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

Vol. XXI January 2010 #1 Special Points of Interest A NAVY TALE  Bob Nowak shares a BY ROBERT NOWAK tale about an as- signed task that was In early l954, I was assigned by Third Na- We had been assigned the job. a bit more than was val District, to which I’d been sent for shore “Take a movie projector and film; bring bargained for. See duty, to the US Submarine Base in New Lon- along Messier and Dave Thomas to help the cover story. don CT, for further assignment. When I re- you.” Messier was a Torpedoman 2nd from ported in to the base personnel office, I met Brooklyn and Thomas was a black man, a  When a guy’s having with a LCDR who was the base personnel Gunner’s Mate 3rd, from New Jersey. lunch, don’t disturb officer. Messier was somewhat of a drinker. He him! That’s the mes- “You’re not a submariner. You’re a 25, quickly volunteered to go to North Stoning- sage in the “Little the classification for a destroyer man. We ton with our Navy truck to “scout out” the Tug That Wouldn’t” have one destroyer here, but I’m assigning church and set up the projector. I smelled as seen on page two. you to Building 37, a training facility. You’ll be trouble; giving Messier the day off to drive instructed by the CO there, Cdr. Bill Davis, as over to the town would set him loose in the  We asked the ques- tion, “How did the to what your duties will be. That’s all.” nearest bar and Lord knows what would Navy benefit/change Building 37 was on the upper base, away happen then. “Mess” had been busted your life?” See the from the active submarines, or “boats”. I re- twice for starting brawls in bars. I tried to responses beginning ported in; was signed in by a Yeoman 1st, convince our CPO, Mike Jennings not to on page four. We’d Tom McCready, who introduced me to Cdr. send “Mess” but let Thomas go, but love to hear from Davis, a short husky blond officer, wearing Jennings wanted “Mess” out of his hair for more of you for the the dolphins of a qualified submariner. the day. next issue. I later learned he been surfaced by a The meeting at the church wasn’t until

heart condition. He was a pleasant officer, 1800 ( 6:00 P.M.) that night, so Thomas  Bob Nowak tells the told me he was happy to have me, and out- and I got in my car and took our time driv- story of meeting actor Albert Dekker lined the mission of his command. He had ing over there around an hour early. We in a story on page eight enlisted men who served as instructors got to the church okay, but no signs of the six. for reservists. While at the Flushing Barracks Navy truck anywhere. in Brooklyn, I had attended instructor training I knew we had to find that truck; find  Fourteen new names classes. I’d work with a similar group aboard “Mess,” get our gear and put on that show. for the roster are USS Guardfish, SS-217, a training subma- We toured some of the back roads near found beginning on rine moored on the lower base. I began to the church, and finally, by the roadside, I page six in Welcome feel more and more like a square peg in a saw a barroom, set back from the road. I Mat. round hole. I went through some preliminary pulled over. Something told me to go training of my own at the sub school and around the back. There it was, our Navy  See what you will be taught a few classes in navigation and basic truck. doing at the 2010 signal communications by flashing light; the As Dave and I went in to the bar, my reunion in Portland, ME by reading the boats had no yardarms for signal flags. worst fears were realized. The bartender article on page One day, Cdr. Davis called me in and said was calling the police; two Coast Guard seven. that the base had received a request from a enlisted men lay sprawled on the deck, church group in North Stonington, CT to send unconscious, and Messier beaten and  There’s a suggestion over some recruiters to explain the Naval bloody, was sitting at the bar, nursing a for your 2011 reunion Reserve to a meeting of their parishioners. (Continued on page 2) location on page 8. Volume XXI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 2

(Continued from page 1) THE LITTLE TUG THAT WOULDN’T drink, obviously drunk as a skunk. By Richard Reeks, LCDR, USN, Ret XO USS Trathen (DD 530) As I approached him, he looked at me and smiled, and said “Hey, Kaohsuing, Formosa in 1962 was ship, But headed south, we steamed Polak, I kicked the crap out of these a temporary home to US Navy de- in a cloud of our exhaust that stayed knee deep sailors, and I’m ready to stroyers engaged in a duty assign- right with us. We all were most eager preach the gospel at the church. ment known as Formosa Patrol. It for the week to end. Unfortunately, Have a drink, and let’s go!!” was a bustling, crammed and our replacement DD had underway Thomas and I got him out of cramped fishing and commercial port problems and we had to remain on there before the police arrived. We at the southern tip of the island. The patrol for a few extra days. threw him in the back of the truck, harbor was a small version of San