Tribute – Ernest V. Plantz, USN
GROTON, Conn. (Tribune News Service) — A standing-room-only crowd of veterans, family, friends and fellow shipmates in the U.S. Navy jammed the Noank Baptist Church on Saturday to remember the life of Ernest V. Plantz, a recipient of a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, and his “love, strength and courage.” Plantz, one of the first inductees to the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, died on Dec. 19 at his Gales Ferry home at age 95.
He spent three-and-a-half years in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp after he and others on the crew of the USS Perch were captured. Plantz weighed just 80 pounds when he was freed and needed 10 months in a Navy hospital to recuperate, yet went on to serve for 30 years in the Navy as soon as he was able.
He retired at the rank of lieutenant as director of advanced engineering at the Naval Submarine School in Groton.
“Ernie was a bullheaded, stubborn person, yet he was filled with love for all,” Jack Gallimore, base chaplain of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Groton Base, told an overflow crowd at the church. Gallimore said he always made it a point to get a hug from Plantz whenever he could.
“I will miss that,” Gallimore said.
Two dozen submarine veterans in uniform stood in Plantz’ honor at the front of the church. Trumpeters played “Taps” and “Reveille.”
Caroline Plantz, Ernie Plantz’ wife, said she thought her husband had suffered some hard knocks in life, but “he always said that he had a good life,” she said.
Plantz’ daughter, Nancy Grant, remembered her father as a humble, thoughtful and loyal dad who loved to garden, paid homage to his southern roots while cooking and delighted in a good prank.
She recalled how his hugs let his children know they were loved, and that when things were tough, “Dad always believed that things would get better.”
The Rev. Kevin Bedford, of Progressive Baptist Church, described how Plantz touched his life. Bedford recalled he once considered resigning the Navy, and told Plantz. “I gave him my resignation, and he ripped it up and said, ‘Call me when you make commander,’” Bedford said. So Bedford did, and called Plantz.
Then, when Bedford’s father died, Plantz said to him, “I bet you didn’t know you had a second dad.”
The Perch was on its second war patrol when a Japanese destroyer escort forced it to submerge and was joined by other Japanese ships that dropped depth charges on it.
The sub was badly damaged but not destroyed because it sank into a muddy bottom. But the attack continued.
Then later, when the sub surfaced, the crew realized it could not submerge again. Plantz found himself in the water with his 59 shipmates, McHale said.
Seeing the USS Perch sink for the final time was, in Plantz’ words, “like watching your house burn,” McHale said.
Yet even after the misery that followed Plantz’ capture, he returned to service on submarines. “The man had a huge heart,” McHale said. McHale said his oldest son interviewed Plantz for an English course once, and asked Plantz a question: Knowing he would be captured, spend three years in a POW camp and be tortured, would he still have joined the Navy?
Plantz told him absolutely.
d.straszheim@theday.com
©2016 The Day (New London, Conn.)
Visit The Day (New London, Conn.) at http://www.theday.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Farewell Salutes –
Everett Armstrong – Vona, CO; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart
Leslie Beck – Oklahoma City, OK; US Army, Vietnam
Stephen ‘Skip’ Bignell – Whangarei, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 47003 & 44904, WWII, J Force Squadron
Gerard Fromm – Juno Beach, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Virgil Lanpher – Thorntown, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 127th Engineers/11th Airborne
Warren McDonough – Central City, KY; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart
Kenneth Olsen – Windsor, CAN; Canadian Merchant Navy, WWII
Donald Reeve – Oakdale, MN; US Navy, WWII
David Stewart – Auburn, AL; US Air Force, Korea, Distinguished Flying Cross
Ken Williamson – Gympie Qld., AUS; RA Air Force # 022971, Squadron Leader
Try to keep in your thoughts that this year is the 25th Anniversary of the Gulf War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War
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Posted on January 21, 2016, in First-hand Accounts, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, History, Military, Military History, Navy, PTO, submarines, Tributes, USA, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 84 Comments.
