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Monument Commemorates Service of USS Biscayne During World War II

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USS Biscayne Monument

USS Biscayne Monument. Courtesy of Andy Kelly Photography.

From time to time, we get the opportunity to assist a veteran who wants to recognize a ship or shipmate. Stanley Morrison served on board the amphibious force flagship USS Biscayne (AVP 11/AGC 18) during World War II. Now 93 years old and living in Pennsylvania, this radioman has a fond place in his heart for Biscayne, a veteran of both the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters during the war. Through his generous donation, a granite marker was  installed at the Miami Military Museum in March 2012. Our Executive Director, Captain Todd Creekman, USN (Ret) played a small role in facilitating this process and helping this veteran’s dream become reality.

Biscayne was originally commissioned as a seaplane tender in 1941, but was converted to an amphibious force flagship in 1943. During World War II, the ship participated in campaigns in the Mediterranean at Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio, as well as Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France, which took place 68 years ago today. She later served as the flagship of a destroyer squadron and subsequently participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima, Kerama Retto, and Okinawa. After the war Biscayne was turned over to the Coast Guard and served as USCG Dexter (WAVP-385, later WHEC-385) until decommissioned and returned to the Navy in 1968 for use as a target.

Morrison happens to be an NHF Member, and consulted with Creekman on possibilities for publicizing his efforts and promoting the idea of a monument. Creekman spoke with historian Bob Cressman of the Naval History and Heritage Command, prompting Cressman to pen a story for Naval History magazine about Biscayne. Creekman further suggested that Morrison and the Biscayne veterans contact the Navy League in Florida to see if a home could be found for the monument. Through this connection the Biscayne group soon began to develop a relationship with the Miami Military Museum, and all of the pieces began to fall into place. The location made perfect sense, given that the ship was named after Miami’s Biscayne Bay. In a formal ceremony held on 11 March 2012, the monument was unveiled and dedicated, finally establishing a place of permanent remembrance for the ship and her crew.

USS Biscayne 80-G-223478

USS Biscayne (AVP 11) Serving as invasion force flagship for the Anzio landings, 21-22 January 1944. National Archives Photo 80-G-223478.

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46 Comments

  1. Robert tenpenny

    That was my uncle Wally’s ship. Gunner Walter Tenpenny. He passed away september 16 th 2012.

    • LEILANI HODGERSON FLORENCE

      Hi Robert,
      My dad Norman “Gene” Hodgerson was on the Biscayne with your uncle. They use to talk on the phone all the time and exchange Christmas cards every year. My dad died 3-18-11. I think the next time I go to Miami I am going to the Memorial and take some pictures. I use to live down there and go fishing all the time with my family on Biscayne.

      • Jim Jennings

        My step-father was Gunners Mate Walter “Wally” Tenpenny. He served proudly onboard the Biscayne in both Atlantic and Pacific theater of operations, and he loved reminiscing about his days on the Biscayne.
        I had the privilege of attending several Biscayne Reunions, and meeting his shipmates. It was a wonderful experience for me that I’ll never forget.
        Sadly, I’m sure most of those brave men who served on the Biscayne are gone now. Wally passed away 7 years ago. I miss him every day.

      • Austin l meyer

        My grandfather was on the ship. Scott Collins. Afyer the war he was very involved with the vfw helping veterans who came home from vietnam. Helping Korean and vietnam veterans get the help they needed after the war. He died feb 8th 2016. What a great man. This war may have done very horrible things but it created an amazing generation of good people that deserve their legacy to live on.

  2. John E. McLaughlin

    ROBERT,
    My Dad, John J. McLaughlin, served on Uss Biscayne from ’43-’46. He was a loader on a “pom-pom” gun. He told me if the gunner was hit, he was next in line. I guess it is possible he was standing next your uncle. He passed 10/2006. He was 17yrs. old in 1943. They were children, they were HEROES! Condolences to you and God Bless your “Uncle Wally”. God Bless Them All.

