U S S R E E V E S (DLG-24/CG-24) A SSOCIATION

Spring 2011 Volume 4, Issue 1

The Ironman—A Double Ender’s Newsletter Membership Scorebox Deck Log Histories Current 48 From the summary deck log of USS Chevalier (DD-805), USS Decatur (DDG- Past Due 84 Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) : 31), USS Orleck (DD-886), USS O'Calla- han (DE-1051), USS Ramsey (DEG-2), Snail Mail Ad- 95 June of 1972 found Mason embarking and USS Bronstein (DE-1037). dresses Only midshipmen for the Midshipmen's Cruise. Email Address 423 She deployed on the 21st of June. After From the 1973 Command History of some exercises in the SoCal OpArea, Ma- USS BROOKE (DEG-1): Total Shipmates 1,146 son began the transit to Pearl Harbor on Orders were received 27 February to June 24 in company with USS Fox (DLG- proceed to the Northern Search and Res- Dues Notice! 33), USS Horne (DLG-30), USS Decatur cue station (NSAR), the northern-most Please be sure to check your (DDG-31), and USS Orleck (DD-886). station in the Gulf of Tonkin. Enroute to mailing label or email nota- The ships arrived at Pearl Harbor on June station, BROOKE took an opportunity to tion. 30. The Mason got underway again on top off her fuel tanks from USNS TALU- If it doesn’t say Current July 5 in company with USS Horne GA. Early evening found BROOKE on above your name at the top (DLG-30), USS Decatur (DDG-31), USS of the label, you should re- station as escort for USS REEVES (DLG Orleck (DD-886), and USS Reeves (DLG- new your annual dues. To 24). Commanding Officer, USS REEVES reach the greatest number of 24), enroute to Seattle, Washington. The (DLG 24) was CTG 77.0.1, SOPA and shipmates, we will publish Mason and the Orleck were detached on OTC at NSAR. the complete Association July 6 and proceeded to the Barstur Range newsletter to any valid email address. Your dues pay- for ASW exercises. The two ships re- March joined the Horne , Decatur , and Reeves the ments make this possible. Back in the familiar environment next day to resume the transit, with the BROOKE found herself performing the Mason arriving Seattle on July 15. The same tasks which she had mastered so ships resumed the cruise on July 20. Ma- Inside this issue: well at PIRAZ. 01 March sent BROOKE son arrived Pier 26, Embarcadero, San speeding to perform notification duties. President’s Message 2 Francisco, on July 21, with the Orleck Two Russian vessels, the tanker ODESSA moored outboard. The ships got underway Shipmates’ Deck Log 3 and the freighter VEGORLIK, were ac- on July 26. On July 27, Mason and Orleck Believe It or Not 4 complishing a predawn rendezvous. The were detached to conduct a full power run sun rose on three ships as BROOKE stood Next Reunion 5 to the SoCal OpArea. [The Orleck could- by flying notification signals and taking a Financials/Dues 6 n't keep up... -ed.] On July 28, Mason close look at the Soviet activities. Intelli- conducted NGFS exercises off San Have You Heard? 6 gence reports indicated Soviet intelligence Clemente in company with USS Orleck collectors were operating in the area. Af- The Gardener’s Corner 7 (DD-886) and USS Downes (FF-1070). ter submitting the usual thorough reports, Tour Destination—Pentagon? 7 At the conclusion of the exercises later BROOKE rejoined REEVES at NSAR. Billy Goat Reeves 8 that day, Mason headed for , to Vet Scam 9 prepare for deployment in the fall. During The next day brought another contact. this time, the ship operated along the This one was the ship being sought. The Notes of Interest 9 U.S.A. West Coast, at various times in Soviet AGI Aneroid was intercepted Ruminations 10 company with the USS Reeves (DLG-24), northbound, visually identified and report- ed. Concurrently, REEVES moved to Pet Adoptions 10 USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25), USS Fox (DLG-33), USS Horne (DLG-30), U.S.S POW/MIA 11 (Continued on page 6) PageP a g e 222 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter The President’s PagePage————MemorialMemorial Day Memorial Day US invasion, while a Northern worked together to protect the Es- Thoughts Force of Japanese Carriers was used cort Carriers Greetings to the as decoy to lure the US Navy assets Well, believe it or not, the little Reeves Associa- away from the action at Leyte. Un- ships prevailed in the short-lived tion Family; fortunately, the lure was successful, battle due to the aggressive method and the heavy-hitters from the Third I find myself sit- of their attack, and their diminutive and Seventh Fleets jumped at the silhouette. Fortunately, big guns are ting here on Me- chance to finish off the Japanese morial Day, with difficult to aim at small fast targets, Carriers. thoughts fresh in my mind of broth- and armor piercing shells couldn’t er Navy Veterans that endured an This action left the Seventh find enough resistance to detonate. incredible naval battle during World Fleet Escort Carrier Task Group TG Instead, they punched large holes War II. While it is a nice thought for 77.4 without the protection of capi- directly through the ships. Each the Memorial Day holiday, it is my tal ships and fast carriers when they ship continued launching their tor- desire to focus our holiday celebra- were most needed. TG 77.4 was pedoes, then made run after run with tion more towards the brave veter- comprised of three separate Task only guns. They stopped only when ans that have gone before us, and Forces, known as Taffy 1, 2, and 3. they could absorb no more hits. The less on the traditional start of sum- This story centers on the northern end result was that the Japanese mer which, unfortunately, the holi- most group in the Gulf of Samar, Central Force withdrew instead of day has become. I realize that this is known as Taffy 3 (TF 77.4.3). Taf- pressing on to destroy the remaining not a subject that I normally concen- fy 3 was comprised of six Escort Escort Carriers. Amazingly, only trate on as part of my rambling Carriers (CVE’s), Three one CVE (USS Gambier Bay) was Reeves Association