Category Archives: Crew

Patrick Troiano, MoMM2c – WWII-era Crew Member

Patrick Troiano, originally from Carey, Ohio, enlisted in the Navy in August 1942. He attended boot camp near Great Lakes Naval Base, Illinois, and reporting for duty aboard the Calvert on October 1st, 1942. He was aboard for the Calvert’s commissioning, making him a plank owner. During his time aboard he served as a Fireman (F) and Motor Machinist (MOMM). According to John Regan, a fellow shipmate, Patrick served in the A division and had the nickname “Gizmo.” Patrick departed the Calvert in early 1946 and joined the USS Oneota (AN-85) in San Diego.

As part of the Navy Reserve Pacific Fleet in San Diego he continued to serve aboard the USS Oneota (AN-85) and was honorably discharged in July 1948.

After the war Patrick returned to Galion, OH where he began building his own house, and maintained a farm. He married Margaret Martin, his high school sweetheart, and they had two children, Michael and John. He farmed, golfed, rode motorcycles, fished, and traveled.

According to his family he didn’t speak much about his time served during the war, only to say that he wasn’t going to waste his life away knowing that others died and he didn’t. He said that if he had died in action, he would want those who survived to live life to the fullest.

Sadly, Patrick passed away in 2010. His obituary is available here: http://www.masfh.com/obituary/Patrick-J-Troiano/Galion-OH/804586

Patrick’s granddaughter, Natalie, provided the above information above as well as all of the photographs below.

Although it is uncertain if any of the pictures below were taken aboard the Calvert, they are posted here in the spirit of his service aboard the Calvert and his service to our country when we needed him the most.

According to the Navy History Department these are two of very few known pictures of the USS Oneota (AN-85). These are from Patrick’s personal photograph collection, taken while he served aboard her after the war.

Here are pictures of Patrick, his shipmates and his friends from his time in the Navy. Although it is uncertain if any of these were taken during Patrick’s time aboard the Calvert, please let me know if you recognize any of the other men in these photographs.

Warren “Ted” Weber – Boatswain Mate 2nd Class – WWII Crew Member

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Diane Weber was kind enough to share the following information about her father, Warren “Ted” Weber in a comment on this site in December, 2013:

“My father, Warren T. Weber, also known as “Ted” or “Teddy” served as BM2C. He fought in No. Africa, Sicily, Pacific and was in Japan at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Dad ran the Higgins’ boats during many invasions and spoke often of going in and out of “Pearl.” A major storm off the US Pacific coast late in the war occurred; he went out on deck and photographed 40 foot waves by securing himself with his feet to the railings. Around that time, he steered the USS Calvert down the Columbia River. He was helmsman and said the ship was about 500 feet long. P.S. His photo is in the 2nd Division Deck Crew/Boat Crew, circa 1943 or 1944, USS Calvert. He is in front row on the right.” (see below)

Warren can be seen bottom right on this photograph of the Calvert’s 2nd Division Boat Crew (click on image to open full-sized version in a new window).

I corresponded with Diane over the holidays and she was kind enough to send the following picture of her and her father taken in August 2004 during their cruise to Bermuda.

Sadly, Warren sailed away in December, 2004, at the age of 82. In memory of Warren, and his service for our country, here is a photograph from Diane’s collection from her final cruise with her father:

2nd Deck Division Boat Crews, Circa 1943

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This group photograph of the Calvert’s 2nd Division Boat Crews came from my grandfather’s collection. He spoke kindly of all these men. Many of the exploits of this group are detailed in the Adventures of a Landing Craft Coxswain book.

Click on the photograph to open a larger-sized image.

Here is a slightly different photograph (and inscription on back) from the same day – Appreciation to Larry O’Connell, grandson of Frank Kubiak, for the photographs below and solving a big question I’ve had for many years: i.e., A firm date for the 2nd Division Boat Crew photograph.