The Last Convoy


About The Author
Joe Riley is a retired dentist\oral surgeon who has written several articles for professional magazines.  His book publications include two biographies. Although he is not a U.S. Navy veteran, he did serve in World War II as an Army Medic and during the Korean War as an Oral Surgeon in the United States Air Force. 

His interest in writing the story of the USS Underhill was inspired by his friend Donald Kruse, a survivor of the sunken ship when Don asked the author to type a list of the Underhill casualties for a memorial plaque.  In preparation for writing The Last Convoy it has been a great honor and an inspiration for Joe to become acquainted with the Underhill survivors and their families. A native of Cohoes, New York, the author lived in Troy,  NY, then Albany, NY, Saratoga Springs, NY and now again in Albany.


 Dedication

This book is dedicated to all American sailors.
"I will put in my poems that with you
is heroism upon land and sea,
And I will report all heroism from an
American point of view."
Walt Whitman
Starting from Paumanok


          Table of Contents
          Ch.  Heading - Page Number
          01   Birth of a Ship 001
          02   The Open Sea 036
          03   Shakedown Cruise 054
          04   Tropical Paradise 085
          05   The Eagle Screams 116
          06   Home to Boston 138
          07   Repairs 143
          08   Long Break 150
          09   European Theater 157
          10   New Skipper 165
          11   Fishing Party 173
          12   Man Overboard 186
          13   Gibraltar 195
          14   Happy New Year 206
          15   Canal Zone 213
          16   Tropical Paradise 217
          17   Palau 224
          18   San Pedro 236
          19   Pacific Convoys 247
          20   Okinawa 256
          21   Last Convoy 270
          22   Rescue Ships 281
          23   Ship to Ship 311
          24   LST 768 319
          25   Crew Briefing 340
          26   USS PC 803 362
          27   Action Report 378
          28   USS PC 804 391
          29   Officer Testimony 403
          30   Tactics 414
          31   War Ends 419
          32   Burial at Sea 420
          33   Requiem 423
          34   DE Honor Roll 429
          35   Crew Comments 430
          36   NY Service Cross 471
          37   Rescue Personnel 482
          38   Kaitens 484
          39   Alvin Straka Diary 497
          40   USS Slater 504
          41   USS Stewart 511
           


How To Order This Book

Cost: $23.00 (includes shipping)
Send a check to:
Don Kruse
6 Westview Road
Troy, NY 12182

Phone: 518-235-7976

 

[Home] [New Additions] [About Underhill] [July 24th 1945] [Crew Information] [Kaiten Information] [Stories] [Reunion Information] [In Memory] [News & Events] [Indianapolis Story] [Postal Markings Underhill] [Children -  Underhill] [Henry A. Lord] [History Channel] [Waggy News Article] [The Last Convoy] [Victory Walk] [Belated Medal] [Medals To Survivors] [Permanent Memorial] [Photos Page] [Links] [Guest Book] [Founding] [Dedication] [Site Award] [About This Site]