Nothing from this site (including text, photos, images, graphics, illustrations, compilations and
assembly thereof; to include design) may be downloaded or reproduced in any manner without
written permission from the webmaster. This material is protected by copyright laws of the
United States of America. Anything identified as being in "public domain" is exempt from this
statement.
Original concept and design of site by Diane C. Day.
Photographs of Gerald O. Day and his family may not be downloaded or reproduced in any manner or form. They are the sole property of this web site.
The USS SAVAGE (DE/DER-386) webmaster firmly believes in respecting and honoring the copyrighted
work of others. I have attempted to provide "same page" credit wherever needed throughout this site.
Text and photos (not owned by The USS SAVAGE DE/DER-386 webmaster and/or Association) have been used with written permission and have been credited on each page.
Historical information on The USS SAVAGE is from the personal archive of Gerald O. Day. Information has been verified through many U. S. Naval sources; including telephone interviews (in late 1999) with shipmates who were onboard the USS SAVAGE during World War II - Mr. Francis (Bud) Levitzki, Mr. Patrick Grasso, Mr. Otha Harper, Mr. Wesley W. Hicks, Mr.Claude Rankey, Mr. Bill Chase, Mr. Edwin F. Hopfgarten, Jr., and Mr. Rollins W. Coakley.
Mr. Rollins W. Coakley, former Historian for the USS SAVAGE, was kind enough to provide me with copies of his extremely extensive personal archive for inclusion in this site. Mr. Coakley served aboard the SAVAGE in WWII and kept impeccable records on the ship. Without his contribution, much of this site would not have been possible.
The family of Ensign Walter S. Savage has reviewed this website for historical accuracy. Walter's brother, John, has supplied me with a vast amount of information and personal photographs. He and his wife, Caroline, were kind enough to search through their family mementos and contribute a large amount of new information. I am extremely appreciative of their support and interest in my work, and
I am forever grateful for their friendship.
The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships was used to cross-reference details of the USS SAVAGE. Published by the Naval History Division, Department of the Navy, Washington, D. C. (1976).
I have also spent countless hours at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland pouring over
historical documents concerning The USS SAVAGE.
Chartlet showing wreck site of The USS SAVAGE was compiled and drawn by Diane C. Day. Sources are listed on this page.
"Gray rope" clipart utilized throughout the site was taken from public domain.
Mr. Gene Parker contributed a photograph of the USS SAVAGE sailing into San Diego Harbor in April of 1946. Thank you, Mr. Parker.
Ron Warner was the first to contribute photographs from his years aboard the SAVAGE. I thank Ron very much for this contribution, and for his continuing friendship.
Mr. Ed Russell contributed the 1955 Recommissioning Ceremony booklet and photographs. I am very
grateful for this material.
Special thanks to Mel Kowal, who served aboard the SAVAGE from 1954 - 1957, for allowing me to
post his pictures and link to his site. Mel, I appreciate your continued support and contributions.
I am most appreciative of the contributions of Maryjane Stelmach Honner. She generously donated "priceless" photographs of WWII crewmembers and her father, Tom Honner.
Vincent J. Corsano (Vinnie) has also donated a photograph of his father, James L. Corsano. Vinnie,
thank you.
I am extremely grateful to Morrie J. Stein (a WWII Plank Owner) for generously sharing his photos from his days aboard the SAVAGE. These photographs are extremely rare. Morrie has also become a great friend.
Many thanks to Ernie Velez, who served aboard the SAVAGE during her Vietnam years. Ernie was
kind enough to provide a biography of himself, and also provided rare photographs from his personal collection. I am extremely grateful to Ernie for his wonderful contributions.
I owe an extreme debt of gratitude to Mr. Daniel P. Farley. He was aboard the SAVAGE during WWII.
Mr. Farley was kind enough to send me an extreme amount of "priceless" material from his personal archive. Many of these articles are "one of a kind."
Mr. Gene Hansen who served on the SAVAGE from 1956 - 1957 contributed "awesome" photos from
his personal collection. I am very grateful to have these.
Many thanks to Gene and Linda Hansen for all their contributions to this site. Linda has contributed several "one of a kind" finds to this site.
A very special "thank you" to Nikki Savage (no relation to the family of Walter Savage) for being my editor and for her caring and mentoring in the very early stages of this website.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to Everett Roush and Ev Kytonen for gifting me with a "once in a
lifetime" find - a ship's plaque from the DER-386. I had the pleasure of talking with both gentlemen
and they were both so supportive of this site. I thank you both.
A great debt of gratitude also goes out to Dr. John A. Knesel of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
He added invaluable information concerning Walter Savage's college years. He was kind enough to
contact me and ask if I would like to have the materials he had come across. I am most appreciative
of his efforts.
In March of 2005, Captain Robert C. Peniston, USN (Ret.), was kind enough to write the Introduction
to this site. The USS SAVAGE Reunion Association is forever indebted to their former Captain for
providing them with an historical account of the SAVAGE. Captain Peniston also provided this site with
a wonderful narrative about his years as Skipper of the SAVAGE. We are forever grateful to
Captain P. for his generous contributions.
Thanks to all who have contributed photographs and/or biographies from their personal collections for inclusion in this site. All of these are truly "one of a kind" finds.
Special thanks to Samuel Loring Morison for contributing the information contained about the Ship's Awards, and for being my Chief Research Officer in times of need. Sam is an extremely experienced Naval historian, and always finds time for my questions. Sam, I truly appreciate your continuing support.
