Thursday, January 06, 2011

Michael Joseph Wilk (Jan 30 1923 - June 8 1944)

** this is a modified copy of my 2010 story about my Uncle Mickey

Michael Joseph Wilk was 21 when he died in action off Utah Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy (WWII).  He served as a Fireman First-Class (F1c) on the US Navy Destroyer MEREDITH (DD-726).  He was most likely on-duty in Fire-room #2 when the ship was hit in that area. He was likely killed instantly by the impact of the attack-explosion and a subsequent boiler-explosion. He was officially listed as "Missing In Action" - one of 35 men lost from the attack. He was awarded the Purple Heart. There are monuments to his honor at Arlington National Cemetery and the WWII cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

Michael J. Wilk was known as "Mickey". He was one of my grandfather's younger brothers, making him one of my "great uncles" – my Uncle Mickey. Other brothers are Uncle Leo and Uncle Stanley.

My grandfather is John A. Wilk. His brother Mickey was one of 11 siblings. John was about 10 years older, so he was about 31 when Mickey was killed. Uncle Stan was about 17. Their father Albert (Wojciech) had already passed-away, in late 1943.

My grandfather's oldest son, Chester J. Wilk is my dad. My dad's sister, Nancy Clare (Wilk) Bottcher, is my wonderful Aunt Nan. Mickey was Nan's godfather. At the time of the June '44 D-Day invasion, my dad was about 6 years old and Aunt Nan was less than 3 years old.

I am writing this in 2010, based on varied research during the past year. For reasons that I cannot fully explain, I am deeply curious as to how my Uncle Mickey came to join and serve in the Navy during WWII. Uncle Stan has provided many of the details and answered many of my questions along the way. The vast array of data now available via internet search has provided numerous puzzle-pieces. It’s been a fun challenge to try to assemble them into a complete and accurate story.

Uncle Mickey grew-up in the Ironbound section of Newark, NJ. In the early 40’s, the family lived at 89½ Napoleon Street. As a young man, Mickey was a precision tool & die man. He was drafted into the US Navy about April 1943, while WWII was raging in both Europe and the Pacific. Upon enlistment, he was assigned for training and achieved the rank of Fireman First Class. His first ship assignment was USS Meredith (DD-726), probably in March of ’44.


The duties of a naval Fireman


In the Navy during WWII, a Fireman had the responsibility for operating and maintaining the ships high-pressure boilers and related service pumps. Firemen were Mechanical/Engineering guys.  They worked below decks in the Engine and Fire rooms.  They worked in close, tight quarters where even minor errors could cause serious harm. Sometimes called “Bilge Rats”, “Daylight Dodgers”, or “Snipes”, it’s been said that: “most were rarely able to lay a greasy foot on the nicely painted main deck…”.


Service aboard USS Meredith (DD726)


The USS Meredith (DD-726) was a brand-new Sumner-class Destroyer. In early March 1944, 50 young crew members took delivery at the shipyard and sailed her from Bath, Maine to Boston. I’d guess Mickey was one of them.  She was commissioned in Boston on 3/14/44. I expect Mickey was present for the ceremony and aboard when it left Boston on April 2nd for shakedown training operations to Bermuda. Meredith returned to Boston on May 8th for about 8 days of alterations and repairs. It is possible Mickey had some shore-leave during this time, and may have returned home to Newark. If so, it would be his final visit. On May 16, Mickey was surely on-board as Meredith put to sea to join the war-effort. Dressed in camouflage paint, her initial duty was as escort for a convoy of 13 merchant ships and an oil tanker. The convoy reached Plymouth, England on May 27th -- just in time for Operation Neptune, the naval portion of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France.

I can only image the thoughts and feelings Uncle Mickey must have had during those last days of May 1944 in Plymouth, England. Surely the preparations for Operation Neptune were in full-swing. Emotions, excitement, and nerves must have been high. Wild rumors must have been flying.

How did Mickey spend that time in Plymouth, England?
Was he inactive and bored?
Was he on shore-leave and enjoying England?
Was he frantically working to prepare Meredith for her next mission?
Was he happy?
Was he scared?