The trip back to Kaoshuing was a where he promptly passed out. Diego Bay, with a narrow entrance most welcome relief from the stag- Dave drove the truck and we leading to a large sheltered body of nant air of the past ten days. Upon headed back to the church. water running north to south along a entering the harbor, we were as- We got there on time and got our fairly rugged shoreline. The harbor signed two buoys near the shipyard. projector and screen set up in time was home to a busy shipyard that Executing a 180-degree turn so the to meet the crowd. provided services to US ships that bow would be pointed toward the Dave and I gave our recruiting came in for R&R or needed repair harbor entrance, we attached a line pitches (Dave, a black man before a work. At any time there would be a to the forward buoy, and began to Connecticut Yankee crowd) and dozen or more ships of mixed par- back down to get the line over to the when it ended, we showed our entage moored to buoys offshore. aft buoy. The outflowing tide, how- movie, a typical “NAVY WINS THE There was no pier available, other ever, did not cooperate and we sim- WAR” film about World War II. than in the shipyard, for destroyers ply could not back down safely in the When it ended, I asked the crowd if such as the Trathen on which I was relatively crowded harbor to gain there were any questions. serving as Executive Officer. access to the aft buoy. So – we con- A bib-front overalled old farmer Formosa Patrol, as some of you tacted the shipyard for a tug to assist type, looking out the window to- who served in WesPac in those days us. wards our truck, said “A-yah. I have may recall, was a typical Cold War A rather small, dirty, coal-burning a question. What’s going on in your assignment -- days of routine and tug was dispatched to assist us. Pull- truck??” boredom interrupted by occasional ing alongside, on the starboard side We had locked Messier in the moments of concern. The Patrol pri- of the quarterdeck area, its one-man truck. Obviously he had woken up marily consisted of a round-trip be- deck crew threw over lines to attach from his stupor and was kicking the tween two islands claimed by the the tug to us. Believing this would hell out of the truck, trying to get Nationalist Chinese of Chiang Kai- lead to an immediate backing down out. Shek – Quemoy and Matsu. Steam- action, we positioned crew on the I explained it as a sick shipmate ing between these two islands at stern to rig lines to the buoy. But the we were bringing back to the base, twelve knots, our job was to be alert tug just sat there, not doing anything. a fellow who had suffered from se- to and report any effort by the Its crew disappeared. vere claustrophobia on his last tour mainland to invade either island or to I was sent by the Captain to find at sea. We packed our gear and got threaten a larger move east to For- out what was happening and was out of there. mosa. Given the tensions of the time, told to get the tug to do as asked. The next morning, our skipper, however, it seemed our major task Calling from our quarterdeck, I was Bill Davis, called me in and asked was to prevent the Nationalists from able to gain the attention of the one- how it had gone that prior night. I heading west to create some kind of man deck crew who appeared from told him all had went well. He said disturbance. the deck house with a large bowl of “How did Messier do?” In any event, the patrols lasted rice. He was obviously having lunch. I replied, “ As well as could be usually a week or so before we’d be I explained that we wanted to get tied expected, Sir.” rotated with another DD in our Divi- up so we could stand the crew down Davis looked up at me, smiled, sion. It was often the case that we and get ready for some “time on the and said “You’re a baldfaced fibber, faced very hot, humid weather with a beach.” He was not conversance in but I’ll accept your report. Dis- 10 to 15 knot wind blowing either up English, so my message was not missed!!” the strait or down it. On one particu- getting across. I resorted to some (The names, dates and events lar patrol in late summer of 1962, we sign language in hopes of getting my stated herein are based on truth, were dealt a 12-knot wind blowing point across, pointing to the bridge but the names are changed to pro- straight down the southerly course and making signs that hopefully sug- tect the innocent…) we took twice a day. When traveling gested the Captain wanted action. ______at 12 knots headed north, we had a Suddenly, the fellow evidenced

wonderful 24-knot breeze over the (Continued on page 3) Volume XXI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 3

