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Personal Details
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Home State
Wisconsin | |
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Year of Birth
1951 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Thomas Ollom (The Boss), GMCS
to remember
Siebers, Dale, FCC USN(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Contact Info
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Home Town
Kaukauna |
Date of Passing
Jun 08, 2020 |
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Location of Interment
Highland Memorial Park - Appleton, Wisconsin |
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Last Known Activity:
Dale Siebers, Kaukauna, age 68, beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, passed away on June 8, 2020. During a brutal cancer battle of more than two years, he consistently showed bravery, good humor, and dignified composure. At his death, he was surrounded by loved ones.
Dale was born July 3, 1951 to Emmett (“Bing”) and Janice Siebers (nee Agen). After graduating from Kaukauna High School, he joined the US Navy, serving six years of active duty primarily aboard the USS Lynde McCormick, and then 15 years in the US Naval Reserve, retiring as Chief in 1995. During that time, he worked as an electrician before joining Procter & Gamble, where he was employed for over 20 years until his retirement in 2012. He loved working with electronics and computers throughout his career, and, after retiring, used these skills as a volunteer for the local library and for historical societies, cataloging and digitizing documents. He was a proud member of VFW Post 3319, where he served as an officer for many years, and American Legion Post 41.
Dale credited his Navy career with developing his love of travel. There were always places to go and things to see. He met his mate for life, Sharon, in 1984. She shared his love for adventure, travel, and bicycling, and, together, they visited 49 states and multiple countries. He was a true animal lover, keeping cats as pets for over 30 years.
Dale was distinguished by his extroverted nature, endless desire for learning, and openness to people and experience. Whether sitting with his buddies and brothers in a Kaukauna coffee shop, sipping a pint in a London pub, or enjoying a great dinner in Rome, he was the same friendly, curious, good-hearted person, wanting to engage with people, discuss ideas, learn from others, and help them out if they needed it. He was a wonderful man of deep character who thought life was full of “good stuff.”
Dale is survived by his wife, Sharon Verstegen, his mother, Janice, and six siblings: Dennis (Lynn Clark), Gary (Diane), Rick, Cindy (Dick Kirk), Scott, and Wendy (Jerry Clish). He is further survived by his niece, Krisha (Brant Janssen) and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as countless friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Bing, in 1975.
A celebration of Dale’s well-lived life will take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at HIGHLAND MEMORIAL PARK (3131 N. Richmond St. Appleton) beginning at 1:00 p.m. until time of Funeral at 3:00 p.m. Military honors, conducted by the Kaukauna V.F.W. Post 3319 and American Legion Post 41, will immediately follow.
“It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
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Other Comments:
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1971-1972, FT-1128, Afloat Training Group (Staff) NTC Great Lakes, IL
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1972-1977, FT-1128, USS Lynde McCormick (DDG-8)
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1980-1995, FC-0000, Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Center (NMCRC) Green Bay WI
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1981-1981, FT-0000, USS Texas (CGN-39)
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1982-1983, FT-0000, USS Richmond K. Turner (CG-20)
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1984-1985, FC-0000, USS Shenandoah (AD-44)
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1986-1986, FC-0000, Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA), Naval Station (NAVSTA) Treasure Island, CA
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1987-1987, FC-0000, USS Richmond K. Turner (CG-20)
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1988-1988, FC-0000, USS Shenandoah (AD-44)
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1989-1989, FC-0000, Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA), Naval Base (NAB) Little Creek, VA
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1990-1990, FC-0000, Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA), Naval Support Activity Charleston, SC
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1991-1991, FC-0000, SIMA, NRMF Philadelphia
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1992-1994, FC-0000, NAWS China Lake
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Reflections on CPO Siebers's
US Navy Service
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TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
I was classified 1A with the local Draft Board in Appleton in 1970. I reported to AFEES in Milwaukee in September for pre-induction screening. In January 1971, I received my orders to report for duty. This finally spurred some action on my part. A good friend--Bob Wentzel--and I joined the USN on the Delayed Entry Program. I reported for active duty at Great Lakes, IL on April 14, 1971.
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TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
I joined the Navy in its Advanced Electronics program. I became a Fire Control Technician (Guns) and a "pushbutton 3rd Class Petty Officer at the completion of boot camp and Fire Control A School. After C school, I reported aboard USS Lynd McCormick which was in the shipyard in Long Beach, CA at the time. I stayed with her until the end of my enlistment on April 13, 1977. I left to return to family in Wisconsin.
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IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
USS Lynde McCormick DDG-8 deployed on two WESTPAC cruises while I was a crewmember, one in 1973 and another in 1974-75. We operated on Yankee Station and the South China Sea during the 1st WESTPAC. On the 2nd we deployed as far west as Massawa, Ethiopia (now Eritrea) in the Red Sea. There were at least two Israeli ships in the Red Sea at the time; it was supposed that they might make a run out of the Red Sea as we entered; we were at General Quarters the entire time of passage. It turned out to be uneventful. We never saw the Israeli's.
