CV / CVA / CVS-14 CG-47 APRIL 2021 The USS TICONDEROGA Veterans’ Association NEWS VOLUME 48 NO 2 DUE TO THE VIRUS AGAIN

NORFOLK 50th REUNION HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO 2022 PLEASE MARK YOU CALENDAR FOR MAY 15&16, 2021 FOR THE FOLLOWING AUDIO CONFERENCES 1. OFFICERS & DIRECTORS 5/15 2. GENERAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS 5/16 IN ORDER TO RECEIVE NEWSLETTERS, YOU MUST BE CURRENT ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP. (DUES MUST BE PAID) PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE GREETINGS TO ALL SHIPMATES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, Again we continue to find Our Nation, Our Navy and World fighting this pandemic! Sorry to say but many of us have lost someone in our family or a friend from this virus! I myself have lost two friends from it! and had family members come down with it! Many of us have received or are scheduled to get one of two vaccines being administered against the Covid-19 virus! At the writing of this newsletter Johnson & Johnson are seeking emergency use for their vaccine! Hopefully, by early summer all those wishing to get vaccinated will be able to do so! One of the unfortunate results of the pandemic is again the cancellation of our 2021 Norfolk Reunion! I didn't take this step in canceling the reunion lightly! I also wanted to see everyone in Norfolk! This area has changed since many had served here or attended a reunion previously! I would have been devastated if just one of our Tico Family became sick or God forbid died from the virus! I would never expect anyone's forgiveness! I know once a group of shipmates get together social distancing goes out the window! We were also notified that the tour company we were to use this reunion went out of business! They literally haven't had any business since the pandemic started. The Great News is Sean McConnell, Incoming President, has requested that next year's reunion be held in Norfolk instead of Louisville! It will be held May 12-16,2022 at The Doubletree By Hilton Norfolk Airport! In early June the hotel booking link will be on our Website & Facebook page. We have been able to secure another tour company , Colonial Connections, Inc. They have agreed to give us the same tours that our previous tour company offered! A new reunion sign up sheet will be available in the August newsletter! I have had many calls from our shipmates, members and non-members, interested in coming to the Norfolk Reunion. One member today said he had never attended a reunion but was coming to Norfolk next year. Our Membership Chairman, Edgar Trotter, Jr. has decided to step down from his post. We appreciate the years of outstanding service he has given to our association. If anyone wishes to volunteer for this post please let myself or any other officer know & see page 5. Thank you! Again , we will be holding a virtual Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, May 15 from 12PM to 2PM EST. The General Membership Meeting again will be virtual and held on Sunday,May 16 from 12PM to 2PM EST. We will be using Google Meet at meet.google.com/yyj-ujrv-crt We are also seeking nomination for Second Vice President. Please Inform any Officer of the name of your nominee! I just realize that in the history of Our Association I'm the only President that was sworn in Virtually and again will turn over his position to Sean McConnell on May 16th again in the same way! I know the association will be in good hands! Larry Qualter USS Ticonderoga Veteran’s Association President