Thank you for showing us real lives…people who fought for us…who dedicated their whole lives to us and our country. You really show us these people…who they are/were…so much so that I cry with emotion! Many blessings to you for this important work. And thank you for always being such a wonderful support for me…I appreciate you!! ♡
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Your site is easy to follow, Lorrie. I appreciate you being able to cope with so much death and heartache that appears here!!
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Your work is important to show exactly the sacrifices people make for us. War is serious business and I obviously would prefer it not be necessary. But in the meantime, I appreciate the hard work and integrity you show in documenting what is oftentimes uncomfortable to know…but would be very sad to be brushed under a carpet. Thank uou ♡
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I deeply appreciate every word!!
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“Try to keep in your thoughts that this year is the 25th Anniversary of the Gulf War.”
That’s a considerable revelation of all that has happened in that time, and in the context of everything directly and indirectly related.
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I made mention of it in post “September 1943 (2)” and then in a later post reminded people of the Vietnam veterans finally coming home. My son was serving in the Marines during the Gulf War, I can never forget that. I really should repeat that reminder, thanks for nudge to wake-up, Allan.
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Thank you!
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A beautiful tribute to a real hero. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. And I’m finding it hard to imagine that it has been 25 years since the Gulf War.
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The Gulf doesn’t seem that long ago, does it? Perhaps because once we went back – we never left.
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Another “Unbroken” life!
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Excellent comparison!!
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A strong man, indeed
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It seems that generation was built of men such as he, Derrick. Thanks for reading about him.
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Reblogged this on Crazy Pasta Child.
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Thank you, Penny. A man such as Mr. Plantz serves as a role model for the up and coming generations!!
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One of the many paperback books I read as a young man was “The Silent Service”.
Lord how I wish I still had that one. It contained the story of the Perch; I recall feeling as though I were aboard her with her crew, when after many hours submerged, undergoing constant depth charging,,her CO finally had to surface and abandon ship.
Most of the blame is upon the damned magnetic warheads of the torpedoes, that either ran too deep, failed to detonate, or even made a circular run and threatened the sub which had launch it.
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I use Thriftbooks.com to acquire the large amount of books in my library. They’ve always been reliable for me and they have that book for you, for $3.79 (I think shipping is $1.00).
http://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-silent-service-grayback-class_h-jay-riker/436313/#isbn=0380804662
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Thanks; sadly the wrong book, with the same title. Likely long out of print; it was a collection of WW II submarine accounts, including -if memory serves me right-, the U.S.S. Tang, and the Seahorse story.
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Sorry, they mention 2 others but one is by the US Navy using the USS Perch for explanation and the other is out of stock. That one might be the one you’re looking for
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It’s all ok; Using bookfinder.com, I located it. Check my WW II page; I managed to put an image of it in the sidebar.
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Fantastic!
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I’m sorry, I don’t see it. Shouldn’t it be below the folding of the American flag?
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https://profilesincourage.wordpress.com/category/wwii/
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Commented on your site about what a goof I made!
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A great generation was filled with unselfish character and bravery. I think Lt. Plantz and Old Man Jack would have caused quite the ruckus at a war time bar… with Smitty a willing peacemaker.
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Back then, Smitty might been part of the ruckus, it’s hard to tell with Dad! The 3 of them would definitely have gotten along, that’s for sure!!
[how’s things been, Koji? I haven’t wanted to bug you too much]
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What a strong and determined gentleman to have suffered as a prisoner of war and come back to enjoy life with his family. Perhaps his long life was a reward for all of his suffering. Sounds like the kind of person I would like to have for a friend.
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I firmly believe it was his attitude that not only got him through it all, but made it possible for him to return to a normal family life afterwards. It would be nice to think of it as a reward, but what about all those others that didn’t get a life like his? Thanks for your comment, Bev – always a pleasure!
