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Stepping Back in
Time
Valley Patriot Hero Visits
Battleship He Once Called Home
Kathleen Corey Rahme
(08/03/07)
The ship
came alive when Valley Patriot Hero Thomas Petrillo of
Methuen boarded the USS Massachusetts last month.
The WWII battleship is docked at Battleship Cove in Fall
River and visited by thousands of tourists every year.
Visitors got a special treat last week when they had the
opportunity to meet Petrillo. He was generous enough to
chat with groups of visitors about his nineteen month
assign-ment on board the biggest ship I have ever seen. I
was so happy to witness the looks of amazement among
tourists, and especially the youngsters, when he told
stories of his time on his beloved USS Massachusetts.
The USS Massachusetts has a brilliant history. The
Massachusetts is touted as one of the most powerful,
fighting vessels in the world of navy ships. It was in
the Battle of Casablanca in Morocco, North Africa as part
of Operation Torch. Although she endured three hits in
that battle, thankfully there were no casualties on
Big Mamie as she was fondly known by her
crew. Petrillo was at his usual position manning the
5" gun. There were Axis ships everywhere including
the French Vichy ship Jean Bart.
It was 7:02 am on November 8, 1942 when the Battle of
Casablanca took place. Petrillo was ordered to general
quarters by midnight, the night before, after being fed a
steak dinner which was a tradition before a battle.
Having entered the gun mount of the 5" with Petrillo
last week I can tell you it is quite tight and the air
was oppressive. One can only imagine the sights, sounds
and smells of the environment during a battle.
What Petrillo and others of that Greatest
Generation endured during WWII should never be
forgotten. Vichy French forces on the battleship Jean
Bart opened fire. The USS Massachusetts hammered back
using 16" shells and then, five hits later, Jean
Bart was left in ruins. The crew had tried to wave the 20
foot American flag to the Nazi sympathizers but, the
gesture received an eight inch shell right through it. In
all 35 engagements during WWII, serving in both theaters
of operation, the USS Massachusetts never lost a man in
combat.
Being with Thomas Petrillo, a former Patriot of the Month
(see the two part Valley Patriot March and April 2007)
was something I will never forget. Ted Tripp who is known
for his written oral histories, and I for my work with
the crew from MCTVs Call to Serve recording oral
histories on tape, were in our glory to be in his
company. It was a delightful day except for all those
ladders! The Executive Director Ron J. Catudal, and the
Captain, John S. Casey, USNR (Ret.) heard of Toms
presence onboard and the red carpet was laid out. We were
invited to be the guests of the Captain for lunch.
Petrillo was invited back to the USS Massachusetts for
the three day Fall River Celebrates America on August 9,
10, and 11 to fire his old 5" gun into the harbor
before a fireworks display. What a thrill for the former
sailor. Information about this event can be found at www.fallrivercelebrates.com.
On behalf of a grateful nation, and the City of Methuen,
thank you Tom, and others like you for your service
during WWII.
Kathleen Corey Rahme is the former
Central District Councilor in Methuen and was elected as
a city councilor at large in 2005. She is
also the vice chair of the city council and founder of
the Methuen Youth Corps. Kathleen is a candidate for
mayor of Methuen. She also hosts Call to Serve.
You can email her at kcoreyrahme @comcast.net
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The August 2007 Edition
of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 15,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover,
North Andover,
Methuen, Haverhill, Chelmsford, Georgetown, Groveland,
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Westford, Acton, and Lowell.
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only)
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