The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Lt.Commander Godfrey de Courcelles Chevalier - Aug. 14th, 2004

see educational sources

[snippy_about_it]

Godfrey de Courcelles Chevalier



Godfrey de Courcelles Chevalier was born 7 March 1889 at Providence, Rhode Island. When he was young, his family moved to Medford, Massachusetts, where he attended school and was known as “Darb.” A 1910 graduate of the US Naval Academy, he later completed a course in aviation there and then continued as an instructor until 1914. After a year at sea, he reported to the Naval Aeronautics Station at Pensacola, Florida, and was designated Naval Aviator No. 7.

By March of 1914 the U.S. Navy had established a flying school at Pensacola, Florida.


Among the commissioned officers taking the course that year were the above (left to right); Lieutenant V. D. Herbster, Lieutenant W. M. McIlvain, Lieutenant P. N. L. Bellinger, Lieutenant B. L. Smith, Lieutenant J. H. Towers, Lieutenant Commander H. C. Mustin, Lieutenant (Army) B. L. Smith, Ensign de Chevalier, and Ensign M. L. Stolz.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph from The Early Birds by Arch Whitehouse

In 1916, while assigned to battleship USS North Carolina, he helped install the first catapult on a naval vessel, and then piloted the first plane to be launched from it.



In 1917, when the United States entered World War I, Chevalier was assigned to duty in Paris, followed by command of the US Naval Aeronautic Station in Dunkerque and the Northern Bombing Squadron, US Naval Aviation Forces in Paris, with intervening assignments in London.



For this service he received the Distinguished Service Medal with the following citation: “For exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility in connection with the first aeronautical detachment to reach France, and as Commander of the US Naval Air Station at Dunkirk, which was established and maintained in spite of constant bombing by the enemy.”

Following the armistice in November 1918, he served in various posts before participating in the conversion of collier Jupiter as the United States’ first aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV 1) in 1920. After her commissioning, he served aboard as Officer in Charge of the Aviation Detachment and was credited by Rear Admiral Moffett, Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, with developing deck landing gear.


An Aeromarine 39-B landing on USS Langley, CV 1, ca. 1922. Click to view it in more detail.

On 17 October 1922, Lcdr. Virgil C. (“Squash”) Griffin made the first takeoff from Langley’s deck; on 26 October, Lcdr. Chevalier made the first landing—in an Aeromarine 39-B. Less that three weeks later, however, Chevalier incurred multiple injuries in a plane crash near Norfolk and died two days later at the Naval Hospital there.

Admiral Moffett wrote in The Outlook: “Chevalier was one of the most popular and aggressive officers in naval aviation, and his work is largely responsible for the development that has gone forward to date. His death was not only felt as a severe loss in the wealth of experience and knowledge which he possessed; it had a depressing effect on the entire ship’s company, for Chevalier was loved by the men who served under him and by his brother officers.”



Two destroyers later bore his name: Fletcher-class DD 451 and her successor, Gearing-class DD 805. Both were built at Bath Iron Works and both were sponsored at launch by his widow, Mrs. Marguerite Jackson Chevalier. Lcdr. Chevalier’s name is also perpetuated in the Chevalier Theatre in Medford, Massachusetts and in Chevalier Field, Pensacola, Florida.

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Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:

www.chevaliertheater.com/godfrey.htm http://www.pafw.com/nasp.htm
http://www.earlyaviators.com/esmithbl.htm
http://www.domeisland.com/fletcherclass/usschevalier/namesake451.html

[snippy_about_it]

"FALL IN" to the FReeper Foxhole!



Good Saturday Morning Everyone



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[snippy_about_it]

John Kerry told the world we were war criminals who raped, tortured and murdered in Vietnam. Now, thirty-three years later, we will tell America the truth.

Join us at the rally we call:

What: A peaceful remembrance of those with whom we served in Vietnam - those who lived and those who died.
We will tell the story of their virtues and how that contrasts with the lies told by John Kerry.

When: Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT

Where: The West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC

All Vietnam veterans and their families and supporters are asked to attend. Other veterans are invited as honored guests. This will be a peaceful event--no shouting or contact with others with different opinions. We fought for their rights then, and we respect their rights now. This is NOT a Republican or a pro-Bush rally. Democrats, Republicans and independents alike are warmly invited.

Our gathering is to remember those with whom we served, thereby giving the lie to John Kerry's smear against a generation of fine young men. B.G. "Jug" Burkett, author of "Stolen Valor," will be one of our speakers. Jug has debunked countless impostors who falsely claimed to be Vietnam veterans or who falsely claimed awards for heroism. Jug recommends that we refrain from dragging fatigues out of mothballs. Dress like America, like you do every day. Dress code: business casual, nice slacks, and shirt and shoes. No uniform remnants, please. Unit hats OK.

Selected members will wear badges identifying them as authorized to speak to the media about our event. Others who speak to the media will speak only for themselves.

The program will be controlled in an attempt to stay on-message. Speakers are encouraged not to engage in speculative criticism of John Kerry but (1) to stick to known and undisputed facts about John Kerry’s lies while (2) reminding America of the true honor and courage of our brothers in battle in Vietnam.

Send this announcement to 10 or more of your brothers! Bring them by car, bus, train or plane! Make this event one of pride in America, an event you would be proud to have your mother or your children attend.

Contact: kerrylied.com

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Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization.

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Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

Thanks to quietolong for providing this link.

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UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004



The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul

Click on Hagar for
"The FReeper Foxhole Compiled List of Daily Threads"

[SAMWolf]

It was a tragic incident that sunk the barge, and in spite of Godfrey's efforts, 29 sailors drowned. Everyone recognized Godfrey's heroism, yet this modest man later said of the incident:

"Any part that I played in the affair is so completely overshadowed by the loss of 29 of our men that I simply cannot bear the memory of it."

