A Wetpaint Site

ME3TV Broadcasting

ASIATIC FLEET

Action Notes on Asiatic Fleet Memorial Effort for Navy Memorial in Washington DC - Letter and Follow up

NOV 25 – 2008 – Vic Campbell – Sparta, NJ I talked by phone today with Adm Buchanan of the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC regarding recognition of the Asiatic Fleet in WWII. The discussion was straightforward – and focused on an approach to a memorial presence befitting the contribution and sacrifice of our sailors and marines in the Asiatic Fleet. You already know this part … “it won’t be easy”. Here is a summary of the discussion and action list for myself. 1. The foundation has little or no control of the exterior plaza memorial – it having been passed to Park Service control years ago. Thus an effort must be mounted to bring the NPS into planning for any proposed change to the plaza area. This can be started with discussions with NPS about their protocol and about options that might be open to exploration. This “exterior memorial” should be considered “phase II” of a memorial effort. 2. The foundation has control of the interior of its building and there is a commemorative wall that carries large or small plaques to recognize various units and actions. The foundation depends on donations to fund these plaques with part of the donation funding the foundation and part funding the plaque. It is obvious this donation is NOT to be funded by the Asiatic Fleet veterans. Phase I would involve third party Non-Profits (Navy- Marine Heritage) that can be approached by such people as myself to enlighten and then encourage supporting donations. The goal here would be to raise $15,000 to support a large plaque for the commemorative wall. It will require formal fund raising and support materials. 3. Phase II will require considerable interaction with the NPS, the Navy Memorial Board, and appropriate Non-Profits to arrive at a plan and financial support – even for something as simple as an engraved stone that says “ In Memory of The Asiatic Fleet – The Fleet the God’s Forgot”. On stepping into this bureaucratic can of worms – the idea could perish quickly into compost if it is not managed aggressively. Also – imagine this in the current economic climate. So – as noted before, “it won’t be easy”. My Action List --- I will work with Adm Buchanan to set a time to meet in Washington within the next two months (possibly after the crowds clear from the inauguration ceremonies). I want to include in that meeting just a few individuals to help draw up an action plan to attack phase I and phase II simultaneously. Perhaps one or two friends who are retired Navy Captains in the DC area will join us in an advisory capacity (one is a former NOUS National Commander). I would also like to tap John Schwarz and Michael Falkenstein. I will also supply any video material I have to the Navy Memorial – which they may place in their website to help educate the public. It will also make it easy to share among others we know by email of specific links. This can happen. The passion we all have to preserve the memory of this sacrificial fleet is a driving force. God Bless the veterans of the Asiatic Fleet. ………………………………………. Best Regards, Vic Campbell >>>>>>>>>>>>>> US Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004-2608 http://www.navymemorial.org/ Dear Admiral Buchanan, I have been a student of the history of the Asiatic Fleet for some years now and even made a modest documentary film from interviews with some of the survivors of the USS Houston (CA-30) . I helped them with their website and their blog. I also met other Asiatic veterans and helped with their blog. I know the associations are trying to raise interest in having some kind of recognition, perhaps an engraving at the Navy Memorial in Washington. I know many have written your office and that progress is slow to arrive at some level of action. An engraving on this order would be some measure of proper recognition. “In memory of the Asiatic Fleet (1910-1942), 'The Fleet the Gods Forgot'“ Is there any course I can take at your suggestion to spark interest in honoring these tremendous heroes of the Pacific War? What protocol can we follow to bring this project before decision makers? I am willing to help address the appropriate parties and plan of action. I was a communications officer for a DE in Vietnam. At the time, I had little interest in history and I did not pick up the many threads of history that were just under our keel. I wish I had. I knew the broad scope, but not so much of the detail as one might learn from Morison. Only much later did I begin to learn some of the “hidden” stories of courage. After a number of video and audio interview sessions with destroyer veterans – I was privileged to hear a survivor tell the story of USS Houston. It was a story I had never heard. It prompted my further study. In the years since I found it very common that Navy veterans of the Pacific war were largely unaware of the story of the Asiatic Fleet, or the USS Houston. The story of the beginning of the US War in the Pacific began with Pearl Harbor and little else was noted until The Coral Sea. I have some theoretical points that explain why the Asiatic Fleet – a great and noble sacrifice – was lost to the wide expanse of the collective Navy War Memory. 1. Pearl Harbor and all the first strikes of the IJN in the Pacific were drastic events. The public was protected from the greater part of actions beyond (West of) Pearl Harbor to avoid a crushing loss of confidence. It was as if a curtain was drawn at Hawaii for some time. 2. The Roosevelt plan called for “Europe First” so actions in the Pacific took second place for nearly the whole war. 3. The Asiatic Fleet was relatively small – with few sailors and marines and those who continued to participate in the war as combatants, quickly became dispersed into a fleet that swelled with millions of sailors whose collective memory would hardly know of the Asiatic veterans. 4. The displacement of Adm Hart by Gen MacArthur was highly political. it was critical that Hart’s influence and the Asiatic Fleet’s influence on history (as it was regarded MacArthur) be minimized for MacArthur’s image to rise. 5. The folding of the Asiatic Fleet into ABDA command under the Dutch took the light off the command structure and in future writing – Fleets not under American command were routinely ignored in “American” history books. 6. Even now – the key connection to the Asiatic Fleet for those who know WWII films is “The Bridge on The River Kwai”. It is a thin connection the film makes but that film title is the only “key” that opens the eyes of many to learn more about the Asiatic Fleet – The Java Sea Battles and the sailors and marines that became slaves on the “death railway”. 7. The survivors from the ships in that fleet were few in number compared to the millions of Navy Veterans after the war. Their story became lost in the great sea of tremendous history of the whole war. I do know that students of American Naval History – who are more than armchair generalists – are clear to point to the USS Houston and the Asiatic Fleet story (and their Allies) as one of the greatest stories of courage and perseverance ever. Among those who know, these ships and men are legends and are worthy of some serious recognition; ESPECIALLY at our own US NAVY MEMORIAL. It is not a story of “victory” . But it is a story of sacrifice for future victory. I hope you can help me and help the Asiatic Veterans find a path toward a measure of permanent recognition and a place of prominence and honor at our Navy Memorial. Your suggestions are welcomed. Best Regards, Vic Campbell - Member - Naval Order of The United States (NYC) Author, Multimedia Producer, Blogger, College Prof, Filmmaker, Historian, Armchair Ruralist, Crusty Navalist, Junk E-Mail Disposal Administrator. BuzzCreek USS-Houston ME3TV - READING LIST: "The Discoverers" "Guns, Germs and Steel" "Ship of Ghosts", VIc's Library EPITAPH FOR THE ASIATIC FLEET: they have no grave but the cruel sea, no flowers at their head. a rusting hulk is their tombstone at rest on the ocean floor