  3. Dave Kopfensteiner

    My father, Robert Kopfensteiner was assigned to the ship June 30th 1945, after serving on the USS Panamint during the Okinawa invasion. He was a radio man (RM3c). He later went back on the Panamint.

    • Vicki Perkins

      My dad, Cec Perkins was a radio tech on the Biscayne the same time as your dad. I am sure they knew each other. Dad died while serving with mom in the Peace Corps, in 1975. Do you have letters from during this time?

  4. Clifford J. Newell

    My father, Joseph J. Newell served on the ship from 42 to 45. He was a quartermaster,
    and his gun station was a 20mm. He was very fond of the Biscayne. He passed on
    Sept.26, 2002.

  5. david murphy

    My father, Robert Murphy, served on the Biscayne with the US Army 6th Signals Battalion from its service in North Africa through Italy to the south of France. It’s funny, Dad was in the army but because of his service it’s the Navy he remembers fondly. He will be 90 this year, so a little younger than a lot of the guys in his unit on the Biscayne at that time. He remembers a lot about the Biscayne, and he is still especially proud to have served under Admiral “Close Up” Connolly. He remembers Connolly as a commander who was competent and courageous, respected and liked by all his men. Dad, as an Irish Catholic kid, was especially proud of Connolly achievements as a Navy Admiral.

    • Douglas Plummer

      David,
      I recently found out my grandfather was in the sixth signal attached to the navy as well. Maybe your father knew him. Preston Hilton from the piney woods of Louisiana. I got the info from the daughter of another member, Jim Tweedie.

      • David Murphy

        Douglas, I just saw this. I will ask dad about Preston Hilton and let you know. All best, David m

        • Douglas Plummer

          David,
          I just saw your comment. If you would like to send me an email, my address is [email protected]. From what I can tell the unit was attached to the Admiral in charge of amphibious operations as liaison between the navy and the army units assaulting the beaches.

          Doug

    • Richard Brown

      David:

      My Dad may have been your Dad’s replacement! My Dad was James Kenneth Brown from Fort Smith, Arkansas. He joined the Biscayne in New Your City after the service in the Mediterranean. He was on the Biscayne at Iwo Jima and Okinawa and served as a cryptographer. Like your Dad, my father was in the Army Signal Corp but attached to the Navy. Dad passed away in 08/1987.

      Richard

  6. Frank Jasionowicz

    My Father, Joseph Jasionowicz served on board the Biscayne, he was a Radar Technician. He was there for Salerno, Sicily and Anzio. He passed in 2001.
    The War correspondent, Ernie Pyle was on the ship as well.

  7. Ilene Anderson

    My uncle, Berthel “Bob” Roberts served on the Biscayne for pre-commissioning detail on May 1, 1941 and was on board when commissioned. He was a chief radioman and commissioned Ensign during this tour of duty that ended in January 1944. He retired from Naval service as an Executive Officer in 1957. Uncle Bob is 95 and living in La Jolla, California. He claims that his time on the Biscayne was his favorite time in the Navy and has great memories of the men he served with.

    • Shay Barsabe

      Berthel Roberts, my father, passed away on November 4, 2015.

      Since none of my cousins has the name “Ilene,” exactly who are you Ilene Anderson?

  8. Tom Marron

    Hi All

    My dad Thomas Marron was on the ship. He has told me many stories about it.. You were all great men and thanks for what you did.

  9. frank m/ tooze MD FACS

    i was aboard the Biscayne from october ’44 to march 46 serving as ensign USNR thru all the pacific campaignss

    • samuel PSG (ret)

      does Seaman Stanley J. Pilat ring a bell. He ran the paint locker. Or so he said. Because of his example, I served 3 years in the navy,then 17 years as an army mp ending up after another 23 years, a major in homeland security.

  10. Sally Whitehead

    My dad, William K. Hart, served on the USS Biscayne as a motor machinist mate 1943-1946.

