|
The entries on this page date back to 1997-98 and
email addresses might not be current. If you try to email someone and it
bounces, try to send your message from the Crew List.
****
Richard Bruner
Email: Bsheena@aol.com
I was on 2 Westpacs to Vietnam on the Henry W. Tucker 1971-1973.
I was a MM3 in the after engine room. I
became a shellback on the Tucker. My best friend Ronald Blackford MM3 have many
fond memories and some bad while serving on the Tucker
****
Bud
L. Kruse
Email: bb49fans@skat.net
My name is Bud L. Kruse, I served aboard
the Tucker from January
1962 to August 1965 and have many fond memories while aboard the Tucker.
I think of the many great liberty calls we had in the many ports we seen.
There were good times and there were "Not such good times" such
as the many months in the Gulf
of Tonkin, However
it was a time in my life I will never forget.
I have tried to contact a couple of my
former Shipmates by E-mail and for some reason both were returned, Paul Machart, Joe Purdom, Frank Hubka,
Myself and one more person all were in CO. 482 in Boot Camp together and
served aboard the Tucker, I would like to hear from any of my former crew
members.
Bud Kruse
616 Shiloh Ln.
Sedro-Woolley, WA. 95280
****
Paul
C. Beierschmitt, PN1 Ret.
Email: pcbeier@comcast.net
I served onboard the Tucker from 1972 till
decommissioning in 1973.
From there I went to Fighter Squadron
(VF-211) and then did a tour with recruiting duty in Harrisburg, Pa..
I finished my Navy career in the reserves and retired in 1994 as a PN1.
Of all my active duty tours, my time
aboard the Tucker was
special. I still can remember a lot of the faces of the crew. I now work
for the Navy in a civilian capacity (sand crab) and teach Ships' 3-M for Naval Sea Logistics
Center. Yes it is
still around after all these years.
They don't make these new ships like the
old ones.
PN1 Paul C. Beierschmitt
541 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pa. 17013
(717) 249-6410
****
Terry A. Morrison
Patrick Morrison
Email: TerryAMorrison@compuserve.com
Terry Morrison, RM2 aboard Tucker from
2-65 thru 3-68. My brother is Patrick Morrison, CS3--aboard
Tucker from 9-66 thru 2-68.
****
John "Kris" Krishnek
Email: e.krishnek@gte.net
My name is John "Kris"
Krishnek. I was a radarman first class and served aboard the Tucker for a
couple of years during the Korean War period. I've got lots of stories to
tell. I look forward to contacting any old shipmates.
I was the only regular 1st class petty
officer with six years previous sea duty and still got seasick on the
Tucker.
John E. Krishnek
380 E. Pole Rd.
Lynden, Wa. 98264
****
John
Shaffer, CWO3
Ret.
Email: o-john@worldnet.att.net
I served on the Tucker from 56 to 57, I came
aboard as a SN and left as a FT3. The Tucker was my first ship and I have
many happy memories of her. Someplace in storage I may have a cruise book
from the Tucker.
I went on to serve on the following DD's
776, 846, 946, DDG 8, and finished out my sea duty on the AVM1 doing the
first at sea trials of the MK 86GFCS, Sea Sparrow, and several others.
I retired as a CWO3 and I currently work
as subcontractor at SSC G-Lakes running a part of the old FT school. I
would welcome E-mail from any of my old shipmates or anyone interested in
whats going on in A school training.
****
GMG2 Paul Wood
Email: paulwood@copper.net
My name is Paul
Wood GMG2. I served on the Tucker from June 1967 to July 1969. I arrived aboard
as a "pushbutton" GMGSN out of A school in Great
Lakes.
I remember a six-month Westpac tour, then
being homeported in Yoko.
My most vivid memory was being sent down
into to the after magazine during our first day underway to chase down a
couple of pallets of white phosphorous projectiles that came loose in
heavy seas. I was never again as scared as that day. By the time we were
anchored in Da Nang Harbor the night the Viet Cong hit the airport fuel
and ammunition dumps, it was just a fun fireworks show, even with the
rockets flying almost over our heads.
I remember the EC121incident, recovering
pieces of the plane riddled with bullet holes, even though the Koreans
said they shot it down with a single missile. I mostly remember the cold
on that deck during the search. I remember my good friend, Ken Little, who died on a
motorcycle in Japan.
We were plane guarding for the Forestall
when the bombs blew up on her deck, though we didn't arrive on the scene
until the next day because we were searching for a man overboard.
