Lassiter Morrison Quinn (3 July 1920 - 1 December 2011)

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I did not know Uncle Laster in childhood; I only remember him as a kind and generous person always willing to sit down and chat for a while. However, as I learned on a visit to Gatlinburg, TN, near his home in Sevierville in the late 90s, he was once a serious man who made significant money. He owned a very successful Tom's Roasted Peanuts distribution franchise in Orlando before Walt Disney came to the area. Laster invested heavily in vending machines in the 70s, which paid big dividends until he sold his distributorship in the late 1980s and moved to Tennessee with a Navy nurse he had encountered during WWII in the Solomon Islands. Ironically, during my visit, I met a Navy buddy from WWII who served with him and shared quite a bit about life for the two men during that hellish time in their lives. Upon parting, the gentleman shared this little tidbit: Laster was fairly easygoing and exceptionally smart, but if you were a 'Jap' in WWII, you never wanted Laster to grab a hold of you; you would be a dead Jap. I apologize for the language; it was just how he expressed it to me. I had spent three years in Japan in the Navy, and I think that sort of got him wound up. 

John F. Kennedy reported to the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Training Center, Melville, RI, on September 27, 1942, and Laster shows up in the Squadron Muster Logs three days later. Whether the two men ever crossed paths, I may never know. It should be noted that JFK completed PT-boat training on December 2, 1942, and was promoted from ENS to LTJG during his training phase. After Melville, he was assigned to the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron FOUR (MTBRon 4), where he briefly commanded PT-101. On February 23, 1943, JFK transferred from MTBRon 4 to MTBRon 2 as a replacement officer. He reached Tulagi on April 14, 1943, and took command of PT-109 on April 23, 1943.

Great Uncle Laster would arrive similarly on August 6, 1943, as a member of MTBRon-18. Again, I do not assert they knew one another, but it is an interesting historical fact that both served in the same Training Squadron, MTBRon-4. This connection adds to the rich Quinn family history and highlights Laster's experience as a WWII veteran.

CMMom Laster Quinn, USN (Chief Machinist Mate - Operations/Maintenance/Repair), known for his distinguished service during World War II, was attached to MTBRon-4 & MTBRon-18. His biography reflects a commitment to excellence and a dedication to his country.

**MTBRON-4**

Commissioned on 13 January 1942 and decommissioned on 15 April 1946, MTBRon-4 was assigned various boats including PT-59–68, 71, 72, 95-102, 139-141, 199, 200, 295, 296, 314-317, 450-452, PT 486, 487, 505, 545, 557-559, 564, 613, 616, 619, and 620. This squadron served as the training unit at the Melville Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center. In April 1942, MTBRon-4, which included PT 613, 616, and PT 619, 620, was transferred to the Operational Development Force.

**Squadron Commanders**

The squadron saw several commanders over the years, starting with LT Rollin E. Westholm from January 13 to February 2, 1942, followed by LCDR Alan R. Montgomery, LCDR William C. Specht, and others, culminating with LCDR John K. Williams who served until April 15, 1946.

The **Melville Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center (MTBSTC)** was established on February 17, 1942, by the United States Navy for World War II operations. Located in Melville, Rhode Island, on Narragansett Bay, it was affectionately nicknamed 'Spect Tech' after its first commander, Lieutenant Commander William C. Specht.

**History**

Training at MTB Training Center Melville began in March 1942 with 51 officers and 177 enlisted men, initially using ten PT boats of MTB Squadron Four. The men lived in quonset huts while training in various operations including PT Boat formations and maneuvers, repairs, and live fire gunnery. By March 1945, the center had trained 1,797 officers and 11,668 enlisted men, showcasing the impressive scale of WWII veteran training efforts.

**Notable events**

Significant incidents included a torpedo launched in error by PT-59 that hit the cargo ship USS Capella, highlighting the intense training and operational environment at MTBSTC. 

**MTBRON-18**

Commissioned on 27 March 1943 and decommissioned on 1 November 1945, MTBRon-18 was assigned boats PT-103–105, 147, 148, and 362-371. This squadron participated in various operations throughout the Southwest Pacific, including key engagements in New Guinea and the Philippines. 

**What MTBRon-18 did**

MTBRon-18 conducted vital night patrols and coastal interdictions against Japanese vessels, supporting Allied forces' advances in the region. The squadron's contributions were crucial in battles such as the Battle of Wakde, an integral part of the Western New Guinea campaign.

The legacy of the Quinn family history is intertwined with the valor displayed by veterans like Laster Quinn, who served in the challenging environments of WWII, ensuring their contributions will not be forgotten.