INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF THE USS BOSTON SHIPMATES, INC.
Personal information that is posted in the Deck Log and Guest Book is for the sole use of USS BOSTON Shipmates to contact other USS BOSTON Shipmates. Access for any other purpose is prohibited.
Please respect the privacy of our members. If you believe that you have something of interest to our general membership, contact the Secretary, USS BOSTON Shipmates Inc.
These Deck Log entries are now frozen in time on May 31, 2001.
New entries will be made in the active DeckLog.
This is Volume 2 of our Deck Log, covering January 2001 to May 31 2001. You may wish to visit the following:
I hope you enjoy the USS BOSTON Shipmates Deck Log.
...Art
| Been awhile since I logged in. Been in touch with a few old shipmates and renewed some great friendships. K9, Mr. D and Scott are doing great. Still trying to locate J.P. If anyone knows his whereabouts, drop me a line, it's been too long. Everytime I get together with the guys that made the I/O, that's all we talk about. Talk about some good times, that was it. It was a long one, but I'll never forget the good times. Looking forward to hearing from anyone from that great crew of the early 80's, we were the best. | |
| DAVE ALBERTS <salberts@camcomp.com> | Thursday, May 31, 2001 at 10:18:35 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1982 to 1986 |
| Division: | Admin |
| Rank or Rate: | YN2(SS) |
| I am entering this for my husband, I hope anyone who was on ship with him will contact him. He is quite involved in our local Veteran Outreach and the selling of flags for flag day. I'm sure he would appreciate any leads or info he can receive on his ship and his mates. | |
| Jerry Lamb <lamb4394@aol.com> | Wednesday, May 30, 2001 at 19:12:56 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1968 to 1970 |
| Division: | CAG-1 |
| Rank or Rate: | SN |
| I found a can of beans and a can of tomatoes, but I can't find no can of lopes ! | |
| Chris Schreiber <CLisaHB@hotmail.com> | Tuesday, May 29, 2001 at 00:21:21 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1988 - 1992 |
| Division: | M |
| Rank or Rate: | MM2 |
| .....For those who paid the ultimate price......Freedom is Free..........but it does not come CHEAP.........THANKS. | |
| Edgar Rosas <eljefe5@hotmail.com> | Monday, May 28, 2001 at 08:52:19 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966-1969 |
| Division: | X Div (Captain's Office) |
| Rank or Rate: | YN2 |
| USS BOSTON (CA69) was a wonderful ship with an outstanding crew. It was an honor to serve aboard her .We had plenty of action, some of which is depicted in an excellent painting by James A. Flood. | |
| Lt Robert C Thompson, USNR(JAG) Retired <rthompson@adelphia.net> | Sunday, May 27, 2001 at 20:08:29 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1944 to 1946 |
| Division: | S |
| Rank or Rate: | Lt(jg) |
| I am looking forward to the reunion in July. But I am also looking for some of the A Division shipmates from the 60 to 64 time frame. We had some good times. Any one out there seen or heard from Vernon Centerbar from Burlington VT or Kenneth Hutton from PA, please let me know. Old shipmates are hard to find but once you find them you will then realize how valuable their freindship was then. I know because I have manage to locate about 24 of the A division shipmates from the 60 to 64 era. It wasn't easy but I have not had a regret so far except for my failure to contact one that died before I had a chance to see him. So with that I will leave you with this. GOD willing I will see some of you in July. Bobby Cribb MM2 wildgame@att.net Phone 803-821-8540 | |
| Bobby Cribb <wildgame@att.net> | Thursday, May 24, 2001 at 21:08:21 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1960 to 1964 |
| Division: | A DIV |
| Rank or Rate: | MM2 |
| AS I READ ALL THESE LETTERS ABOUT TH ACTION IN NAM, I SEE NOW HOW CALM IT WAS DURING MY TIME ABOARD. THE MOST ACTION I SAW WAS CLIMBING THE MAST AY MIDNIGHT IN JANUARY IN BOSTON TO GET A SODA FROM THE TOP WHERE WE STASHED THEM AFTER "FINDING" THEM IN THE WARRANT OFFICERS MESS. AT THE TIME A LOT OF US WERE NOT HAPPY AND COUNTING THE DAYS LEFT. NOW AS I AM MUCH OLDER I LOOK BACK AND CAN BE PROUD OF THE JOB WE DID. WE MAY HAVE GOOFED OFF A LOT BUT OUR RADARS AND RADIOS WERE ALWAYS UP AND RUNNING. HOPE TO YOU ALL IN BOSTON IN JULY. | |
| DONALD L. HOFMEISTER <D_HOFMEISTER@YAHOO.COM> | Monday, May 21, 2001 at 00:34:20 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1962-1965 |
| Division: | OE |
| Rank or Rate: | ETRSN TO ETR2 |
| Obituary: Osage - Donald Daryl "Wig" Kubicek, 75 Died Wednesday, May 16 at Faith Lutheran Home, Osage, Ia. of natural causes. Survivors include his wife, Marvel, a son, two grandchildren and a great-grandson. Mr.Kubicek served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Boston in the Pacific; he was employed by the Dept of Iowa Transporation until his retirement in Nov. 1987. | |
| Donald Daryl "Wig" Kubicek <none> | Sunday, May 20, 2001 at 17:24:08 |
| Tour Of Duty: | Unknown time in the Pacific |
| Division: | unknown |
| Rank or Rate: | unknown |
| Slank is absolutely right. I have serious memory problems as Barry Probst was kind enough to point out, but I know we were tracking with gun and missile systems that night, and beg as we might, we were not permitted to fire because of the IFF we were receiving. What a terrible waste occured after that. | |
| Dave Goodall <bigdave11@earthlink.net> | Sunday, May 20, 2001 at 00:58:28 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966 to 1970 |
| Division: | Fox, 10th |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM1 |
| Haste makes waste. I checked our cruise book, "The Last Salvo" and the date of the "cookoff" (as John Taylor calls it)of the gun barrel on mount 53 occurred on July 9, 1969, and not August 8 as I typed in my previous posting. | |
| John Jazdzewski <jdirects@execpc.com> | Saturday, May 19, 2001 at 09:18:11 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967-1970 |
| Division: | H |
| Rank or Rate: | HM3 |
| I have told the story of that night several time times since. And I remember it pretty much exactly as told by John Taylor. About the only thing that I can add is that the reason we did not fire guns or missiles at these aircraft was because they were "squawking friendly" on IFF when they would fly over us. The gun and missile folks were ready to pull the triggers at the fighter aircraft, but as I recall, we could not get permission to launch or fire guns. It was only a short while later we got the word that a US Airforce fighter confirmed releasing some air-to-air Sparrow missiles at some "helicopters" on that dark night. We had been informed there were "no friendlies in the area", but apparently the CAP fighters were there and mistook Boo Boo Maru for something else. Lucky guys on the Boo Boo Maru. | |
| Garry Slankard <gtslankard@sigecom.net> | Thursday, May 17, 2001 at 20:55:35 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967 - 1969 |
| Division: | Secondary Gun Fire Control |
| Rank or Rate: | FTG2 |
| If my memory is correct, the only thing I remember our missiles ever "killing" was a truck parked on the fantail when one of the phony missiles fell off and landed on the truck. Was that on the Med cruise?? | |
| Peter Alderucci <psalderucci@hotmail.com> | Thursday, May 17, 2001 at 19:35:45 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | E division |
| Rank or Rate: | IC3 |
| I did some investigation with "Brown Water" Navy types, an Anglico FO, chopper pilots and other sources on the attack on June 16-17 1968. This is what I pieced together: On June 16th I wrote home: "We got clearance from the 1st Marines to blast away at a Buddhist temple for target practice on our way up to the DMZ from Hue. Bad karma. Later, the Captain announces over the loudspeaker that we knocked out a bunker sheltering NVA troops. Someone will get a medal no doubt." The gods must have been angry as that night and on the 17th BOSTON is attacked off the DMZ near Hon Co (Tiger Island) by USAF F-4D Phantoms from the 366th TFW ("The Gunfighters") out of Da Nang. After several near misses forward and aft on the 16th, BOSTON is hit the following night between the 5" magazine and Mount 52. As ADCA under Lt Dunn, I go out with CWO Gault and a detail from R Div to investigate. We find pieces of a radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow III missile on deck with The Raytheon Corp Waltham, Mass on it. That same night, the HMAS Hobart (DDG-19) and USS Edson (DD-946) are attacked near Cap Lay to the north of us. The Hobart suffers 2 KIA and 7 wounded. The Swift boat PCF-19 is also attacked and sunk at the mouth of the Cua Viet River with 5 KIA and 2 wounded. We hand over the Sparrow pieces to the ANGLICO spotter for the 7th AF and III MAF (3rd Marine Amphibious Force) Official Boards of Inquiry held in Da Nang. The findings are buried in the military's vast "friendly fire" files. Adm U.S.Grant Sharp and VAdm W.F.Bringle fly to Subic to offer formal condolences to the Hobart's crew. These incidents occur due to the ongoing lack of coordination and even adversarial rivalries among the services. In this case, there is only 1 naval officer assigned to the AF in Da Nang, acting primarily as liaison with "Rolling Thunder", not NGFS or "Market Time" operations. Also, MAROPS (Maritime Operations) is not always informed of USAF changes to the challenge/response codes or IFF frequencies, or fails to pass them down to its NGFS or Riverine Task Units. On June 18 I wrote home: "We've been seeing a little action the past few nights. Saturday night we were fired at by an unidentified aircraft, probably a MiG, and had 3 near misse by rockets. Sunday night we were again attacked and a rocket scored a direct hit amidships, although the damage was not serious. I was sent out on deck with a detail to determine the damage: a lot of bent and twisted metal so it was probably a dud since it did not penetrate the armor plating. But 20 miles north, the Australian destroyer Hobart was heavily damaged by an air attack and had 2 killed and 7 men wounded, 3 of whom were medevaced to Danang. Frighteningly, we were only able to sporadically track them on radar. It's really scary to find how ill-equipped we are to cope with a jet attack. Our Terrie missile system is obsolete and the radar is inadequate. We're rearming now so there's no more threat since we're 30 miles further out on Yankee Station, snuggled up to the 7th Fleet." For more info on the unidentified NVA helos spotted in the DMZ area see: http://www.vhpa.org/info/panel/battle/68061901.htm also 68062002, 68062200 and 68062501. For more on the Hobart and PCF-19 see: http://www.gunplot.net/ | |
| John Taylor <john.s.taylor@ssmb.com> | Thursday, May 17, 2001 at 13:34:15 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1968-70 |
| Division: | Engineering |
| Rank or Rate: | lt (jg) |
| That plane we almost shot down during the Cuban blockade caused us to go to GQ. My first and only real GQ and I slept through it. | |
| John Peyer <vlpjap@home.com> | Thursday, May 17, 2001 at 12:55:09 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1960 to 1964 |
| Division: | B |
| Rank or Rate: | BT2 |