PAGE 2 OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2020 - 2021

President: Director: Director: Chaplain: Larry Qualter Jerry H. Cole P. P. Parker W. Patterson P. P. Pastor Brett Inman 69 Hemlock Circle 945 N. Delacroix Dr 10914 WHISPERING OAK CIR 8838 E Cooper St Peekskill, NY 10566-4963 Green Valley, AZ 85614-5266 RIVERVIEW FL 33569-5949 Tucson, AZ 85710-4416 (914) 734-7677 (708) 227-0073 (813) 405-8308 (520) 909-3998 [email protected] (520) 648-7196 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] William Spanbauer P. P. 1899 COUNTY ROAD FF Jerry H. Cole P. P. Sean McConnell John F. Deasy P. P. OSHKOSH, WI 54904-6818 945 N. Delacroix Dr 554 MOUNTAIN RD 560 Maple Ave. (920) 410-7500 Green Valley, AZ 85614-5266 Boiling Springs, PA 17007-9515 Doylestown, PA 18901-4451 [email protected] (708) 227-0073 (717) 713-3895 (215) 348-9981 (520) 648-7196 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Edgar S. Trotter, Jr. 1150 Baywood Ave. John B. Dupont P. P. Camarillo, CA 93010-3005 Robert Hildebrand Sardo Sanchez 4590 Linwood Circle (805) 484-2930 2016 Reseda Way P.O. BOX 36411 Deep Haven, MN 55331-9297 [email protected] Antioch, CA 94509-5834 Albuquerque, NM 87176-6411 (952) 474-4731 (925) 757-1836 (505) 999-8129 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Fred Vance [email protected] 5808 SW 27TH STREET Lloyd Frank P. P. Topeka, KS 66614 Edgar S. Trotter, Jr. 2129 Bliss Comer St (785) 271-5900 1150 Baywood Ave. Jim Lutz Henderson, NV 89044-0174 [email protected] Camarillo, CA 93010-3005 1311 11th AVE (702) 361-6660 (805) 484-2930 Kearney, NE 68845-6543 [email protected] [email protected] (308) 293-3636 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] David Graf P. P. Edgar S. Trotter, Jr. 100 South Tremain St. Bldg 5 1150 Baywood Ave. Carrier Store Operator Mount Dora, FL 32757-6015 Camarillo, CA 93010-3005 STORE CLOSED 4/15/20 Dennis SaBell NEEDS BACKUP (407) 388-4608 (805) 484-29305 NEED VOLUNTEER PO BOX 3178 DUE TO HEALTH [email protected] Universal City, TX 78148 (303) 881-4787 [email protected] John Lunsford P.P. 2504 McNutt Bakersfield, CA 93306-4469 VACANT Richard Radigonda Robert Sullivan (661) 872-8850 NEED VOLUNTEER 357 Jade Circle 96 Esmeralda Rd [email protected] Vallejo CA. 94590 St Augustine, FL 32095-8506 (707) 563-5556 (757) 754-0547 [email protected] [email protected] WWW.BIGT.NET AT: WEBSITE OUR HECK OUT [email protected] Alfred F. McDonnell P.P. [email protected] C [email protected] 1749 9th Ave San Francisco, CA 94122 415-661-6753 VACANT Gordon S. Humphrey, Jr. [email protected] NEED VOLUNTEER 2771 Cherrydale Falls Drive Henderson, NV 89052-7005 Steven Codding P. P. (425) 785-8094 9260 Hilltop Lane Joseph McDonnell P. P. [email protected] Bloomington, IL 61705 4141 Inola Trl. Ne VACANT NEEDS BACKUP (309) 827-4017 Roswell, GA 30075-1658 NEED VOLUNTEER NEEDS REPLACEMENT [email protected] (770) 335-1715 [email protected] FOR DETAILS ON NEEDED VOLUNTEERS SEE PAGE 5 CRUISER MEMBERS! As you probably know the Membership Chairman is working on CG recruiting this year. To do this I have been having all the CG cruise book names typed into a data base. The problem is there are years no cruise book was done so I do not have names for that period of time. The gaps are: Sept 1990-July 1997. That is a lot of missing names. If any of you served on the ship during that time period and have names of your Division Mates and other shipmates in any form (typed lists that could be copied and mailed to me, scanned and sent to me or typed and sent would be greatly appreciated. As I retire from being Membership Chairman during the business meeting in May I would like to get as much of this project done as possible to give to whoever volunteers to be the next Membership Chairman. Thanks for you help in this. Any questions or ideas on how to do this please email me at: [email protected]. - Ed Trotter PAGE 3 USS TICONDEROGA VETERANS’ “ALL HANDS ON DECK” PROJECTS 1. LETTER WRITING PROJECT FOR NEW USS TICONDEROGA SHIP SEE PAGE 6, 8 & 9 OF AUGUST 2020 NEWSLETTER. 2. MISSISSIPPI MARITIME MUSEUM SEE PAGES 6 & 7 OF AUGUST 2020 NEWSLETTER. Per Perry Thompson: Here is update to what is happening at the MMM On behalf of the Mississippi Maritime Museum (MMM) Board of Directors I am extremely excited to announce two major accomplishments that have occurred since the professional experience includes significant tenure with June Newsletter. The Board of Directors has voted to move forward with Phase 3 of relocating the museum to a more desirable and visible location. In August we signed a contract with the Gautier family to purchase the old Ice House off Highway 90. This not only gives us a better location to build a state of the art Maritime museum , but also saves one of Pascagoula’s oldest landmarks. In addition we plan to establish a small visitor center for the City of Pascagoula in the museum lobby. Thanks go to Robert Hardy who has led the charge with developing plans relocate the museum. In addition, I am proud to announce that we have hired a museum Director, Ms. Lorren West. Her first Director’s Report will tell you more. Thanks go to the Search Committee, chaired by Terry Bollman, for their diligence in finding our new Museum Director. 3. PLEASE SEE PAGE 22 OF AUGUST 2020 FOR LIST OF POSITIONS WE NEED TO FILL OR HAVE A BACKUP! WE WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROJECTS!