What? No putting himself in for a medal and then running for President on the incident? I love reading about real American heroes

[SAMWolf]

America's First Flat Top

The first, and only American aircraft carrier (till 1928), the Langley (CV-1) is overflown by a Curtis F6C-2 Hawk. The Langley was lost in the months after Pearl Harbor when she was sunk while ferrying fighters to Java.

[snippy_about_it]

That's what we're all about. Real Men, no girly men allowed. ;-)

Good night Sam.

[SAMWolf]

Good Night Snippy

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[snopercod]

I just stopped by to say hi. I've been real busy lately, and whenever I visit one of these great threads, I end up spending a couple of hours. That's why I haven't been around much.

[Aeronaut]

Hi. My name is Aeronaut, and I'm a FReepaholic.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snip[py and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Hurricane Charley.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Happy VJ Day, everybody.

[alfa6]

Naval Avaition Foxhole Bump

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[aomagrat]

Today's classic warship, USS Chevalier (DD-451)

Fletcher class destroyer

Displacement. 2,050 t.
Lenght. 376'5"
Beam. 39'7"Draft. 17'9"
Speed. 35 k.
Complement. 329
Armament. 5 5", 10 21" tt., 6 dep., 2 det.

The USS Chevalier (DD-451) was launched 11 April 1942 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. G. DeC. Chevalier, commissioned 20 July 1942 Lieutenant Commander E. R. McLean, Jr., in command, and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

Between 3 October and 11 December 1942 Chevalier made three convoy escort voyages; one coastwise, with tankers; a second, from Bermuda to Norfolk and with one of the first reinforcement convoys for North Africa. Sailing from Norfolk 17 December, Chevalier reached Efate, New Hebrides 22 January 1943. On 27 January she sortied with TF 18 to cover the movement of troop transports to Guadalcanal. On 29 and 30 January Chevalier joined in protective antiaircraft fire as her force came under intensive Japanese air attack in the Battle of Rennell Island. Chevalier operated on patrol from Efate, and after 14 February from Espiritu Santo. On 7 May she escorted three minelayers as they mined Blackett Strait, and Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands. The next night three Japanese destroyers, Kuroshio, Oyashio, and Kagero, ran into the minefield and were severely damaged by the mines and then sunk by aircraft. Between 11 May and 14 May, Chevalier joined in the bombardment of Vila, and covered another minelaying operation in Kula Gulf.

On 28 June 1943 the destroyer again sailed from Espiritu Santo as a part of the covering force for troops bound for landings at Rice anchorage to block Japanese movements from Vila to Munda Solomon Islands The group entered Kula Gulf shortly before midnight,1 July, and began to bombard Vila and Bairoko Harbor, while the transports headed for the anchorage. During the operation the American force was attacked by three Japanese destroyers which launched torpedoes, and retired at high-speed. One of the Japanese torpedoes hit Strong (DD-467), tearing open her hull amidships on both sides. Chevalier deliberately rammed her bow into Strong's port side and lay along side for several minutes while Strong's survivors crawled on board. Japanese shore batteries opened fire on the stricken ship, but Chevalier remained alongside until 241 survivors had come on board, while O'Bannon (DD-450) delivered counterfire against the Japanese. Chevalier pulled clear of Strong at 0122, and the stricken destroyer sank A minute later. Chevalier had torn a hole 10 by 2 feet in her bow, but it did not seriously impair her operating ability as it was well above her waterline. The destroyer returned to Espiritu Santo 8 July for repairs.

Repairs completed 22 July 1943, Chevalier operated throughout the Solomons on patrol and escort duty until 14 August. On 15 August the destroyer covered the landings at Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. On the 17th Chevalier and three other destroyers were dispatched to intercept four Japanese destroyers and several enemy barges who were attempting to reinforce Kolombangara. After a brief encounter between the destroyers, in which neither side suffered to any great extent, the Japanese destroyers departed the area, abandoning the barges. The American forces turned their attention to this objective and sank or severely damaged all of them. The destroyer returned to Espiritu Santo 29 August and during September made an escort voyage to Sydney, Australia.

On 6 October 1943 Chevalier, O'Bannon, and Selfridge (DD-357) intercepted nine Japanese destroyers and destroyer transports attempting to evacuate troops from Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. Although greatly outnumbered, the American destroyers attacked. After firing half of their torpedoes and scoring several hits with gunfire, the group continued to steam into the line of fire of enemy torpedoes in order to keep their own guns bearing. At approximately 2205 Chevalier was struck on the port bow by an enemy torpedo which tore her bow off to the bridge, throwing the ship entirely out of control. The destroyer O'Bannon which was following Chevalier could not avoid the damaged destroyer and rammed her in the after engine room, flooding that space and stopping Chevalier's port shaft. While making preparations to abandon ship, Chevalier's skipper ordered the torpedoes in her tubes to be fired at the Japanese destroyer Yugumo. The burning Japanese ship blew up soon after. By 2326 it was apparent that Chevalier could not be saved and "Abandon Ship!" was ordered. Her crew was picked up by O'Bannon's boats, and Chevalier was sunk the following day by a torpedo from a friendly destroyer. Her severed bow was located about a mile to the west and was sunk with depth charges. Chevalier lost 54 killed, and suffered 36 wounded.

Chevalier received three battle stars for World War II service.

[GailA]

Good morning..another cool morning here in Memphis

Coffee's on

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning everyone!

[Samwise]

and I'm a FReepaholic

Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. ;^)

[Aeronaut]

Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. ;^)

Who wants to recover?

[Samwise]

LOL