For veterans assistance please contact Veteran's Administration This page is dedicated to those who's service aboard the USS Manatee AO-58 will never be forgotten.My grandfather, Robert "Bob" E. Thiesing, was a yeoman on Manatee in 1945-46. I recall hearing that he was tasked with running the ship's store. He was a native of New Jersey, near Newark. I believe he was about 17 at the time -- he was finally old enough to enlist in the Navy just a few months before the war ended. He used to show me his picture scrapbook from his days on Manatee, and in his later years he went to a few reunions. Unfortunately, his scrapbook disappeared after he passed away in 2007. He was quite proud of his service on board. Prior to his service on Manatee, he had been on a DE (he was transferred because the DE rolled so much, he was constantly seasick, so they had mercy on him and sent him to a larger ship). He never did talk much about the destroyer escort -- Manatee was, for his part, his ship. He had a Manatee hat and everything. Grampa was a really funny guy -- missed his calling as a comedian -- and used to keep us in stitches by telling us stories he made up about sinking Japanese subs by pouring oil on their periscopes so they'd rise up out of the water so much the .50s could shoot them down, or about piloting the captain back in the yacht from the O-Club with two drunk admirals and a billy goat, etc. Grampa was laid to rest at Saratoga Battlefield's military cemetery. I miss him. If anyone knew him aboard ship, or has pictures of him onboard, and would want to drop me a line, I'd be glad to hear from them. jonathan_goolsby@yahoo.com Richard Engelbrecht, Commanding Officer of the Manatee during her last deployment.1970-73, has passed away. Those who wish to express condolences may do so by contacting his daughter Lisa Engelbrecht at lengelbrecht@earthlink.net My name is Brenda (Wrenn) Ross. My dad's name is Edward E. Wrenn. He served on the USS Manatee from 1944-1946. He received the American Area Service Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Ribbon with six (6) Bronze Stars, The Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze star. He was inducted into the Silent Mysteries of the Far East Having crossed the 180th Meridian on June 11, 1944 on Board the USS Manatee. He also received the Pacific Theater Ribbon (6 stars) The American Theater Ribbon, The Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation (1 star). My dad passed in 1981of cancer. He was 54 years old. I would like to have him added to your memorial pages and to your shipmates pages. I was very proud of my dad. He was a wonderful father of six children. He died a good Christian man. I would like to speak with anyone that remembers him. bwrennross@yahoo.com Edward Whitten passed away during late February, 2008. He served aboard Manatee 8-6-42 thru 1-23-46. This information was provided by his son Roy "Chip" Whitten. Shipmates that served with Edward are encouraged to contact "Chip" with any information regarding his father's service. I'd like to add my fathers name to the ship's roster of the Manatee. He was a Boilerman around the years 1946/1948? I really don't know the exact years. His name was Paul Samuel Smith from Bridgeport Ala. Paul worked for the TVA until his retirement in 1974 and passed away in 1983 Paul Smith pbs90466@centurytel.net Section, Ala My father, Warren A. Russ served on the Manatee from 56 - 58 and was a BT3. He passed away in Dade City, FL on January 5, 1995 and is buried at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Jimmy Russ& jruss2@tampabay.rr.com Found you web site after browsing on the web, writing for separation papers for a little info on my Dad. Floyd B. Smith S1/C in memory of my Dad who passed away so early in life in Dec.1976 ,age 64,as a result of cancer, served our country with honor on the USS Manatee, June 1944 thru Dec. 1945. With love, his daughter, Elizabeth Smith Reynolds Would I be welcome at a reunion and are there many guys left from the time of my Dad? Liz reynsnest2@bellsouth.net Georgia MM3 Charles F. (Charlie) Panigot passed away October 1, 2003 as the result of cancer and kidney failure. He began his career in the US Navy Reserves in 1944 at the age of 17. His first ship was the USS Ticonderoga CV-14 and was present at the surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay in 1945. During his time in the Navy he served on various ships to include USS Herbert J. Thomas DD 833, USS Currier DE 700 and the USS Manatee AO-58 . His awards included WW II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, US Navy China Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, Rep of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Navy Honorable Discharge Button. Keeping my father's memory alive, son MSG Larry Panigot, USAF My name is Paul Edgar (son of Harry and Kathy Edgar). I'm here to let everyone know that my father passed away 3/18/2008 due to illness stemming from congestive lung and heart failure. He died with his whole family there at his bedside and was my hero and was honored to have him as my dad...There were no arrangements done for a funeral as the way he wanted it.. his ashes will be spread over lake Tahoe as the way he wanted it. katandhar@verizon.net R. T. Jenkins departed this life on December 22, 1994. Mr. Jenkins was a plankowner of the USS Manatee AO-58. This notice was submitted by Robert L. Shelton who was a lifelong friend to Jenkins. Capt. John E. "Jack" Tuttle passed away 3/1/1992 in San Diego California. He was commanding officer during 1962-63 and was a Pearl Harbor survivor. Captain "Jack" was a much respected and admired commanding officer who enjoyed life and liberty. R.I.P. Terriattdacres@aol.com CAPT James L. Shank, USN, was CO, USS Manatee, during 1947-1948. Capt Shank retired from the Navy in 1957, and died in 1982 from asbestosis of the lungs, contracted by exposure to asbestos in many an engine room, in common with many shipmates from those old days. Tribute by Michael Shank, son of Capt J.T. Shank
For veterans assistance please contact Veteran's Administration
My grandfather, Robert "Bob" E. Thiesing, was a yeoman on Manatee in 1945-46. I recall hearing that he was tasked with running the ship's store. He was a native of New Jersey, near Newark. I believe he was about 17 at the time -- he was finally old enough to enlist in the Navy just a few months before the war ended. He used to show me his picture scrapbook from his days on Manatee, and in his later years he went to a few reunions. Unfortunately, his scrapbook disappeared after he passed away in 2007.
