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The Renshaw
By:
Gary
Pellegrini
in memory of his father, Lou Pelligrini
300 men went sailing off to war,
to save their precious country on a distant shore.
The young crew wanted action after many months at sea, be careful what you
ask for my Daddy would tell me.
The stories that I tell you my father told to me. The Renshaw was a
mighty ship of the 20th Century.
There was Tinian and Saipan and the Marianas too,
the Philippines, the Marshalls just to name of few.
She went where she was ordered, she did what she was told. The enemy was
everywhere, the enemy was bold.
Submarines, torpedoes, littering the sea. The Renshaw was a mighty ship
of the 20th Century.
She took a hit 'round midship and then the boilers
blew.
By early dawn next morning she lost 19 of her crew.
War is not the answer and sacrifice we must.
But tell that to our families waiting home for us.
She laid there in the water, couldn't come or go,
waiting for another ship to offer her a tow.
She limped into Seattle, to get a fresh new start.
You couldn't keep that woman down 300 men, one heart.
The stories that I tell you are part of history, The
Renshaw was a mighty ship of the 20th Century.
Attention All
Shipmates
Lou Pellegrini, a
shipmate of mine on the USS RENSHAW (DD-499), died of cancer on April 16, 2008.
He was loved by all who knew him. Lou was aboard the RENSHAW when it was
torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on February 21, 1945. Nineteen men were lost
that day, Lou and others were injured and he received a Purple Heart.
Upon Lou's passing
his son Gary, a talented musician, composed a beautiful song in his memory. A
number of CD's were made and fortunately one was sent to me. The song has been
played for my family and friends, and they all wanted to hear it again. It truly
tells the story of the life and death of what men endure on a destroyer. I
believe it's something every Tin Can Sailor would enjoy owning.
The "At the Helm"
article in the current (January) Tin Can Sailor newspaper was quite disturbing.
I am referring to the finance problems that are affecting donations for museum
ships. To help in this cause, the Pellegrini family is contributing a copy of
the USS RENSHAW CD to Tin Can Sailors, Inc. TCS in turn will send a copy to Bull
Sessions which may be played for attending members. In addition, individual
copies of the CD can be made available to anyone on the registration list for a
nominal charge or for a minimum donation.
Shipmates, now
it's your turn to say thank you. Our museum ships are in dire need of
contributions, so that they can continue to exist. Let's give our grandchildren
and future grandchildren the opportunity to view the ships that we served on.
The CD can be
purchased through Tin Can Sailors Ship’s Store. In addition, the words of the
song will be published on the Tin Can Sailors website, along with this letter.
This would service the Tin Can Sailors who were unable to attend any of the
meetings.
Sheldon Preville
USS RENSHAW (DD-499)
Editor’s Note:
The CD will be distributed to each Tin Can Sailors Bull Session and copies will
be available to all who want them for a minimum donation of $15. Reunion groups
may obtain a special copy for a reduced rate when registering their reunion with
Tin Can Sailors’ Reunion Services. There is no charge for registering a reunion
with Tin Can Sailors.
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