The USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) and Composite Squadron VC10 Inc, of Ohio:

While floating in the water, after abandoning ship, Tony Potochniak made a promise to himself that some day after the war ended he would reunite his shipmates and not let the memory of those that served aboard the Gambier Bay and gave their life to be forgotten. In 1967, after doing some research, Tony located Mr. Charles Heinl and Mr. Marty Showers in Ohio. Those three men then set out to form The USS Gambier Bay and Composite Squadron VC-10 Inc, of Ohio.

Dedicated to their task, they spent countless hours pouring over documents, contacting government officials and offices, and by any means possible researching to locate their shipmates. The task proved to be a huge one. At times, they sacrificed time with their families to keep their organization roster growing until all where accounted for. As more and more shipmates were located, Tony with the help of others, began a quarterly newsbook publication to communicate association events and letters between Shipmates.

In 1969, Tony, Charlie, and Marty began the plans for their first Gambier Bay - VC10 reunion (picture at left, left to right: Charlie Heinl, Tony Potochniak, Marty Showers) to be held in St. Louis. The event was a success. Soon after the St.- Louis Reunion, Charley, Tony and Marty, were joined by Ed Hagerty, who was a tremendous addition to the leadership team. To this day, they continue to have reunions and meet every year. After years of planning, in 1996, the monument featured in the "Missing in Action" section of this Website was finally reality.

FROM GAMBIER BAY-VC10 TO ECSAA
In the mid 1980's, with the encouragement and guidance of Don Glazer, Executive Administrator of DESA (Destroyer Escort Sailors Association), the groundwork for ECSAA (Escort Carriers, Sailors, and Airmen Association) was put in place by Tony Potochniak. Mr. Glazer then offered a copy of the DESA bylaws as a reference from which the ECSAA bylaws were later developed. As ECSAA organized rapidly, Mr. Glazer offered Tony to tailgate the first ECSAA reunion with DESA's reunion in Los Vegas, Nevada in September of 1991and again in September 1992 at Buffalo, NY. The intent for forming ECSAA was to not only to unite sailors and airmen of all escort carriers but to erect three monuments (two on the east coast and one on the west coast) to honor the men lost in action and to keep an important part of history from being forgotten.

As the USS GAMBIERBAY-VC10.COM website continues to grow, you will become aware of the great priority Tony places on those who gave their life in battle and the individual histories of each escort carrier and their personnel.

To all those that have helped keep the Gambier Bay-VC10 organization going, your hard work and dedication have been appreciated by all the members.

Music

All music in this site is property of the United States Navy Band, and has been provided to the USS Gambier Bay- VC10 organization for their use. We thank the Navy Band for the CD, Music for Honors and Ceremonies, that they have provided.

Comments from the Webmaster:

Many of us today do not know the reality of being in war. When we think of war, we often think of the film footage we see on one of the news channels. In a way, we are fortunate that we are able to experience it from such a distance. That's part of the many Freedoms we cherish in the United States. But Freedom didn't come free. Many men and women have served our country to keep it free. Many men and women gave the ultimate sacrifice, their life, to keep our country free.

I know that my father, and so many men like him, was only 17 years of age when he enlisted in the Navy to go off and defend his country in World War II. Through the years, I have had the pleasure to meet many of the wonderful men he served with aboard the Gambier Bay. The history of war that they have shared with me I can not even begin to fathom; especially at the age of 17 or 18. I look at many of our youth today and wonder where we went wrong.

To those that currently serve our country, those that have served and fought, those that gave their life, and those that served aboard the USS Gambier Bay, words alone will never express the gratitude that I and so many others share. I thank you and hope that our country will forever remember and honor what you have done for us to keep us and this country free.

May the God above Bless you and our Country.
Bob Potochniak


last update: 01.10.02