  11. Linda Wiley Phelps

    March 21, 2016

    My Dad, Robert M. Wiley, served on the Biscayne as lieutenant commander and passed away December 21, 2002 at the age of 85.

  12. Ryan Siemer

    My grandfather served on the Biscayne during WWII. He just passed way last week May 27 2016. Loved all of his stories about that ship.

  14. samuel PSG (ret)

    my father served on her until the ent of the end of the war. He never talked much about the war except an incident dokside when he was on armed guard and a chief he did not admire came in after midnite after the pass word was changed. e-mail me and I will be delighted to share the story.

  15. jay Minotas

    My dad Stan Minotas, served on the Biscayne as Chief Petty Officer. Never told to many stories about the war. But attended a meeting aboard ship with General Patton and took notes form the meeting that my Mother “God Rest Her Soul” threw away. I saw them in the basement then went back later to retrieve them and they were gone. What a shame.

  16. Linda DeAngelo

    My father, Ralph Buckley, served on the Biscayne with the U.S. Army Signals Battalion in both the European and Pacific Theaters. He passed away in 1994.

  17. Addam MacDonald

    My great-grandfather Frederick Harold Brandt served on the Biscayne from 1943 until 1946. He was from Saginaw, Michigan. I never met him as he died in 1980 (before I was born). I came across his discharge papers dated June 6th, 1946 and it included his service number, and was able to find his name and service number on muster rolls on Ancestry.com.

  18. Paula A. Smith

    My father, CPO Paul J. Mulvehill, served on the Biscayne during WWII. Of all the ships he served on during the war, the Biscayne was his favorite ship and always close to his heart. He entered the USS Navy at 18 years of age on August 8, 1938 from Johnstown/Ebensburg, PA. He passed away on November 23, 2017 at the age of 97. But old ‘sailors’ never die, they just fade away to paraphrase Gen. MacArthur.

    • Admin

      You must be very proud of him. Thank you for sharing your father’s story.

      V/r,
      Diana

    • Jay Minotas

      Paula, I wish I had been on this sight earlier. I live in Michigan but am a frequent visitor to Blairsville and Indiana, PA. I would have loved to meet your grandfather. My dad was on the Biscayne.

      Jay Minotas

  19. Paula Smith

    Thank you Diana, for your kind words.

    Jay, I was talking about my father, not my grandfather. Paul J. Mulvehill, my dad, and your Dad were both on the USS Biscayne! I wish you had met him as well. He would have talked with you for hrs. about those days.
    If you go to Ebensburg, PA, go to Holy Name Cemetery (new one) as you enter the town. You will see his memorial with the USS Biscayne etched on it. At the base of the memorial are his landings, many of them made on the Biscayne. He LOVED that ship and told us many x of Ernie Pyle coming aboard 2x and using his old black typewriter in sick bay when he worked there as a medical corpsman.

    Blessings,
    Paula Mulvehill Smith

  20. Paula Smith

    Jay, forgot to mention my father, Paul J. Mulvehill, was also a CPO!
    Paula Smith

  21. Vicki Perkins

    My father, Cecil Alden Perkins, served on the USS Biscayne from June 1945 until the ship docked on the east coast after the war. He was a radio technician 2. He went on to become a pharmacist. He married Bobi Perkins and they raised 4 girls, two nurses and two teachers. He and mom served in the Peace Corps in 1975 where he was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away. My mother went on to serve with NOAA as their medical officer for 13 years.

  22. John R Howell

    My grandfather russell barringer served on board any body remember him

  23. Jay Minotas

    Paula,

    My dad was also a newspaper editor and while on the USS Biscayne in the Mediterranean Sea he attended a meeting with General Patton and had taken notes. Which, by mistake, my mother tossed out. What a same. God Bless Her.

