of the USS Navada. He was detached 417141 for duty in USS American Legion, a transport. He completed 20 years and 7 months of a Navy Career and has also completed 20 years service in the Aircraft Industry. I-Ie met his wife Mildred at the Luna Park, Skating Rink in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. right The HALSTED Family in Long Beach, Calif. Lyle, daughter Mary, age 21W months, wife, Mildred, about, 5 December 1940. Iassic M. LANGWELL, enlisted in the Navy 3127134 from St. Louis, Mo. He received his Boot Training in Norfolk, Va. Reported in BROOKLYN as an EM2c, 24 May 1939 in Norfolk, Va. from the USS New York. He was assi ned to the E division. Advanced to EM lc 12131141 and to SEM CAAJ 311143. He was transferred to the US Naval Hospital, Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Va. on 5131143. LANGWELL married 112142, and the LANGWELL's sons Dennis L.: Anthony A: John T.: Dean P.: Joseph J., Song Dennis L. DPC, USN lives in San Diego, Calif. and is attached to NAVMINPAC. John T., EM 1 USN is in the USS Calhoun SSRN 630 William G. MUNTER GMCS, USN fretl was born 512113 in Brooklyn New York. He entered the Navy 12129141 and received his Boot Training at Newport, Rhode. Island- Reported to BROOKLYN on 1131142 and was assigned to the 9th Division. Was advanced through the rates to Gunnersmate 1c and was detached on 1216145. to Commander Atlantic Amphibious Force. He was retired from active duty as A Gunnersmate Super Chief on 8116166- William G. and Grace L. his wife, born 8111124 married and have a Son William S., born 8112146 that served in the USNR from 6114165 until 6113171. They have a Daughter, Grace E. born ef23f49. At this time MUNTER is employed by the US Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground aS an Instructor, Coordinator and a Vehicle examiner. lgid

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Layton W. McCABE, was born 5130118 in Bishopsville, Md. He enlisted in the Navy 1114136 and received his Boot Training at Newport, Rhode Is. He reported to USS BROOKLYN in the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York on 30 September 1937 and was assigned to 3rd D1v1s1on and then on to C Division as a Signalman. At the end of his enlistment he was discharged, and in March 1943 he was Drafted as a Signalman 3c, advanced to Signalman 2c in Norton Heights, Cn. Was advanced to Signalman 1c at Augar Is, in the Palau Group in the Pacific. He was stationed and remained there to the end of the war in the acific. McCabe was discharged 1112145 and there followed a career of odd jobs until January 1949 when he was employed by the US Postal Department until retirement 8111178. His wife, Grace A. McCabe was born 10113123: Daughter, Bonnie B. Fukumura, born 10126142: Daughter, Nancy E. Cjejn, born 1112143: Daughter, Faye L. Hackfort, born 3 4 78. left, Layton W. McCABE, about 1939 1 retired 1957 Paul Kenneth RAMSAY, ACMM, USN, Cretl was born 1213117 in York, Pa. He enlisted in the Navy 5111137 and took his training with Company 16, Newport, Rhode Is. He re orted to the detail forming for BROOKLYN on about 911137 and was berthed for awhile in USS Seattle until BROOKLYN was ready for the crew. He was first assigned to F Division and then 2nd Division, and on to V Division to advance from Seaman lc in 1938 to Aviation Chief Machinist-mate in 1943. He was detached 1215140 for Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Fl., and training squadron VN -14. In August 1943 was assigned to bombing squadron 109 and served the remainder of the war in that squadron, participating in 7 major battles in the Pacific area. v Andrew SIMMLER, Jr., born 10127121 in West Chester, Pa. and Enlisted in the Navy 12127141 to take Boot Training in Newport, Rhode Island. He was assigned to BROOKLYN, and reported onboard in the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York and was assigned to the 8th Division to later transfer to N Division and made Quartermaster 3c about May 1943. He was transferred to Miami, Fl. for Sub-chaser School and put the USS PC 1083 into Commission for duty eventually in the Pacific to patrol the mouths of harbors and inlets to protect against submarine attacks. The trip went from Miami, Fl. thru the canal to Seattle, Wa. then down thru the Islands of the Pacific to Guam and returned to Seattle 1 day before VJ day. After a short tour in the USS Grimes CAPAJ and the USS Hooper Island CARGJ and a trip to the port of Tsingtao, China, left Paul K. RAMSAY family 1964, back row, l to r, Wayne, Paul Jr. and Paul K. center, Barbara, Ruth, front, Robert and David. 4 RAMSAY, ACMM, USN, just Decorations, Distinguished Flying Cross C2J, Air Medal 165, Commendation Ribbon with Combat V 141. Presidential Unit dCitation, and other area ribbons and stars of areas serve . Married the former Ruth A. Sternberg, Storekeeper 2c in the Supply Department at Jacksonville, on 11118144 and they have 4 Sons and a Daughter. Paul K., Jr., born 1945, Daughter, Barbara born 1946, Son, Wayne, born 1949, Son, David, born 1956, and Son Robert, born 1961. Paul Jr., served in the Navy Reserve, and Wayne served in the Army eserve. RAMSAY was the coxswain of 112 motor launch that took the first survivors to come up from the deep in the BELL from the ill fated Squalus. he was discharged to become a first class Civilian again and pursue a career there. Since discharge SIMMLER has worked for Wyeth Laboratories in West Chester, Pa., a Pharmaceutical Firm. He never married. BROOKLYN. with the carrier Ranger had to Back full astern. to avoid a collision with the Destroyer, USS Closz. Captain Denebrink sent the followin message to her Skapper, Pm in favor of a two ocean Ixlavy, One for you an one for me . To this the other Skipper replied, We like to follow the Air, and miss our friends, Closz . To this Denebrlnk replied, Humph . above, Grace A. and Layton W. MCCABE