Article by Gary J Pieroni, (1981 240D)
On a gorgeous, sunny morning, over 20 eager club members of the San Francisco Chapter met in Pt. Richmond to begin a First Sunday Drive through historic WWII memorials. First up, was a drive through the town and hills of Pt. Richmond, first laid out and settled in the early 1900s to house workers from the newly built Standard Oil of California Refinery in 1901. The winding harbor and port roads led the convoy of shinny Benzes to the SS Red Oak Victory, the only surviving WWII war ship built at the Kaiser Shipyard. Commissioned as the USS Red Oak Victory by the U.S. Navy on December 5, 1944, the ship served as an ammunition ship in the South Pacific throughout WWII. From 1947 to 1968, the ship was re-activated on several occasions and operated by the Merchant Marine, making voyages to India, Pakistan, Cuba, plus later making trips to South-East Asia while providing support services for both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
After climbing aboard and walking the corridors to explore navy life at sea, the drivers fired up their engines and headed out to visit the Rosie the Riveter Museum. The museum fully documented and highlighted the rapid growth of 1940’s era Richmond and the universal call to women to work outside the home to help with the war effort. It took the some getting used to for the men, but soon they realized that everyone needed to pull together to “get the boys home.” The museum was on the grounds of the old Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant at the end of Harbour Way South, now turned into renovated industrial retail outlets, offices, and eateries.
After learning about WWII Richmond history and the vast contribution the city put forth in the war effort, the members gathered outside to eat some delicious lunch at Tommy’s BBQ. Good times were shared, and it was evident everyone was grateful to gather again after a long hiatus during COVID. 2022 will be a great year with monthly and bi-monthly drives to get our “garage queens” out on the open road where they belong!
