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Published Quarterly in Pensacola, Florida USA for the Old Antarctic Explorers Association Uniting All OAEs in Perpetuating the Memory of United States Involvement in Antarctica Volume 16, Issue 1 Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc Jan-Mar 2016

Photo by Electricians Mate 1st Class Jeremy Bivens Navy Cargo Handling Battalion One (NCHB-1) Chief Petty Officers gather for a group photo shortly after arriving at McMurdo Station.

Antarctica Bound: NCHB-1 Departs To Support Operation Deep Freeze 2016 Stories Edited by Billy-Ace

Story by LT David DiSanto Upon arriving in Christchurch our entire group was NCHB-1 S3 OIC escorted to the U.S. Antarctic Programs facility where hen leaving for a deployment you never know exactly everyone had their first encounter with Extreme Cold W what to expect. Sure, there are the emotions of leaving Weather Gear. This was an important first step in the family and completing the mission at hand and Operation Antarctic mission because proper gear at the right size Deep Freeze 2016 (DF-2016) is no different. Waking up allows for longevity in the harsh elements and the selection before most of Hampton Roads on 13 Jan 2016, members of of gear available at McMurdo Station is limited. Once this NCHB-1 headed to Cheatham Annex to travel as a group to was complete everyone proceeded to get acclimatized to the Norfolk International Airport. From Norfolk the Cargo time change after such long flights. Normally, one full day is Handlers took various routes via Christchurch, New Zealand allocated to see New Zealand prior to departing for “The on their way to McMurdo Station located on Ross Island in Ice” as Antarctica is commonly referred and this year was no Antarctica. To make this trip at least five separate flights and different. nearly 30 hours of flying were required just for one leg of Continued on page 4 the Operation. E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 16, I S S U E 1 J A N  M A R 2 0 1 6

P R E S I D E N T ’ S C O R N E R Laura Snow—OAEA President

TO ALL OAEs—As we move into 2016 the Eighth National OAEA Reunion to be held in Norwich, CT is fast approaching. Everyone is encouraged to make plans now to attend this gala event that will be conducted during 11–13 October 2016

at the Norwich Holiday Inn. The committee chairpersons; Billie and Larry Hunter, are hard at work GROWLERS & BERGY BYTES formulating plans for the reunion. I Feature Stories, Odds & Ends, Collected, Compiled, & want to offer my personal thanks to Written by Billy-Ace Penguin Baker Billie and Larry and their committee Page for all the hard work they are doing in Cover StoryNavy Cargo Handling Battalion………..1, 4 § order to make this a reunion to Chesapeake, VA—OAEA Membership Report………….3 remember. § The Reunion Special Edition of the Explorer’s Here and There—Letters to the Editor…………………...8 § Gazette will be mailed out to all members in early April, West Jefferson, NC—Lionel Wafer……………………..13 so by the time you read this you should have received § your copy. The special edition has also been posted on Here and There—In Memory: Obituaries………………14 the OAEA web site and can be downloaded by anyone § Virginia, Beach, VA—Chaplain’s Corner………………18 interested in attending the reunion, but are not yet § members of the OAEA. Copies will also be mailed to Scotland—Antarctica’s Forgotten Hero………..……….18 anyone who requests one from the reunion POC in § Lakewood, OH—Grounding of the Southwind………....19 response to media notices. § The 2016 Election Committee Chairman has Chesapeake, VA—Tidewater Group News……………..22 prepared a self-nominating form for the election. These § Here and There—Days Gone By…………………………23 forms must be mailed to the reunion committee no later § than 30 June 2016. The form may be downloaded from: Pensacola, FL—It’s a Dog’s Life Book Review…………24 http://oaeaelection.bobgaboury.info. Ballots will § Brunswick, ME—New England Chapter News…….…...25 be mailed out in July and must be returned to the § Election Committee by 15 September 2016. Slingerlands, NY—Ice Eagles Update…………………...26 Your recommendations and suggestions concerning § Pensacola, FL—New Members & Reunions…………….27 those areas that you perceive as satisfactory, as well as in § those areas where you feel that the OAEA could be Here and There—Locator Column ………………….…. 28 improved, are solicited by me, your President of the Old § Antarctic Explorers Association. Pensacola, FL—GCG Chapter Meetings……………….29

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT Laura Snow OAEA President The Old Antarctic Explorers Association publishes the [email protected] Explorer’s Gazette quarterly. Opinions expressed by the editorial staff or contained in articles submitted by members, and non-members are not official expressions of the OAEA nor does the mention of books, products, or events constitute endorsement by the OAEA. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this newsletter is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only.

Norwich Holiday Inn

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OAEA MEMBERSHIP REPORT Editorial by Billy-Ace Baker & Ed Hamblin

If you look at the OAEA Accounting Statement on the last page of the Oct-Dec 2015 issue of the Gazette you will see a Membership Status at the bottom of the report.

Even though we only have a few new Annual Members each The Explorer’s Gazette is year, the old Annual Members fail to renew their membership. the official publication of the Some only join in order to be eligible to attend the OAEA Old Antarctic Explorers reunions, and then they intentionally let their dues expire. Association, Inc. However, most simply forget to renew their dues and have to be reminded several times. And therein lies another problem. The National Headquarters OAEA is not set up to send renewal notices by US Mail, so we 10819 Berryhill Road send email notices to the delinaquent Annual Members. Some do Pensacola, FL 32506 USA not have email addresses, some of the email reminders bounce, Phone 850 456 3556 some go unanswered and a few members renew after getting the

And is published four times annually email notices.

Editor The below Annual Members have dues expiring on 6/302016. If Billy-Ace Baker you are on this list please renew your dues as soon as possible, or if you know anyone on the list please contact me at Editorial Assistants [email protected] or Ed Hamblin at [email protected]. Gus Shinn Membership renewal checks should be mailed to OAEA Kerry Konrad Membership Committee, 3104 Deepspring Drive, Chesapeake, John Stewart VA 23321; checks should be made payable to OAEA. If Pam Landy upgrading membership to Life, please note so on the check.

Editor Emeritus Annual membership renewal is $10.00 per year, or an upgrade to Jim O’Connell Life Membership is as per the following matrix: 2001–2003 81 and above - $5.00 76 to 80 inclusive - $10.00 56 to 60 inclusive - $75.00 Association Officers 71 to 75 inclusive - $20.00 51 to 55 inclusive - $90.00 66 to 70 inclusive - $40.00 46 to 50 inclusive - $100.00 President – Laura Snow 61 to 65 inclusive - $60.00 45 and below - $110.00 Vice President – Bob Gaboury Charles Amsler………………..Margaret Amsler Secretary – Marty Diller Edwin Anderson………………Terry Boyum Treasurer – Bill Rouzer Lewis Clyburn II………………David Duke Life Director – Billy-Ace Baker Michael Fussell………………..Sarah Gillens Past President/Director – Jim Heffel Susan Hartman………………...Debbie McCrory Director – David Bresnahan Kenneth Moncrief…………… Kelly Moran Director – Wayne Germann Michael Murley……………… Dennis Schenborn Director – Ed Hamblin Kenneth Terry………………… Charles Woske Director – Thomas Henderson Director – Robert Conner A reminder that active membership is required to sponsor Director – William Smith candidates for OAEA scholarship assistance, and to attend the Director – Russ Livermore upcoming 2016 reunion in Connecticut. Director – Dick Spaulding There are also Annual Members from previous years who failed to renew their dues. When the above list is resolved we will Chaplain – Johnnie Draughon publish a list of those delinquent Annual Members who have Historian – Billy-Ace Baker been dropped or are otherwise MIA. Parliamentarian – Jim Eblen

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NCHB-1 From Page 1 for more than two days before the city of Christchurch. Following the With the amount of gear and conditions supported safe passage. earthquakes of 2010 and especially personnel this year, two flights, or Before the first chalk left for the 2011 the city embarked upon a journey “chalks” would be required to get ice, a fair amount of our group decided to rebuild with both modern amenities everyone to The Ice. The number of to take a tour via bus with one of the and making the city more repellant to available aircraft to transport personnel local sightseeing companies in an earthquakes in the future. One of the and equipment was not an issue for us. effort to maximize what we were able first ways to inject life back into Rather it was the weather in Antarctica to see of Christchurch. We opted for Christchurch was the establishment of a shopping district made of shipping containers. Without pictures you might envision rusted or third hand stores, but it is the exact opposite, featuring designer brands with a modern upscale feel. Government buildings are also in full construction and should be complete within the next year or two. The city’s famous cathedral located downtown was badly damaged during the earthquakes along with the Roman Catholic Cathedral located just outside of the downtown area. While the

NCHB-1 sailors try on cold weather gear prior to their departure from Christchurch

which can change very quickly and the three hour tour because it ventured Shipping Container Shopping Mall impact flight schedules on a regular outside of the immediate downtown Rebuilding, the Cathedral that some basis. Our first group was delayed area. may say defines Christchurch is trying several times on the first scheduled day The first hour or so took us all to be saved by the citizens and to head for McMurdo Station, but around the downtown area showing demolished by the owners. Without eventually departed and arrived safely. what has amounted to a spectacular diving into a full summary of the The second group would have to wait rebuilding and redesigning effort for rebuild, the remaining two hours of our tour took us up into the hills looking down on the city below. Here we walked through a scenic little park and took some pictures. Then we preceeded to a seaside village called Redcliffs. In Redcliffs we were able to take a small break there as well. The option was there to purchase some food or coffee and take spectacular pictures by a unique rock at the water’s edge. Leaving Redcliffs we headed back to the starting point of our tour at the Christchurch Museum. The overall feeling of the group was very satisfied with the tour and happy that we had the opportunity to see things that had we not taken the tour would not have been able to see.