messages, but (DD’s), and four Escorts lost during the action. It was the one that I think may have improved (DE’s). The task of the screening only US Carrier ever lost to surface my relationship with Memorial Day, ships (DD’s and DE’s) was to pro- gunfire. and may hopefully improve yours. vide close-in support for their de- The valor of the DD and DE fenseless gaggle of CVE’s, while crews against overwhelming odds I just finished reading a book larger fleet combatants protected about one of the finest days in the constitutes probably the finest mo- them from the rest of the world. history of the US Navy. The Last ment of the US Navy. That moment Stand of the Tin Can Sailors , writ- All that suddenly changed when (actually about two hours worth) ten by James D. Hornfischer the Imperial Japanese Center Force was unfortunately overshadowed by (Bantam Press), is a testament to the discovered TF 77.4.3 and attacked. the fabulous mistake that put them bravery of a group of Tin Can Sail- The little screening ships suddenly in that position to begin with. This ors who sacrificed life and limb to had no choice but going toe-to-toe story left me with an astounding directly confront Imperial Japanese with a clearly superior enemy force, admiration for the brave sailors of and Heavy with while the rest of the tried USS Hoel (DD-532), USS Heer- DD’s and DE’s. to escape. This pitted Destroyers mann (DD-532), USS Johnston (DD and Destroyer Escorts against Impe- -557), and USS Samuel B. Roberts This all took place in the Gulf rial Battleships and Heavy Cruisers. (DE-413). All four ships sustained Of Samar on October 24, 1944. The The screening ships rose to the oc- significant damage, significant loss Third and Seventh Fleets were as- casion, and unleashed a series of of life, and all of them sunk except signed to provide protection and air wicked attacks against overwhelm- for the USS Heermann. The heavily support for General MacArthur’s ing odds. The air support from the damaged Heermann fought severe invasion of Leyte, Philippine Is- CVEs they were protecting was very flooding to limp back to safety. The lands. That mission changed when limited, as their armaments were heroic actions of the crew survivors the Japanese Navy implemented the geared towards supporting ground went on long after the battle, as the three pronged SHO-1 plan for de- troops during the invasion – and did surviving crew members spent days fense of the . Japanese not include much needed torpedoes. adrift without any rescue efforts. Southern and Center Surface Battle The combined strength of the Many were lost to shark attacks. Groups were to converge on Leyte screening ships and air forces from different directions to deny the (Continued at Message on page 4) Volume 4, Issue 1 PageP a g e 333 Mail/eMail/Decklog From Our Shipmates ———

Dear Michael, cessful reunions in Patriots Point -- and parently on his return he started to run It’s never a coincidence! The latest we aren't even Navy! I strongly recom- low on fuel and was in danger of not newsletter contains the USS Collett mend Patriots Point, either the Holiday making it back to REEVES. We went deck log extract which exactly corre- Inn or the Quality Suites. Prices much close enough to the beach to start re- sponds to my time aboard Reeves in the cheaper, area nice, accessibility to ceiving small arms rounds from the summer of 1967, when I was a First- downtown and to the Navy museum NVA. The chopper recovery crew and Class Midshipman. After the Hong quite easy. The only real expense is I were on deck exposed while in place getting there from the airport but, with to recover the craft and the downed Kong stopover, coordination, it's doable. pilot. My fantasy would be that a for- Reeves returned to homeport in Yo- One highlight available only to mer crew member would recall the kosuka, and thence back to event and further enlightened it. Or in preparation for another deploy- veterans' groups is a private guided tour of the Hunley museum; both informa- while doing Market Time operations ment. I served in her for only 2 we intercepted a small craft coming months, but will never forget the expe- tive and unique. Another good way to spend the day was on the Yorktown from the north. The craft crew was rience! with private guides and catered lunch in picked up, including a very pregnant woman, and brought onboard Conrad Plyler the mess. CAPT, USN (Ret.) Reeves. It was reported to me that the Manchester, WA ... woman delivered soon after arriving on Thanks, the carrier. That incident prompted me to add a couple of OB Packs as a part Kathi (Petrowski—Tom’s Sister, our Tom & Mike, of my medical supplies. REEVES was ever-faithful reunion advisor) good duty, never boring, and most en- Excellent newsletter! I applaud joyable. After an almost three your restraint in holding off into next year consecutive tour on USS Henry year's reunion and in your efforts to Michael, W. Tucker (DD-875) and REEVES, I bolster membership ranks. You give Thank you for your diligence in was assigned to the U.S. Naval Station ownership of the Association back to keeping USS REEVES (DLG-24) alive Hospital at DaNang for an additional the members which is where it needs to and well. I have sent my Former Crew year. The 1968 was a be to make it successful. Also, the Member renewal Dues. memorable time. newsletter contains many relevant items concerning all veterans -- I want to thank you for the News Again Michael, thank you for the a message our group has worked hard Letter. Of particular interest to me is work that you are doing. I wish you to get out to all our members. Overall, that you had a clip of the pilot who continued success. ejected at sea and was picked up by it is well written and informative. Otis L. Spencer REEVES, Commander Wynn F. Fos- HMCM USN(Ret) If I can assist in any way in your ter. I was the Independent Duty Chief Charleston efforts, please let me Hospital Corpsman assigned to the know. We had one of our most