NOV 25 – 2008 – Vic Campbell – Sparta, NJ

I talked by phone today with Adm Buchanan of the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC regarding recognition of the Asiatic Fleet in WWII. The discussion was straightforward – and focused on an approach to a memorial presence befitting the contribution and sacrifice of our sailors and marines in the Asiatic Fleet. You already know this part … “it won’t be easy”. Here is a summary of the discussion and action list for myself.

1. The foundation has little or no control of the exterior plaza memorial – it having been passed to Park Service control years ago. Thus an effort must be mounted to bring the NPS into planning for any proposed change to the plaza area. This can be started with discussions with NPS about their protocol and about options that might be open to exploration. This “exterior memorial” should be considered “phase II” of a memorial effort.

2. The foundation has control of the interior of its building and there is a commemorative wall that carries large or small plaques to recognize various units and actions. The foundation depends on donations to fund these plaques with part of the donation funding the foundation and part funding the plaque. It is obvious this donation is NOT to be funded by the Asiatic Fleet veterans. Phase I would involve third party Non-Profits (Navy- Marine Heritage) that can be approached by such people as myself to enlighten and then encourage supporting donations. The goal here would be to raise $15,000 to support a large plaque for the commemorative wall. It will require formal fund raising and support materials.

3. Phase II will require considerable interaction with the NPS, the Navy Memorial Board, and appropriate Non-Profits to arrive at a plan and financial support – even for something as simple as an engraved stone that says “ In Memory of The Asiatic Fleet – The Fleet the God’s Forgot”. On stepping into this bureaucratic can of worms – the idea could perish quickly into compost if it is not managed aggressively. Also – imagine this in the current economic climate. So – as noted before, “it won’t be easy”.

My Action List --- I will work with Adm Buchanan to set a time to meet in Washington within the next two months (possibly after the crowds clear from the inauguration ceremonies). I want to include in that meeting just a few individuals to help draw up an action plan to attack phase I and phase II simultaneously. Perhaps one or two friends who are retired Navy Captains in the DC area will join us in an advisory capacity (one is a former NOUS National Commander). I would also like to tap John Schwarz and Michael Falkenstein.

I will also supply any video material I have to the Navy Memorial – which they may place in their website to help educate the public. It will also make it easy to share among others we know by email of specific links.

