I am looking for the book - DD 522: Diary of a destroyer : the action
saga of the USS Luce from the Aleutian and Philippine campaigns to her
sinking off Okinawa By Ron Surels. It is out of print, but I would
like to find a copy to purchase. I am also looking for the list of all
of the crew on board when it sank. Thank you for your help.
Amanda

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 16 Jan 2006 19:24 PST

Amanda,

You have asked for two things (the book and the list) and it's
probably better if you were post these as two separate questions. 
It's unlikely that a single researcher would be able to uncover both
items.

Just a suggestion...

pafalafa-ga

I haven't found a copy of your book, but you might want to go on
Amazon's list in case a used copy becomes available there:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0964340305

Apparently Abebooks doesn't have it either, but you can leave "want to
find" posting on this site:
http://www.abebooks.com/

No answer here either.  You might check with the Columbia Trading
Company at (508) 778-2929.  The Google Cache shows a copy in their
store for $35.  Their copy has probably been sold as it no longer
appears on the live site, but it may be worth looking into.  It will
be the third link if you search Google for the ISBN. "0964340305"

As far as not-for-sale copies go (if that would be of any help), I am
aware of one at the Boston Public Library (bpl.org).  You may wish to
check with your nearest major library too.

Book Info from CTC:
Published: Plymouth NH: Valley Graphics, 1994 208pp, 9pp b/w photos, appendices
0964340305

It's a very uncommon title, I have been unable to find a copy
currently available anywhere. One online dealer with virtually no
credibility claims to have a copy. You can check their feedback at
http://www.fetchbook.info/sellerReviews.do?search=0964340305&storeId=10053
I wouldn't waste your time, though.
Otherwise I can only find a couple of refernces to now unavailable copies.

It may have been a self publication, or at least a specialist
publication with a very small print run.
New York Public Library does not have a copy. The Library of Congress
does have 2 copies http://catalog.loc.gov/webvoy.htm

This appears to be the publisher, although after 10 years it is very
unlikely they have any, Valley Graphics Inc Rt 25 Plymouth, NH 03264
603-536-2020.
If the title was self published or print on demand the author might
still have copies and it could be worthwhile trying to contact him. He
is an adjunct professor of history at New Hampshire Technical
Institute, they may be willing to put you in touch or pass on a
message - main switchboard number at NHTI is (603) 271-6484.

Hi,

Could not find the book but found a list of 18 crewmembers of the USS
Luce alongwith some of their phone numbers. Hope this helps. I am
trying to qualify as a researcher, LOL. There are also email ID's for
quite a few of these gentlemen.

http://www.mustangone.com/cgi-bin/crewlisting.pl?classid=DD-445&hulln=522


Cheers...Vimal India

Hi, 

Me again. Located a copy but it is in the library of congress (dunno
where that is as i am in India) see link below. Published in 1994 so
publisher must have a copy.

http://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate

Additional book info 

http://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+2338878+Default+1+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+6+/cgi-bin/zgate\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\%3fACTION%3dINIT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/locils2.html,z3950.loc.gov,7090

The quote below is from a careers website of a gentleman who worked at
the Valley Graphics outfit. You could mail him at the ID below and ask
for a physical address for the company and/or a telephone contact:

"1998 - 2000 Graphic Designer / Quality Auditor, Valley Graphics,
Inc., Plymouth, NH · Illustrated and designed layouts for phone
directory advertisements. "

Douglas Rogers

Contact information
Address: 
5056 Lamson Ave

Spring Hill, FL 34608
United States

Phone: 609-575-2346
Fax: 
Pager: 
Email: anim8@jollyrogersink.com
Web Address: www.jollyrogersink.com

Hope you get that book. Even though i am not a researcher i would like
it if you mail me a comment and rate my answer.

Thanks

Vimal India

I have rechecked all my usual sources and no copies of the book have
become available.

I was able to obtain a copy of the official casualty list from the
Bureau of Naval Personnel. Particularly moving is the number of crew
reported missing in action with the remarks "Apparently uninjured.
Would not abandon ship".

I have scanned copies of all the available material and have uploaded
them for you at:
http://esnips.com/web/ussluce

htfb-ga,

I hope Amanda checks in and sees your link to the Navy records. 
Thanks for posting those...it is quite a find.

Can you tell us the process of how you came by these.

Thanks,

paf

Hi pafalafa

old skool research my friend
sometimes you just have to get someone to open a filing cabinet and
stroll on down to the photocopier