FEE Newsletter First Qtr 2012.pub

USS
FRANK
E.
EVANS
(DD
754)
ASSOCIATION,
INC.
Newsletter
First Quarter
2012
Foot Locker Talk — Newsletter
USS KIDD (DDG 100) RETURNS HOME TO SAN DIEGO
FROM A SEVEN MONTH DEPLOYMENT
On 27 February 2012, USS Kidd (DDG 100) returned home after a 7 month deployment. Under
cloudy and windy conditions USS Kidd (DDG 100) returned home along with other ships of
Destroyer Squadron Twenty-One; USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), USS Pinckney (DDG 91), USS Dewey
(DDG 105) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108).
Rest assured, the “Friendship Alliance” between USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) association
and the crew of is alive and well.
Several sailors took the time to stop and extend
their thanks and appreciation to the association for it’s support while they were away
from home. In addition, they thanked the association for the Holiday Banner. The crew
indicated it came at such an opportune time, just before the holidays. Steve was able to
talk briefly with CDR Jennifer L. Ellinger (Captain of USS Kidd (DDG 100) CDR Gabriel
Varela (Executive Officer), LTJG Jessica Chase (PAO) and Command Master Chief Lintz.
They have invited Donna and Steve to come and meet them in a few weeks (after well deserved leaves) so we can hear more about their deployment and talk about our association’s “Friendship Alliance.”
IN MEMORIAM
2
Dorothy Reilly DW
Sister of Chief Larry Reilly Ozone Park, NY
Deceased 2/27/2012
Sister Dorothy Elizabeth Anne Reilly passed away on 27 February 2012 of cancer, after
being hospitalized at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Medical Center in New York. Sister Dorothy was an active member of USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association. She was instrumental in helping provide extensive information about the Reilly family for historical
purposes. Sister Dorothy professed her Catholic faith for 64 years as a member of The
Daughters of Wisdom.
She is survived by her brother, Larry, many nieces and nephews
and her beloved sisters of her community.
Haroll Doss
BT3 62-63
Pahrump, NV
Deceased 2/11/2012
Haroll “Casey” Doss, association member, fought the valiant fight against cancer and
passed away on 11 February 2012.
His wife, Millie, and family thank the association
members for your thoughts and prayers during his final last two months. Casey was
blessed with many phone calls and visits from many of his friends and business associates. Casey served onboard USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) from 1952-55 as a BT3.
Brian Lenz
Son of Carl Lenz
Onawa, IA
Deceased 1/21/2012
Our shipmate Carl Lenz’s Jr., son Brian William Lenz passed away at age 49 on 21 January 2012. He was buried on 24 January 2012. Brian was born 13 August 1962 in Sioux
City, Iowa, the son of Carl William, Jr. and Margaret Angela (Burns) Lenz. Brian became mentally handicapped due to an illness at the age of 2, but persevered to live a
full and independent lifestyle. He attended school at West Monona Community School and
graduated with the class of 1981.
Franklin Oudemolen BM3 51-54
West Olive, MI
Deceased 1/16/2012
Association Member, Franklin J. Oudemolen, age 81, of West Olive, died Monday, 16 January 2012 at Holland Hospital. Frank was born on 19 August 1930, in Holland to Elmer
and Hilda Oudemolen.
He worked for Holland Hitch for over 40 years prior to retirement. Frank served in the Korean War onboard USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) from 1951–54
as a Boatswain Mate Third Class. He is survived by his wifel Lois of 55 years; daughter, Brenda Oudemolen; brother, Elmer and Cora Oudemolen; in-laws, Dorothy Hopkins,
Wanda Strycker, Margaret Kolhoff, Joyce Kleeves, James Harbison; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services with military honors were held on Friday, 20 January 2012.
Franklin’s entombment is at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Mary Lou Kiehler
Wife of Eldon Kiehler
Newport Beach, CA
Deceased 12/20/2011
Mary Lou Kiehler, wife of association member Eldon Kiehler 44-45, passed away suddenly
on 17 December 2011. Mary Lou and Eldon had completed decorating for their buildings’
Christmas party, when she felt ill. She was rushed to the hospital and died two days
later.
Mary Lou was faithful in attending 3 June Memorial Ceremonies in Long Beach
each year. She also attended the San Diego Reunion in 2010.
Bobby M. King
FN 50-54
Lindale, GA
Deceased 11/23/2011
The association received a letter from Bertice King, Bobby King’s wife, reporting her
husband had passed away on 23 November 2011 following his second stroke. He served onboard USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) from 50–54 as a Fireman. Bertice indicated her husband very much enjoyed the newsletter and looked forward to receiving it each quarter.
