A NEWSLETTER SERVING FORMER CREWMEN OF USS BRYCE CANYON

Volume 15, Issue 1 April 2010

A VIEW FROM THE FRONT PORCH

By Stan Hitchcock swim fairly well. I had also I’ve been doing just that ever to California to meet my studied about Jonah and the since. ship. In the first week of Janu- THE U.S. NAVY OFFERS A whale that swallowed him and About a month into basic ary, 1955, I came up the MOVABLE STAGE…. then the Lord spoke to the training I got to missing gangplank of the USS Bryce I graduated from Pleasant fish and it vomited him up on something really, really Canyon (AD-36) carrying my Hope High School in May of dry land. If the Lord could do bad. Yeah, it was the first worldly belongings in my sea 1954. I had turned 18 on the that for Jonah then I was sure time I had ever been sepa- bag across my shoulder, and 21st of March, had never been he could get me through 4 rated from my guitar since I my J45 Gibson in my other out of the hills of the Ozarks years of the Navy. started playing it at age 12. I hand. Seeing that ship for the and was looking for an adven- I remember standing at the went to the First Class first time was just awesome. It ture where I could travel, have Frisco Depot, waiting to board Bo’sun Mate that was trying was the biggest thing I had a secure place to sleep, 3 the train to Chicago and the to teach us something and ever seen or heard of. It car- meals a day and some walking Great Lakes Naval Training asked him if I could send for ried more people than half our around money….hey! let’s join Center and seeing tears in my my old Gibson J45. I got per- county back home. The ad- the Navy! So, three months Dad’s eyes. Unusual cause I mission and sure enough it venture started when I later, on August 12, 1954, I don’t believe I had ever seen arrived in a couple of weeks, stepped aboard. headed off to bootcamp to him tear up like that be- so we got to finish boot camp I’d been on board a couple learn the finer points of sailor- fore. Course, Mom was crying together. of days, got assigned to the manship. like Moms do, but Dad…… Right after Christmas, and second division (deck force), Figured it couldn’t be too nope, that was some- a few days at home on the had a bunk and was learning hard to learn about boats, thing. Years later, he told me farm, I again boarded a train to chip paint and grease ca- ships and big bodies of water he was choked up because (probably the same one I bles with the best of since I had grown up on a he knew that when I left it used to lay in bed in the old them. That evening I went up creek that ran through our would be for good, never farm house and listen to the topside with my guitar and sat farm, had been baptized in the looking back, following my whistle as it headed across on a hatch cover and started Sac River and knew how to own way. And, he was right, country) and rode all the way (Continued on page 2) VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1 BRYCE CANYON UPDATE PAGE 2

