Hello, my name is George Retelas. I was named after my grandfather, and 70 years ago he wrote a journal and took photos during his time in the Pacific (he's the one with his arms on his hips and sleeves rolled up in the group picture). After going through all the material, I wanted to share it for family members of this squadron and any history buffs who may be interested.
There's public domain photos I've included, as well as photographs my grandpa George took on his 4x5 Graflex camera; along with trinkets and articles he kept. I started this project a couple of years ago, and I'm delighted to finally share it. Here's a sample of some of the slide film which he had stored in his dry socks to avoid the heat in the tropics at Guadalcanal.
I do hope you enjoy this, as it's been a very exciting project to put together. The blog begins with the first entry and ends with the last known one, followed by a surprising article in the newspaper some 40 years later as the final post. For any questions you can reach me at contact@georgeretelas.com
Also, the following is a scroll he created with the signatures of VT-11 and a poem he inscribed on it. This original document was on display at the Treasure Island Museum before it closed in 97'.
"Here's a toast to the widening host of Americans serving the nation. To those millions of lads, and their brothers and dads, who are saving our civilization. To the men from the mills, and the farms and hills, and the cities and mountains and plains. To the workers and miners and airplane designers, and the crews on the ships and the trains. Where ever they are, be it near, be it far, on the land, in the air, on the sea. With a stoutness of heart, they are doing their part, to keep this the land of the free. So good luck Torpedo Eleven, may nothing impede you all, nor make you delay or digress. May God find you with power behind you, to roll up a final success."
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| Journal - Slide Film © Retelasfilm |
_upres.jpg) |
| Journal - Guadalcanal Island © Retelasfilm |
_upres.jpg) |
| Journal - Guadalcanal Island © Retelasfilm |
_upres.jpg) |
| Journal - Guadalcanal Island © Retelasfilm |
_upres.jpg) |
| Journal - Guadalcanal Island © Retelasfilm |
_upres.jpg) |
| Journal - Guadalcanal Island © Retelasfilm |
Also, the following is a scroll he created with the signatures of VT-11 and a poem he inscribed on it. This original document was on display at the Treasure Island Museum before it closed in 97'.
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| Torpedo Squadron Eleven - Scroll © Retelasfilm |
"Here's a toast to the widening host of Americans serving the nation. To those millions of lads, and their brothers and dads, who are saving our civilization. To the men from the mills, and the farms and hills, and the cities and mountains and plains. To the workers and miners and airplane designers, and the crews on the ships and the trains. Where ever they are, be it near, be it far, on the land, in the air, on the sea. With a stoutness of heart, they are doing their part, to keep this the land of the free. So good luck Torpedo Eleven, may nothing impede you all, nor make you delay or digress. May God find you with power behind you, to roll up a final success."
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