(Continued from page 2) STATEMENT OF understanding. The word Captain PUBLICATION had caught his attention. He, now The Bailey News is the official publi- knowing what I wanted, disappeared cation of the USS K D Bailey Associa- into the deck house and I felt some tion. From now on it will be published pride in having communicated a MAIL CALL quarterly in January, March, May, Sep- tember. The Newsletter is funded by rather complex idea to someone with Ernie, Association dues. All members are whom I could not communicate. Mo- My name is Mark Nelsen, from encouraged to support the voice of the ments later I found my pride mis- Glendale Heights, IL. I attended 2 of Bailey News. A financial statement ap- placed. The deckhand reappeared the Bailey reunions, #8 in 2001 pears in each issue of the newsletter. with a large bowl of rice and two (Indianapolis) and #10 in 2003 The newsletter is intended to be a chopsticks, and a beaming face. “For (Baltimore) with my wife, mother vehicle for the members to express Captain,” he said, as he handed it to and my father, Plank owner John opinions, make suggestions and espe- cially share experiences. me. And then he went back into the Nelsen (45/46). deck house to finish his lunch. Unless otherwise stated, the views I am e-mailing to let you and the and opinions printed in the newsletter I returned to the bridge with the rest of the Bailey crew know that my are those of the article’s writer, and do bowl of rice to a very unhappy Cap- dad passed away on New Year’s not necessarily represent the opinion of tain, and the grand amusement of Eve, 12/31/2009 at the age of 83. the Association leadership or the Editor the crew. Half-an-hour later, the skip- He had been in a nursing home the of the Newsletter. per of the tug showed up (he appar- last 3 years in Minnesota and died All letters and stories submitted will ently had finished his lunch!), pushed peacefully that day after a long bat- be considered for publication, except us over to the aft buoy where we tied tle with several health issues. unsigned letters will not be published. Letters requesting the writer’s name be up, and then departed without the I can tell you that those reunions rice bowl they had sent to the Cap- withheld will be honored, but published and reconnection to former friends on a space available basis. Signed let- tain. meant a great deal to him, and me. I ters with no restrictions will be given I am oft reminded of this small learned a lot about my dad during priority. international incident when I hear those two reunions and cherished Letters demeaning to another ship- those memorable words from “Cool those moments we got to spend mate will not be printed; letters espous- Hand Luke” – “what we’ve got here is together. He would have attended ing a political position will not be printed. a failure to communicate.” The more, but his health just did not al- The editor reserves the right to edit memory will, hopefully, never fade. low it. letters to conform to space limitations and grammar. I have been on the reunion mail- ML&RS, Inc. is not responsible for ing list since then, and if it’s OK, the accuracy of articles submitted for 2010 REUNION would still like to be. At some point, publication. It would be a monumental maybe even in 2010, I would like to task to check each story. Therefore, we USS K.D. BAILEY attend one as a guest again, not for rely on the author to research each arti- me, but in honor of my dad. Even cle. though I did not serve in the Navy, You are encouraged to actively MAY 13-16 the welcoming spirit of the Bailey participate in the newsletter family by alumni made me feel as I did. Dad’s submitting your stories and sugges- tions. renewed interest in the Navy, I ______PORTLAND, ME think, had something to do with my son, Christopher Nelsen’s enlist- BEST WESTERN ment in 2003. He is currently finish- ATTENTION E-MAIL USERS MERRY MANOR INN ing a 6 year stint on the USS Jimmy Please remember to notify KD Carter out of Bangor SUBASE, Bailey Association when you have a Financial Statement: Washington. change in e-mail address. Send The cost of this issue is $412.80— Thank the crew again for renew- change to Ernie Pina at mailed to 211 members. ing the spirit in my dad. We will [email protected] or ML&RS, Inc at never forget those memories. [email protected]. Thank you. Published by: ______Military Locator & Reunion Service, Inc Mark Nelson PO Drawer 11399 2139 Cardinal Dr Hickory, NC 28603-6402 KD BAILEY WEB SITE Glendale Heights, IL 60139 828-256-6008 (voice) 828-256-6559 (Fax) [email protected] Check out Ernie Pina’s website for the [email protected] KD Bailey at: WWW.MLRSINC.COM/KDB For Ernie Pina from Larry Eckard: http://members.cox.net/cpopina/ kdbailey.htm Our Reunions Work So You Don’t Have To. Ravens—33 Patriots—14 Volume XXI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 4

