261 - August 4, 2002 8:00 pm

Name:

JOHN PAINTER

Tender:

USS Coucal

Comments:

`Looking for anyone who served with my father Diver 1st Jack C. Painter on the USS Coucal 43-45. I also have picture of Coucal port side bow view and a picture of ships jacket patch. What a great website. THANKS!!!

262 - July 9, 2002 8:00 pm

Name:

Kelvin May

Tender:

USS LY Spear

Comments:

I have just returned to Louisiana from a trip to Virginia. While there, I decided to travel to Portsmouth to see if I could get near enough to the USS LY Spear, lying in the reserve fleet. Well, I made a few inquiries at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as to the whereabouts of the ship. No one seemed to know her or were suspicious(post 9-11-01)of my questions. One sentry suggested that I find a bridge named "the Jordan Bridge" as he remembered seeing several large ships docked near there. I did find the bridge and was thrilled to see five tenders moored abreast there. The Spear was in the middle with tenders numbered 33 and 41 to her starboard side. From my distant viewpoint, I could not make out the numbers of the remaining two ships. Although it was from a distance, it was great to see the ship that I had served aboard from 1981-83. I was able to take some photos and if you'd like to receive digital copies, just let me know. The pics aren't close-ups. But may be of interest to someone.

263 - July 2, 2002 8:00 pm

Name:

DANIEL M. VALENZUELA

Tender:

USS Holland AS-3

Comments:

Hi , I dont know if you may have known my dad (Ralph G. Valenzuela) from Tucson Arizona he was about 16 years old when he enlisted in 1943. I think. He was on the USS Holland AS-3 subtender He was a second class petty officer. I was looking for photos and such on his ship and I found your web page.He was also on the USS Carter Hall LSD-3 Just thought I would drop an e-mail to you and let you know how grateful I am to have found these. I am his son and he told me alot of Navy stories about the Navy. Good Luck and hope all is well. He left us last year but his memories are always with us and he fought for our freedom like all you guys. God Bless

264 - June 22, 2002 8:00 pm

Name:

Carla Maine

Tender:

USS MCKEE (AS 41)

Comments:

Hi Folks! I was stationed on board USS MCKEE (AS 41) from 1987-1990. Your site is the first site I have come across for Tender Sailors! I was very surprised (and pleased) to read your comments (esp) on the Decomm pages....if nice to find a site that reveals an emotional connection to the ships.USS MCKEE was my first ship (other than TAD) and you know how sentimental that can be! MCKEE is now sitting quietly on the Elizabeth River, Norfolk, VA. My husband took a few pictures (sea level) for me and I will send them to you under separate email. Thank you for presenting a great site!! Thanks, Carla Maine

265 - May 28, 2002 8:00 pm

Name:

W. J. Ostapeck

Tender:

USS Euryale, AS 22

Comments:

I served aboard the USS Euryale, AS 22. I would like to contact anyone from the USS Nereus, AS 17. It was the ship that relieved the Euryale in Sasebo, Japan in January, 1946. Also, I would like to contact anyone from the USS Anthedon, AS 24. It was the ship that relieved the Euryale in Fremantle. We would like to discuss a combined reunion with one of or both of the ships mentioned.

266 - May 24, 2002 8:00 pm

Name:

Robert Massey's son

Tender:

USS PELIAS

Comments:

Bob, my dad was on the USS PELIAS in 1941-42 as a 3rd class ships cook in the Midway Islands , and then transferred to the USS OTUS as the 2cd class cook in 1942 for 2-3 years. He has alot of good memories and to this day, all he talks about is loving the Navy Ships and all the hot women in Australia. I guess the Aussies didn't enjoy the American Soldiers comming ashore and stealing their women. If anyone remembers Robert Massey from Nashville, Tennessee or if anyone might know if they are having any kind of a reunion for the USS PELIAS or the USS OTUS for 2002, please e-mail, so I can pass on the info! Alot of stories of buried beer cans in the sand! Does anyone remember Kenneth Knight from Texas, a good friend from the Otus?

267 - May 12, 2002 8:00 pm

Name:

Ken Nichols

Tender:

Comments:

Your comments on providing services to SSN's are well-remembered. I don't know which tender was in Guam at the time, but when the USS Snook (SSN 592) pulled in in 1970, she got unbelievable support from the tender. The main reason for this was discerned to be the fact that the boomers expected this service. Fast attacks normally had to to do everything pretty much by themselves; and if they got any help, it was genuinely appreciated. And it was 'help', in that both the tender crew and the boat crew worked together to get done WELL whatever was needed.

268 - April 22, 2002 8:00 pm

Name:

Jeff Marks

Tender:

FULTON

Comments:

The fire on the USS Fulton during her 1983-84 stay in Quincy wasn't caused by oily rags left by a yardworker. It was due to faulty wiring in her main electrical distrubution panel. When the Yard Electrician went to energize the panel he threw the switch to the Exciter and the front of the panel blew out. The flame spiraled into the overhead where it caught the cork insulation on fire. The Fulton had cork insulation for deadening the sound of her diesel engines. The insulation began to smolder causing alot of smoke. That's when the OOD called General Quarters. We spent all day at G.Q. pierside General Dynamics, Quincy. The Shipyard Firefighters entered the Mainspace but, left shortly afterwards claiming it was too smoky for them to help us. Most of the credit for putting out this fire should go to HT3 Nick Edgington and another HT3 from Engineering "DC" division named Mike. I wish I could remember his last name. Edgington and Mike served as No. 1 and No. 2 Nozzleman on the Mainspace Repair Party. I went to HT "A" school and served with Mike in Engineering . Our LPO was HT1 Grey and our CPO was HTC lebraun Later, during the yard period I was transferred to Repair Division where I worked with Nick in the Sheet Metal Shop ( I believe the shop was 17A). The Shop Supervisor was HT2 Dan Spath. I would like to here from any Fulton crewmembers stationed onboard between 1982~1984.

269 - February 12, 2002 7:00 pm

Name:

Terry Feenstra

Tender:

L. Y. Spear (AS-36)

Comments:

I reported onboard L. Y. Spear (AS-36) after Christmas break in January of 1978. The ship was in the Portsmouth shipyards at the time. After leaving the yards we went to Gitmo for training... And then to New Orleans for liberty. On our way up the Mississippi we collided with a tanker. I was standing watch on the stern anchor windlass at the time... Thinking about jumping into the river. The only other deployment I remember was a visit to Florida... Spent most of the time in Norfolk. I was onboard when women were being originally assigned... In fact I was a tour guide for a committee on women in the Navy. I didn't have any problems with women aboard ship. They just did their jobs like the rest of us... Mostly.

270 - January 25, 2002 7:00 pm

Name:

Toni Heckler

Tender:

USS Eurale

Comments:

My father served on the USS Eurale 1944-1945. He was Fireman 1/class Anthony (Tony) Fabanich from Freedom PA. If anyone remembers him, please contact me. Thanks, Toni Heckler