PAGE 4 ATTENTION SHIPMATES & FAMILIES WE NEED SOME GREAT CRUISER GUYS! THE ASSOCIATION SECRETARY, DENNIS SABELL, WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BACKUP FOR FUTURE HEALTH REASONS. PLEASE CONTACT: DENNIS SABELL AT (303) 881-4787. IF NO ANSWER, PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE OR TEXT WITH YOUR NAME & NUMBER. THANK YOU! ______ALSO, THE ASSOCIATION WEBMASTER / NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER NEEDS TO HAVE A BACKUP. NEEDS SOMEONE W/ COMPUTER SKILLS HE TURNED 80 THIS YEAR. HE WILL BE STEPPING DOWN IN THE FUTURE FOR HEALTH REASONS. SO THERE NEEDS TO BE A TRANSITION PERIOD! PLEASE CONTACT: GORDON HUMPHREY AT [email protected] OR 425-785-8094 IF NO ANSWER, PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE WITH YOUR NAME & NUMBER, OR YOU CAN TEXT HIM AT THE ABOVE CELL NUMBER. THANK YOU! ______ALSO WE NEED A NEW: HISTORIAN! & A NEW: SITE COORDINATOR! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT PRESIDENT LARRY QUALTER AT (914) 734-7677 OR EMAIL: [email protected] ______THE SHIP’S STORE HAS CLOSED 4/15/2020 IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN OPERATING THE SHIP’S STORE, PLEASE CONTACT LARRY QUALTER AT (914) 734-7677 ASAP! ______EDITORS NOTE: – MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN ED TROTTER WILL BE STEPPING DOWN FROM HIS POST AT THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON SUNDAY MAY 16, 2021. WE WILL BE NEEDING SOMEONE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS POSITION TO ACTIVELY RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS FOR THE ASSOCIATION.

PAGE 5 Chaplains Corner By: LCDR Brett Inman Greetings Shipmates, Family & Friends, Whether you lean to the right or the left politically, when you are in disagreement with our national leaders policies and the direction of the culture seems crazy, many people find themselves asking, “where is God in this mess?” Does God not care about what is going on anymore? Maybe He has given up on the country, or maybe He is not as powerful as we were led to believe. What you are actually questioning is God’s sovereignty. God’s sovereignty refers to His absolute and unrivaled rule over all His creation and circumstances. To affirm that God is sovereign is to affirm that God reigns, universally and invincibly. Sovereignty implies absolute ownership and is conveyed in frequent divine titles such as King of kings, Lord of lords, and Sovereign God. God’s sovereignty is a natural consequence of His omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnipresence (everywhere present). Through these attributes God essentially has the power, wisdom and authority to do anything He chooses with His creation. His control extends even to what may seem to us as chance events and includes events that can harm God’s people or appear to defeat God’s purposes. Nevertheless, God’s purposes can never be thwarted. At the same time, Scripture describes God as offering humanity a certain degree of freedom to make choices, holding them personally responsible for their choices and harmful ways. We tend to assume that, if God is not directly, overtly, purposefully driving some event, then He is somehow not sovereign. This is a simplistic vision of God’s sovereignty which depicts a God that must somehow do everything He can do, or else He is not truly sovereign. God does have the ability to do anything, to take action and intervene in any situation; but He often chooses to act indirectly or allow certain things for reasons that are His own and furthers His intentions. Everything that happens is, at the very least, the result of His permissive will. This holds true even if certain specific human behavior or decisions are not the way He prefers. The right of God to allow mankind’s free choices is just as necessary for true sovereignty as His ability to enact His will, whenever and however He chooses. Although there have been many attempts to understand the relationship between God’s sovereignty and man’s free will by theologians and philosophers, only God has the perspective to be able to truly know how they work together. Scripture both commands and exemplifies our appropriate response to God’s sovereignty: joyful and worshipful submission (see 1 Chr 16:31; Job 42:2-6; Ps 2:10-12; 97:1; 99:1; Isa 45:22-23; Phil 2:10-11; Mal 1:14; 1Tim 1:17; Rev 19:6-7a). The lesson here: Even though we may not understand what is going on, nor are able to see “the big picture,” we can rest in the knowledge that God is still in control, and His good purposes are still being worked out right before our eyes. Lexham Survey of Theology (n.d). God’s Sovereignty. LOGOS Research Edition. Logos.com What does it mean that God is sovereign. (n.d.). Got Questions Ministries. Retrieved Feb., 2021 from GotQuestions.org How do God’s sovereignty and humanity’s free will work together in salvation. (n.d.). Got Questions Ministries. Retrieved Feb., 2021 from GotQuestions.org