| SURE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE MISSLETECHS WHO SERVED WITH ME. WE TRIED TO DRINK NAPLES DRY. WE MUST HAVE MADE 6 MED CRUISES IN 3 YEARS. WENT THROUGH HURRICANES WHERE WE DIDN'T GET ANYTHING BUT OATMEAL OR MUSH TO EAT AND HAD TO STRAP OURSELVES IN OUR BUNKS SO WE DIDN'T ROLL OUT. ALMOST SHOT DOWN ONE OF OUR OWN PLANES WITH A MISSLE AT NIGHT WHEN IT FLEW OVER THE FLEET DOWN BY GITMO DURING THE CUBAN MISSLE CRISIS.I THINK WE HAD THE ONLY PINK SLEEPING COMPARTMENT IN THE NAVY THANKS TO THE BOSUN'S MATES WHO PAINTED IT FOR US WHEN WE WERE TOPSIDE. WE GOT WIND OF IT PRIOR TO GOING BELOW AND PRETENDED LIKE WE DIDN'T NOTICE AND KEPT IT PINK FOR YEARS.A LOT OF FOND MEMORIES. | |
| LEON KRAJEWSKI <SOLDLEON@AOL.COM> | Thursday, May 17, 2001 at 10:11:24 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1960,61,62 |
| Division: | 7TH |
| Rank or Rate: | MT3 |
| Would like to know if any of the following shipmates are out there and would like to contact: Steve CS-3, Kay CS-3, Pesta SN, Pete SN, Herman (Reba)SN, Bell CS-2, Rector SN, Tony Grittlow SN from LOng Island NY, Doc HM-1 corpman,sickbay, The Greek CS-1, Big Boy DC Officers stewart mate, Phil Fillion CS-2,John CSSN, and most important my best and dearest friend Danny Ellis SK-1 commercery store keeper from Bayside Long Island NY, Chief Young CSc. I was the jacket of dust on uss Boston 1955-1956 transferred in Nov. 1956 to USS Newport News CA148 Portsman Va.We went to precommissioned training fleet school training center Newport Rode Island 5 weeks of training completed on 10-21-55 | |
| Andy Angelo Mancini <NMsMomma> | Wednesday, May 16, 2001 at 19:52:54 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 10-22-55 to 11-1956 |
| Division: | S1 commercery |
| Rank or Rate: | SKSN-SK-3 |
| Great to find this site.Found some names of people I served with.Will e-mail them.Found another who lives in the neighborhood and will look him up. I often think about the ship and the good times.Now it will be nice to talk to "friends"about them. | |
| Arthur Hastings <ajhast@webtv.net> | Monday, May 14, 2001 at 20:28:23 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 3/63 to 2/65 |
| Division: | OI |
| Rank or Rate: | Sn |
| Here are some other memory joggers, as reported in "Naval and Maritime Chronology 1961-1971". July 14, 1967:The USS Boston destroyed 10 barges and damaged seven in three river mouths in the Thanh Hoa area of North Vietnam. August 13, 1967: HMAS Hobart and USS Boston destroyed 25 supply craft and damaged 28 others on the coast of North Vietnam seven miles east of Vinh. August 20, 1967: In two separate engagements 30 miles north of Vinh, The USS Boston fired on supply boats, destroying six and damaging 30 others. August 22, 1967: The USS Berkeley (DD-15) and USS Boston destroyed five 90-foot barges and damaged two in a river inlet west of Cap Falaise. August 27, 1967: The USS Berkeley came under fire from shore batteries 30 miles north of Vinh. The ship was not hit. With the aid of the USS Boston she destroyed three of the sites and damaged a fourth. August 8, 1968: Enemy shore batteries fired more than 100 rounds at the USS Boston and USS Maddox (DD-731)off the coast of North Vietnam's southern panhandle, but neither ship was hit. August 11, 1968: USS Boston and USS Maddox were fired on again by enemy gun emplacements in the Nhuong Ban vicinity, 45 miles southeast of Vinh. No hits, damage, or injuries were sustained by either ship, but it was reported that pieces of schrapnel pelted the decks as some of the 200 rounds fell within 10 feet of the Maddox. August 25, 1968: In Sea Dragon operations, the heavy cruiser Boston was taken under fire by an enemy coastal defense site northwest of Dong Hoi. Twenty-five incoming rounds were counted by the crew. The cruiser executed counterbattery fire and set off two secondary explosions in the vicinity of the sites. June 28, 1969: The heavy cruiser USS Boston took station on the gunline off the coast of South Vietnam, becoming the first Atlantic Fleet cruiser to deploy to Vietnam three times. July 6, 1969: The cruiser USS Boston received hostile battery fire while giving naval gunfire support to battalions of the Americal Division in the I Corps of the Republic of Vietnam. Evasive action was taken, and there were no casualties. August 8, 1969: Six men were injured, none seriously, when a projectile exploded prematurely in the barrel of a five-inch gun aboard the USS Boston. The ship was providing gunfire support south of Da Nang when the explosion occurred. Fragments from the left barrel of the five-inch twin mount caused slight damage to a small area of the ship's superstructure. The Boston resumed her gunfire mission within two hours after the explosion. September 25, 1969: An enemy 82mm mortar firing on an ARVN and US fire base two miles south of the DMZ was silenced when gunfire from the cruiser USS Boston was directed onto the mortar's position. October 1, 1969: The Navy announced the heavy cruiser USS Boston will be retired as a part of the Defense savings program. October 3, 1969: The right barrel of a five-inch 38 caliber gun mount on the USS Boston was blown off during a gunfire mission off the coast of Soth Vietnam, Fragments of the barrel were widely scattered but only slight damage to the gun mount and ship superstructure was caused. Four persons were injured - none seriously, and the Boston resumed her mission within one hour. May 5, 1970: The USS Boston was decommissioned at the Boston Naval Shipyard. She will be towed to the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. | |
| John Jazdzewski <jdirects@execpc.com> | Sunday, May 13, 2001 at 10:45:43 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967-1970 |
| Division: | H |
| Rank or Rate: | HM3 |
| Dave, Your memory is bad. The missle attack on the Hobart took place in 1968. I guess the memory is the first to go. Any way I remember it like it was yesterday, sitting on my condition watch and general quarters sounding, I ran out of the port side hatch and tripped over the missle sitting on the main deck! (I didn't know it was a missle at the time)They did find a piece of it that said "made by Raytheon Corp. Watham, MA". Glad to see that you can make the reunion. Barry L. Probst President USS Boston Shipmates, Inc. | |
| Barry L. Probst <bprobst@mediaone.net> | Saturday, May 12, 2001 at 19:11:40 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967-1970 |
| Division: | 4th |
| Rank or Rate: | BM2 |
| Doug, I just checked the cruise book. We were both wrong. According to the book,after being releived by the Albany, we cruised to Malaga, Spain for a few days before heading home. I think the Capt. figured it would be better if we wrecked some foreign town after being out to sea all that time before heading to Beantown and wrecking our home port...good thinking on his part. If you have your cruise book check out the babe on the lower right corner of page 39. Remember her? She was a stripper and Bruce Konrady, a Marine invited her to the Marine Corps. birthday party. The word got out that she was really a female impersonator because she was so big. Bruce was told by his Capt. that he couldn't take her. Bruce broke the news to her but not the reason why. When she found out the reason, she was so upset that instead of stripping to only a g-string, she went all the way to prove she was genuine. After that she was allowed to go to the party. That was a real fun port. | |
| Peter Alderucci <psalderucci@hotmail.com> | Thursday, May 10, 2001 at 22:35:39 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | E division |
| Rank or Rate: | IC3 |
| Pete...I believe the port we pulled in after Palomares was Palma di Majorca...If I am not mistaken, we left that port under GQ conditions and the marines manning the 3" gun were all wearing helmets, flak jackets and skivvies...it might not have been Palma that we left at GQ, but we did leave one with the hammer down at GQ...remember the smokers on the fantail? ALso the story went around about some guy who went UA ashore to the AF camp and had quite a time for himself. Not that any good Boston Sailor would do such a thing, though. | |
| Doug Marsh <dam1939@aol.com> | Wednesday, May 9, 2001 at 17:45:39 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965 to 1968 |
| Division: | OE |
| Rank or Rate: | ETR2 |
| I just found my old buddy, Paul A. Vigneault on this deck log (GREAT!!) I was wondering if my other Pal James vickers from Rhode Island was around? Jim is a plank owner as well. Thanks anyone!! | |
| George E. Pitts <gepitts@mediaone.net> | Wednesday, May 9, 2001 at 10:11:09 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1943 to 1945 |
| Division: | cs |
| Rank or Rate: | SM/3rd class |
| Just logged on again. Surprised to see that you guys are still discussing the missile attack. I've been learning a lot more about the night then I ever thought possible. I also read Keith Parker's comments about the lost A-bombs off the coast of Spain. I have to correct you on one point Keith. We went to Barcelona before the bomb caper. After we were releived, we went to a town close by I believe it was Toramolenas (not sure on the spellling). I think the Capt. decided we should unwind in a foreign town before the trip home. Remember how they had a division lottery to decide who would get a night's liberty about half way thru the search? I thought it was a hell of a "coincidence" that it was a E-1 that won the liberty. I guess sometimes it pays to be a lifer! | |
| Peter Alderucci <psalderucci@hotmail.com> | Wednesday, May 9, 2001 at 08:40:56 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | E division |
| Rank or Rate: | IC3 |
| Spent a short time on the deck force then transferred to Supply where I worked mostly in the aft storerooms. Of course, I had my chance as the head and compartment cleaner. I joined the New York Air National Guard in 1969 and have been with them ever since serving in Supply and Logistics. I received a commission in 1979. I am a Squadron Commander with the rank of Lt Colonel. I have been serving in an active duty status since 1985. | |
| dennis kugler <dennis.kugler@nystew.ang.af.mil> | Monday, May 7, 2001 at 13:46:31 |
| Tour Of Duty: | Feb 66 - Dec 67 |
| Division: | Supply Division |
| Rank or Rate: | SK3 |
| HERE'S TO ALL THE GUYS IN THE 4400 COMPRESSOR RM PARTYS ANYONE ON BOARD FROM 61 TO 63 GIVE ME A CALL OR E-MAIL ME! POE | |
| JAMES R POE <userp1284@aol.com > | Saturday, May 5, 2001 at 14:31:55 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1961-1963 |
| Division: | A |
| Rank or Rate: | MRFN |
| First, it looks like I'm going to get to the reunion. My boss is not real happy, but he'll get over it........or he won't. I have my priorities. As far as the incident with the HOBART, my memory, not the most reliable in the best circumstances, says it had to be '97. CWO Harry Gault had to try to reassemble the pieces of the bird that landed on the deck to send back to study. All were stamped Raytheon Waltham. They probably wanted to know why it didn't detonate. I also seem to recall that there was a CPO in the Chiefs' Head when it hit the hull behind him. Rumor was he had digestive troubles after that for some time. Who wouldn't? Does anyone remember who it was? I'll bet he could tell us the date, time, and what the CPO Mess served for lunch. So, I'll see you in July. Dave | |
