Erisman, Rick, RM2

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I was graduating from college. I did not know what I wanted to do. I decided to enlist and serve my country. My Grandfather, Col. Hartley Allen Moon, WWI Veteran, was Adjutant Brigadier General of Alabama and on the General Staff of the U.S. Army at Washington. My Uncle, Capt. Richard Hartley Moon served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. My cousin, John "Jack" Lindsay served as an Officer in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63. My Godfather, Lt. James Ewin Lamb, Jr., served in the U.S. Army.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I served aboard the USS Terrebonne Parish (LST-1156) the longest. Through our Association Reunions, shipmates continue to bond. I never intended to make military service a career.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Carib 1-70 Cruise [LST 1156, LPH 7, LKA 107, LSD 32, LST 1173, BLT 3/2 1970
Med 3-70 Cruise [LST 1156, LPA 38, LKA 56, LSD 34, BLT 3/8] 1970-1971
Southcom-Panama Canal Zone Deployment [LST 1156, BLT 2/6] 1971
Southcom-Panama Canal Zone Deployment [LST 1175] 1972
Carib 1-72 Cruise [LPD 11, CPR 6, LPD 15, LSD 34, LST 1192, BLT 1/8] 1972
Exercise Escort Tiger VIII, Vieques, Puerto Rico 1.18.1970
Exercise Veritas III, Vieques, Puerto Rico 3.23.1970
Exercise Escort Venus I, Culebra, Puerto Rico 4.29.1970
Exercise Exotic Dancer III, Onslow Beach, NC 5.15.1970
Exercise Bascolex 9-70, Little Creek, "Anzio Beach," VA 8.6.1970
Exercise Escort Lion II, Coosaw River, SC 8.25.1970
Exercise Phiblex 6-71, Porto Scuda, Sardinia, Italy 12.16.1970
Exercise Phiblex 8-71, Navplion, Greece 2.11.1971
Exercise Phiblex 9-71, Carboneras, Spain 3.23.1971
Bita Grande Exercise, Rio Hato Beach, Republic of Panama 8.10.1971
Exercise Exotic Dancer V, Onslow Beach, NC 5.10.1972
Exercise Doria Salute IV, Vieques, Puerto Rico 10.5.1972
Exercise Agile Jouster, Vieques, Puerto Rico 1.10.1973

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I have fondest memories of having served aboard the USS Terrebonne Parish LST 1156 from 1970-1971. I am the Ship's Historian for the USS Terrebonne Parish LST 1156 Reunion Association. We have conducted 13 reunions since 2002. Our 14th reunion is scheduled to be conducted in Providence, RI in 2020.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I recall watching the Russian [Navy] trawlers following us during deployment to the Med and observing them through the radio shack scuttle door aft.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I served both as the RCPO and 1st Platoon Leader of Co. 136 at NTC/RTC Orlando, FL in 1969.
I graduated 2nd in a class of 50 Radiomen Class 69-36A School students at SSC/NTC Bainbridge, MD in 1969.

I was eligible for re-enlistment upon honorable separation from active duty.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
I am most proud of the hand-painted certificate I received from the Spanish Navy Radiomen for assisting them with training. The USS Terrebonne Parish LST1156 was decommissioned and transferred to Spain on October 29, 1971. I was assigned to a Mobile Training Team until December when ex-LST-1156 became Spanish Ship L-11.

I also was assigned to a Mobile Training Team and had the privilege of assisting Italian Navy Radiomen July 17, 1972, when the USS York County LST 1175 was decommissioned and transferred to Italy to become ITS Nave Caorle L-9891.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
RM3 Raymond H. Pfeiffer was my best friend and fellow radioman. We enjoyed liberty frequently and I participated in his travel company's tours, especially the 40th and 50th anniversary of D-Day celebrations at Normandy. He is deceased as of 9.13.2017.

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
I reunite and bond with shipmates during reunions of the USS Terrebonne Parish LST 1156 Association established in 2002. I am the Ship's Historian. We have had 13 reunions. Our 14th reunion is to be conducted at Providence, RI in 2020.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Yes. As a Radioman we made "burn" runs in port to dispose of classified communications. While in port at Rodman Naval Support Activity in the Panama Canal Zone, several of us made a "burn" run across the Bridge of the Americas across the Canal Zone. Unfortunately, one of the bags of radio "traffic" opened and scattered off the bridge to the shore. We spent a lot of time gathering "lost" communications. We succeeded!

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I became a National Park Ranger after separation from the U.S. Navy in June 1973 until my retirement in June 1998.

I was designated as Ship's Historian for our USS Terrebonne Parish LST-1156 Reunion Association in 2002.

I have been a volunteer at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, PA since 2007.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
U.S. LST Association
USS Terrebonne Parish LST 1156 Reunion Association
Regional Military Museum, Houma, LA
Veterans Breakfast Club, Pittsburgh, PA
The American Legion Post 540, Brookline, PA

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
I believe that I am a better person having served my country. My service also enhanced my ability to continue my career path with the National Park Service and into retirement as a volunteer at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Expect the unexpected. Watch your back. Come home safely.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

Together We Served and Veteran Community

I have been able to remain in contact with former shipmates who belong to our USS Terrebonne Parish LST 1156 Reunion Association. I have also sponsored deceased shipmates that I served with or have made friends with through the USS Terrebonne Parish LST 1156 Reunion Association.

KC 3/27/19
kC 3/31/19
KC 4/21/19