Throughout the course of history, many personal memories have been recorded, first in letters, later in phone calls, and in the present day, e-mail. In the early centuries, the mail was the principle for a soldier, sailor, Marine or Coast Guard member to keep in touch with their loved ones at home. This enabled wives, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers that know that when the letters were written, their loved ones were well as could be under circumstances and hopefully their correspondences would be answered in a timely manner by the receiver. During World War II this was a principle means of communication. The memories written by naval participants who were assigned to the USS Chenango were numerous.
A salute to these written memories of the men who served on this ship are excerpted below, written in part as they were remembered.
Captain Alvin Malstrom, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy in June of 1922, was after many years of service detached from the Enterprise in June of 1942 and assigned to the conversion of the Chenango at Staten Island, New York. Two months later she sailed from the East Coast to French Morocco with decks packed with planes (Warhawks) to be assigned to Port Lyautey. The Chenango launched her plans off the French Coast without a single accident and would return to the United States, badly damaged during a hurricane (written previously) and put in to port at Portsmouth, Virginia for repairs. Captain Malstrom would be assigned to the USS Sangamon in February of 1945 and proceed to the Pacific war area where the Sangamon would participate as an escort carrier in the assault and occupation of Okinawa, Guam. On May 4, his ship would be hit by a Kamikaze plane exploding in the center of the flight deck.
Captain Malstrom was awarded the Silver Medal and the citation received is quoted as written: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity ... during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa on May 4, 1945.” The citation further states, in part: “When his ship was severely damaged by an enemy suicide plant and raging fires broke out on the hanger deck and among gassed and armed planes on the flight deck. Captain Malstrom directed the fire-fighting operations from the bridge until the island structures were enveloped in flames, causing intense hear and suffocating smoke. Beset by darkness, low water pressure caused by broken risers and temporary loss of electrical power, as well as by complete absence of communications, he continued to direct overall fire-fighting activities which resulted in the saving of his ship ...”
For this bravery, Captain Malstrom was awarded the Purple Heart. He would continue his career in the United States Navy until his retirement in June of 1952. Following retirement, living in Washington, D.C., he studied atomic and nuclear physics and had a great interest in nutrition and health-awareness activities. Having attained the rank of Admiral before retiring, he passed away in February of 1978 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Additional reflections that have been posted to the Internet include a few excerpts from assorted individuals throughout the country. Portions, again, are excerpted as follows: “My father, Melvin Denton (Gunner’s Mate 1st Class, Indiana) served on the Chenango from ‘43-’45” signed Teresa. Janice wrote, “My father John Kapatch was on the USS Chenango and he passed away in 1983. Ron Anderson wrote: “My grandfather Paul Wayne Anderson served on the USS Chenango during WW II, does anyone remember him?” These are just a sample of information that has surfaced via the Internet.
A portion of the memories of Lt. Col. Daniel B. Rathbun, as written by his son Dan Rathbun, is related as yet another tribute to a WW II veteran. “Lt. Col. D. B. Rathbun, fighter pilot in Army Air Corps in WW II. He left the Army in 1945 and rarely spoke of his experiences when I was growing up. Shortly before his 86th birthday, he finally agreed to write of his experiences. ‘Later in mid-October 1942, in Norfolk all 87 planes in the group were hoisted aboard the carrier USS Chenango, along with a total of 800 other ships from various ports on the East Coast, headed east. With 87 P-40’s jammed on the flight and hanger deck, we headed east, surrounded by ships of all kings as far as our eyes could see in all directions. Various naval vessels could come alongside at times for refueling. I recall a destroyer in rough weather rolling violently and crashing into the Chenango, damaging both ships. We seemed to be at the center of the armada, a feeling that was consistent with the sight of several large naval carriers in our vicinity. These ‘fleet carriers’ were to support landing operations, including bombing of runways to weaken aerial opposition by the unknown forces we were to invade.”
The remaining documentation of his duties serving in the Army Air Corps is written extensively and space does not permit it as part of this documentation at this time. After the war Lt. Col. Rathbun returned to college, earned a degree in economics, served in a variety of academic posts and finally retired as Vice-President of the American Petroleum Association. When these excerpts were written, Lt. Col. Rathbun was living in Portland, Maine.
In conclusion of this series of articles relevant to the two USS Chenangos and the United States Navy, it may be safely said that the name of the river, county and town in central New York has earned a special place in the history of the United States. Finally in closing, the assorted sources of information must be given exclusively to the Internet and the request from a member of the American Legion here in Norwich to write this article – it has been a pleasure. It would be most appropriate if a plaque were to be fabricated and placed in a prominent place in Norwich to commemorate of both of these ships that had an important role in history.