USS SLC..."Enlisted Navy"...Robert S. Rydz, RDM3c

Robert S. Rydz, Sr. passed away on Sept. 7th, 2004.

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Robert, age 81, Lifelong resident Of South Chicago, loving husband of Ann, nee Wagner [deceased], loving father of Ann Marie, Robert Jr, and Victor, and many other relations. He was a Radarman on the Salt Lake City and new construction the Destroyer Cassin Young. Life long friendship of Jim O'Hara who was also a shipmate on both ships.

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April 13th, 2000

Dear Sandy,

I have a copy of your letter to Jim O'Hara. I've read it with great interest. There were many flashbacks of the old "SLC CA25". Episodes, Happy--Sad & Tragic ones. These were emotions everyone of the crew & officers experienced.

In my mind I truthfully can say that I cannot remember Tommy Thompson, S1c. I was in "F" Division & was stationed in combat aft during "GQ" (General Quarters...All hands man your battle stations!). Compliment of a heavy cruiser during time is over 1000.

Jim O'Hara lives north of me about 12 miles. We were shipmates a long time. Ever so often we phone each other & re-hash the old days & also bring up present news.

I'm sending you a photo of four of my shipmates from the SLC. They were S1c & probably in the deck force. Heaven knows where these guys are today. Perhaps you may find out something about them on your website.

Sandy it's very gratifying to know that your doing such a great job of research on getting information or maybe even locating some of the crew from the "Swayback Maru"!

Hope to hear from you in the future

I remain, Robert E. Rydz, Sr., (old rate- RDM3c)

Information from SLC ASSOC. MUSTER ROLLS
Robert S. Rydz S2c USNR 611 96 40
Enlisted Aug 17, 1942 at Chicago, IL
Boarded SLC Nov. 4 1942 from fleet Radar School, NYD Pearl Harbor T.H. from temp. duty. (dates are not clear)
Promoted to S1c Aug 1, 1943
Transfered to new construction [Cassin Young] Aug. 12, 1943
at San Francisco.

#12 in Radar Gang, 1943
Picture from James O'Hara
SLC Deck Logs Nov. 1942  Oct. 1943
Attended the following SLC Reunions:   1985  1987