I have many pictures I took during my
assignment to the Tucker,
and they bring back good and bad
memories. I know life was frequently boring, but as many
things as we did at sea, not to mention on R & R, I can't imagine
how!
****
BM3 Lewis Huddleston
Email: lewish@wwbd.org
I flew out of NAS Alameda in the spring
of 1952. I was on Martian Mars which was the largest flying boat ever put
in regular service. When we landed in Pearl Harbor
I thought that plane was never going to stop
going down. but it did.
I shipped out of Yokosuka on a tanker and went round and
around for about 10 days . I was just a green kid and when I transferred
by highline to the U.S.S. Mason
I was scared to death. Then a few days latter I was transferred over to
the Tucker. It was bad
going from a tanker to a can. Nothing can ever describe what it was like
going from can to can. We spent a lot of time off the coast of Korea
shore bombarding and support for ground troops.
I was duty boat coxswain most of the time
I was on the Tucker. I
really did enjoy my time aboard her. Made a lot of good friends but have
not seen any of them since 1954. I did hear from two C.D. Driver and
one other. I left the ship in July 1954 after casting
off #1 line when she set sail for Westpac.
****
FT2 E.E. (Pudge) Stevens
Email: Gr8tgrumpa@msn.com
This is E. E. (Pudge) Stevens and I
served aboard the Tucker
from October 1951 until July 1954. I went aboard as an FTSN and left as
an FT2.
While I was aboard I experienced the
following: Ship modified from having 40MM's to their replacement with
3" 50's. Removal of the second mast and addition of the Mark 56
system to control the
new guns.
Fire in the radio equipment room, between
Hawaii and Long Beach on way back from far east,
below a magazine for the 3" shells. Addition of Hedge Hogs for
submarine destruction.
Two trips to the far east including Hong Kong. Riding out a typhoon on our way to Kobe Japan
from Hong Kong to represent the U.S.
on the anniversary of Admiral Perry opening trade with Japan. Split three seams and
had to have them repaired in Yokosuka.
Being off the coast of Korea at Panmonjom while the
peace treaties were being signed.
I have contacted some of my shipmates by
telephone and the internet.
PS: Norman
E. Veesart FT1 served from 1950 – 1954. Was lead Petty officer in
FT Division after making FT2. He passed away on September 12, 1998 in Santa Maria, California.
****
IC1 Richard "Beetle"
Bailey
E-mail: dickbailey@centurytel.net
I reported aboard the USS Henry W Tucker in 6/54 after attending
Class A IC School in San Diego.
I left her in 10/57 after 3 years, 3 months and 18 days of sea duty, all
of which I must say I enjoyed most of the time. CMD R.M. Ross was Captain when
I went aboard and then was relieved by CMD R.L. Thienes.
I have many good memories of the Tucker
and many of the crew. I also remember well the episode that Larry Duggins
refers to in re-fueling alongside the Boxer.
At the time I was busy in the IC Room trying to secure the cover on the
air supply duct to keep from flooding the Fire Control Computer and the
Switchboards. Each time the bow would go under, we would inhale a big
slug of saltwater.
Wonder if anyone knows where EM Lewis, EM Hoffman, or MM3 Curtis Smith might be?
Sorry to hear about the final fate of the
Tucker. She was a proud
ship with a proud crew.
****
Jim Meuleveld, RMC Ret.
Email: j9meul@earthlink.net
I was the RMC aboard the HWT while it was
homeported in Yokosuka
from 1968-70. It was my last ship and by far the best. We had high moral
among the crew and this translated into few problems and making all our
commitments.
The RM/ET gang was the best and did a
great job considering the heavy communications load in the 7thFlt. One
example of the can do attitude aboard is that we always had fresh water
and the A/C was always on & cold - we spent most of our time in the
hot tropics so it felt good and did a lot to keep the electronic
equipment from failing.
There weren't many boring days at sea we
had lots of unexpected excitement such as: The EC-121 recovery with USS Dale, Seadragon Ops with the USS Boston, crossing the equator
and one I remember most - barely making it back to Yoko for Xmas 1969. Capt. Story and DESDIV 32 bent
a few SOA rules transiting from the Taiwan Straits to Yoko but we tied up
at 0800 Xmas morning. The families didn't expect us until later in the
day so it was a joyous time. I knew the Signalmen aboard pretty well and
was glad to see some of them are logged in.
