T H E BRIGHT PENNY

May 2003 A NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF THE USS BERKELEY (DDG -15) ASSOCIATION 2004 Reunion in Branson, MO. It’s a great time to be an American. My son served in the first Persian MASTER CHIEF IN THE SPOTLIGHT Gulf War and I am sure there are USS Berkeley crew Master Chief George (Sid) Watson was born in 1945 in Rockford, Illinois me mbers who have and raised in Troy, New York where he sons or daughters attended St. Au gustine’s elementary that have served in school and LaSalle Institute high school. He enlisted in the Navy on September Iraqi Freedom. My 30, 1963, attending boot c amp at RTC gratitude and Great Lakes, IL. Following recruit appreciation goes training he was assigned to FT”A” School at Bainbridge, MD, and then to out to all of them. FT”C” Sch ool at Damneck, VA. His first Thanks to their shipboard assignment was aboard the Ray Bartlett patriotism and USS Conyngham (DDG —17) in Norfolk, courage, the world VA. In May 1966 he was ordered to the USS Berkeley (DDG -15) in Long will be a better place for yours and Beach, CA., attending FT ”B” School at my grand children. NTC Great Lakes, IL. while enroute. The voting for the loca tion of the During hi s Berkeley tour from December 1966 to January 1972 he 2004 reunion is now complete and served as Missile Computer Work Branson is the winner. The reunion Center Supervisor. From Berkeley he will be September 30th through was t ransferred to the USS Somers FCCM George Watson (DDG -34) in Long Beach, CA, where he October 3rd 2004. The association served until May 1973 as Missile Citation, Armed Forces Expeditionary has contracted with the Radisson Computer Work Center Supervis or and Medal (), RVN Campaign Medal, Hotel for accommodations. Rooms 2nd Div. LPO. Following this sea tour he COMSEVENTHFLT letter of will be $78.00 plus tax per night. was transferred in June 1973 to Commendation (3), Combat Action CSTSC Mare Island, CA, for instructor Ribbon, Meritorious Unit The it inerary will include daily duty. Whi le there he attended two FT Commendation, Service Medal continental breakfasts, a welcome “C” Schools and taught the same (6), Navy and Marine Corps Oversea reception, and of course the Saturday courses until May 1977. Returning to Service Ribbon, and the Navy sea he was assigned to the USS Commendation Medal. night banquet with dinner and Schofield (FFG-3) in San Diego, CA, Upon his retirement Master Chief dancing. The reunion committee is where he served as Missile and Gun Watson attended New Mexico State busy researching tours and shows for Systems LCPO until December 1980. University in Las Cruces, NM, where he Next he attended Huma n Resources received a Bachelor of Science (Cum your enjoyment. Mark your Management Training in Millington, TN, Laude) in Electrical Engineering (Power calendars and start making p lans now and was assigned to the Human Discipline) in May 1996. to attend. I would like to take this Resource Management Center Subic He worked for three years for opportunity to thank all the members Bay, Philippin es. In April 1984 he was Research Analysis and Maintenance assigned to the USS Ramsey (FFG-2) in Corporation in Fort Bliss, TX, of the reunion committee for their San Diego, CA, where he served as maintaining, modifying and testing fine effo rts to date. Command Senior/Master Chief, Russian mobile missile systems used to Another committee has been Command Career Counselor, and familiarize the US Army and Air Force leading FT. In May 1987, he attended with current threats. He currently appointed. The Bylaws and the Senior Enlisted Academy in works for Tritek Services Inc. at Whit e Constitution Committee is chaired by Newport, RI, and was then ord ered to a Sands Missile Range, NM, installing, Lou Clark with Jim A lley, Dale second tour in USS Berkeley (DDG -15) modifying and maintaining RADAR as the Command Master Chief. In Systems in support of various US Navy Nielsen, and Don Thompson December 1989, he was transferred to projects. assisting him. We anticipate that we his final t our of duty at Naval Ordnance Master Chief Watson lives in Las will have completed bylaws to Missile Test Station, White Sands, NM. Cruces, NM with his wife Mila and his distribute with the nex t newsletter. He served as Command Master Chief, two daughters, Jomelyn and Meaghan. and project Officer of the Sea Lance, He is an avid hunter and hi ker and I would like to set up yet another Rolling Air Frame Missile, and NATO enjoys fishing trips with his wife, who is committee to assist Jim Barrett as Sea Sparrow Missile systems. Master considerably better at it then he is. He contributing editors for The Bright Chief Watson retired on November 30, is a life member of the NRA, FRA, V FW 199 3. He had served 30 years, and American Legion. Penny. I know there are some of you deployed on one Mediterranean Cruise, “I made many friends throughout my out there that have a lot to say. Give ten Western Pacific Cruises and Naval career, among these the most me a call or send an email and let’s accumulated seventeen years of sea memorable were from my two tours on duty. During his career he received the the Berkeley. My many memories of roll on this. following awards: Good Conduct Medal Berkeley good friends and good times The Ship’s Store is growing. Along (6), Battle “E” (3), National Defense will stay with me until I reach my final with ball caps, pens, key chains, Service Medal (2), Enlisted Surface retirement. ” To Capt. Girvin “You were stainless steel mugs, Warfare Specialist, Sea Service absolutely correct about the difficulty of Deployment Ribbon (6), Republic of pursuing an engineering degree. Thanks decommissioning pins, and photos Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit for the inspirati on!” we now have polo shirts in stock. Sweatshirts and jackets are available for special order. Don’t get left Your Web site is www.ussberkeley.com behind order your “Berkeley ” gear now. The Bright Penny - May 2003 Pa ge 2

