This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Eugene Claude Ipox, Jr., TM1
to remember
Daniels, Jr., Thomas Woodley, PO2.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Fayetteville
Last Address Germantown, TN
Date of Passing Jul 27, 2012
Location of Interment Memorial Park Cemetery - Memphis, Tennessee
Thomas Woodley Daniels, Jr, of Germantown, TN, 86, passed away July 27, 2012. He was born July 3, 1926 in Fayetteville, NC to Emma Johnson and Thomas Woodley Daniels, Sr. He attended 71st High School, Fayetteville, NC and received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and his Master’s degree from Florida Institute of Technology. He married Nellie Beard on November 20, 1943 in South Mills, NC. Mr. Daniels served 4 years in the United States Navy and 34 1/2 years in the United States Army retiring as a Colonel. He served on the submarine USS Perch II in World War II, as a military advisor in Vietnam, and in the Korean War. He was awarded over 15 Medals including, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Submarine Combat Badge, and Republic of Korea's Order of National Security Merit Samil Medal. He was a dedicated tennis fanatic and loved all sports as well as history. He especially loved anything and everything that had to do with his children, grandchildren and great-children, including camping, fishing, swimming, boating and the ins-and-outs of machinery. He was a Sunday school teacher and deacon at Germantown Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Nellie Beard Daniels; three children; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother; and one sister. He was fondly known as Dr. Quack! to his children This was his doctor persona with all his children. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, July 31 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 1 at Germantown Baptist Church. Interment with full military honors will follow in Memorial park Cemetery. He lived a life of "Service" to his God, Country and Family.
Other Memories War Patrols 3-4-5-6-7, aboard 8/31/44 to 5/16/46
Third and fourth war patrols, September 1944 ? February 1945
Perch departed Pearl Harbor on her third war patrol 19 September. At Midway she joined submarines Croaker (SS-246) and Escolar (SS-294) and the three set out for the confined waters of the East China and Yellow Seas. Perch unsuccessfully attacked one heavily escorted transport, and performed lifeguard duty supporting B-29 raids on Honshû. Perch then headed for Saipan to refuel en route to Brisbane, Australia, for duty with Submarines, Southwest Pacific Fleet.
The fourth war patrol began 19 December from Brisbane. First Perch patrolled off Hainan, China; next off Singapore; and finally in Balabac Straits off Borneo. She sighted no enemy ships, and the patrol ended at Fremantle, Western Australia, 15 February 1945.
Fifth and sixth war patrols, March ? June 1945 On 12 March Perch departed Fremantle carrying with her eleven Australasian specialists trained in commando warfare, under the command of Major Donald Stott. On the first night of the mission, in the Makassar Straits, above Balikpapan, Borneo, she landed four of the party (including Stott) who were to make a reconnaissance of the beach and surrounding territory. Coming in close ashore two nights later to disembark the remainder of the party, Perch contacted a 300-ton coastal freighter that threatened to cut off her return to open water. She engaged it with gunfire and the second hit caused the freighter burst into flames and sink.[5] The first party were never heard from again. It was speculated that the engine which powered the officers kyak was heard. Locals believed they had been captured and executed by the Japanese. The second party rowed ashore, and placed their charges to blow up an oil supply pipeline. They were closely chased by Japanese patrols, but escaped by taking a small boat off the island. They were picked up well out to sea by a Catalina on patrol; only two of the party survived.[citation needed] Perch returned to Fremantle, Western Australia, completing her fifth war patrol.
On 15 April Perch departed Fremantle on her sixth war patrol and journeyed to the Java Sea to hunt out the enemy. When she contacted a convoy of two ships, an alert Japanese escort discovered Perch and subjected her to a severe two-hour depth charging which caused considerable damage throughout the boat. She then sailed to the China coast to patrol off Hainan before returning to Pearl Harbor 5 June.
Seventh war patrol, July ? August 1945 On 11 July Perch departed Pearl Harbor and after fueling at Saipan, proceeded north for duty in the "Lifeguard League" off Japan. On 13 August she rescued a Navy Corsair pilot from the water two miles (3 km) offshore, bombarded fishing vessels and buildings on the beach, and retired to sea. A few hours later the same day, she picked up another pilot from the same fighter squadron five miles (8 km) offshore. Two days later Japan capitulated and Perch returned to Pearl Harbor 30 August.
