Item Description
Original item: One-of-a-kind. William E. Schackelford served as Chief Steward aboard the USS Teton (AGC-14) during World War Two. He was a writer, poet, lyricist, singer and a Ventriloquist. Included in this set is his original WWII manufactured Ventriloquist Dummy who is dressed in a Navy uniform with the rank of Steward 3rd Grade. The dummy or "Ventriloquist figure" is fully operational with a moving moth and head. It is constructed of mostly of wood with stuffed fabric legs and arms. It measures approximately 34 inches tall and comes in the original carry case which measures 20" x 14 1/2" x 7" and was manufactured by Hartmann as the U.S. Navy Seapack. Of particular interest is that one of the large photographs included in the photo album is of Schackelford performing on stage with this very dummy.
Also included is Schackelford's photo album with multiple wartime photos from the Pacific, song book/diary, USS Teton WW2 "yearbook", funeral documents and more.
Teton was attached to a convoy that got underway for the Philippines on 28 January, 1945. After stops at Eniwetok, Ulithi, and the Palaus, the force reached Leyte on 21 February. Teton next began rehearsals as flagship of Task Force 44 for the forthcoming assault against the Ryukyus. Commodore Clifford Greer Richardson, commanding Transport Squadron 14, and Major General John R. Hodge, commanding the XXIV Army Corps, embarked with their staffs. On 27 March, Teton got underway as flagship of Task Unit 51.13.1 and arrived off Okinawa on 1 April, the day the assault began. She remained there for 72 days controlling the landing operations on the Hagushi beaches and then providing standby control of offensive and defensive air operations. On 11 June, the ship got underway in a convoy bound for the Philippines.
Teton survived over 150 suicide plane attacks during the battle.
Teton arrived at Subic Bay on 15 June and remained there until 17 August. When news of Japan's surrender arrived, Admiral Hall and his staff left the ship to transfer to USS Hansford (APA-106). Teton embarked Army forces for the occupation of Japan and proceeded to Honshū, arriving in Tokyo Bay on 29 August.
Teton was present on 2 September when the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on board the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63).
Teton stood out of Tokyo Bay on 25 September and headed for Guam to embark approximately 750 passengers for transportation to the United States. The ship reached San Francisco on 16 October; disembarked her passengers; and steamed west again three days later.
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