171 - December 27, 2006 7:28 pm

Name:

Dick Beecher

Tender:

ad-19, as-32. as34

Comments:

How may TM, are still there

172 - December 27, 2006 3:31 pm

Name:

Jerry

Tender:

Proteus-19, Dixon-37

Comments:

(Proteus - Guam 74-75, Dixon - San Diego 75-077) Joining the Navy changed my entire future. These were the real formative years of my life. I can not say enough good things about it. No words can describe it.

For example: The first time I saw all the food in the cafeteria my first full day in bootcamp, I said to my self, "They can do anything the want to me, this food is worth it!!!"

I graduated as class honorman from MR"A" school and upon reporting to the Proteus I was assigned to the lock & engraving shop where I worked until being sent send to the messdesks. After my three months on the messdecks I was assigned to the Fleet Machine Shop. Chief Strum needed someone to run the tool crib so that was my assignment. several months later I final got to be the machinist I was tained to be. I volunteered for both DCT and RDT duty.

I was also volunteered for tent city duty. This was during the April 75 evac of Saigon. We put up thousands of tents at just one of the many processing camps. It was hotter than hell and the clay-dust turned all of my clothes a red-brown color. When it was over I bought all new uniforms. The late summer was so hot on GuAm that we switched to tropical hours which were form 4am till noon.

The steak cook outs at the yacht club were fantastic. Every Saturday moring I went to the USO. I boonie stumped all over the island.

After mustering out I completed a BSME degree and went on to work for some of the largest corporations in the world. Without the Navy none of this would have happened!!!

Oh, I forgot to mention the Dixon. I late her but did not care for the big city. I am a small town person and big cities are just something I visit for work or play. I sure wood like to hear from anyone I knew during these assignments. Neubouwer, Mango, (Rick F- Wissconsin), (John H- Ill), (Wendle K, Texas), Drop me a line guys if you are still out there!!!

173 - December 27, 2006 2:29 pm

Name:

Clark ETCM

Tender:

Sperry AS-12

Comments:

From: Bob Clark.
I'm trying to locate a cruise book from the time my Dad was aboard - approx. 1960-1980 - I think a WestPac cruise in 1967. He taught at Coronado ET school and was at Groton as well. Looking for any stories or fotos that show him working on subs and such. Thanks for any help or information!

174 - December 27, 2006 12:01 pm

Name:

Dan Howell HT2

Tender:

Gilmore AS16- Shenandoah AD26

Comments:

Served on the Gilmore from Jan 72' till March 74'. Had some great times in the Shipfitter Shop and made some great friends. La Madd was a blast and I still miss being there. Heard that La Madd will be closing in the next few years. Italy will be getting a great naval base, thanks to those who built from what it was to what it is today..

175 - December 23, 2006 1:05 am

Name:

Don Behrens

Tender:

USS Orion (AS-18)

Comments:

She was a great ship, I served on her from 1981 to 1983. I worked out of 38A outside machine shop. It is unfortunate that she is gone now, but the memories will always keep her alive "fair winds and following seas"

176 - December 23, 2006 1:01 am

Name:

Don Behrens

Tender:

USS Orion (AS-18)

Comments:

She was a great ship, It is unfortunate that she is gone "fair winds and following seas"

177 - December 20, 2006 9:15 am

Name:

Al Rothe

Tender:

Bushnell

Comments:

I served on COMKWESTFOR STAFF from 1967 to 1969. We lovingly refered to the Bushnell as "Building 15" because she was a constant "fixture" out on the Quay Wall. The joke was that they would have to dredge out the coffee ground in order to get the "Bush" underway! I do remember Camille in '69, I plotted the storm on the hugh wall map in the Command Post. As I recall, the Bushnell was on a port visit to New Orleans and had to ride out the hurricane tied to the dock because they could not get the crew back on board in time to sail down the Mississippi and get out to sea.

I do recall that the Bush spent several weeks rebuilding Pilot Town. My next door neighbor was a crewmember and talked about killing snakes by the hundreds and dealing with dead cattle.

A littel side note, there was a small sub at the base that simply went to the bottom of Key West Harbor to ride out storms!

RADM F.J. "Fuller" Brush was our commander at the time. He was once asked to show his ID to a clerk at the Commissary and the young girl asked, "you are a Radioman what class?"

178 - December 19, 2006 8:35 pm

Name:

Diane Clark

Tender:

USS Sperry

Comments:

My father was Chief Petty Officer Red Cantrell. He served on the Sperry for three years in the mid 50's (in San Diego). I have fond memories of being a very little girl and visiting the ship for holiday dinners. It was a great ship, but then, aren't they all? (Spoken like a true Navy Brat, huh?)

179 - December 15, 2006 3:50 pm

Name:

Norman Boucher

Tender:

USS Proteus AS 19

Comments:

i was in the 11th Div. 3/46
to 11/47 a great crew miss them.

180 - December 13, 2006 3:44 pm

Name:

DION CLARK

Tender:

USS OTIS

Comments:

MY FATHER WAS CWO3 BENEDICT (BEN) HERMAN CLARK
MACHINIST MATE ON THE USS OTIS. PASSED ON NOVEMEBER 27,1997. IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY, LET US NOT GIVE UP THE SHIP NOW IN THE PRESENT TIMES OF PERIL TO OUR NATION,DO NOT SUBMIT TO TYRANNY, AND LET THEIR BLOOD SHED FOR LIBERTY, DIE IN VAIN.
RALLY AROUND THE FLAG AND CONTACT ME AT
DRDIONCLARK@HOTMAIL.COM
GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA