Natoma Bay Crew Updates
This Crew Updates page includes information sent to this site from the Natoma Bay crew and/or their families. To make a submission, please use the contact link above or send email to ladewitt at lucindadewitt dot com
Crew Updates Table of Contents
Harold Clark Adams (Recollections of time on the Natoma Bay)
William H. Baumfalk (Purple Heart 2005)
Frank Eugene Cummings (obit 2011)
George M. Douglass (obit 2011)
Warren Robert Edinger (obit)
Edward "Ebby" L. Glockner (obit 2010)
Ray D. Johnson (new address)
Jack Larsen (obit 2009)
Kenneth Dan Lewis (obit)
Stanley Paled (obit 2009)
Leonard A. Poth (obit)
Vincent Summers (obit)
Kenneth Edward Wavell (obit 2010)
Leonard A. Poth
It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the passing of my father Leonard A. Poth of VC-9. He passed on February 6th 2009. After WWII he served on active duty again for the Korean war and Vietnam, finally retiring as a Commander. He loved his country, his time in service to it, and VC-9. He is missed every day.
Submitted by Louis Poth, June 16, 2009.
Kenneth Dan Lewis
Kenneth Dan Lewis, 88, of Monument California, died on Thursday, February 28, 2009.
Ray D. Johnson
Address as of May 16, 2009:
Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home
1610 Evangeline Road
Jennings, LA 70546
Ray was a Plankowner in the Second Division. S 1/c. Enlisted 8/11/42.
Warren Robert Edinger
The following information was submitted by Gayle Schaub (Warren Edinger's niece) and Mary Edinger (Warren Edinger's sister-in-law) in March 2009.
Warren Edinger of Glenwood, Minnesota, a 3rd Gunner’s Mate on the Natoma Bay, died on Friday, March 20, 2009.
Warren Robert Edinger, the son of Emil and Elizabeth (Cosh) Edinger was born September 15, 1923, in Elbow Lake, Minnesota. Warren grew up and attended school in Glenwood, graduating from the Glenwood High School in 1943. After graduation he entered active military service in the United States Navy on June 18, 1943. He served as a gunner's mate and was honorably discharged on November 5, 1946.
After his discharge from the Navy, Warren moved back to Glenwood and began working for the railroad. On September 15, 1967, Warren was united in marriage to Martha Jensen in Nashua, Iowa. Warren and Martha made their home in Glenwood where Warren continued to work for the railroad for 40+ years until his retirement. They shared 29 years of marriage before Martha passed away December 7, 1996.
Warren was a sports enthusiast, he enjoyed watching sports and played many when he was younger. He especially loved playing golf. He also enjoyed playing cards and going to the casino.
Warren is survived by his sister, Helen Schaefer of Pine City; sister-in-law, Mary Edinger of Glenwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Elizabeth Edinger; wife, Martha; two sisters, Margaret Hagen and Celeste Petschl; and one brother, Howard Edinger.
William H. Baumfalk
The following information was submitted by Terry L. Baumfalk, son of William H. Baumfalk in February 2009.
William H. Baumfalk was a plankowner on the USS NATOMA BAY CVE - 62. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Action ribbon on April 24, 2005, 60 years after the fact, for his injuries from a Kamikaze attack on January 5, 1945. He passed away on August 17, 2006. His grandson, Brian, who was in the Navy Reserves at the time, presented the folded flag that was on the coffin to William Baumfalk's son Alan. Terry L. Baumfalk played Taps on his trumpet at the graveside military rites service.
[Editor's Note: Terry Baumfalk has kindly contributed a series of photos and a portion of the scrapbook he compiled about his dad's military service. You can read his description here and see the photos in the Natoma Bay Photogallery. Thanks to Terry for sharing his work of love with us.--LD]
Vincent Summers
This is to inform you of the passing 8-19-2009 of Vincent Summers. He was in B-division. He was also a plank owner. He put the ship in commission Oct. 14, 1943 in Astoria, Oregon.
