A newsletter for the former crewmen of the USS Kenneth D. Bailey (DD/DDR-713)

Vol. XXVI January 2012 #1

MEMORIES OF NOLA By Bob Nowak

Continued from September 2011 queasy, but bored as hell with nothing to (Continuation of a recruit’s first voyage write in my notebook but “steaming as be- 2012 USS after boot camp, from New Orleans down the fore”. To break the monotony, I would ask Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico en the helmsman if I could take the wheel, K.D. Bailey route to Havana, Cuba) which always required approval of the OOD. I’d get the course to be steered and settle in Reunion As we exited the Mississippi into the Gulf, to keep the ship on that course, which in there was a wide long plume of mud colored those fairly calm conditions, did not require water; the silt and mud and debris from the much shifting of the helm. In the darkness, Washington, river which trailed out into the Gulf, until sud- the compass repeater glowed brightly, and it DC denly, the water turned dark blue, and we could get almost hypnotic as you stared at were on our way. It was my first time at sea. degree digits shifting as the ship slogged The Gulf was choppy, and the ship met the along. Years later, under different conditions April 12-15 waves with a pitching and rolling motion. The and weather, it would be a wrestling match inclinometer showed the rolls to be about 15 to keep course in heavy weather with waves degrees both ways, as we turned to a south- breaking over the bow splashing up over the Crowne Plaza easterly course towards Cuba. The sun was bridge and rolls from side to side in the 40 National Airport westering towards sunset, and my watch was and 50 degree range. Hotel as a quartermaster striker, keeping the Quar- I thought ahead to Cuba and Havana, termaster’s Notebook, recording events where in 1898 the MAINE had which the Office of the Deck would use to exploded, leading to the Spanish-American write up his deck log, to then be typed by the War with Spain, which then controlled Cuba. Published by: Yeoman into the smooth version. The bridge As we passed south of Pensacola, we spot- Premier Reunion Services watch in the pilot house consisted of myself, ted a large ship, an , being PO Drawer 11399 Hickory, NC 28603-6402 the helmsman and lee helmsman, the Officer trailed by a ship like ours, as plane guard. of the Deck, and out on the bridge wings, the They were doing carrier qualifications for 828-256-6008 (voice) port and starboard lookouts. The OOD would student naval pilots. The signal bridge iden- 828-256-6559 (Fax) patrol the bridge area, looking ahead and tified her as USS Cabot CVL-27, a ship receiving reports from the lookouts. Occa- whose life began as a but which be- [email protected] sionally, the Captain or the Executive Officer came a carrier upon completion, an 11,000 [email protected] would appear, converse with the OOD, and ton midget when compared to the monsters the Captain would leave his night order book in the 45,000 ton range. The accompanying WWW.MLRSINC.COM containing his instructions to the OODs, was the English, a Sumner class /KDB which always ended with the order…”Call me destroyer like we were, and a member of Our Reunions Work So if you need me, don’t hesitate.” our squadron. Signal lights gleamed on the You Don’t Have To. Back on the signal bridge, the signal gang bridges of both ships as greetings were ex- would cluster, sitting on the flag bags, smok- changed between them and us. ing and drinking coffee. Steaming alone, as The next morning, the island of Cuba we were, gave them little to do. appeared ahead of us on the horizon. In- I did not feel myself getting sick or (Continued on page 2) Volume XXVI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 2