PAGE 6 SECRETARY’S LETTER Hi y’all, Hello from Texas, the state that can’t keep the lights on when it gets a little chilly and then wants to charge its customers for its errors. (Sorry! I try real hard to be non-political, but as a transplant from Colorado – where it actually snows and gets cold – I was incredulous when a light dusting of snow and temperatures below freezing but well above zero somehow paralyzed South Texas and blew a large part of the state’s power grid (which was then responsible for several deaths). Maybe someone from Minnesota could explain to Texas what cold really is and how to deal with it.) Also unfortunately, the Association once again had to cancel a reunion due to COVID. I mirror our president Larry Qualter’s concerns and I am hopeful that the vaccination programs and careful but prompt re-opening of schools, churches, and businesses will result in so-called “herd immunity” and we will be able to meet safely in Norfolk in 2022. I have talked to a number of people who have been vaccinated and have heard of no particular bad side effects yet. We miss getting together with all of you. Some of us are getting older (really?) and may not have too many reunions left in us. We hope you are all well and anticipating better days. For those of you who are not so fortunate we pray daily that you will recover quickly. Which brings me back to my job as Secretary. I am having a more difficult time these days keeping the membership roster and mailing lists accurate. I am getting a number of “undeliverable” notices from the post office. It is very often difficult to find out why a newsletter cannot be delivered because the contact information I have (phone numbers, email addresses, etc.) has not been updated. I intend to publish a list of members for whom I have gotten these notices in a future newsletter. Anyway, if any of your contact information changes please send me a note (or you can fill in the “dues” form inside the back page of the newsletter and just mark it as “information change only”). I prefer written notice if possible because my hearing isn’t the greatest on the phone and you would be amazed at the number of ways I can hear your information incorrectly. Honestly I love to talk with you but … Finally, If you know of a member who has moved or passed away please let me know. If you have friends who served on one of the Ticos who are not members, please give them a copy of the dues form and encourage them to join! We are still a bargain at $20/year and will be getting the reunions going as soon as possible!! Finally! I will serve as Secretary as long as I am able, but I still need a backup and eventual replacement. Let me or the current President know if you are willing. That goes for all of our open positions, it is really rewarding in many ways to serve the Association. Best wishes to you all! Hope to see a bunch of you in person in 2022! Dennis SaBell - Secretary Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Mail: P.O. Box 3178, Universal City, TX 78148-2278

PAGE 7 It is with sadness and respect that we report the passing of our shipmates: James Edward Connolly – James was a Life Member who passed away on February 6, 2021. While on-board Tico from 1957 to 1959, he was an RD2 in OI Division. We were notified by his son Stephen. James was born in Scranton, PA on September, 25, 1938. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America and graduated from Scranton Central High School in 1956. James enlisted into the United States Navy in 1956 and studied at the US Navy radar school. He attended business management courses at Michigan State University and Northwestern University and, in 1963, he began his 32-year career at Denman and Davis Steel where he worked his way up to Vice President of Sales. James enjoyed golfing, fishing, and spending time with his family. James is survived by his wife Caroline Anne Connolly, brother John Raven, three sons (James, Christopher, Stephen), and six grandchildren. Talmon Lynford Wood – “Lyn” was not an Association member. He passed away November 30, 2020 at the age of 89. He was aboard in 1954 and 1955 as an AN. He operated the ## Elevator and was in the Recommissioning Crew. George MacClements Nelson, Jr. - George was a not an Association Member who passed away at age 93, of San Antonio, TX passed away December 10, 2020. We were notified of his passing by Life Member Edgar Trotter who saw his obituary in the Ventura County CA newspaper. While onboard in 1944 – 45 he was a SN in F Division. He was wounded in the Kamikaze attack on the ship on January 21, 1945 and sent to a Guadalcanal hospital until he was well enough to go back to the States. The Veterans Administration helped George obtain a civilian job with the US Navy as a draftsman at the Naval Air Development Center (NADC), Warminster, PA. He went to LaSalle College at night where he entered the physics program and majored in electronics. He retired from the federal service in 1986 after a 42 year career with Navy Air. He had worked at NADC, NAS Point Mugu, CA and the Pentagon during those years and received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award while at Pt. Mugu. George married Terese Smith in 1949 and had five children with her. In 1984 he married Roberta Ballard with whom he owned Newbury Park Travel in California. He is survived by his children: George, Thomas, Kimberly, Scott and Terry and 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Adam Komisarcik, Adam was a Life Member who died at age 86, in Reston, VA. He passed away April 7, 2020. We were notified of his passing by Life Member Fred Notter. While onboard in 1963 – 65 he was a LT in Navigation. After attending Purdue University, Adam entered naval flight training and was designated a naval aviator in 1956. He served in five aircraft squadrons (including the VP-40 seaplane squadron on both the east and west coasts) and accumulated over 5,000 flight hours. Adam served three tours in Vietnam and was aboard the USS Ticonderoga when the Vietnam War began and on the USS Midway when the War ended. He was also the commanding officer of the largest squadron in the Navy, Training Squadron Three, in Pensacola, Florida. Adam was a graduate of the Naval War College and of George Washington University where he earned a master’s degree. His last tour, before retiring in 1980, was at the Pentagon where he served as the Aviation Assistant to the Chief of Naval Information. Adam then embarked on a career with Marriott Corporation and retired after 14 years as the Loss Prevention Director for more than 200 Fairfield Hotels and Courtyard Hotels." Adam is survived by wife, Gerry; sons Paul and David and daughter Kim and 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

