A newsletter exclusively for former USS YANCEY SAILORS YANCEY MEMORIES

Volume 12, Issue 3 October 2008

Special Points of Interest 2008 USS YANCEY REUNION REVIEW • Read about the 2008 USS Yancey Reunion in The USS Yancey cial activity of the reun- the Vietnam War. The ship Seattle, WA in the cover (AKA-93) held its annual ion—the Welcome Recep- is now maintained and ad- story. reunion on October 2-5, tion at 5:00 PM. George ministered by the Bremer- 2008 at the Clarion Clifton, group coordinator, ton Historic Ships Associa- • George Clifton talks Seatac Hotel in Seattle, welcomed everyone to the tion and honors not only about future reunions in WA. Thirteen of the ship’s reunion and then hors the men and women of our his column on page 2. former crewmen attended d’oeuvres and drinks were modern US Navy, but also

along with eleven of their served as everyone got recognizes the accomplish- • Eight new names for the guests. acquainted with anyone ments of those who helped Yancey roster are on page three under Wel- The reunion started at whom they hadn’t met in build and maintain the come Mat. See if you midday on Thursday, Oct. the Hospitality Room. The Navy’s ships as well. After remember any of them. 2 with the opening of the remainder of the evening the visit to the USS Turner registration desk and was free to have dinner in Joy the group was free to • Win Bryson tells the Hospitality Room. The the hotel, go into Seattle have lunch at any of the story of trying to locate Hospitality Room was the for some nightlife, or just near-by restaurants in the the Yancey Ship’s Bell main scene of the reun- relax in the Hospitality area. After the tour re- and Builder’s Plate. See ion, giving a place for Room sharing memories turned to the hotel, the re- Mail Call on page 3. everyone to gather and with others. mainder of the afternoon share their stories and After a hearty breakfast was free to relax and visit • Read about Mobile, Ala- memorabilia and to par- on Friday morning, those with friends. Planned activi- bama’s attractions for take of the refreshments who signed up for the ties began again at 6:00 the 2009 reunion on page four. Then return that were available Bremerton tour loaded the PM with the social hour the survey to ML&RS. throughout each day. motor coach to the ferry for where favorite beverages Most of the attendees a 60 minute ride from Seat- could be enjoyed before • An order form for a spent the afternoon in the tle to Bremerton. After the the dinner buffet at 7:00 Yancey plaque is in- Hospitality Room after ride across Puget Sound PM. After dinner there was cluded. This would getting settled into their there was a short walk to again free time to enjoy make a great Christmas rooms and the day the museum ship, USS spending with old ship- present. passed quickly. Soon it Turner Joy DD-951, the mates and new friends. was time for the first offi- famed Navy destroyer from (Continued on page 2) VOLUME 12, ISSUE 3 YANCEY MEMORIES PAGE 2