(Continued from page 1) and got to see the world at the same ending up with the great Carl Smith picking a little. Wasn’t long before a little time. What a deal. This was at the end of number, ”If Teardrops Were Pennies, guy with a mustache and the look of an the and a lot of our boys were And Heartaches Were Gold”. old salt came over and sat down on the in hospitals and I remember one show we In 1957 I left the ship for Shore hatch beside me and listened played in Kowloon at the British Army Duty, posting to US Naval Air Station, awhile. He introduced himself as Pee- Hospital there when our ship was in Hong Chase Field,Beeville, Texas for my last Wee Garrison from the great state of Kong. They treated us like we were Opry year of active duty. As I was saying Georgia and allowed as how he played Stars, giving us escorts from the families goodbye to PeeWee and Smoky, on the fiddle, and some of his shipmates of the British foreign service people and it the quarterdeck of the Bryce Canyon, I played other instruments and maybe I was pretty heady stuff. The British ambas- realized that somewhere between would want to pick a little with them. I sador’s daughter escorted me; the other coming on board and now leaving I allowed as how that would suit me boys had beautiful young escorts and we had made the change from teenager to mighty fine, and so I did and we be- were taken to a fancy restaurant in Hong sailormanship, green kid to manhood, came the Bryce Canyon Troubadours, Kong called the Parisian Grill. I remember and it felt pretty good. I was 21 and life and finally the official ship’s band. I that was the first time I ever had Sweet- was an adventure and I still couldn’t sang every Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, breads. I saw it on the menu and ordered wait to get on with the rest of it. Webb Pierce and Carl Smith song that I it, not having any idea what it was, but Now I’m way down life’s road, still knew and the boys played so fine be- man, it was good. In the middle of the excited when I wake up, wondering hind me. I didn’t know it then, but now I meal I quietly asked the waiter, who spoke what adventure is just over the next hill see that it was the start of what I would almost no English, what the meat was. He and saying Lord keep me strong and do the rest of my life. started describing and talking in Chinese ready for whatever comes. And if I get I turned 19 on March 21, 1955, in the and I stopped him and asked him to tell swallowed by a whale, stand back, middle of the Pacific Ocean, playing and me really slow…..He held his hands up cause he’s fixin’ to spit me up on dry singing my heart out up on the Main and gestured and said, “the hangy down ground! Praise God from whom all Deck, all of us standing in a circle on thingee on cow”. I lost my appetite in- blessings flow. the main hatch for a stage, the ship stantly because I believed I was eating plowing through the rough water and COWS UDDER! It was years later, in an- Stan heading for the . The Trouba- other fancy restaurant somewhere on the ______dours and I established a pattern we road that I found out it is actually the would follow for the next 2 ½ years on hangy down thingee between the cows board the Bryce Canyon, singing on FRONT legs and is quite good. Anyway, USS BRYCE CANYON board every night when we were under- the show at the British Army Hospital was way and playing at every EM Club, just fabulous and we ended up feeling like REUNION Chief Club, and even occasionally Offi- celebrities. On the boat taking us back cers Clubs, in Hawaii, , Ja- across the harbor I even got to pan, Hong Kong, Okinawa, and sneak a kiss from the Ambassador’s OCTOBER 7—10, then back in California when we re- daughter. Yessir, Show Biz Is My turned from overseas. It was the best Life! We must have been pretty fancy in 2010 school of music I could ever have been our white bell bottom uniform pants, a part of. PeeWee from Georgia on topped off with the loudest Hawaiian shirts fiddle, Smoky from Kentucky on the dog known to man, PeeWee sawing away on house bass, Roger Bigcraft from Minne- Orange Blossom Special, me singing wide CHICAGO, IL sota on the big electric guitar, and a open the Webb Pierce song of, “I’m In The mandolin player that changed several Jailhouse Now” or “Don’t Do It Darlin’”, NTC GREAT LAKES VISIT times when they’d get transferred. I followed by “Fire Ball Mail”, “Kawliga”, FRIDAY, OCT. 8 played rhythm guitar and sang my old “Pilipino Baby”(a big request number in hillbilly songs on that movable stage Subic Bay), “Your Cheating Heart” and

Base, CA to Hickam Air Base in Hono- ual tours of duty. AN UNEXPECTED lulu, Hawaii, then on to Yokohoma where After my tour of Sea Duty, Class “A” I was taken by bus to Yokosuki, , in Storekeeper School, more Sea Duty, and ENCOUNTER early 1955 where I was placed in transit eventually Shore Duty in Great Lakes, IL, awaiting the arrival of my new assign- I received my Honorable Discharge Pa- Editor’s Note: We sent out an e-mail ment aboard the USS Bryce Canyon. pers. asking for stories about a time you met While in transit, I met this young sailor While waiting for processing in the someone you knew in an unexpected nicknamed Curly. He was a likeable guy Naval Great Lakes offices, guess who I place—maybe a high school classmate and we became friends for the short met? Sure as paint flakes and metal rust, somewhere far away while you were in while we were stationed awaiting our it was my old buddy from transit in Yoko- the Navy, or a Navy buddy many years different assignments. We enjoyed a few suka, Japan, Curly. He looked the same, after you were discharged somewhere liberties, good times and a fight with as I suspect I did to him. We recognized unexpectedly. Here are the responses: some over-confident marines too. Curly each other immediately. We never saw ended up with a bloody nose. After our each other again after that time, but it James I. Harris: short expansion of R/R, we never saw was a pleasant experience to meet again I was flown from Travis Air Force each other again all through our individ- (Continued on page 3) VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1 BRYCE CANYON UPDATE PAGE 3