Cold weather gear is staged prior to issue to NCHB-1 Sailors in preparation for their departure to McMurdo Station

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The Second Chalk Makes It secure ourselves for landing. Just prior One of the best parts of coming to to landing, thoughts of what it would McMurdo Station is the opportunity to s; part of the second group be like to land with skies ran through conduct some literally breath taking Awaiting to fly to McMurdo my head. Would it be a rough landing, hikes. One of the most popular is Station, the anticipation of my first uncontrolled. or something else? None Observation Hill, or “OB Hill”. Right LC-l30 flight and what it actually of the above. It felt just like a normal next to McMurdo Station, OB Hill meant to be in Antarctic was starting to landing except with the scraping of the provides a great introduction to hiking set in. Finallv. after days of waiting the skies along the Williams Field Ski- in Antarctica. As an added bonus the call came earlier than expected but the way. Taxing to our shuttle location we Outdoor Safety Class is not required call came. The remainder of our group. then came to a stop and waited for our for this hike. Allowing anyone the along with some members of the New VIPs to exit. Then for the first time in chance to get right into some outdoor Zealand Defense force, and a couple my known family history I became the activities. VIPs would be leaving for The Ice. first one to step foot on Antarctica. There are several different routes Little did I know at the time of our that you can use to reach the summit of landing that we had landed in near OB Hill all of which cu1minate in “whiteout conditions”. The snow was outstanding views and the cross coming down so hard that you could dedicated to the men lost during the see no more than 200 yards in any Scott Expedition while on their way direction. The weather screamed, home from the South Pole. This cross welcome to Antarctica! is a powerful reminder of the power of Boarding our shuttle, we had a very Mother Nature and is visible from energetic driver who was explaining everywhere I’ve been in the downtown Sailors get situated after boarding the various operations and landmarks area of McMurdo. the LC-130 flight to McMurdo. that we both could and could not see. When we boarded the plane, we Our ride lasted about 30 minutes or so quickly realized that the space and we were dropped off at McMurdo available would be pretty tight. Gone Station. The first order of business was were the days of economy air on an to make a visit to the chalet so that we international commercial carrier and could receive all of the required briefs hello jump seat! Between bags of and get oriented with the base. Extreme Cold Weather Gear in front of Following this I headed over to the me and two extra close shipmates next store to get some souvenirs before all OB Hill Cross to me. the countdown began to landing of the right sizes and gear sold out. We began our hike and almost well before we even left the tarmac. Then it was off to the galley to grab a immediately hit the steep incline to Settling In as best as possible with all quick bite prior to getting my luggage begin our way up. During the hike we of my cold weather gear, carry-on bag, from the Post Office stopped several times. Once was at the and boxed lunch; Antarctica was only a plaque for the old nuclear power plant mere eight hours away. Once we were that used to be at McMurdo Station. in the air, at least from my seat Another was at a great location spot for frequent breaks every hour or two were pictures. The remainders. were for rest required to stretch and standing up to breaks due to the gradient of the hill. get the blood flowing back to my legs;. Finally, we reached the summit after About six hours into our flight a about half an hour and the views were member of our flight crew let us know breathtaking. that you could see some of the mountains of Antarctica out the Sailors board "Ivan The Terra Bus" windows. When I looked outside it was Settling into 24 hours of daylight is easier for me to see the mountains; very different. You would expect through the screen of my phone then leaving a building at close to Midnight with my eyes because of how bright and not to have to put on your the reflection of the snow was. sunglasses but without them here you Within about 30 minutes of landing might have a hard time seeing. Making we were told to make preparations to my bed and getting ready for the next land by donning our Extreme Cold day, my first full day on The Ice, I still Weather Gear required for the flight, could not believe that I was here. NNPU Monument use the facilities if we needed to, and

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Observation Hill provided views of Antarctica to bring supplies to civilian “We do one resupply a year”, Castle Rock, all of McMurdo Station, scientists who work on the continent. foundation spokesman Peter West said. Mt. Erebus, and the frozen over Winter The Virginian Pilot reported that “It’s easier to get vessels in when the Quarters Bay/Ross Sea fake looking Sailors assigned to NCHB-One will ice is thinnest”. mountains as a backdrop—spectacular. transport about 20 million pounds of McMurdo Station, a former Navy Everyone took pictures with the Scott supplies as part of Operation Deep base at the world's southernmost port, Cross Memorial and the surrounding Freeze. is the largest of three scientific stations landscape. This was truly a moment to run by the USAP. More than 1,000 remember and a great introduction to people work there during the Southern the beauty that Antarctica has to offer. Hemisphere's summer. On the way down OB Hill we The station’s pier is built from ice proceeded down a slightly different covered with dirt to help protect it route and eventually linked up with the from the sun. The MV Ocean Giant, road that is slightly above McMurdo chartered by the Norfolk-based MSC, Station leading out of the old power must carry its own large crane to load plant area. From here the majority of and unload cargo because the pier us decided to continue with the cannot support them.

Observation Hill hike and complete the Photo by E. Todd Spencer After the cargo is unloaded, sailors OB Hill Loop. This was an additional Sailors from NCHB-1 prepare a will load the ship with materials, nearly three miles. Circling around the shipping container to be crane including experiments, garbage and base of Observation Hill, providing all lifted at a training simulator at recyclables. West said about 70 percent the serenity one would expect while in Naval Weapon Station Yorktown. of items used in Antarctica are Antarctica and at the same time hardly 54 active and reserve component recycled. being far from McMurdo Station. On Sailors are conducting training in Battalion Lt. Dave Shayeson said preperation for departure to the windward side of the Hill we saw McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in sailors will work in two 12-hour shifts seals, ice so blue you could see through support of the National Science to take advantage of the 24 hours of it, and various shades of soil ranging Foundation. daylight that occurs in Antarctica from something that looked as red as John Thackrah, executive director during its summer. Mars to volcanic tones resembling of Military Sealift Command (MSC), “It's a very small percentage of ancient rocks. This part of the hike was said the cargo ship MV Ocean Giant people that get to do this, so it’s the worth every minute of the time It took must go through floating ice to get to trip of a lifetime”, Shayeson said to complete. Antarctica. Once the ship arrives, Since 1955, the U.S. Navy has about 50 sailors will begin offloading provided air and maritime cargo and cargo and loading the ship with passenger transport in support of anything that needs to return to the scientific research throughout the United States. Antarctic Joint Operations Area on the The mission will start later this world’s coldest, driest, and highest month and will last until February. continent. Temperatures in Antarctica are NCHB-1 is the Navy’s only active relatively warm, but they will likely duty Navy cargo handling battalion Seal Basking in the Sun and operations in concert with Finishing the hike, I felt a new remain below 32 degrees during their NAVELSGs six reserve cargo handling closeness to those that had came before stay. battalions. Active and Reserve me to this continent. In addition to that “I’m actually from the South”, said component Sailors assigned to I felt like I needed a cup of coffee to Petty Officer 2nd Class Angelina NCHB-1 participated in a three-day warm up so that’s exactly what my Colon, a logistics specialist making her refresher training earlier this month in next goal became. This was the perfect first such trip. “So I'm going to be Williamsburg in support of Operation end to our Observation Hill hike. freezing”. Deep Freeze. Among other things, researchers in the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) Fifty Sailors assigned to NCHB-1 Hampton Roads Sailors are examining atmospheric conditions, and four reserve component Sailors Deploy To Antarctica wildlife and how the continent formed. from NCHB-8 used Navy

By The Associated Press The program, run under the auspices of Expeditionary Logistics Support 11 January 2016, Yorktown, Va.— the National Science Foundation, the Group’s land ship to become a more Navy Cargo Handling Sailors from program depends on the military to cohesive unit—critical while moving Hampton Roads are deploying to bring it supplies and fuel. Research cargo in the austere environment they stations are maintained by civilians. will find themselves in during support

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of the National Science Foundation- NZ Defence Force Returns and Air Force with up to 220 personnel managed USAP, according to a Navy From Antarctic Mission deployed during the October to news release. February summer season. Alex Mason, The Sailors will deploy as part of This year 60 Army soldiers and DF-16, the military logistical-support logistics specialists helped unload the component of the Antarctic Program. annual container ship which provides “Communication is a big part of McMurdo Station and Scott Base with pre-deployment training”, said Lt. a year’s supply of science equipment, David Shayeson, detachment officer in food, and construction materials charge. “This is a good time for us to needed to sustain researchers in one of exercise that, get it trained up to now the world’s most inhospitable labor- versus figuring it out when we get The Royal New Zealand Air Force atories. down there”. Boeing 757 Deputy Commander Joint Forces ODF is unlike any other U.S. New Zealand, Air Commodore Kevin military operation. It is one of the An Antarctic summer deployment is McEvoy says since 1965 the Defence military's most difficult peacetime over once more for the New Zealand Force has been supporting New missions due to the harsh Antarctic Defence Force. Zealand and American scientists as environment. The U.S. military is A Royal New Zealand Air Force they carry out important research on uniquely equipped and trained to Boeing 757 touched down in the ice. operate in such extreme climates. Christchurch last night—onboard were An RNZAF Boeing 757 will Although Virginia winters never the remaining 22 personnel from this complete one last flight in early April compare to working in Antarctica, season’s contingent. They have been before the winter season officially conducting pre-deployment training in based in Antarctica for two months. starts. January does help some. Operation Antarctica is a joint effort between the NZ Navy, Army,

Photo by Electricians Mate First Class Jeremy Bivens NCHB-1 Sailors gather for a group photo shortly after arriving at McMurdo Station, Antarctica in support of the National Science Foundation annual resupply mission in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2016 (ODF-16). The United States Navy has been a part of Operation Deep Freeze since 1955. NCHB-1 is the Navy's only active duty Navy cargo handling battalion and operates in concert with NAVELSG's six reserve cargo handling battalions.

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L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R

Ali Ben: Penguin: That was a great story about Hoot’s burial at sea. I Thanks to you and the Helo King for the new remember Hoot from our winter, but I did not know that additions to my family. As you can see, my cat Thistle he had changed his rate to Parachute Rigger. Keep up has already claimed them as her own. I was so the good work. touched that y'all remembered my birthday and sent Guhor Wick these little cuties by way of Diane. WO DF-63 We celebrated with champagne, chocolate, and smoked salmon for the Penguins. They will have a Editor’s Note: Thanks for the atta-boy. Since the good life here with exposure to PBS and NPR. They story appeared in the Gazette several people have will not have a cell phone or email access but you may asked me about having their ashes spread over receive updates as they adjust to their new Antarctica. I know it has been done in the past, but environment. Thanks again! I checked with the NSF and received the reply Love, below: Connie Shinn Billy-Ace: For the Gazette, please use this: Cremated ashes are not allowed to be spread over Antarctica, as was done in the past. All citizens of all nations which have ratified the Protocol on Environ- mental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty are legally obligated to abide by the rules set forth in this docu- ment. Just as dogs are no longer allowed because they are a non-native species to the continent, cremated ashes also cannot be introduced. This is U.S. law and violators can be prosecuted. You can learn more at the below web site: http://www.nsf.gov/geo/plr/antarct/eas/start.jsp Name Withheld By Request

Billy-Ace I am sending this message for anyone that I have interviewed or contacted about my film, Ice Eagles. I apologize to those who might not have received this information earlier. I have posted a short trailer for the film at: https://youtu.be/HZa1R4YTUFk The editing of the film is proceeding on schedule so far. I still expect a release toward the end of this coming summer. I will advise you when that happens. Best regards, Tom Henderson Graceful Willow Productions Thistle with the penguins that we sent to Connie for her Editor’s Note: See Ice Eagles update on page 26 of birthday. I sent the one on the left and Billy this issue. Blackwelder sent the one on the right.