HOW THE NAVY the electronics field since 1958. I passing by Hank Flower’s Meat Mar- have retired three times and am still ket, and my classmate and long time CHANGED MY able to work (part time, now) at a buddy Tony Damiano (who is unfor- good wage. tunately now deceased) who worked LIFE I was recently on a project with a for Hank was sitting on the porch. young man in the mountains of east- We shot the breeze for a couple of ern Arizona and western New Mex- minutes and Tony said, “Smitty, let’s Editor’s Note: This story idea came ico. I remarked to him while enjoying from fellow shipmate, Jerry Rogers. go down to Scranton tomorrow and a beautiful view from a mountaintop join the Navy.” In about a heartbeat I We sent out an e-mail asking how that the best part of this kind of work the Navy benefitted/changed your said, “OK”...that was without ques- was that we were getting paid to see tion the best decision I ever made in life. Here are your responses: things like this! Few people get to, my life. So much for careful planning. and for me, it started with the training The carefully laid plans to attend col- Larry (Norm) Grudem, ET2 1957- in the Navy. 60: lege were tossed aside with about 3 Sure, there were some times I seconds of thought. God does at I had the good fortune to be a didn’t particularly enjoy while in the Navy Electronics Technician, which times move in mysterious ways. Navy, but I would do it again without We did join the Navy and I was prepared me for gainful employment hesitation. The Navy offered the op- after my release from active duty on promised a Navy school in the portunity for me to provide for me “electronics field.” My knowledge of the KD Bailey. My Navy experience and my family, and I’m grateful/ enabled me to get hired by RCA electronics and what electronics was, thankful for it! amounted to listening to country mu- Service Company, who supplied all How can any of us forget the the technicians and engineers for sic on the radio and watching televi- times at sea and the places we put sion, but it sounded important...I the Atlantic Missile Range. I worked into? I still have many pictures I took, downrange on Carter Cay (near would be an Electronics Field Sea- although some of them are getting a man Recruit (EFSR). At Boot Camp I Grand Bahama Island), Grand Ba- little faded. I also have most of the hama Island, and Ascension Island eventually was sent to personnel and things I had in my seabag that I sent asked what rating I would like to go from July 1960 till September 1962. ahead of me home when I was re- I was accepted as a freshman at for. I remember saying something leased from active duty. You don’t like, “Well, one of my best friends is California State Polytechnic Univer- hang on to things like that unless sity, Pomona, California. I was at- a Gunner’s Mate.” The old (maybe they represent a profound and mean- 30) personnel man first looked at me tending Cal Poly full time during the ingful part of your life. They did/still day, so I had to find a swing shift and said, “You got a 133 combined do for me. GTC and Math score. You ain’t job. Luckily, General Dynamics Cor- God bless the USA! poration in Pomona had a need for gonna be no Gunner’s Mate,” and ______put me down for ET school. Another electronic technicians to work swing shift in their Engineering Standards carefully considered decision by a 17 LeRoy Smith ET2, 1956-59: year old kid. Lab, and I was hired. I have to say How did joining the Navy change that the supervisor of the lab was a After my very first airplane flight in my life...Wow! a D3 airplane operated by Allegany retired Navy pilot who believed in I am active in the church and from the quality of Navy training. I Airlines, I went to ET school and was time to time I preach the sermon. My assigned to the Kenneth D Bailey worked for GD till June 1966, at favorite sermon is the one on how which time I graduated from Cal DDR713 where I spent 39 months. God must have intervened in my life There was plenty of the usual, two Poly and was hired by Arthur Ander- when I joined the Navy. I remember sen & Co., one of the premier CPA med cruises, a training tour to Gitmo, it like yesterday. a Midshipman cruise that went to firms in the world. In the summer of 1955 I took a Without the Navy training I re- Quebec, Canada, and the worst job as a busboy at a summer resort three weeks at sea I can imagine ceived, my life after the Navy would to earn money for college, but in the have been much different. when we escorted the USS Roose- middle of August, two hurricanes velt to the Azores and the USS ______passed through the Poconos in PA Franklin back across the North Atlan- (Carol and Diane, I think) a few days tic in November in a storm that lasted R. J. (Bob) Morse, ETR2, 1958-60: apart and caused the worst flooding I graduated from the Navy’s the whole trip. There was also a little the area has ever seen. We were bit of the not so usual like the colli- Electronics Technician ‘A’ school in trapped at the resort for about 3½ Great Lakes in April of 1958. That sion at sea with the MSTS Haiti Vic- weeks and when I got home a notice tory as we were leaving Gibralter on (excellent) training has provided me that the college was not going to my lifelong work and employment. the way home after my second Med open on time was waiting for me, so I Cruise (knocked a big hole in us and I’ve been blessed by not ever hav- was wondering what to do. One day I (Continued on page 5) ing to be out of work. I’ve worked in was walking down the street and Volume XXI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 5