suc- REEVES at that time. My Assistant, Onboard Reeves 74-75 including the I/ Robert Frederichi, HM2, and I treated O Cruise. Probably the best ship I and stabilized Cdr. Foster until The served on in my 20 years and one of the Jolly Green Helicopter arrived from the greatest A/S divisions I ever had the Carrier to pick him up and pleasure of serving. Thanks for those V{tÜÄxáàÉÇ transport him to the physicians and hos- memories. pital aboard the carrier at Yankee Sta- where history lives tion. The Commanding Officer shared Jerry Maske the left handed written letter from Cdr. Foster with me. It was a memorable event for me, and made Robert and I Best sea command out of 4. Loved Wild Bill, he made sea duty tolerable. I feel especially good for doing our jobs. was the IC1 from 1986 - 1989. Looking There was another event/story of for IC3 Lucky, IC3 Gladowski (Ski), note that some of REEVES former IC3 Howell, EM2 Gould or anyone else crew members might recall. The event that wants to chat. involved the REEVES helicopter going inland to pick up a downed pilot. Ap- George Ayers P a g e 4 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter President’s Message (continued from page 2) The bravery and determination every member of the crew is an im- To my Reeves shipmates and of those crews should be a matter of portant factor in that ship’s ability every member of the US Military, intense pride for any US sailor that to fight and survive. This was past and present, I wish a very Hap- ever stood on a haze gray deck. It is something I believe I knew all py Memorial Day. We, as veterans, for these fighting Navy men that I along, but of which I had to be re- stand for the proud heritage of brav- dedicate my Memorial Day. Too minded. We were fortunate that the ery and devotion that is the hall- often I have thought of Memorial Reeves never had to prove herself in mark of every US fighting man. Day heroes as those who died on such a manner, but I’d like to think Let us not forget it. battlefields or storming beaches, as that our preparation and material Here’s wishing you Fair Winds so many of our troops have. This readiness were as good as any war- and Following Seas book was a graphic reminder of just ship that ever sailed into harms how dangerous and unpredictable way. Thank God we never had to Tom naval battles are, and how each and prove it.

Believe It Or Not Have you visited the Navy Me- morial in Washington, DC, lately? On websites called theliving- other, and another. All of a sudden I You can get there online very easily. moon.com and abovetopsecret.com, lost Sonar Contact like it was never One of the many features includes the browser snagged an entry about there, but CIC still had it at last bear- NavyTV. There is an excellent con- missing ship’s deck logs. This un- ing with an abrupt positive altitude versation with Ernest Borgnine when validated item was extracted: change. The chatter was look at the he discusses his time onboard USS Lamberson (DD-119/DMS-2) during The following case is in response size of that thing. I went outside through the sonar door on the Port World War II. To find the video, go to a previously published case dated to EE-??-1974 and is very important for Side and visually saw a large moon- multiple reasons. It is republished like shape that flew upward over the www.navytv.org here with the permission of the author ship at a 60 degree angle and disap- then click on NavyTV from the home Mr. Norman Burns and the websites peared into the sky in seconds. I page and then search for Borgnine. caretaker, David Slone: heard no noise from the object when it went over us. I saw a full moon that While you are there, check out Bill says: night on the other side of the ship, but the many different conversations from many Navy veterans that have I was stationed on USS Reeves it remained fairly constant give or been saved for posterity. (CG24) at the same place in late take a few ship rolls. 1974. I had the 0000-0400 Sonar When we pulled into port a few And, don’t forget about joining. Watch. weeks later, all records in the Bridge, Visit: TogetherWeServed.com At about 0130, I picked up a ra- CIC, and Sonar logs about that time ther large blip (about the size between were torn out. Whoever tore them out You’ll find a lot of us there, with all a carrier and a ) off our port made one error, the pen imprint on the details about our service time. side beam about 140 degrees relative the next page was still there. No one at 2000 yards and drifting towards spoke of the incident again This newsletter is published by: our baffles. I could only pick up the Having spent many hours in CIC The USS Reeves Association contact with Active Sonar, nothing plotting “knuckles”, decoys, split tar- 15709 N Sycamore St showed up with the passive sonar. I gets and “where the hell did it go?”... Mead, WA 99021 reported the bearing and range to the anything is possible. I wouldn’t want Bridge and to CIC. The Bridge Look- to be the one to tell the CO that it was Newsletter Editor - Michael Robertson out saw a large glow in the water and just a UFO! And, I wouldn’t want to the Officer of the deck brought the Phone: 509-315-8107 blame it on that steel-domed SQS-23 Fax: 703-740-9161 ship around so I could maintain con- water-banger hanging off the bow E-mail: [email protected] tact. CIC could not pick it up initially either. All comments, suggestions, submissions on our Radar, but as we got within and criticism are welcome. My email is 1,000 yard they had a blip, then an- And, I was there. Go figure! always open... Volume 4, Issue 1 PageP a g e 555 Welcome to the East CoastCoast————OurOur Next Reunion Yes, we're going to Charleston for the 2012 reunion. There were some votes for Jacksonville or Orlando, but Charleston was the definite favorite. Back in the day, Charleston had a large Naval Base before BRAC shut it down. Now, the CSS Hunley is the only naval vessel berthed at the former Naval Base in a really, really big fish tank.

