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.
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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 .
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Best Moment The Air Boss and I worked pretty close with the Flight Schedules and one day he asked if I would like to take a hop in one of the A3D (Skywarrior) Bomber Planes.
The catapult shot caused the skin on my face to crawl back over my skull and the arrested landing was an experience you never forgot. The day's mission was to practice laying small mines from the plane.
The pilot leaned down towards where I was seated and siad, "if we have to bail out, you go first down the slide or you get left here. If we belly-land at sea, you're last out and you better keep up!" I must admit I had to take a big gulp of air after that set of orders!
But, it was a great experience. I wrote a paper on it at the College of William & Mary and received an "A+" from the professor, who read the paper aloud to the class.
Chain of Command Our Skipper was Captain Allen M. Shinn and the XO was CDR Pierre Charbonnet. The XO was something to behold. When he came down the passageways, everyone pasted themselves against the bulkhead to make plenty of room for him to pass. I would bet my hat that he had an ironing board up his back and the ironed pleats in the back of his shirt would cut your fingers!
Other Memories After broken service (1954/57), I re-enlisted and received orders to the USS Forrestal (CVA-59).
I was assigned duties as Yeoman-in-Charge of the Operations Office. At sea, the Ops Office was a 24-hour busy place! I was in charge of two crews. The Ops Officer, Commander John H. Irrabino interviewed me when I arrived onboard. He said he wanted me to work with the night crew. The night crew was responsible for typing up, printing , and distributing the ship's daily Flight Schedule and the Daily Operations Schedule.
The Air Boss, CDR Judson C. Davis approved the Flight Schedule which was put together by two of his pilots, LT's James Hernandez Scott and Wynn F. Foster. The night crew typed the schedules and I was responsible for personally proof-reading them prior to printing (on a very noisy memeograph machine).
Once printed up, we had to deliver a copy to every Pilots' Ready Room and to various officers' quarters.
When the call for volunteers for UDT training came out in May 1959, I submitted a chit for assignment to that duty. On 9 June 1959 I received orders (copy of STO attached) to the NavPhibScol Little Creek, VA.
