PAWCATUCK PILOT

Volume 15 Issue 1 June 2007

Special Points of Interest 2007 JACKSONVILLE REUNION REVIEW • The reunion in Jackson- ville, FL was, as always, The USS Pawcatuck Reception. Reunion Chair- the group enjoyed a great a great time. Read all (AO-108) chose Jackson- man Dave Willis and Co- lunch at the Officer’s Club about it from the cover ville, FL for their 2007 re- chair Mark McPherson wel- on base. At 4:00 PM the story all the way union. The reunion was comed everyone and Memorial Service, which is through page three. held from Sunday, April 15 asked for introductions. always a moving experi- through breakfast on Everyone enjoyed drinks, ence for the Pawcatuck • A new project for the Wednesday, April 18 at the light hors d’oeuvres and family, took place. Chap- Pawcatuck family is Sea Turtle Inn. Forty-two good company. A great lain Phillip Wyrick led the introduced on page members and 30 guests evening followed with a trip service and music was pro- four. Read about the Pawcatuck Plaque Pro- attended the event. Guests to the Alhambra Dinner vided by the Navy Band ject. began arriving on Sunday Theater in St. Augustine, from Mayport. The colors around noon and after get- where the group enjoyed a were presented by a local • Deck Force on pages ting registered with delicious dinner and the ROTC color guard. This five and six has some ML&RS, Inc and settling in performance of “Grease.” was, as always, a very im- shipmates’ memories their rooms, the first place This play, set in the 1950’s, portant part of the Pawcat- as well as some sad almost everyone headed brought back memories for uck reunion and was very news of the passing of was the hospitality room to some who grew up in that impressive. Special guests fellow crewmen. see who else had arrived. era and was greatly en- at the service were Mrs. • Read the letter to the It didn’t take long for the joyed by all. Ann Horton and her family, crew from Capt. Hey- storytelling and reminiscing On Monday morning the who attended in memory of worth, Jr.. It’s on pages to begin and for everyone tour to Mayport Naval Sta- her husband, Billy, who 6 & 7. to feel right at home. Soon tion had to be altered due died in March of this year. it was 5:00 PM and time for to unforeseen circum- They were regular atten- • 1952 Cruise Journal is the official kick-off of the stances. A windshield tour dees of the Pawcatuck re- on page 7 & 8. reunion—the Welcome of the base was made and (Continued on page 2) VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 PAWCATUCK PILOT PAGE 2

(Continued from page 1) always, this is the hardest part of the unions and so this was a very reunion, but everyone hopes to meet COORDINATOR’S touching service for everyone. The again next year in Little Rock, Arkan- remainder of the day was free to sas. Hope to see you there. COLUMN enjoy dinner at one of the local res- ______Otherwise known as Willis’s taurants, to check out the entertain- Words of Wisdon ment options in Jacksonville, or to spend time in the hospitality room 2007 REUNION 06 June, 2007 with old friends. A tour to St. Augustine was on ATTENDEES Shipmates and Pawcatuck family the agenda for Tuesday morning. members, St. Augustine is the oldest Al & Joyce Alexander Hello again from sunny Arizona “continuously occupied” city in the Nicholas & Vivien Andrews and we are doing just fine. Jan U.S. The narrated tour gave all the Edmond & Christine Bernier and I are keeping busy. The store information about Henry Flagler and George Casey that Jan and another gal opened his three wives and the many build- Philip Cooke moved to a different location and ings he built, plus many interesting Jeff & Lynn Cowan business is much better. I stay facts and legends of the city. The Mike Culbertson busy going to six meetings a city is most famous, of course, for James & Linda Duross month and of course during the the Fountain of Youth, but there are Jim Fortune Memorial Day week kept busy tak- many more points of interest. Time Terry Futrall ing pictures. was allotted for some free time for Ted & Stella Guy Our 15th annual reunion was a shopping or taking in some of these David & Lola Hilton big success once again. We had interesting sites and to have lunch. Capt. Walter Honour seventy-four shipmates and wives, The tour returned to the hotel in Paul & Loretta five from the Brass Quintet from