(Continued from page 2) the Philippines. I was on a 30 day leave Peoria and got back to civilian life. I met after many years. to be with my wife who lived in Cavite my wife of 33 years and when we married, Life has been good and its sad times City across the bay from Manila. When I she of course invited many family friends admittedly, but seeing an old friend in was leaving the base, there stands my and relatives. Her cousin? It was Robin, such a surprising way (even to this time company commander I had in boot my old best friend, which I didn’t even many years later) is a cherished re- camp. That was a nice chat we had. I know was related to my wife. We hadn’t membrance of times past...just in case was a commissary man third class. seen each other since that day in Pearl you see this...take care, smile, be well, ______when he crawled out of that hatch. Curly, and God bless! ______Arthur Willenbrecht, QM1 USN Ret: I was born in northeastern Wyoming Tony Manuel, MR3, R2 Div (1966-69): Bob Donoho (1955-57): and after finishing high school, I joined The Bryce Canyon was tied up in Subic It was 1957 when I last saw Athey the US Navy and served most of the next Bay for WestPac Cruise ‘68. I was down in when I moved from “ships company” four years aboard ships in the Pacific the Machine Shop running a lathe. At that and stayed with the “flag” in Long theater. time we probably had at least four Tin Beach. He was from Iowa and I was While aboard the USS Bryce Canyon Cans tied up next to us. Suddenly I got a from Northern California. We ran into (AD-36), 1966-68, we made port call in tap on my shoulder and it was my best each other at Disney Land in the late Japan. friend, Neil Whitehead. We were born and ‘60s! To think that we lived so far apart, Upon returning to the ship from liberty raised in the same town (Kennett Square, never had contact, and found ourselves one afternoon, I saw a duffle bag on the PA), went through grade and high school at the same place at the same time was main deck with a “Buffalo” drawn in black together, and both of us enlisted in the amazing! I think I’ve only been to Dis- marker. Knowing the outside the Moun- Navy within a year of each other. I had not ney Land 2 or 3 times in 55 years. We tain States, there are many that will tilt seen him in over two years. He found out haven’t been in contact since that meet- their heads when you mention the word from my mother that I was in the Philip- ing. ‘buffalo.’ My curiosity made me go to the pines and looked me up. So to say the ______bag and inspect the strap where the least, as soon as I could get liberty call, owner’s name is required to be stenciled. we went out to the big Olongapo City. We Joe Peone, EM3 (1977-80): I instantly recognized the likeness of a had a great time—a lot to talk about and It’s been over thirty years, so bare name that was the same as a person that lots of San Miguel to drink! with me. The year was 1980. My ship, attended a high school 28 miles away ______the USS Constellation (Connie) just from the County Seat of the school I at- pulled into Subic Bay. One night as I tended. headed for the “strip” off base, I picked I hung around about ten minutes be- Frank Gulledge: this one bar to walk into for no particular fore the fellow came to claim the bag. This is the story of five young men from reason. Remind you that there are Sure enough! Jerry and I had a nice visit. the same town, Evansville, IN, who met up probably over 1500 clubs or bars in He was aboard in another section of the overseas in Japan during the Korean War. Subic Bay. So this may have been an ship. Myself and my brother, Charlie omen. I walk into this bar and for some I saw Jerry several other times before Gulledge, were stationed aboard the USS reason glance to my left. There stands I was transferred off to be separated from Bryce Canyon from 1951 thru 1953. We my friend Pat. I graduated high school the Service at the end of my Active Duty had signed a waiver in order to serve on with this guy. We both smile and laugh time. the same ship. Sonny Korb and his and say something to the effect, “What I now live in northern California. brother Don were also serving on the the heck are you doing here?” We ______same ship, the carrier USS Tripoli, bring- shook hands and gave each other a guy ing planes over to be used in the war. We hug. Laugh some more and catch up on Randall Emert, Sr (SKSN): were all in the same Reserve Unit back some stories and laugh some more. After arriving back from a WestPac in home when the Unit was activated. What are the odds two classmates from 1973 on the Bryce Canyon, we were Another boy from Evansville had been high school would run into each other docked in Pearl Harbor. I was leaning on in our Reserve Unit, but due to failed at- half way around the world? Take it we the rail on the port side watching as they tendance at our training sessions, he was both knew we were in the Navy. He was were docking a frigate next to us. I dropped from our Reserved Unit and his a sub squid and I was surface. Another watched as they tied off the ship and name was turned over to the draft board, interesting twist to this story was my lowered the gang plank between the two who immediately put him in the Army. This ship was not scheduled to be in the ships when I noticed a deck hatch open- was the former sailor and now soldier Philippines at that particular time. We ing and a sailor climbing out. I took a Charlie Baskett. had been rammed at sea two weeks closer look and it was my best friend One day in 1952 while stationed in prior by some foreign ship following us. from back home in Peoria who I hadn’t Sasebo, I was requested to come up to So there you have it, two sailors, two seen in years. I yelled, “Robin, is that the quarterdeck, that two sailors were friends in a far away land. you?” He looked up and it was. We both there to see me and my brother Charlie. It ______were shocked to see each other so far was Don and Sonny Korb. They had just from home, as he had no idea I joined recently pulled into port with their load of John Lippert: the Navy nor did I know he was joining. planes. They were wanting to have a get- I was stationed on board the Bryce He had joined a full 2 years after I went together and they also said they had been Canyon AD 36 home ported in Long in. Of course his ship eventually went its in touch with Charlie Baskett who just hap- Beach, CA. Our ship went on a West- way and we parted. A few years later I pened to be in town on a five day R&R Pac tour. We pulled into Subic Bay in was discharged and went back home to (Continued on page 4) VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 BRYCE CANYON UPDATE PAGE 4