Mickey was on-duty June 4th when Meredith set sail as part of the escort for the convoy bound for Normandy. She was now home to 21 officers and 336 crew-men. The convoy included amphibious landing craft and 7,500 troops, all going to UTAH Beach. Meredith had to start early and proceed slowly for the benefit of the much-slower convoy vessels. As a brand-new Destroyer, she was capable of better than 34-knots, but was forced to travel at about 6-knots for almost 2 full days.
In his pre-invasion orders, which Uncle Mickey surely would have received, Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, addressed the entire force: 
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, towards which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle.…Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Because of German mines, Meredith needed to carefully maintain course within swept channels. The weather was rough and heavily overcast. The seas were moderate. With German E-Boats and U-Boats present in the English Channel, she was both hunter and hunted. By June 5th, the crew was likely on “full alert” and at “battle-stations”. The crew remained at “battle-stations” for their next 90 hours of duty.

There are numerous accounts of crossing the English Channel for the D-Day invasion. The largest naval attack force in history consisted of more than 5,000 ships, mainly American, British, and Canadian, but also including ships of French, Dutch, Polish, Greek, and Norwegian nationality. They carried over 160,000 troops to invade the beaches of Normandy. They sailed from England in formation - 10-lanes wide and twenty miles across. Sailors who were witness speak of the awesome sight of thousands of ships across the horizon. While crossing at night, they saw many ships illuminated by star-shells and snowflakes -- indicating the presence of German E-Boats. They saw landing-craft filled with seasick troops. They saw skies filled with aircraft - waves of allied bombers, squadrons of fighters, and even barrage balloons.  

Did Mickey get to see any of this?
Did he understand the historic significance?
Was he gong-ho or reluctant… blissfully-unaware of the dangers ahead or resigned to his fate?

Upon completing her escort duties on June 6th, Meredith was re-assigned to screening and gun-support duties to aid the invasion. She patrolled within a mile and a half off the Normandy coast. Her big guns were directed towards various enemy targets - including tanks, troop concentrations, and artillery batteries. According to records, she took-out one of the German 210mm Skoda gun batteries. During this action, her Captain, George Knuepfer, was surely gratified to hear back from the beach: "Well Done Meredith, you got them on first salvo".

Meredith served proudly as one of several U.S. Navy Destroyers that ignored the hazards and navigated close inshore to fire directly into German strong points. They made the difference at Utah Beach. It’s reported (although I cannot offer an exact reference) that when landing-force communications were finally established with Gen. Omar Bradley, his first message was "Thank God for the U.S. Navy!"[1]
At this time, I would guess Mickey was deep below deck, in the bowels of the ship, on-duty and working in either an Engine Room or Fire Room. I expect he was fully aware of the guns firing, so he knew Meredith was engaged in battle against enemy targets. But, I’d guess he knew little about the victories and successful hits.  I hope that during June 6th and 7th he felt a deep sense of pride and honor for his contribution.

Just after midnight, early-morning June 8th, Meredith was patrolling and screening off the Cherbourg coast, about 5 miles from the island of Marcouf. At 1:52 am, Meredith was struck by either a submerged mine or a German glide-bomb (*). Meredith was hit over the Aft-FireRoom. The ship gave a tremendous lurch forward and upward. Everyone on the top deck was thrown to their knees. Both Fire Rooms, along with the Engine Rooms, were wiped-out. The ship flooded fast with cold sea-water. There was probably a subsequent boiler-explosion caused by the initial hit.  Uncle Mickey was surely on watch in one of the Fire Rooms. Of the 24 on watch in this area, 17 were missing. Most were killed instantly. Hopefully his loss was quick and without suffering.

Ed Dyke (MM2C), a shipmate and perhaps a friend of Mickey’s, was one of the last men to make it out of the engine rooms. He suffered severe burns over almost 50% of his body.  Another shipmate later said of the explosion: “If I’d have been in the fire room, I wouldn’t be here today”.  

By 2:30 am, in the black of night, Captain Knuepfer decided all Meredith personnel should abandon ship. He reported no panic, with everyone manning their station and doing their job. By 4am, all personnel were transferred to other vessels, including USS Bates.

One day later, in the early morning of June 9th, the area was heavily bombed by German aircraft. At least one explosion caused the final damage, with Meredith splitting-apart and sinking to the bottom of the Bay De Seine. Surviving crew-members were initially transferred back to Plymouth. Then they were shipped back home to the US aboard the Queen Mary, serving as a troop carrier.

Uncle Mickey's body was never found. He was reported as "Missing In Action" in the Captain's initial reports (which now serves as confirmation he was lost immediately). Sometime later the family was informed of his MIA status by the US Navy. I cannot image the shock and hurt to family when informed of his loss. I'm certain his loss was (and remains) painful and severe to all his family members.