time for the 3:30 PM business meet- Ralph & Elizabeth Jordan NAS Jacksonville and four mem- ing where David Willis was again Eugene & Irene Kelley bers of the Alan D. Nease High selected to serve as reunion coordi- Robert Klinefelter School Navy JROTC color guard to nator and Mark McPherson to co- John & Jean Kritschgau present the colors for our memorial chair with him. Several cities were Robert Lyeth service, Chaplin Wyrick from May- suggested and voted on for the Mark & Shirley McPherson port Naval Base and Ann Horton 2008 reunion, but Little Rock, AK Bruce Metz and family who came down from was chosen as the reunion site for Gordon & JoAnne Meyers Cumming, Ga. for our memorial next year. The pre-dinner cocktail John & Carol Mitchell service. hour and photo session began at Harold & Judy Morse At our reunion in Norfolk we 6:30 PM and gave a chance for Randy & Donna Mosley had seventy-four go out to see the anyone who had registered for the Roger & Janice Narkie ship, and we were honored to have banquet only to meet and greet the George & Mary Nunnery a trumpet player go with us to play others. At 7:30 PM the USS Paw- Dan & Tanya Phelps taps for our short memorial service catuck banquet commenced and Ralph & Janet Powell at the sight of our ship. We were everyone was welcomed to the af- Donald & Charlotte Prant just getting ready to start our me- fair by David Willis and Mark Howard & Margaret Reed morial service this year when Mark McPherson. After a delicious sea- Douglas Reid, Sr; Douglas Reid, Jr. McPherson looks at one of the food buffet, the group was enter- & Robert Randall Reid members of the quintet and says, tained by a slide show presented by Jimmy & Sheila Roden “I know you.” Here was the same Dave Hilton. Mr. Hilton had slides of Jerry Rooks trumpet player who had been in the adventures of USS Pawcatuck James & Margaret Roskoph Norfolk and had been transferred during the 1960s. It was a great James & Ruth Ann Salamanowitz to NAS Jacksonville. What a sur- show and brought back many Bruce & Julia Smith prise and he made this reunion memories to the former crew. It also Herbert & Jane Strickland very special. gave their guests a good depiction Robert Tomlin & Karen Marlowe Next year we will be going to of what life was like on the ship. Ted & Ruby Van Dyke Little Rock, AR. The dates should The Wednesday morning private David Willis be in this newsletter as I am writing breakfast brought an end to the re- Donald Wilson this before the dates have been union activities. This provided one confirmed. So let’s all meet next last chance for good byes, hand- Total Members: 42 year and again have another good shakes and hugs before everyone Guests: 30 time meeting new shipmates and began their departure for home. As GRAND TOTAL: 72 (Continued on page 3) VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 PAWCATUCK PILOT PAGE 3 their families. In Little Rock they mates in attendance, I am sure that rial in Washington, D.C. in memory have a old WWII submarine and a you all had a grand time. I ask that of our ship and those who served tug which was present on Dec. 7th, you search for your fellow ship- aboard her. I would encourage all 1941 when Pearl Harbor was at- mates that served with you during to assist in the great project. Our tacked. your time aboard our lady and en- shipmate Jim Fortune has agreed There is a very important article courage them to attend. to chair this project. When we in this news letter. We are going to To all those hands that assisted in have collected the required funds, raise money for a plaque to be the Memorial Service, I would like to and the plaque is ready to be in- placed at the Naval Memorial in say thank you. Without your help, stalled, it is our hope that we can Washington, DC. Please read the the full meaning of the service attend and assist in the installation article from shipmate Jim Fortune. would have been empty. and memorial service for our Your help will be appreciated to We were honored this year with plaque. raise the money for this worthy pro- the Chaplin from NS Mayport, who Finally, I would like to say ject and I hope you will give in delivered the address and con- THANK YOU for allowing me to memory of a family member, friend ducted our Memorial Service. Upon serve as your Assistant Coordina- or shipmate that you served with. the Chaplin’s arrival