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My father died
on October 4,1978. Please update his information.
I really
enjoyed your website and even found a picture of my father during
the commissioning ceremony in April 1944 at Seattle-Tacoma Ship
Building.
Mike Chatelain
Project Manager
CDI Engineering
mike.chatelain@cdicorp.com
http://derbyhistorical.org/TWIH%20Archive/1957/1957-Main.htm
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SEYMOUR - 19 year old Navy Fireman Harold
Donovan, whose parents live on 235-237 Pearl Street, Seymour,
was washed overboard from the destroyer
USS Stoddard
and is presumed lost, while the ship was operating west of
Midway
Island. An air and sea search continues.
(Inquiry on 2-25-2010)
My name is Niles Iannone and I served with you on the Stoddard in
1965 as MPA. I have been fighting cancer for 6 years and recently
filed a claim with the VA for disability due to Agent Orange and
asbestos exposure. One of the items I must prove to them is that I
went ashore in Vietnam, known as "feet on the ground". I did this
several times from three destroyers during five years of
deployments. Documenting this is difficult. I enjoyed reading your
diary from the 1965 Cruise. Your entry on July 24 mentions a swim
party at a Danang beach. I was on that swim party and remember it
well. I remember being met by some Marines who acted as our guards.
At any rate, I am hoping that you may remember me and, even more
remotely, that I was on that trip. I am looking forward to hearing
from you. By the way, how did you get the copies of the deck logs?
Niles
Iannone
Added 09-13-06 - Can you offer any information on this request?
Dear Mr. Rauh,
Our firm represents the family of a former US Navy shipmate,
James Wesley Buckley, served aboard the USS Stoddard from 1962 -
1966.
Mr. Buckley spent a total of 12 years in the navy. Quite a few of
those years were spent in the thick of the Viet Nam war
(participated in the COMRIVRON ELEVEN, Dong Tam, RVN and the
COMRIVLOT, ONE, Dong Tam, RVN between 1967 and 1972). Mr. Buckley
passed away as a result of an asbestos-related cancer called
Mesothelioma. Mr. Buckley was a MM3 at the time. We are trying to
piece together his service in the navy, specifically, names of other
Machinist Mates he would have served with during the time he was on
the USS Stoddard between 1962 - 1966. Do you know of anyone
I can speak with who may be able to help me? Mr. Buckley was a
slight man being only 5' 4" and weighing only 122 pounds when he
entered the Navy. He had black hair and blue eyes, if that helps.
Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated. You can
either email me or call me at 800/226-9880.
12-08-03 Larry Raffler of Hastings MI requests his name be removed from the our email and mailing lists.
11-20-03 Hi: My brother, James Fitzhugh was
on the Stoddard sometime in 64-67 perhaps. He was in sonar. Jim passed
away a few years ago and I am looking for people that might remember him
and give me some insight into my brother at that time of his life. You
see, I am 10 years younger than Jim so was only 8 when he joined the Navy.
If you remember him and have the time, I would appreciate hearing about
him. I do remember that he was on board when she was hit in Viet Nam.
Thank you so much, Janis Fitzhugh [
jfitzhugh@ssmovers.com ]
10-24-03 I haven't checked this out on the
Stoddard website to see if this is mentioned anywhere, but I distinctly
recall, while I was stationed at CHINFO in the Pentagon, that there was
some brief footage of the Stoddard in camouflage [going through a storm,
of course] at the end of one of the Victory at Sea episodes prior to or
during the closing credits [I seem to recall that it was before the
credits, but I can tell you it floored me then when I saw it way back in
1970]. Seeing that the Victory series is now out on DVD jogged my memory
about this. Joe Weidlich Washington
10-09-03 I have written a book about the Naval War, on a
destroyer. The USS Van Valkenburgh DD 656. This will give you a picture of
what it's like on a destroyer in time of war. The good and the bad about a
ship in harms way for months, in the famous squadron 24 of the Pacific..
This will bring back a lot of memories some good and some bad. If you
would be interested in a copy of "A Boy, A Ship & A War" go to
www.bookstobelievein.com or www.profitablepublishing.net or call
863-439-3297 0r email claud.aldrich@verizon.net Price is $10.00 plus $2.00
s/h, will sign if desired.
Author- Claud Aldrich TM 3/c Retired An Old Sailor 4410
Canal RD Lake Wales, FL 33898
10-05-03 i really don't care to hear any more info
regarding the Stoddard. please remove me from list.
paul w. horner
10-03-03 Sir, I''ve been receiving and printing
out your e-mails for my dad, Robert N. Rex, who served during World War II
with the Stoddard's first crew. I wanted to inform you that my dad passed
away on August 13th. He lived in an assisted living apartment and while
he'd been having more problems "getting around" and not feeling real well
lately, his death, from a heart attack, came unexpectedly. I guess death
always comes sooner than we'd like or expect doesn't it? But for him, I
don't think it was so unexpected. He's with my mom - she died in March of
last year and while making the best of things, I know he really missed her
and I think was just biding his time. They were married almost 61 years.