(Continued from page 1) and committed acts of desecration, whale boat!!! Along the way we first credibly green and tropical, we ap- requiring the crewmembers to be res- seemed to be in the bottom of a giant proached her harbor from the north, cued from an angry mob by armed water valley with a wall of water com- passing the Morro Castle on our port sailors from our ships in port. pletely blocking our view of our ship side and La Punta castle on our I spent my time ashore like a tour- or the sub. I wonder if the children of starboard side. The Del Puerto high- ist with a couple other “boots” like my- Israel got to see the same wall of way, running alongside the water- self, getting tipsy on rum, smoking water as they were escaping from front, was busy with vehicular traffic, cigars, ranging through the palatial the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. and the site of many beautiful hotels. hotels, and sitting on benches near Next, we were riding the crest of a The Castro regime was many years the beaches, admiring the local gigantic mountain of water where our to come in the future, and Havana “scenery”. At the Royal Palm Hotel, ship and the sub were clearly visi- was well known for its gambling we were treated nicely by a wealthy ble—plus miles around us for 360 clubs and shows, hotels and gen- American banker who bought us degrees. Well, getting the vanilla eral “good time” resorts for American drinks and a sumptuous meal. sheet cakes took a little maneuvering tourists. We proceeded to the inner Then, all to soon, it seemed, we as we came alongside the sub. I was harbor, where we tied up alongside were underway again to return to New given charge of one of the cakes— a pier near several merchant ships, Orleans, but the sea stories ranged which I held tightly in my lap. The trip whose crewmen leaned on the rail- on and on as we made our return trip back to the Perry gave us the same ings, watching us with curiosity. upriver. I now considered myself quite AWESOME view! Plus, we got a A few hours later, liberty was an old “salt”, something I learned in charge from our radioactive energy called, but not after the Exec gave years to come had been very prema- baked cake. all hands a lecture about proper be- ture. havior ashore. Some years later, a REALLY SCARED: In October of rowdy group from another destroyer Robert L. Nowak, QM1, USS Waldron 1962, our normal routine as school had created an international incident DD699 and USS K.D. Bailey DD713 ship for the Fleet Sonar School in when drunken crewmembers ______Key West was interrupted that morn- climbed up on a statue of Fulgencio ing at the Naval Station annex. The Batista, a former President of Cuba CO was having an emergency meet- ing with the DESDIV 601 Headquar- ters while our crew and the sonar MEMORIES OF THE SEA students waited to go about our regular sonar training. When the CO came back to the ship, the students Editor’s Note: In an e-mail we asked AWE OF THE VAST OCEAN: were ordered back to the awaiting for you to share your stories about While serving on the destroyer es- school bus and we got underway “THE SEA” —storms you experi- cort USS John R Perry (DE 1034), without them. We headed south to- enced, creatures you saw in the we served as downrange communi- ward Cuba without a word for our ocean, how the different oceans cation ship for several Polaris mis- sudden change in routine. Not know- were different from one another, sile shoots. We were deployed ing cast a pall over the crew and the times you were really scared, other somewhere in the middle of the At- tension became palpable. Why? ships you encountered on the sea, lantic west of . At the end Why? Later on that day we heard how much in awe you were of the of one of those deployments, I was President Kennedy give his “Missile vast ocean, beautiful scenes from standing afternoon sonar watch of October” speech over WKIZ, the on board, etc. Here are your stories: when we got a message over local station. We were in “Gertrude” (our underwater commu- the big middle of it all! One of my From Jerry Rogers: nications system). The message shipmates commented, “I have not OTHER SHIPS: During the Cuban was from the nuclear sub’s CO to been to Mass for a long time! If the Missile Blockade aboard the Perry, our CO asking if our crew would like Lord will get me out of this mess, I we got to see several Russian some sheet cakes baked with will get myself out to the next freighters and “fishing” boats flying atomic energy. If so, the sub would one!” (Note: When he did get a the hammer and sickle. It was surface and we could launch a mo- chance to go ashore, he went to a strange to see our enemy flag in tor whale boat over to them to re- bar—not to Mass). As far as being such a close proximity to our shore. ceive our treat! Well, of course our scared, I guess I was too ignorant of One morning we passed by a large captain said yes when he answered the situation to be that way. I was Russian freighter with a lady swab- over “Gertrude”. He asked those of concerned, for sure—but when you bing the deck. She paid us no mind. us in sonar and CIC if we would like view a situation from the middle of an She reminded me of Madame Khru- to go along for the ride. I chimed up issue, you see it differently from shchev or a WWW Sumo wrestler. with a “YES!” I got to go over to the those on the sidelines. sub and that brings me to my ex- ______perience with the enormity of the ocean as seen from our motor (Continued on page 3) Volume XXVI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 3