I had the tor and I look forward to seeing all To Mark McPherson, committee chance to spend a few minutes with shipmates during the 16th Reunion members and all who attended, I him, and one of the questions that in Little Rock, Arkansas. would at this time say thank you for he asked me was “Can I be uncov- your help in making another reunion ered during the service?” I ex- Mark E. McPherson one that you all can remember for plained that we were from the Old 2029 Musser Rd years to come. Navy, and that is the way we were , OH 43105-9733 With this I will say that’s all folks instructed. To be uncovered when Phone (740) 468-3190 and have a wonderful summer and entering a building. His comment Cell (740) 438-1387 a great year. was that it was nice to be among E-mail: [email protected] those who appreciated the Old See you in Little Rock. Ar. Navy style. He also informed me that he will be retiring when his time Yours, is up. He feels that it is the right Financial Statement David Willis Reunion coordinator time to retire. We wish him well in Balance after 03/07 issue for the USS PAWCATUCK AO-108 his future $637.29 ______It was also great to see the musi- Funds received since 03/07 cian who played taps for us during $1055.00 ($980.00 from our 14th Reunion. He seemed to th 2007 Reunion) MCPHERSON’S bring this and the 14 reunion full Funds available for 06/07 MESSAGE circle. $1692.29 Just a personal note, as some of Funds used for 06/07 issue you knew, my brother had a very $186.00 MARK’S WORDS serious operation on the Wednes- Balance remaining for 12/07 issue day that we departed Mayport. I am $1506.29 Shipmates and Family Mem- very happy to state that he is doing bers: quite well and came through the From now on the Pilot will be Another year and another reun- surgery and his recovery period in mailed only to those who have ion has passed and we who were excellent conditions. We had the returned the coupon to receive it there are back at our homes, our privilege to enjoy the recent Memo- by postal mail. All others may daily lives have returned and our rial Golf Tournament, held in Co- access the newsletter on the inter- sights are set on our next port to lumbus, Ohio, this past week. This th net at www.mlrsinc.com/ visit for our 16 Reunion which is is the first time that he has been pawcatuck. Please continue to Little Rock, Arkansas. able to experience such an event contribute $5.00 for the publication I would like to extend my Thank and he was able to see that whole of the newsletter. Send contribu- You to all of those who attended, field of golfers play the ninth hole of tions to ML&RS, Inc at the address again one of our BIG Reunions. the Murfield Village Golf course. on page 8. We had 74 in attendance. We had Thank you for your prayers and an excellent turn out and we all thoughts. enjoyed seeing our ship’s last As you will notice in this newslet- There will be no September home port. ter, we, your committee members, issue of the Pawcatuck Pilot. I would like to extend a THANK have approved a project of having a The next issue will be in De- YOU to the number of new ship- Plaque installed at the Navy Memo- cember. VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 PAWCATUCK PILOT PAGE 4 PAWCATUCK PLAQUE PROJECT Our goal is to have a plaque hon- will be posted on our web site and USS Pawcatuck. If you wish to register oring the Pawcatuck and all who in our newsletter. Standard cam- but are either unable to access the Inter- served aboard her placed on the paign giving practices will be fol- net or uncomfortable with the process, I Commemorative Plaque Wall at the lowed and no gift amounts will be will be happy to do it for you. I hope this letter answers any ques- Memorial in shared or shown to anyone with the tions you have regarding the Pawcatuck Washington, D.C. The Navy Memo- exception mentioned in the next Plaque Project. rial is located on Pennsylvania Ave- paragraph. If you wish to give but nue across from the National Ar- remain anonymous, please indicate Sincerely, chives. It consists of a beautiful out- that desire when submitting your Jim Fortune door plaza as well as the Naval Heri- donation. tage Center. The Center flanks one side of the plaza and the Commemo- When our goal of $2,500.00 is rative Plaque Wall is located in this met, I will send a single check to the WELCOME MAT building where