Gentlemen: Billy-Ace, I received my "OAEA" Certificate in the mail today. I just finished reading the Explorers Gazette. You It now hangs on the wall in front of my computer. I plan always amaze me with the variety and number of to enjoy it. articles, the pertinent news, and the photos. Thank you Merci Beaucoup. for another outstanding edition of the Gazette! Tim Gardner Laura Snow

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Dear Billy-Ace: To my OAE friends, Congratulations on another lovely Gazette. I've just Do any of you know how or where I can get a downloaded mine and started reading. Thanks for your replacement for my old washed-out Antarctica license efforts on this, they're much appreciated. plate? This is for a special car and I would really like to With best wishes from B'dette get a fresh one. Please see the attached photo. Bernadette Hince Thanks. [email protected] Charlie Richardson W/O '74 Editor’s Note: Bernadette is one of members from down under. She is the author of: The Antarctic Dictionary. A Complete Guide to Antarctic English.

Dear Billy-Ace: It took me a long while to read the wonderful current newsletter you have published. Near the end, although I scarcely knew anyone in the long list of obituary notices, I did notice something remarkable: Apparently, being in freezing cold weather is a life- Charlie’s Attachment extending non-prescription solution! My gosh, of all those people, the youngest was 67. And very few in their 60s. Most folks in their 80s and some 90s. I've experienced bitter cold as a mountaineer but just to be sure, I think I should return to Quebec City in February for the Winter Carnival and cavort about in shorts and tee shirt a while to live to be 100. Best wishes, John Lenkey

In warm-winter This is the same design as Charlie’s attachment. It is Pittsburgh from my collection. It measures 6X3 inches, so I Billy-Ace, assume that it was made for a bicycle. Someone sent the license plate pictured below to my daughter. I'm forwarding it to you just as a matter Billy-Ace, of interest. Didn't know for sure if you had seen it. I was the W/O Supply Officer in '74, and that Glen license plate is the one that I sold in the McMurdo store. It has the Deep Freeze emblem on the right side as you can see. Thank you VERY much for sending me a listing of the ones you have. Luckily, my fellow '74 W/O colleague, Bill Lokey, has one just like mine that he is going to send to me this week, so I should be all set. And. THANKS for all of the incredible OAEA work that you do!!!!!! Charlie Billy-Ace, Great issue! Too often I just put these emails aside and get back to reading the issue much later, but this one I jumped right into. Impressive! My first comment is that I hope this might bring up Editor’s Note: I do not think I have seen that some more information about the Wilkes comms version before. Funny that I received two email equipment. questions about SP-90 license plates around the And then there was the story about the South Pole same time frame. See below email thread. phone call with Gus Shinn. I might want to use that on my web site (I'll ask Elaine about that as well). Bill Spindler

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Hi Billy-Ace, Most Worshipful DKS Gene Litz’s letter in the Oct-Dec issue is correct— I just finished checking my files and the last however—Captain George Dufek was Chief of Staff Gazette I received was Vol 15, Issue 2... I should be under RADM Cruzen, with additional duties as more careful. Commander CTG 68.3 (Eastern Group). That’s not I just went to the Gazette's site and downloaded unusual. In DF-I & II, the Chief of Staff Captain C. W. the latest two. I found Strong Gut's photo in the Thomas, USCG, was a CTG as well. Common Oct-Dec issue on page 10, and I'm embarrassed to practice for seniors to wear more than one hat. say that I lost that battle. Mo Ham Ed was just too You can find that in both Admiral Dufek’s book, as quick for me. I wasn't prepared for all his quick move- well as his papers online at Syracuse University. The ments and every time I lunged at him, he moved, and I only caution: In the precis of the University papers it would step (fall) out of the circle. It seemed that reads that Dufek was Chief of Staff "under the alcohol played some part in this competition. I was a command of RADM Byrd." Not so. Byrd was NOT in better bumper than him, I just couldn't prove it! the chain of command. Cruzen was. Macadoodoo, aka DK00004 Cheers, Mo Editor’s Note: I guess that answers the question of who won the Belly Bumping competition. You can Billy-Ace, visit Macadoodoo’s web site at: Regarding Dufek’s papers at Syracuse University, Harold MacPherson's Web Site all you get is a précis or summary online. I'd love to go to the University sometime and see what is in the Hello Billy-Ace, collection in detail. I have not received the Oct-Dec issue of the New Subj: RADM Dufek and RADM Tyree put Gazette. Has it been mailed or is it in the mail? about a 20–30 minute 16mm film together that was an Was my subscription not a lifetime and I owe argument for shifting the basic McMurdo operation $$$$??? across the waters of the Sound to Marble Point. The Keep up the good work and regards from thrust of that was that a fixed rock, year-round runway Robert Rowland

could be constructed, and even a rock jetty to permit the safe off-loading of ships. I know this was a pet Editor’s Note: After I received Robert’s letter I sent concept of the Admiral that was shot down by the him this reply: In the past I mailed copies of the "higher ups" in the State Dept and elsewhere for Gazette to members who did NOT have Internet political reasons. The film obviously was at the time of access and a few members who made donations their turnover. to the Gazette printing and mailing fund in order to When I was on THIRDFLT Staff, that film was in get on the snail mail list. At the Norfolk reunion our Tech Library and I previewed it. That was 1981– the OAEA BOD voted to stop funding the mailing 85. At that time I was “Action Officer" for all Antarctic of the Gazette. So now all I can do is upload it to stuff and did all the liaison at fleet level. Had some the web site and let everyone know. Robert very interesting moments, even crises situations. followed up with the below: Now here's the "hooker." After almost two years on the staff, I discovered that our Tech Librarian was Billy-Ace, Admiral Dufek's stepdaughter! Can't remember her Another loss for those of us who like to read print name, but she's the one that alerted me to the and often re-read an article or scan a page or two for existence of the film, which I then looked at. So that use in a talk. I am also a member of the Antarctican would have been circa 1983. Society and I find the black and white print copy of Warm regards, their newsletter to be fine for my reading and referral Mo purposes. In closing I understand your predicament. You are Billy-Ace: welcome to use or paraphrase my views when you I enjoy being a member of OAEA. Your newsletter next bring up the subject of paper copies. is outstanding and I want to continue receiving it. It is With regards. an interesting group to read about and the experiences Bob on the ice. Please keep me on the mailing list. Much appreciated. Editor’s Note: I plan on making a proposal to the Floyd Eldredge BOD that print copies of the Gazette be made VXE-6 1971–74 available to members and other interested parties on a subscription basis.

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Quarter Dress Shoes” were equipped with steel heel and side “Cleats”. The day of the event; rather than hosting this ceremony on the Base, I was directed to a Naval Vessel along the Quay at Port Hueneme, where I met the Chaplain and the “Gold Star Representative” in the laying of the Reef. We boarded a Navy vessel and headed out to sea. My “Sea Legs” had not been tested since riding a USNS Troop Ship from Brooklyn NY to Bremerhaven, Germany in 1964…I admit, I was not excited about this “Ocean Going Adventure”. As we arrived on site; The Chaplain conducted a respectful Service; my part was to escort the “Gold Star Mother” across the deck to a rail, where the Chaplain and Navy Personnel were to provide the Reef Laying Comments and “We were to toss the Reef in the Ocean”. I was (Photo by PH3 Laura Beagle) balancing the “Gold Star Mom” on my arm, holding Wreath throwing concludes memorial onto the Presentation Reef for life…and “Slip Sliding across the Deck”. The entire time, my self-discipline Mrs. Gretchen McKee is assisted by CDR J. T. Burton, (and a young Sailor) alone kept me from Sliding executive officer of the Seabee Center (right) and an Overboard”. In conclusion, the Gold Star Mother Army Sergeant as she prepares to cast the American thanked me, the Sailors on board gained a new “Sea Legion wreath in ceremonies conducted at sea May 27 Story” and I swore never to set foot on another Navy as the conclusion of a pre-Memorial Day service at the Vessel…ever! Center’s Peter Bol Chapel. Participating in the wreath- Jerry Schleining casting ceremonies, which are sponsored each year by the Ventura County Council, American Legion, were Billy-Ace four Gold Stars Mothers of the Ventura area, the Base Upon the demise of the Antarctic Deep Freeze Chaplin’s department, representatives from the Retired Association (ADFA), I’d like to be sure to be included Officers’ Association, and members of the Ventura as a member of the OAEA. Please let me have County American Legion. specifics as to admission, dues, etc. including an

Billy Ace; updated membership list. Right now I’m limited to the The article in the Gazette on Hoot Hartman’s Burial 12/22/14 restricted ADFA list and a somewhat difficult at sea was well done; the Gazette is a super rag. usage of a difficult computer. While assigned to NSFA Task Force 199 from 1975 I look forward to getting involved with the through 1978 and being the only Army Senior Non [email protected] and the ability to Commissioned Officer represented, I was often called download the Explorer’s Gazette. to provide or represent the United States Army at Many thanks for all the good work you’ve been various functions and activities. Of the many Joint and doing. International Service related activities; the one that Sincerely, stands out, was while at “Home Port” in Port Dick Bowers Hueneme, California. The Command Master Chief asked if I would be willing to represent the Army at a Editor’s Note: Many of the members of the ADFA, “Reef Laying Service for the Gold Star Widows” who’d including Dick are already members of the OAEA. lost loved ones of the Army in WW II at Sea. There During the past few years I have sent OAEA would be a brief service conducted by the Naval Information Packets to those ADFA members who Chaplain and the placement of a Reef in Honor of the are not OAEA members. Following the ADFA Fallen Soldiers. Typical representation and honorable reunion in Indiana I attempted to get an up-to-date thing to be a part of and usually very local and brief. ADFA roster, in order make a proposal to the Being asked by the Master Chief by the way is not OAEA BOD to grandfather those ADFA members, under the heading of a “request”! who are not already members, into the OAEA. I What the Master Chief failed to tell me, was this don’t remember the reason, but I never received an activity was to take place “At Sea”. updated ADFA roster and I let the proposal plan Of course this was a Uniform Function; having just fall through the cracks. came from a ceremonial unit assignment my “Low

