USS EDSALL DE 129
A Plankowner's Heroism Recognized in 2004

By
L. Thane Frazier Y1/c

I guess there is nothing better than a story with a happy ending. I joined the Navy as a
17 year old, just out of high school in 1942, took my basic training at Farragut, Idaho,
served there for 9 months in ship's company and was then transferred across the
country to serve at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. I enjoyed my
work but, being a kid from the flat lands of Kansas, what I really wanted was to go to
sea.

After 9 months in Washington, I finally got the duty I wanted and was assigned to the
U.S.S. Edsall (DE-129). My first experience was a trip from Staten Island, N.Y. to
Argentia, Newfoundland. I was seasick before we got out of sight of the Statue of
Liberty. Then I was indoctrinated by a North Atlantic storm and wondered if I would ever
adapt myself to ocean travel. Fortunately, we had a calm trip back to the states and I
was happy that I had survived.

I was fortunate enough to be assigned to the staff of the Commander of Escort Division
59, inasmuch as the Edsall was our Flag Ship. The next two years were filled with 7
round trips across the Atlantic as we escorted convoys of troops and supplies to
Taranto, Italy, Plymouth and Liverpool, England, and to Greenock, Scotland. When the
war ended in Europe we were sent to Guantanamo Bay for training exercises and
eventually destined to go through the Panama Canal with the understanding that we
were on our way to the South Pacific by way of SanDiego and Pearl Harbor.

This brings me to a story of an event that took place more than 60 years ago. On
Sunday morning, 22 July 1945, we had just passed through the Panama Canal and
were on our way to San Diego. My friend, Arthur Seely, SoM1c, and I were on the boat
deck preparing to have a church service, when suddenly we heard the cry "Man
Overboard". The excitement was unbelievable, in view of the fact that this was our first
experience with such an incident. We were familiar with our duties for "Man your Battle
Stations", but this was different.

We were familiar with our duties for "Man your Battle Stations" but this was different.
The captain finally made his way to the bridge, and received authority to change course,
leave the convoy, and search for our missing shipmate. Meanwhile the ship's cooks let
it be known that they had seen sharks following the ship when they emptied the garbage
that morning. We really had no idea whether we would ever find our man. Except those
men who had duty stations, all other were topside scanning the water.

We finally spotted the man, still treading water, and beating the water around him. I for
one, and many others, stood by wondering "what do we do now?" Somehow I thought
we would lower the whaleboat and motor out for the rescue. It seemed like no one really
knew what needed to be done, except for my friend, Art Seely. Art was down on the
deck, grabbed a life jacket, and with a light line tighed to himself, went over the side and
swam out to rescue our shipmate. Art told me later that the young man had a knife in his
hand and was beating the water around him and hollering "there's fish in the water". Art
didn't have time to look for fish but concentrated on giving our shipmate support. Once
he had a good hold on him, the guys on the ship pulled them in to the ladder. It was not
until then that we realized the man was George Mason, Slc (QM striker). I recall that Art
and George were taken to sick bay, and later bragged about getting a shot of brandy.
Wow! What a thank you!!

This was an event that I never forgot. The Edsall made it out to Pearl Harbor, and after
the surrender of the Japanese, we were sent back to the Atlantic, and eventually put in to
moth-balls at Green Cove Springs, Florida. As the staff yeoman to the Commander of
the Escort Division, as ship's were decommissioned I was transferrred to the USS
Daniel and the USS Dale W. Peterson. Went to Lido Beach Long Island New York for
discharge in April 1946.

Following discharge I returned to Kansas, attended Ft.Hays State College for
pre-dental, followed by dental school in Kansas City. My wife and I moved to Lyons,
Kansas, upon graduation in 1952, started our family of four children, and needless to
say I lost contact with my old shipmates from the Edsall.