Recalled many others after looking in the
cruise book. Hope some RM/ET's find the site. I retired in Sept. 1975
after 20 years - worked for Intel Corp. and America West Airlines in Phoenix until
retiring for good. I now live in Chino
Valley, AZ. near Prescott.
****
MM3 Ron Blackford
Email: blackford@pitton.com
I served aboard the Tucker from August,
1969 to June ,1973. I was a MM3 in the aft engine room. I have a ship's
yearbook stored somewhere around the house if this would be of any
interest.
Ron Blackford
603 Victorian Dr.
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(316) 232-3229
****
EM1 John Frederici
Email: jfrederi@wyoming.com
In Yokosuka
in August 1968, I left the USS Collett
(DD730) and crossed the pier to the USS Henry W. Tucker (DD875) where I
served until March 1971.
A few of my Collett shipmates were
already aboard the Tucker, a few of us went across the pier, and a few
more reported aboard a bit later. Among those were GMG1 Larry (Sgt. Rock) Finton, SM1 John (Zeke)
Stafford, IC1 Pete Busch, EN2 Wayne
(Dog) Dowey, and others. I was pleased to see some of
their names on the crew list along with the names of, then, new shipmates
Sally Salesberry
(in E Gang), Tom McLaughlin
(DC Gang), and Don Sprawls (one of those guys
in stores) were already aboard. Mr.
Beauchamp (my division officer) came aboard a little
later on.
I have endless sea stories about at least
half of the names I listed...and I'm sure they would rather I would
forget them...but I'll save them for the reunion in 2000, the good Lord
willing.
After leaving the Tucker, I went to Sheppard AFB, TX
for a school where I had the opportunity to visit Zeke Stafford in Seymour, TX,
while he was home on leave with his family. We had dinner at his sister's
home, went to the rodeo, and swatted a lot of skeeters.
From school, I went to NavComSta Kodiak
for a year (had to leave because the Navy handed over the station and
port to the Coast Guard...can you believe it?!)
From Alaska I went to NavComSta Guam and
ran into Dowey
and Busch again
who were both happily stationed at NavSta Guam. While on Guam I discovered that since I had some special
training, and Defense Communications Agency already had my name, I was
likely fated to another NavComSta someplace, and in 1973, orders to a
Sumner or Gearing class can were next to impossible. I wound up with
orders to NavTraCtr, San Diego,
to be an EM-A School Instructor for four years. I decided that would be
too much...I'd never get to sea again in anything but a bird farm (like Busch did later), so I got out
after my third enlistment.
I went into the Reserve for a few years,
but due to post Viet
Nam cuts in Defense, Reserve Chiefs
without a billet had to pay their own way for two week training. That did
it for me.
I visited Wayne and Mariko Dowey (now ENC (Ret)) a few years
ago while I was in Charleston, SC, and spent a day and night at their home in Lugoff, SC.
I speak to and see Pete
(ex-ICC) and Toshiko Busch often,
and would be happy to pass on messages to them. Pete spends winters in Hawaii and summers
in the area around Wasta, SD. (not because of he can afford it, he just
can't handle the cold..... an ICman...what can you say?)
I'd be grateful for any information
on HM1 Doc Rice, GMG1 John
Aldrich, RD1 Martin (last I knew, in the 70's, he was an
air traffic controller at Atlanta
Center), EM3 Ken “Prunebooty Jones”, or BM1
"Fat Carl" Ferris. I'll be happy to hear from
any and all.
John M. Frederici
3507 Bradley Ave
Cheyenne, WY 82001
****
BT2 Robert H Jordan
Email: phil_bob@juno.com
I was on the Tucker DDR 875 during the Korea
war .I left the ship nov.1955 for San
Francisco for discharge.
I went on it fall of 1953. I was BT2 when
I left it.
****
Morgan Barokas RDM3/c
Email: PAUCHER@aol.com
My name is Morgan
Barokas and I served on the Tucker from 1945 - 1946 as part of the original crew.
I read with interest the experiences of GM2 Eugene Roll
and SF2 Thomas Taylor
both serving on the
Tucker at the same time as me. I remember clearly the
experiences they relate but I wonder if they
remember when we were in the Caribbean and some hot
shot Navy pilots from Pensacola
were practicing strafing runs on the ship. I was watching from the main
deck as they came at us "on the deck" and pulling up at the
last minute.
All, except one. He didn't quite pull up
fast enough and hit our "bedspring" radar antenna damaging it.