show me the way.” (Continued from page 4) Phil Tracy: damaged the paint on them). Losing To how the Navy changed my life, My teachers, my mentors, my steering control as we were crossing you would have to write a “chapter guides and my inspiration were in front of the carrier USS Randolf book” as my youngest granddaugh- Chief “Sandy” Sanders, RMC and and having her miss us so close that ter calls them. I was a farm boy, milk- Chief “Doc” Wilder, HMCA. I could her flightdeck passed over our ing cows twice a day, haying during never have had better guides. stern—you talk about scared, there the summer months and shooting Frankly, what I learned from them, is nothing like having a big ole air- woodchucks both as a pastime, but and probably never thought to thank craft carrier bearing down on you also to protect the livestock from them for, has helped me to this day. when you’re riding a tin can, to get stepping into their holes. During the As a now retired hospital adminis- you into religion...and becoming a fall, it was apple picking. Needless to trator (CFO of a hospital health care believer when your prayer is an- say, although there were seasons, conglomerate and President of all swered and she misses you. the cows always had to be milked, outpatient facilities), “asking your But after I got out of the Navy, fed and the barn cleaned year-round. leading petty officer (read this as that time serving my country set me Although the youngest in my fam- doctor, nurse, tech or whatever) for up for life. I went to work as an Elec- ily, I was the first to go off to college. guidance and direction,” gave me tronics Technician and retired 32 In my senior year, I applied for OCS the solid foundation on which to years later as an Advisory Test/Test and was accepted. OCS was a build my career, not only as an ad- Equipment Engineer, married a breeze, and in the last month, I had ministrator, but also as a father. hometown girl and raised a large to place a phone call to the Detailer I can never thank my father and family who I’m still proud of; six of at Bupers to select priorities as to uncle for the advice, for the Navy them, keepers all. Had a good where I wanted to serve after com- giving me the opportunity to lead, enough job that I was able to “buy missioning. Upon making the con- and for my teachers Sander Sand- them books, send them to school” nection, the Detailer asked me my ers and Doc Wilder. and watch them get jobs making first preference and I told him that I ______more money than I ever dreamed of, wanted to be sent to the Navy Com- all because of that Navy training I munications Station in Kodiak, Ernie Pina: had. One of the things I am happiest Alaska. There was a long pause and Joining the Navy was something about in my own life was that I could then he said, “What the hell do you I looked forward to ever since my do that while my wife was able to want to go there for?” I told him that I older brother joined. He enlisted in stay home and do a proper job of had heard that the hunting and fish- 1951 and was aboard the destroyer raising them. That was due to the job ing there was great. His reply was a USS MOALE (DD-693) for his four I never would have had without the simple, “So what is your second years. Seeing him in those dress Navy. I never was able to travel choice?” I told him that I would want blues was really cool. Upon gradu- much outside the USA after the to be on a destroyer that was as far ating from high school, my father Navy, but when other folks did, I was away from cows as I could get and wanted me to attend college, but I frequently able to think, “been there, that would take me off to all the couldn’t be talked out of my desire done that.” Often read articles in countries in the world. Well, I didn’t to go Navy. newspapers and thought— I was see all the countries, but my tour I never dreamed of making the there. aboard the Bailey was almost every- Navy a career, but my love for the In short, my time and training in thing I had dreamed about except service never faded and no doubt the Navy took a kid born in a house the fishing and hunting was not up to will stay with me for the rest of my with no indoor plumbing, no central my expectations. For those who re- life. I’ve had the opportunity to meet heat and no electricity, whose par- member, I do recall the Golden Gull and become friends with what I con- ents had no pot to go in nor window Club, but that’s as far as I can com- sider to be truly outstanding indi- to chuck it out and gave me a really ment on this activity. The Detailer did viduals, some of which I served with good life where I have never really listen to a part of my first choice and on the K.D. Bailey and now have wanted for anything, was able to pro- I was sent to Communications had the pleasure of meeting those vide well for a large family and am School. who served before me and after me. enjoying a happy retirement. Oh, by Before leaving for the ship, after Some of the folks I’ve met along the the way, I have always been damn Comm School, my uncle and father, way have great stories to tell, some proud that I volunteered to serve both having been enlisted men, told with wartime stories, others simply what I believe to be the best country me this: “As soon as you get aboard with what they’ve done since their God has ever allowed on this planet. the ship, look up your leading petty Navy days. Let’s all hope he helps us find our officer and tell him that you don’t When your time comes to return way again. know nothing from nothing (shit from to civilian life, you start questioning ______shinola is actually what my uncle yourself if this is what you should be said) and if this division is going to doing. When that day became a be successful, then you need to (Continued on page 6) Volume XXI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 6