it is visited by thou- Navy Memorial Foundation along The following shipmates have been sands each year. with a list of donors, their individual located recently. Welcome aboard. We The current cost for a plaque is addresses, and the amount or their hope to see you at the reunion and that you will take an active part in the asso- $2,500.00. The plaque is approxi- donation. The United States Navy ciation. We welcome: mately 4 inches by 7 inches and is Memorial Foundation, a registered made of aluminum with a photo nonprofit organization, will in turn Richard Mai (1959-61) RD3 etched picture and wording of our send a letter to each donor thanking 1451 55 St North choice. Samples of other plaques them for their donation. Their letter Saint Petersburg, FL 33710 are available online at will be the documentation you 727-321-4835 www.navymemorial.org and at need for your donation to be con- Philip Cooke (LTjg) www.lonesailor.org. The USS Ca- sidered a charitable deduction on 4617 Princess Anne Ln loosahatchee AO-98 and the USS your personal income tax return. Jacksonville, FL 32210 Canisteo AO-99, two sister ships of Correspondence and donations 904-384-5415 the same class as the USS Pawcat- should be mailed to my home. If [email protected] uck AO-108, have placed plaques on you have any questions please the wall. These plaques can be don’t hesitate to call or email me. It David Parker viewed by going to either of the be- is fine to call the office during the [email protected] fore mentioned web sites. Our inten- day, but please tell the person an- Ron Mathis (1970-71) QM3 tion is to display proposed plaque swering the telephone you are call- 311 W 1st Ave designs for the Pawcatuck in our ing about the Navy Memorial. North Wildwood, NJ 08260 newsletter and on our web site be- Jim Fortune 856-237-4017 fore deciding on the final design. 3135 Rockdale Road [email protected] I have volunteered to open and Freeland, Maryland 21053 manage a separate bank account for Edward Turner (1970-72) BMMC plaque donations. This account will Office: 410-288-0560 2057 Sallas Ln be in my name because the IRS re- Home: 410-329-8154 Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 quires either a Social Security Num- Email [email protected] 904-635-9701 ber or a Federal Tax ID number on Daniel Hoekstra (1975-76) every bank account. Our group is Another part of the Navy Memorial is the Navy Log. This is available at no 2661 Union Ave not registered as a nonprofit organi- Grand Rapids, MI 49507 zation and therefore it is not eligible cost to the public 24/7 on their web site. The goal of the Memorial is to 616-241-1041 for a tax ID number. have all eligible members of the sea Those wishing to contribute services entered in the Navy Log. The Kenneth Don Harrison please use a personal check, made Navy Log can register name, date and (1966-68) SN Deck payable to “Jim Fortune”. Each do- location of birth, service photo, dates of 5732 Larch Pl nor will receive a thank you acknowl- service, rank, duty stations and medals Little Rock, AR 72209 501-565-3816 edging receipt of their gift. A earned. It also contains a special

“Donations Total” will be on our web “Memories” section. In it, you can add letters, diaries and articles to your en- John Mitchell (1962-63) ET2 OPS site, and will be updated fre- 92 Tittle Run Rd quently. The donation total will also try. Entries can be modified or changed at any time. Marietta, OH 45750 appear in our newsletter. The Navy Log currently holds the 740-373-7345 [email protected] A list recognizing our contributors records of 36 who served aboard the ______VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 PAWCATUCK PILOT PAGE 5

Tarinto, Italy I write this letter to inform you of Palermo or Messina Sicily, Italy my husband Bob’s (Keays) passing (I cannot remember) on February 22, 2007. He had a Augusta Bay, Sicily long battle with illness over the past La Spezia, Italy eight years and now he is at peace TAPS Souda Bay Crete, Greece resting in the arms of Our Lord. (Possibly also Barcelona, Spain There are no words to describe The Pawcatuck Pilot has learned too) the happy look on his face when he of the following deaths since the last would see The Pawcatuck Pilot en- newsletter. Our deepest sympathy I hope that helps refresh your velope and know there were stories goes to the widows, families and