Shipmates : A Personal Journal Aboard a World War II Destroyer (U.S.S. Rown DD 405)-2nd edition - Softcover

Lorraine Seeley Buell; Lewis E. Seeley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1882127021 ISBN 13: 9781882127023

Publisher: Magicimage Filmbooks, 2000

Synopsis

On September 11, 1943, USS Rowan (DD405) was torpedoed. The explosion lit the midnight sky and within 40 seconds, the ship was lost. Among the casualties was Francis Kirwin (Bob) Seeley. Among the handful of survivors was his older brother, Lewis E. Seeley. Shipmates is the true story of Lewis Seeley's life aboard a World War II US destroyer in the Atlantic theater of war. Through his eyes, see the allure of adventure that drew him to enlist, the war that led a generation to serve with courage and honor, the grief that united them, and the love that sustained them through their darkest hours.

About this title

About the Author:

Lewis E. Seeley (1918-1999) joined the Navy in 1940, and retired as a Master Chief in 1967. A native of land-locked Central Illinois, he was devoted to the US Navy and served with honor for nearly 30 years. He never thought of himself as a writer or storyteller, but after forty years of keeping inside the memories of that dreadful night in 1943, Lewis felt the need to record his harrowing tale and share it with his family and future generations. To accomplish that end, he had to enlist the help of the other survivors and former shipmates. Through the writing skills of his daughter, Lorraine, Mr. Seeley recaptures that moment in his life with remarkable detail and emotional impact.

Co-author Lorraine Seeley Buell is the youngest daughter former destroyerman Lewis Seeley. Using tape recordings of her father's memories, a diary kept by her uncle, and letters and interviews from other survivors, she has reconstructed the narrative of her father's experience of battle in WWII... capturing all the bravery, fear, desperation, heroism, faith and love.

Review:

Compelling reading for those of us who have served aboard warships and know the lexicon, routines and emotions experienced. --David Holihan, former destroyerman

A story of love, unrelenting sacrifices, courage, and fear. --Bill Hagen, Jr., former destroyerman

Shipmates is one of the finest personal memoirs of World War II that I have read, and that includes Crossing the Line and Battleship Sailor. It should be required reading for every young sailor. --Mike McKinnon, former destroyerman

About this edition

• Publisher: Magicimage Filmbooks
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1882127021
• ISBN 13: 9781882127023
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 260
• Editor: June Rouse
• Illustrator: John Conforti