(Continued from page 3) telephone switchboard, he recognized from Korea. my voice and we chatted a while. Lev Our plans worked out perfectly as we also pulled shore patrol duty, and I think all had our big reunion in Sasebo. We had that he liked that kind of duty, because a big article and picture in our hometown he liked confrontation, so perhaps one newspaper and have cherished those or two of you can remember him carry- memories of a time 58 years ago when TAPS ing his baton and stopping you to check chance brought five young men together The Bryce Canyon Update learned your identification or to tell you to two- thousands of miles from home. Fortune of the following shipmates’ deaths since block your hat, or to tell you to roll down has smiled on us as we five are still alive the last newsletter. Every member of and button your sleeves or to tell you to and healthy today. the Association sends his heartfelt sym- button up your pea-coat or perhaps to ______pathy to the family and friends of the arrest you for being drunk and disor- deceased. derly. A copy of my brother’s obituary fol- Ben Baynum lows: Date of death not reported On Thanksgiving Day, Leverrett ‘Lev’ Lavern Larsen, 77, died peacefully at Robert Heiy his Anchorage home. A funeral will be (1954-58) MM1 A Div at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Christopher's WELCOME MAT December 8, 2009 Episcopal Church, with a military burial

The USS BRYCE CANYON Associa- to follow at Fort Richardson National Stanley Hamilton (early 1970s) tion announces the following former Cemetery. Died April 6, 2010 crewmen have recently been located. Lev was born March 24, 1932, in

Welcome aboard and we hope to see , N.D. He grew up spending Leverrette Larsen you at the next reunion. time between his grandparents' North (1951-55) PF2/c R Div Dakota farm and Butte, Mont. Joining Died November 26, 2009 the Navy at 19, he began his world trav- Christopher Dunn els serving aboard the USS Bryce Can- (1973-75) SN Supply S-1 Div yon during the Korean War. 2874 Regas Dr W From Milo Larsen: Some photographs of Lev and his Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 It is my misfortune to have to relate friends follow: [email protected] the news to the sailors who served on The photograph below is Myron the Bryce Canyon during the early Hoffman and Lev. David Frese 1950s that my brother Lev Larsen (1973-75) F-5 FTG-3 Div passed away on Thanksgiving Day 6896 Texas Rd 2009. Ashley, IL 62808 My brother Lev and I both served on 618-485-6102 the Bryce Canyon during the Korean [email protected] Conflict. Lev’s first and only ship was the Bryce Canyon. He went aboard her Brad Myers in November of 1951 and was released (1975-77) IC R3 Div from active duty sometime in 1955. 1429 Isabella Ave The complement of the ship was Mountain View, CA 94040 about 800 sailors, so I don’t imagine [email protected] many of the crew would remember Lev, but perhaps his close friends, Gayle Jose Gomez Teachout, Jack Birdwell, ‘Smokie,’ (1971-73) HT2 R-1 Div Myron ‘Snuffy’ Hoffman, and a few oth- [email protected] ers may remember him well. He was a pipefitter, first and foremost, but he William Heintz pulled other duties as well. I remember (1966-68) AK1 Supply S-1 Div one time when I called the naval station 2354 N Sunrise Ave communications center for assistance, Boise, ID 83713 and at that time he was operating the 208-375-8298 [email protected] Published By: HEROIC FOUR Military Locator & Reunion Just 2 steam frigates and 2 sailing Dave Huff Service, Inc sloops comprised Perry’s famous squad- (1978-81) GMG3 R5 Div PO Drawer 11399 ron that opened Japan’s “Foreign Trade” Hickory, NC 28603 6130 Monterey Rd # 97 door in 1856. San Jose, CA 95138 828-256-6008 (voice) 828-256-6559 (fax) 408-759-1756 OLD FAITHFUL [email protected] [email protected] USS Monongahela (in 1902) was the [email protected] last sailing frigate on active service in the Web site: www.mlrsinc.com/brycecanyon U.S. Navy VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1 BRYCE CANYON UPDATE PAGE 5

