| Please Come Aboard!! |
| Commissioned 16 November 1943 Decommissioned 11 December 1965 |
| OUR ASSOCIATION |
| The U.S.S. General W.A. Mann Association was formed during the first reunion of the ship, 30 April-3 May 1987 at the Sands Harbor Hotel and Marina in Pompano Beach, Florida. The reunion organizer, Gerald J. Bligh, MM 3rd Class, called the organizational meeting to order at 0900 on Saturday 2 May 1987. There were about 40 former crew members of the "General Mann" present and they were in full agreement of continuing annual reunions and that the establishment of an association would ensure the success of future reunions. The first order of formal business was the nominations and elections of the new association officers. The results of the elections were: President: Gerald J. Bligh Vice President: Thomas J. Blanchette Treasurer: Thomas Bohara Secretary: Glen F. Gahring. Our association is dedicated to the preservation of the spirit of freedom and camaraderie for which so many men and women who served on the USS Mann exhibited. Our association enables us to continue the lifelong friendships forged in the service of our country, and to honor the memories of our shipmates who are sailing the sea's of heaven ahead of us. Membership is primarily for, but not restricted to, former crewmen of the Gen. Mann. Passengers and others qualify for membership. Contact the Membership Chairman for further information. |
| USS Mann Association Officers Term 2008-2010 |
| President: Richard E. Higginbotham 8042 Bridgewater Trace Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 277-5124 Vice President: Steve Postolka 220 Russell Avenue Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096 Secretary Ralph Smith 1801 E. Kanesville Blvd. Apt. # 117 Council Bluffs, IA 51503-4770 Treasurer: Walter Baker 2960 Ranchette Sq. Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 Newsletter Editor Richard "Dick" Taylor 10312 Seven Oaks Road Ft. Smith, AR 72908-9337 Chaplain: Ray Davis 2627 S. Peach Hollow Circle Pearland, TX 77584-2092 (713) 436-5377 Membership: Joe Anthony Downingtown, PA (610) 873-6304 Master-At-Arms: John Papasergia Bakersfield, CA (805) 872-0511 Storekeeper: James Rogers 4208 Iroquois Avenue Lakewood, CA 90713 Names in Blue are an email link |
| USS MANN SHIP HISTORY |
| The General Mann was constructed by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry-dock Company and was launched on 18 July 1943 at the Kearney Yard in New Jersey. Mrs. Robert P. Patterson, wife of the Acting Secretary of War, christened the ship in honor of Major General William Abram Mann, United States Army. General Mann graduated from the United States Military Academy, class of 1875 He was a veteran of the Sioux Indian War. He enhanced his reputation in the Spanish-American War. He was awarded the Silver Star for valor in action against the Spanish forces in Cuba. He was the organizer and first commander of the famous 42nd Rainbow Division of World War 1. He died in 1934 with the rank of Major General.. Commander Paul S. Maquire, USNR took command of the ship on 16 November 1943. The U.S.S. General W.A. Mann (AP 112) was 622' 7" long, had a 75' 9" maximum beam, and a 20,270 ton maximum displacement. It was powered by two DeLaval 8,500 horsepower geared turbine main engines capable of producing a maximum speed of 21 knots. The peacetime troop capacity was 2,135 and the maximum wartime capacity was 6,800 troops. It had cabins available for 363 cabin-class passengers. The ship was decommissioned on 11 December 1965 and was eventually sold to a salvage company who sold it to the Taiwan government for scrap in May of 1987. |