(Continued from page 5) I checked in, late on a Friday, to who sat in the audience with us, ask- reality, it struck me like nothing else find no one in the front office of the ing questions about authenticity and in my life. The emotions were unbe- building (Three Quonset huts reality, etc. The young players did a lievable. As I state on the website, it hooked together, backed up against pretty fair job. Afterwards, Mr. Dek- was “A proud, yet very sad day in my the Hudson River)) and therefore no ker asked if we could give him a ride life.” To look out at those shipmates’ one to give my orders to or log me back to the Yonkers train station, faces that were attending my cere- in. since he could catch a late train mony and knowing we would no I walked through the place until down to New York City where he longer be serving together again, finally I saw a guy sprawled on a was staying. I had my ’51 Plymouth, was really hard. couch in a recreation room, watch- so we all squeezed in pretty tight. nd What made my transition go so ing TV. He jumped up and said Tom Cooper, a 2 class Storekeeper smoothly was the fact I became a “Who the hell are you??” When I told sat next to Dekker and draped his Veterans Employment Rep for the him I was reporting in he said “I’m a arm around Mr. Dekker’s shoulders. State of Rhode Island. My Navy rate New York State employee, not Tom was a great guy, but a bit of a (NCC) was a perfect match for the Navy. Come back on Monday when loose cannon (some years later he position. It also provided me with the there’s Navy people here.” Turns out was commissioned in the Supply opportunity to speak before military the New York State Naval Militia Corps.) He looked at Dekker and personnel at Naval Station Newport owned the building, and the Navy said “Al, is it true most of the actors (Transition Assistance Program) and was a tenant. There should have in Hollywood are fags??” I almost to instruct week long classes to been a Navy man on watch, but the drove off the road in surprise. those retiring or just leaving after a state employees and the Navy guys I could see Mr. Dekker’s face in hitch or two. It gave me the feeling often “stood by” for one another, a my rear view mirror, he was a bit red- that I was still in the Navy—looking pretty unique deal. faced, but he laughed and said out at those uniforms. On Monday, I reported in; found “Tom, I can’t speak for others, but I In looking back, there isn’t a thing there were 11 Navy guys of various know having your arm around me I’d change. rates and a full LT in charge. Their makes me a little queasy!!” We all ______duty was to teach two divisions of broke out laughing , except Tommy, Navy reservists each week. I would who sat quiet the rest of the way to Dennis O’Connell SN 1st Div: teach the Quartermasters both Yonkers. Serving in the U.S. Navy I learned nights, the only one to teach both Albert Dekker played in some 70 that the U.S. is the greatest country nights. Still, pretty soft duty. movies. He died at age 62 of myste- in the world with the greatest Navy! One day, a husky well dressed rious circumstances. I always spoke ______civilian walked in to the building. He up if I saw him in a movie, saying my introduced himself as Albert Dekker. ’51 Plymouth was worth more dough I recognized him as a frequent having had a Hollywood star riding in MEETING ALBERT movie actor in “B” grade movies. He it. said he was directing a group of ______DEKKER amateurs in a play called “Mr. Rob- By Bob Nowak erts” in a small theatre up in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Many of you have seen In September of l953, I was finally the movie by that name starring sent from sea duty to Third Naval Dis- Henry Fonda as Mr. Roberts, and trict in New York for shore duty. From James Cagney as the grouchy cap- 90 Church Street (3rd Naval HQ) I was tain of a small cargo ship, sailing WELCOME MAT first assigned to USS Kyne, a reserve between “tedium and apathy” in the The USS KD Bailey family training ship in Brooklyn Navy Yard. I South Pacific during WWII. Mr. Dek- proudly welcomes the following re- hauled over to 90 Church and put in ker wanted to know if we had any cently located shipmates. We hope my bitch which said “shore duty”. For spare Navy gear he could borrow to to see you at the next reunion. You