(Continued from page 2) Detroit, MI 48219 313-533-4253 From Paul Wagner: [email protected] I remember being just outside of Harbor having just made a James DuPay (1961-64) BT3 large deposit in the john. The bulk- WELCOME MAT 3605 349th Ave NE head was in front of me about 3 feet Cambridge, MN 55088 away when suddenly the ship took a The USS KD Bailey family 763-688-3214 43 degree roll. I was just able to get proudly welcomes the following re- [email protected] my hands up and not hit my head cently located shipmates. We hope against the wall, but the deposit went to see you at the next reunion. You Robert Holmes (1963) EM3 PLOP, right in my drawers. One time are invited to become an active 1238 Millrace Run at sea while back on the fantail, I member of the association. Narvon, PA 17555 saw a huge fin in the water. I yelled, 717-445-0549 “SHARK!” It was a huge sea turtle Robert Morrow LTJG about 12 to 15 feet across. We just 6275 N Myaka Ave Robert Altstadt (1961-65) BM3 missed it. Crystal River, FL 34428 PO Box 1403 ______352-564-1453 Lehigh Acres, FL 33970 [email protected] 239-369-0810 [email protected] Billy Jernigan SM3 113 Pebble Creek Dr Robert Rooksberry (1960) BT2 M Div Hendersonville, TN 37075 PO Box 314 615-822-4105 Sullivan, IN 47882 812-249-0585 Robert Heizer (1966-67) SK3 MAIL CALL PO Box 575 Paul Wagner (1957-58) MR3 Engi- Bunker Hill, IL 62014 Karen, neering 618-585-3676 11707 Silver Spruce Terrace I just got of the phone with the daughter of GMC Jack Hanlon (47- Kingsville, MD 21087 Herlotha Fields (1965-67) SK3 410-592-6329 50). She tells me that her dad is in a 168 Kentfield St nursing home and has been for the [email protected] past two years. He is now 85 and did suffer a stroke. He does get out Claude Smith from time to time, but doesn’t go to (1961-65) MM3 M Div his local pub like in the past. Died October 8, 2011 He can now be reached at: Lt John Nourie (1961-63) GMC Jack Hanlon, USN-RET TAPS Died July 1, 2011 Raritan Health 633 Route 28 The Bailey News was informed of the William Pugliano (1960-61) SN Raritan, NJ 08869 deaths of the following former crew- Died May 16, 2006 members since the last newsletter. The entire crew extends our deepest sympa- Jack was a very popular figure at Louis Hamilton thy to the families and friends of the Died August 13, 2010 our reunions and I’m sure a card or deceased.

two would make his day. George Edmonson (1950-52) Nicholas Peterlin (1958-60) MM2 Died February 6, 2011 Thanks, Died November 12, 2011

Ernie Pina Claude Laws (1952) SN ______Henry Wood (1953-55) E Div Died July 27, 2011 Died July 22, 2011