| Dave Goodall <bigdave11@earthlink.net> | Friday, May 4, 2001 at 19:24:51 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966 to 1970 |
| Division: | Fox, 10th |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM1 |
| I have been check the deck log for about a year now looking fro some of the guys from M Div. in 1961-1964. I guess I must be the only one still moving around. If any one knows any of them please let me know I would love to contact them. Thanks. Also if you hear of a cruse book that I could get my hands on for 61/62 I think that is the date it sayed CAN DO on the cover I have lose mine. | |
| J. R. Jones <opd@livingston.net> | Friday, May 4, 2001 at 18:10:47 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1961 to 1964 |
| Division: | M |
| Rank or Rate: | MM3 |
| Thank you for this space. My father was Walter J Tenney EM3 on board the Boston (CAG-1) in the late 50's. My father passed away in March of 99, but the stories he had told me seamed to come alive on your web page. I was a west coast DK3 but my dad seemed to forgive me for that. God bless and keep you all safe. If you have stories of my father I would love to hear from you. Thank you. paulfndvt@aol.com | |
| Paul A Tenney <paulfndvt@aol.com> | Friday, May 4, 2001 at 12:02:25 |
| Tour Of Duty: | |
| Division: | |
| Rank or Rate: |
| Doug, sorry for the extra h in your name. There was also a article in the Stars and Stripes with the headline "North Viets may be using copters". It also mentions something about sinking of a Navy Swift boat PCF 19. | |
| Edgar Rosas <eljefe5@hotmail.com> | Thursday, May 3, 2001 at 17:27:11 |
| Tour Of Duty: | |
| Division: | |
| Rank or Rate: |
| Dough, the date was Jun 17 1968. That same date the HMAS Hobart took a hit killing two sailors, the Edison was also hit along with us, no casualties. The Aussies have a web site http://www.gunplot.net/hobartvietnam.html There is also a story by one of our shipmates LTJG John Taylor on friendly fire. How about it John? Enlighten some of us troops. | |
| Edgar Rosas <eljefe5@hotmail.com> | Thursday, May 3, 2001 at 17:12:25 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966 - 1969 |
| Division: | X-Div (Captains Office) |
| Rank or Rate: | YN2 |
| Definitely a weird night...when the missile(s) hit us, I thought that we were just firing the 5" guns...then I heard shrapnel hitting the superstructure and decided that something was not right....interesting that this should be coming up now...in the Spring issue of the USN Cruiser Sailor's Association magazine, the lead article is about USS Biddle (DLG34) who was there at the time and mentions Boston. The author said that it was in 1969 when it happened, but that cannot be...It had to be '67 or '68...I remember that somebody from the radio gang wrote home about it and he had his clearance taken away from him...William Loeb of the Manchester Union Leader, the one newspaper that was pro military, went to bat for the RM...It was kind of strange to see a label from our own home port on the missiles that hit us....hope to see all in Andover. | |
| Doug Marsh <DAM1939@aol.com> | Thursday, May 3, 2001 at 13:58:12 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965 to 1968 |
| Division: | OE |
| Rank or Rate: | ETR2 |
| I read the comments from Fritz with interest. That was indeed a very weird night. Fritz is not the only one who stated that the plane was indeed a MIG as others including some officers reported MIG activity that night. Due to some bombing halts the North Vietnamese build many air strips one mile over a certain parallel as we could not bomb the fields due to orders from Washington. As the scuttlebut of the time went we were running cover for the SANCTUARY as the hospital ship was being shot at from the air and from shore batteries. Some of the scuttlebut was that MIGS and Phantoms engaged in a dogfight above and around the BOSTON and the other ships and the missile was fired at the MIG and missed and sought the heat of our stack. The "Official" reports were sometimes completely different from men who had directly seen the plane types. All in all it was a very strange night. After the hit on the HOBART the Aussies were totally hostile to BOSTON sailors and others in Subic Bay, like it was our fault for the attack. There was a lot of fighting on the beach with them. Possibly others onboard that night remember stuff. That is my account. The missile struck and rocked the ship violently and GQ was a mad scramble to Battle Stations. | |
| Wesley Starr <bostonusn@hotmail.com> | Friday, April 27, 2001 at 21:14:18 |
| Tour Of Duty: | Feb 1968 to June 1969 |
| Division: | B |
| Rank or Rate: | E-4 |
| I read the entry about the Naval Institutes version of Her Majesties Ship Hobart with great interest. I was the Mk 25-3 radar operator who tracked the incoming plane with a dead lock from 55,000 yrds after recieving it from one of the Mk56 directors. At 20,000 yds we asked for a gun as it had no IFF signal. (identify friendly or foe). After it hit us on the port quarter with it's missle it flew over the stack and I can tell you as I did a NIS Officer who interviewed me that the man flying it had dark eyes and black hair. THe plane was a mig type. We had to unwind the director cables to reaquire him and then had a dead lock from 1000 yrds out all the way to 20k and beyond our gun range which was 18k for the 5" guns. We never fired a single round,though we could have taken him out of the air at any time through the whole incident. A couple of days later an NIS Officer came up to the O-7 level and heard my description of the incident three times and three times TOLD ME "it didn't happen that way". I was an e-5 and he was an O-4 so obviosly he and Annapolis are right. I to this day feel sorry for the men of the Hobart because on that day we kinda let them down. | |
| fritz piepenbrok <fritzpiep@aol.com> | Friday, April 27, 2001 at 06:42:12 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966-1969 |
| Division: | fox |
| Rank or Rate: | sa/sn/ftg-3/ftg-2 |
| ANYONE REMEMBER IN SUBIC, WHEN SOME BOSTON GUYS WENT OVER TO THE CANBERRA TO PAINT THE STARBOARD NR. 1 AND PUT IT ON THE CANBERRA? GOT A GOOD PIC OF THAT.. | |
| W.J. <BUTCH_E_GOLF@YAHOO.COM> | Friday, April 27, 2001 at 02:38:01 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967 TO1968 |
| Division: | CR |
| Rank or Rate: | RM3 |
| It is very sad to hear about the passing of Pop Kaye. Mom and he did a lot for the crew(s) of the Boston. May he rest in peace.... | |
| Roger Kugler <roger@jlwaters.com> | Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 23:21:41 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1984-1987 |
| Division: | Nav |
| Rank or Rate: | QM1(SS) |
| Just finished reading the comments concerning the missing H-Bomb off the Spanish coast. For those of you who have not seen it, the movie "Men of Honor" ( a rather good movie, in my humble opinion) opens with scenes of the search. It filled me with a sense of pride to know "I was there". Looking forward to seeing all of my friends old and new at the reunion in Andover. | |
| Don Smith <pennzfan@cs.com> | Wednesday, April 25, 2001 at 09:43:09 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1969 |
| Division: | M |
| Rank or Rate: | MM3 |
| jUST VISITED THE SITE FOR THE FIRST TIME. gREAT jOB | |
| Donald A Miner <daminer41@hotmail.com> | Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at 21:53:16 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1955 to 1959 |
| Division: | First |
| Rank or Rate: | GMSN |
| Hey! What's with the Mess Decks? How come they are secured? I thought that PO2's got head of the line privileges, and besides....I got a midrats chit...c'mon...I gotta get on watch in a few...Boy, do I need a wake up call! | |
| Doug Marsh <DAM1939@aol.com> | Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at 17:06:47 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965 to 1968 |
| Division: | OE |
| Rank or Rate: | ETR2 |
| I RECENTLY FOUND THIS WEBSITE AND I AM GLAD FOR A PLACE FOR SHIPMATES TO RENEM OLD FRIENDSHIPS. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN CORRESPONDING WITH ANY OLD MISSILE TECHS. THAT SERVED WITH ME FROM DECEMBER 1961 TO DECEMBER 1963. I REMEMBER WITH GREAT FONDNESS THE DAYS I SERVED ABOARD THE BOSTON. ED VIITA | |
| ED VIITA <eviita940@cs.com> | Monday, April 23, 2001 at 17:08:53 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1961=1963 |
| Division: | 7th |
| Rank or Rate: | MT2 |
| I was on board in 1966 during Med Cruise.I remember spending what seemed like an eternity off the coast of Spain searching for a lost bomb.Sure was glad to be heading back to Beantown. First a stop at Barcelona to get back on land and to find the nearest bar,then onward home. Sure would like some pictures from that cruise as all mine were lost.Does anyone remember a BM1 by the name of Durette.Always had a coffee cup and was kidded about his right forefinger fitting the handle of the cup just right.Hope to hear from someone from the 66 cruise. | |
| Keith B.Parker <benjamen@lexcominc.net> | Saturday, April 21, 2001 at 23:41:00 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966 |
| Division: | |
| Rank or Rate: | E-2 |
| This a neat sight. It has beeen a long time since I rode the high seas. I have 2 yearbooks 59&62 that I look at often. Drop me a line if my name rings a bell with anyone. Thanks | |
| Jeffrey B. Poole <jeffpoole@msn.com> | Friday, April 20, 2001 at 11:28:16 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1959 to 1962 |
| Division: | X-Div |
| Rank or Rate: | PC3 |
| Hello again shipmates. Too all of those who requested copies of the article of the ship in the scrap yard in New Orleans...they are on their way to you. I had a family emergency which caused the delay. I must say it is great to see some activity in this log reflecting so many years of history of our ship. I was hoping to be able to attend this years reunion, but due to my job, I won't be able to make it this year. You all take care and God bless. | |
| John Davis <djdavis@sigecom.net> | Friday, April 20, 2001 at 04:55:04 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1969-1970 |
| Division: | X-Div |
| Rank or Rate: | YNSN |
| I just learned that a committment I'd made some time ago and my new job are going to prevent me from coming to the reunion. While I'm not happy about it, my thoughts will be with you all. Dave | |
| Dave Goodall <bigdave11@earthlink.net> | Tuesday, April 17, 2001 at 18:09:03 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966 to 1970 |
| Division: | Fox, 10th |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM1 |
| Would like to here from any RD that served with me. Hope you'll be at the reunions. Storey, Bones, Smith, Blackie, Reuben, and all the rest of you shipmates. | |
| Butch Hollister <ndsjed@compaq.net> | Saturday, April 14, 2001 at 22:09:09 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 61 & 62 |
| Division: | O. I. |
| Rank or Rate: | RD3 |
| Enjoy this website, keep looking for buddies I once knew aboard the Boston. | |
| Ralph F. Meade <gale942@AOL.com> | Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at 21:46:34 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1960-1964 |
| Division: | Chaplains Office & Deck Force |
| Rank or Rate: | Seaman |