The beer was warm and the people were impoverished. The seaport was dusty and dry; we stayed two days and proceeded on our return voyage. The Indian Ocean was calm most of the time, like a sheet of glass. The radar picture often seemed as if there was a malfunction; we saw no "sea return"--a condition normally seen because of wave action. Transiting the Straits of Malacca had us at Special Sea Detail for 24 hours each way for navigation. When we exited en route Singapore, we crossed the equator and became "Shellbacks", a proud moment.
Port visits included Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, and Ethiopia.
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DID THEY ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING THEIR MILITARY SERVICE WHERE THEY BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY HE/SHE MIGHT NOT SURVIVE. TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
At one refueling-at-sea evolution, while flaking out the line for pulling the refueling probe across, I was twice knocked down and dragged by the line as the two ships rolled away from each other. We suspected a malfunction with the Oilers gear, but no one ever knew for sure. The danger was when tangled in the line, one could be dragged through the pulleys and chocks. I survived the evolution and was advanced to 1st Class Petty Officer, and consequently was off the line handling detail.
Other dangers--common to all seafarers--were typhoons, close ship interactions (especially in the Malacca Straits), and ordnance malfunctions during gun firing evolutions.
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OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
My best duty station was DDG-8, where I spent most of my active duty. In 1980, I joined the Navy Reserve and spent more than 15 years there. Among the best ACDUTRA's was the USS Shenandoah. We sailed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from Norfolk and conducted REFTRA. Other ACDUTRA's included going to sea aboard USS Texas CGN-39 and USS Richmond K. Turner CG-20. Duty at shore stations during the Reserve years was less exciting and fulfilling.
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FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
Being the caretaker of all the equipment involved in directing gunfire. The Mk. 68 system was in its midlife; my favorite equipment to repair and maintain was the radar set. I am still impressed with its capabilities. Of course, the computer (analog) and drive systems were challenges too, but the radar was my baby. I continued being involved with electronics for the rest of my working life, both military and civilian.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?
Sea Service Deployment medal; awarded twice for deployments. I loved being at sea.
Navy Achievement Medal; awarded near the end of my Reserve career for administrative excellence at Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Green Bay, WI.
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OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
I was selected as Sailor of the month in 1974, which was novel, but other than the others previously mentioned, becoming a Shellback ranks pretty high on my list.
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IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
FTM1 Joe Bland: one of my instructors at FTA school; he was knowledgeable and fair.
FTGC Bill Jaycox: my chief on DDG-8 for a time. He was a good technical resource, a fair administrator, and a fun shipmate--both at sea and ashore.
FTG1 Rick Bush: a mentor and shipmate on DDG-8. He taught me leadership and administrative skills that were of value for the rest of my naval and civilian careers. We are still in touch to this day; he is a great shipmate.
GMG1 Doug Haefner: a lead gunner and personal friend. We helped each other with advancement and shared our technical skills on guns and fire control equipment.
Cdr. Harris Sperling: Commanding Officer--the very best in my experience.
LtJG Goldenstein: Division Officer--friendly and personable.
CWO2 McKillips: A friend and guide to keep my Work Center (WF01) on its toes and ready.
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IF KNOWN, PLEASE RECOUNT THE NAMES OF FRIENDS HE/SHE SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATION, AND WHAT WAS REMEMBERED MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE HE/SHE REMAINED IN TOUCH WITH.
RPCS Richard M. Bush: we are still in contact on a frequent basis for over 40 years.
FTGC William Jaycox: from Whitefish, MT. I don't know where he went; I wouldn't mind making contact.
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FTG1 Peter J. Engledow: have been in contact occasionally through the years.
FTG2 John C. Nodolf: have been in contact occasionally through the years.
GMG1 Clint (NMN) Sims: don't know where he went; would like to know.
GMG1 Doug Haefner: Lost track of him after a couple of letters in 1977; found him in 2019, a bit northwest of Vinton, IA (his hometown); we corresponded briefly)
There were a lot more friends I made aboard DDG-8 that I could recount, but these were my closest acquaintances.
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ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
When GMG1 Sims, well trained in firearms, discharged a .45 into the overhead of the armory aboard ship. No harm was done, but there was an investigation.
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IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
Electronics repair, Electrical and Instrument Technician, and management. I am still well-versed in computers, administration, and electronics; I am retired.
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IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 351), Fleet Reserve Association.
Friendship and affiliation with others that have military backgrounds; providing help and assistance to veterans of all periods.
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IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
I miss the sea and the excitement (and sometimes boredom) of military life. Overall, the military service provided guidance and self-reliance skills that shaped a lifetime. If not for being initially conscripted and thus joining the USN, I would have been mediocre in life. I feel that because of the military training and discipline, I became an achiever at every job I have held.
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IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Stick with it, do the best that you can. Retire from the service, whether active or reserve, the monetary and health care benefits are worth more than you can imagine.
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HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
It provided a venue for cataloging and organizing thoughts and military achievements, places visited, medals earned, and a place to find old shipmates. kc 12/6/18
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