ww1collector Posted December 10, 2012 Share #1 Posted December 10, 2012 I have decided to post just a brief amount of data here on this group. Over the next few days, I will add details There are at least a hundred documents and pictures in the group. It will take some time to document the entire group. Welch, Andrew W. Jr. Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade Serial Number: 0-313178 Military Branch: USS Snook, SS-279 Origin: Massachusetts Date of Death: 1945-4-8 Manila American Cemetery This is a massive historic group of material that had been saved by the family of LT (JG) Andrew Welch. The centerpiece of the group is Andrew's posthumous officially engraved Type 1 Navy Purple Heart. The Snook had an illustrious career sinking 22 enemy ships, about 123,000 tons of enemy shipping on 8 patrols. She was sunk on her ninth patrol. Large amounts of information about the Snook can be found on the internet, so that will not be repeated here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted December 10, 2012 Purple Heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KySoldier Posted December 10, 2012 Share #3 Posted December 10, 2012 Great collection !!!! Can't wait to see more !!! I hope you can find some pictures of him and post ! God bless this brave sailor and keep him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted December 10, 2012 Share #4 Posted December 10, 2012 The USS Snook was the submarine that sank the Arisan Maru on Oct 24, 1944 which held 1781 US and Allied POWs. Only 9 survived. This was one of the major tragedies and largest losses of life on any single ship in WWII. More Americans died on this ship than the USS Arizona. The Japanese did not mark the ship in any way to indicate she was carrying POWs so there was no way for the Snook to know that she was anything but a target. The Snook herself was lost at a later date in another tragedy of war. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted December 10, 2012 Share #5 Posted December 10, 2012 Beautiful group, sobering reminder. Best, Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted December 11, 2012 Purple Heart Citation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted December 11, 2012 Wood folding frame with medals and picture of Welch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted December 11, 2012 Presidential Accolade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted December 11, 2012 Share #9 Posted December 11, 2012 WOW ! Dave outstanding group !!! neat little display ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA1794 Posted December 11, 2012 Share #10 Posted December 11, 2012 One of the men from my father's neighborhood, Harry Etkin, was killed aboard the Snook. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 11, 2012 Share #11 Posted December 11, 2012 Wow, two great KIA officer groups from subs posted in less than a week. Thanks for posting. Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted December 12, 2012 Cover of Welch's memorial album Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted December 12, 2012 American Legion citation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted December 12, 2012 Original Submarine Combat Insignia Award letter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #15 Posted December 12, 2012 City of Boston Award Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted December 12, 2012 City of Boston Memorial signed by Mayor Curley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #17 Posted December 12, 2012 Welch's Commissioning Certificate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted December 12, 2012 Framed photo of Snook Crew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #19 Posted December 12, 2012 Letter from the senior Welch to the Navy inquiring about his son's personal effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted December 12, 2012 Interesting letter from the Navy to Andrew Welch Sr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #21 Posted December 12, 2012 Another interesting letter about personal effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #22 Posted December 12, 2012 Harvard College Memorial Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #23 Posted December 12, 2012 Posthumous Qual letter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #24 Posted December 12, 2012 Welch Service record page 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted December 12, 2012 Share #25 Posted December 12, 2012 Yet another great medal grouping this week. SNOOK was a famous boat in WWII. Wonderful that the family kept all his tthings. It is now sure to be preserved. Thanks for sharing. Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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