memory. I took some photos—not and news about the AO-108. He friends of the deceased. Anyone who that great. With best wishes. loved her so much and treasured all knows or learns of a shipmate’s the friends he had from the ship. I death, you are requested to notify Sincerely, guess they all grew together over the newsletter so that person can be Nicholas Lee the years. listed in TAPS and also on the Honor ______Two little stories I can pass on Roll at the next reunion. that were a remembrance of the Dave, ship for him were when I took his James Sallee I was assigned to USS Pawcat- blood sugar in the morning if the (1962-65) SHSN Supply uck AO-108 around July of 1959. I reading was 108 he was happy. Died March 23, 2007 reported for duty at Crany Island Also whenever he marked a book fuel depot—seaman apprentice, with his name he always wrote it on Billy Horton having just completed boot camp at page 108. No one could ever doubt (1952-56) BM2 Great Lakes, then Radar School at he loved the Pawcatuck. Date of death not reported Norfolk. A little over two years later I I would like to continue receiving left as an RD3. the Pilot so I could remember fondly Robert Russell I was reassigned to a newly re- all the wonderful buddies he had (1990)CO/Master commissioned, but old oiler, the and the years my Bob had aboard Date of death not reported USS Kankakee AO-39, home port his ship. Newport, Rhode Island (cold). Thank you for the Pawcatuck Robert Keays Shortly after we were sent to the Pilot. It always brought a smile to (1952-56) MM3 Cuban Blockade. Two years later I Bob’s face. Died February 22, 2007 was out of the Navy and I didn’t re- ______enlist. I got married! Mistake! I Sincerely yours, should have stayed in. Anne L. Keays Dave, we have communicated 206 South Lake Shore Dr before about 2 years ago. I sent you Raymore, MO 64083 some newspaper articles I had ______saved when Pawcatuck pushed over and sank a Navy tug when Ahoy! Ahoy! leaving Crany Island for NOB. It grieves me once again to in- DECK FORCE You also provided me with the form you of the loss of yet another phone number of fellow radar man comrade and classmate, Bob Rus- Dear John Mitchell, that was onboard with me—Arnold sell, who graced his life with a fine I saw your note in the last Paw- Mann. I called him and we talked for record of service on the bounding catuck Pilot. The “Ports of Call” on an hour. A couple of others in our main before retiring to the shores of the 1963 Cruise to the Med were radar group were Forrest W. Peters that great ocean to the east before the following, but not necessarily in and Walter E Kruse. Haven’t heard departing on his Final Voyage late this order: from them. This is going back 47 last month Rota, Spain N.O.B years ago! John Gossner had the unhappy Gulf Juan South of France Near That’s it for now. Have a good task of passing the following obitu- Nice one, Dave. ary to me: Cartagena, Spain Naples (at least three visits Richard Mai Captain Robert James Russell of (Napoli, Italy) ______Corolla, NC, made his final voyage Palma de Majorca, Spain on Feb 27, 2007. He was born July Baleares Islands Dear Shipmates of my husband 12, 1936 in Jersey City, NJ. Captain Izmir, Turkey Bob, (Continued on page 6) VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 PAWCATUCK PILOT PAGE 6

(Continued from page 5) Navy logistic supply force. the U.S. Navy during the Korean Russell was truly a Mariner for all He was a member of the Council War for four years aboard the seasons and belongs to that vanish- of American Master Mariners, U.S. USS Pawcatuck. He took pride in ing breed of men who learned to Naval Institute, Battleship New Jer- attending his Navy reunions over navigate the world’s oceans with a sey Historical Society, Steamship the past 11 years. sextant sightings of the sun and Historical Society, International Na- After working in electronics for stars. His first introduction to the sea val Research Organization, and the several years he opened and was was working on tug boats as a teen- National Maritime Historical Society. co-owner of Wise Travel Agency ager out of New York City. Captain Captain Russell is predeceased by for 23 years. After his retirement Russell graduated from the United parents Robert J. and Gladys Rus- he worked for A-1 Airport, Livery, States Merchant Marine Academy at sell and brother John