In writing Bird in the Deep, my blog was incredibly helpful in getting information from family members and surviving crew from the Partridge. Now the that book is finished, I wanted to transition to telling the story rather than solely asking for questions. I also wanted to retain the archive of the comments section. If you want to read the archive blog, feel free to visit usspartridge.wordpress.com. More news is coming here shortly.
Action Report from Partridge Sinking
Here is PDF of the official action report following the sinking of the ship. The report was created by Ensign Thomas Buffum because Lt. Jim White (who was captain of the ship) was injured. The report also contains a casualty list submitted by J. K. Bradley who was...
Photos of Whale Units Still Used Today
I've read about Whale Units, like the one the Partridge was towing when she sunk, being used after the war to repair bombed bridges in France and Germany. I just found two photos of two of these bridge still in use today. It's incredible to see that these out of...
Photo of USS Partridge Crew 1943
Below is a photo of the Partridge crew from 1943. This was in a scrapbook that my Grandmother, Doris Krouse, put together sometime in the early 90s. You can click on the picture to view a higher-res version or follow a link here:...
Account of Sinking from United Press Reporter
It was 65 years ago that the USS Partridge left port for the last time. Below is an account of the ship's last few moments from United Press Corespondent Robert Miller. This was published a year after the ship was sunk. U.P. Writer Dunked in Channel When E-Boat...
Thomas Buffum – Awarded Navy – Marine Corp Medal for Heroism
I have a photo of Ensign Buffum with a note saying that he was "awarded Navy-Marine Corp Medal for Heroism" but it doesn't say why. Bill Ames related that Buffum had become a true leader in the water, keeping morale up among the men after the Partridge was sunk. I'm...
Admiral John Wilkes
Admiral John Wilkes was the Commander of Landing Craft and Bases Europe (ComLanCrabEU) in 1943-44. This was the command that the Partridge operated under for most of its time in England. I have pasted a bit of information on him below. I have scant little...
Photo from New York Harbor
I wanted to post this photo of New York Harbor in the 1930s because it shows the area where Joe Cooney operated tugs and ferries before he served aboard the Partridge. It's amazing the number of docks that line the island and how many ships are visible. It's easy...
Lord Haw-Haw Broadcasts on Mulberry
I came across an interesting note in a book on Operation Mulberry that I thought might jog some memories. It was on broadcasts from Germany apparently taunting sailors and soldiers working on the Whale and Phoenix units weeks before D-Day. Lord Haw-Haw was the...
Audio: Robert Ainslie of the HMCS Prescott Recalls Rescue of Partridge
A few months ago I received a note from Katie regarding her grandfather: My grandfather Robert Ainslie was on the HMCS Prescott during WW2 and was one of the people that helped to rescue the men from the partridge. He is now 86. I called Robert a little while ago and...
Lt. Frank Lafavor
I'm looking for more information on Lieutenant F. A. Lafavor. He's listed as the executive officer of the Partridge in 1944 but I believe he was transfered off before the ship sunk in June of that year. In the ship's log his wife is listed as Helen Marie Lefavor....