Charleston survived the shutdown Down to the Battery. The place that Sher- and still has a tremendous amount to man forgot in his march to the sea. offer. It has been rated as the second most popular destination spot in the seen and experienced in Charleston. U.S., edged out by by Middleton Place on the Ashley less than one percentage point. River, Charleston One of the oldest colonial cities, (Charles Town, 1670) Charleston tours arranged for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are some dinner cruises available — can be set up if there’s enough interest. Of course, we are looking for a hotel rate around $80 per day (not assured at this writing until the RFP goes out to the Convention and Visitors Bureau). Having been personally stationed in Charleston in the late 70’s and early offers a glimpse of our colonial past, USS Yorktown at Charleston’s Patriots 80’s, this is a new and revitalized the battle to keep us together as a Point Naval and Maritime Museum town. First of all, look at the Cooper young nation, and the reservoir of our River Bridge photo below...it’s not the earliest heritage. For the Navy side, there is the same bridge from the forecastle or Patriots Point Naval and Maritime bridge of a destroyer back when— Museum. Tour the USS Yorktown, before BRAC. USS Clamagore, Medal of Honor Museum, Submarine Memorial and the only Support Base Camp in the U.S. Its history you can touch. History buffs have access to Fort Sumter, Magnolia and Boone Hall plantations, Middleton Place and New Cooper River Bridge Join us for Reunion 2012 in one Drayton Hall, just to mention a few of of our earliest seaports. very many. If you are a Civil War history buff, this is the place to visit. Ft. October in the Carolinas is a great There are many hotels very near time to visit the Low Country. the airport, so shuttle service will be Sumter was the opening act of the available. If there is a large enough War Between the States. registration for tours, there will be And there is so much more to be P a g e 6 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Deck Log (cont) Financials News Sources intercept another contact which was USS Reeves Association You may notice that the past few discovered to be AGI KURSOGRAF. 2011 Income Statement YTD issues of this newsletter have carried Presence of two intelligence collectors veterans’ information. At the urging of in the northern Gulf as well as the So- Income our shipmate, Eric Wenzel (our Re- viet ships sighted earlier portended Reunions $0 cording Secretary), we are providing things to come. On 03 March two extracts from Veteran's RAO Bulletins more Soviet ships exited Program $1,343 that are published twice montly by Lt. James "EMO" Tichacek, USN (Ret) harbor and found BROOKE as a recep- Total Income $1,343 tion committee of one. Both vessels, Associate Director, Retiree Activities the BALASHIKA and the BABUS- Expense Office & U.S. Embassy Warden Ba- KIN, were modern freighters of the guio City RP Advertising $54 same class. BROOKE radioed the word throughout the Gulf and returned Newsletters $352 [email protected] to NSAR. Program $18 March 04: Again BROOKE went http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.co to intercept a contact. The one was Reunions $0 m/rao1.html ABAKASN, another Soviet freighter. Total Expense $424 Later the same day BROOKE refueled Jim is probably a member of every vet- from USS CALIENTE (AO-53). An- Net Income $919 erans association that is currently ac- other vertical replenishment was con- tive. And, his bulletin is the most in- formative of any I have seen. There ducted with the USS SAN JOSE (AFS- 2011 Assets Statement YTD 7) on March 05. On 08 March the nu- are examples of his reporting through- clear powered USS BAIN- Cash Assets $3,357 out this edition of the newsletter. Ed. BRIDGE (DLGN-25) relieved Liabilities $0 REEVES as NSAR ship. BROOKE Charitable/Educational Objectives again refueled 09 March from USS Net Equity $3,357 The USS Reeves Association is an CALIENTE (AS-53). educational, non-profit 501(c)(3) or- ganization registered with the Internal Revenue Service, FEIN 86-1163983. Have You Heard? For that purpose at the 2010 business Sergeant Clark was assigned to the a maximum of $6,000." meeting, it was recommended that fu- induction center, where he advised ture excess funds be used for donations "Now", he concluded, "which new recruits about their government and scholarships as determined at busi- bunch do you think they are going to benefits, especially their GI insurance. ness meetings starting in 2012. send into battle first?" It wasn't long before Captain Rog- ======ers noticed that Sergeant Clark had Veterans Benefits almost a 100% record for insurance This editor normally doesn’t push any- sales, which had never happened be- “Never interrupt your enemy when thing from Military.com. They seem fore. he is making a mistake." to be selling a lot. However, there is now a benefit Rather than ask about this, the Napoleon Bonaparte (August 15, “calculator” for all of us veterans that Captain stood in the back of the room 1769 – May 5, 1821] and listened to Clark's sales pitch. is a pretty good list of anything and everything for which you might be Clark explained the basics of the GI ======Insurance to the new recruits, and then entitled. Check out said: "If you have GI Insurance and go Check out the RAO site for veteran into battle and are killed, the govern- activities in Congress: http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ment has to pay $200,000 to your ben- ns-Benefits.do eficiaries. If you don't have GI insur- http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.co to see if you have covered all your ance, and you go into battle and get m/rao1.html bets and bases. killed, the government only has to pay Michael Volume 4, Issue 1 PageP a g e 777 The Gardener’s Corner Pulling weeds by hand is not always squirt or two of liquid dish detergent. Tips For Weed Control. easy or practical, they‘re pesky and de- Spray on weeds during the hottest part • Many natural remedies and weed killer termined to pop back up and spread in of the day. no time. If you‘re looking