G. Russell of Pantages Transportation driving Kings Point, NY in 1959. After NJ. He is survived by his wife of 36 special needs children to school. graduation he served on active duty years, Frances M. Russell of Corolla, He also worked at the North with the Navy as a Commissioned NC, two sons Robert J. and Thomas Shore Music Theatre. Officer for two years. He continued C. and daughters-in-law Madeline He was an avid sports fan, his affiliation with the Navy as a re- and Rebecca; four grandchildren and especially when it came to the servist and retired from the Naval one to be born in June. Boston Red Sox and was a life- Reserve at age 60 with the rank of time member of the Capt. Lester Captain (USNR). As a young man he By Charles “Chuck” O’Hara S. Wass Post 3 Gloucester Ameri- sailed as a licensed merchant marine ______can Legion. officer with Moore McCormack Lines Joe enjoyed cheering on and from 1961 through 1967 and served Joseph P. Nicastro, 70 supporting his three grandchildren ashore in the maritime industry in in their many activities, never management positions of voyage Joseph P. Nicastro, beloved hus- missing a game or event. planning, chartering and operations. band of Gloria Nicastro, died peace- He is survived by his wife of 48 He returned to the sea in 1982 with fully at Addison Gilbert Hospital, sur- years, Gloria, two daughters, Jody the as a rounded by his family after a brief Nicastro-Simon, wife of David in licensed First Officer. Captain Rus- illness. Pelham, N. H., and Suzanne sell sailed in all classes of USNS Born in Gloucester on May 4, Kendall wife of Christopher; three ships and was promoted to perma- 1936, he shared his birthday with his grandchildren who he adored and nent Ship Master in 1990. In total he granddaughter Tasia. He was the was very proud of, one sister, two was Master of 12 different ships in- son of Salvatore and Mary (Parisi) brothers and many other family cluding assignment for almost four Nicastro. members. years aboard the USNS LARAMIE He grew up in Gloucester and ______(T-AO-203), the newest Oiler in the attended local schools. Joe served in

LETTER FROM CAPT. L. HEYWORTH , JR. TO PAWCATUCK CREW, 1963 Continued from March 2007, Submitted by Nicholas Lee

11 July 1963 be a “Johnny on the spot” when Liberty was confined to the U.S. needed, with our fuel. Naval Base at Rota; therefore, your The mission of the PAWCAT- On 4 June, 108 left Norfolk, Vir- son or husband took advantage of UCK and other oilers of the U.S. ginia enroute to the Med. Our cross- the facilities which the base had to Navy, is to keep the large fleets ing was rather uneventful with fueling offer. It has excellent clubs, movies, continuously on the go by providing as our most demanding task. We post exchange, golf courses, and fuel and other “service station” prod- were escorted across the Atlantic by many other athletic facilities. ucts. In addition AO-108 provides 9 “tin cans” (Destroyers) which util- On the morning of the 15th of such morale services as movie ex- ized our services. The “tin cans” June, we were underway and had changes for the benefit of the ships made their approach alongside, took our sights set on Athens, Greece, operating with her. PAWCATUCK, oil, movies and other needed arti- where we off-loaded Boy Scout along with her sister ships, provide cles. After taking these products, equipment for their annual world a means of keeping a constant vigil they would quickly leave us to shift jamboree. We were limited to only a on the hot spots in the world, in ad- and plot our own way. AO-108 ar- few hours in Athens, before the dition to making contributions to the rived at Rota, Spain on the 14th of PAW moved on to a port farther people-to-people program by visits June for a short fuel and mail pick- East, Izmir, Turkey, the land of the to various ports, and by our ability to up, at which time liberty was granted. (Continued on page 7) VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 PAWCATUCK PILOT PAGE 7