Donald S. Manion
LT 50-51
San Rafael, CA
Deceased 9/11/2011
Shipmate Donald “Judge” Manion passed away on 11 September 2011 at the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Donald served onboard USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) as a Lieutenant in
51-52. After his military career he received his law degree. Donald presented cases
to the Supreme Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
He later moved to San
Rafael were he continued to practice law. Don is survived by his wife, Virginia, five
children and eight grandchildren.
IN MEMORIAM (continued)
3
Douglas R. Legg
LTJG 52-55
Ashland, OR
Deceased 6/08/2011
Association Member, Douglas Reid Legg died 8 June 2011 in Ashland, Oregon at the age of
80.
He attended the University of Notre Dame on a four-year NROTC scholarship then
graduated and received his commission in the U.S. Navy 1 June 1952. He reported onboard
USS Frank E. Evans DD 754) 26 July 1952 and served two combat tours in Korea. His last
assignment was as Gunnery Officer. Doug then returned to Notre Dame to obtain a master's degree in history. In 1957 he entered the University of Oregon and worked on a
history doctorate until joining the faculty at what is now Southern Oregon University.
He served in a variety of teaching and administrative positions until retiring in 1990.
In August 1963, he married Joan Marie Reiff, his beloved wife who survives.
Smith Laramore
DK2 50-51
El Paso, TX
Deceased 9/11/2007
The Association received information that our shipmate, Smith G. “Smitty” Laramore,
passed way on 11 September 2007. Smitty reported onboard USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) on
19 October 1950 as a Disbursing Clerk Second Class and made the first deployment to support the Korean Conflict. Smitty was laid to rest in El Paso, Texas.
FROM ONE OF OUR OWN - A HARD WON NAVAL CAREER
came a Naval Aviator and
began
flying
transports
between Moffett Field and
Tokyo.
The flights imposed
stressful
conditions, which became detrimental to his eye sight.
Eventually he failed to
meet the eyesight standards and was removed from
fight duty.
In June, 1952, he was sent
to
naval
CIC
Officers
School, to train to perform duties aboard a combatant ship.
Commander Max Slankard was
born in 1928 and grew up
during the depression on a
small tenant farm in EastCentral Kansas. He was the
middle child of seven.
In
his early teens he enjoyed
watching the Navy aircraft
flying from the nearby airfields.
He graduated high
school at 16. Not eligible
for the military service,
he did qualify for a flight
training program including
two years of college, and
then two years as an Aviation Midshipman.
He
reported
to
Naval
School for Pre-flight at
Pensacola on 28 February
1948,
b ecam e
c arrier
qualified
and
completed
advanced
flight
school.
In August of 1949, he be-
His first sea duty was
aboard USS Los Angeles (CA
135) as CIC Watch Officer.
Fleet
Sonar
School
was
next, then USS Heermann
(DD 532) as Operations Officer.
In August, 1957,
he reported to the University of Kansas to complete
two years of college leading to a bachelor's degree.
He met Donna Gies,
of Topeka, Kansas and they
married in August of 1958.
Next, Postgraduate school
at Monterey for General
Line School.
His son,
David, was born 20 September 1959, at Fort Ord Army
Hospital, Monterey.
On 6 January, 1960, he reported aboard USS Frank E.
Evans (DD 754) for duty as
the
Executive
Officer.
His wife, Donna, had contracted a post-natal medical
problem
which
was
treated by a very powerful
antibiotic.
After only
six weeks onboard, he was
transferred to San Diego
for an interim assignment.
The antibiotic killed her
bone marrow, which lead to
her early death in April,
1960.
Next duty was USS Wilkinson
(DL 5) reporting 19 November
1960, as Executive Officer,
then as Commanding Officer
aboard
USS
Conflict
(MSO
426) on 6 April, 1962.
In
November,
Max
married
Claudine Cowan.
They had
two children.
In mid-1963
duty called again, in Monterey until June 1965, then
for shore duty in Norfolk.
On 14 August 1967, he took
command of USS Charles H.
Roan
(DD
853)
where
he
served until 29 August 1969.
He went to his last duty assignment in Washington, DC.,
retiring 30 June 1972.
Max only spent six weeks
aboard USS FRANK E. EVANS
(DD 754), he has a story
with its tragic moment, but
shows what the Navy can do
for somebody who is really
determined and interested.