I seem to recall Captain Meyers
screaming, "He hit my new ship!!"
Anyway, the following is the C.I.C. team
of that day none of whom appear on your crew list: Lt. Bruce McDonald, Lt.(jg) Bernard Corson,
Lt.(jg) William Southworth, Ens. Elroy Frye. The enlisted
men were, in addition to me, Seymour
Bresalier, William Bunty, R.L. Clark, Don Feinsinger, Frank Fitzgerald,
Jim Hayden, Bill Lemley, Marv Rossman, Bill
Miller, Ed Seitz, Glen Shepherd, Jim Stankiewicz,
Melvin
Stephenson, Jim Sterling, J.S. Swartz, Dick
Tangney, Ken Tillinghast, Walter Walmsley and Eugene Whitman.
****
Ralph B. Martinez, BMCS Ret.
Email: martypam@bellsouth.net
I was stationed aboard the Mighty Tucker from 1972 till she
was decommed. I believe I was the last to leave the ship when she was
turned over to the Brazilians. I'm retired now, most people called me
Marty. BMCS (RET) Ralph B. Martinez.
****
Leon Moore, SM3
Email: ljm2536@aol.com
I reported on board Tucker 6/15/56, five
day's prior to my 21st birthday as an Sm3, met and became instant friends
with Bill Maher
QM3 (from Boston MA.) who took me under his wing and explained how
to survive greyhound life! I had been aboard the Randolph CVA 15 and CINCLANTFLT prior to
reporting.
Maher introduced me to the upper
class society of Long Beach Ca.(Hollywood
on the pike, Blue jackets locker club, the 309.and few other high places)
I remember a few of the crew members: Jim Grace SN, Chuck Campos QM3, C.C. Ferris BMSN, Divers BM1, Beck QM1,and last
but not least Preacher Owen
that Divers use
to rap in the head each morning just to make Owen’s day. I left the Tucker
11/25/57 for the Prairie (AD-15).
Great times, great memories, great
friends, and the greatest ship.
USN 6/26/52—6/1/71
Go Greyhound
****
Ray E. Schmiedecke, STCS Ret.
Email: oldtenorsaxman@aol.com
I was aboard Tucker from 1949 to 1952. I was aboard when 3 of
my shipmates received Purple Hearts for wounds received at Wonson, Korea during a shore
bombardment. I went aboard as a SOSN and left as a SO2.
I had a band on the ship which became a squadron
band. We played at many clubs in Japan because there were no
American bands there at that time. I still have some old black and white
photos of our 10 piece band.
****
CS2 Tom Brown
Email: tomlorbrown@ctaz.com
I served aboard the Tucker from Feb.1952
through Nov.1955 was the baker, worked from 6:00 pm until 4:00 am best
job on the ship.
Live in Arizona now after 26 years with Los
Angeles County Sheriff Dept. have a few fond memories of shipboard life.
****
RD2 Glenn Mehalick
Email: GMehalick@aol.com
My name is Glenn
Mehalick, I served aboard Tucker in OI division
(Radarman striker to RD2) from 63-66.
My experiences and opinion mirror that of
Frank Carroll as we served
together during the same time frame. Wondering if anyone knows the
whereabouts of Al Rohrer
(Signalman 2nd) I believe he was
from Glendale California just outside of L.A. Prior to departing
for WESTPAC we tore up a lot of Hollywood
and became pretty good friends. Tried to reach him by phone about two
years ago on Veterans Day but to no avail. Also, RD2 Mike Shevetz up around Youngstown Ohio
? Nick Horcajo
(RD1) somewhere in California
?
Glenn & Helyn Mehalick
67 Archer Ave. South
Bayville, N.J. 08721
732-606-0366
****
Bill Johnson, CWO4 Ret.
Email: johnsonjw001@hawaii.rr.com
I am Bill (Stretch) Johnson. I reported
aboard in Sept. 1961 as a FA but soon found my way to deck div. I left
the ship in 1966 as a BM2.
I retired. in 1990 as a CWO4 Bos’n.
I now live in Aiea, Hawaii.
I don’t know of any ship mates here but if there is let me know.
****
Bob and Bill Miller
Email: Millerbrothers875@hotmail.com
My name is Bob
Miller my brother Bill and I were on the Steaming
"T" from Jan of 62 until Aug of 65. We were assigned to the
Tucker right out of boot camp. When we reported aboard we were assigned
to M Division I worked in the forward engine room and Bill was assigned
to the after engine room.