(Continued from page 6) once again got underway on the 25th Every night after taps, these lay lead- legendary veiled women and Turk- of June and headed for the beautiful ers take turns in rendering the eve- ish water pipes. We arrived in the French Riviera and Golfe Juan. We ning prayer. late morning of 23 June, for a three transited the Straits of Messina and A few words about mail. Our pre- day visit. During this visit, two tours Bonifacio and in early afternoon on sent schedule calls for us to operate were arranged. One consisted of a the 29th of June we dropped anchor at sea a considerable percentage of few hours of sight-seeing of the city. in the Bay of Golfe Juan which is the time. Mail does not go out every The other tour took some of our surrounded by the famous French day as it would if we were in the members to the ruins of Ephesus, Riviera. This international summer States. We do, however, take every about 50 miles from Izmir. Here are resort is a beautiful sight with its opportunity to get mail on and off the the ruins of the temples of Diana, white beaches bordering the blue ship. In view of this situation, don’t the Goddess of Hunting and Virgin- Mediterranean, snow capped Alps in become too concerned if you don’t ity, which was once known as one the background, and the sun shining receive mail as regularly from the of the seven wonders of the ancient every day at this time of the year. ship while operating in this area as world; the tomb and basilica of St. Although PAWCATUCK carries when we are in the States. If you John the Evangelist and the House no Chaplain, your son’s or husband’s don’t hear from your sailor man for of the Virgin Mary, where she spent religious needs are taken care of. an unduly long period of time, how- her last years, just to name a few. The ship has a Catholic, Protestant ever, please don’t hesitate to write Several members took advantage of and Jewish Lay-leader. These lay me. Your son or husband is serving trading sunglasses and cigarette leaders hold religious services when aboard a great ship with an out- lighters for products such as Turkish we are unable to obtain a Chaplain. standing reputation for getting the job model boats, rugs, miniature water At sea, when operating with a ship done in a smooth and quick manner. cooled pipes and other native prod- which carries a Chaplain aboard, we He is a vital part of a great team, and ucts. This, of course, is the Turk’s make every effort to obtain this I am proud to be able to say that I way of doing business. They still Chaplain for a Divine Service. Upon am a member of that team. use the system of bartering. They entering port, service bulletins are would much rather be talked down issued to the ship announcing where Sincerely yours, than to accept the money they ask and at what time religious services L. Heyworth, Jr. for an article, either party trying to are being held. The PAWCATUCK’s Captain USN out do the other party. lay leaders are also available for Commanding Officer A-108, the busy ship that she is, talks with a person who may need a USS PAWCATUCK AO-108 little confidential religious guidance. ______

CRUISE JOURNAL USS PAWCATUCK SPRING/SUMMER 1952

Continued from March 2007 issue. they washed the mess gear and the stead of crates, this is still quite a sun of the Med didn’t make it any feat when performed several times CHOW DOWN easier. Every Monday afternoon a day by spud coxswains. “Larry” mess cooks carry stores from the Voelk made salads and was an as- I was a mess cook, so I know. forward provisions storeroom aft to sociate spud coxswain. He got his Common opinion is that being sent the chill boxes and issue room. It’s work out and then helped Zidy with to the galley is like being assigned a long trek through hatchways, over the always mountainous pans of to the slave galleys of old. I deny hose lines, under low overheads. Idahoes. They switched off serving this and consider it valuable experi- It’s a tough haul, but many is the the line so that each could get early ence and an important department time they each carried extra boxes liberty. Don Dinneen cut bread and aboard ship. of stores for a buddy who was be- butter, dished out dessert, swabbed My knowledge of the galley hind in his trips. I always tried to see decks and washed bulkheads with starts midway in the 52 cruise to the that they were well provided for in the finesse that only a college de- Med. My comrades on mess cook- the chowline. gree could give. Enough for the ing were: “Zidy” Zeidman, “Larry” Leonard “Zidy” Zeidman was a mess cooks and on to the movers in Voelk, and the scullery gang: “Killer” spud coxswain. I will always re- the galley; the captains of the Flack, “Tarzan” Kloss, “Smitty” member the picture of him strug- watch; the cooks and cook strikers. Smith and the inimitable “Speedy” gling up the narrow ladder to 12 In the Med there are two watch Wilson. deck with a hundred pounds of sections, two bakers and a butcher. The scullery gang were a hard- crated potatoes on his back. Even One of the watch sections consisted working lot in the small space where though spuds are now in sacks in- (Continued on page 8) VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 PAWCATUCK PILOT PAGE 8