FEATURED 60’s SHIPMATE
GM2 WESLEY “BUTCH” C. FARNUM II (SURVIVOR)
Butch
Farnum
reported for duty on
board
USS FRANK E.
EVANS (DD 754) 24
January 1969, after
transferring
from
USS
HOLLISTER
(DD
788) and after surviving the collision
with HMAS MELBOURNE
(R 21) he was transferred to USS STRONG
(DD 758).
In June, 1979, Pastor Butch Farnum and his
family returned from Pensacola, Florida
where he had attended Liberty Bible College.
He began meeting with seven families who had a vision for a new church in
the Orangeburg, South Carolina area. Farnum believed, as a result of a vision, if
he would be obedient, the Lord would cause
dry places to bloom.
Bethel Church was founded by Butch and
Judy
Farnum.
The
church
is
nondenominational, multi cultural and spirit
filled.
The first service was held the
third Sunday of September, 1979.
The
church purchased a two-story facility for
use as a worship and education building in
1981. In 1985, the church was the recipient of a ten-acre parcel of land and construction of the present facility was begun. The first meeting was 9 April 1989.
In 1993, a Public Safety Officer was shot
and killed on duty. Police Chaplains from
the Low Country drove up to support the
family, fellow officers and the community.
People asked why couldn't Orangeburg have
the same support all the time.
"I was
asked to look into forming a chaplaincy
4
program here", said Bethel Church pastor
Butch Farnum, a program coordinator.
Six local pastors volunteered to ride patrols with county deputies.
The pastors
passed an 80-hour training course at the
Criminal Justice Academy.
The pastors
learned more about counseling and stress
management, but also learned to handcuff
suspects and radio for help, something not
usually required at Sunday services.
The
volunteer law enforcement chaplains carry
pagers for emergency situations and also
have scheduled shifts to ride with officers.
Chaplains hear problems and let officers
release the pent-up emotions that come with
their high-stress jobs. A big part of the
program provides guidance to those who protect and serve.
Farnum said “the release
means officers don't carry problems home to
their spouses and children.”
The pastors also give counseling to crime
victims and act as a go-between for victims, their families, and the police.
The
chaplains also provide information about
where victims can obtain spiritual or emotional help.
Bethel Church continues to grow and the
Farnum’s faithfully pastored the church for
twenty-five years, until they transferred
leadership in 2004.
The Farnum’s continue
to be active members of the church and reside as elders on the leadership team.
They're ministering more than ever in the
Orangeburg County Sheriffs Department. With
vivid memories of the 3 June 1969, USS
Frank E. Evans (DD 754)
collision with
HMAS Melbourne (R 21), Butch ministered to
victims of the twin towers destruction of
11 September 2001, when 911 emergency personnel died.
SHIP STORE UPDATE
At our last reunion in Waterloo, we promised to make changes to the association’s
Web Site and reopened the on-line Ship’s
Store. The good news is you can now shop
online by clicking on the item you want
and paying for it by using Pay Pal, Visa
or Master Card. This should “speed up” the
ordering process and improve on the shipping time.
the dues section will appear as the first
item.
We are also able to pay our dues and make
donations online, too. There is a button
to press, or just go to the Ship Store and
Well Done and Thank You, Jenny Kraus!
Jenny Kraus has spent many hours in streamlining the web site and adding the payment
capabilities. She is a whiz with the computer and has worked hard to make
USS
Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association a first
class organization.
5
USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) ELEVENTH COMMANDING OFFICER
COMMANDER JOSEPH N. BEHAN JR. 23 APRIL 1956 - 26 APRIL 1958
Change
of
Command
took
place on 23 April 1956 at
the Long Beach Naval Station, California, Commander
John D. Chase was relieved
by Commander Joseph N. Behan JR.
Joseph Nicholson Behan JR.,
was nick named “Jojo, Rosy,
Butch-Bitch,
and
DoubleDuff”.
“Like
the
torpedoes (Damn
them!) in Dahlgren Hall,
Joe
came
from
Newport,
Rhode Island.
"All Navy"
then, even more so as his
Navy career grew.
The
best description of him:
“Irish!” in its fullest
sense.
Academics
have
never thrown him badly,
although he has
had a
scrape or two (Who has
not?).
His
pet
hobbies
were lacrosse, books and
songs.
WELCOME
NEW
Commander Behan was born 6
April 1918. He served in WW
II and retired as a Rear Admiral. At the conclusion of
Commander Behan’s tour as
Captain of USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) he was relieved
at a ceremony at sea by Commander Johns.
