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Click on thumbnail picture to enlarge picture.
Born: June 23, 1931
Children: Dennis, Edward, Lawrence, Regina, Elizabeth Grandchildren:
Military Service: U.S. Navy
(from USS BENHAM DD 796 - 1952 Crew Book)
USS BENHAM DD 796 Crew Books 1952 Crew Book: Index Page 1, Index Page 2, Captains, Officers, Chiefs, 1st Div, 2nd Div, C Div, E Div, O Div, R Div, S Div 1954 Crew Book: Index Page 1, Index Page 2, Officers, Chiefs, 1st Div, 2nd Div, 3rd Div, C Div, E Div, O Div, R Div, S Div
Go to the History of USS Benham III DD 796
The USS Benham DD 796 was recommissioned 24 March 1951 and joined the Atlantic Fleet. In addition to normal operations along the east coast and in the Caribbean, the destroyer has made one cruise to northern Europe, two to the Mediterranean, and one to the Far East (1 June-18 December 1954) during which she circled the globe.
A copy of the 1952 Cruise book can be viewed at the Naval Historical Center located at 901 M Street SE-Washington Navy Yard, Washington DC. Presently over 5000 such publications are included in the collection. These are not available for loan purposes, but may be viewed at the Library. Other locations where cruise books may be found are the New York Public Library and the Naval War College Library at Newport, R.I.
Timeline: (at Age) Date Description (0) 1931-06-23 Born to William & Hedwig Kiewra. 173 Willis Avenue, Floral
Park, NY
Correspondence log
Date: 12/8/98 From: Lawrence Kiewra To: Ed Bennett, Nick Camenares, Marvin Ehlin, Bill Harrill, Bill Higgins, Bob Krueger, Dick Lavigne, George Miller, John Sharpe, GeneByland, Don Byland, Jim Byland, Norm Roton, Jim Kennelly, Joe Curry, Harry Babiak, Charles Hoock, Charles Dotschkal, Robert Eisenhauer, Louis A Vogel, John "Tony" Alloy, Sid Kuykendall Subject: USS BENHAM DD796 I was wondering if you may have any information about my Father, Edward J. Kiewra, Born
June 23, 1931, died March 1970. Husband to Rosemarie (Froehlich) & 5 children,
Dennis, Edward, Lawrence, Regina & Elizabeth. The web page I'm working on
http://www.kiewra.com
Date 12/8/98 From: George Miller Sorry but the name is not familiar to me ,I was on board july1955 to nov 1957...george miller
Date: 12/9/98 From: Nicholas Camenares Hi Lawrence, I'm sorry, but I cannot help you. I was in the Navy during WW II and since
you dad was born in 1931 he would not have been on at that time. None of my records show
the name of Kiewra. However, the second time the Benham DD 796 was commissioned, a new
group of younger (than the original crew) sailors took the ship out. Ed Bennet, Bill
Harrill, Dick Lavigne, George Miller, John Sharpe, Gene Byland, Don Byland, Norm Roton,
Jim Kennelly, Joe Curry, Harry Babiak, Charles Hoock, Charles Dotschkal, Robert
eisenhauer, Louis A Vogel, John Alloy and Sid Kuykendall are fellows who were on the ship
sometime after WW II. The others you listed were in WW II. I would presume that Ed Bennet
and Sid Kuykendall may be able to help
Date: 12/9/98 From: John T Sharpe Lawrence, First, I do not remember your Dad thought I am sure some of the people you e-mailed do. I hope you are able to find the information. One thing you might try, all persons had a copy of their discharge sent to the county seat of their home town. This was automatically done by the Military and you might find his discharge on file there. Also if you have a veterans service office, they can often find info through the VA. Check with your local American Legion if you don't know about a service officer. They may can help. By the way the E Division page still comes up on the web site. Good Luck, John
Date: 12/9/98 From: Norm Roton To Mr Larry Kiewra: Sorry but I do not recall your fathers name Mr E.J. Kiewra I served
on the Benham from 1952 to 1954. I was in the "E" div. forward fireroom. I
looked in my cruise book and looked up the "E" div pictures your dad was on the
Benham the same time as I was. His picture looks familiar but 40 plus years is a long
time. Send and E-mail to Ed Bennet at UNIVCONSLT @aol.com he may be able to help you
he was on the ship the same time I was. Did your dad live in Floral Park New York that is
the address that is in my cruise book
Date: 12/9/98 From Lawrence Kiewra Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.Yes, my Dad lived in Floral Park, NY at the
time. I've already gotten a couple responses back, but some have either served
before or after my Dad did. I realize it is 40 plus years too, but I took a
chance. I'm still searching my families attic & brothers & sisters houses
for pictures he took at the time. We used to have about 100 or so slide pictures
(didn't everyone?) from his voyages. I remember one of them as they were dressed in
drag w/mop hair & grass skirts & all. I think my Mom told me once they
partied like that when they crossed the date line or something. I know I'll find
them eventually, will just take some time. When/If I find them I'll scan them &
forward them to John Sharpe who's done a great job on the web
Date: 12/9/98 To: John Sheppard/NTC Great Lakes Subject: USS BENHAM DD796 Hello, my name is Lawrence Kiewra & I'm looking for information on my deceased Father, Edward J. Kiewra, ss# 067-26-6403 who served on the USS Benham DD 796 from 1952 -1954. in E Division. I found a couple of pictures that I scanned in & attached. I was wondering if maybe you can provide me the meanings of the captions for these pictures. Any information in laymens terms or where I can find info on them would be greatly appreciated. ek19510824.jpg CO. 561 R.S. CALLISON, QM1 CO. CMDR. 24
AUGUST 1951 U.S. NAVAL TRAINING CENTER - GREAT LAKES, ILL. and
Date: 12/10/98 From: John Sheppard
12/10/98 From: Lawrence Kiewra Thank you very much for your quick reply!! I appreciate it. I already found the Benham web site (which has moved to http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/7956/ ) and have sent correspondence to whomever I was able to obtain at the site. Again, Thanks for your help on my questions & have a safe & happy Holiday. -- Larry Kiewra
12/12/98 From: Ed Bennett I hope, by now, you have heard from others. I have been out of town and just returned. I remember your father although we were not in the same division. If you would like I can send you names of shipmates in his division so you can write them. I also will be glad to copy my cruise book and send a copy to you. Let me know.
12/15/98 From: Ed Bennett Got your E-mail and will respond. Sorry that you haven't had a positive response already. The only cruise book I have is the 1952 European Cruise Book. I can't remember whether your dad came aboard on the west coast or when we went into the Boston Navy Yard. I will send you a copy of the book under separate cover. Some of the guys in the E Division are: Try these people and if you have no luck let me know and I will look further. Good Luck, Edward K. Bennett, 32 Dogwood Knls., Asheville, NC 28805-1649
12/10/98 - Requested Military Records from: Bureau of Naval Personnel & National Personnel Records Center.
4/7/99 - Received Letter from Bureau of Naval Personnel Retired Records Section stating the request cannot be made at this time (some other Dept had the records) to wait about 6 months so they can try again.
5/6/99 - Received Package from the National Personnel Records Center.
additional links: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/7956 http://www.destroyersonline.com http://www.navy.mil/navydata/ships/destroyers/destroyers.asp
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