USS Plymouth Rock (LSD29) Newsletter May - August, 2008 |
Welcome to the USS Plymouth Rock Newsletter
Twentieth Edition: The USS Plymouth Rock Newsletter is a publication issued every four months by the USS Plymouth Rock Ships Association. If you would like to contribute an article, a piece of Navy or Plymouth Rock history, photo, memory or anything that might be of interest to you or other shipmates, you can send it as an e-mail to:
Bill Provencal, Association Secretary
at:
billinp@metrocast.net
or regular mail at:
Bill Provencal
37 South Main Street
Pittsfield, NH 03263
If you change address or e-mail address be sure to let me (Bill Provencal) know so we can update our Crews List. My e-mail is billinp@metrocast.net Our ships website is found at www.ussplymouthrock.com
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Ships Oficers
President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Ships Historian Ships Storekeeper Reunion Coordinators: David Dortch, BT2 |
Recently Located Shipmates David Savage, SK2, 3300 Loveland Blvd. Unit 2103, Port
Charlotte, FL 33980-6714. e-mail:
docsav602@aol.com
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Recent Address Changes to the Ships Muster List
George W. Bierce, BMSN: New mailing address: 1485
North Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06704
Paul Bellingham II, HM3: New mailing address: 16784 Peredigo Dr.,
#6, Pensacola, FL 32507. New e-mail address:
toutecute@yahoo.com
Warren E. Robinson, CWO3: New mailing address: 928 Franklin Court,
Cookesville, TN 38506. New e-mail address:
robter@twlakes.net
Leonard Kaderka, GMG3: New e-mail address:
leonard.kaderka@gap.com
Kenneth Dawson, SN: New e-mail address:
kandndawson@yahoo.com
Mike Swart, FT3: New area code in phone number: 575-437-3577
Jerry Tacinelli, MM2: New phone number: 860-343-7234. New
e-mail address: taacinelli@att.net
Jorge G.
Trevino, SH3: New Mailing Address: 90 Waverly Dr/. LL-103, Frederick, MD
21702. New e-mail address:
jorge.trevino1@us.army.mil
Message from Tom Wagner, Association President
I would like to welcome all shipmates and guests to the USS Plymouth Rock (LSD-29) 2008 Reunion. For those of you keeping track, it is our 7th reunion. Our first reunion was held in Waukegan, Illinois, September 1996. I have been fortunate to have been able to attend all of the reunions. They have all been special to me; all are my favorites. I have renewed old friendships and made new ones. The one common thread that brings us all together; the ROCK touched our lives in some way that we choose to remember.
So cherish the moment and remember, there are no strangers here, only fellow shipmates.
Your President
Tom Wagner
Daughter of shipmate seeks information
Marlon Blount of 603 SE 6th Street, Newton, KS 67114 recently wrote to me seeking information about her Dad, Haynie H. Blount, EM2. Her served on board the ship in the early 60's. If you can help her, her e-mail address is sovablunt@gmail.com
Paid Association Members for 2007-2008
As of August 25, 2008 we now have 153 paid members
| Adam, Ian | Alardyce, John | Andersen, Harry | Baldwin, Brad | Balf, Priscilla |
| Bell, Joe | Bena, Joe | Bentheimer, Glenn | Bergeron, Richard | Berry, John |
| Bierce, George | Bild, Bob | Britt, Ben | Brown, Alvin G. | Brusky, David |
| Brunton, Thomas | Buchanan, Richard | Buiak, Peter Jr. | Caldwell, Tim | Cartwright, Richard |
| Chappell, John | Clark, Robert | Comstock, Ed | Conboy, Bill | Conklin, Robert T |
| Conroy, Mike | Crowl II, Martin C. | Cummings, Bob | Cummings, Steve | Cypher, Hal |