Change of
commends normally did not
take place at sea.
Commander Behan
July 1970.
died
on
13
MEMBERS
We offer a special “Welcome Aboard” to our shipmates Wayne Gillespie and Bill Thibeault.
Also welcome to second watch members; Jerry McCullough, Karen Peters, Hannah Ackerman
(now our youngest association member) and Loretta McKay. If you know of anyone who is
interested in joining our association, please have them contact Donna Kraus at 760-9418184 or email her at [email protected].
NAME
RELATIONSHIP
CITY
STATE
SHIPMATES:
Wayne J. Gillespie
Fireman 64-66
Maysville
Georgia
William F. Thibeault
Seaman Apprentice 68-69 (survivor)
Norwich
Connecticut
Hannah Ackerman
Loretta McKay
Student / Author / Actress
Friend of Del Francis
Cedar Falls
Walden
Iowa
Colorado
Jerry O. McCullough
Karen Peters
USS Kearsarge (CVS 33)
Wife of Pete Peters, Survivor
Ardmore
Redondo Beach
Tennessee
California
SECOND WATCH
EMAILS RECEIVED
From Ed Gillick, President. USS Alfred A.
Cunningham DD-752 Association.
I was a GM2 on the ship in 1952-56. I was
going to come up to Waterloo when the Evans reunion was there, we live in Cedar
Rapids, IA.
My wife had to go on Oxygen
24/7, so we don’t travel much.
Hope you
had a good reunion, we were in Springfield, IL, this year.
Had a great time.
Take Care & Merry Christmas.
Ed Gillick
John,
I served on USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754)
from Feb. 68 to Dec. 68.
I was the Log
Room Yeoman and bunked with Andrew Botto.
During GQ, Steven Espinosa (lost 74) was
by my side in the front gun mount, where
Upton was the gunners mate in charge.
I
am interested in how to become a part of
the organization and would like to order a
ball cap.
Take care...Richard Rhodes
I would like to make myself known to the
organization as I was a serving member of
the HMAS Melbourne (R 21)on that fateful
night; my action station was the port forward motor cutter. We were the first boat
in the water and continued to ferry survivors and deceased back to the Melbourne,
including the Captain of the Evans, a courageous and generous of spirit gentleman.
We remained at this task for 8 hours, till
all of the survivors had been found and
bought to the carrier.
I was given, in
Subic Bay, when sent there as a witness at
the enquiry, a shoulder patch from the Evans which I still to this day cherish and
refuse to let go of.
I would love to be kept in the picture as
to what is happening within the organization and will endeavor to offer any assistance that I can to help or supply information.
Hoping you are well and that you
have a great Christmas and New Year,
Shipmates Forever,
Tom Place (CPO RAN retired)
Hi Steve,
After downloading the newsletter I read
every single article and I want to commend
you on a wonderful job you are doing. The
articles were very moving and informative.
I
liked
your
foresight
on
sending
a
"holiday greeting banner" to the USS Kidd
and the wonderful crew picture they responded with.
Thanks again for the great job you are doing for the Association.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful
Christmas.
Karen Peters
THE FINAL INSPECTION
(author unknown)
The Soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
Step forward now, Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
But,
That
Though I
When the
I never took a penny,
wasn't mine to keep.
worked a lot of overtime,
bills got just too steep.
6
Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.
FACEBOOK
7
By John Coffey
Again, I would like to introduce you to a
great communication device that has drawn
some of us closer together. That program
is Facebook.
Since our last reunion, I
have become ‘Friends’ with several members
and their families as well as some awesome
people from Australia.
The USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association and USS Kidd (DDG 100) also have
sites on Facebook that draws people looking for information about the two ships.
This, too, has opened the door to many new
Frank E. Evans friends.
Facebook is a great way to keep in touch
and share experiences.
Your friends can
know when you are happy, sad, bored, or
excited.
You can have great discussions
on many subjects. You can send wishes and
prayers to those who are experience sickness or are having hard times.
If you have a computer and an email address, it is simple to start a Facebook
account (and don’t let the word ‘account’
scare you off), it is free.
Go to www.facebook.com and complete the
registration form. It is up to you regarding how much information as you feel comfortable listing.
Personally, I list my
address, phone number, my educational and
employment background along with other bits
of my life. You may provide as much or as
little information as you desire.
For the
ladies, I recommend you list your maiden
name. For example, Jane Doe Smith with Doe
being your maiden name. This provides your
high school friends the ability to search
for you.
