IN MEMORY OF WALTER V. EMANN WHO HONORABLY
SERVED ABOARD THE USS TORTUGA LSD-26 IN 1945-1946
(Page 1)

On behalf of everyone who views these great old pictures, would like to thank Mike Emann for sharing them with us. The pictures were taken by Walter V. Emann Mikes Dad & Walter's shipmates. They were taken in 1945 and 1946 and are cherished dearly by Mike & his family. Mike’s Dad Walter kept a diary while aboard the Tortuga and Mike was also kind enough to make copies of the diary and send them to Jack Hammond & myself. Have scanned a few of the entrees and will post them at the end of the picture segment. Will also include a few pictures & historical documents from the USS White Marsh LSD-8. Jack will bring a copy of the diary to the D.C reunion and everyone is welcome to read it. Walter was a Fireman 1st class and was assigned to the Port fire room. He is a plank owner and his name is on the Honored plank owner’s roster. Walter passed away in 1993 and is also on the online Memorial roster. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures and diary as much as I have. According to the diary, Shortly after the commissioning ceremony, Walter had the first watch in the boiler room and was one of the first people to light off and “fire up the burners” to get the ship underway for her shakedown cruise.

The USS Tortuga LSD-26/46 Association considers the diary an important piece of Tortuga History, is considered a Historical document.

The message below was sent to me by Mike Emann, it explains a little about his dad and the diary.

Your Webmaster,
Chuck Westbrook

ACEMANN1@aol.com wrote:
Hello Mr. Westbrook,
Thank you for your E-mail,

My dad served from Jan 3 1945 to July 7, 1946. He died in 1993 from emphysema (I think it was from asbestos). He told me he was so skinny that he was elected to clean the boiler tubes.(?) He worked in the fire room (starboard)? Anyway, I have a daily diary he kept that lists everything you guys did while he served. Here's a few things as he wrote in the book:

"The USS Tortuga was commissioned at 1500 June 8, 1945. Oct. 8, went out to sea to miss a typhoon but hit it head on - 37 degree roll! Feb. 1 1946 Fugett and Laffingwell discharged today and were they happy. Feb 9 Ship quarantine (scarlet fever). Feb 23 went on working party, 0800-1600 unloaded 4000 cases beer, 30 of us drank 17 cases!" He also notes which liberty's were good and bad. You name it, it's in the book. Any ships you had aboard, L.C.T. / L.S.T / Chinese tug (Fuping) etc. Dad had a buddy named Cliff Gussen (he was tall probably blonde or red head and had a loud mouth on him) and he kept in touch with him until Dad died (Cliff is no longer with us either).

I have my dad's Navy duffle bag, filled with Navy issued clothes that I can fit into. I also have a large photo of the ship with his name on it from Liberty Picture Company, Richmond Calif. (At the bottom is Bronze star 1 / Silver 5 / Blue 10 / Green 50 / Red 100.) I most likely have much more info I can give you. I'm very interested In attending a reunion, especially if I could meet somebody who knew my dad! I attached a picture of Dad, maybe someone would recognize him. Thanks again for your help. Hope to chat with you soon!

Mike Emann

Click here to E-mail Mike Emann...
ACEMANN1@aol.com

IN MEMORY OF WALTER V. EMANN
WHO SERVED ON THE TORTUGA FROM 1945 TO 1946.
(Background for picture is a 48 star flag from 1945)

ORIGINAL PICTURE OF WALTER EMANN

"48 Star Flag & picture graphics created by Chuck Westbrook"

GO TO NEXT PAGE OF WALTER EMANN'S PICTURES

RETURN TO CHUCK'S HOME PORT