| I have to concur with Big Dave that the time sure has flown by; but as more folks sign in the deck log the memories start to come back and it doesn't seem so long ago. I hope the name tags at the reunion are LARGE so that one has an opportunity to read the names at a distance just in case the guy that was in the rack below you has changed so radically that you can't recognize him. The other problem is if you are like me and can't remember what you had for lunch yesterday. Please notice the change of e-mail addy - - upgraded to cable. | |
| Dennis Solari <sodennis@home.com> | Monday, April 9, 2001 at 15:52:33 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 66 to 70 |
| Division: | Fox/10th |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM3 |
| I've been busy with "life" and haven't checked back for a while. Glad to see that activity continues with shipmates sharing memories with all of us. We seem to have a bunch of Fox and 6th, 8th & 10th Div. men from '67-'69 who are getting in touch with each other on a regular basis with more men joining all the time. It never ceases to amaze me how the years melt away when I read of missions and liberty ports, or see familiar names in the log. I also get an appreciation of what it was like to be on board the BOSTON during WWII, or to search for the bomb in the Med. I also like to hear from SSN703 shipmates. I can't see myself doing what you men did on a regular basis. I salute you. How many of you have joined as life members so we can keep this going??? It really is neccessary if we are to maintain the quality of our reunions, our website and our shipates organization. See you all in Andover. Dave | |
| Dave Goodall <bigdave11@earthlink.net> | Sunday, April 8, 2001 at 03:29:16 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966 to 1970 |
| Division: | Fox, 10th |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM1 |
| How can I get more B Division shipmates addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses? Bill | |
| Bill Ellenberger <billboston69@hotmail.com> | Saturday, April 7, 2001 at 15:08:08 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1943-45 |
| Division: | B |
| Rank or Rate: | WT3 |
| The Naval Institute Press in Annapolis, Maryland, published the "Naval and Maritime Chronology 1961-1971". The entry for June 14, 1968 reads as follows:" The USS Boston CAG-1 killed 27 enemy troops as she shelled enemy positions on the extreme southern edge of the Demilitarized Zone about three miles east-northeast of Gio Linh". The entry for June 16, 1968 reads: "HMAS Hobart and the USS Boston came under intense fire believed to be from enemy helicopters and forces ashore just north of the Demilitarized Zone but later proved to be from a US Air Force F-4 aircraft which mistook the ships for low-flying enemy helicopters. Both ships received light damage; two men aboard the Hobart were killed and seven wounded". The entry for August 1, 1968 reads: "The US Command in Saigon confirmed that erroneous radar and poor coordination among the Services caused the air-sea incidents on the nights of June 15, 16 and 17, 1968 when allied ships were mistaken for enemy helicopters and nine American and Australian sailors were lost. A US Board of Investigation determined that the attacks were inadvertently made by friendly aircraft". The reference to the American sailors who were killed refers to five crewmen aborad PCF-19, a swift boat that was sunk off the DMZ. I recall we were sent to assist them when they were under attack. However, they got sunk before we arrived. The subsequent investigation concluded that they were also sunk by the a US Air Force F-4 jet. I remember that this sinking occurred a couple of hours before we got hit along with HMAS Hobart. We pulled along side the Hobart (we had a physician and fourteen corpsmen on board) but they refused our assistance. | |
| John Jazdzewski <jdirects@execpc.com> | Saturday, April 7, 2001 at 14:18:42 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967-1970 |
| Division: | H |
| Rank or Rate: | HM3 |
| Just finished reading an article, About a memorial service for "POP" Kaye in the "DAY" newspaper, that covers the New London CT area. It will be held at 1 p.m on Friday,May 11,in the Shepherd of the Sea Chapel on Gungywamp Rd. in Groton, Ct. A well written article, Only wish that everyone could have known Mom & Pop Kaye personally. | |
| Charles A. Watkins <CAWFF @ Aol.com> | Saturday, April 7, 2001 at 11:58:54 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 66 to 69 |
| Division: | R |
| Rank or Rate: | DC2 |
| I was saddened to hear the news about Pop. Some of my fondest memories are of Mom and Pop. Every time we pulled in to Fort Lauderdale it was like a home comming. Those memories will live forever for anyone that ever served on SSN-703. | |
| James T. Bavaro <kjbavaro@juno.com> | Thursday, April 5, 2001 at 18:55:02 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1991 to 1995 |
| Division: | Fire control/Deck |
| Rank or Rate: | FT2(SS/DV) |
| Would like to hear from any one who served during those years.I am a plank owner. Anyone knowing George Pitts, please contact me. | |
| Paul A Vigneault <sundown@worldpath.net> | Friday, March 30, 2001 at 12:21:06 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1943-1946 |
| Division: | C |
| Rank or Rate: | SM2 |
| Served with Art. Work station was Control 9. | |
| Simpson, Alvin C. <asimpson@midwest.net> | Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 17:28:23 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1958 to 1962 |
| Division: | Fox |
| Rank or Rate: | FT2 |
| The BOSTON crew has lost a great champion. Norman "Pop" Kaye died at 9:30 pm Wednesday, March 28. There are tentative plans for a Memorial Service on April 19. No further info on that service is available yet.
For those who missed the opportunity to know Pop, in 1984 he and Jackie (Mom) adopted the USS BOSTON crew while they were on a port visit in Port Everglades, Florida. From then on, every time the 703 visited there, the red carpet was rolled out for the crew. Food, entertainment, hotel suite, moral support, even some personal loans (Pop had a big heart and extraordinary resources)... all made freely available to our BOSTON guys. Pop's on eternal patrol... For additional information, see the Current Events page. |
|
| Art Hebert <ArtHebert@ussboston.org> | Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 10:04:55 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1958 to 1962 |
| Division: | Fox |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM2 |
| I still have about 10 copies of the American Legion article from 1977 on the ship being scraped in New Orleans. If you want a copy please e-mail me at djdavis@sigecom.net and I will be glad to send you a good photo copy. Since I am going to have the org magizine article framed, I will not be making any more copies. | |
| John Davis <djdavis@sigecom.net> | Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 05:13:20 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1969-1970 |
| Division: | X-Div |
| Rank or Rate: | YNSN |
| I was a lookout during the first two WESPAC cruises. I saw many things from up on that perch. The counter battery and the water plumes as the shell flew over. The waves breaking on us from the typhoons. But that night, in June, the bombardment, that was something. Being on the 05 level all the time for watches and GQ and witness to most of the day to day shelling, the lookouts got use to the guns being fired. But that night it was different. Seeing the flashes from our guns, watching the explosions and fires on the beach. Seeing tracers cris-cross the fire zone. That was something else. I remember being told, from CIC, that reports from the beach said we were pushing the NVA to the water. Some details get fuzzy with age but I do remember some 5" barrels not having much, if any, paint on them when the sun came up. Although I was only on board for two years, I have a lifetime of memories. | |
| Bill Glover <gloverbc974@cs.com> | Thursday, March 22, 2001 at 09:25:14 |
| Tour Of Duty: | '66 - '68 |
| Division: | OL |
| Rank or Rate: | SN |
| Hello to all my former shipmates. It's good to see this site. Remember CAPT Riffer's "We must be best. There's no second place in a gunfight."? Mike | |
| Mike Higgins <higgins@usna.edu> | Wednesday, March 21, 2001 at 12:45:27 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 85 to 88 |
| Division: | RC, M, ST |
| Rank or Rate: | LT |
| I would like to hear from any RM or SM that served from 61 to 63. | |
| Bill Blanton <billblanton@att.net> | Sunday, March 18, 2001 at 16:35:48 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1961 to 1963 |
| Division: | OR |
| Rank or Rate: | RM2 |
| Does anyone remember or know where (Robert) Mike Holmes from Sylacauga,Alabama is? Served on the Boston with me in R-div. Made all 3 Nam. cruises.Made DC3 in 68. | |
| Charles A Watkins <cawff@aol.com> | Saturday, March 17, 2001 at 13:01:38 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 66-69 |
| Division: | R |
| Rank or Rate: | DC2 |
| Have different e-mail address | |
| Bruce P. Moore <pbsmurf@msn.com> | Friday, March 16, 2001 at 10:03:57 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1964-1967 |
| Division: | OR |
| Rank or Rate: | RM3 |
| STILL LOOKING FOR ANY CR DIV. MEN FROM 67,68. | |
| W.J. "BUTCH" ELLISON <butch_e_golf@yahoo.com> | Thursday, March 15, 2001 at 12:41:52 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967 TO 1968 |
| Division: | CR |
| Rank or Rate: | RM3 |
| WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD | |
| GORDON BOESE <skozy1@juno.com> | Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at 02:01:20 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1992 TO 1996 |
| Division: | NAVOPS |
| Rank or Rate: | ET2 |
| I really enjoyed my tour of duty on the "Bean Town Rocket Boat". Just went through the "deck Log" and didn't find any "Skivvy Wavers" listed during that period. Where are you guys? P.S. Great web site.... | |
| William (Bill) Crego <wcrego@twcny.rr.com> | Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at 09:40:18 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1956 to 1959 |
| Division: | OS |
| Rank or Rate: | SM3 |
| Would like to find Francis William Barnes EM2 Who served aboard the Boston CAG 1 from 59-63 From Port Henery New York. For Jack Lee who served with him.Contact me at Willybub3452@Aol.com Or At Swiftboat@military.com Thanks Bob Yount formerly on the Uss Blue 67-69 and Swift Boats 69-70 | |
| Bob Yount <Willybub3452@aol.com (OR) Swiftboat @military.com> | Sunday, March 11, 2001 at 05:41:13 |
| Tour Of Duty: | Uss Blue DD744 67-69 |
| Division: | Gun Gang |
| Rank or Rate: | Gmg3 |