Also, Facebook will ask you to create a new
email account with a Facebook.com address.
Don’t worry even though it is a requirement
you will never have to use it. I have been
on Facebook for several years and have
never received an email from that account.
It is just something Facebook requires.
If you have any problems please contact me,
John Coffey, by phone at 706-335-0724 or at
my email address [email protected].
I
will help you as much as I can.
So join the team and let’s talk.
VETERAN’S APPRECIATION
unteers served food out of
a corner kitchen.
About 100 veterans dined on
hot dogs, hamburgers, polish sausages, vegetable and
fruit salads and desserts.
Parishioners
donated
the
goods.
Jeff Hotter (66-69 Survivor)
Military
veterans
from
throughout
the
Southland
were treated to free food
Sunday at St. Julie Billiart Roman Catholic Church
in Tinley Park, Illinois.
The annual Veterans’ Appreciation Picnic was held at
the church.
Inside the church hall dining tables were decorated
with American flag drawings
and patriotic colors. Vol-
Richton Park resident Jeff
Hotter, 64, was one of the
veterans who took the church
up on the offer.
Hotter
served in the U.S. Navy from
1966 -69. “This didn’t start
till 1 p.m. and the Chicago
Bears don’t start until 3
p.m.,” Hotter said.
Hotter served aboard the destroyer USS FRANK E. EVANS
(DD 754), the ship an Australian aircraft carrier cut
in half in a collision in
1969.
Hotter said he just
started
getting
involved
with other veterans.
He
said he attended a USS FRANK
E. EVANS (DD 754)reunion in
Iowa earlier this month. “I
thought it would be devastating because I’m a survivor,” Hotter said, adding he
has
trouble
sleeping
at
night because of the traumatic event. “It helped out
a lot”.
Hotter, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
8077 in Homewood, Illinois
said he planned to attend
the reunion again next year
in Dallas / Fort Worth.
He
said he enjoyed the royal
treatment from the church.
When he came back from the
war, he certainly didn’t receive it at that time. “Our
war was the forgotten war,”
Hotter said. “We
had no
ticker-tape
parades.
Now
with Iraq and Afghanistan,
America has woken up and I
appreciate it”.
8
A GREAT STORY FROM VIETNAM
by Nolan Craig
This story came from George
Franklin, whose father was
a
FBI agent in charge of
the El Paso Division.
The
El Paso Division was known
for the now famous agents
as Sam Crowley, Melvin Purvis and Charles B. Winstead
(the
agent
who
killed
Dillinger).
Russian "trawlers" (Russian
AGI) looked like fishing
boats but had one thousand
"fishing" antennas.
Trawlers were in the Gulf of
Tonkin
on
a
daily
basis...needless to say, it
was a cat and mouse game to
see what havoc they could
expend towards our two carriers
operating
there
twenty-four hours a day.
The
U.S.
government
proclaimed three miles
the North Vietnam coast
in the Gulf of Tonkin
Hinan Island , People's
public of China , to be
ternational waters.
had
off
and
and
Rein-
American ships in the Gulf
were bound to obey the international rules of the
road for ocean navigation.
This meant, if a Russian
ship
maneuvered
herself
into the path of an aircraft carrier and had the
right of way, the carrier
had to give way, even if
she was engaged in launching or recovering aircraft.
The navigation officer was
constantly trying to maneuver the ship so that the
trawler wouldn't be able to
get in position to abuse
the rules of the road and
gain the right of way.
Sometimes he was successful
in sucking the trawler out
of position but the room
available for the ship to
maneuver was limited by our
on-station requirements and
sometimes the trawler was
successful
interrupting
flight operations. The pilots of the air wing were
strictly forbidden to take
any action against Russian
ships but on this day Commander
John
Wunche,
the
commanding officer of the
heavy tanker KA-3B detachment,
had
finally
had
enough of the Russians' antics.
John Wunche was a big man
with bright red hair and a
flaming red handlebar mustache. He was a frustrated
fighter pilot whom fate and
the Bureau of Naval Personnel had put into the cockpit
of
a
former
heavy
bomber now employed as a
carrier-based tanker.
Commander Wunche flew the
tanker like a fighter and
frequently
delighted
the
tactical pilots by rolling
the "Whale," as we all
called the KA-3B tanker, on
completion of a tanker mission. Consequently, John's
nickname
was
"the
Red
Baron”. On 21 July 1967 he
proved just how appropriate
that name was.