I wrote to the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association and asked that they send me the list
of all those former Edsall crewmen who were signed up with DESA. At that time, I
believe I got about 36 names and addresses. I sent a form letter to everyone who had
ever served on the Edsall, asking any of those who were on board at the time to write a
letter to verify the facts. I that time I believeI heard from 6 shipmates, a few of whom have
already passed away, but the letters we went along with the application verified beyond
a question that the log had not properly recorded the incident.

The ship's log reads:
Sunday, 22 July 1945
08-12 0800 Held quarters for muster. Absentees none. 1003 MASON, GEORGE A.,
S1c (QM) USNR fell overboard from the port side of signal bridge. 1004 Left station to
recover man overboard. 1015 MASON, GEORGE A., S1c (QM) 908 64 44 USNR
recovered. MASON suffered no ill effects. 1126 Resumed station and guide. Made
daily inspection of magazines and S.P. samples. Conditions normal. Average RPM
269.4
Wednesday, 25 July 1945.
12-16 1359 MASON, G.A. 908 64 44, S1c, USNR, transferred to U.S.Naval Hospital,
San Diego, California, for treatment, authority: Form G

If we are to believe the ship's log, George Mason, was lost overboard, recovered, and
back on board ship in 12 minutes. Those of us where there, figure it had to be more
like an hour and 12 minutes. I'm sure no one was standing around with a stop watch to
record the times, but the only BIG mistake was that no mention was given to Arthur
Seely, SoM1c, who was the hero of the day.

I was happy we could at least get them to take another look at this, but as it turned out,
much of the enjoyment in the task was getting acquainted with Charles McLawhorn who I
later learned had played the part of the mayor in the movie "Big Fish". The other exciting
feature was the reply I got from Rdm. Sheldon Kinney. When I sent him the same form
letter as everyone else, I thought he was a radarman, only to learn that he was the
executive officer when the Edsall was first commissioned and a few months later took
over command of the ship. He thank me for including him in our mailing, and all I can
say is, it was a good thing I did. He gave me a lot of encouragement on how to write
the citation and to ask for the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism. I was really
shocked to find that he was a retired Rear Admiral who served in the U.S.Navy for 47
years, joined as a 17 year old high school drop out, served as an apprentice seaman,
went to sea to become a signalman and eventually was selected from the fleet to attend
Annapolis. He was truly a gentleman. My greatest disappointment was that Rear
Admiral Kinney had passed away this past December (2004) and was not able to learn
that the medal for Art was finally presented.

It seemed like it was taking forever, since I figured with all our facts, this medal would be
awarded without hesitation. I would call my congressman's office from time to time to
see if they had heard anything, but it was always "not yet."

I was in the hospital recovering from a "slight" heart attack when I got the word that our
application had been approved. It had taken more than 2 years since we had presented
our case. The Navy Department sent the medal and citation to Congressman Jerry
Moran's office. I told Jerry that we didn't want to mail this medal to him, and that I
thought someone special should make the presentation. It took some time, but I finally
wrote to the Governor of Michigan and she suggested that the award be given through
the Michigan Council on Veterans Affairs.

My son, Mark, and I flew to Detroit with the medal and on October 7th the Navy and
Marine Corps Medal for Heroism was presented to Arthur Seely, SoM1c, at the
McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit by Brig.General Carol Ann Fausone.
It was a great day for Art and his family who were in attendance, which included his twin
great grandsons. Although it took about 4 years to get the job done, it was a pleasure
to do this for such a great guy. He still sings in his church choir at 84 and that "ain't"
bad. I'm fully aware that this couldn't have been accomplished without the help and
encouragement of a lot of people.

It saddens me that all of our efforts to locate George Mason (from the New York area)
have been futile and the Navy Department seems to be reluctant to give out whatever
information they have unless you are a relative. We sincerely hope and trust that these
past 60 years have been good to George Mason and that he is well and happy.

Dr. Thane Frazier
Former Yeoman 1c, U.S.S. Edsall DE-129