| I remember very well the incident that you guys are discussing and if memory serves me correctly, we also put the 3"50s at 0 elevation and were firing them also. I also recall that there were several USN/ARVN "Nasty Craft" off the beach firing 50 cal. at the NVA that were trying to swim to a different location. I gave the gun orders to the 5" guns and I can tell you that Lt (jg) Travers and my favorite load when firing at personnel was one barrell H.E. (High Explosive)and one barrell with a 6' air burst of "Willy Peter" (White Phosphorous); and I can assure you that is what we shot that night until we ran out of WP. Rumor has it and believe me this is just a rumor was that the Boo Boo Maru was credited with 336 kills. I know I spent an awful long time on the reference point that night and am glad to hear that it was worth it. I have put into some of my previous entries about the times (and there have been several in my military career) that i have mentioned about being on the Boston and some Marine would come up to me and tell me how we on the Boo saved his rear end and subsequently wouldn't let me buy any more beer that particular night. It is always gratifying to know that we contributed so much and certainly can be proud that we answered the call and served our country with honor and distinction - - unfortunately those are words that have been lost in the not to distant past - - let's hope they return. See you at the reunion in July. | |
| Dennis Solari <sodennis@hom.net> | Saturday, March 10, 2001 at 13:09:19 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 66 to 70 |
| Division: | FOX and 10th |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM3 |
| Doug, Your right, After spending time on the gun line. Our next port was hong kong for R&R. We spent july 25-31 l968 there. The last time Boston was in Hong Kong was 0n may 9-15 1967. Does anyone remember eating at the Tai Pak or the Sea Palace floating restaurant in Aberdee. ah, the fragrance of the food and the Hong Kong harbor. Or a richshaw ride all for a great price of 1 HK dollor. We were there before the 99 years expired on the British. | |
| Edgar Rosas <eljefe5@hotmail.com> | Thursday, March 8, 2001 at 17:04:46 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966-1969 |
| Division: | X-div (Captain's Office) |
| Rank or Rate: | YN2 |
| I remember that bombardment too...the next day all the p[aint had been burned off the gun barrels and there were strips and tatters of burnt paint hanging down like spanish moss or something...I used to hae some 8mm movies of the night firing, and the gun flashes looked just like something from Hollywood...that episode was just before pulling into Hong Kong, as right after the gunfire, I had filmed the entrance to Hong Kong | |
| Doug Marsh <DAM1939@a0l.com> | Thursday, March 8, 2001 at 15:13:15 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965 to 1968 |
| Division: | OE |
| Rank or Rate: | ETR2 |
| I have checked back and found an article dated May 1977 from the American Legion Magazine which show a picture of our ship being scrapped, it says "Today, the Boston is moored at a New Orleans scrap metal dealer's dock, torn asunder by wreckers"... it show's the ship with superstructure gone and large sections cut out of the hull... what a sad sight!!!! I keep this article in my cruise book..."The Last Salvo". If anyone want's a photo copy of this article, please e-mail me with your mailing address and I will be glad/sad to send it too you. Hoping to hear from anyone who was on our last cruise. | |
| John Davis <djdavis@sigecom.net> | Thursday, March 8, 2001 at 05:05:49 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1969-1970 |
| Division: | X-Div |
| Rank or Rate: | YNSN |
| I remember the night very well when we fired those rounds at the NVA on the beach. I will leave it up to one of the 5" Gunners Mates to confirm this, but didn't we have some starboard side 5" guns barrels get pretty hot that night? | |
| Garry Slankard <gtslankard@cs.com> | Wednesday, March 7, 2001 at 20:34:54 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967 - 1969 |
| Division: | Fox/Seconday Guns |
| Rank or Rate: | FTG2 |
| Wow this brings back memories | |
| Joe Seymour <jlseymour@home.com> | Wednesday, March 7, 2001 at 18:41:54 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1979 - 1983 |
| Division: | M |
| Rank or Rate: | MM1(SS) |
| Another visit to your wonderful site. My best to all. Many, many happy memories. Walter | |
| Walter C Reid <gunz8@aol.com> | Wednesday, March 7, 2001 at 15:21:49 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1960 to1968 |
| Division: | Second |
| Rank or Rate: | GMG1 |
| I checked my Boston Beamrider from 1968 and I think I found the date Richard Bovie is looking for. I think its June 27, 1968. According to my Beamrider "Boston blasted an abandoned village 10 miles south of the DMZ Thursday after U.S. Marines cornered an estimated 500 NVA regulars. Shore based spotters from the third marines were prevented by darkness from determining the enemy casualties, but the Boston's shells set off secondary explosions and fires among the two dozen buildings.....the ship spread more than 300 rounds over the half mile area....the discovery of the NVA 13 miles south of the border indicated the enemy had swung around the heavily-fortified DMZ to the west, avoiding the dozen or so marine groups stationed along the northern frontier. It was believed to be one of the largest single groups of NVA soldiers fired upon by seventh fleet ships. I hope this is the info. you were looking for. I have told this story so many times but didn't have the info. you provided, thanks. | |
| Peter Alderucci <psalderucci@hotmail.com> | Tuesday, March 6, 2001 at 23:07:56 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | E division |
| Rank or Rate: | IC3 |
| I was proud to have served aboard the USS Boston CAG-1 from 1961 to 1964. I would like to hear from other members of the IC gang who served with me on two great MED cruises. | |
| James H. Walton <walton@highvision.net> | Tuesday, March 6, 2001 at 20:50:11 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1961 to 1964 |
| Division: | E |
| Rank or Rate: | IC2 |
| I was proud to have served aboard th USS Boston CAG-1. I would be interested in hearing from other IC gang members who served with me during that time. | |
| James H. Walton <walton@highvision.net> | Tuesday, March 6, 2001 at 15:52:32 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1961 to 1963 |
| Division: | E |
| Rank or Rate: | IC2 |
| I was not a crewmember with the Boston but became involved with her at the end of june 1968. I was a medic with company C 2nd/5th Cav, First Cav Division. We had the 14th nva battalion trapped against the sea at the village of Binh Ahn in Quang Tri province and the Boston was called in to supply naval bombardment. The cover page on this website states that the troops appreciated her shore bombardment accuracy. I am here to say how true. We were huddled in our foxholes and the sand and dirt from the shells were falling on us but every round hit it's mark with no friendly casualties. Out of 300 men from the battalion only 44 prisoners were taken. The rest killed mainly due to the Boston's bombardment. My company has it's own website--www.tallcomanche.org---we have a history section and a "stories" section. I hope to include this episode in one of those sections in the future. If anyone knows the exact date of this battle could you let me know? Either way just a big thank you from Company C to the crew of the Boonston for fine shooting on that day. Richard "Doc" Bovie | |
| Richard Bovie <rcb1947@hotmail.com> | Tuesday, March 6, 2001 at 15:13:54 |
| Tour Of Duty: | |
| Division: | |
| Rank or Rate: |
| Been in contact with a few of the Crew, glad to talk with you guys. Does anyone have Information about Capt. H.R. Adair? Art, maybe you could help me on this one? Hope to see you all at the reunion. | |
| Frank Manning <FrankM07@aol.com> | Monday, March 5, 2001 at 16:49:19 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1983-86 |
| Division: | Deck/IC |
| Rank or Rate: | IC 3 (SS) |
| Great site. Would like to hear from anyone that remembers me. Lewis Smith, are you out there somewhere? | |
| Richard Yarbrough <Richard457@aol.com> | Monday, March 5, 2001 at 15:25:30 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 61 to 64 |
| Division: | OI |
| Rank or Rate: | RD1 |
| MADE LAST WESPAC CRUISE.SPENT MOST TIME IN GUN DIRECTOR MAIN BATTERY OR IN PLOT ON THE STABLE VERTICLE PULLING THE SALVO KEYS AND FIRING KEYS | |
| PAUL E DABBS <Dabbsy16@aol> | Saturday, March 3, 2001 at 21:05:02 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1969 1970 |
| Division: | 6TH DIVISION |
| Rank or Rate: | FTGSN |
| Never thought about looking on internet for info about USS Boston or reunions. glad to see some people on this site aboard the same time as I was. | |
| Bruce P. Moore <pbsmurf@msn.com> | Saturday, March 3, 2001 at 09:38:24 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1964-1967 |
| Division: | RM |
| Rank or Rate: | RM3 |
| I SERVED AS A SEAMAN ON SSN703 FROM 1993 TO 1995. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE ON BOARD THAT SUPPORTED ME IN EARNING MY DOLPHINS. I HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE DOING FINE AND GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. | |
| MIKE HYAMS <MDHYAMS@MSN.COM> | Friday, March 2, 2001 at 06:21:46 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1993 TO 1995 |
| Division: | DECK |
| Rank or Rate: | SN (SS) |
| Hoping to get in touch with some old shipmates. My Brother was also on the Boston from 1968 to 1970...chief Corpsman HMCS G.W. Davis as well as an old high school buddy....SN B. Woods. We also went thru decommisioning of the Boston. I am looking forward to hearing from anyone. | |
| John R. Davis <djdavis@sigecom.net> | Thursday, March 1, 2001 at 05:53:28 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1969 to 1970 |
| Division: | X division |
| Rank or Rate: | YNSN |
| I was part of the re-commissioning of CAG-1 and then accidentaly involved in a lube oil pressure loss in #1 main engine. Sorry that I had to save my butt and leave in May of 56', but Ltjg Reid advised me to retreat. Does anyone remember that event?? Still have many good memories of my time on board. | |
| Robert G Hedrick <rhedrick@optonline.net> | Wednesday, February 28, 2001 at 10:09:51 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1955 to 1956 |
| Division: | M |
| Rank or Rate: | MM2 |
| Wonderful to find this site. Have many memories of CAG-1, most of them fond. Keep up the good work. Would like to hear from any other jarheads out there. | |
| F. W. Hill <fhill97@aol.com> | Monday, February 26, 2001 at 12:41:24 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1959 to 1961 |
| Division: | Marine Detachment |
| Rank or Rate: | Sgt |
| You recall the events of that night very well. I also was on the carpet for the same thing. I was "summoned to the Captains quarters that night for not closing sea valves upon arrival into port. Those valves had to be open because the fire pumps were still running. they tried to hang us, but in the end I received a commendation. I don't know if you remember me but I do remember you. Good to hear from you . Bob Marshall MM3 M-Division | |
| Bob Marshall <cruizin@att.net> | Sunday, February 25, 2001 at 21:25:28 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1967 |
| Division: | M |
| Rank or Rate: | MM-3 |
