Raymond Jadwick, former crew member USS Nutmet, (AN33)
Written by Robert Cooper, Sr., Keeper of this Website
I have been associated with many ex-crew members of net tenders since about 1999. From about that time … there has been reunions every year open to anyone who ever served on net tenders/layers. But I have never made contact with anyone from USS Nutmeg AN33.
It always thrills me when I get in touch with an old net tender sailor. That happened in February 2008, when Joe Jadwick stumbled onto the USS Mulberry (AN-27), website and emailed me telling that his dad, Raymond Jadwick had served on the USS Nutmeg (AN-33), during World War Two. A short time later I began to correspond with Raymond. He is now 83 years old, and seems to be in good health. He stated to me that he does have trouble walking and standing. (understandable)!
Ray enlisted in the Navy in December, 1943. Sworn in on December 30, 1943, in Springfield, Illinois. Sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, and upon completion of Boot Camp, attended radio school there in Great Lakes. Upon completion of Radio School, he was sent to Outgoing Unit in Norfolk, Virginia, for a short period of time, then assigned to the USS Nutmeg, which was in dry dock for repairs in Boston, Massachusetts. From Boston to Argentia, Newfound, and remained there until the war in Europe ended. While there he was promoted to Radioman Third Class. The duties of a Radioman could be very nerve-wrecking at times, especially when at sea. When not at sea Ray was usually assigned as postmaster.
After the war ended in Europe, Nutmeg pulled up the nets in the harbor at Argentia, and then with the gate ship YNG-27 in tow, proceeded to Boston Navy Yard. After a period of time in Boston, the ship was assigned to West Coast duty. Underway with stops in Key West and through the Panama Canal, to the Pacific to Long Beach, California. Before reaching port in Long Beach, the atomic bombs were dropped in Japan, and the war ended before Nutmeg reached Long Beach.
The ship was scheduled to go to Pearl Harbor to assist in the removal of the nets there. However, on the evening before departing to Pearl Harbor, on the way to refuel for the trip, one of the large motors in the engine room burned out and they had to be towed back to dock. It cancelled the Pearl Harbor trip. The ship remained in Long Beach … and Ray was discharged on 16 January 1946.
After discharge, Ray had several jobs, and on 9 June 1951, was married to his wife, Rosemarie Kristan. They have a son, Joe, who builds Jet engines for G.E. in Durham. He and his wife Pam, have two daughters, Kristan, and Lindsey, and they are expecting their first grandchild in May. We also have a daughter, Janet, who is a registered nurse, and works for a Cardiologist in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . She and her husband, Paul Hundley, live in Grafton , Wisconsin , just north of Milwaukee. We are so proud of them.
Retirement was too boring so he drove a school bus for four years until his wife, Rosemarie, retired as the bookkeeper of the school district. He has kept busy for all those years with various activities.
He said: “After my bus driving days were over, my wife and I did some traveling, including two cruises, one in Hawaii , and the other in the Caribbean . We enjoy our grandchildren. I played golf, although not very good, and have been active in my church, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion. I was in the American Legion Honor Guard for funerals, parades, etc., and also in the Knights Fourth Degree Honor Guard.
Ray continued: I am an avid reader, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and University of Notre Dame football fan, (although this past year wasn’t much to be exited about). For ten years two friends and I attended the Cardinal’s Spring Training in St. Petersburg , Florida . My wife and I still plant a garden each spring, and I mow my large lawn twice a week during the summer. He and his son Joe are planning on making the All Net Tender/Layers Reunion in Seattle, Washington, in October 2008.
A LITTLE ABOUT THE SHIP:
USS Nutmeg (AN-33), formerly Sycamore (YN-28), was laid down on 18 October 1940 by American Shipbuilding company, Cleveland, Ohio. Launched on 13 March 1941, and placed in service on 30 October 1941. Allocated to the 1st Naval District for net tending duty in Boston Harbor area. In Was reclassified (AN-33) on 20 June 1944.
Through the spring of 1944, Nutmeg was engaged in maintaining and repairing net defenses for a short time in Boston Harbor. Then in May of 1944, she was attached to CTF-24, for the purpose of maintaining the anti-torpedo net in Placentia Harbor, Argentia, Newfoundland.