I am truly humbled by Mickey’s sacrifice and dedication. I hope this story serves to honor his memory and service.  In his speech at the Sept. ’45 surrender of Japan, US Navy Fleet Admiral Nimitz provided this summary:  They fought together as brothers in arms; they died together and now sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation – the obligation to insure that their sacrifice will help make this a better and safer world in which to live.

Legacy


Uncle Stanley knows far more about his brother’s early years. He has honored Mickey ever since D-Day, assuring that his brother’s memory is proudly honored at Arlington National cemetery and the WWII cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, France. He has proudly represented his family at ceremonies and events.

I don't recall my grandpa John ever talking about Mickey's service. Perhaps I missed it or perhaps it was just too painful a topic for him. Likewise, I do not recall my dad ever talking about his Uncle Mickey - even as we watched WWII movies together, like The Longest Day (which is specifically about the D-Day Invasion). Now, so many years later, I’m left to wonder why and appreciate a moment lost.

My interest about Uncle Mickey was sparked when I discovered the Purple Heart award certificate amongst John's possessions after he passed in 1989. When I asked my dad about it, he answered in a very matter-of-fact manner, as if everyone already knew the full story.  Honestly, I doubt my dad knew many of the details I've provided here. Much of the info assembled comes from de-classified documents that are only now available by internet search. My excitement was overwhelming when, after about 5 hours of yet another web-surfing session on the topic, I was lucky enough to hit on the exact US Navy documents that initially listed Michael J. Wilk as a F1C on Meredith and MIA after the June 8th attack. Since then, I’ve at least known-better what questions to ask and where such info might be found.


Pictures of Mickey


Courtesy of Uncle Stan and Aunt Helen, there are 3 pictures of Mickey in uniform. These were likely taken at his home in Newark, NJ (89½ Napoleon Street). Perhaps at least one was taken during his last visit home, maybe March ’44.


Family


Both Uncle Stanley and Uncle Leo also served in the US Navy during wartime. Uncle Stanley enlisted at 17 and served in the Armed Guard during WWII. Uncle Leo served during the Korean War. I know my grandpa, John, was in the US Coast Guard Reserve during WWII, but I have no knowledge of his service.

Here’s my best information about Mickey’s family members:

Victoria (Wiktorja) Wilk (1886 – 1955) – Mickey’s Mother
Albert (Wojciech) Wilk (1882 – 1943) - Mickey’s Father

John A. Wilk (4/15/1913 – 4/11/89) – Mickey’s older brother and my grandfather
Stanley Wilk (b. 1927) - Mickey’s younger brother and my great-uncle
Anna (1910 - 2002) - sister
Frances (1912 - 1993) - sister
Mary (1913 - 1992) - sister
Josephine (died at the age of 8) - sister
Stella (1919 - 2001) - sister
Leo (1931 - 1984) - brother
Verna (1921 - 2007) - sister
Victoria (b. 1925) - sister
Helen (b. 1929) - sister

Chester J. Wilk (2/27/38 – 10/20/2002) – Mickey’s nephew and my Dad
Nancy Clare (Wilk) Bottcher (b. 11/29/41) – Mickey’s niece and God-Daughter, my aunt.
Donald E. Wilk (b. 4/1/43) – Mickey’s nephew and my uncle.


Separate from this work, I have gathered and recorded various family records to create an on-line family tree (Ancestry.com). This includes Wilk family information originally researched by Uncle Stanley, going back to the birth records of Victoria (Barnas) Wilk in Majdan Krolewski, SE Poland.

For reference, the Polish word “wilk” translates to “wolf” in English.
Wilk is a very common surname in Poland.




Mine or Glide-Bomb (*)


Most historic reviews of Meredith (DD-726) center on the cause of her loss. While the official reports state she was hit by a submerged mine, there is substantial evidence she was actually hit by a radio-controlled glide-bomb. This controversy is the topic of a 2005 History Channel video – “D-Day Destroyer”.   As more documents are de-classified and released to the public, additional evidence becomes available. The book Warriors and Wizards offers detail about the Luftwaffe use of radio-controlled anti-ship glide bombs. It includes evidence that a German HS293 glide-bomb successfully attacked USS Meredith (DD-726). [2]

USS Meredith


When researching USS Meredith at Normandy, it’s essential to reference DD-726.