  24. Michael Hannah

    My grandfather is Gilbert Groth. Served as a radio man during the landings at Sicily and Salerno. September 9,1943 to September 21, 1943. Assault landings on Anzio January 22,1944 to march1,1944. Southern france august 15,1944 to September 25,1944. Every time I talk with grandma about it. She says that’s my gunna! With a New York accent. Anyway, she’s still alive in Bradenton Florida, everything in its place. She keeps a tight ship to this day. God bless everyone. I will definitely enjoy reading the publications. Thank you for your legacy and service!!

  25. Paula Smith

    Jay,
    My father also mentioned seeing Patton. What a wonderful group of shipmates my father had. No wonder his fondest memories are on the USS Biscayne. He was on a lot of ships during WWII but he told me that was his favorite. It must have been a special crew. I like to think that many of his shipmates are with him reunited and reminiscing.
    For sure, the WWII men were the GREATEST GENERATION!

  26. Thomas Wayne Pladey

    My father Charles Pladey served on the ship in the Atlantic and Pacific
    He passed on September 9 2006

  27. John Lasky

    My father-in-Law Tom Sawyer was stationed on board the USS Biscayne during the Battle of Okinawa. A great individual who love his family and served with honor during World War II and Korea. Tom Brokaw called them the Greatest Generation, having met Tom Sawyer and married his daughter I can agree with his description. Can anybody provide me with any information please use my email.

  28. Marie Ursino

    I believe my father, Nick Ursino from Philadelphia, was stationed on the USS Biscayne during the Battle of Anzio. He was in the radar tower and spoke of the Bay of Sorrento as well. He also spoke about Ernie Pyle being on the ship (and my father had a draft of part of a book of his). He said one or more well-known generals were also aboard at one time. He said the ship also functioned as a floating hospital and the mess hall was the surgery in between meals. I think they brought the injured to North Africa and replacements back to Anzio. I think he and my mother attended ship reunions after he retired; one may have been in Arizona for a 50th reunion. He never talked much about the war part of things except in jokes. I was in high school and did not put it all together until I was older. He died before my mother and after she died the Ernie Pyle manuscript was tossed out by someone before I could claim it. I have been living in Rome for a few years and have visited the cemetery and museum in Nettuno. I plan to visit Anzio in September. I think there are more Americans buried in Nettuno than Anzio (and the Americans brought baseball to Nettuno – the only place in Italy where baseball is played). And there are more British buried in Anzio than in Nettuno.

  29. Marie Ursino

    I believe my father, Nick Ursino from Philadelphia, was stationed on the USS Biscayne during the Battle of Anzio. He was in the radar tower and spoke of the Bay of Sorrento as well. He also spoke about Ernie Pyle being on the ship (and my father had a draft of part of a book of his). He said one or more well-known generals (I think Patton was one) were also aboard at one time. He said the ship also functioned as a floating hospital and the mess hall was the surgery in between meals. I think they brought the injured to North Africa and replacements back to Anzio. I think he and my mother attended ship reunions after he retired; one may have been in Arizona for a 50th reunion. He never talked much about the war part of things except in jokes. I was in high school and did not put it all together until I was older. He died before my mother and after she died the Ernie Pyle manuscript was tossed out by someone before I could claim it. I have been living in Rome for a few years and have visited the cemetery and museum in Nettuno. I plan to visit Anzio in September. I think there are more Americans buried in Nettuno than Anzio (and the Americans brought baseball to Nettuno – the only place in Italy where baseball is played). And there are more British buried in Anzio than in Nettuno.

  30. Paula

    My Grandfather, Dominick P. Valenti, was a crewman on the Biscayne; I believe he was a cook. Does anyone remember him?

  31. Bobbie Goff Rasnick

    My brother James marvin Goff was chief petty officer on uss biscayne in ww2. He was on uss battleship Colorado until the Biscayne was commissioned in Boston. He served in the Mediterranean and both oceans the Atlantic and Pacific during all of WW2.

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