for more nat- products will not only kill weeds dead, Liquid Dish Detergent: Make a soap but they may also kill surrounding ural ways to control weeds that don‘t • solution of 1 part liquid dish detergent grass, plants and flowers. When using include harsh chemicals and are safer for children and pets. Here is a list of to 10 parts water. Soak weeds with this a recipe, make sure to apply to the homemade weed killer recipes and solu- mix. weed only (keep in mind that liquids will saturate and seep into the ground tions: • Boiling Water: Plug in the kettle, bring where roots from favored plants may it to a boil then pour the hot water over • Vinegar: Kill weeds dead with a good be able to reach). shot of vinegar. For best results, don‘t weeds (you‘re basically cooking the Use weed killers when there‘s no sign dilute with water and choose a time to weed to death). • of rain for at least a day or two, hot spray weeds when there‘s no sign of Lemon Juice: Either use straight lem- • sunny weather will give you best re- rain. Household vinegar is around 5% on juice or try 1/2 cup lemon juice sults. acetic acid concentration which will mixed with 1 quart household vinegar. do the trick for baby weeds. If you can This works much the same way as • For weed control in gardens and flow- find a stronger vinegar (like pickling straight vinegar, but lemon juice is er beds, consider laying newspapers which is about 9%), that will give bet- more expensive. and mulch in and around your plants– ter results for more mature (and stub- the weeds will have a difficult time • Common Weed Killer Recipe: 1 quart born) weeds. rooting and spreading . household vinegar, 1/4 cup salt, 2 tea- • Salt: This is an effective weed killer, spoons liquid dish detergent (only use • Weed growth is greatly reduced when but keep in mind that significant a detergent that contains no bleach). using the ?No Dig? method of garden- amounts will cause damage to sur- Mix together and spray on weeds. ing. The idea is to make a foundation rounding soil as well. Salt should only of compost/mulch then only use soil be used in places where you want no • Corn Gluten Meal (this is different where you plant (make a hole in the than corn meal): This is an all natural plant growth (like driveways, sidewalk mulch, stick a handful or two of dirt weed and feed product that deters cracks, underneath decks and patio inside then plant the seedling). blocks, around the foundation of the weeds spreading by seed. Effective on house, etc.). To use, a ratio of 1 part crabgrass, dandelions, curly dock, Many weeds are used in home remedies salt to 2 parts water should do it. You knotweed, lambs quarters, pigweed, for all sorts of things and some are even can also drizzle salt directly over plantain and other weeds. Can be used edible and tasty! For example, dandeli- weeds. on lawns, flowerbeds, bulb beds and ons can be used to make a delicious syr- vegetable gardens. Make sure to use up, wine or jelly, while plantains can be • Salt & Vinegar Recipe: Combine 1 1/4 CGM that is labeled as ?pre-emergent crushed and used to reduce itching from cups of table salt with 1 gallon of herbicide?, stuff from the feedstore mosquito bites or relieve pain from bee household vinegar. Spray where need- doesn‘t have enough protein to work. stings. ed. Keep in mind that using CGM affects [Source: http://tipnut.com/weed-killers • Vinegar & Dish Detergent: Fill a spray seed growth for all plants, not just Apr 2011 ++] bottle with pickling vinegar and add a weeds. Tour DestinationDestination————Pentagon?Pentagon?

Headquarters of the Department of nating from the defense establishment subway systems in our country. They Defense, the Pentagon is one of the housed in this building. However, rela- ride past 200 acres of lawn to park ap- world's largest office buildings. It is tively few people have had the oppor- proximately 8,770 cars in 16 parking twice the size of the Merchandise Mart tunity to visit. The Pentagon is virtually lots; climb 131 stairways or ride 19 esca- in Chicago, and has three times the floor a city in itself. Approximately 23,000 lators to reach offices that occupy space of the Empire State Building in employees, both military and civilian, 3,705,793 square feet. While in the New York. The National Capitol could contribute to the planning and execution building, they tell time by 4,200 clocks, fit into any one of the five wedge-shaped of the defense of our country. These peo- drink from 691 water fountains, utilize sections. There are very few people ple arrive daily from Washington, D.C. 284 rest rooms, consume 4, 500 cups of throughout the who do not and its suburbs over approximately 30 coffee, 1,700 pints of milk and 6,800 have some knowledge of the Pentagon. miles of access highways, including ex- Many have followed news stories ema- press bus lanes and one of the newest (Continued on page 11) P a g e 8 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Billy Goat Reeves On March 29, 1926, a copy of The ning for these naval exercises, Reeves con- Zoom, the newspaper of Aircraft Squadrons, ceived of a bold plan. As the Black Fleet to Battle Fleet, was disseminated among com- which Saratoga was assigned steamed to mand personnel. Amid the routine articles attack the , he proposed de- that were of interest to sailors, namely a re- taching the carrier and approaching the canal view of the boxing matches held as part of a from a different direction under the cover of recent "smoker" on board the carrier Lang- darkness to launch a dawn attack. With ley (CV 1), appeared an article by Captain Jo- his plan approved by Commander, Battle seph Mason Reeves, the commander of Fleet Admiral William V. Pratt, Reeves (now Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet. A griz- a rear admiral) put to sea flying his flag in zled veteran of gridiron battles at Annapo- Saratoga and at the prescribed time de- lis and a veteran of the Spanish-American tached from the main body of the Black War, Reeves was known as "Billy Goat" be- Fleet with the escorting light cruiser cause of the facial hair that sprouted from his Omaha (CL 4). Though spotted by enemy chin. The