Photos submitted by Chris Owen, son of Thomas H. Owen, BM2/c, USS Pillsbury

Chris writes, "My father died in 1995.  These photos were among his belongings.  To the best of my knowledge, they are U-858 crewmen onboard the Pillsbury.  Dad had a wrapped bar of German soap and an opened pack of German cigarettes he told me were swapped with U-858 crewmembers. 

[Administrator's note:   USS Pillsbury and USS Pope accepted the surrender of U-858 on 10 May 1945 and escorted her to the waters off Cape May, New Jersey arriving 14 May 1945.  Prisoners were transferred to the rescue tug ATR-57 and landed at Lewes Delaware.  U-858 was brought to anchor at Cape Henlopen, Delaware.]

Dad was on the deck force of the Pillsbury, but told us he was not allowed to be in the U-505 boarding party because he was married. "

U-858 CO Kapitänleutnant Thilo Bode (left) and Oberleutnant.

U-858 CO Kapitänleutnant Thilo Bode (left) and Oberleutnant.
Oberleutnant poses with Pillsbury crewmember
U-858 CO Kapitänleutnant Thilo Bode
U-858 CO Kapitänleutnant Thilo Bode wearing leather overcoat
U-858 CO Kapitänleutnant Thilo Bode wearing leather overcoat
U-858 and Pillsbury crewmembers, U-858 CO Kapitänleutnant Thilo Bode is the officer at right
U 858 crewmembers
U 858 arrives off Cape May, New Jersey
U 858 arrives off Cape May, New Jersey
U 858 arrives off Cape May, New Jersey
 
BM2/c Thomas H. Owen home on leave