USS BERKELEY ASSOCIATION Project SHAD Sea Tales "The Genie" P.O. Box 267 Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense Claremont, CA 91711-0267 A Petty Officer Second Class, First Class (SHAD) was part of the joint service 909-981-7587 and a Chief are off the ship E Mail: [email protected] chemical and biological warfare test Website: www.USSBe rkeley.com program conducted during the 1960’s. together for lunch. While Annual Dues: $20.00 Project SHAD encompassed tests designed crossin g a park they come Association Director: Ray Bartlett to identify US warships’ vulnerabilities to upon an antique oil lamp. They attacks with chemical or biological warfare rub it and a Genie comes out in Editor: CDR Jim Barrett (Ret) agents and to develop procedures to a puff of smoke. The Genie says, "I respond to such attacks while maintaining a usually on ly grant three wishes, so I'll BERKELEY HISTORY war -fightin g capability. give each of you just one." "Me first!" The primary purpose of the High Low test MAY says the Petty Officer Second Class. "I was to assess the vulnerability of ships to an 40 Years Ago, 1963 enveloping cloud of toxi c G -series nerve want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, a beautiful woman at my side History not available. Ship in commission six agent. The test had two primary objectives. months. CDR Wyatt E. Harper Jr. is the Objective one was to investigate the and not a care in the world." Poof! He's Commanding Officer. penetration of a simulant for the nerve agent gone. "Me next!" says the F irst Class. "I Sarin (GB) into four types of naval ships want to be in , relaxing on the 30 Years Ago, 1973 operating at sea. Objective two was to beach with my personal masseuse, an 01 -31, In drydock, Puget Sound Naval Shi p- estimate the penetration of Sar in into the endless supply of pi ña coladas and a yard. CDR Jerry S. Jones is the Commanding four types of operational naval ships by beautiful woman." Poof! He's gone. Officer. evaluating the results of Objective one in conjunction with the Sarin/Sarin -simulant "You're next," the Genie says to the 20 Year Ago, 1983 relationship established in Flower Drum, Chief. The Chief says, "I want those two 01, Inport San Diego; 02 -06, Underway S o- Phase I (DTC Test 64 -2). This was done back on the shi p right after lunch." Cal OpArea; 07 -08, Inport San Diego; 09 -13, mathematically, no Sarin was used in t his Underway SoCal, Combat Systems Ship test. Web site visitor Qualification Trials (CSSQT), 14 -15, Inport Methylacetoacetate was used to simulate “I’m very happy to see the ship that I San Diego; 16 -20, Underway SoCal Sarin nerve agent. The simulant was spent two years of life on it. I’m a (CSSQT); 21 -22, Inport San Diego; 23 -26, disseminated from a modified Model T - member of t he Hellenic crew (as a sailor) underway SoCal (CSSQT); 27 -31, Inport San 45M -2 MARS Portable Gas Turbine who came to San Diego Naval Station on located on the bow of the test ship. All Diego. CDR Robert W. Reighley the Com- summer of 1992. Thanks for your manding Officer personnel (ships’ crews and civilian test personnel) we re instructed in the use of reference on HS Themistocl es and 10 Years Ago, 1993 protective masks, and masks were worn by Greece, I’m really happy for this. I had Ex -Berkeley in service with the Hellenic personnel directly exposed to significant some of my best times of my life in San Navy of Greece. quantities of met hylacetoacetate. Diego NAVSTA. Thanks to you all there The ships which operated in High Low fo r your great hospitality.” Antonis Bizios Active duty promotions were the USS Berkeley (DDG -15), the USS CDR Dennis J. O’Meara has been s e- Fechteler (DD -870), the USS Oka nogan (APA -220) and the USS Wexford County, Web Site lected for promotion to Captain. CDR (LST -1168). Visitors to date – 12,708 O’Meara, USNA Class of 82, served in High Low tests were conducted in the Roster – 966 names Berkeley 1982 -86. In April 2000 he took Pacific Ocean off the coast of S an Diego, command of the USS Paul Hamilton , during the period January 11 Community Forum (DDG -60). Following this sea tour he through February 26, 1965. I was about to remove this page was assigned as Deputy Director for O p- The Department of Defense (DoD) is erations on the staff of Commander, U.S. providing thi s information, at the request of from our Web site due to lack of Naval Forces Central Command/ the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), interest; however, the sea stories are Commander U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. to assist the VA in providing healthcare beginning to show up so it will services to q ualified veterans and to assist He is now enroute t o his next assignment veterans in establishing service connection remain for a while. Where is your with OpNav in the Pentagon. for disability claims. The Deployment story? Webmaster CDR Brad Kiker has been selected for Health Support Directorate (DHSD) TAPS collected this information from multiple promotion to Captain. CDR Kiker serve d sources and requested that the military HTFA Ellis Jones passed away on in Berkeley 1982 -85. Following a tour as services declassify it to a llow its public 24 February. Ellis served in Berkeley C.O. of USS Jarrett (FFG -33), he is now distribution. The VA accepts this 1973-75 in the R Division. His sister serving on the staff of ComCruDesGrp information provided on location, dates, tells that he loved his ship and was FIVE. units and/or ships, and substances in volved proud to be a member of the crew. in this exercise, which DHSD extracted from classified DoD records, and will provide it to individual veterans as necessary, but the VA cannot verify its USS TOWERS (DDG -9) was sunk accuracy. as a target on 9 October, 2002, 115 This Fact Sheet was provided by the nm Southwest of San Clemente I s- Office of the Assistant Secretary of Def ense land in 1,963 fathoms of water. Ph o- (Health Affairs) Deployment Health Support Directorate. For more information tos from the USS Towers Web site. (703) 578 -8500 or (800) 497 -6261. For more information and additional photos, visit the site at www. usstowersddg9.com. USS TOWERS (DDG -9)