the first time, I learned “pull” meant a decorate the stage to give it a nauti- are invited to become an active lot in their version of the Navy, as well cal look. After our skipper gave it the member of the association. as membership in an organization okay, we found signal flags, a signal whose name is well known. Most light, some spare uniforms, chipping Daniel McNamara (1968-70) MM2 Presidents of the U.S. have belonged. hammers and other junk. Loaded it 1004 Morse St To make a short story short, after pull- into our Navy pickup and took it up Oceanside, CA 92054 ing a string or two of my own, I was to Dobbs Ferry. In return, Mr. Dek- 760-707-4013 assigned to a Naval Reserve Training ker gave us half a dozen tickets to [email protected] Center in Yonkers, NY, not my first the show. choice of Cromwell, CT, much closer The next week, four of us went to home. up and were guests of Mr. Dekker, (Continued on page 7) Volume XXI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 7

Jasper Rogers (1953-55) SN Mark Stenson (1964-66) ETN3 Thurman Van Riper (1960-62) BM3 4373 Bonney Rd Apt 101 318 Stonehenge Dr Died January 12, 2008 Virginia Beach, VA 23452 Crossville, TN 38558 757-502-4696 931-456-6212 Paul Kimmerly (1956) EMC Died September 17, 2009 [email protected]

Larry Collier (1966-69) RD3 ______125 Westmoreland Cir Thomas Erwinski (1962-64) SN 2nd Div Kissimmee, FL 34744 Died September 30, 2009

407-744-0441 Bernard Parry (1954-56) BT3

Died January 2009 Walter Robinson (1960-64) MM3

1067 Langtry Ave John Nelsen (1945-46) Columbus, OH 43207 Died December 31, 2009 614-491-6583 TAPS Anyone learning of the death of a for- John Falls (1968-70) FN mer crewmember is requested to notify 6006 Westacre Rd The Bailey News was informed of the Bailey News so their passing can be Toledo, OH 43615 the deaths of the following former acknowledged in TAPS and also on the 419-841-4115 crewmembers since the last newslet- Honor Roll at the next reunion memorial service. ter. The entire crew extends our ______Larry Wells (1960-61) SN deepest sympathy to the families and 8301 Airport Rd friends of the deceased. Quinton, VA 23141 804-932-4295 George Gerelds (1946-47) EM2 2010 PORTLAND, ME Died May 12, 2005 REUNION PREVIEW Vincent Griffin (1966-68) BM3 Charles Early (1946) BKR2 6303 Estate Ln Died June 30, 1995 ML&RS, Inc is planning a great reunion Lake Charles, LA 70607 for you, and we hope many of you will 337-478-5877 John Ambrosini (1954-55) SN plan to attend. Don’t miss this great oppor- Died December 13, 2008 tunity to see Maine and enjoy the com- Eddie Truex (1966-69) BT2 pany of old buddies. Here are two trips planned for your enjoyment while in 7831 Freedom Arney Rd George Smailes, Jr (1948-49) MMC Died May 13, 2005 Maine: Freedom, IN 47431 812-829-2918 Wilmer Swetland (1953-54) FN Maine Maritime Musuem & Freeport James Toth (1969-70) EN3 Died April 24, 2007 Trip: 1917 Clague Rd Board the bus and drive north to Westlake, OH 44145 Bernard Purcell the shipbuilding city of Bath, ME. 440-331-0846 Died November 5, 1996 Once in Bath you’ll visit the Maine Maritime Museum located on the his- Rett Rundell (1960-63) RM3 Omer Ramsay (1945-46) FN toric Kennebec River. The Museum 10015 Gifford Dr Died July 6, 2008 features exhibits and displays that tell Spring Hill, FL 34608 the history of shipbuilding in Bath and 352-683-9660 Frederick Brady (1955-57) LTJG Died August 16, 2009 the state of Maine. In the late 1800s, Bath was famous for building the larg- Thomas Miller (1956-57) SO3 Norman Johnson (1948-50) SN est wooden sailing ships in the world. 459 Tischler Ave SE Died July 23, 1992 Their 6-masted schooner, the Wyo- Fairbault, MN 55021 ming, was the largest wooden sailing 507-334-2541 Robert Alexander (1953-56) RMSN ship ever built and five of the ten larg- Died July 3, 2009 est wooden ships ever built were Jerry Banks SN Marion Sivley (1950-52) BT1 launched at the Percy & Small Ship- 1535 Carolwood Blvd yard in Bath. In the 20th century Bath Casselberry, FL 32730 Died September 4, 2009 became famous for producing some 407-767-9664 Ralph Zachman (1946-49) FC2 of the best destroyers, frigates and Died March 11, 2009 cruisers in the world. By the end of David McNamara (1964-66) ETR3 WWII Bath Iron Works was launching 4115 East Meadow Wood Dr Fred Kester (9153-55) MM3 E Div a new destroyer every two weeks. Meridian, ID 83646 January 10, 2010 That tradition continues today at Bath 208-377-3221 Iron Works where they still build de- [email protected] Raymond Bill (1965-67) RD1 November 12, 2008 (Continued on page 8) Volume XXI Issue 1 BAILEY NEWS Page 8