This can happen. The passion we all have to preserve the memory of this sacrificial fleet is a driving force. God Bless the veterans of the Asiatic Fleet.
……………………………………….
Best Regards,
Vic Campbell

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

US Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004-2608 http://www.navymemorial.org/

Dear Admiral Buchanan,

I have been a student of the history of the Asiatic Fleet for some years now and even made a modest documentary film from interviews with some of the survivors of the USS Houston (CA-30) . I helped them with their website and their blog. I also met other Asiatic veterans and helped with their blog.

I know the associations are trying to raise interest in having some kind of recognition, perhaps an engraving at the Navy Memorial in Washington. I know many have written your office and that progress is slow to arrive at some level of action. An engraving on this order would be some measure of proper recognition. “In memory of the Asiatic Fleet (1910-1942), 'The Fleet the Gods Forgot'“

Is there any course I can take at your suggestion to spark interest in honoring these tremendous heroes of the Pacific War? What protocol can we follow to bring this project before decision makers? I am willing to help address the appropriate parties and plan of action.

I was a communications officer for a DE in Vietnam. At the time, I had little interest in history and I did not pick up the many threads of history that were just under our keel. I wish I had. I knew the broad scope, but not so much of the detail as one might learn from Morison. Only much later did I begin to learn some of the “hidden” stories of courage. After a number of video and audio interview sessions with destroyer veterans – I was privileged to hear a survivor tell the story of USS Houston. It was a story I had never heard. It prompted my further study. In the years since I found it very common that Navy veterans of the Pacific war were largely unaware of the story of the Asiatic Fleet, or the USS Houston. The story of the beginning of the US War in the Pacific began with Pearl Harbor and little else was noted until The Coral Sea. I have some theoretical points that explain why the Asiatic Fleet – a great and noble sacrifice – was lost to the wide expanse of the collective Navy War Memory.

1. Pearl Harbor and all the first strikes of the IJN in the Pacific were drastic events. The public was protected from the greater part of actions beyond (West of) Pearl Harbor to avoid a crushing loss of confidence. It was as if a curtain was drawn at Hawaii for some time.

2. The Roosevelt plan called for “Europe First” so actions in the Pacific took second place for nearly the whole war.

3. The Asiatic Fleet was relatively small – with few sailors and marines and those who continued to participate in the war as combatants, quickly became dispersed into a fleet that swelled with millions of sailors whose collective memory would hardly know of the Asiatic veterans.

4. The displacement of Adm Hart by Gen MacArthur was highly political. it was critical that Hart’s influence and the Asiatic Fleet’s influence on history (as it was regarded MacArthur) be minimized for MacArthur’s image to rise.

5. The folding of the Asiatic Fleet into ABDA command under the Dutch took the light off the command structure and in future writing – Fleets not under American command were routinely ignored in “American” history books.

6. Even now – the key connection to the Asiatic Fleet for those who know WWII films is “The Bridge on The River Kwai”. It is a thin connection the film makes but that film title is the only “key” that opens the eyes of many to learn more about the Asiatic Fleet – The Java Sea Battles and the sailors and marines that became slaves on the “death railway”.

7. The survivors from the ships in that fleet were few in number compared to the millions of Navy Veterans after the war. Their story became lost in the great sea of tremendous history of the whole war.

I do know that students of American Naval History – who are more than armchair generalists – are clear to point to the USS Houston and the Asiatic Fleet story (and their Allies) as one of the greatest stories of courage and perseverance ever. Among those who know, these ships and men are legends and are worthy of some serious recognition; ESPECIALLY at our own US NAVY MEMORIAL. It is not a story of “victory” . But it is a story of sacrifice for future victory.

I hope you can help me and help the Asiatic Veterans find a path toward a measure of permanent recognition and a place of prominence and honor at our Navy Memorial.

Your suggestions are welcomed.

Best Regards,
Vic Campbell - Member - Naval Order of The United States (NYC)
Author, Multimedia Producer, Blogger, College Prof, Filmmaker, Historian, Armchair Ruralist, Crusty Navalist, Junk E-Mail Disposal Administrator. BuzzCreek USS-Houston ME3TV - READING LIST: "The Discoverers" "Guns, Germs and Steel" "Ship of Ghosts", VIc's Library

EPITAPH FOR THE ASIATIC FLEET:
they have no grave but the cruel sea,
no flowers at their head.
a rusting hulk is their tombstone
at rest on the ocean floor

me3tv	Latest page update: made by me3tv , Nov 25 2008, 10:35 AM EST (about this update About This Update Moved from: Veterans and Histories - me3tv No content added or deleted. - complete history)
	Keyword tags: None More Info: links to this page

Threads for this page

Post a new thread

There are no threads for this page. Be the first to start a new thread.

JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to contribute to this site.
To start contributing, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options, then try again.

Home