(Continued from page 1) comed everyone and then a deli- Saturday’s optional tour to take cious dinner was served. It was a COORDINATOR’S in the sites of Seattle began at 9:00 pleasant evening filled with laughter MESSAGE AM. One of the stops on the tour and good conversation. was the famous Space Needle, Sunday morning’s Memorial Ser- I just returned from our 2008 re- whose observation deck gives one vice to remember all USS Yancey union in Seattle. As usual we had a a spectacular view of Seattle’s shipmates who have passed away great time even though the turnout beauty. From the Space Needle the was held after breakfast. Ed was small and the weather a little tour went on to Pike Place Market, a McLaughlin and George Clifton led rainy. Friday morning we took a ferry public market overlooking Elliott the service, reading the names of ride across Puget Sound to Bremer- Bay. The market opened in 1907 those being remembered—James ton for a tour of the destroyer USS and is one of the oldest continually- Riles and Richard Vincent—and Turner Joy. Saturday morning our operated public farmer’s market in ringing the bell as the names were timing was perfect for our visit to the the United States. It is a place of read. With the closing of the Memo- Space Needle, we had a great view business for many small farmers, rial Service, the 2008 reunion came and the clouds didn’t roll in until it craftspeople and merchants. It is to a close. Good byes, hugs and was time to leave. also Seattle’s most popular tourist plans to meet in Mobile in 2009 The vote at our business meeting destination. The Market is also were seen and heard from every was in favor of having our 2009 reun- home to nearly 500 low income resi- corner of the room. We hope all ion in Mobile, Alabama the first or dents who live in 8 different build- those in attendance this year can be second weekend in October. I think ings throughout the Market. The back next year and encourage more it is a good choice as there is much Market is run by the quais- of Yancey crew to attend. to see around Mobile including the government Pike Place Market WWII battleship USS Alabama. Preservation and Development Au- The two cities we will vote on next thority. Throughout the Market were 2008 REUNION year for the 2010 reunion are Bos- many places to choose for lunch, so ton, MA and Wilmington, NC. Bos- if anyone went away hungry, it was ATTENDEES ton was chosen because of its his- not because of lack of choice of tory and it’s the home port of the Norman & Connie Boyd places to eat. After lunch the tour USS Constitution (Old Ironsides). Richey Brunskill continued on to the Museum of Wilmington was chosen because it is Kenneth & Connie Chester Flight at Boeing Field, the largest the final resting place of the USS Richard & Jackie Chester aviation museum on the west coast. Yancey. For those that are not George & Sharon Clifton This was one of the favorite tours of aware she was sold to the State of Walter & Toby Gillespie the reunion, especially for the men. and unceremoniously Jerry Goforth The tour returned to the hotel in sunk in 160 feet of water off the Kenneth, David & James Groom time for the 3:30 business meeting, coast of Wilmington in 1990 as an Duane & Betty Malme where the 2009 reunion site was artificial . We are hoping it can Edmund & Jeannette McLaughlin selected to be Mobile, Alabama. be arranged to take a boat trip to the Henry & Marian Prosser The 2010 reunion will be either Wil- Yancey site for a memorial service. William & Nancy Suchy mington, NC or , MA. George There were a lot of “regulars” Genevieve Vincent Clifton was again elected to serve missing from this years reunion for Ellen Mueller as the Association President/ various reasons, we had the econ- Victoria Waldrep Coordinator. After the business omy against us and flying isn’t what it meeting, most people retreated to used to be, but I hope we get a big- Total Members: 13 their room to get ready for the eve- ger turnout in Mobile and at future Guests: 11 ning’s big event—the USS Yancey reunions. Several people requested GRAND TOTAL: 24 (AKA-93) banquet. The pre-dinner a list of shipmates that they can call ______cocktail hour and photo session prior to next years reunion in an ef- began at 6:00 PM. Everyone was fort to boost the attendance. I think it dressed in a more formal manner FINANCIAL STATEMENT is a great