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PAGE 8 OBITS CONTINUED Clyde Henry Beigh, Clyde was a Life Member who died at age 99, in Beaveron, OR. He passed away 9th November 2020. We were notified of his passing by his daughter, Rita. While onboard in 1945 he served as an LTJG in fighter squadron VF-87 piloting the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat fighter. After he left the ship he returned to civilian life. Though a civilian, Clyde stayed connected to the Navy as a member of the Naval Reserve. When hostilities broke out in Korea Clyde was called back to active duty. He served on the U.S.S. Point Cruz (CVE-119) as a member of VS-23 flying the TBM-3W Avenger aircraft. Clyde returned to the United States in December, 1953. He chose to remain on active duty. Subsequently, he and his family were sent to Hawai’i. Clyde served as the XO of Fleet All Weather Training Unit Pacific (FAWTUPAC). When that assignment came to an end Clyde was temporarily assigned to the Office of Naval Research (ONR) where he trained under LTCDR Grace Hopper as a Computer Scientist. When the Washington, D.C. assignment ended Clyde was assigned to the University of Illinois at Champaign, IL. He served there as the Navy’s programmer on ILLIAC 1, the world’s largest computer at the time. In 1958, LTCDR Clyde H. Beigh resigned his commission and returned to civilian life. Clyde is survived by his child, Rita, his step-son, Daniel, five Grandchildren, seven Great- Grandchildren, and one Great-Great-Grandchild.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS NEW MEMBERS BETWEEN 07/01/2020 and 10/31/2020 WELCOME ABOARD! FIRST NAME LAST NAME DIVISION RATE/RANK YRS ABOARD CITY STATE SHIP John Martin Weapons LT 85‐88 Virgilina VA CG47 Linda McCormick Associate ‐ ‐ Virginia Beach VA ‐ James Wheeler V‐2 Cats AN 56‐59 Hernando FL CVA14

DONATIONS MADE TO USS TICONDEROGA VETERANS' ASSOCIATION FROM 11/01/2020 TO 02/28/2021 THANK YOU! GENERAL MEMORIAL DATA ENTRY CG‐47 SHIP'S BELL FIRST NAME LAST NAME FUND FUND FUND MUSEUM FUND Joseph Aboussleman X John Andrulonis X X John Dupont X LaVerne Golen X Ed Heasley X X Mike Hanley X Dale Pfeiffer X Dennis Segar X Geraldine Scuzzarella X We have received $465 in donations this year so far.

PAGE 9 In November 2020 Life Member Tom Rostkowski ATN2 VA-87 (68-69 on the Tico), was contacted by John Kennedy of Smithfield NC and told that John had a Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Patch which came off of Captain Pete Schhoffel's flight jacket and thought it would be good to make it available to someone who served in Viet Nam and Tom noted he did serve there. John was kind enough to send it to Tom. Captain Schoffel was Commander John Mc Cain's roommate in the Hanoi Hilton. Tom wondered if one of the Tico rooms would be the right place to display it and would the Association want it? When that question got to me I thought of the Viet Nam display at the USS ALABAMA museum in Mobile, AL. After being contacted by us, Shea W. McLean, Curator, USS Alabama Memorial Park stated that they did have a Jeremiah Denton Display in their museum and it has a Hanoi Hilton section and they would be glad to display the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Patch which came off of Captain Pete Schhoffel's flight jacket.

While talking to Shea I asked if they still had a William E. Dennis Display there and he said yes and provided the pictures of the display. ENS William E. Dennis was in V-6 Division on USS TICONDEROGA, CVA-14 in 1962-1963. Pictures of this display are on pages 12-14.

The Editor knew of this museum, pier side to the USS ALABAMA, because of our 2003 reunion in Mobile, AL when we had a tour of the USS ALABAMA Museum area. That reunion and our recent reunion in New Orleans reminded me of the numerous Navy Museums on Highway US 10 between Lake Charles, LA and Pensacola, FL. Page 15 provides a map of those museums. I believe the Infinity Science Center is closed at the present time but hope it will be open again soon. In the 2003 Reunion we did have a tour to the National Navy Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL. It was a one building Museum then but I understand it now has another building. This brings back many great memories of that reunion and makes me hope that we can have another reunion in Mobile, AL soon so we can see the Mississippi Maritime Museum in Pascagoula, MS and the National Navy Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL and of course enjoy some of the great Southern food there. More details on the places to visit on US 10 – See Page 15 USS Orleck, DD-886 Naval Museum, 604 N Enterprise Blvd, Lake Charles, LA, then to the USS Kidd, DD-661 Museum 305 River Rd S, Baton Rouge, LA, 225-342-1942, then to the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine ST, New Orleans, LA, 504-528-1944 (could take two days to do it all), then to the Infinity Science Center (old Stennis Space Center, 1 Discovery Circle, Pearlngton, MS (Just off US 10) (228) 533-9025 (Seems to be closed right now but hopefully will reopen soon), then to the Mississippi Maritime Museum, 609 Dupont Street, Pascagoula, MS, then to the Colonial Fort Conde, 150 S Royal St, Mobile, AL, 251-208-569, then to the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, 55 S Water St, Mobile, AL, (251) 436-8901, then to the USS ALABAMA MEMORIAL PARK, 2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36603, 800-GANGWAY, and finally to the National Navy Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL, (850) 452-3604.