NEW ADDRESS FOR KD BAILEY Anyone learning of the death of a WEB SITE Capt. Herman Fritzke, USN RET former crewmember is requested to (1966-67) CDR CO Div notify the Bailey News so their passing Check out Ernie Pina’s website Died October 3, 2011 for the KD Bailey. The new address can be acknowledged in TAPS and also on the Honor Roll at the next reunion is: David Greathouse CDR (1967-69) memorial service. http://www.usskennethdbailey.com Died November 11, 2011 Volume XXVI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 4 ANOTHER INTERESTING SIGHT FOR STATEMENT OF PUBLICATION WASHINGTON, DC IN 2012 The Bailey News is the official publication of the USS K D Bailey present conflicts. Interactive exhibits WASHINGTON NAVAL Association. It is be published in commemorate our Navy's wartime January, April and September. The YARD AND USS BARRY heroes and battles as well as peace- Newsletter is funded by Association time contributions in exploration, di- dues. All members are encouraged Editor’s Note: It has been brought to plomacy, navigation and humanitar- to support the voice of the Bailey our attention that the Washington ian service. USS Barry is one of only News. A financial statement ap- Naval Yard might be an interesting three remaining Forrest Shermans. pears in each issue of the newslet- place to visit during your reunion in She is the third ship to bear the ter. Washington, DC. Since this was not name of the illustrious Revolutionary The newsletter is intended to be on the survey in the last newsletter, War naval hero, Commodore John a vehicle for the members to ex- we thought we would tell you about Barry. She supported the 1958 Ma- press opinions, make suggestions it now. rine and Army airborne unit landing and especially share experiences. in , . In 1962, she was Unless otherwise stated, the The Yard serves as a ceremonial a member of the task force that quar- views and opinions printed in the and administrative center for the antined Cuba in response to evi- newsletter are those of the article’s U.S. Navy, home to the Chief of dence that Soviet missiles had been writer, and do not necessarily repre- Naval Operations, and is headquar- installed on the island. USS Barry sent the opinion of the Association ters for the Naval Sea Systems earned two battle stars for her ser- leadership or the Editor of the Command, Naval Historical Center, vice during the conflict. She Newsletter. the Department of Naval History, was credited with destroying over All letters and stories submitted the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate 1,000 enemy structures. In the early will be considered for publication, General's Corps, Naval Reactors, 1970s she was home ported in Ath- except unsigned letters will not be Marine Corps Institute, the United ens, Greece as part of the Navy's published. Letters requesting the States Navy Band, the U.S. Navy's forward deployment program. USS writer’s name be withheld will be Military Sealift Command and nu- Barry was decommissioned in 1982. honored, but published on a space merous other naval commands. She began her new career as a per- available basis. Signed letters with Devoted to the display of naval manent public display ship in 1984. no restrictions will be given priority. artifacts, models, documents and She is also used for training and Letters demeaning to another fine art, the museum chronicles the shipboard familiarization, and as a shipmate will not be printed; letters history of the ceremonial platform. espousing a political position will not from the American Revolution to the ______be printed. The editor reserves the right to BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW! edit letters to conform to space limi- NEWS FROM YOUR tations and grammar. REUNION SERVICE  The liquid inside young coco- ML&RS, Inc. is not responsible nuts can be used as a substi- for the accuracy of articles submit- There are some new and excit- tute for blood plasma. ted for publication. It would be a ing things happening at the  No piece of paper can be monumental task to check each ML&RS, Inc office! You can read folded more than 7 times. Go story. Therefore, we rely on the au- thor to research each article. about them on our blog at ahead and try! You are encouraged to ac- www.mlrsinc.blogspot.com.  Donkeys kill more people annu- If you don’t have internet ac- tively participate in the newsletter ally than plane crashes or family by submitting your stories cess, we will fill you in on more of shark attacks. (So, watch your the details in the next newsletter! and suggestions. Ass.) ______ You burn more calories sleep- Dina Coffey ing than you do watching TV. ATTENTION E-MAIL USERS General Manager  Oak trees do not produce Premier Reunion Services LLC dba Please remember to notify KD Bailey acorns until they are 50 years Association when you have a change in e- Military Locator & Reunion Service of age or older. mail address. Send change to Ernie Pina at PO Drawer 11399, Hickory NC [email protected] or Premier Reunion Ser-  The first product to have a bar vices at [email protected]. Thank you. 28603 code was Wrigley’s gum. 828-256-6008 (phone)  Turtles can breath through their Financial Statement: www.mlrsinc.com The cost of this issue is $293.07 mailed butts. to 208 members.