nickname was also ap- ships en route to her launch point, propriate in the fact that Reeves Saratoga pressed on, reaching her was highly intelligent and obsti- prescribed position in the early nate, particularly in his belief morning hours of January 26th. in naval aviation. The past Meeting with his pilots, Reeves months witnessed the ships and asked if they were ready, to which aircraft under his command par- they responded in the affirmative, ticipating in Fleet Problem VI and he then exhorted them to beat off the coast of Central America, the Blue Fleet, which included providing for the first time practical Saratoga's sister ship, Lexington. demonstrations of naval aviation's The cheers from the aviators soon capabilities in conjunction with fleet gave way to the sounding of flight operations, including air defense quarters and the roar of engines as and bombardment of land targets Saratoga launched her planes. in conjunction with battleships. "Naval aviation has been on trial All told, 83 aircraft launched during the past two Pictured at top is a portrait of Admiral Joseph M. Reeves that appeared on a TIME magazine into the darkness that morning, months," Reeves wrote. "The cover in 1934 when he was Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet and a view of planes packed on arriving over the Panama Ca- the flight deck of the carrier Saratoga (CV 3). to his wife. continuous, almost daily op- nal at first light to stage suc- eration of naval aircraft throughout the aircraft carriers slated for commissioning in cessful "attacks" on the canal's locks and cruise...has had a marked effect upon offic- 1927. Converted from battle cruisers, Lex- dogfight with defending Army Air Corps ers of all ranks in clearly demonstrating the ingtonSaratoga (CV 3) dwarfed Langley in fighters. Though a handful of planes had to place of naval aviation in ." their 888 foot length and 33,000-ton dis- land ashore, all eventually returned to Sara- placement, their flight and hangar decks ca- toga, completing a momentous operation It was indeed a step in the right direc- pable of carrying 100 aircraft. Notably, that foreshadowed the employment of the tion for advocates of naval air power, but their electric drive engines allowed them to during World War II in the even Reeves understood that there were steam at more than 33 knots, more than dou- size of the strike group and the employment limitations. The sole aircraft carrier under ble the top speed of Langley. In fact, in June of an independent, mobile carrier task force. his command, Langley, was a converted 1928, Lexington would shatter speed rec- Perhaps Admiral Henry A. Wiley, Com- collier with limitations in the number of ords by transiting the waters between Cal- mander in Chief, U.S. Fleet at the time, aircraft she could carry. In addition, her top ifornia and Hawaii in just over 72 hours! summed it up best, calling the attack "An cruising speed was below that of the fleet's Epic in the History of Aviation." battleships, which cast her in a supporting Equipped with such platforms, Reeves [Reprinted with permission from Mili- role in operations as sea. Yet, change for the could now advance naval aviation to the tary Guides. It is found in the Centennial better was on the horizon for under construc- next level, and he chose as his arena Fleet of Naval Aviation (1911-2011) edition that tion at shipyards in Quincy, Massachusetts, Problem IX, which began in the waters off was brought to my attention by shipmate and Camden, New Jersey, were two new Panama in January 1929. As part of his plan- Neil Sampson (64-65).] Volume 4, Issue 1 PageP a g e 999 Vet Scam Vet Services Rosetta Waychus, does not provide $1,000 in medical Hamilton County Veterans Affairs head of Iowa‘s Cerro Gordo County assistance to his father. "He basically office received word this week of a Veterans Affairs, urges veterans - par- just gets their groceries for them and scam that is circulating through the ticularly elderly veterans - to check drives them to doctor appointments in United States. A bulletin from Sen. with their local veterans affairs offices Des Moines or Rochester," she said. Tom Harkin's office and the U.S. De- before paying for a service someone The attorney fee charged for providing partment of Veteran's Affairs alerted offers. Veterans are being taken for this information was $2,500. Waychus local officials. The organization Vet- thousands of dollars for services that is concerned because many elderly erans Affairs Services has been call- in some cases are unnecessary or of- veterans get confused easily and scam ing vets on the telephone and going to fered free by veterans organizations, artists take advantage of them. "In the their homes, identifying themselves as said Waychus. Last October, a Mason past few months I have heard about VA employees. The scammers then City veteran's spouse responded to a several companies trying to capitalize promise veterans higher pensions if mailing her husband received by send- on our country's veterans and their they submit personal information - ing in a card requesting free infor- widows," she said."Companies are including financial data. Local VA mation on Medicare changes. Not long selling insurance, assisting individuals officials urged veterans not to respond after that, three men came to the cou- who have assets in excessive of to this solicitation, According to VA ple's home, said Waychus. The veteran $80,000 to give their funds away by Assistant LuAnn Jackson, the VA believed they were from the Veterans putting them into annuities where the does not call or e-mail veterans asking Administration and allowed them to company makes broker fees and bo- for private information in an unsolicit- assist him in doing his annual VA pen- nuses," she said. "And now this, where ed manner. She said the VA will re- sion paperwork. One of the men, who the attorney charges $2,500 for doing spond to veteran's calls, e-mails or the veteran believed was an attorney absolutely nothing." Waychus said correspondence and will ask for three from the VA, told him he could get senior citizens are vulnerable because pieces of information - military