| I FLOODED THE ENGINE ROOM!!!!!! I must explain The event Peter Alderucci mentioned two entries ago.. I was a 21 year old second class boilerman. I had been on the Boston for 3 3/4 years, and knew the piping systems well. During a routine pumping operation, I was told by the Chief of the watch( I think his name was Hickman BT1, 14 Years service, about 4 months on the Boston) this was not the correct sequencing of valves to do what we wanted to do. When I tried to explain myself, I was sharply given a direct order, which I followed. At the end of my watch, I went to the engineering office to talk to the oncoming Chief of the watch, and Hickman. They both told me, as a Second class, I should not question a First class. I ask for the event to be put in the log, at which time I was told to leave. I got about three hrs. sleep, when Mr Bruder, my Div. Officer woke me up. Guess who got the blame, and Guess who also helped remove electric motors all day and night. About one month later, Mr Bruder ask me to (ship over.) He was a good guy, so I politely declined, but I had to mention this event. He said, Thats the way it goes. I have no hard feelings,(NOW.) I enjoyed the Navy, and the Boston, I have been to about seven reunions. See you in Andover. Don Morgan. | |
| Don Morgan <JMMOrigDes> | Sunday, February 25, 2001 at 19:38:23 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1964-1968 |
| Division: | B-Div. |
| Rank or Rate: | BT-2 |
| My father (Ralph M. Hanson) was an officer on the USS Boston (CA-69) during WWII. I have a webpage about the history of the Boston on his website (http://members.home.net/ralphhanson) for those of you interested in the WWII-era Boston. It is at: http://members.home.net/ralphhanson/Boston/Boston.htm | |
| David Hanson <davidhanson@home.com> | Sunday, February 25, 2001 at 12:26:35 |
| Tour Of Duty: | |
| Division: | |
| Rank or Rate: |
| Have any of you been in touch with Richard Alben he was in "A" division in 1958 when I served on board? He's in the 1958 year book as an FN. I think his job was talking care of the ice machine. | |
| Roy Hansen <mpc4pests@aol.com> | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 at 13:51:45 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1958-1959 |
| Division: | 8th |
| Rank or Rate: | BMSN |
| I remember the Boston's first Nam cruise. We almost didn't make it. Someone flooded the lower level of the engine room destroying all electric motors. We in E div. found out on our way back from our only liberty in Hawaii. We spent the rest of the weekend rewinding motors so we could leave on time Monday morning. We made it! I also remember our first counter battery. I was in fwd. IC below DC Central with a WWII vet. When the shells exploded around us I wasn't too scared until I saw the look on the vets. face. At that point I knew it was real. I also saw the look on the signal men's faces after GQ. They were white as ghosts. They said they could see the shells flying over the ship. Some of you guys probably remember when Boston and the HMAS Hobart got hit. Very scary night. I found out just a month too late that the father of a friend of mine served on the Boston during WWII. His last name was GARRY. I don't know what his rate was. My friend gave me thier wartime cruise book and I copied it. I salute you mates that served during that war. I hope to hear from some shipmates especially E div. guys and cooks. We had a lot of good all day movie Sundays up in the carpenter shop, thanks for the pies!!! | |
| Peter Alderucci <psalderucci@hotmail.com> | Monday, February 19, 2001 at 21:28:24 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | E division |
| Rank or Rate: | IC3 |
| Was Ops YN, Chaplain's Asst., 1st Editor of Boston Beamrider. Would love to hear from anyone in the X-ray Div. during this period, especially Dave Jordan, Cook, Koschock and the rest. Had great times in Philly and Guantanamo!! Have attended 2 reunions and they are really great!! | |
| John V. Stiller <jvstiller@cs.com> | Monday, February 19, 2001 at 17:31:46 |
| Tour Of Duty: | l955-1956 |
| Division: | X-Ray |
| Rank or Rate: | YN2 |
| great med cruise, looking for bombs off coast of Spain. Whole bunch of Caribbean cruises, and two Viet Nam tours. Who remembers who hit us on the port side below the 5" mount. Boy were we lucky! | |
| Peter Alderucci <psalderucci@hotmail.com> | Monday, February 19, 2001 at 17:11:56 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | E division |
| Rank or Rate: | IC3 |
| Would like to hear from anyone who served on the USS Boston during 1962-1966. | |
| Charles E.Merrill (Buddy) <fmerrill1@mediaone.net> | Friday, February 16, 2001 at 18:18:03 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1962-1966 |
| Division: | |
| Rank or Rate: | RM3 |
| Served onboard with a great group of CPOs and crew! Still talking about the time I qualified COW and the fun we had out on patrols! | |
| JOSEPH A. MAZUR <JMAZUR3873@AOL.COM> | Thursday, February 15, 2001 at 14:53:57 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1986 TO 1990 |
| Division: | YEOMAN'S SHACK |
| Rank or Rate: | PNC(SS)/YNC(SS) |
| Work email: rbpage@apsc.com Home Phone: (623) 979-1420 | |
| Robert B. Page <robpage@primenet.com> | Thursday, February 15, 2001 at 01:32:11 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1979 to 1982 |
| Division: | Reactor Controls |
| Rank or Rate: | ET1SS |
| I believe the Navy Hymn mentions "Those in peril on the seas." It is a dangerous life on the open sea. I remember the first time the destroyer DuPont crossed the Atlantic for a deployment to the "Med." Three sailors from the oiler washed over the side, one lost at sea a two were rescued by a lifesaver who drowned after saving the two men. It is a sometimes tragic life. Accidents happen but that does not make the pain or grief any less. | |
| Wesley Starr <bostonusn@hotmail.com> | Monday, February 12, 2001 at 21:13:21 |
| Tour Of Duty: | Feb 1968 to July 1969 |
| Division: | B |
| Rank or Rate: | E-4 |
| ...Well, by now we all know about the tragic accident that occurred to the Japanese fishing trawler, Ehime-Maru off the coast of Honolulu this past Friday. My heart certainly goes out to those on-board the USS Greeneville, and the survivors and families of those lost as a result of the Ehime-Maru collision. No doubt, they are all having a difficult time dealing with this terrible tragedy. While I send my deepest and sincere condolences to those Japanese families who have suffered such a loss, let us be thankful too that no sailor's lives were lost. Such a loss would have truly only compounded this tragedy. | |
| Bruce McCausland <bruce@mccausland.com> | Monday, February 12, 2001 at 16:32:02 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 79-83 |
| Division: | RC-Div |
| Rank or Rate: | ET2(SS) |
| I knew that I had worked hard while onboard but from the Log I must have really worked hard because I do not see any other Storekeepers. They gave me all aft storerooms below decks with two seamen to maintain them, 7 storerooms. Foreward had 3 storerooms and 11 men? Never could figure that out. The Supply Chief couldn't ether because during the last Zone Inspection the forward area had lacquered the rubber matting, polished the bright work and "never dulled" the place and had a boatsmate do his thing to all of the stantions. Aft my boatsmate SK striker seaman had wiped I repeat wiped the place down, taken the top sheet of paper off of each stack of paper. (We had forms storage)and wiped one (1) lamp cover, really a very basic clean up. We got an outstanding and Lou P. and his crew received an unsat. Lots of tight jaws. We also had galley stores, so we would trade a couple of knives for a sheet of cinimmon rolls or such. On that particular day we had a fresh sheet of rolls on the top shelf of the counter. We were supposted to secure all coffee pots during inspection, ours was fresh and full. We were not allowed fresh cream because it did not keep. We had a small pot. (Johnson, knew all the tricks) When the Engineering Officer a LCDR famous for rough inspections, dropped into the storeroom, he looked over to the coffee pot and asked if we had coffee, yes sir, a cup, would you like a sweet roll? He turned to the ensign with the white towel and clip board, "Supply, Outstanding.!" "But, sir!" "Outstanding, lets relax a few minutes." Made second on board for the "Bay of Pigs" we were told not to write to our families about where we were at. April 1961, my mother sent a picture of the Boston off the coast of Cuba participating an operation called "Zapata!" Went back onboad April 1967, my crew were in a communications van on the fantail. Kahki box that would not stop a 22 slug. Arrived as a CT2 and was promoted CT1 during gun fire exercises off the coast of Viet Nam. Like to hear from anyone who might remember. | |
| Tony NovaK <t.novak@worldnet.att.net> | Saturday, February 10, 2001 at 22:21:05 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1961 and 1967 |
| Division: | S1/Suprad |
| Rank or Rate: | SK3/SK2/CT2/CT1 |
| It's been a long time. I am looking into coming to the reunion. Remember "one of Our H Bombs are missing? Trieste, Italy, relieved by the USS Albany and they found it. I got my first tan during that tour. I worked in Electronic Countermeasures room, always had cold soda. I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers me. | |
| Edward W. Schmidt <schmidt@bard.edu> | Thursday, February 8, 2001 at 12:34:28 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1964-1967 |
| Division: | radar |
| Rank or Rate: | RD3 |
| kind of new to computer stuff.cant seem to get into the site to find the pictures from the last entry. can anyone help this old salt out? THANKS BOB | |
| robert e komasara <rusty06628@CS.COM> | Wednesday, February 7, 2001 at 18:16:22 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967 1968 |
| Division: | b |
| Rank or Rate: | bt 3 |
| I heard (from Art) of a web site that has really great pictures of the great lady...too bad she is no more, but the memories will live on. The site is by a former officer and the address is http://www2.bc.edu/~okeefew/cag1.htm best wishes to all and hope to see a lot of you at this year's reunion | |
| Doug Marsh <DAM1939@aol.com> | Monday, February 5, 2001 at 17:44:08 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965 t0 1968 |
| Division: | OE |
| Rank or Rate: | ETR2 |
| Hi Shipmates, I can't wait until reunion time each year. I look forward to seeing old friends & new. I saw message from Michael Russo Marine Det. asking if anyone knows the location of any marines that he3 may have sailed with, well Miicael I finnaly talked Cpl. Al Marucci 56-58 into comming to the reunion this year. He resides in Aptos Calif. We have kept in touch all these years, if you know him I can put you in touch. | |
| Joseph Pepe <japsal@telenet.net> | Saturday, February 3, 2001 at 14:52:36 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1955-1957 |
| Division: | Fox |
| Rank or Rate: | SN |
| Thanks so much for the Web Page, I really enjoy reading about my shipmates. Looking forward to the reunion in July. Would like to hear from anyone serving from 1/61 to 7/63 in OR Div. and any shipmates living in the Charleston SC area. Keep up the good work Art & Barry. | |
| Bill Blanton <bucaneers@msn.con> | Friday, February 2, 2001 at 19:01:04 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1961 to 1963 |
| Division: | OR |
| Rank or Rate: | RM2 |
| Hello again. All the shipmates may be interested in this. I recently found a February 1965 article in National Geographic on the Navy. The old ship has a great picture in the article. It shows the Boston engaged in an emergency breakaway from an oiler. The photographer was on the bow and shows the wooden fore deck the bow guns and a lot of the forward superstructure with some of the crew. I'm sending the pics to Art. Maybe if we ask him nice he will post the pic of the beautiful lady. See you and take care. | |