He and my mom attended several Stoddard Reunions when they were still able
to travel so I thought there might be some folks who remember them. I've
appreciated many of the e-mails you've sent and often share them with my
Navy Veteran co-workers so, if it's OK, I'd like to stay on your e-mail
list. Thanks to you all for your service.
Regards, Robin S. Rex
09-04-03 Bob, My wife was watching the History
Channel a while back and called me long distance to tell me she had seen
the Stoddard on the program. I immediately called up the History Channel
website to see if I could watch it also. I work in a different state and
our schedules are different than the ones at home. I wound up calling and
talking to a customer rep about what was being shown in certain markets
and she steered me to the proper program which I ordered. I was not
disappointed. We got it in the mail yesterday, watched it last night and
it was great. The title is Destroyer Heavy Metal, item # AB43784. The cost
is $24.95 plus shipping. Maybe this is something the Alumni would be
interested in.
Fraternally, Ray Merrill LCDR ret
[Note: This Video is now available
through the ships store or at the conventions. Sure enough the old DD-566
shows up a couple of times]
There will be a reunion of the Korean War Crew of the
USS Van Valkenburgh,
DD-656 in Philadelphia, PA from Thursday, May 13 to Sunday, May 16, 2004
at the Holiday Inn Independence Mall. The contact is:
Richard S. Greeley
418 Roundhill Road
St. Davids, PA 19087
Telephone 610-688-5864
E-mail: GreelRsLb@aol.com
08-15-03 "Shipmates - I received the sad news of
the passing of Art Garro. I talked to his son, Art, Jr., on July 27th and
he said that Art passed away of a heart attach on June 9th. Art served on
the Stoddard from Nov. 1958 to July 1962 in the forward engine room and
was discharged as a MM2/C. Art had two brothers that also served on the
Stoddard, Steve came aboard in 1960 and John came aboard when we returned
from WESPAC, I believe in July of 1962. All three brothers were on board
at one time. Since their discharge from the Navy each one has passed away,
Steve in 1996 and John in 1977 and now Art in 2003. Special services will
be held in Willamette Memorial Cemetery in Portland, Oregon on August 5th.
I last talked to Art in May and he was looking forward to taking his
daughter to the Basque region of Spain the first part of this month (July)
where his family was from. Art is survived by his son, Arthur Jr. of
Pullman, WA, and three daughters Teresa of West Orange, NJ, Carolyn and
Jayne both of North Troy, VT."
Thanks and take care. Art Paullus
07-14-03 I served aboard the Turner in 1949-50.
Over the years I lost touch with my best friend, with whom I served with
aboard the USS Stoddard from 1950-1952. It is my understanding that your
have been able to offer assistance in locating these" lost sheep." The
vital statistics are as follows; Walter Carter (I believe his middle name
is Maurice) Born about 1930 Rd 3 USNR Lived in Cold Spring Harbor, Long
Island, NY Worked in a bank after discharged from active duty Wife name is
Patricia. Hobby was sailing
Your help is appreciated. Robert P. Karz
07-08-03 Sunday on the
History Channel, "Aircraft Carriers" had a neat picture of DD-566
transferring a downed pilot. John M. Sutton
06-01-03 Joe and Marilyn went to Fort Wayne Friday
to pay final respects to Walt Roemke and to express the condolences of all
the USS Stoddard shipmates to Dee and family. We brought a red, white and
blue bouquet from the group. It was a very sad moment for us. Walt was
laid in peace, but it was evident that he had lost a tremendous amount of
weight. The firemen posted an honor guard beside the casket through the
visitation hours, and there was an endless line of friends and associates
making the call. We met Walt's two daughters Karen and Kaylene, Dee's
daughter Kelly, several spouses, cousins, and in-laws all contributing to
a warm and loving family, the type of family we all knew that Walt was a
part of. Several were at Walt's bedside when he spoke and breathed his
last.
Prominent among the photos which Dee had selected and
posted for special memories were Walt's Navy days, and photos from the
Reunions. We stayed through the prayer service conducted by their pastor
before heading back to Columbus. Dee was greeting all the guests with
daughter Kelly by her side. She was so happy to see us and know that all
her Stoddard friends were sending their prayers and thoughts. Several had
called her earlier. She was very touched. Walt asked her during his final
hours to attned the reunions and be with their friends, and she said she
would do so. Let's all make an effort to let her know that she is "family"
and we want her to join us at our annual events.