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How wonderful that Mr.Plantz, despite everything, came through, to die at home, aged 95. He certainly earned that privilege the hard way.
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That he did , John! A long, good life should have been the reward for them all.
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This is a beautiful write up on an extraordinary man. Well done. I loved reading about him. I find stories like his very inspiring.
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They keep my heart pumping and my hope alive that future generations will have such honor.
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You’re really a beautiful person. Glad I ran into you in cyberspace!
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Ditto – (remember the movie Ghost?)
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Yes, I do!
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A remarkable man, to go through that and go back to the navy afterwards was dedication at it highest.
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Exactly! That generation was definitely tough!
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A wonderful remembrance for a fine man. Thank you Brad.
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Thank you very much, I was lucky to hear of him.
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We all are…there are so many as you said above, unsung heroes…but you do all that can be done to honor these brave treasures. It is appreciated.
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Thank you very much, Hollie.
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What a excellent tribute, Everett! He sounds like quite a man and went through so much!
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Somehow most from that generation could do that – they were built from strong fiber!!
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That’s for sure!
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These are the type of stories that should be read allowed prior to every Presidential debate so that the candidates can learn the meaning of honor, duty WITHOUT self gain, humble, hero. If our Presidents conducted their duties with these soldiers integrity, ethics and morals our country would be a model for others to strive to duplicate.
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Outstanding comment!! Thank you for this!!
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A beautiful tribute to him in The Day, GP. Thank you for posting that. His spirit and kindness is an inspiration to all.
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What a wonderful way to say to say goodbye to him, Lavinia.
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Walkingfox will absolutely love this!!!!Thank you.
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You are very welcome and I truly hope he does!
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He did!
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🙂
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What a loss to the Naval community. Thanks for sharing this.
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You are more than welcome, Jacqui. That entire generation is almost lost and I can’t get all their stories – pity.
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It may only be me… But I find it odd why he was the only one given a medal though there were several POWs captured with him. I may have missed something…
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I really couldn’t say whether they did or not, but usually one person gets singled out by the commanding officer at the time.
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No offense… but I find that quite unfair. Others may have endured more or had done more. It would be great if all of them were awarded with medals. I am just empathizing for the families whose kin who went through the same plight as Plantz was not recognized.
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I can understand that. A lot of the brave go quietly into the night.
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Rightly said…
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God bless.
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Wow, this is one tough sailor! Survived a Jap POW camp, won the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart and after all that was a Mustang too!! (In the picture he is wearing the Anchor of a Chief Petty Officer, E-7, but he retired a O-3, Lt.) Awesome!! And Although this is another of the Great WW2 Generation gone… their memory and their legacy will endure forever as long as Historians continue to write and remember them. Thanks GP! Keep it up!!
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May we always remember!!
Thanks for dropping by, Steven.
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There is absolutely NO WAY anyone could get me into a submarine. Those guys were something else.
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I believe that’s why it is a volunteer service. A lot of people agreed with you!!
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A very nice tribute to a redoubtable sailor, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Dan. A man worth noting.
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I’m sending this to several of my coworkers who are Navy vets here in CT.
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Thank you, Dan. I’m sure they will appreciate hearing of a fellow seaman.
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What a dedicated soul.
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Agreed. I wish I could build a tribute for them all.
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🙂 That is a nice thought. How about a book of their stories (short stories)?
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By the time I received permission to print from everybody concerned – I’ll be gone. Having a not-for-profit blog is the easiest and quickest way out. For someone younger and more qualified, it’s a great idea.
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🙂 You have done so much already!
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Thank you – hopefully this site will survive me.
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I’m sure it will. You did it for your father, someone will do it for you and your father, I’m sure of it. 🙂
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Now, isn’t that a pleasant thought!
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Thank you Walkingfox.
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Thank you.
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Thank you for helping to honor these men.
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First hand accounts help to brings the events into perspective. Thanks!
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