(Continued from page 7) stroyers and cruisers for the United FROM ML&RS, INC States Navy. While at the museum you OK Guys, here it is! We have of clothing, accessories, gifts, and will receive a guided tour of Bath Iron found an outstanding reunion site collectibles. You will want to plan in Works and you will then be free to ex- for you – Plano, Texas! Your first advance for the famous South Fork plore the museum on your own. The question is probably “Where the Chuck Wagon-style buffet followed museum has a very large selection heck is Plano, Texas”? It is a sub- by some cowboy music. This is a devoted to BIW’s contribution to the urb of Dallas in proximity to all of special event for groups, not to be war effort during WWII. After visiting the major Dallas-Ft Worth attrac- confused with the dinner that is the museum, we will drive to Freeport tions. Historic downtown Plano open to the public. Anyone who where we will enjoy lunch on your own holds something for every- doesn’t love a Southfork evening is and shopping at LL Bean’s factory one....shopping, dining, nightlife, unTexan! store and dozens of factory outlet culture, etc. Unique and one-of-a- For a taste of Texas night-life stores. After lunch and shopping you kind of stores and boutiques line the there is “Billy Bob’s Texas” the will drive to the headquarters of brick street. In addition to shopping world’s largest “Country Music Delorme Map where you will see you can stop for a bite to eat and Honky-Tonk” where you ride and “Eartha,” the largest scale model rep- one of the many eateries located shoot the bull. Food is excellent, lica of our planet in the world. downtown or a drink after a hard and there really is live bull riding days touring or shopping. right in the club – and be sure to Kennebunkport Tour and Lobster You owe it to yourself to consider take advantage of the photo bull. Bake: Plano for your next reunion; you’ll Did I forget to mention the live en- The first stop on the tour will be to never regret the decision to allow tertainment? Len Libby’s Candies where you will Plano to host your 2011 reunion. For the cowboys in the group a enjoy an ice cream or purchase some We here at ML & RS, Inc heartily visit to the Ft Worth Stockyard of their world famous candy while you endorse Plano! Historic District is a must. Here visit “Lenny the Moose,” a 1700 pound As your reunion planner for many you can see a real cattle drive. For moose made out of milk chocolate. years, you know we have never so the drovers heading longhorn cattle After Len Libby’s you will drive to the enthusiastically endorsed any reun- up the Chisholm Trail to the rail- coastal community of Kennebunkport, ion site. Since this is an endorse- heads, Fort Worth was the last ma- ME where you will enjoy lunch and ment of Plano, not of a specific ho- jor stop for rest and supplies. Be- shopping on your own. Kennebunkport tel, all we’ll say about accommoda- yond Fort Worth they would have to is famous for its art galleries and tions you will be more than pleased. deal with crossing the Red River unique shops. There is also a wide Some groups have actually ex- into Indian Territory. Between 1866 variety of restaurants to choose from. tended their reunion by a day just to and 1890 more than four million After your stop in Kennebunkport, you take advantage of everything that is head of cattle were trailed through will enjoy a two hour guided tour of the available. Let me tell you, in no par- Fort Worth which was soon known area. During the trip you will see Presi- ticular order, just a few of the things as “Cowtown” and had its own dis- dent Bush’s (senior) summer home that are waiting for you in and reputable entertainment district sev- and will visit the coastal villages Wells around Plano; how much you do eral blocks south of the Courthouse and Ogunquit. The tour will take you depends on how long you stay in area that was known all over the past the Brickstore Museum, The Wed- Plano. West as “Hell’s Half Acre”, now the ding Cake House, Franciscan Monas- Southfork Ranch, home to the beautiful Fort Worth Water Gar- tery and the Seashore Trolley Mu- Ewings, is probably the most fa- dens. seum. The tour will stop at the Light- mous place in Plano and no visit to For the more serious minded, house Gift Shop which features unique the area would be complete without you’ll want see Dealey Square, the gifts and clothing featuring many of Southfork on your agenda. You can site of President Kennedy’s assassi- Maine’s famous lighthouses. After this tour the famed Ewing Mansion and nation. See where the President you will drive south to Foster’s Down re-live exciting moments from the was gunned down, visit the building east Clambake where you will enjoy an series in the "Dallas Legends" ex- the fatal shots were fired from, see old fashion Maine Clambake with clam hibit, featuring an exciting array of the Courthouse where Jack Ruby chowder, steamed clams and mussels, memorabilia from the series. See shot Lee Harvey Oswald. All things whole Maine lobster, corn on the cob, the gun that shot J.R., Lucy's Wed- and more are awaiting you and the potatoes, onions and blueberry cake. ding Dress, the "Dallas" Family cost is no more than you’ve been During dinner you will be entertained Tree, and Jock's Lincoln Continen- paying. Give it a try! by one of Maine’s local artists. tal. Relax on a guided tour of the Hope to see you there! ______ranch grounds. Eat at Miss Ellie's ______Deli and shop in two themed retail stores, offering a diverse selection