SM Baker Posted December 10, 2018 Share #1 Posted December 10, 2018 Greetings from Massachusetts,I am researching my grandfather's Naval service from 1942-45. He was wounded in the air raid at Bari Harbor, Italy on Dec 2, 1943, gunner's mate aboard the John Bascom. As many of you know, one of the ships sunk that night, the John Harvey, was carrying 100 tons of mustard gas. The Harvey exploded during the attack, releasing the poison into the air and water, killing countless Naval personnel. My grandfather, Reginald J Baker, received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, as well as a citation for heroism. Though seriously wounded, he swam next to the only lifeboat to a jetty, assuring those with greater injuries were safely conveyed in the lifeboat. I have really begun to gain an interest in militaria, especially medals. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdogchristy90 Posted December 11, 2018 Share #2 Posted December 11, 2018 Welcome aboard Stephen. Based on your introduction I think you'll like it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72psb Posted December 11, 2018 Share #3 Posted December 11, 2018 Stephen, Bob here.Glad you signed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonT Posted December 11, 2018 Share #4 Posted December 11, 2018 Hi Stephen and welcome from a fellow Bay Stater! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backtheattack Posted December 11, 2018 Share #5 Posted December 11, 2018 Hello Stephen, welcome to the forum! Great you`re interested in your grandfather`s service. Where in Massachusetts did you live? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted December 12, 2018 Share #6 Posted December 12, 2018 Hi Stephen, and welcome aboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM Baker Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted December 13, 2018 Thanks, everyone. I live just South of Boston, right on a peninsula called Hull. Heard of it? My grandfather grew up in Quincy, 20 minutes away. Great to be here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backtheattack Posted December 13, 2018 Share #8 Posted December 13, 2018 Hey, know it well. My friend live at Hanover, visited him there several times. He died 3 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM Baker Posted December 16, 2018 Author Share #9 Posted December 16, 2018 Hey, know it well. My friend live at Hanover, visited him there several times. He died 3 years ago. Nice town. Sorry about your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted December 16, 2018 Share #10 Posted December 16, 2018 Welcome to one of the greatest forums out there! What a cool story and I hope that you have fun researching and learning! Thanks ever so for including the story about the Bari Harbour and mustard gas. I was just about to post about the mustard gas, as I didn't think they used it in WWII like in the Great War, but someone else just posted a couple of medals from a grandfather who died of mustard gas effects from that raid! So . . . you've already contributed to at least one member! Many thanks! Have you done any sort of display about your Grampa, ever? Merry Christmas! Elizabeth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted December 16, 2018 Share #11 Posted December 16, 2018 Edit: Um . . . now that I see your content . . . guess what? You are the one I was reading about the medals from yesterday! Anyway . . . thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now