| Wesley Starr <bostonusn@hotmail.com> | Wednesday, January 31, 2001 at 21:38:57 |
| Tour Of Duty: | Feb 1968 to July 1969 |
| Division: | B |
| Rank or Rate: | E-4 |
| I am looking forward to the reunion in July. But also looking for shipmates from 60 to 64 A division to join me there. Of all the ships I was on I was on in my 20 years the Boston turned out to be the best. I live in Summerville SC just 20 miles from Charleston which has some of the greatest Naval History in the world. I would really like to see a reunion here. How about it Art and gang? I know the shipmates would just love to see some of our Naval history. Wouldn't you guys? Thanks for the web site. Hope to see you in July. Bobby Cribb | |
| Bobby J. Cribb <wildgame@worldnet.att.net> | Tuesday, January 30, 2001 at 22:16:14 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1960 to 1964 |
| Division: | A |
| Rank or Rate: | MM2 |
| THOSE WERE THE GOOD "OLDE DAYS"....Standing round-the-clock four hour watches in three sections.....While one section was manned and ready, the two other sections would attempt to catch up on some sleep, and maybe a bite to eat.....Once a bit of nutrition, a ship pulls along side, it's time for more ammunition.....In the event we got bored, there was always bringing on stores.....Replenishing is done, all the stores are below and stowed.....Maybe now a siesta, this may sound cruel, as a tanker pulls along side, "quess what", we are now low on fuel..... We have now replenished,rearmed, refueled, maybe now? "whats that sound".....Gong, gong,gong, came the sound of General Quarters.....In less than five minutes the word was out, the USS BOSTON was manned and ready for yet another bout. She had sailed 12,000 miles into the sun, to do what she does best "to fire her guns".....And so it went on the gun line, but we did not dispair, held the highest Naval tradition.......We knew that relief was near, Olangapo City and a few San Miquel beers..... THOSE WERE THE "GOOD OLDE DAYS"...... Time now for my medication. | |
| Edgar Rosas <eljefe5@hotmail.com> | Tuesday, January 30, 2001 at 15:26:48 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966-1969 |
| Division: | X-div |
| Rank or Rate: | YN2 |
| I'm interested in attending a reunion this year. Can I get info on the July reunion? | |
| Jerry Ducatelli <jduke46@yahoo.com> | Tuesday, January 30, 2001 at 11:27:47 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967 to 1970 |
| Division: | ships service |
| Rank or Rate: | E4 |
| If I forget about all the bad times, it was all fun aboard 703. I would like to here from any "shipmates" who remember me. Like Bud, Rick, Jack, John or whoever who survived. It amazing but I didn't manage to drink myself to death while I was in the NAV. Drop me a line | |
| Brandon "RUG" Ruggiero <b_ruggiero@hotmail.com> | Monday, January 29, 2001 at 00:16:24 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1992-1995 |
| Division: | E-Div |
| Rank or Rate: | EM2 |
| I never fail to be impressed by our reunion organization. I've shown our newsletters to former sailors from other ships and organizations, and they can't believe the quality and thoroughness of ours. They hear about our reunions and our great website and they drip envy from every pore. For myself, I love the way this sight has grown and grown. I see it becoming more inclusive with more men from SSN703 seeking each other out, and those of us from other eras sharing stories and swapping information. It truely is the place for scuttlebutt. I hope to see many of you at the reunion this year. While we're there, I hope each of us will take a minute to express what the efforts of the committee, and especially Art Hebert, have meant to us. I also hope that each shipmate who visits this sight will consider joining the shipmates as a life member. It's not very expensive, and it is a good way to insure our continued success as the best shipmates organization around. I also hope each of you will experience the fun and thrill of being at a reunion and getting together with those guys you haven't seen since you were a kid doing a man's job on these greatest of ships and boats. I for one don't have to wait for the reunion to tell the committee what a great job they do. THANKS BARRY, PAT, ART, NANCY, OWEN, ALL OF YOU, FOR A GREAT JOB WELL DONE. I am truely grateful. Dave | |
| Dave Goodall <bigdave11@earthlink.net> | Thursday, January 25, 2001 at 12:42:06 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966 to 1970 |
| Division: | Fox, 10th |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM1 |
| I first reported to the USS Boston SSN703 just after sea trials. My years onboard are lasting memories. Looking back on the time I spent in the IO, North Atlantic and all those trips to Fort Lauderdale and St. Croix. I took it for granted. I miss the comradeship and the liberty ports. | |
| Rick Evans <ricke35@aol.com> | Thursday, January 25, 2001 at 00:15:43 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1982 to 1986 |
| Division: | ET |
| Rank or Rate: | ET1(SS/DV) |
| Looking forward to hearing from other shipmates who I served with. Worked in no.1 fireroom. Hope to see everyone at the reunion. | |
| Ken Donovan <kbdon@webtv.net> | Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at 19:11:11 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966 to 1968 |
| Division: | B Division |
| Rank or Rate: | BT3 |
| All shipmates that are going to the reunion in July drop me a line. Hope to see a great turnout. See you there. | |
| John Beroth <JBe1066775@aol.com> | Saturday, January 20, 2001 at 07:39:20 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | R |
| Rank or Rate: | SFP-3 |
| Served as Radioman, primarily in transmitters. Knew some ET's & a couple of Marines in on board detachment. Some of guys from OR.Luke Antonelli, Ralph Bickford, Larry Hite,George Fleming,(a NYC rider) P.D.Wright (the fastest key man ever)Tony Bozym,(my Norfolk shuffleboard partner)Ron McManus, Geno,etc. Any names ring a bell, give me a call. Reunion is in my plans | |
| Vince Castin <VCastin@RCN.Com> | Friday, January 19, 2001 at 20:12:26 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1956 to 1959 |
| Division: | OR |
| Rank or Rate: | RM2 |
| It is good to see a web site for the old boat. Been out of the loop and the country for awhile and looking to get back in touch. Served onboard during the IO, Northern Runs, and several excursions from my private home port of Cocoa Beach. Looking to contact others from the boat that served during the glory years. | |
| Paul DeMarco <Prd5x4@aol.com> | Wednesday, January 17, 2001 at 17:43:34 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1983 to 1989 |
| Division: | A |
| Rank or Rate: | MM2(SS) |
| I served on the Boston and made one tour to Vietnam. I left the Boston in December of 67 and became a Navy Seabee and went back to Vietnam. Would like to hear from old friends. Is anyone from the 7th going to the 2001 reunion? Please write me. | |
| Bryan V. Brewer <bryanvbrewer@hotmail.com> | Wednesday, January 17, 2001 at 00:34:00 |
| Tour Of Duty: | March 1966 - December 1967 |
| Division: | 7th |
| Rank or Rate: | SN |
| My years with Boston were a blast. I am a plankowner of the SSN 703. I met great people and had the time of my life. I also met my wife Janet, we have been togehter since. Who is drinking who under the table!!!!!! Hope to hear from old shipmates that served with me. | |
| Dave Aldrich <ABabyjane1@aol.com> | Monday, January 15, 2001 at 20:40:47 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1980-1984 |
| Division: | MM |
| Rank or Rate: | E-3 |
| The USS BOSTON CAG-1, was my first ship, I helped put her back in commission as the first Guided missile cruiser in 1955 in Philly, Pa. I guess I am part of Naval History. It was pretty rough being a storekeeper, putting a ship in commission, to me anyhow. It was hard for me(being my first ship) to figure out where we were going to put all the store's we had in this huge whse!!! But we did, and after the shake down in GTMO, thing's got squared away, I made 3rd class, had it made in GSK(I thought) then somebody desided there were to many 3rd class storekeeper's, and they transferred me!!! I ended up on the USS DES MOINES, anyhow, I can't remember one single name of a shipmate(it's been over 45 year's) I'm sorry to say,but maybe someone might remember me. I played the Guitar a little. I would like to say hello to all of my shipmate's whom I served with then,and if you remember me,send me an email. Thank's, Jack | |
| Jack N.Dillard SK1 RET <jndretusn75@aol.com> | Monday, January 15, 2001 at 10:07:33 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1955 to 1956 (plank owner) |
| Division: | S-1 |
| Rank or Rate: | SN/SK3 |
| ENJOYED MY TIME ON THE USS BOSTON....DON'T MISS CHIPPING ALL THAT PAINT.BUT THEY WERE GOOD TIMES | |
| GORDON E. BRINK <MEDIC2507@HOTMAIL.COM> | Saturday, January 13, 2001 at 13:17:53 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1968...1970 |
| Division: | |
| Rank or Rate: | SM3 |
| where are you chuck hulett[ltjg],norm jelinek,and the rest of ['61to'65 7th&8th div, personel].I enjoyed serving with you each and everyone, before departing for 'nam. | |
| kennethboob <sibert@core.com> | Saturday, January 13, 2001 at 11:49:56 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1961-1965 |
| Division: | 8thand7th |
| Rank or Rate: | bm2 |
| I Hope all my shipmates have a great New Year.Let me know whose going to the reunion in Andover MA this Year. I hope to see a lot of old rends and shipmates. | |
| Joh Beroth <JBe1066775@aol.com> | Friday, January 12, 2001 at 11:32:06 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | R |
| Rank or Rate: | SFP-3 |
| I don't think the story about the ship's hull being sold to Argentina is true either. If any of the 68/69 crew remembers after the typhoon not only was the exterior of the ship damaged but the pounding for three days bent the keel. That pretty much sealed the Boston's fate for any future deployments. 1969 was the last one. Not only that she began to leak around a lot of the original sea valves. These were made of bronze and were not able to be replaced. As beautiful and well kept as the ship was she was originally made in 1942. She began to show her age. It was sad that the city of Boston did not buy the ship and save her for a monument. Or the Navy could have at least sank her for a reef. Being cut up for scrap just doesn't seem like a great end for a lady with some fourteen battle stars in her crown. | |
| wesley starr <bostonusn@hotmail.com> | Thursday, January 11, 2001 at 22:35:01 |
| Tour Of Duty: | Feb 1968 to July 1969 |
| Division: | B |
| Rank or Rate: | E-4 |
| On behalf of USS BOSTON Shipmates everywhere I sent a BRAVO ZULU to the crew of the LST 325 today, for their tremendous achievement in sailing their ship across the Med and across the Atlantic. They arrived in Alabama yesterday, on schedule, shipshape and squared away. Go to http://www.uslst.com/lst325.htm for info on this great feat. | |
| Art Hebert <ArtHebert@ussboston.org> | Thursday, January 11, 2001 at 14:32:45 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1958-1962 |
| Division: | Fox |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM2 |