The photograph below was taken in Yokosuka, Japan in October of 1952. From right to left are Lev, his close friends Gayle Teachout, and Jack Birdwell. In the back row from left to right are Michico, Hot Saki, Lev’s brother, Milo, and Penny.

SWABBIE STORIES

MY NAVY CAREER IN A NUTSHELL By Richard H. MADSEN

I was raised on a small dairy farm near a small town of about 350 people in central Minnesota, called Upsala. Not many people know of this town since it has no trains or busses, in other words it is off the beaten path to say the least. I graduated from High School with a class of 26 in 1950. My older brother was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean conflict while I got a job 100 miles away in Minneapolis. It seemed that most of us kids in those days did not like the idea of farming and sadly, left our Dads and younger siblings, if any, to do the many daily chores on the farm. A classmate, and boarding house room The photograph below is of my brother and his friends celebrating some sort mate of mine, Jerry ANDER- of rite of passage, or perhaps just getting drunk and disorderly. My brother Lev is SON, received his "we want you in the seated at the table on the right. Army" letter from Uncle Sam about a year or so after graduation from high school. Primarily because we didn't cher- ish the thought of receiving the same invitation, another buddy, Rick FRID- GEN and I decided to join the Navy. We were welcomed with open arms. February 6,1952 was an exciting day for us two farm boys as we were sworn into the Navy, loaded on a train, and ar- rived at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center on the shores of Lake Michigan. It was shortly after our arrival, our haircuts, and a complete change of clothing that we no longer felt so welcome by the Chief Petty Officer (Boatwains Mate) who was telling us that "as of now" he was our new mother, reverend, and on and on to make us true believers. He left no doubt as to who was in charge from that day forward. I wonder if he had tears at our graduation? After all Company 77 had to be one of the best. My best sum- mary of this experience is brrrrr (it was cold), and glad this major change in life experience was soon over. The main story of this experience can be found Best personal regards to all in these trying times, at: http:// Milo Larsen, RM3, (USS Bryce Canyon 52-54), [email protected] greatlakesbootcampcruise- books.shutterfly.com/ (Continued on page 6) VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 BRYCE CANYON UPDATE PAGE 6

