VOLUME 7 ISSUE 3 April 2013 Ed sieber and the sinking of the

Honoring the military who protect our freedom with their lives.
Preserving historical artifacts for present and future generations.
Presenting these articles and the story they tell for the greater
understanding of all.
VOLUME 7 ISSUE 3
April 2013
Ed sieber and the sinking of the yamato
On April 7 the Museum of Military Memorabilia hosted a presentation featuring Ed
Sieber, a Navy Pilot from WWII who participated in a coordinated attack by 400 planes from a
dozen U.S. Aircraft Carriers to sink the Japanese Battleship Yamato. The presentation began at
2:00 with Museum President Robert McDonald introducing Ed Sieber’s wife June. She gave a
brief history of her husbands accomplishments including being awarded the Silver Star for his
first attempt on the Yamato. The Navy Cross for Hitting the Yamato on the second attempt and
two Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals for actions during a total of 31 combat
missions. June Sieber then introduced Ed Sieber. Ed started his presentation with a description
of how he was recruited into the Navy as a Flyer and in 1943 he received a Commission and got
his Wings. He talked of life as the War started, the attempt of limiting Japanese sea power
which lead them to building the Giant 70,000 ton Yamato. A description of the Doolittle raid on
Tokyo and the eventual Japanese raid on Midway. On March 19, 1945 Ed Sieber joined in an
attack on Kuri where the Yamato was built when the giant Battleship was seen heading for the
open sea. He was in a formation of 8 dive bombers ordered to go after the Yamato. None of the
bombers hit the Yamato and one was lost. On April 7, 1945 the Yamato was again spotted 200
miles away from the American Task force. A coordinated attack took place with Ed Sieber in the
slot position in a formation of SB2C Helldiver dive bombers. Starting at 20,000 feet and going
straight down in a 90 degrees dive Ed Sieber struck the Yamato with both of his 1000 pound
bombs striking a vital blow on the Yamato. Eventually 13 torpedoes stuck the starboard side of
the Yamato and the great ship rolled over and sank after 2 hours. Also at the presentation was
Lenny Manchuck, Radio Operator in one of the Torpedo Bombers that struck the Yamato. After
Ed Sieber spoke there was a question and answer time and refreshments were served. This
was a great chance to celebrate an important victory in WWII history with a member of the
Greatest Generation who participated in it.
(Pictures on Page 2.)
MILITARY TIMES PAST
PAGE 2
Museum expands with new display cases
With the Museum’s Naples Airport location bursting at the seams we have received permission to expand
out into the hallway. We have purchased eight new display
cases and each will have a different theme. WWI, WWII,
Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. Cases are filled with
Armor and Aircraft models as well as some ships. The
Museum has over 10,000 artifacts available for display
and would need an entire building to display them all. As
this newsletter comes to print another large display case
will join these in the hallway so the Museum can have
more of the artifacts on display for the public to enjoy.
Vietnam War
Desert Storm
Armor Models
Aircraft Models
Ed sieber and the sinking of the yamato
Kneeling in front: Joe Gibson who brought his 1943 Jeep
to the event and Joeseph Koetting. Back Row: Gregory
Garcia, Lenny Manchuck, Ed Sieber, Robert McDonald.
Part of the display of U.S. Naval actions and the sinking
of the Yamato.
MILITARY TIMES PAST
PAGE 3
2013 Florida international airshow
Members of the Museum and the First
Florida Chapter of The Military Vehicle
Preservation Association displayed their
vehicles at the Florida International
Airshow in Punta Gorda. Present was the
Reverand Skip Torres with his Jeep, Joe
Gibson with his Jeep, Lee Bochette with
his Jeep, Joel with his MUTT, Andrew
with Alan LeBeau’s Wrecker and Robert
McDonald with his MUTT.
The only flying SB2C Helldiver in the world at the
2013 Florida International Airshow
Museum-mm.org
We have a few new donors on our donated
items page and as always you can see
more pictures from the stories featured here
in our Newsletter on the Past events Page.
P-51 Mustang at the Florida International Airshow.
There were 2,032 visitors to the Museum in March
including 1,095 from the Fly-In/Cruise-in on March 2nd.
NEW MEMBERS
U.S. Army Paratrooper Robert Bastis of Port Charlotte. Veteran Life Member.
U.S. Army Pilot Robert Carr of Fort McCoy Florida. Veteran Life Member.
U.S. Army Paratrooper E-4 William Scott. Veteran Life Member.
USMC Cpl. Art emery of Grand Rapids Michigan. Veteran Member.
U.S. Army Ernie Hill of Punta Gorda. Veteran Life Member.
U.S. Army Nancy Hill of Punta Gorda. Veteran Life Member.
US Army E-5 Arthur Garrison of Naples. Veteran Life Member.
US Army Sgt. E-5 Bud McKeon of Naples. Veteran Member.
Joseph Gibson of Cape Coral. Individual Life Member.
US Army Airborne Yvonne Thiede of Punta Gorda.
WECOME !
MILITARY TIMES PAST
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013
Flag retirement at naples municipal airport
The Museum again hosted a
Flag retirement ceremony at
Naples Municipal Airport. Raul
Estrada, Airport Operations
Manager for the city of Naples
Airport Authority assisted with
the use of the Airports
incinerator. Scout Troop 52 of
Naples and Museum Member
Art Garrison and President Bob
McDonald participated as well
as firefighters from the Airport
including Lt. Joanne Lanzisera.
MUSEUM OF MILITARY MEMORABILIA, INC.
Located:
Hours of Operation:
Mailing Address:
Naples Municipal Airport
Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 4:00
P.O. Box 112800
Commercial Airlines Terminal
Sunday 12:00- 4:00
Naples, FL. 34108
500 Terminal Drive
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: (941)575-0401
Naples, FL. 34104
Founded in April 2006 The Museum of Military Memorabilia has over 10,000 artifacts available for public viewing. We
are pleased to present these treasures to local area groups and the general public. Our goal is 1)Create a full service
museum to honor the veterans who have in the past, and are now protecting the cause of freedom,2)to preserve the
artifacts associated with military history and 3)to present information that will create greater understanding of these
conflicts among present and future generations.
Our Museum Chaplain– Reverend J.M. “SKIP” Torres
The present Board of Directors that governs The Museum of Military Memorabilia
President-Robert McDonald
Vice President-Gregory Garcia
Treasurer-Helen McDonald
Secretary-Marisa Garcia
Armorer/Editor/website -Patrick Radley
Tim Richardson
James Elson