My wife, Cathy, and I are volunteers aboard my old battleship, USS Missouri (BB-63). I am one of the Volunteer Supervisors. During 2008, I had the privilege of working with "Wounded Warriors" (Marines) back from Afghanistan/Iraq. A group of those warriors volunteered to come aboard and help in the repair and preservation of the ship.
I am frequently called upon to speak to groups visiting the Mighty Mo. I spoke to 57 newly appointed CPO's at the third CPO Legacy Academy held aboard the ship (2008). On 30 Aug 2011, I was guest speaker for the CPO Legacy Academy Class of 43 new CPO's. Command Master Chief of the Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific, Patricia M. Roebuck and 7 Senior Chiefs from local commands were also in attendance. I was asked to speak during the CPO Legacy Classes of 2010, 2011, two classes in 2012, and will be speaking with the two classes of 2013.
I was asked to be the Keynote Speaker at the Veterans Day Sunset Ceremony held aboard the battleship USS Missouri on 11/11/11. More than 250 people attended; including a dozen or so active duty Flag & General Officers. I heard one of the best renditions of our National Anthem, sung by a TSgt Laura Murdzia, USAF. I was completely surprised when, at the conclusion of the Flag ceremony performed by the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Old Glory Detail, the ceremonial Flag was presented to me. It was, to say the least, an awesome experience! Please see "Family New" section for some photos.
As a result of an article I submitted to AMVETS Magazine, the Commander of Post #1 in Honolulu, Hawaii contacted me. After a rather lengthy discussion, I was offered the position of Post Legislative Director and Editor of the Post's Newsletter. I agreed, with one proviso; I would be a volunteer.
Other Comments:
In 1970, I was personally selected by RADM Dean L. Axene to be his Writer and Administrative Assistant. I was later officially assigned the duties as his Enlisted Flag Officer Personal Aide. I was, at that time, the first and only Enlisted Flag Officer Personal Aide in the U.S. Navy and I was issued shoulder Aiguillettes signifying that I was a Personal Aide to a Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy.
I also served aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in the Operations Office (1957/59), a couple shore duty assignments, 10 years with NATO Commands (including NATO HQ Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium) and a tour of duty as a Naval Advisor in Vietnam (1966/67) with MACV/SOG.
I am a member of The Battleship Missouri Association and am a Plank Owner/Crewmember of the "Friends of the Mighty Mo." I am also a member of the USS Missouri Association Legacy Society. I am a member of the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) Association .
Iowa Class Battleship: Displacement 45,000 Tons, Dimensions, 887' 3" (oa) x 108' 2" x 37' 9" (Max). Armament 9 x 16"/50 20 x 5"/38AA, 80 x 40mm 49 x 20mm, 3 AC. Armor, 12 1/8" Belt, 17" Turrets, 1 1/2" +6" +5/8" Decks, 17 1/4" Conning Tower. Machinery, 212,000 SHP; G.E. Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 1921.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York Naval Ship Yard, January 6, 1941. Launched January 29, 1944. Commissioned June 11, 1944. Decommissioned February 26, 1955. Recommissioned May 10, 1986. Decommissioned March 31, 1992. Stricken for disposal January 12, 1995. Donated for preservation May 4, 1998.
Fate: Preserved as a museum at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, June 1998.