PAGE 10 REPLICA OF PT BOAT OF LT. WILLIAM E DENNIS

PAGE 11 PAGE 12 PAGE 13 PAGE 14 PAGE 15 The postponement of the Norfolk reunion freed up a lot of pages in the April Newsletter as we did not put in a lot of Norfolk pictures and write-ups about the reunion. Fortunately Tom Rostkowski got a request to see if we could find a home for a Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club patch worn by a roommate of John McCain at the Hanoi Hilton prison compound in Vietnam. That led to contacting the Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, AL to see if they were interested in having it in their Museum and they were. That led to see if they had some pictures of William E. Dennis memorial there as I had served with William on the ship in 1963 and knew about his memorial. They did so I was able to add that with the pictures of the Patch in the newsletter. That led to the memory that there are quite a few military museums on US 10 between Lake Charles, LA and Pensacola, FL. It was fun putting the Map with that information together. I hope that some of you will be able to take all or part of that trip in your lifetime. With still some empty pages, it was fun to list some of the statistics/history of our ships. I trust you will enjoy these pages as much as I did developing them. —–-Ed Trotter

PAGE 16 06/30/1993 - 06/08/1995 01/30/2002 - 09/30/2004 01/22/1983 - 01/19/1985 01/19/1985 - 03/07/1987 03/07/1987 - 08/04/1989 08/04/1989 - 07/21/1991 07/21/1991 - 06/30/1993 06/08/1995 - 12/03/1996 12/03/1996 - 06/30/1998 06/30/1998 - 06/09/2000 06/09/2000 - 01/30/2002 Cdr Glenn W.III Zeiders Capt Roland G. Guilbault Capt G. Roland Guilbault Capt M. Raymond Walsh III Capt James M. Arrison Capt C.Morris Foote F. Capt Messina Edward CaptStorm Gary A. Cdr Charles T. Bush Cdr King H. Dietrich Cdr Glen R. Sears II CdrYoshihara David G. April 1952 - 4 April 1952 2 7 July 1962 - 20 July 1963 20 July 1963 - 3 July 1964 3 July 1964 - 14 May 1965 14 May 1965 - 1 June 1966 25 August 1961 - 7 July 1962 8 May 1944 - 21 January 1945 7 February 1945 - 7 May 1946 14 May 1972 - 6 October 1972 31 January 1952 - 2 April 1952 7 May 1946 - 4 November 1946 1 June 1966 - 4 November 1966 4 August 1960 - 25 August 1961 8 October 1956 - 4 October 1957 24 August 1956 - 8 October 1956 6 October 1972 - 14 August 1973 2 14 December 1970 - 14 May 1972 21 January 1945 - 28 January 1945 28 January 1945 - 7 February 1945 27 December 1946 - 9 January 1947 9 September 1955 - 24 August 1956 5 September 1959 - 24 August 1960 4 October 1957 - 20 September 1958 14 August 1973 - 16 November 1973 24 October 1969 - 14 December 1970 23 December 1968 - 24 October 1969 0 November 1966 - 3 November 1967 4 November 1946 - 27 December 1946 3 November 1967 - 23 December 1968 4 November 1966 - 10 November 1966 1 11 September 1954 - 9 September 1955 20 September 1958 - 5 September 1959 n r Jackson, Jr. Jackson, Jr. r Coleman McInnis Green Green Stuart Farringto Miller Miller Thompson Thompson McLaughlin, Jr. Schoech Cain urney Caldwell Decke onnell B Watson rand c ton enneth enneth C enry yes Boyd l u ster nald nald rn c Short Miller Miller icholas A A o o o u F ernice renshaw R R Mille cott T lza apt Dixie Kiefer Commanding Officers of CV/CVA/CVS-14 Officers CV/CVA/CVS-14 Commanding of Officers CG-47 Commanding of Cdr Warren Capt Martin G. ("Butch") O'Neill ("Butch") Capt O'Neill Martin G. Capt James B Capt Ward S C Cdr Harmon Vedder Briner Capt E Giles Capt Sinton William Cdr Warren J.LtCdr William Pendola Decommissioned Capt Paul W esley Cdr Arthur Decommissioned Capt William Capt Andrew M Cdr Harold C Capt William CaptJr. Irwin Chase Capt Wilson M Capt Turner Capt Robert F aulkner Capt Eugene George Fairfax Capt Robert N Capt Norman K Capt Jr. Richard E. Fowler, Capt H William Capt James G. Daniels CaptIII James G. Daniels Capt Philip Weinel John Warren CooperCapt Damon A Capt Edward CaptHemler Frank T. Capt Norman K Capt George W. Bruce, Jr.