11 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 16, I S S U E 1 J A N  M A R 2 0 1 6

Dear Editor: AIR DEVELOPMENT SQUADRON SIX I enjoyed the coverage of the VX-/VX-6 reunion. Operation Deep Freeze: Task Force 43 And I am glad that I attended. The only thing that bothered me was the tour of the National Navy Late at night when the fire burns low, Aviation museum. Other than Que Sera Sera and an and the lamps turned down only embers glow. old VX-6 Otter there was nothing on display. The library within the museum had a few books about Antarctica, but there were no VX-6 cruise books. I My thoughts they drift to that timeless land, remember discussing this with you and several other where once I served as a Cargo Hand. attendees while waiting for the bus to take us back to the hotel. How the snow was white and the mountains rose, Regards though the sun was bright still the earth it froze. Dick Spaulding For the days were long and the night was nil, Editor’s Note: I have often wondered about that and the work was hard and the air was chill. and I came to the conclusion that the Navy Aviation Museum is about fighter pilots and The planes came in every hour or so, aircraft carriers. Just like the Seabee Museum is from Antarctic Stations maybe ‘forty below’. Port Hueneme is about the Fighting Seabees and not the Antarctic Seabees. However, I checked We’d load them refuel them and then they’d be gone, with the museum and they do have procedures for to the South Pole or Siple or Palmer beyond. donating items to the museum. If you have books to donate you should contact the Emil Buehler Though it’s cold at McMurdo and cold at the ‘Pole’, Naval Aviation library at: 850 452 3604, extension there’s a spirit only those who have been there would 3127. Inquiries for donating other items can be know. made to: Hill Goodspeed, Historian and Artifact Collections Manager. Phone: 850 452 3604, For with courage, devotion and sacrifice too, extension 3135 or : [email protected]. The the Air Devron Squadron we saw it all through. snail mail address for the museum is: National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd., Suite By Mike Subritzky RNZA C., Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508

“It’s a harsh continent, but an easy place to have a laugh.” —Matt Davidson

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LIONEL WAFER: HIS LIFE AND TIMES Ghost written by Black Jack of Ballarat

‘Day shipmates, this is your old pal about a corrupt member of parliament (hence the title) who GLionel Wafer holed up in a cheap is given the choice of going to prison or leading a team of house of ill repute in Valparaiso, where the scientists to the South Pole. And then there was that rather principal reading is the OAEA Explorer’s shocking (for the time, anyway—it’s rather tame now) Gazette. I read with interest the letter about Swedish film of 1969—“I am Curious Blue”, a somewhat the Warner Brothers Presents TV episode graphic story of a young couple spending their honeymoon “Deep Freeze” starring Charles Bronson in Antarctica. The latest news is that Scorsese is believed to and Allison Hayes. Of course I saw it when be making “The Lecherous and Drunken Adventures of it came out, but there appears to be no surviving prints. Billy-Ace Baker”, starring Brad Pitt in the title role. Can’t Talking about obscure flickers set on The Ice, how about wait to see that. It is said that Billy-Ace himself has a small “Frozen Nuts”, made in 1943, and starring Kirby Grant. part. Billy-Ace is said to have requested that Val Kilmer Today, you can barely find even a reference to that stirring portray him in the film. epic. And John Wayne in that short made by the U.S. Government to promote the International Geophysical Year Editor’s Note: Val was my first choice, but over the years in 1956—“Frostbite Down Under. It Hurts”. Try finding time has taken a toll on him, so Brad Pitt will work for me. that these days!

Val Kilmer Before & After

Shiver me timbers shipmates, I got to go now, a lascivious bimbo has just came in. Black Jack

Return Of Frostbite Down Under. It Still Hurts. Starring Kate Upton Did you see that black and white British quickie from 1968—“Bent Member”? It’s a hoot. You can still find it. It’s Black Jack and a lovely young lass.

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I N M E M O R Y

OAE Barry Adair, 84, died on 19 February 2016, in Ship Bottom, NJ. Barry served on the USS Arneb during DF-III as a Boatswain’s Mate Second Class (BM2).

OAE John Crane Alford, died on 23 January 2016, in Tucson, AZ. John and his wife visited Antarctica as tourists

OAE Edwin Lewis Andrew, 81, of West Hartford, died on 11 January 2016, in Leesburg, FL. Ed served on the USS Glacier. Year(s) unknown.

OAE Jose “Jay” L. Ardai, Jr., 65, died on 13 March 2016, in Genoa, NY. Jay provided oceanographic support to the USAP in Antarctica. Year(s) unknown.

OAE Shirley Willits Austin, 89, died on 15 January 2016, in Shell Beach, CA. Shirley visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Albina “Bea” Badalich, 87, died on 31 December 2015, in Torrence, CA. Bea visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Andrew Sterling Baumgardner, USAF (Ret), 96, died on 21 January 2016, in Overland Park, KS. Andrew visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Scott Beu, 28, died on 16 March 2016, in Tyler, TX. Scott wintered-over at McMurdo in 2010 as a firefighter with the USAP contractor.

OAE Ann Marie Bohnert, 67, died on 6 March 2016, in Blue Springs, MO. Ann Marie visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE James F. Borzillo, 88, of Crestwood, Missouri, died on 13 March 2016, at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. MO. James served with the Seabees during Highjump.

OAE Philip Burrell, 88, of South Plainfield, N.J, died on 14 March 2016, in Tavares, FL. Philip served on the USS Philippine Sea during Highjump.

OAE MSGT Debra Ann Bourque, USAF (Ret), 59, died on 15 February 2016. Debra served in Antarctica with the NYANG.

*OAE Boyer Robert E. “Bobby” Boyer, USAF (Ret), 75, died on 21 February 2016, in Englewood, FL. Bobby served in Antarctica from 1963–66 with VX-6 as an Aviation Mechanic Jets Second Class (ADJ2).

OAE Ralph “Ace” Brewer, 88, died on 5 March 2016, in Baton Rouge, LA. Ace served in Antarctica as a Navy Journalist during Highjump.

OAE Sara M. Brown, 96, died on 24 January 2016, in Oakmont, PA. Sara visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Orville H. Bunge, 87, died on 10 March 2016, in Vacaville, CA. Orville visited Antarctica as a tourist.

*OAE Cynthia A. Byham, 79, died on 11 February 2016, in New Castle, DE. Cynthia was the NOK of deceased OAEA member John Barret Brown.

OAE Nancy Rose Carleski, 63, died on 30 January 2016. Nancy visited Antarctica twice on National Geographic Expeditions. Year(s) unknown.

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OAE Doris Williams Cobb, 86, died on 24 February 2016, in Appleton IL. Doris visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE George Lewis Derendinger, 84, died on 15 March 2016, in College Station, TX. George served in Antarctica with the USN. Unit and year(s) unknown.

*OAE LCDR Edward Joseph Feeney, USN (Ret), 83, died on 13 January 2016, in Pensacola, FL. Ed served as an LC-130 pilot in Airdevron Six during DF-68 & 69 and in Antarctic Devron Six during DF-74 & DF-75. He was a Member of the OAEA GCG Chapter. Ed served as the OAEA Vice President from 2002–2005. Feeney Ridge was named in his honor.

OAE Marilynn Snyder Davis, 80, died on 19 February 2016, in Jackson, MI. Marilynn and her husband visited Antarctica as tourists.

OAE Henry P. DelBianco, 86, died on 18 February 2016. Henry worked at McMurdo Station. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Dr. Roy Henry Dippy, MD, 85, died on 19 March 2016, in Orlando, FL. Roy served in Antarctica with the USN. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Raymond “Decker” Dombroski Jr., 78, died on 20 February 2016, in Greensburg, PA. Decker served in Antarctica with the Seabees. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Marlene Dyer, 49, died on 25 February 2016 while on a cruise to Antarctica.

OAE Robert Wayne Eaton, 69, died on 19 February 2016, in Tampa, FL. Robert served in Antarctica with the USCG. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Dr. Carl Carter Edge, Jr., DDS, 86, died on 4 March 2016, in Atlanta, GA. Carl and his wife visited Antarctica twice as tourists.

*OAE AMSC Tom David Elder, USN (Ret), 65, died on 26 March 2016, in.Conway, AR. Tom served in VXE-6 as an LC-130 flight engineer from 1975–77 and 1982–86

OAE CPO Roger T, Fournier, USN (Ret), 78, died on 27 March 2016 at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke.MA. Roger served in Antarctica with NSFA. Year(s) unknown.

OAE Jeremy Turrell Garland, 85, died on 23 February 2016. Jeremy served on the USS Arneb during DF-II.

OAE David Murray Gates, 94, died on 4 March 2015, in Ann Arbor, MI. David visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Clarence Eugene Gleaton, Jr., 90, died on, 29 February 2016, in Spring Hope, CO. Clarence served in Antarctica during DF-62 as a US Army Chief Warrant Officer helicopter pilot flying mapping missions for the USGS. Mount Gleaton was named in his honor.

OAE Dr. Robert B. Gollance, MD, 78, died on 20 January 2016, in Wayne, NJ. Robert visited Antarctica as a photographer on a tourist expedition.

OAE LT COL Albert Virgil Goodpasture III, USA (Ret.), 79, died on 7 February 2016, in Topeka, KS. Albert visited Antarctica as a tourist.

Martin L. Gross, 77, of New London, CT and Ocean Ridge, FL. died on 26 January, 2016, in Ushuaia, Argentina following a stroke suffered en route to Antarctica.

OAE Richard P Hamilton, 86, died on 29 March 2016, at Albany Medical Center in Hancock, MA. Richard served as a lieutenant on a USN Icebreaker during the IGY.