(Continued from page 5) Okinawa for medical help - I don't know couple songs. After boot camp my friend Rick re- the outcome but have often won- My Navy career took off from there. I ceived orders to a ship in the Atlantic dered because the word was that he hit received my separation from active duty Fleet and I the USS STICKELL (888) in his head severely. Worst yet, the over- as an SK2 in 1956, in Yokosuka, as I had the Pacific Fleet. She was in Japan/ board sailor was never found during the been accepted for civil service employ- Task Force 77. As promised some- six hours of searching as we plied the ment in the Fiscal (not 'physical' as one where, I was about to "see the world." It sea in circles. It was a scary experi- of our shipmates used the term in an took several days in a Troop Train that ence for this "unsalted sailor." The rest of earlier letter published in the BC News- took us the southern route to San Fran- this short (for me) cruise of interesting letter, :-), this is a common error) Depart- cisco. Here we soldiers and sail- port calls is described in: http:// ment, Naval Supply Depot. In 1967 I ac- ors boarded a Troop Ship which took ussstickelldd888.shutterfly.com/ (the cepted employment and was a "Plank nearly two weeks, if I remember cor- related cruisebook). Owner" in the Commander in Chief, U.S. rectly, on our first trans Pacific trip to When the USS STICKELL was de- Pacific Fleet's (CINCPACFLT) newly Japan. Many seasick passengers left a commissioned for conversion to a DDR established Comptroller's Office, Pearl bad memory of that trip but fortunately I toward the end of 1952, I received or- Harbor, Hawaii. I retired from this com- was not one of them. Shortly after enter- ders, as requested, to Storekeeper mand in 1987 after 35 years of a wonder- ing Tokyo Bay I saw the USS School, NTC, San Diego, CA. Following ful experience with the United States STICKELL heading out to sea and judg- school I boarded the USS BRYCE CAN- Navy. ing from her high "rooster tail" wake she YON (AD-36) in March 1953 as an SKSN was in a hurry. The Troop ship docked and was assigned to the Supply Division, Credit for the Web Sites: Bruce A Camp- in Oppama which at one time was a working in the Supply Office (as opposed bell Seaplane base and is located a couple to a storeroom). The ship was anchored ______of miles north of my destination, Com- in Long Beach Harbor at that time. I be- mander Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Ja- lieve it was September 1953 when we Hi Folks, pan. After disembarking, we sailors sailed to Yokosuka, Japan and anchored I was stationed on the “BC” from late were loaded on stake trucks and hauled in the harbor there. In March, 1954, just July of 1972 through October 1974. like cattle to the Receiving Bar- before the BRYCE CANYON returned to When I reported aboard the ship was racks, Yokosuka Naval Base. The bar- the States, I received orders to report to getting ready to leave on West-Pac for racks were filled to capacity so we were the Receiving Barracks, Commander approximately 7 months with the first berthed in a mini "tent city" which had Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan, for stop being Subic Bay, P.I. I believe V.G. been erected on the Marine Corps Bar- further assignment. The USS BRYCE Warriner was the CO at the time. As a racks' grinder (a large area covered with CANYON (AD-36) web sight is: http:// brand new Third Class Postal Clerk I was asphalt for troop assemblies and USMC ussbrycecanyonad36.shutterfly.com/ a little nervous to say the least, espe- marches and formations). For the next SK3 George SUHR, a former USS cially since I would be the accountable two weeks, until the 4th of July, 1952, BRYCE CANYON shipmate had been postal clerk until the new 2nd Class PC tent city was my home and my vocation reassigned to the Yokosuka base a short came aboard. There were some trying varied from picking up trash and other time before me. I located him at his new times, but most everything went well. work details like KP (Kitchen Police), duty assignment in the COMFLTACTS I met another BC sailor while sta- and standing various watches. I can't Bachelor Officer's Quarters/ tioned in Billings, MT at the Naval Re- remember anything that was a whole Commissioned Officer's Mess (Closed). serve Center in 1979 who actually was at bunch of fun at this temporary lodging George introduced me to his boss, Lt. the last reunion. SK Bill Stroyan and his place. On the 4th of July a couple Billy TANNER, USNR. I accepted a job wife Farol attended last year and really of others and I were told to pack our offer from Lt. TANNER, he made a enjoyed it. I retired from active duty as a seabags and get ready to board the phone call and I too was soon a new Navy Counselor, Chief in May 1991. USS STICKELL; she was moored in the employee of the BOQ, things could not Ship Repair Facility area. My only vivid have been better. Sincerely, memory of that day was that there were To my knowledge there were no rules Duane H. Dittmer no bunks available on the ship so we preventing the dating of employees of the NCC, USNR-R (Ret) were issued folding cots to be set up in BOQ, as a consequence both George ______any open space to be found in the lim- and I found our life long wives there. It ited passageways. For work, I was as- was also a coincidence that my high Hello, signed to the "Deck Force" and soon school classmate, Jerry ANDER- I am writing to you regarding a gentle- became proficient in shinning brass, SON, whom I spoke of previously, was in man who was a teleman on board the scraping and reapplying paint, (guess the Army stationed in Tokyo and USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36) from ap- what - mostly gray or was that always also, my distant cousin Douglas CHAP- proximately January 1955 to March gray, except for the red and sometimes MAN, from near my home town in Minne- 1956. His name is Jerry Janousek and yellow lead paint?), and of course swab- sota, assigned to the USS BOXER, an he was diagnosed in September 2009 bing the decks. On the 5th of July we aircraft carrier was in port Yokosuka at with mesothelioma, a cancer strongly headed out to sea and on the sixth of the time of my wedding in the Chapel of linked to asbestos exposure. That same July we entered the affects of a typhoon Hope, Yokosuka Navy Base. It was great month, Jerry passed away from meso- near Okinawa. The heavy seas were to have these two long time thelioma. cause for a crewmember in the De- friends participate in our 1955 wedding Jerry’s family hired my firm to pursue stroyer behind us to end up going over- so far from home. Jerry, an attendant, a case against manufacturers whose board, one sailor hurt his head requiring and Douglas, an excellent singer, sang a (Continued on page 7) that DD to take that injured sailor to VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 BRYCE CANYON UPDATE PAGE 7