The USS Bon Homme Richard
(CVA 31) known as "Bonnie
Dick" had nearly completed
a recovery.
A Russian
trawler had been steaming
at full speed to try to cut
across our bow.
For a
while it looked as if the
Russian would be too late
and we would finish the recovery
before
having
to
give way to the trawler.
But a couple of untimely
bolters extended the recovery and the Bon Homme Richard had to back down and
change
course
to
comply
with the rules.
The LSO
hit
the
wave-off
lights
when the "Whale" was just a
few yards from the ramp.
John crammed on full power
and sucked up the speed
brakes for the go-around.
The "Bonnie Dick" began a
sharp right turn to pass
behind the Russian, causing
the ship to list steeply,
and there, dead ahead of
John,
was
the
Russian
trawler.
He couldn't resist.
He
leveled
the
"Whale"
about
a
hundred
feet off the water and
roared across the mast of
the Trawler with all fuel
dumps open like a crop
duster spraying a field of
boll weevils.
The Russian disappeared in
a heavy white cloud of jet
fuel spray, then reemerged
with JP-4 jet fuel glistening from her superstructure.
The Russian trawler
immediately lost power as
the ship's crew frantically
tried to shut down anything
that might generate a spark
and ignite the fuel.
The trawler was rolling dead
in the water in the USS Bon
Homme Richard (CVA 31) wake,
the crew breaking out fire
hoses to wash down the fuel,
as we steamed out of sight
completing the recovery of
the Whale. The Red Baron was
an instant hero to the entire ship's company.
USS Bon Homme Richard
(CVA 31)
A TOUCHING TRIBUTE FROM DOWN UNDER
9
As you sail across the sea,
all my love is there beside you.
In Capri or Amsterdam,
Honolulu or Siam,
to the harbor of my heart.
I will send my love to guide you,
as I call across the sea,
Sailor, come home to me.
Sailor, stop your roaming. Sailor,
leave the sea. Sailor, when the tide
turns, come home safe to me.
On 3 June 2011
hours,
Raymond
Brauer wrote to
bell: “Lord, for
peril on the sea,
our prayer, as
Thee.”
at 1618
“Dutchy”
JC Campthose in
we raise
one, to
My Dear Friends in Eternal
Sorrow,
Please indulge this, your
humble servant, by allowing
this small, though significant to me, gesture in
dedicating the German song
entitled 'Sailor' to the
memory of the 74 crew of
USS FRANK E EVANS (DD 754)
whose lives were lost on 3
June 1969 at or shortly after 0312 hours consequent
to her collision with HMAS
MELBOURNE (R 21).
Sailor is a beautiful German song, one line which,
to me is so salient.
“Seemann, deine heimat ist
das meer”
“Sailor, your home is
The sea”
As I listened to it repeatedly, it had me crying uncontrollably as I revisited
0312, 03 JUNE 69.
It has
become my living nightmare.
As I recall, the few moments in time when those 74
good men, for whom this
phrase shall ever be true.
“Deine heimat ist das meer”
met their God.
When I was
a child my father would often whistle the tune.
SAILOR
Sailor, stop your roaming. Sailor,
leave the sea. Sailor, when the tide
turns, come home safe to me.
Do you begin to understand?
My bunk in HMAS Melbourne
was located just 40 feet
from the point of impact of
the ill-fated USS FRANK E
EVANS.
None of those grim
and ominous sounds were insulated from my hearing just
as I was so acutely aware of
the unusual upward thrust of
Melbourne’s bow followed by
its settling like a knife
through butter were so terrible a portent of this horrendous event which I was
blindly witnessing.
Yesterday I sat for a long
while in tears
of grief
which is, to this day, recalled as though 42 years
had not intervened as some
images remain indelibly imprinted in my memory bank
though I have asked of the
Lord that these
may, in
time, ease.
REVISED - BOOKS ABOUT USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) & HER CREW
As of 29 February 2012, all
books, except “Command &
Control,” have been revised
and carry “Second Edition”
on their covers; 278 Men
was revised July 2011. This
is
a
summary
of
the
changes:
Volume I The 1940's - Articles and/or photos about
LTJG Fred Atkins, LTJG Sydney Chamberlain, and F1c
John Spiering; 6 page increase.
Volume II The 1950's - Articles and/or photos about
DC3
Loyd
Chandler,
DK2
Smitty Laramore, BTFN Cal
Rankin, GM3 Jack Rose, GM3
Robert Berger, MM2 Bruce
Fleck, LTJG Don Manion, FN
Richard Hopper, BT2 Kenny
Ward, ET2 Ralph Te Velde,
and RD2 Allan Bostic; 7
page increase.