OAE James Frederick Hinkhouse, 86, died on 31December 2015, in Boise, ID. James visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Dr. George Hollister Hogle, 90, died on 28 November 2015. George visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE CAPT John Terrence Howell, USCG (Ret), 79, died on 25 February 2016, in Palm Desert, CA. John served as the first Executive Officer of the USCGC Polar Sea (1976–1977), and twice as the Commanding Officer (1977–78 and 1985–1987).

*OAE Michael Willard. Hughes, 77, died on 29 February 2016, in Olalla, WA. Michael served in Antarctic Support Activities (ASA) during 1960–62 as a Construction Electrician third class (CE3).

15 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 16, I S S U E 1 J A N  M A R 2 0 1 6

OAE Dr. Virginia Cribari King, PhD, 76, died on 13 February 2016, in Newtown, CT. Virginia visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE RMCS Robert Newell Knight, USN (Ret), 90, died on 26 February 2016, in Scarborough ME. Robert served on the USS Philippine Sea during Highjump.

*OAE LCDR Samuel “Curt” Lindsay, USN (Ret), 82, died on 23 March 2015, in Tyler TX. Curt served in VX-6 from 1962 through 1964

OAE Robert Carl Longhi, 68, died on 15 March 2016, in Manchester, NH. Robert served in Antarctica with the USN.Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Patricia “Trish” F. (Farnum) Mallard, 76, died on 30 March 2016, at Applewood Care Center in Winchester, MA. Trish visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE YNC Thomas Robert Martin, USN (Ret), 87, died on 7 November 2015, in Ocala, FL. Thomas served in VX-6. Year(s) unknown.

OAE Gerald “Jerry” Leroy Metcalf, 78, died on 2 December 2015, in Ashland, OR. Jerry served in Antarctica with the USAF. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE EAC Claudio Damasco Norico, USN (Ret), 76, died on 2 February 2016 in Oxnard, CA. Claudio wintered-over at McMurdo with NSFA Det Alfa during DF-79.

OAE Michael “Mike” O’Connor, 92, died on 16 January 2016, in Lakeland, FL. Mike served during Highjump.

OAE Lee Austin Otterson, 98, died on 22 December 2015, in Palo Alto, CA. Lee visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Timothy Pancake. 73, died on 7 February 2016, in Cleveland, OH. Timothy served on the USS Edisto. Year(s) unknown.

OAE LCDR Arthur R. Philo, USN (Ret), 81, died on 4 March 2016 in Camarillo, CA. Author served in VX-6 as the flight navigator on the crew of Phoenix Six. Year(s) unknown.

OAE BMCS William “Smokey” Hoyt Powell, USN (Ret), 89 died on 30 March 2016, in Trafford, AL. Smokey served during Highjump.

OAE COL Arthur “Art” Provencio, USAF (Ret), 83, died on 7 March 2016, in Henderson, NV. Art served in Antarctica with the USAF. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Ruth Herrmann Reniff, 94, died on 1 January 2016, in Ithaca, NY. Ruth visited Antarctica as a tourist.

*OAE Michael “Mike” Lee Rice, 68, died on 28 December 2015, in Loma Linda, CA. Mike wintered-over with the USN as an RM2 during DF-70.

OAE Gerald Nesbitt Ross, 95, died on 18 January 2016. Gerald visited Antarctica exploring for oil and gas. Year(s) unknown..

OAE CAPT (MC) Orren L. Royal, USN (Ret), 89, died on 1 March 2016, in Highland County, VA. Orren served in Antarctica with the USN. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE James “Jim” E. Sanders, 75, died on 31 January 2016, at Holy Family Memorial Hospital, in Manitowoc, WI. Jim served in Antarctica on the USCGC Eastwind. Year(s) unknown.

OAE Franklin Neale Saunders, 74, died on 29 March 2016, in Stevensville, MD. Franklin served in Antarctica with the USCG. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Marvin Sayles, USN (Ret), 88, died on 27 March 2016. Marvin served in Antarctica with the USN. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Raymond Send, 88, died on 12 March 2016, in Redford Twp, MI. Raymond served in Antarctica as a USARP geophysicist during DF-68. Mount Send is named in his honor.

OAE Ruth Laverne Kenner Spears, 90, died on 3 January 2016, in Stockton, CA. Ruth visited Antarctica as a tourist.

*OAE John “Spletts” Splettstoesser, 82, died on 25 January 2016, in Waconia, MN. Spletts spent eight summer seasons on the ice as a USARP scientist. Spletts was also a member of the American Polar Society and the Antarctic Editor of the Polar Times. Splettstoesser Glacier and Splettstoesser Pass are named in his honor..

16 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 16, I S S U E 1 J A N  M A R 2 0 1 6

OAE Robert W. Stroup, Sr., 68, died on 7 January 2016, in Warren, OH. Robert served in Antarctica with the USCG. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Paul S. Stuart, 72, died on 25 February 2016, in Boca Raton, FL. Paul visited Antarctica as a tourist.

OAE Leonard I. Sukman, 86, died on 21 January 2016, in Savannah, GA. Leonard served in Antarctica in 1956. Unit unknown.

*OAE LCDR Harry Wendell “Wendy” Summers, USN (Ret), 94, died on 24 January 2016, in Paradise, CA. Wendy served during Highjump.

OAE CDR Gerald Philip Timoney, USN (Ret), 89, died on 26 January 2016. Gerald served as the Antarctic Support Activities Communications Officer during DF-67.

*OAE LCDR Stephen Tobey, USN (Ret) 79, died on 12 February.2016, in the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Stephen served in VX-6 as a helicopter pilot from 1969–71,

OAE Robert Joseph “Bob” Towles, 90, died on 23 January 2016, in Boulder City, CO. Bob visited Antarctica as a tourist. , i OAE LCDR Richard Emory Turner, USN (Ret), 75, died on 11 January 2016, in Paradise, CA. Richard wintered-over during DF-70 with ASA as an Electronics Technican First Class (ET1).

OAE Ken Vincent, USAFR (Ret), 72, died on 26 February 2016. Ken served in Antarctica with the NYANG 109th Airlift Wing. Year(s) unknown.

OAE John E. Vivian, USN (Ret), 81, died on 25t March 2016, in Lantana, FL. John served on the USS Glacier and made two deployments to Antarctica.

*OAE LT Earl Arthur “Walt” Walters, USN (Ret), 83, died on 9 January 2016, in Lake Waccamaw, NC. Walt served on TF-43 staff as a Quatermaster First Class (QM1) from 1955–59. Walt was a member of the Tidewater Group.

*OAE Frank Witty, 79, died on 19 December 2015, in Winter Springs, FL. Frank served with Naval Support Unit III at McMurdo Station during DF-III (1957–1958) as a builder. He was also a member of the ADFA.

OAE David Wood, 62, died on 12 January 2016 after falling into a crevasse near Davis Station, Antarctica. David was a Canadian helicopter pilot under contract to the Australian Antarctic division.

OAE Henry Worsley, 65, died on 24 January 2016, while trying to cross Antarctica alone and without support. Worsley made two previous Antarctic journeys. The first, in 2008–2009, was in commemoration of Shackleton’s journey a century earlier. Worsley retraced the original route through the Transantarctic Mountains and across the Beardmore Glacier. The party arrived at Shackleton’s farthest point south — 97 miles from the South Pole, where he “shot his bolt” — exactly 100 years to the day after Shackleton did, and then proceeded to finish what Shackleton did not. Worsley’s second trip, leading a team of six in 2011, celebrated the centennial of the journeys led by Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen, who reached the pole within five weeks of each other. Worsley, traveling with others, followed Amundsen route from the Bay of Whales across the Ross Ice Shelf. An undertaking requiring enormous physical strength and stamina, Worsley’s final journey was “a feat of endurance never before achieved,” as he described it. (A Norwegian explorer, Borge Ousland, crossed Antarctica alone and unsupported in 1996–97, but he used a kite to pull his sled. In 2012, a British woman, Felicity Aston, skied alone across Antarctica, but she had two supply drops.

OAE Walter V. Wroblewski, 75, died on 9 January 2016, in Pringle, PA. Walter served on the USS Glacier and made two deployments to Antarctica. Year(s) unknown.

OAE Anthony William Young, 77, died on 30 January 2016, in Seatte, WA. Anthony served in Antarctica as an oceanographer. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE Lawrence G. Young, 80, died on 11 February 2016, in Reno, NV. Lawrence worked in Antarctica for two seasons as a research engineer. Unit and year(s) unknown.

OAE SKCM Richard Eugene Zinsmeister, USN (Ret), 78, died on 26 March 2016, in Zanesville, OH. Richard wintered-over at McMurdo during DF-71.

OAE Jean Elliott Switzer ZoBell, 96, died on 11 February 2016, in La Jolla, CA. Jean was an associate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She visited Antarctica with her husband Claude, who was a professor of Marine Microbiology at Scripps.

OAE Gary Roy Zwillinger, 63, died on , 28 January 2016, in Phoenix, AZ. Gary visited Antarctica as a tourist. ]

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into “the best” wine. C h a p l a i n ’ s C o r n e r When we follow wise Johnnie Draughon—OAEA Chaplain counsel it allows us to be transformed from is mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells something very “H you.’” (John 2: 5 NIV) common into the best I have shared with you before that sometimes I enjoy so that we can possibly epiphanies when I meditate on the scriptures. However, this be. My prayer is that tidbit was passed along to me not too long ago by a friend at as each of you deals a training event I was leading. Most of us are familiar with with the daily the first miracle done by Jesus — changing water into wine struggles of life that you have something greater than at a friend’s wedding in Cana. What my friend picked up on yourself to put your faith in. Find strength in wise counsel was the direction from his mother to the servants, “Do and seek to be the very best you are capable of being. whatever he tells you.” By following Jesus’ directions the Thank you. servants witnessed very common water being transformed May the blessings be!