| Hi gang. Gret web site for the "Can Do" as she was affectionally called during those days. Those were exciting times since the Boston was one of the last ships to go to Beirut, Lebanon just before the revolution, then the same with Cyprus, experienced a heck of a riot in Marseilles, France during the Algerian crisis and lets not forget the Cuban Crises. But survived it all and put another 36 years with Ford Purchasing and am now living the life of liesure on the sunny shores of Fort Myers. If anyone remembers me, drop a line and lets chat. Use to type the Supply Puchase orders and maintain records for the Supply Department. | |
| Richard F. Fret <richfret@cs.com> | Thursday, January 11, 2001 at 09:42:45 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1962 to 1963 |
| Division: | Supply |
| Rank or Rate: | SH3 |
| Can't attend the reunion but would be very interested in purchasing a replacement USS Boston jacket. Have tried twice in the past but with no success. | |
| Richard F. Fret <richfret@cs.com> | Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at 20:47:59 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1962 to 1963 |
| Division: | Supply |
| Rank or Rate: | SH3 |
| John, check Naval Vessel Registry(NVR) they list Boston 69 as sticken 11/01/1973, Status:03/01/1975,Disposed of, sold by Defense Reutilization Marketing Service(DRMS) for scapping. Custodian Assignment: Schools,Organizations & private enterprises.(what does that mean?) no further info as of 08/25/2000. It list Boston SSN 703 as stricken 11/19/1999, to be disposed of by submarine recycling.Planned dispositon scrapping/recycling. Custodian assignment. Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard, Bremerton, Wa (NavShipYd). No info changes 08/10/2000 | |
| Edgar Rosas | Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at 17:59:55 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966-1969 |
| Division: | X-Div(Captain's Office) |
| Rank or Rate: | YN2 |
| I believe the Argentina story is a fable. Our USS BOSTON photo collection includes a newspaper clipping from New Orleans in 1975 that shows the BOSTON pretty far along in the scrapping process. It's a sad picture. Besides the superstructure being gone, there's a gaping hole in the forecastle where they've cut a huge sheet of steel out of her. We heard the Argentina story, had a Massachusetts Congressman contact Argentina, and they said "No." | |
| Art Hebert <ArtHebert@ussboston.org> | Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at 15:48:05 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1958-1962 |
| Division: | Fox |
| Rank or Rate: | FTM2 |
| Can anyone supply info on the date/location of Boston's scrapping after Inactivation at NavShipYd-Phila? There is a rumor that her hull was towed to Argentina. | |
| John Taylor <john.s.taylor@ssmb.com> | Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at 11:39:10 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1968-1970 |
| Division: | Eng |
| Rank or Rate: | Lt (j.g.) |
| Be happy to hear from any Marines that served on the Boston 1960-1962. | |
| Patrick Nocero <bnocero@aol.com> | Tuesday, January 9, 2001 at 12:15:15 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1960-1962 |
| Division: | MARDET |
| Rank or Rate: | E-3 |
| Hey; Where is everone in E Div. 65/67? Jerry Hendrickson IC3 wants to know. I was one of the three Jones brothers aboard. My two brothers were SM's | |
| Ebon Jones <bonjo@earthlink.net> | Sunday, January 7, 2001 at 21:32:20 |
| Tour Of Duty: | Jul/66-nam departure/67 |
| Division: | E |
| Rank or Rate: | IC3 |
| I Hope to meet some of my shipmates at the 2001 renunion. I have cruise books nespapper clipings and pictures. I'll Bring them to the reunion in July. Hope to see you there.. | |
| John G. Beroth <JBe1066775@aol.com> | Sunday, January 7, 2001 at 10:41:05 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | R |
| Rank or Rate: | SFP-3 |
| I'm leaving this message for shipmates of my uncle, Arthur Raffey (Rafalowski) who served aboard the USS Boston during WW II. He passed away this past Friday. Memorial services will be Wed 1/10/01 at Good Shephard Church, Seymour, Ct. He leaves a wife, Irene and 3 daughters, Judy, Loretta & Mary & 2 grandchildren. | |
| HJ Anderson <handerson-sum@att.net> | Saturday, January 6, 2001 at 22:55:34 |
| Tour Of Duty: | |
| Division: | |
| Rank or Rate: |
| JUST WANTED TO WISH ALL MY SHIPMATES A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND TO GET WORD OUT TO ANYONE IN CR DIV OR CS DIV FROM 67 AND 68 TO COME TO THE REUNION IN JULY.. GOD BLESS ONE AND ALL | |
| W.J. 'BUTCH' ELLISON (SLACK) <BUTCHE@PEOPLEPC.COM> | Saturday, January 6, 2001 at 21:44:15 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967 TO 1968 |
| Division: | CR |
| Rank or Rate: | RM3 |
| I was the left gun captain in turret two. Hoping to attend my first Boston reunion in 2001. Thanks, Ken Oden | |
| Ken Oden <K_Oden_Jenean@yahoo.com> | Saturday, January 6, 2001 at 18:15:41 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965 to 1969 |
| Division: | 1st Division |
| Rank or Rate: | GMG-3 |
| USS BOSTON TRIVIA.........On 24 May 1967 the USS BOSTON (CAG-1) received counterbattery fire off Viet-Nam at the DMZ....(close).....The ship also was fired upomn on 19 Jun 67...Ops.....Received about 80 shells which came as close as 25 yards and one shrapnel hit......(getting closer).... Also fired upon the 20 Jun 67 from coastal batteries......On 9 May 1968 shell exploded "too close for confort" at Cape Lay DMZ.......The Navy Recruiter failed to mention anything about this?....He made it seem as if I were joining Club Med?....Ah, heck, had a great time anyway!....The food was not bad?, cabins were a bit small?....No tipping!.....What was that alarm that keep going off?. | |
| Edgar Rosas <eljefe5@hotmail.com> | Saturday, January 6, 2001 at 12:30:45 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966-1969 |
| Division: | X-Div(Captain's Office) |
| Rank or Rate: | YN2 |
| Would like to hear from anyone that was in "R" Division or anyone that new me. | |
| Henry B. Houghtaling <hanklizhoughtaling@yahoo.com> | Saturday, January 6, 2001 at 10:38:31 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1958to1960 |
| Division: | R |
| Rank or Rate: | Damage Controlman 3rd Class |
| I SERVED ABOARD BOSTON FROM 6/65-3/68 AS EM3. ATTENDED REUNION IN LOWELL MASS. AND SAW DIV. OFFICER SMOLLEN AND CHIEF ADAMS, WE HAD A GREAT TIME. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM MY OLD FRIENDS. THIS MESSAGE IS IN THE LOG TWICE, DISREGUARD THE OTHER E-MAIL ADDRESS IT IS INCORRECT. | |
| BILL SPENCER <PAR 4 SPENCER@AOL.COM> | Saturday, January 6, 2001 at 07:37:33 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1965-1968 |
| Division: | E |
| Rank or Rate: | EM3 |
| Looking to contact any Marine that was aboard Jan 58 to March 58. If they remember me, I would like to get in touch with them | |
| Michael Russo <mruss3960@aol> | Thursday, January 4, 2001 at 23:32:30 |
| Tour Of Duty: | Nov 57-march58 |
| Division: | Marine Detachment |
| Rank or Rate: | PFC |
| Found SomeGood Photos Of Boston @ www.goggle.com Then Log In www.navsource.org And Search CRUISERS Still Waiting To Hear From Any One From Boiler Room 2 68 Cruise | |
| ROBERT E. KOMASARA <Rusty 0662@cs.com> | Thursday, January 4, 2001 at 19:12:42 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967 1968 |
| Division: | B |
| Rank or Rate: | BT 3 |
| None | |
| Richard M. Carlson <richard@misn.com> | Thursday, January 4, 2001 at 16:12:17 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1959 to 1960 |
| Division: | M |
| Rank or Rate: | MMFN |
| I would like to change my e-mail address from dflamion@aol.com to rmflamion@aol.com Thanks from Roger Flamion | |
| Roger Flamion <rmflamion@aol.com> | Thursday, January 4, 2001 at 12:23:30 |
| Tour Of Duty: | July 1943-1946 |
| Division: | 6th |
| Rank or Rate: | GM3 |
| I had many duties aboard but one that gave me a chance to meet many of the ships crew was the job of running the crews liberty launch.Would like to hear from anyone serving then. | |
| Robert (Red) Mertens <redmertens@msn.com> | Wednesday, January 3, 2001 at 12:33:57 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1955/1956 |
| Division: | 2ND |
| Rank or Rate: | BMSN |
| I was saddened to hear of the passing of our Skipper, CAPT Joe Enright. He was a true "gentle giant," quietly but consistently earning the respect of his crew. I hadn't realized the scope of his ship's (USS Archerfish) WWII heroics until attending Boston's 50th reunion. He would never be one to broadcast his boat's accomplishments. He was an ideal sailor's sailor, just as ADM Jeremy Boorda had been. We are privileged and honored to have served with CAPT Enright. Requiescat in pace. | |
| michael j ambrose <michaelambrose@cablespeed.com> | Wednesday, January 3, 2001 at 12:30:22 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 6/59 - 12/60 |
| Division: | 1st / 2nd |
| Rank or Rate: | ens / ltjg |
| Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all USS Boston Shipmates. Despite the then-seemingly difficult years of long deployments, my memories of USS Boston, followed by those of USS Long Beach, remain among those of my most fulfilling and satisfying, due to serving with our Shipmates. Fair winds and following seas. | |
| michael j ambrose <michaelambrose@cablespeed.com> | Wednesday, January 3, 2001 at 11:17:39 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 6/59-12/60 |
| Division: | 1st, 2nd |
| Rank or Rate: | ens/ltjg |
| Good day mates. Have a highly blessed and favored year 2001. Drew | |
| Andrew W. Snider <dsnider@technicalcreate.com> | Wednesday, January 3, 2001 at 09:12:30 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1984-1989 |
| Division: | Reactor Controls |
| Rank or Rate: | ET1(ss) |
| Anyone out there that was on board when I was I sure would like to hear from you. | |
| Roger Flamion <rmflamion@aol.com> | Tuesday, January 2, 2001 at 23:40:37 |
| Tour Of Duty: | June 1943 - May 1946 |
| Division: | 6th Div. |
| Rank or Rate: | GM3 |
| Gordon,I was with you on her for a while,although we probably never met.It may have been hard for you to walk away that day The reason I make this comment is because I was on DD779 in Philly in 71.I used to see her there waiting to be busted up.At least most ,if not all of you ,didnt have to see that.She was a GREAT lady.At least I thought so. | |
| Mike Doolittle <mdauto@ptd.net> | Tuesday, January 2, 2001 at 22:49:09 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 67/69 |
| Division: | 1st |
| Rank or Rate: | BMSN |
| I was one of the last to leave the ship when she was decommissioned in 1970 | |
| gordon weaver <gweaver6@tampabay.rr.com> | Tuesday, January 2, 2001 at 18:56:23 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1967to1970 |
| Division: | 8th |
| Rank or Rate: | ftgc |
| Have A Great New Year | |
| Richard D. Haas | Tuesday, January 2, 2001 at 13:51:56 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1957 To 1960 |
| Division: | 5 |
| Rank or Rate: | GM3 |
| AT THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR, I WANT TO WISH ALL MY SHIPMATES AND ALL THEIR FAMILIES A PROSPEROUS AND HEALTHY YEAR!! | |
| Terry Ellis <tlellis@mediaone.net> | Monday, January 1, 2001 at 21:35:31 |
| Tour Of Duty: | 1966-1967 |
| Division: | 8TH |
| Rank or Rate: | SN |