Other Memories I enlisted on my 17th birthday in 1950 and rode a Greyhound bus from Akron to Columbus, Ohio where I was sworn in. Darned if I can remember exactly how we got from Columbus to Great Lakes!?! I was assigned to Company 107 and there were a total of 60 in our Company. A photo of the Company is attached. I was never asked my age, but was accepted in the U.S. Naval Reserve 0-2 Program at age 16. My brother had been in the Navy since Pearl Harbor and was stationed at the Reserve station in our home town. During that year prior to enlisting in regular Navy, I learned close-order marching, semaphore, morse code, rifle drills, etc. Because of that training, I was selected as ACPO of Company 107. Near the end of training, our company was merged with either 106 or 108 and I was ACPO of this new 120 man Company. A couple days before graduation, all post-grad orders were cancelled and all leaves were cancelled. Fighting in Korea was heating up and there was an emergency need for men to man various ships. We were troop-trained from GLakes to Norfolk, VA. We spent the night in a Quonset Hut and marched to Pier 7 the following morning at about 0600. As we marched up Pier 7, all jaws dropped several inces as we looked up at the biggest ship most of us had ever seen. It was the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63). As we marched up the after gangway, we were met by an officer who was assigning us to particular Divisions aboard the ship. The first 30 or 40 guys were assigned to Deck Divisions and I was among 12 who were assigned to the FA Division. We quickly learned that this was the Fire Control Division. Lot's of grumbling started up and then we learned that the FA Division Firecontrolmen were responsible for the ship's armament (guns). That suited us! We thought were were going to be fire fighters! About two or three hours later, they hauled in the lines and the tugs pushed that big hunk of metal out into the channel. We were soon breaching the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. I heard a loud "click" from the speakers and Captain Irving T. Duke began to address the crew. He told us that we were steaming, with all haste, to Korean waters. A very loud voice of approval filled the air. Hell, man, we were going into combat! It was an adventurous journey from Norfolk to Korea; lots and lots of training, learning the ship from stem to stern/keel to mast, studying for advancement to Seaman First Class, etc. Later that day, we encountered a hurricane off Cape Hatteras. We learned later that there was a time schedule to keep and we were scheduled to be a part of the invasion of Inchon in mid-September. (That remained classifued until we got closer to our destination). The decision to go through the hurricane was costly (in damages as well as in time). The typhoon (Kezia) we hit in Japanese waters was skirted by the ship, but we lost more time. We passed through the Panama Canal and made re-supply stops at San Diego and Pearl Habor. At Pearl Harbor, the 20MM guns were installed and thousands 5"/38 rounds and 40MM rounds were hauled aboard. Rather than fill 10 pages of all that took place during that combat deployment, suffice it to say that we had about 8 months of BOOM, BANK, POW POW POW and there was never a dull moment. We put in to Sasebo and/or Yokosuka, Japan several times for more ammo and stores and quick liberty. In addition to carrier screening duties, the Mo had 19 Bombardment Missions, two of which were called major battles (earning the ship & her crew two battle stars on the Korean Service Ribbon.) I was assigned duties as Telephone Talker and Assistant Director Operator of the 40mm gun mount on the fantail, port side. I was qualified on the MK 51 Director and could takeover any gun crew position should anyone become incapacitated. A photo of the gun mount I was assigned to during Battle Stations is in my photo gallery. During the trip to Korea and back, I stood OOD Messenger watches on the bridge. I had to really learn the entire ship to accomplish that job. Since we arrived too late for the Inchon invasion, we were set up the East coast for some divirsionary action. The harbor at Inchon had the second largest tide shift in the world. When the tide went out, the water dropped about 32 feet. The Missouri would not have been able to enter the harbor at low tide. On 15 Sep 1950, the first bombardment by 16 inch guns took place at Samchoc, N. Korea. For most of October, we hit targets up and down the East Coast. During the period 15-31 October, we supported mine-sweeping and amphibious landings at Wonsan, N. Korea. Other ships were three cruisers; the Helena (CA-75), Toledo (CA-133, and the Manchester (CA-83). We provided covering fire for the First Marine Division during their breakout from the Chosin Reservoir and march to the sea at Hungnam where they were taken aboard ships awaiting their arrival. It was a proud assignment for the ship! We were again part of a deception at Inchon Harbor during 8-10 February which forced the enemy to retreat from Inchon. During 14-19 March the Mo participated in five consecutive days of firing off Kyojo Wan, Songjin, Chaho and Wonsan. We destroyed 8 railroad bridges and 7 highway bridges, halted the enemy's use of the East Coast transportation system. I shall never forget how cold it was while we were in Korean waters. It was the colded winter in Korea's history. Temps dropped to 30 and 40 degrees below zero which gave us a wind-chill of 80 degrees below zero. I heard the wind-chill hit lalmost 100 degrees below zero a couple of times. After I transferred from the ship in 1951 I did not see the ship again until 2006 when my wife & I were married onboard her in a grand ceremony. It had never been done before! It was allowed only because I am a former crewmember. We both do volunteer work on the ship which is berthed on Ford Island, just 20 minutes from our home. I give a lot of talks to groups who visit the ship and I supervise groups who come aboard to help in the maintenance of her. I was one of many Korean War Veterans to receive a personal letter from President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung-bak. It is now displayed on my memory wall. A book about the Korean War, (Voices From Korea) has just been published. Written by Douglas Rice. I was asked to contribute information, photos, etc. when this book was being put together. A fabulous personalized account of the Korean War by those who fought it.