ANTARCTICA’S FORGOTTEN HERO By Teddy Jamison began their work, while coping with frostbite, snow- 6 March 2016 blindness, poor diets and exhaustion. Edited by Billy-Ace When the Antarctic winter arrived they dug themselves e was the first ordained minister of religion to land on in, with Spencer Smith regularly celebrating communion in a Hthe Antarctic continent, the first to administer the chapel he had created. The leader recorded that “Smith is the Sacrament on the continent and the first—perhaps the only mainstay of the party. His one—to have died on the continent. influence on other members has The Aurora from an A century after he died on old negative the Antarctic ice sheet had a great effect on how the Edinburgh priest Arnold winter has been passed.” Spencer Smith was remembered Disaster struck, however, in a special service held at St when the Aurora’s cables Michael and All Saints in the snapped during a gale and the Scottish capital, with an address ship was driven out to sea. given by historian Peter Spencer Smith noted in his Mackay who has researched his diary that, as a result, “we were story. all a little gloomy at dinner”. Smith was ordained as a The party decided to priest five days before he set off continue with the plan to prepare supply depots for for the Antarctic; he died on 9 March 1916 while serving as a Shackleton’s attempts. They struggled for 400 miles in member of the Ross Sea party, part of Ernest Shackleton’s terrible conditions hauling heavy loads over the ice shelf. By unsuccessful Trans Antarctic expedition. the following January Smith was suffering from fever and The Ross Sea party, which left for the Antarctic in the first signs of scurvy. September 1914, was tasked with going to Captain Scott’s Even before he started across the ice shelf he had written old base in the south of the continent and laying supply a letter for his parents admitting he didn’t know if he would depots across 400 miles of the Ross Ice Shelf in preparation return. “We have had a pretty stiff time but I can’t feel any for Shackleton and his party from The Endurance in their regret about it all,” he wrote, “and If anything does happen to quest to cross Antarctica via the South Pole from the north. me I will face it as cheerfully as I can—with a hope that is Shackleton never even reached the landmass as his ship really sure and certain of seeing you all again with the Endurance was crushed by ice in November 1916. But everything unworthy in myself done away with.” the story of the Ross Sea party is less well known. Spencer Smith died on the morning of 9 March 1916 and Smith had been appointed chaplain and photographer to was buried on the ice by his companions. The surviving the expedition. He had no experience outside of camping, yet members of the party reached the safety of a hut two days he became a vital part of the mission. later and were rescued in early 1917. The party sailed on board the Aurora, a 40-year-old Speaking at the memorial address at Saint Michael and Dundee sealer in need of refitting, heading for the South All Saints Episcopal church, Peter Mackay said, “a century Ross Sea area of the continent. The party arrived at Scott’s after his death, the congregation can be proud to claim him as hut on 16 January 1915. For the next three months the team one of their own.”

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GROUNDING OF THE SOUTHWIND by Ralph Breschini

25,000 miles from home the ship hit a pinnacle and started taking on water.. OUTHWIND departed Coast Guard Yard, Baltimore, Maryland for Operation Deep Freeze 68 on 16 November, 1967 with CAPT S. R. Dobler, SCommanding Officer. The radio gang of NMBT [Southwind’s international call sign] was: ENS Hipkiss, Communications Officer; RMC Roesing, RM-in-Charge; RM1 Wedge; RM1 Ritchie; RM2 Breschini; RM2 Alberly; RM3 Banke; RM3 Dozal; and one other RM3 whose name escapes me at this time. I had an additional duty, Postal Clerk, with a fully commissioned post office on board. USCGC Southwind (WAGB-280) Southwind was loaded with tons of food, 3.2 beer for The Polar Prowler “Happy Hour”, a ship’s store full of smokes, goodies, and movies for many hours of good entertainment. What else On 30 November Southwind crossed the equator and the could one need for a cruise to the bottom of the world? usual hype and physical activity took place. We who had Our first stop was the Naval Weapons Station in never crossed the equator before were initiated to the fullest. Yorktown, Virginia where cargo and ammunition were We never did find the “golden rivet”. One ensign locked loaded aboard. Then, on to Craney Island in the Elizabeth himself in his stateroom; when he finally emerged, he really River for fuel to the tune of 420,700 gallons, with an got the works. I felt sorry for him. additional 11,858 gallons of JP-5 fuel. One more stop at We arrived at Palmer Station, Antarctica on 21 Norfolk, where two HU-2B Navy helicopters were flown December 1967. Our mission was to provide support for the aboard and made ready for sea in the hangar on the flight Sea Bees while they constructed Palmer Station II. One Sea deck. Bee fell from scaffolding and was injured quite seriously. Our doctor and corpsman did a great job, but we finally had to take him to Argentina for medical treatment. He ended up going back stateside a short time later. During the entire cruise, we drilled constantly. GQ, man overboard, fire, everything. We always moaned and groaned, especially if you had just gotten in the sack, but weekends brought Happy Hour, pizza, and two cans of beer for each man. One could amass a number of cans if you had the right stuff to trade. Every couple of weeks, Southwind would cross Drake Passage and head for Punta Arena, Chile for liberty, some fresh fruit, meat, and mail. During one of the visits, “crabs” were brought aboard by some unsuspecting sailors and they spread throughout the berthing area like wildfire. During the day our mattresses and bedding hung out all over the ship. What a sight! CGC Southwind Operating in the Ice Boxing and wrestling matches were often held in the

hangar, so if you had a problem with a shipmate, you could We departed Norfolk on 19 November with stops in the settle it on the mat—rank meant nothing there. The X.O. Panama Canal Zone, Valparaiso, and Punta Arenas, Chile, was invited into the ring by a Chief who had a little more where a Navy SeaBee Detachment came aboard. respect for the X.O. when it was all over.

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On 21 March 1968, Palmer Station II was finished and a After crossing Drake Passage for the final time with dedication ceremony was planned. All the Sea Bees and two Glacier as our escort, a thorough inspection was made. It duty sections put on dress uniforms and went ashore for the was determined we could make it home. With pumps going event. USCGC Glacier, which was on another ice operation on deck keeping the water level down, we pulled into in the area, arrived at our location in time to take part in the Maryland Shipbuilding & Dry-dock Co., Baltimore on 27 dedication. April after traveling more than 25,000 miles during Deep Southwind was underway soon after the ceremony was Freeze, completing our mission. completed and heading north for home when she struck an Hats off to a great crew! uncharted rock pinnacle, becoming hard aground. I had just gotten off watch and was in the sack when General Quarters sounded. We had heard and felt the sickening sound of something ripping out the bottom of the vessel. My GQ station was CW operator on 500 KHz, the international maritime mobile distress, and calling frequency. Half- dressed, with life jacket on, the order was given to send an SOS on 500 KHz. The text, as I remember it, was: “SOS SOS SOS DE NMBT NMBT NMBT USCGC SOUTHWIND (time) (position) GROUNDED AND TAKING ON WATER” Well, needless to say, no one responded to the distress call from the bottom of the world. While I was doing my job, the call to the Glacier from the bridge using 157.1 FM was made to “stop your forward progress, we are aground and taking on water”.

One of the crew Hull Technications inspecting damages to the Southwind

“SOS SOS SOS DE NMBT NMBT NMBT USCGC SOUTHWIND (time) (position) TAKING ON WATER AND ARE AGROUND”. The ship’s company performed their assigned tasks flawlessly. Enginemen and damage control personnel knew what had to be done. Our forward dry stores compartment

and an area in an engine room was flooded, but watertight Ralph Brischini integrity was held because of our professionals.

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COs Report to the Crew scheduled port visits on the way home have been eliminated. This will result in our arriving back in Baltimore RADM Abbot shifted his flag to the USCGC Glacier for the on about 26 April, although a definite date is not known at return trip to Punta Arenas. Fueling operations were present. completed late on the night of 20 March. It was getting We will be proceeding at reduced speed, for additional underway early the next morning that an unfortunate safety, on the voyage home, and though we have many grounding incident occurred. miles yet to go, the end of this long deployment is finally in Shortly after departing Arthur Harbor, Antarctica in the sight. early morning hours of that day, the ship struck an uncharted rock pinnacle, causing considerable damage to Sincerely yours, her hull. We were grounded 1ightly for about three hours as S. R. Dolber we worked to lighten the ship sufficiently to enable us to Captain US Coast Guard back off safely An underwater inspection by our divers Commanding Officer revealed that w had suffered damage to the shell plating along the centerline to about the mid-length of the ship. Southwind is designed with fuel tanks covering most of her bottom and sides. These act as a cushion, so that the damage to the bottom of the vessel merely ruptured some of these fuel tanks rather than causing any internal flooding. In only one compartment, where there are no tanks was there any flooding, but this was quickly brought under control. All hands worked quickly and skillful1y to accomplish what was required to free her and get her back to safe waters. The tremendous strength of an icebreaker’s hull prevented more serious damage to the ship, and this strength, together with the strength and competence of our crew gives me complete confidence in our ability to make the long trip home safely, and without further incident. Southwind’s schedule for the remainder of the deployment has been altered considerably due to the need for drydocking and repairs as soon as possible in Baltimore. Except for a possible stop along the way for fuel, the Captain S. R. Dolber, USCG

Southwind Underway in the Ice

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Tidewater Group January Get-Together By Ed Hamblin Photos by Bill Raymus onsidering that it C was right after the holiday period, we had a nice turnout at Terrie’s Breakfast and Lunch on the 9th of January. One of our new guests was Susan Anderson, wife of Ed Anderson. We had to say hello and goodbye all at once, as the Andersons were in the process of relocating to the area around Portland, Oregon. Marilyn Draughon, Linda Hamblin Details of her sweater wife of OAEA Chaplain Johnnie Draughon also came out.