idea and would be glad to for this event, so it was a good time Balance after 07/08 $444.17 get a list to anyone that wants one. to get photos made for the post re- Funds received since 07/08 $35.00 Let’s work on getting a record atten- union Memory Book. Individual, Funds available for 10/08 $479.17 dance in Mobile. I hope to see you Funds expended for 10/08 $135.30 couple and group pictures were all there. taken and then it was time for din- Balance for 01/09 $343.87 The newsletter is being mailed only to ner. The USS Yancey (AKA-93) those who returned the coupon for USPS George Clifton banquet began with the playing of service. All others can access the newslet- ______the National Anthem and the Pledge ter on line at www.mlrsinc.com/yancey. of Allegiance. George Clifton wel- Please send contributions to the newslet- ter to ML&RS, Inc at the address on page 4. VOLUME 12, ISSUE 3 YANCEY MEMORIES PAGE 3 black-painted engraved text “Hull 280, Moore Drydock, Oakland, Calif., launched July 8, 1944”- or words to that effect. But, again, he didn’t re- call, but thought not. TAPS Time marched on, and last year WELCOME MAT about this time, while surfing the The Yancey Memories was notified The following shipmates have Washington Navy Yard web-site, I of the following shipmates’ deaths. Our been located since the last newslet- deepest sympathy is extended to the read that when U.S. Navy ships are ter. Welcome Aboard! We hope to families of the deceased. Anyone who scrapped, their Ship’s Bell and see you at the next reunion. You are knows of a deceased shipmate, or Builder’s Plates are archived at the invited to become an active member learns of one, please notify ML & RS, Washington Navy Yard Archives. of the association. Inc so their names can be included in Too late to organize any visit during TAPS and be added to the Honor Roll. the Yancey Reunion in Washington, I Phil Messer (E-5) wrote the MLRS anyway, suggesting 10361 Dolecetto Dr Alfred Houghton a visit. Didn’t happen...And for the Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (1965-68) SN best...Nothing was there. 916-362-0431 Date of death not reported Time marched on some more, to this summer, and after e-mail ex- Charles McClure (1949-50) SN James Riles changes and speaking with the 206 Logan Dr (1950-53) & (1961-63) SMC Washington Navy Yard Archiver cu- Portsmouth, VA 23701 Died February 21, 2008 rator, I learned that: 757-488-0129 ______• The bright-plated quarterdeck bell was never received (and Ted Sabados (1965-69) LT(jg) perhaps ‘liberated’ by the last 155 Yeago Ln Captain or at a last Shipyard) Middlebrook, VA 24459 • ‘Ditto for the Builder’s Plates— 540-885-5769 there’s no record they were ever received by the Archives; but Joe Heimerman (1946-47) QM2 MAIL CALL • The Ship’s Bell is presently on 32339 109th Pl SE Apt 206 loan, as the Archives does, Auburn, WA 98092 USS Yancey (AKA-93) Locating sometimes to the Naval Techni- 253-876-6426 the Ship’s Bell and Builder’s cal Training Center in Meridian, Plates Mississippi. The curator sent a Joe Bruno (1956-59) photo of presently located and 1073 N Highway 174 Today’s story is the continuing rigged Bell Rio Vista, TX 76093 mystery of: “Where are the USS 817-373-2619 Yancey Ship’s Bell and Builder’s So, to all “Sherlock Holmes” types Plate?” It begins several years ago among the Yancey Crewmen: Paul Gerdes when I spoke to the North Carolina • Does anyone live in Meridian, (1961-64) SK3 1st Div Supply Webmaster about how Mississippi that could take a PO Box 3334 great his “AR302” photos were. We photo, video and/or audio Livermore, CA 94551 chatted about where (on the Yancey) (striking 8 bells) of the Yancey 925-373-0319 his photos viewed (and corrected a Bell? [email protected] ‘vent’ caption showing the main deck • Does anyone know any contact access to the Mess Deck, fwd., port- information for the last USS Gene Lazzari side, #3 hold), and I asked if the Yancey CO (to contact about the (1968-69) BM2 1st Div Ship’s Bell or Builder’s Plates were quarterdeck bell and plates—for PO Box 416 still there, on-board and underwater. photos of)? He didn’t recall, so I described Burbank, WA 99323 • Does anyone know the contact them and where they were located. 509-545-0333 information for “Yancey County, The Ship’s Bell, in the forecastle (not [email protected] NC” or “last shipyard”? the small bright-plated quarterdeck

