This document below contains detailed research notes for the period February 10, 1945 to August 24, 1945. During this period, the USS Calvert and crew:
Departed from the Philippines, following the completion of landings at San Augustin, Mindor Island, Philippines on February 9, 1945.
Spent time at Mog Mog, Ulithi Atoll, for the period February 18, 1945 to March 6, 1945.
Underwent conversion to a Relief Relief ACG, Amphibious Force Flagship in Bremerton, WA for the period March 26, 1945 to August 24, 1945.
Departed the Bremerton, WA area for service in the Occupation of Japan, August 24, 1945.
Raymond Klaudt, SF2c, was aboard the Calvert during the period February 15, 1946 to May 21, 1946. While aboard the Calvert he helped in the transfer of troops back to the United States as part of the Operation, and while the ship was in Japanese and Chinese waters.
Raymond passed away in February 2022 at the age of 96. His obituary is available here.
Appreciation to Raymond’s son, Ron, for sharing these photographs of his father, and the greeting card below.
Easter 1946. Dated March 27, 1946. Location: Shanghai, China | The ship photo is circa November 1945 during the Calvert’s participation in the occupation of Japan. Click on the image to open a larger version.
Here are additional research notes covering this period of time Raymond was aboard the Calvert during the early months of 1946.
Clifford was an Electrician’s Mate aboard the USS Calvert from December 5, 1942 to August 4, 1943. He participated in the Invasion of Sicily while aboard the Calvert.
Appreciation to Clifford E. Trout’s granddaughter, Melissa, for providing the photographs and biographical information below.
Clifford E. Trout, EM1c
Biography
Clifford Edward Trout, a farmer residing in Philbrook, Todd County, MN, registered for selective service on July 1, 1941. As World War II broke out, the likelihood of being drafted into service increased. Instead of undergoing an involuntary assignment, Trout wanted to choose his path himself, and, as he told his family for years afterward, he had heard the Navy had the best food. He chose a four-year enlistment, and, with 200 fellow recruits, officially took the oath of enlistment administered by Governor Harold Stassen at the Minnesota State Capitol on June 7, 1942.
Following basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, he attended electrical school at Iowa State College and graduated with a rating of electrician’s mate.
He joined the crew of the USS Calvert on December 5, 1942, when the ship was in Norfolk, VA. He was able to travel to MN briefly to visit his parents for Easter Sunday while the Calvert was docked in New York City for wartime improvements in April 1943. He was on board the Calvert when it participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily.
On November 26, 1943, Trout transferred to the USS Newman, where he remained a part of the crew, participating in transatlantic voyages and campaigns in the Pacific, until it returned to the US in 1946. Trout, who had by that time earned the rank of first class, was honorably discharged from service on January 11, 1946, two days after the Newman arrived in port in New York City.
During his time in the Navy, he earned the following service ribbons:
American Area Ribbon with one bronze star
European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon
Asiatic, Pacific Campaign Ribbon with three bronze stars
Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star
World War II Victory Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Trout married Geneva Kohanek just four months after his honorable discharge, and spent a few months driving a milk truck before working briefly at the Ford plant in St. Paul. He returned to farming in the fall of 1946, working at a farm in Lakeville, MN, before buying a dairy farm in Wadena, MN, which he operated until his retirement in 1985. He was a loving father to eight children and several grandchildren until his death on April 15, 1993.
Damage Control Cards
The following cards were likely given to Clifford while aboard the USS Calvert. The first card references Chief Delgazio (#3 – Delgazio), who was a senior enlisted member of the Calvert’s deck division and boat crews.
