Book Description

This book is an Historical Account (some may say it is a Museum Exhibit all by itself) of the USS SOLOMONS CVE 67 and U860 which was sunk by the USS Solomons CVE 67. It is told by the crewmen and their photos. Its in the format of a Family Photo Album, by the time you finish reading this book, you will know these men Personally. This book makes it blatantly clear how important it is that we talk to our Veterens, record their stories and make copies of their photos. Who would have ever thought that 60 men could have enough stories to fill 547 pages, and over 810 photos, and documents, or that they would be so Happy! And willing to share Their Memories. Additionally, this book shows just how little time we have left to record their memories. Since I started this project in February of 2002, until now, March 2005, five of the men that contributed to this book have already passed away. They will never get to see the book that they helped write. They are now Gone Forever! BUT! They will now be Remembered Forever!, along with their stories and photos. The five men are: David R. Green S1/c, USS Solomons CVE 67; Passed Away 27 April 2002, Age 77 Frank S. Rojewski S1/c USS Solomons CVE 67; Passed Away 10 May 2003 Age 76 Joseph Ernest Comeau S1/c, USS Solomons CVE 67 (My Dad); Passed Away 26 June 2003, Age 77 Adolf Lundquist, U860 Crewman(U860 was sunk by USS Solomons CVE 67); Passed Away December 2003, Age 90 Joseph Montana, USS Solomons CVE 67; Passed Away 12 January 2005, Age 78 Read this book. Then talk to the Veteran that you know, write down His or Her stories and make copies of any photos. Put them in a folder, give each of His or Her Family members a copy, so that the Veteran will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!! OUR VETERENS HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED!! THANK YOU!! center REVIEWScenter Joseph Comeau’s book on the history of this can-do carrier and her World War II crew reads like a veteran’s scrapbook, which it is in a way. There’s no narrative in the traditional sense; the book consists of first-hand accounts, rare personal snapshots, and reproductions of contemporary documents, such as a "Welcome Aboard" pamphlet produced for new arrivals aboard the SOLOMONS. Comeau’s father, Joseph E. Comeau, Sr., served aboard the SOLOMONS, and the book is a tribute to Comeau Sr. and his shipmates. The book is a wealth of obscure photos and the small details of life aboard a "jeep" carrier during the Atlantic War. Doug Buchanan, Editor of Anchor Watch The Official Journal of the Historic Naval Ships Association, July 2005 This is a big book -large format, over 540 pages and 810 photographs -but regardless of its size this book is clearly a labor of love. For years Joseph Comeau would ask his father -Joseph Comeau Sr. -about his days in the Navy. His father would simply reply that he was on an Escort Carrier and that they were in the Atlantic. He sometimes added that he was also rather sad that there had never been a reunion for his fellow shipmates that served with him on the USS Solomons (CVE-67). In February 2002, Joseph Jr. got an idea. Using the far reach of the Internet, he began tracking down former Solomons crewmembers, quickly finding 35 men in just a few short months. Each time he found one he would ask that individual to write down memories of the ship and to send a copy of any photos he may have. Joseph Jr. stashed these materials away in a folder, which soon grew to over 235 pages. This he presented to his dad on Father’s Day of that year. It was the reunion that his father never had. Sadly, Joseph Comeau Sr. answered the final Call to Muster on 26 June 2003. This book, based on the original folder as well as further research, is a great piece of history. It is not necessarily a start to finish history of the USS Solomons, although there is a considerable amount of information on the ship, but rather individual stories of people with a common experience centered around the vessel in which they served, during a war that all fought.. This is a chronicle of the past in the most personal sense. There is a ton of history here and we highly recommend picking up a copy of this book. We would like to thank Joseph Jr. for undertaking this project -a gift from a son to his dad. David G. Powers, Editor of Logbook Great Aviation History, 2nd Quarter 2006