PAGE 17 AGENT ORANGE CLAIMS – BLUE WATER NAVY HR‐299 Legislation passed the house and senate, and was signed into law by President Trump becoming effective January 1, 2020. This new law defined the “Territorial Waters” of the Republic of South Vietnam which established a “12 Mile Zone”. This legislation allows for medical benefits for veterans exposed to the herbicide “Agent Orange” while deployed within these territorial waters. In order to file a claim under this legislation, the veteran must show deck log evidence that their ship entered territorial waters while the veteran was deployed aboard the ship. There are 17 Illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure, which are determined to be “Presumptive Illnesses”. This enables the veteran that has any of these illnesses to file a claim with the Veterans Administration, as the new law defines that these illnesses are presumptively service connected. The veteran does not need to show evidence of where or when exposure occurred. 17 Agent Orange Presumptive Illnesses Hodgkin's Disease Multiple Myeloma Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy Prostate Cancer Respiratory Cancers Soft‐tissue Sarcoma AL Amyloidosis Diabetes Mellitus (Type II) B Cell Leukemia’s, such as Hairy Cell Leukemia Parkinson’s Disease Ischemic Heart Disease Hypothyroidism Chloracne Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Bladder Cancer Parkinsonism

The following 27 dates have been verified that the USS Ticonderoga CVA‐14 entered within the 12‐mile zone of territorial waters, on these dates. Deck Log evidence is required to support your claim. This responsibility falls on us veterans, as the VA will not provide evidence to support your claim or do any research to assist. It is not fair, but that is the way their process works. We have this deck log evidence to support your claim. We can help. 27 Dates That the Ticonderoga Entered Territorial Waters 08/09/64 11/05/65 11/08/65 11/09/65 11/18/65 12/25/65 12/26/65 12/27/65 12/28/65 01/26/66 01/27/66 02/01/66 02/02/66 02/07/66 03/06/66 03/08/66 03/09/66 03/10/66 03/12/66 03/13/66 03/14/66 03/16/66 03/17/66 03/19/66 03/20/66 04/01/66 04/16/66 There is no other “Deck Log Evidence” available for any other dates that indicate that the Ticonderoga entered into the 12‐mile zone during 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, or 1972. Research for additional deck log evidence for 1967, 1968, and 1969 is being conducted by various Tico Veterans. For some reason the deck logs for 1971 and 1972 have not become available by National Archives, who claim that they are in the process of having them digitalized.

PAGE 18 There are 3 different matters yet to be determined that would have an impact on Ticonderoga Veterans, if our efforts are successful. #1 The Blue Water Navy group has Lawsuits with the Court of Appeals, and if successful, it could widen the area of Agent Orange expose. Now it is 12 miles, as it could widen the area to 24 miles, or possibly widen the area to that the Vietnam Service medal is awarded. (All of Yankee Station) More to follow. #2 Agent Orange Survivors of Guam is another item that is currently in the Court of Appeals that could add Guam to the area covered for Agent Orange exposure. The Ticonderoga was moored in Guam in Abra Harbor in Late May 1972 with liberty groups a shore. Also, we had a number of Tico veterans that flew into Anderson Air Force Base in Guam in route to meet the ship already deployed in Westpac. If successful with the appeal, we would see the conditions. #3 The Veterans Administration is currently evaluating navigational evidence that the Ticonderoga entered the 12‐mile zone on April 1, 1968. There are several claims being considered by the VA using evidence for this date, and currently under their review. No decision yet and may take a while. More to follow. Since the inception of HR‐299 on January 1, 2020, (thru 12/31/20), there has been 77,548 veteran claims entered, 41,589 being completed, with 35,959 still pending. We have had a number of our Tico Veterans being successful in this group, with more pending. This has been made possible primarily due to the efforts of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association. They have been working on this legislation for many years, lobbying congress to help our Blue Water Veterans. They have incurred significant expenses in this project and are in need of additional membership to pursue benefits for our shipmates. I am a Life Time member of the BWNVVA and I would like to request that you consider joining, as well. You can join on line by contacting www.militaryveteransadvocacy.org. The annual dues are $25, and be sure to click on to the “Blue Water Navy” tab in the registration form. Also, check out “Blue Water Navy” on Facebook, as there is a lot of useful information about filing Agent Orange claims with the VA. Thank you!! George Passantino ‐ Oversight Chairman USS Ticonderoga Veterans Association 3/1/21