****
Louis Hari Jr.
Email HARILJR@aol.com
I was a Petty Officer in the Engineering
Department, PO3. Served aboard her from 1961-1965.
I have worked for GTE for 35 years as a
Business Analyst since leaving Tucker. Really sorry to hear that she was
used as a target ship, each of us who served aboard her loved her very
dearly. The U.S. Navy should have towed her to sea, opened her flooding
valves and let her go down on her own, she was a proud gal. I live in Fountain Valley, California 92708.
My telephone number is 714-378-9600
[Note: Louis Hari has passed
away. See Memorial List.]
****
Bob Sipole
Email: BSIPOLE@wmconnect.com
I was on the tucker from 1960-64 as an
ICFN. please include me in the crew muster.
I would love to get to the reunion. my
brother J.W. Sipole was onboard also. He is now deceased.
Bob Sipole
2345 Calder, Apt B,
Beaumont, TX 77702
(409) 835-5408
****
Edward L. Bell
Email: elbell@budweiser.com
I don't have any great stories to tell
but remember the Tucker with many fond memories. I served on her from
Dec.61 to 64 at which time I was transferred to the USS Bryce Canyon because I was too
short to make another WESPAC cruise.
Would like to hear from anyone who may
remember me after all these years.
Edward L. Bell
3623 Rockingham Road
Davenport, IA 52802
****
Richard Wilson
Email: RWilson@peoplepc.com
My name is Richard (Rick) Wilson. I served on
the Tucker from 71-73. I was on board during her
decommissioning.
I made her last West Pac tour. At the
conclusion of that tour the war in Viet Nam ended in Feb of 73.
It must of been those 17,000 rounds the old girl sent to them on that
tour.
I was an MM-3 serving in the AFT engine
room. I am very pleased to see a couple more of my AFT engine room
shipmates on this site. We were very proud of that engine room then and I
must admit to this day some 29 years later I still have the pride of that
old ship in my blood.
I left the Tucker after decommissioning
and served onboard the Stein DE1065.
It was never the same after being on the best. I now live in New Boston New
Hampshire working for Fidelity Investments. Hope to see you all at the
reunion!
****
Troy Krause
Email: tkr7657@yahoo.com
Request permission to come aboard. I
reported aboard the Tucker in January 1972. I left the ship in November
1973 one week prior to the decommissioning process (I declined the
generous offer to extend my time on active duty to help with the
decommissioning).
For those who remember, I grew up with Leslie Wootton,
got him drunk one night and talked him into
enlisting with me. We gave the seaman designator in San Diego a couple
of bottles of Johnny Walker Red and he assigned Wootton to the Tucker instead of the Mars.
After a couple of months assigned to the
deck division, I volunteered to become a mess cook and after one of the
cooks jumped off the fan tail during an In-service inspection, I was
allowed to join the supply division as a cook, where I served until I
left the ship.
I remember the ships mascot, grabbing my
pants leg (usually at the instigation of Turtle, Beemer,
Wootton, or Kindig) and as the dog would not let
go, I ended up dragging him all over the ship.
I remember the many times the air
conditioner would flood the supply division berthing compartment. How the
after mount was used for the firing missions at night (and how after the
first night everyone
>would just roll over and go back to sleep when
there was a misfire). I remember all my friends, especially Lamson and Evans tacking on my
crow (as well as holding me over the side while underway). As well as
changing me from a country boy into a man, the Tucker taught me many
lessons which have helped in civilian life.
After leaving the Tucker as a CS3, I
became a police officer, earning the Medal of Valor in 1980. I spent
10 years in Law Enforcement but left after age and
injuries took their toll. At present, I am a senior computer programmer
for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and reside at 122
Willowbend, Huntsville,
TX 77320
(936)295-4923 with my wife and two young sons.
Although I have not seen Wootton in several years, He
resides in Arkansas
and I will attempt to contact and advise him of this web site and about
the reunion (which I will try to attend).
****
Dave Harrington
Email: feets@charter.net
I was aboard her from '69 to '72 I was an ETR that
worked on the crazy "DASH" (Drone Anti Sub Helicopter)... when
that was taken off, I went to the regular ET gang.... I was probably the
only "twidget" to in Weapons dept!!
I intend to go to the reunion in November, and hope
to see a lot of the old bunch there!!!
****
Mike Volentine | 