bell) and two Builder’s plates—one Manilo Loconte Inquiring minds want to know on the 01-level outside the forward (1962-64) LT(jg) OPS (and try to gather audio-visual Bell Wardroom bulkhead, and the other 6 Angler Rd and Plates records for crewmen). on the forward Engineroom bulkhead Lexington, MA 02420 Elementary... above the watch station & board. I 787-186-3803 had stared at the Engineroom [email protected] Win Bryson Builder’s Plate forever: Brass, with VOLUME 12, ISSUE 3 YANCEY MEMORIES PAGE 4

features both dog and horse racing. also an IMAX movie theater where MOBILE, AL IN 2009 You can watch the races from the aviation or navy related (usually) are The 2009 USS Yancey reunion will tracks or the grandstand. shown. be held in Mobile, Alabama and we need your help in choosing the attractions you Bellingrath Gardens and Home— Fort Barrancas- Also located in would like to see on your agenda. Please Coca-Cola bottling founder Walter Pensacola, this is a very interesting read the descriptions of the attractions Bellingrath and his wife, Bessie, old fort dating back to the Civil War. and then fill out and return the survey to opened their private garden estate ML&RS, Inc and we’ll get started on the As you walk in the underground in 1932 and the result has become revetments you can imagine being plans for your reunion. one of the most popular tourist des- an infantryman defending against a tinations in the South. The Gardens ATTRACTIONS ground assault, with the primary cover 65 acres and feature a year- objective of keeping enemy (Union) round blooming schedule of tulips, Cathedral of Immaculate Concep- ships out of the harbor. azaleas, roses, mums, poinsettias tion—Located in downtown Mobile, and so much more. It has been cho- this cathedral was built between sen as one of the top three gardens 1835-1849, and is listed as one of .USS YANCEY 2009 SURVEY by readers of Southern Living Mobile’s oldest churches. It occupies magazine. The Bellingrath Home is the site used by Mobile’s first settlers Return surveys by Dec. 15, 2008 to: the first Alabama home to be fea- as a burial ground. Beautiful tured on A&E’s “American Castles”. stained-glass windows and polished Military Locator & Reunion marble designs decorate the basilica. Service, Inc. River Cruise Aboard the South- P O Box 11399 ern Belle—The 150-passenger Fort Conde—Mobile’s welcome cen- Hickory, NC 28603-6402 Southern Belle offers fun, scenic ter was built in the early 1700s as a 45-minute cruises on French fort. Reconstructed and fur- Or Fax: from Bellingrath Gardens landing. nished as it appeared in 1702, the 828-256-6559 fort features facsimiles of 18th cen- — tury artillery demonstrated by cos- Or on web site: Voyage through time and revisit an tumed tour guides. Museum rooms www.mlrsinc.com/yancey era of adventure and bravery as you detail past Mardi Gras celebrations tour the many exhibits. Visit USS and the origins of the city. Reunion format: ALABAMA, the recipient of nine

World War II Battle Stars. Her crew Do you prefer breakfast all three of 2,500 saw action in the Atlantic The Estuarium at the Dauphin Is- mornings ____ for a year before joining the Pacific land Sea Lab—This beautiful aquar- or just on Sunday_____? Fleet in mid-1943. She fought at ium, with exciting visual displays and such key locations as Leyte, the engaging interactive activities, will Do you want entertainment after the Gilbert Islands, and Okinawa, and give you a first-hand view of the eco- banquet _____yes _____no? then led the American Fleet into systems of the area. Tokyo Bay in September 1945. From the swamps of the Delta to the Please indicate which activities Also at the park is the waters of Mobile Bay, from the sands you would like to see on your re- USS DRUM, “Calamity Jane”, a B- of the Barrier Islands to the reefs of union agenda : 52 Stratofortress that served with the Gulf of Mexico, the Estuarium SAC and the A-12 “Blackbird” spy- offers a lively educational experience _____ Cathedral of Immaculate plane. In the Aircraft Pavilion you’ll for everybody. Other exhibits include Conception see a gull-winged Corsair and the the Living Marsh Boardwalk, the _____ Fort Conde P51-D Mustang Redtail, the plane Miss May May, the Weather Station _____ The Estuarium at the Dauphin flown by the valiant Tuskegee Air- and much, much more. Island Sea Lab men. Then inspect other aircraft _____ Bragg-Mitchell Mansion from , Vietnam and Desert Bragg-Mitchell Mansion– This _____ Bellingrath Gardens and Storm. The park also includes a beautifully restored pre-Civil War House rose garden, gift shop, flight simula- mansion demonstrates both Greek _____ River Cruise tor and much more. Revival and Italianate influence. Fif- _____ Battleship Memorial Park teen-foot ceilings and a dramatic _____ Pensacola National Museum Pensacola National Museum of curved staircase contribute to the of Naval Aviation Naval Aviation- The premier Naval sense of splendor. _____ Fort Barrancas Aviation Museum in the country. If

you have any interest at all in avia- Mobile Greyhound Park— tion this is a must see. There is Alabama’s oldest Greyhound park VOLUME 12, ISSUE 3 YANCEY MEMORIES PAGE 5