He was quite proud of his service on board. Prior to his service on Manatee, he had been on a DE (he was transferred because the DE rolled so much, he was constantly seasick, so they had mercy on him and sent him to a larger ship). He never did talk much about the destroyer escort -- Manatee was, for his part, his ship. He had a Manatee hat and everything.
Grampa was a really funny guy -- missed his calling as a comedian -- and used to keep us in stitches by telling us stories he made up about sinking Japanese subs by pouring oil on their periscopes so they'd rise up out of the water so much the .50s could shoot them down, or about piloting the captain back in the yacht from the O-Club with two drunk admirals and a billy goat, etc.
Grampa was laid to rest at Saratoga Battlefield's military cemetery. I miss him. If anyone knew him aboard ship, or has pictures of him onboard, and would want to drop me a line, I'd be glad to hear from them. jonathan_goolsby@yahoo.com
Richard Engelbrecht, Commanding Officer of the Manatee during her last deployment.1970-73, has passed away. Those who wish to express condolences may do so by contacting his daughter Lisa Engelbrecht at lengelbrecht@earthlink.net
My name is Brenda (Wrenn) Ross. My dad's name is Edward E. Wrenn. He served on the USS Manatee from 1944-1946. He received the American Area Service Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Ribbon with six (6) Bronze Stars, The Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze star. He was inducted into the Silent Mysteries of the Far East Having crossed the 180th Meridian on June 11, 1944 on Board the USS Manatee. He also received the Pacific Theater Ribbon (6 stars) The American Theater Ribbon, The Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation (1 star). My dad passed in 1981of cancer. He was 54 years old. I would like to have him added to your memorial pages and to your shipmates pages. I was very proud of my dad. He was a wonderful father of six children. He died a good Christian man. I would like to speak with anyone that remembers him. bwrennross@yahoo.com
Edward Whitten passed away during late February, 2008. He served aboard Manatee 8-6-42 thru 1-23-46. This information was provided by his son Roy "Chip" Whitten. Shipmates that served with Edward are encouraged to contact "Chip" with any information regarding his father's service.
MM3 Charles F. (Charlie) Panigot passed away October 1, 2003 as the result of cancer and kidney failure. He began his career in the US Navy Reserves in 1944 at the age of 17. His first ship was the USS Ticonderoga CV-14 and was present at the surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay in 1945. During his time in the Navy he served on various ships to include USS Herbert J. Thomas DD 833, USS Currier DE 700 and the USS Manatee AO-58 . His awards included WW II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, US Navy China Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, Rep of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Navy Honorable Discharge Button.
Keeping my father's memory alive, son MSG Larry Panigot, USAF
My name is Paul Edgar (son of Harry and Kathy Edgar). I'm here to let everyone know that my father passed away 3/18/2008 due to illness stemming from congestive lung and heart failure. He died with his whole family there at his bedside and was my hero and was honored to have him as my dad...There were no arrangements done for a funeral as the way he wanted it.. his ashes will be spread over lake Tahoe as the way he wanted it.
katandhar@verizon.net
R. T. Jenkins departed this life on December 22, 1994. Mr. Jenkins was a plankowner of the USS Manatee AO-58.
This notice was submitted by Robert L. Shelton who was a lifelong friend to Jenkins.
Capt. John E. "Jack" Tuttle passed away 3/1/1992 in San Diego California. He was commanding officer during 1962-63 and was a Pearl Harbor survivor. Captain "Jack" was a much respected and admired commanding officer who enjoyed life and liberty. R.I.P.
Terriattdacres@aol.com
CAPT James L. Shank, USN, was CO, USS Manatee, during 1947-1948. Capt Shank retired from the Navy in 1957, and died in 1982 from asbestosis of the lungs, contracted by exposure to asbestos in many an engine room, in common with many shipmates from those old days. Tribute by Michael Shank, son of Capt J.T. Shank