(Continued from page 6) FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR STATEMENT OF products he used that had asbestos in 04/10 ISSUE them. PUBLICATION In order for our firm to present a strong Balance from 01/10 issue $2703.33 case on Jerry’s behalf, we need both the The UPDATE is the official publica- Received since 01/10 $ 3284.00 manufacturer names of the products that tion of the USS BRYCE CANYON Asso- he may have been exposed to, as well as Available for 04/10 issue $5987.33 ciation. From now on it will be published someone to describe for us exactly how Expended 04/10 issue $1168.18 quarterly in January, April, July and Jerry used them or was exposed to them. (8 pages/? copies) October, subject to receiving sufficient This description may vary from helping to Postage: $234.78 funding. The Newsletter is funded by repair machinery to walking through a Paper: $206.40 voluntary contributions from the mem- boiler room or a pump room to painting Envelopes: $ 51.60 bership. All members are encouraged the deck of the ship. Copies: $550.40 to support the voice of the BRYCE That being said, I am looking for any of Labor: $125.00 CANYON. A financial statement ap- Jerry’s fellow shipmates who may be able pears in each issue of the newsletter. TOTAL: $1168.18 to identify the products that they used on The newsletter is intended to be a the ship, as well as what tasks were often vehicle for the members to express being done near of involving these prod- Balance Remaining for 07/10 opinions, make suggestions and espe- ucts. If you know of any former shipmates $4819.15 cially share experiences. of Jerry who would be willing and able to Unless otherwise stated, the views help him, please encourage them to con- Dues of $20.00 are due in and opinions printed in the newsletter tact me at the contact information below, January of each year. If you have- are those of the article’s writer, and do or pass on their contact information to me. n’t sent in your dues, you can not necessarily represent the opinion of Any information you can provide will only mail them to ML&RS, Inc. at our the Association leadership or the Editor help Jerry’s case. of the Newsletter. address on page four. Additionally, please feel free to contact All letters and stories submitted will me if you have any questions. Thank you ______be considered for publication, except so much for any help and I look forward to unsigned letters will not be published. hearing from you. ENGINE ENDURANCE RECORD Letters requesting the writer’s name be withheld will be honored, but published

Sincerely, on a space available basis. Signed let- Cailin Falato USS Philadelphia, in a run from ters with no restrictions will be given Asbestos Litigation Paralegal Rio to Callao in 1893, traveled 4,975 priority. Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. miles in 18 days, 18 hours. Letters demeaning to another ship- 700 Broadway As this performance meant that in mate will not be printed; letters espous- New York, NY 10003 all that time, not once had her en- ing a political position will not be printed. 212-558-5570 gines ceased working. It was ac- ML&RS, Inc. is not responsible for [email protected] claimed as a most remarkable re- the accuracy of article submitted for ______cord; a record that lasted 15 years publication. It would be impossible to check each story. Therefore, we rely on until 1908. Bryce Canyon Newsletter, the submitter to research each article. I recently found this photograph (see ______The editor reserves the right to edit photo at bottom right) that I had taken of letters to conform to space limitations the Bryce Canyon while it was being and grammar. scrapped on Terminal Island in Long This newsletter can also be ac- You are encouraged to actively par- Beach Harbor, California. cessed at the web site ticipate in the newsletter family, by sub- I was sailing around Terminal Island in www.mlrsinc.com/brycecanyon. mitting your stories and suggestions. the mid 1980s and the hull line of the ship ______looked very familiar. As I approached from the port side, I mentioned to my son that it looked like the Bryce Canyon, the hull number was completely painted over on that side. As we sailed past, I could see the D 36 on the starboard side even though it had been painted over. I thought this photo might be of interest to the “old” BC sailors! I served on the Bryce Canyon in 1954- 55 as Second Class Shipfitter in the welding shop.

Donald C. Milligan, HTCS (Ret) [email protected] ______VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 BRYCE CANYON UPDATE PAGE 8 WANTED: FOR THE 2010 REUNION

If you know the whereabouts of these shipmates, please contact Mike Nesbit at 9605 Derald Rd, Santee, CA 92071 or phone 619-562-5690 or e-mail [email protected].