Lucas, BT2 Alan Arnold, PN3
Gary Westfall, BTFA Denzil
Davidson, MM3 Roy McGrew,
CS3 Larry Knighten, FT2 Ed
Holsopple,
MM3
“Spider”
Cullison,
BT2
Jose
Diaz
DeLeon, SN Richard Rhodes,
FN “Tinkerbell” Petermann,
IC1
Jesse
Perkins,
GM2
“Butch” Farnum; 22 page increase.
Volume III The 1960's - Articles and/or photos about
LT Max Slankard, LTJG John
The 278 Men - Article about
ATN3
Michael
G.
Delaune;
photos by Russ Morris, helo
Continued on page 10
10
Continued from page 9
written a review.
Please
take the time! simply go
pilot USS KEARSARGE; Photos to www.lulu.com type in
of survivors and casualties; USS Frank E. Evans (DD
six page increase.
754), click on the book of
note, click on “Write a
Articles Retyped - Articles review” and do your thing.
from Royal Australian Navy Good, bad, or ugly, as the
News,
Danny
Cushman
RAN author, I sincerely want
(Ret), and “Dutchy” Brauer your input.
RAN; 39 page increase.
To date, more than 270
books have been sold, but
not a single person has
Since May 2010, book sales
have
added
more
than
$600.00 to our treasury,
thanks for your interest
and support.
In order to
keep $2.50 coming in to
the Association for each
book sold, the prices had
to be adjusted, raised, to
compensate
for
higher
printing
and
shipping
costs.
At times, the publisher has
special
offers.
Go
to
www.lulu.com website and get
discount code, then ORDER
YOUR BOOKS.
FEATURED 50’s SHIPMATE
BT2 EMIT K. “KENNY” WARD (DECEASED)
Emit better known as “Oil King” was born 1
August 1930, at Kansas City, Kansas to William Emit "Hick" and Pauline Beatrice
(Sillyman) Ward.
many shipmates had been transferred to USS
Bryce Canyon (AD 36) because they were due
for discharge. In January 1955, Kenny was
“kicked off” USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754).
He had poor eyesight in one eye, and when
he was processed into the Navy, there was
something in his file instructing he was,
“never to serve on a man-of-war ship.”
But, the “system” failed until some inspectors came aboard and found the comment in
his file.
He was transferred to USS Ajax
(AR 6) a repair ship. On 28 December 1955,
he was honorably discharged as a second
class Petty Officer.
On his return home he resumed his career
with the Highway Department with its special crew as a drag-line and dozer operator
until January 1960, when the new maintenance building at Success opened and he
started as crew leader. He received his
G.E.D. in 1968 and was promoted to shed
foreman in 1969. He held that position until his retirement 1 December 1987.
Kenny worked at various jobs around Houston, Missouri as a teenager, dropping out
of high school four months into his freshman year. In 1949, he went to work at International Shoe Factory as a side-laster.
Kenny married Marie Edith Pinkston on 1 October 1949, in the First Baptist Church,
Houston, Missouri. They had three sons and
one daughter. In January of 1951, he began
a 33-year career with the Missouri State
Highway Department in Houston.
Their lives were interrupted on 2 January
1952, by the Korean War, at which time he
entered the U.S. Navy.
Kenny came aboard
USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) in June 1952
and served in B Division. He loved to sing
and play the guitar.
The “Oil King” made
two tours to Korea, including 1953, when
He started Ward Dump Trucking after his retirement and it is still in operation today.
His greatest "material" love was
Country Music, learning to play fiddle,
guitar and mandolin beginning at age 12. He
was in his first organized band aboard USS
Frank E. Evans (DD 754) in the Navy playing
shows along the California Coast, Hawaii,
Japan, the Philippines and various other
Island locales in the Pacific. In 1968, he
joined the "Lonesome Drifters" playing fiddle doing a radio show every Saturday morning on Houston Radio into the early 70's.
He formed his most well known band, "Kenny
Ward - Just Havin’ Fun!
Emit passed away on 11 January 2009 in Columbus, Ohio.
OUR SERVING VETERANS
11
In this newsletter we are starting a new feature to keep you informed about our serving
veterans. If you have a son or daughter, nephew or niece, cousin or anyone close to you
serving in the military let John Coffey know so we can honor them in future editions.
Captain
Carl
M.