Joe and Marilyn Harpster
05-29-03 Hi, Bob, You have my address correct and
here is the E-mail address we use: fpnorma@aol.com My bio info:
Pre-Stoddard, I served in the US Coast Guard from 1945 to 1948 with over 2
years on Pacific Island Loran stations, as an electronic technician. I was
stationed in the southwest Pacific on Pulo Anna (south of Pelelieu), Guam,
Saipan and also Hawaii. I joined the Naval Reserve, went to college, then
had to leave for active duty call-up in 1951. On the Stoddard, I headed up
the ET gang until I was released after 16 months, in 1952. I was aboard
for the de-moth-balling and the following months of the re-training
cruises to Gitmo, the plane-guard duty out of Pensacola, the plane-guard
and other activities around the Carribean,and the eventual cruise into
Boston for retrofitting. I returned to college, was married to Norma in
1953, graduated in 55.
I was a Test Engineer with Bendix , Information Systems
Manager with Sunbeam Electronics, then a Systems consultant with Computer
Sciences. In Law Enforcement for several years as computer manager in the
MD Department of Public Safety, then my last 15 years were as Director of
Data Systems at the US Supreme Court. I retired from there in 1994 and we
moved to the Maryland coast, in Ocean Pines. Norma and I will celebrate
our 50th anniversary this September. We have five children and five
grandchildren. Our sixth grandchild was killed in an accident last year
and we are of course living through the trauma of that.
We enjoy the newsletter and I hope we'll be in touch
with more of the shipmates soon. The web site is great and provides much
history of the ship that I had not Known of before. I hope this bio
info is not too long-winded.
Regards, Jim Donovan
04-03-03 I have done some research and find I was
only on the USS Stoddard on it's return from SE Asia...I was a career
counsel for Desron 14 and they thought I could do better in Mayport during
that time... The crew of the Stoddard treated me very well and I enjoyed
my time with them... Thanks for all you offered me but don't feel I belong
to that great group.. A.E Chason, ICC (Retired)
02-26-03 You have done a wonderful job
with the website. I am glad my old friend and former STODDARD Weapons
Officer, Steve O'Neil alerted me to it's existence! The photo posted of
STODDARD underway with the crew manning the rail was taken during the 1964
deployment while I was on board. If my memory serves, it was a pass in
review to honor RADM Lot Ensley (I may not be spelling his name
correctly), Commander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla Seven (COMCRUDESFLOTSEVEN)
a few days out of Subic Bay, PI. I was a LTJG and serving as First
Lieutenant at the time. This was before CDR T. L. Morgan relieved CDR
Chuck Wall as CO. STODDARD really looked good, having just had her
topsides painted. The crew was very proud of her appearance and morale was
high. Back in those days there was plenty of oil and full-power runs were
required. I can remember STODDARD routinely exceeding 36 knots during the
four boiler, full-power portion of the run. Jim Day
Jim Day 203 N. Main St. P. O. Box 682 Bowling Green, VA
22427 O - 804.633.6500 H - 804.633.5132
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A friend sent me this Photo. I hope some
of you remember when. It was after I left the ship. - Walt
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10-23-02 To the STODDARD Alumni:
I wish to extend a belated "thank you" to each and everyone of you for the
wonderful plaque you have besowed upon me. It is simply FANTASTIC!!!!!
Since I don't know who the actual culprit is, I will thank all the
officers of our organization, as I'm sure they all had some part in this.
I got together (finally) with Robert Butler today and Maria & I had lunch
with him in Winston-Salem. The gifts of the plaque and mugs were wonderful
to receive. Both of us wish we could have been at the San Diego reunion
and enjoy everyone's company.
I must say that the patch turned out extremely well. I'm not sure who took
on that responisibility, but they did a first class job. I am working on
something "else" that I'm sure the group will like, but will not comment
further. However, I will say that the patch and the design as now deceided
upon will have a bearing on this.
We are planning on being in Philadelphia this fall; this will be 2 autumns
in a row for us to be there for a Navy reunion. Last year was aboard USS
NEW JERSEY and as it turns out, it looks like I get a second visit. I
don't know which hat I should wear on that lunch date!
By the way, if any of you want a personalized tour that day, just see me -
I might be able to lend some info that the docents aren't up on.
My weekly traveling has not changed and we don't have nearly the time
together we would like. This Friday marked 2 years at Bayer Corp. - a good
job and position (for being a contracter, that is) but still, a job away
from home. With the economy as it is, I don't see any change in this
situation for the foreseeable future. But I keep my eyes peeled and keep
in touch with associates, so who knows?
Well, once again, thanks for the kind gifts and thoughts and hopefully we
will see each of you in Philly. And if I've left anyone out who had a
part, let me know - it was purely unintentional.
Your shipmate,
Hank Strub
Supporting our Troops,
Supporting our American Ideals |