Submitted by Lou Anne Burnett (daughter).
Jack Larsen
Jack Larsen (1923-2009)
Jack Larsen passed away Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.
Memorial service: 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery and will be open to the public.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Jack Aubertin Larsen to the via the web at www.kidney.org. Donations may also be mailed to: National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, N.Y. 10016.
A retired World War II veteran, he served 22 years in the United States Navy. His distinguished military service included a career as a naval aviator. He flew missions in the South Pacific and in Korea. He achieved the rank of lieutenant commander and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism.
Once retired from military service, Jack worked 20 years for the California State Board of Equalization as a tax representative supervisor. He retired from the state in 1982 and spent much of his retired life in Springdale, Ark. In 2005, Jack moved to Texas where he lived for the past four years.
Survivors: His wife of 66 years, Dorothy Delores Larsen of Highland Village; children, Carol Ann Diano of El Dorado, Calif., Don Fredrick Larsen of Houston, Jack Alan Larsen of Palm Desert, Calif., Gary Byron Larsen of Tucson, Ariz., and Tana Lynn Roche of Flower Mound; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Obituary published in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Nov. 24, 2009. Notice to website submitted by Robert Tate, Nov. 24, 2009
Harold Clark Adams
Harold Clark Adams
Additional photos can be seen at the Natoma Bay Photogallery.
Harold's daughter Tami Montgomery also submitted several written pieces after talking with him recently about his Natoma Bay experiences. Her material has been posted here. Many thanks to Tami and Harold for sharing their thoughts and photos with us.
Stanley Paled
I regret to inform your organization that my Father, Stanley Paled went to his reward on Monday, October 26, 2009 in Farmington Hills, Michigan after a five year battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 84.
Submitted on September 11, 2010 by Stanley's daughter Michele Paled.
Kenneth Edward Wavell
My father is Kenneth Edward Wavell. He passed away on December 28, 2010 at 12:45 p.m. We were moving my parents into assisted living and my father had difficulty we his breathing so we called 911. He was taken to the hospital 12-17 and never got better. We moved him to the hospice back by the assisted living where he passed away peacefully surrounded by family. For the last two years he had much difficulty with pulmonary fibrosis. Dad was 91when he died. I took Mom and Dad to the Las Vegas reunion, Dad said that was the last one for him because there were no more pilots that he flew with. He enjoyed the reunions and seeing the crew, but it just wasn't the same without anymore pilots! I was trying to find Al Alcorn's address or phone number when I came across this website. Keep up the good work. Over and out. Arthur Wavell (youngest of six)
Submitted on January 10, 2011 by Arthur Wavell
Frank Eugene Cummings
Frank Eugene Cummings 8/19/22 – 5/11/11
Graduated Manhattan College, WW2 vet of USS carrier Natoma Bay, aerospace engineer with Rockwell, most notable projects Saturn Rocket and space shuttle communication systems. Golfed until 88 years old, married 54 years to Gloria, survived by children Jeff, Scott, Victoria and David, grandchildren Jamie, Jessica, Kasey and Shea. Frank was a wonderful dad, grandpa and a true gentleman who will be greatly missed.
Submitted on May 18, 2011 by Milton W. Irwin
George M. Douglass
This is to respectfully inform you of the passing of my father:
Capt. George M. Douglass, USN Ret.
7209 Lillooet Loop
Aberdeen, WA 98520
His wife, Kathleen, my mother passed 2006.
We have lovingly laid their ashes to rest at Golden Gate Nat'l Cemetery, Calif.
Thank you, Karen Miller, daughter
Submitted on February 15, 2011 by Karen Miller
Edward L. Glockner
Edward L. Glockner, 89, of Hill View Retirement Center, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2010, at home.
Mr. Glockner wrote his own obituary. The full text is posted here.
Submitted on January 19, 2011 by Tami Montgomery, daughter of Harold Clark Adams.