Phillips, U.S. Air
Force, is a Chaplain serving as the
Battalion Chaplain
of the 1st Space
Battalion at Peterson AFB in Colorado.
Captain
Philips
provides Protestant
spiritual
fitness
for the base and he
also provides pastoral care for the
soldiers and their
families
by
conducting individual and family counseling.
Captain Philips is the nephew of our association member Ed Holsopple (64-67).
LT Nathan Rice, is currently serving in
the US Navy as a Chaplain for the troops
and is stationed in Afghanistan.
Men of
the cloth are greatly appreciated in those
remote locations. Well Done, LT Rice.
Carl Rice is the
member Susan Rice.
nephew
of
association
LCPL Dominic S. Muranyi, USMC, Dominic is
attached to FAST 1st BRAVO COMPANY, out of
Yorktown, Virginia. LCPL Muranyi recently
returned to the
United States after a seven month
deployment
with
FASTPAC to Yokosuka,
Japan.
Prior to deploying, his unit was
assigned to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
While
deployed,
Dominic and his
platoon took part
in CARAT 2011 Exercises with the
Royal Brunei Land
Forces in Burnei, Darussalam, conducted
Advanced Urban Combat Training with ROK
Marines from the Republic of Korea at Camp
Mujuk, and took part in jungle survival
training exercises in Okinawa,
While deployed, he earned the green belt in the
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).
Dominic
graduated
from
St.
Charles
(Illinois) North High School and attended
boot camp at USMCRD San Diego graduating in
May 2010. Only a select few Marines are
chosen by their command to be a Designated
Marksmen.
Dominic was chosen because he
maintains a high first-class physical fitness test score, a high rifle qualification
score, and shows potential to excel as a
marksman.
Dominic has been in the Corps
for two years.
Dominic S. Muranyi, is the son of association member Gail Muranyi and grandson of
members Frank & Terri Jablonski.
GREAT NEWSLETTER! My son-in-law David, and
our daughter are currently in the Air
Force.
They are stationed in Minot, North
Dakota, brrr.
David is a Missile Crew
Leader. We all should Pray for them!
Thank you so much for including us in the
newsletter. I am so proud of all of you,
best of the best!
Dari Bradley
Aviation Ordnance Man third Class Marisa
Goff, Marisa completed six years of active
duty last August.
Her last active assignment was onboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), stationed out of Norfolk, Virginia.
Marisa is currently
serving as a reservist,
stationed
at Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois.
Marisa Goff is the
daughter of association
member
Gretchen Moore and
the niece of several
Kraus
and
Jablonski
association members.
12
20TH ANNUAL REUNION, SEPTEMBER 27 - 29 2012
HYATT REGENCY HOTEL
DALLAS / FORT WORTH AIRPORT
In September, 2012 we will be gathering
in Texas at the Hyatt Regency Hotel located at the Dallas / Fort Worth Airport.
This year we will celebrate our 20th reunion.
As previously reported, we wanted
to return to the place where Nick Nichols
(Our Founder) started reunions in 1992.
We are really excited about the upcoming
reunion.
At the last reunion several
members indicated the time flew by and
the reunions were just too short. A few
people had an idea of having a “Liberty
Night” just prior to the official start
of the reunion, so guess what?, we are
going to do just that!
On Wednesday evening (September 26, 2012)
we are going to have a “Pub Crawl” at the
Fort Worth Stock Yards. Jennifer Nichols
has volunteered to run this event and is
making the arrangements.
Details about
the Pub Crawl and all the other events,
along with the reunion registration package will be mailed to you in May of 2012.
Make your plans now to attend this year’s
reunion!
The Hyatt Regency Hotel is offering us a
fabulous room rate of $ 99.00 per night.
Shoulder days extend to three days prior
and three days after the reunion.
In response to your request, we will not be including the cost of
breakfast with your
room rate. Many people indicated they preferred to select their morning meal and
didn't care to have the same breakfast buffet several days in a row.
By excluding
the meal we were able to keep the room
rates under the targeted $100 mark.
Lastly, on Saturday evening we will be having a Texas “Hoe Down” to celebrate our 20th
reunion. This promises to be an event for
the record books.
You won’t want to miss
this!
Looking forward to seeing everyone
in September.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!
FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED
USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) ASSOCIATION, INC.
4587 BLACKWELL RD.
OCEANSIDE, CA 92056
WWW.USSFEE.ORG
LEST WE FORGET: OUR “LOST 74”
DIED DURING THE VIETNAM WAR