Welcome aboard the U.S.S. Saugatuck (AO 75)
I began site development in 1999 and over the years I have been asked numerous times, Why are you doing this?
My answer is for several reasons. First I am doing this in memory of my father, S 1/c Clarence Papenfuss who served on the Saugatuck from her commissioning until transferring to the U.S.S. Little (DD 803) in late 1944. While I was growing up my father shared with me of his experiences in the Navy during World War II. I was then and remain to this day fascinated with his stories and in learning more about where he was and what he experienced. In an effort to answer some of the questions he could not remember the answers to I began to gather information on the AO 75 and in turn shared my findings with my father. Some of my discoveries he remembered while at other times he said, “that was over 55 years ago, I am getting to old to remember all of that.” or… “It’s to hard to keep straight the people I served with from one ship to the other anymore.” This just made the challenge all the more exciting.
I also do this to keep the memories of those who served on the U.S.S Saugatuck (AO 75) as well as all the others who served our country as well as paying tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, so that we may live in freedom.
Finally, I do this because of the challenge to learn more about my father and those he served with. In the end, this has become a labor of love.
I’m glad you’ve stopped by and have taken a bit of time from your day to learn more about the U.S.S. Saugatuck (AO-75).
A special thanks to those who have helped me on my journey.
Beverly Scott Bass – Daughter of Lt. Richard D. Scott – U.S.S. Saugatuck
Paul P. Joyce – CWO 4 U.S.S. Saugatuck
Clarence Papenfuss – S1/c U.S.S. Saugatuck
Larry Papenfuss