PAGE 19 Mt. Beacon Eight 85th and 75th Anniversary Observance To Honor Eight Navy Servicemen including Navy legend, Commodore Dixie Kiefer The Town of Fishkill along with the Friends of the Mt. Beacon Eight hosted a ceremony on Saturday November 7, 2020 at Fishkill’s Veterans Park to honor the eight Navy servicemen, including Commodore Dixie Kiefer, who lost their lives in two separate plane crashes on Mt. Beacon. The first plane crash took place on Saturday September 14, 1935. Two Navy reservists, Pilot Lincoln Denton (27) and Aviation Machinist Mate 2/c Clinton Hart (28) lost their lives as their single engine bi‐ plane crashed on the Scofield Ridge section of Mt. Beacon. Denton, a Harvard graduate was employed as a commercial artist. Hart, a Katonah, NY native, was employed by the NY Stock Exchange. They were making their return flight from Albany, NY to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. Denton was single. Hart was married. He and his wife Marguerite had no children. On November 11, 1945, (Armistice Day) a second Navy plane crashed one mile northwest from the 1935 Navy plane crash. Six Navy servicemen including highly decorated Navy legend Commodore Dixie Kiefer, lost their lives when their Beechcraft Expeditor transport crashed while they were on their return flight from Curtis Wright Airport in Caldwell, NJ to their base in Quonset Point, RI. The six men travelled to the NYC area on Saturday November 10, 1945 to attend an Army/Notre Dame football game that was played at Yankee Stadium. The traditional popular Army / Navy game was just weeks away. The other five men were Pilot/ Navy Ace Lloyd Heinzen (27), Co‐Pilot Lt. (jg)Hans Kohler (25), passengers Lt. Commander Dr. Ignatius Zielinski (45), Sea 1/c David Wood (23) and AMM 3/c, Clarence Hooper (22). Hooper was married and the only one of the eight men who had children. He had one son and one daughter. His daughter Patricia Hooper Wiggins was scheduled to attend this ceremony, but the recently implemented Covid travel restrictions required Mrs. Hooper Wiggins to cancel her flight plans. The Town of Fishkill had planned to present a Proclamation to Mrs. Hooper Wiggins in deepest appreciation of her father AMM Clarence Hooper’s service and ultimate sacrifice that he made on behalf of our country. Kiefer served on five of the first 14 US aircraft carriers. The Lexington – CV – 2, the Saratoga – CV – 3, the Yorktown CV – 5, the Yorktown CV‐ 10, (The Fighting Lady Documentary) and the Ticonderoga CV – 14. Heinzen served on the USS Intrepid CV‐11 and the USS Bunker Hill CV – 17. Heinzen flew over twenty‐five combat missions, He himself was shot down only to survive to fight another day. He was given the title, Navy Ace for shooting down six Japanese fighter planes during his time in the Pacific Theater. Kohler served on the USS Essex CV – 9. While first serving as a Chief Gunner’s Mate in the south Atlantic Theater, Kohler was responsible for damaging a German submarine. From there he became a US Naval Aviator and completed twenty aerial combat missions. He was responsible for sinking a number of Japanese ships and inflicting severe damage to Japanese installations on a number of islands in the Pacific Area. For additional background regarding the life of legendary Dixie Kiefer, Don Keith with David Rocco, published a biography, The Indestructible Man: The True Story of World War Hero “Captain Dixie.” (Erin Press, 2017) You can also visit the Friends of the Mt. Beacon Eight Facebook page for more info. Keith and Rocco’s book was recently taken over by major publisher Rowman & Littlefield. The release date of the new update version is set for April 1, 2021. PAGE 20 NEXT PAGE FOR PHOTOS >>>>>

PAGE 21 Mt. Beacon Eight 85th & 75th Anniversary Observance

PAGE 22 PLEASESEND THIS FORM AND YOUR DUES TO: DENNIS W. SABELL - SECRETARY P. O. BOX 3178 UNIVERSAL CITY, TX 78148-2278 Make Check Payable to: USS Ticonderoga Veterans’ Association PLEASE PRINT NAME: DIVISION: RANK: (highest while aboard) YEARS ABOARD: to (reported ‐left) APT. # / LOT #: SPOUSE'S NAME: ADDRESS/ P.O. BOX: CITY: STATE: ZIP: Alternate Address: Use Alternate address (Y/N) for Newsletters mailed in: Apr Au g December

Optional Information: If the information below is provided you will be giving permission for This information to be shared only with other members.

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Dues Included for Period: P= Paper copy E=Email copy ($20). . . Dues for Jan. ‐ Dec. 2021 ($20). . . Dues for Jan. ‐ Dec. 2025 ($20). . . Dues for Jan. ‐ Dec. 2022 ($20). . . Dues for Jan. ‐ Dec. 2026 ($20). . . Dues for Jan. ‐ Dec. 2023 ($20). . . Dues for Jan. ‐ Dec. 2027 ($20). . . Dues for Jan. ‐ Dec. 2024 ($20). . . Dues for Jan. ‐ Dec. 2028 . . . Or Lifetime Membership Amount (See Below) Personal Gift Contributions to: Memorial Fund THIS FORM CAN BE General Fund PRINTED FROM USS CG‐47 Museum Room USS CV‐14 Ship’s Bell Refurbishment WWW.BIGT.NET Data Entry Shipmate Locator Fund MEMBERSHIP PAGE. TOTAL Please Remember: For dues or contribution, notify treasurer and secretary of any change of address. Lifetime Membership Amounts:

Age 29 & under = $ 1,100 Age 59 & under = $ 500 Age 39 & under = $ 900 Age 69 & under = $ 300 Age 49 & under = $ 700 Age 70 & older = $ 100

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NORFOLK, VA MAY 12-16 2022 NORFOLK AIRPORT DOUBLETREE Reservations: (757) 457-8941