service him $1,900 from the VA instead of the they can be too trusting when people dates, claim number and date of birth - $600 he was receiving. "In a nutshell, offer them what looks like a deal. to ensure the veteran is the actual per- he told the veteran to tell the VA that "Every county has a VA office to help son on the call. Veterans who believe he is paying his son $1,000 a month to veterans and it's free," she said. "There they have been contacted by the scam- assist him with daily living skills is no reason for a veteran or widow to mers can contact the local VA Execu- which would make the funds a medi- pay for services being provided free or tive Director Rob Everhard or Jackson cal expense." The man told him if the take the risk of their vital information at 832-9595, or stop by 500 Fairmead- VA agreed to pay this amount, the falling into the hands of someone who ow Drive, Webster City Iowa. funds would be paid to his son. will use it for identity theft." [Source: Globe Gazette John skipper article 27 Feb 2011 ++] Waychus said the veteran's son In a related note, officials with the Notes of Interest

• Inflation. CNN Money reports in to keep readers current on the latest portfolios drop by more than a third February, the average retail price headlines and events involving the to $12,000 from $18,500, on aver- per pound for beef was $3.87, up entire Marine Corps family. age, and the value of primary real 12.4 percent versus a year ago. The To sign-up, go to estate holdings decreased by an av- average retail price for a pound of http://marines.mil/community/Pages erage of $18,700." chicken was up 3.9 percent in Feb- /MarineCorpsConnectionNewsletter. • Visa Personal Payments. Visa says ruary. aspx. it will soon allow its cardholders to • Birthday. The Navy rate of chief • Enlistment. After months of great pay each other instead of going petty officer was established on recruiting success, the Army has through merchants. “No cash on April 1, 1893, and the Coast Guard lowered the age limit for active duty hand to pay the babysitter? Owe followed suit on May 18, 1920. and Reserve enlistment to age 34. your mom $10? Soon you’ll be able Chiefs from both services are recog- • Personal Wealth. CNN Money re- to send payments directly to their nized as the hands-on leaders among ports, "The average American fami- Visa card,” MSNBC reports. The enlisted personnel. ly's household net worth declined 23 service should roll out nationwide • MCC. The Marine Corps Connec- percent between 2007 and 2009, this summer. tion (MCC) is a weekly e-newsletter families that owned stock saw their P agea g e 10 1 0 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Ruminations from the Inland Northwest Spring has sprung! The snow’s It’s looking like Lake Kootenay is I have noticed that people are gone, the ground is thawed and weeds a good Canadian candidate. There’s a longer-lived and more active in their are getting a headstart in the grass, ferry that crosses the lake regularly (no later years. A fellow in the barber- border gardens and farm veggie patch fee!) since roads north and south are shop, must have been 75 or so, was out back. The tractor has been backed few and far between. This is east of talking about getting up around 4 am out of the shed and the snow thrower the Cascades and west of the Rock- or so, getting about three hours of has been put to bed for another nine ies—still pretty much wide open spac- chores done before breakfast. I used to months. And, those damned Pondero- es, small towns and antique stores. listen to my grandparents talk about sa pines have stopped covering the Yes, I said antique stores. That’s Lor- that stuff, and then wait until 8 or so to driveway and truck with pine hay and ri’s part of the trip and I’ll do it. Per- head for an oatmeal breakfast and the pinecones. sonally, I could drive for hours. It’s an farm report in grandma’s kitchen. Old Yes, the garage door is open a lot old habit from “change-of-station” or- habits are hard to break. I still wait more so that the sounds of the west ders when you had three days to get until 8 to look for the paper and have winds are a pleasant backdrop to the from San Francisco to Newport, RI. that first cuppa. harsher sounds of Rush L., Dave R. Those were the days! I’ve been learning a lot out here on and Glenn B. Cabinets are magically I read in the paper the other day the prairie. It seems that the area south appearing on the garage walls and stuff that there is only one time-consuming of Spokane, all the way down to the is being stuffed into them. activity in Spokane...sports, sports and Columbia basin, was formed by an ice I guess that I’ll use the left over more sports. That translates into Gon- dam break a couple of thousand years gas for the snow thrower for the gas zaga basketball (men & women) and ago. The ice dam was in Montana. guzzling lawn tractor. The pest guy the Spokane Chiefs (hockey). There is The flood ran west and south across an reported that our infestation of Hobo arena football, but there isn’t as much area now called the Palouse. It only spiders seems to be totally under con- excitement at the barber shop in Mead lasted a day or two and created the trol. Lorri still won’t sleep downstairs. about that one. most monotonous drive in the world, Is Spokane becoming a destination from Pullman to Cheney. That’s antiq- Planning for travel—up north into uities for you. More useless facts that Canada, west to Grand Coulee and place? Dunno, but the kids, brother, sister and assorted cousins are starting you can’t use anymore ‘cause you Seattle, south to the Tri-Cities and then can’t go to the bars anymore. Columbia River basin. Maybe even a to show up, We never saw this much run down to Portland and Fort Astoria. back in the Old Dominion. Maybe I Did I ever tell you the one should say, they came to see D.C. and about…? Washington has this enhanced forgot to tell us about it. That says driver’s license that substitutes for a Naw, that’s enough from the In- something about everything Spokane land Empire for now. passport if one wants to head north. has to offer...lodgings. We do! Love them Ponderosa pines!