Bill Raymus Brad Miller

Robert Kello, Ed and Susan Anderson

Suz-Ann and Robert Kello Typical of our Tidewater OAE credo, there was a lot of socializing and no business…about the closest to business we came was discussing plans about who is attending the reunion in Connecticut. There will be several of us from this area. The quarterly lunch for April will already be past when this is published; our July lunch will be noon 9 July at OAEA Chaplain Johnnie Draghon Terrie’s Breakfast and Lunch, 3320 Military Highway, Besides the Andersons and Draughons, others in Norfolk. Folks usually start showing up around 1130. If attendance were Ed and Linda Hamblin (modeling her you would like to be added to the e-mail network for new penguin sweater), Bill Murray, Bill Raymus, Neil reminders about the quarterly lunch, drop an e-mail to Ed Sugermeyer, Robert and Suz-Ann Kello, Wayne Rogers, Hamblin ([email protected]). See you in July. Charlie Thompson, Herb Schaefer, Brad Miller, and Jerry Ed Hamblin and Karen Gustin. Chesapeake, VA

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PICTURES AND STORIES FROM DAYS GONE BY

Making snowsuit news everywhere is snowsuits. Every garment of genuine Editor’s Note: The advertise- Reeves Nylon Byrd Cloth….the first and Nylon Byrd Cloth is identified by the only all-nylon fabric to bear the famous distinctive Byrd Cloth label. Be sure to ment for Tidykins appeared in explorer’s name. look for it when you buy. the 26 September 1954 issue of In his recent announcement of nylon The New York Times Magazine Byrd Cloth, Admiral Byrd said, “This LOOK as a full. 10½X13 in, page. cloth has met the most rigid tests for FOR The Reeves Brothers black strength, durability, resilence, wash- THIS bility, drying, warmth, and moth- and white advertisement for LABEL resistance—and has proved its Byrd Cloth, from an old superiority in every respect.” National Geographic magazine,

The better stores from coast-to-coast appeared in the Letters to the are now featuring this magnificent TIDYKINS makes snowsuits for both boys Editor column in the Volume 7, fabric in fast-drying, moth-repellent, and girls…and the complete suits (including machine-washable snowsuits by nylon knit scarves and trim) are machine- Issue 1 (Jan-Mar 2007) issue of washable. They come in a wide choice of the Explorer’s Gazette. In a Tidykins. A few of the good looking colors. styles are illustrated above. letter from Gary Skaar about the You cannot find healthier or more SUIT AT LEFT: In sizes 3-6x about $22.95 CENTER: Sizes 1-3x about $16.95 origin of Byrd Cloth. practical garments to keep youngsters RIGHT: Sizes 2, 3, 4, about $19.95 warm and dry than those wonderful

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It’s a Dog’s Life in Antarctica Exploring theTransantarctic Mountains by dog sledge, 1960–1962 – and beyond

edited byBilly-Ace

BOOK REVIEW

It’s a Dog’s Life in Antarcica. A book of adventure by Peter Otway, 275 pages, 350 color (and 23 B&W) photos; paperback. Available from the author: Email: [email protected]

About the Book The story continues, showing the & the Author influence Antarctica had on his life, leading to a career in tectonic and volcanic research he book is largely based on the authors field diary. Peter where he often worked in a similar environment on snow- says, “The book includes a number of references to the capped and sometimes dangerously active volcanoes. Tvarious (unconventional) techniques we used in § § § § surveying the ground control, and later producing our own hen future generations seek out a single volume to 1:250,000 topographical maps. Peter served at Scott Base as Wappreciate what New Zealand’s dog sledging parties a surveyor and dog handler mapping the Transantarctic in the Transantarctic Mountains went through in the early Mountains. (TAMs). Peter lives in Tauranga New Zealand. 1960s it will be It’s a Dog’s Life in Antarctica that they turn to. Peter Otway’s book, an intimate diary account is a highly personal record of how Kiwi field parties travel- ed in the field, the equipment and clothing they used, and how they lived and worked at Scott The Author & His Pups Base during the winter. § § § § Importantly, Peter's Soaking in the tub after a ew Zealand established Scott Base in early 1957 in photographic coverage hard days work! support of the International Geophysical Year. This also N of this era is second to marked the beginning of the reconnaissance mapping none, a very important program lasting seven years, using dog sledging teams to archive of images, explore the geology and map the 2,000km-Iong section of meticulously scanned, the almost totally unexplored TAMs lying within the Ross cleaned and presented Dependency. This book is the story of a young surveyor who alongside the relevant achieved his dream of exploring and mapping many of these sections of his diary. mountains and glaciers. Arriving at Scott Base in October It’s a truly superb slice 1960 for a 16-month assignment, he spent two summer of history of early seasons sledging and surveying through the mountains and NZARP efforts in around the edge of the frigid Polar Plateau - the spectacular Antarctica. region made famous by Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen —Colin Monteath half a century earlier. Wintering over between seasons and Hedgehog House working with British explorer, Wally Herbert, to look after Miss Gallagher. Does anyone five teams of huskies, he became “nursemaid” to their 20 know who she was? entertaining pups.

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New England Chapter Spring 2016 Meeting

by Marty Diller Charlie ‘CB’ Bevilacqua NE Chapter Secretary-Treasurer reported on his project to have he New England Chapter’s spring meeting was held on mail cancelled at South Pole T16 March at our regular venue, the Quonset O Club Station. For a small fee to restaurant—site of the former air station’s officers club. The cover postage and handling, Chapter averages 70 attendees at our spring meetings, and 71 attendees who brought letters attended this one. The Chapter is still growing—at 209 to our previous meeting had members now—with five new members since our September them sealed in special meeting. envelopes that CB arranged to have carried to the South Pole for mailing via the USPS to family members and/or acquaintances. This philatelic exercise was a success and CB plans to do it again in the future. “CB”

In other business, the Secretary reminded attendees that 2016 is an election year for the Chapter Board of Directors. The process of the nomination and election of officers will begin in late May, and the election results will be announced at our September meeting. Member Mary Pellegrino volunteered to chair the Chapter Election Committee. The Secretary also announced details for the 2016–17 school year Scholarship Award program. The application deadline is 6 July 2016, and application forms can be downloaded from the OCT-DEC 2015 issue of the Explorer’s Gazette newsletter (page 4). Go to the OAEA website to access the Gazette: (www.oaea.net/Gazette.html).

Chapter Business

The annual Chapter dues drive is coming to a close and over $500 in dues has been collected so far. Meanwhile, an in- formational OAEA brochure that has been in work by Education Committee Chair Fred Santino is all but ready for printing. At this meeting, the members voted to pay

‘Copy Cat Printing’ Jim Kelly for 1,000 color copies. Director Jim Kelly will work directly with the printer to obtain a high-quality product that we can all be proud of. The brochures will be made available to members who make presentations about Antarctica to the public and are intended Mary Pellegrino to educate the public about the OAEA.

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Fundraising

The winner of the meeting’s 50/50 raffle was Mo Gibbs (CDR, USN (Ret.); AG2 on USS Arneb DF-I; AG1 on USS Wyandot DF-II; McM w/o O-3 Meteorologist DF-67; CHCH Wx Office DF-68; Flt Cmdr rep McM DF 82–84). Mo’s share of the raffle donations was $168, and he immediately announced that he would donate it to the OAEA Scholarship Program. The door prize winner, Bill Highlands (CWO4, USN (Ret.); Hallet Station (w/o 1958) DF-III), won a free lunch at the next Chapter meeting he attends (a $23 value at the O Club!).

Meeting Schedule

The next OAEA-NE Chapter meeting is scheduled for 1pm on Saturday, 18 June 2016, at Conrad’s restaurant in Norwood, MA. Mo Gibbs Bill Highlands

ICE EAGLES UPDATE

By Tom Henderson and the second will be focused on Deep Freeze up to the will use this update to explain how I go about editing a present. Ifilm. It may not be the approach that works for other I am working from the beginning but the editing will not documentarians but it seems to work for me. My first step is necessarily be in order. I find that, like writers, I sometimes to decide the maximum length of film that I am making. have a creative “block.” At those points, I move to another Given the scope of my subject—the entire history of chapter until I hit another “block” or feel fresh enough to American aviation in Antarctica—and the amount of material return to where I left off. The software that I use, Adobe that I have available, I expect to produce a 2-volume DVD Premiere Pro, is, in fact, a non-linear editor which fits this film. That is going to be more than is required by PBS so my way of working perfectly. The basic building blocks for strategy is to make the longer version first for distribution to editing are content (video, images, audio, documents, etc.), contributors to the Kickstarter project (and others interested narration and music. Of those, I have only content right now. in more detail) and then reduce it appropriately for I do not have a narrator yet so I am narrating it myself to submission to PBS. create “placeholders.” This allows me to work out the I next had to decide what approach I should use for telling narration script as well as get an elapsed time for registering the story. The most common for historical documentaries is the content. The music will be the last step. chronological and that is the one I chose. Aviation in general Once I have the rough draft of each segment complete, I is built upon what came before and that is especially true of check for total length. I don't worry much about length Antarctic aviation. Many hard lessons were learned there initially because I concentrate on getting the information I over time so that is the way the history should be told. The feel is important into the story. It is almost always the case next consideration is segmentation, or chapters if you will. that I have more elapsed time than the duration of the DVD American expeditions are a logical grouping. They will, in allows. Then I must revise and condense. That can be the fact, comprise most of the chapters. However, there must also most difficult part of all. be a prologue covering what led up to the first expedition. So where am I now? I have rough drafts of five chapters The last “expedition” is the one still ongoing: Operation Deep (out of twelve). My target remains to have the film ready for Freeze. It makes sense to cover this in multiple chapters. distribution by the end of summer or early fall. If that There is also a logical break between Deep Freeze and all that changes, I will make it known to everyone through another came before. The first DVD, then, will be pre-Deep Freeze update.

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NEW OAEA MEMBERS REUNION & MEETING INFORMATION

The below listed personnel have joined the OAEA Send reunion notices to Billy-Ace Baker at 850 456 3556 since the previous issue of the Gazette. or [email protected] for publication in the Gazette Thanks to Charlotte Fairchild, Laura Snow, Reunion South Pole Winter-Over DF-72: Tower, MN: 6-9 Notice in American Legion Magazine, Polar Polar History September 2016. POC Lynn Solem, 612 709 7344, or Society of Great Britain, OAEA Guest Book, and NZ [email protected]. Antarctic Society Newsletter for recruiting new members or for providing names and contact info for prospective USS Atka (AGB-3): Dayton, OH: 14-17 July 2016. POC members. Carl Brown, 616 309 4846, or [email protected]. If you know of any OAE, or anyone interested in USS Yancey (AKA-93): Jacksonville, FL: 22-26 Antarctica, who is not a member of the OAEA please September 2016. POC George Clifton 208 425 8531, or send their contact info to the OAEA Membership [email protected]. Chairman at [email protected] or 850 456 3556

USS Mills (DER-383): Ft Walton Beach, FL: 13-17 *Denotes Associate Member October 2016. POC Ben Laurens, 252 504 3733. §Denotes Upgrade to Life or Renewal of Annual Member ΦDenotes Upgrade to Regular Member MCB-1: King Of Prussia, PA: 13–16 October 2016. POC Peter Dowd, 89 Edward Rd, Marshfield, MA 02050, or: Gardner, Eric PH3 Life VX-6 1965-67 781 837 0393, or [email protected]. Hutchings, Gloria CIV §Annual USAP 1990-97 Inglis, Jeff CIV Life USAP Antarctic Sun MCB-6: Livonia, MI: 22–26 July 1016. POC John Bevier Editor 1999-2001 5200 W. Sanborn Rd Lake City, MI 49651, or 231 633 Kitchen, Gary LTJG Life USS Calcaterra 9450, or or: [email protected].