To date, there have been 4 US Navy ships named MEREDITH - tribute to Jonathan Meredith, a US Marine Corp Sergeant from Bucks County, PA, who served during the Barbary War. Each MEREDITH has been a Destroyer.

The 1st USS Meredith (DD-165) was a Wickes-class Destroyer commissioned in 1919. It served for 2 years. Ultimately it was scrapped in 1936.

The 2nd USS Meredith (DD-434) was a Gleaves-class Destroyer commissioned March 1941.
She served in the North Atlantic for her first year of duty. Then, in March of 1942, she joined the USS Hornet in a task force that passed through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific.
On the morning of Oct. 15, 1942, while pressing to deliver a barge of critically needed ammo and fuel to US troops on Guadalcanal, DD-434 was attacked by Japanese bombers and kamikazes. Meredith was sunk and only 7 officers and 56 seaman survived.

DD-726 was the 3rd USS Meredith. She was a Sumner-class destroyer. Her service was brief, from April '44 to June '44.  After splitting-apart, she came to rest in the Bay De Seine, France.

The 4th USS Meredith (DD-890) was a Gearing-class Destroyer commissioned in 1945. She was ultimately transferred to Turkey in 1979.


Destroyers


Sometimes called "Tin Cans" and "Linebackers of the Sea"[3], WWII-era Destroyers were built for offensive, rather than defensive, action. Destroyers were meant to be on the leading edge of the fight with the enemy. The destroyer class of ship came into existence as a weapon against the “torpedo boat”.  Around 1885, the Torpedo Boat Destroyer appeared - the direct ancestor of the Destroyer. The US Navy commissioned its first destroyer, USS Bainbridge (DD-1) in 1902. Eventually they became the general workhorses of the world's navies.

Destroyers are much smaller than a Battleship, possessing great speed and maneuverability. They can respond fast and get-in close to beaches. They are armed with guns, cannon, torpedoes and depth-charges. Their guns can provide on-shore bombardment and accurate fire-support for troops on land.

"Destroyer Men" were the ones who would put the enemy on the defensive and keep him there. They were intended to be the ones scoring naval victories. Their reputation has been well-earned – as the hardest-working, hardest-fighting outfit in the navy. "Destroyer Men" are a bit apart from other sailors. On their small ships they have to do without many of the comforts enjoyed by the crew of Carriers, Battleships, and even Cruisers. It’s said : “On a Destroyer you know everybody with their good sides and faults. And everyone knows you. You can’t sham on a DD. You gotta be a sailor, mister”.[4]

In port at Plymouth, England, just before Operation Neptune began, Meredith was joined by her sisters: USS Laffey (DD-724), USS Barton (DD-722), and USS O’Brien (DD-725). Along with the loss of Meredith, 2 other US Navy Destroyers were lost during the D-Day invasion: USS Corry (DD-463) and USS Glennon (DD-620).

One of her sister ships, USS Laffey (DD-724), is now on public display, docked in Charleston, SC. A visit and tour of Laffey is probably the best way to understand Mickey’s service and working conditions.

Sources


As mentioned above, Uncle Stan and Aunt Helen provided many of the details for this story. The vast array of data now available via internet search provided numerous puzzle-pieces and challenged me to both find them then assemble them into a complete and accurate story. I expect some of my details may be incorrect and I welcome readers to explore this topic further and make appropriate corrections.

** For this blog posting, I've removed the full list of references. These are available on the complete PDF copy and include Books, Video, and On-Line source.


[1] A Soldier’s Story – General Omar Bradley
[2] Warriors and Wizards: The Development and Defeat of Radio-Controlled Glide Bombs of the Third Reich
[3] Linebackers of the Sea by Ray Lubeski  (AuthorHouse-2010)  
[4] From “A Lovely Ship” – Destroyers In Action by Richard A Shafter

1 Comments:

Blogger janet labuda said...

Dear Tom, my mother Mary Czachor Labuda is a first cousin of your Uncle Mickey. He was a favorite of hers. Her mother Sophie and Victoria were sisters. My mother is 87 and was talking about her cousins Michael and Stanley this evening. She wanted me to find out where in Arlington Cemetery the memorial to the Meredith is and that is how I came across your blog. Thank you for all the information. Regards, Janet Labuda

6:38 PM  

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