Pet Adoptions Pets for Patriots is an organization that helps a veteran or active, reserve, retired service member to adopt a mature dog or cat from one of many high-risk shelters around the country. The organization provides the veteran with a gift card for the purchase of food, supplies, toys and other basics for the new pet plus discounts on veterinary fees. In order to receive their assistance you must first apply and receive a confirmation of membership from them. They will determine eligibility upon re- ceiving both your proof of service and the application available at

http://www.petsforpatriots.org/ForPatriots/BecomeamemberPatriot.aspx

For more information, visit the Pets for Patriots website http://www.petsforpatriots.org [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 1 Apr 2011 ++] Volume 4, Issue 1 Page 1 11 1 POW/MIA Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has yet to Ketchum, sponsored the legislation, and (POWs) or listed as missing in action pull out his veto pen on any piece of said she understands the governors con- (MIA). The POW/MIA flag was creat- legislation this year, but he did decide cerns. Stennett said she cleared the plan ed by the National League of Families to forgo a pen and not sign legislation with the state veterans division, which and officially recognized by the Con- allowing the black Prisoner of did not bring up the concern about fly- gress in conjunction with the /Missing in Action (POW/MIA) ing the flag at its facilities. Stennett War POW/MIA issue, "as the symbol flag to be displayed on government backed the plan at the request of veter- of our Nation's concern and commit- buildings that also fly the United State ans groups in her district and in honor ment to resolving as fully as possible flag. Legislation becomes law if the of SPC Bowe Bergdahl, who was cap- the fates of Americans still prisoner, governor neither signs nor vetoes it. In tured by the in Afghanistan in 2009. missing and unaccounted for in South- a letter to the Senate, Otter said he ap- Bergdahl is from Hailey, which is in east Asia, thus ending the uncertainty preciated the effort and goal of the plan, Stennetts district. for their families and the Nation." but that it doesn't cover enough places Stennett'es legislation was slowed On August 10, 1990, the 101st where the POW/MIA flag could be in the Senate after Sen. Mitch Toryan- Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101- flown. It fails to mention locations such ski, R-Boise, an Army veteran, voiced 355, recognizing the National League as the Veterans Cemetery, Veterans concern with a requirement that the of Families POW/MIA Flag and desig- Hospital, and other governmental build- POW/MIA flag fly above the Idaho nating it "as a symbol of our Nation's ings where the American flag is flown. state flag. That section of the plan was concern and commitment to resolving Otter wrote in his letter. He said he eliminated before the plan cleared the as fully as possible the fates of Ameri- would bring legislation fixing those House and Senate. Stennett also en- cans still prisoner, missing and unac- shortcomings next year. couraged people who fly the American counted for in Southeast Asia, thus end- The legislation comes after a 2007 flag at their homes to consider flying ing the uncertainty for their families executive order from the governor to the POW/MIA flag. and the Nation." Beyond Southeast fly the POW/MIA flag over all state Asia, it has been a symbol for The POW/MIA flag is an Ameri- buildings until all unaccounted for and POW/MIAs from all U.S. wars. can flag designed as a symbol of citizen missing members of the Armed Forces concern about United States military [Source: Idaho Reporter Brad Iver- return. Sen. Michelle Stennett, D- personnel taken as prisoners of war son-Long article 7 Apr 2011 ++] Pentagon (cont) soft drinks prepared or served by a res- tween any two points in the building. ment of Defense and each of its branch- taurant staff of 230 persons and dis- The original site was nothing more than es of service, and visits numerous dis- pensed in 1 dining room, 2 cafeterias, 6 wasteland, swamps and dumps. 5.5 mil- plays that highlight and depict signifi- snack bars, and an outdoor snack bar. lion cubic yards of earth, and 41,492 cant moments in military history. To The restaurant service is a privately run concrete piles contributed to the founda- take a guided tour of the Pentagon, you civilian operation under contract to the tion of the building. Additionally, must make a reservation in advance. Pentagon. 680,000 tons of sand and gravel, Note that tour schedules can fill up Over 200,000 telephone calls are dredged from the nearby Potomac River, quickly, so it is advisable to book your made daily through phones connected were processed into 435,000 cubic yards tour well in advance of your visit. by 100,000 miles of telephone cable. of concrete and molded into the Penta- Reservations may be booked from 8 The Defense Post Office handles about gon form. The building was constructed to 90 days in advance. Reservations will 1,200,000 pieces of mail monthly. Vari- in the remarkably short time of 16 not be accepted for tour dates within 7 ous libraries support its personnel in months and completed on January 15, days or more than 90 days away. research and completion of their work. 1943 at an approximate cost of $83 mil- Visitors should review Tour Guide- The Army Library alone provides lion. It consolidated 17 buildings of the lines at http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/tour- 300,000 publications and 1,700 periodi- War Department and returned its invest- guidelines.html and Security Infor- cals in various languages. Stripped of its ment within seven years. mation at http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/ occupants, furniture and various decora- The Pentagon Tours program, under security.html before requesting a tour. tions, the building alone is an extraordi- the purview of the Assistant Secretary of All guided tours of the Pentagon are free nary structure. Defense for Public Affairs, hosts more and available by reservation only. Tours Built during the early years of World than 100,000 visitors annually. The tour are conducted Monday through Friday War II, it is still thought of as one of the lasts for approximately 60 minutes and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are not con- most efficient office buildings in the follows a route that is approximately ducted on weekends or federal holidays. world. Despite 17.5 miles of corridors it one and one half miles in length. Each U.S. Residents can reserve a tour takes only seven minutes to walk be- tour includes the mission of the Depart- online at http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/

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