DF-68 MCB-71: Charleston, SC: 19–24 September 2016. POC Mason, Nathan DC2 Life USS Atka 1958-60 Jerry Montecupo. By phone at 412 373 3096. Oakley, Philip CIV Life USAP McMurdo, Siple, & South Pole USS Wilhoite (DER 397): New Orleans, LA. 12–16 Stations 1981-84 September 2016. POC: [email protected], phone Pells, Daniel CIV Annual USAP 2011-15 479 968 1236, or Internet at: www/usswilhoite.org.

Smith, Ron COL USAF Annual NYANG/DF CDR Naval Weather Service: The Villages, FL, 5–6 May 1997-99/2001-08 2016. POC Gerald Struck, 3440 Dixon Lane, The Ziemski, Norine NOK Life Daughter of Kirby Villages, FL, or 352 408 0283, or Hanson DF-III [email protected]. South Pole Station All Seabee Reunion: Port Hueneme, CA, 23–26 June 2016. POC Ed Closter, by email at: [email protected], or by phone at: 628 280 9495.

Antarctic Gathering: Port Clyde, ME, 15–17 July 2016. POC Paul Dalrymple at [email protected], or Guy Guthridge at: [email protected].

OAEA: Norwich, CT, 11-13 October 2016. POC Billie and Larry Hunter, [email protected], 310 Bitgood Road, Griswold, CT 06351, or 860-376-4790.

USCGC Southwind (WAGB-280): San Antonio, TX, 15– 18 September 2016. POC Edward F. Clancy, at 888 6th Street North, Jacksonville, FL 32250, by phone at: 904 242 9070, or by email at: [email protected].

USCGC Eastwind Association: Portland, ME, 14–18 June 2017. POC William “Bill” Morris, 321 Cedar Avenue, Chesilhurst, NJ 08089-1748, or 856 768 3961.

OAEA: San Antonio, TX, 9-11 May 2018. POC John Lamont West: [email protected] or 956 229 9797.

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● Mike Liso is looking for anyone who was in CBU-201 OAE LOCATOR and went to the Ice in DF-67 (1966–67). He would like to Send locator information to the editor by email at get together for a reunion. Mike can be contacted at: 85 [email protected], or by snail mail to 10819 Berryhill Victor St, East Haven, CT 06512, by phone at: 203 623 Road, Pensacola FL 32506, or by phone at 850 456 3556. 7693, or by email at: [email protected].

● Charles Williams is looking for members of the scientific compliment that wintered over at Little America V during the IGY 1957–58. Charles was 26 years old and most of the others serving at that time would have been at least 10 years older than him. Which today would put them in their 90s. Charles aka Chuck can be contacted by email at: [email protected], or by phone at: 505 821 8801.

From the DF-67 cruise book CBU-201 Pipeline Crew: Kneeling L to R: Frank Knights, Gregory Flesher, Peter DeAngelis, and Edward Bellefeuille. Standing L to R: Ivy Robertson, William Roeger, Richard Connor, Frederick Winkler, Donald Havens, and Michael Liso.

● Lynn Solem, who was the Navy station doctor, is looking for the below listed DF-72 South Pole Station Winter-Over crew:

USARP Larry Minter USARP Vernon Rumble CE1 Lawrence Gunn HM1 Colbert Munson SK2 Robert Pearcy UT1 Ernest Strickland ETN2 Ralph Wade

Anyone having any contact info for any of the above personnel may contact Lynn at: 4809 SW 24th Place Cape Coral FL 33914, or by phone at: 612 709 7344, or by email at: [email protected].

● Looking for Thomas W. Reid. Tom served on the Phoenix 6 Connie crew during DF-62 & DF-63. If anyone Photo from theDF-III Cruise Book has any info on Tom please contact Billy-Ace Baker at Chuck Williams obtaining air sample from outside line for analysis 10819 Berryhill Road, Pensacola FL 32506-6201, or by phone at 850 456 3556, or by email at: [email protected].

● Leo Murawski is looking for any of the below Seabees who Wintered-Over during DF-77 (76–77 season):

EOI Jim Bailey EO1 Dick Maley CM1 Glenn Palmer CM1 Barry (Rusty) Shaffer CM2 Jim Kalin CMC George Gibby

Leo can be contacted at: P. O. Box 742, Vernon, FL 21461, by phone at: 850 638 9269, or by email at: [email protected]

ADR2 Tom Reid

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Gulf Coast Group Chapter Happenings by Billy-Ace Penguin Baker didn’t have any of the last category at this meeting, but Jim Saturday 9 January and Janette Norris were in attendance after an absence of 2016 GCG Chapter several years.

Meeting — 28 Members and guests showed up for our First meeting of the new year. Our featured guest speaker was Dana Cervantes, of the Northwest Florida United Services Organization (USO). Dana was our speaker at the 2 November 2013 meeting. She has been invited back because we are planning on taking up a collection of food and money for the local USO. Dana gave us an update on USO activities in this area and provide us with 2016 USO calendars and handed out lists of food items desired.

Jim and Janette Norris

Amy Preston, Karen Nightengale, and Pam Landy

Even thought Dana has her eyes closed in the above photo I Dana with wanted to use it because she is her eyes wearing the name tag that we open. presented to her following her 2 November 2013 presentation.

After the question and answer session following Dana’s presentation, procedures for the food drive were discussed. Details will be provided prior to the February meeting. Ladies in red: Jeanie Dumestre and Liz Konrad As is usually the case at each GCG meeting the The next thing on the agenda was the 50/50 raffle and attendees range from the regulars to members we have not door prize drawings. However, Gary Skaar announced that seen in a long time. And then there are those rare occasions he wanted to take some photos of Gus Shinn that he had when we have attendees that we have never seen before. We

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originally planned to take at the VX/VXE-6 reunion back in November. I suspect there is a story here. Maybe we will find out at a later date.

Billy-Ace and Al Burton Following Al’s presentation Lennie Bourgeois asked for the floor to show off his latest creation—I guess you would call it a decal. Anyway Lennie had a few of the items for sale and Bill Fazio and I took the bait. Lennie is going to

One of Gary’s photos. Standing left to right: Gary, Cindy build a custom frame for Fazio’s. I don’t know what I am Liptak, Brian Hoffmster, Billy Blackwelder, John going to do with mine, so I took it home for the time being. Perry Blackwelder, Pam Landy, & Joyce Blackwelder, Seated L/R: Les Liptak, Gus Shinn, and Billy-Ace.

With Gary’s photo session out of the was were were able to hold the drawings. The 50/50 was won by Lennie Bourgeois and the door prize was won by Peggy Skaar. Our next meeting will be on 6 February. Thanks to everyone who helped out.

Saturday 6 February 2016 Meeting—Only 21 members and guests showed up for the meeting and I was disappointed because everyone was supposed to bring their donations for the USO snack food drive. However, my fears were unfounded because there was enough food to fill up

Duck Talbert’s SUV. Duck and Raine delivered the food to Lennie and Helen standing with Bill and Mary Fazio the USO onboard NAS Pensacola and he said that when he Seated. Lennie’s decal, or transfer doesn’t show up arrived they provide him with a four-man working party to well because it is covered with a cloth liner. help unload his vehicle. Apparently the young sailors were very appreciative and couldn’t wait to start devouring the goodies. Duck had invited Dana Cervantes to be at the meeting, but there was a conflict in her schedule and she couldn’t make it. During the time frame between the January and February meetings Dana had been named the new director of USO Northwest Florida. Something we did not know about Dana was that she becamse involved with the USO during the 2007–2009 “Operation Letters From Home”. As an embedded radio personality from a local station she traveled to parts of Iraq and Kuwait to deliver handwritten letters from the community. Our hats-off and congratulations to Dana. We did not have a guest speaker, but first time attendee Albert Burton gave an impromptu presentation which was well received. Al, who is a retired PRCM served in VXE-6 during DF-84 and DF-85 as the Para-Rescue Team leader.

The Prestons

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Dale Williams Nick Licaridi

Mary Lou

The next item on the agenda was the 50/50 raffle and door prize drawings. Al Burton was asked to draw the tickets. Raine won the 50/50 and she took home $45 as her share of the pot. The door prize was won by Lennie. Following the drawings the meeting was adjourned. Thanks to everyone who helped with the raffles. Our next meeting will be at the Rico Mexican on Saturday 5 March 2016. Saturday 5 March 2016 Meeting—28 members and guests showed up for our March meeting. Several members who we have not seen in a long time showed up. Dale Williams last attended a meeting in July 2008. Buffalo Bill Leighton and his wife Gail were also in attendance The

Leighton’s last attended a meeting in 2010. Jim & Carolyn Speed

Gail & Bill Leighton Buffalo Bill Leighton

Martha Nash & Almeda Thompson

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We didn’t have a guest speaker, and I don’t remember Preston’s won the 50/50 and took home $50 as there what business we discussed. Everyone just sat around share. There were two door prize drawings considering of telling sea stories (ice stories). Al Burton brought several two South Pole Station philatelic envelopes and two books for show and tell. Including his VXE-6 DF-85 copies of Endurance by Caroline Alexander. One being a cruise book that I do NOT have a copy of. hard cover and the other paperback version. Almeda Thompson won one of the door prizes and the other one was won by Sharon Preston. Talk about fixed drawings. Well, at least Lennie didn’t win!

Al with one of his books

Lennie donated two OAEA mugs with the embedded OAEA patches to be used as door prizes. However I already had doors prizes for this meeting so his mugs will be used at a future meeting.

Raine and Duck Talbert

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Thanks to everyone who helped out and donated items for the door prizes. Our next meeting will be on 2 April at the Rico Mexican Restaurante.

The Baker’s: Ashlee, Billy-Ace, Sean & Tracey. I don’t know where Danny was. Maybe under the table.

While our leader Duck Talbert sold the 50/50 tickets Sharon Preston passed out the door prize tickets. Duck asked Almeda Thompson to draw the tickets and the

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