(Continued from page 7) ham, port, chicken or turkey a day. of “Bob” Bunn CMSN and “Lloyd” We used about 175 lbs. of potatoes. 2008 Wooten CM3, the other of “Bill” Tay- Off hand I would say we put away lor CM3 and Earl Whitehurst CMSN. about 1,950,222.5 tons of beans. USS PAWCATUCK “Woot” Wooten always backed up Enough said for the beans. The diet REUNION the mess cooks and strikers on the was always varied with salad, meat chowline, making sure that the line of some kind, potatoes, a vegetable, kept moving by renewing the supply dessert, coffee or some iced drink. of cold drinks, meat, potatoes, des- Few ships can boast of chow as APRIL 27-30 sert and the like. Bunn was a good good as ours, especially the big cook too and made wonderful ships. By Navy tradition there are gravy. Taylor had a passion for three hot meals a day and the sched- keeping fried eggs hot, so on morn- ule was carried out despite the Medi- LITTLE ROCK, AR ings when fried eggs appeared on terranean climate. the menu, the galley would be in an But, all was not work for the gal- HOLIDAY INN NORTH uproar, preparing everything for ley crew. Almost everyone went on early chow. Then by an assembly the many tours to Rome, the Isle of line setup, bacon or ham would be Capri, the Riviera, Pompeii and Ath- put by the eggs on the tray at the ens. They took some excellent pho- stove and handed out to the crew. It tographs and Bunn especially has a HAVE A GREAT was really a great scheme because good collection. The tour that there is nothing quite as bad as a seemed most popular was that of the 4TH OF JULY! cold fried egg. “Whitey,” an ex-cop inns. Most noteworthy are the Cove, from Norfolk, must have gotten a the Red Lantern, the Zig Zag Club, taste for pickles and roast beef in the Snake Pit, the Arizona, the Na- one of the joints on his beat, for he tionale, and the American bar. All used to give us that combination The Pawcatuck Pilot is Published by: places of outstanding reputation. Military Locator & Reunion Service, Inc every night for mid rations. This was the galley during the The bakers, Robert “Tol” Tolison, PO Drawer 11399 Mediterranean Cruise. We may Hickory, NC 28603 CMSN, and Theodore Jasper Miller, make the cruise again, but never CM3, rose at four o’clock every again with the same crew or with the 828-256-6008 (voice) morning to bake fresh bread and same experiences. Whenever I go 828-256-6559 (fax) pastries. Sometimes they worked all for chow now I do so with a much night to get ahead on bread, espe- better idea of the men behind the [email protected] cially when we had passengers [email protected] line, and their work, three meals a www.mlrsinc.com/pawcatuck aboard. Tol’s specialty was a terrific day. coffee cake which he put out with ______“Our Reunions Work So You Don't Have coffee as a snack before early To” morning fueling. ______Nettie Burnett CM3 was the butcher on the cruise and per- formed this big job of cutting up the USS PAWCATUCK POLO two hundred or more rations a meal Name: ______and keeping the butcher shop clean SHIRTS FOR SALE despite the mess cooks. $25.00 EACH Address: ______Very few of us stopped to ponder (includes shipping and handling) how much food is prepared in our ______galley every day. We say that Wil- Mail, call or e-mail this order & check to: liamsons eat a great amount but we I would like the following: forget that the rest of us eat a great David Willis deal too. For a crew of our size, we 15807 W Cimarron Dr ___large (only 3 available) have a big appetite. Coffee making Surprise, AZ 85374-6153 was almost a full time occupation ___X-large (only 8 available) for the cooks and strikers. We drank Phone: 623-214-9835 on an average of 40 to 50 gallons a E-mail: [email protected] ___XX-large (only 1 available) day. Meat was another large item. We ate at least 150 pounds of beef, Amount enclosed $______