| Cyr, Dennis | Czarnetski, Bruce | Czarnetski, Jon | Dailey. Ronald J. | Dalfonzo, Sam |
| Dawson, Kenneth E. | Derry, Thomas K. | Dortch, David | Durham, Wayne | Dussault, Andrew |
| Edwards, Maurice | Edwards, R. A. | Eldridge, Marguerite | Farneski, Robert | Fisher, Jack |
| Fisher, Jay | Forton, Mary | Freeman, James | Gee, James | Gibson, David |
| Goodman, William | Gorse, Peter | Greco, Sal B. Jr. | Guertin, Jerry | Hart, Ed. |
| Hartson, George | Haws, Joe | Haynie, Bill | Helledy, David | Hicks, Richard |
| Hill, Edward Jr. | Hofman, Timothy | Hopper, Richard | Howland, John | Hyatt, Walt |
| Ishmael, Harry | Jacques, Doug | Jennings, Seeley | Johnson, John | Joyce. Ed. |
| Kane, Thomas | Kaderka, Leonard | Krolak, Ray | Kuhns, Jimmy | Lamay, Roger |
| Larson, Jerry | Lillig, Bernie F | Lincoln, Walt. | Luttrell, James | Macomber, Brandon |
| Madill, Donna | Mathis, Richard | McAvoy, Kay | McCully, Wade Sr. | Miskelly, Francis |
| Mohawk, Paul | Murtha, Jerry | Musella, Rocco | Nichols, Bob | Nota, Ralph |
| Oldham, Rob | O"Neill, Marty | O"Neill, Thomas | Pihl, Walter C. | Power, Rand |
| Provencal, Bill | Purvis Anthony | Pyle, Ted | Ramondetta, Vic | Reed, John F. |
| Rhine, Don | Ringer, Joseph E. | Robertson, Allen | Robinson, Jim | Robinson, Warren E. |
| Safford, Richard | Schneider, James | Scott, Bill | Shanahan, Robert | Shewchuk, Richard |
| Sims, Bill | Smith, James | Smith, Larry E. | Stackhouse, Norman | Stark, Jr., Peter A. |
| Stoval, Jack | Stull, John III | Swart, Mike | Swathwood, David | Swearingen, Ron |
| Tesh, Sam | Thibodeau, Doug | Toungette, Mike | Trevino, Jorge G | Tunstall, Van |
| Viaene, Robert L. | Wagner, Paul | Wagner, Thomas F. | Walker, Gerald M. | Ward, James E. |
| Warwick, Robert | Watkins, Richard P. | Watts, Richard A. | Ziemba, James | Shober, Robert |
| Rose, Christopher | Jepson, Norm | Miller, Dale | Nichols, Victor | Hickson, Thomas W., Sr |
| Casillas. Greg | Ervin, John T | Holden, Gerald | Dushane, David | Miller, Ronald |
| Anstett, William | Watson, Ernest | Savage, David | Lee, Thomas P. | Bellingham II, Paul |
| Clark, Nick | Formaro, Frank | Tacinelli, Jerry |
USS Triton-Beyond Magellan
Thank You's
We would like to thank the following shipmates/friends for providing pictures, information and articles to the website, the Ships Association and newsletter.
| Mike Verhagen, MM3 | Colin Carney, GMG3, USS Okanogan | Harry Andersen, BTC |
| Ron Bonacci, MM2 |
Shipmates Who Live in the State of Missouri
| Ben Britt | Baldwin | Harry Ishmael | Chaffee |
| Gary Johnson | Poplar Bluff | Bernie E. Lillig | Raytown |
| Skaggs Rastus | Farmington | Lester L. Snyder | Kirkwood |
| Richard Watts | Kirkwood | Thomas Yager | Monroe City |
Navy Question?
Name the Battleship that had a "Bathtub" installed?
Answer at end of newsletter. Question submitted by Harry Anderson
USS Recruit (TDE-1 and TFFG-1
It was the first of its kind -- not quite a building, not quite a
ship. USS Recruit (TDE-1 and TFFG-1) the Navy's first non-ship, was originally a
commissioned vessel and observed traditional Naval shipboard procedures like all other vessels. Any Sailor who ever served duty on board this haze gray ship awash in concrete, fondly remembers his first 'request permission to come aboard. Affectionately known as USS Neversail, the Recruit was a two thirds scale mock-up and served as a Sea Daddy to new recruits. When completed in 1949, it was 225 long, had a 24-foot, four inch beam and a 41-foot mast. During construction, Sailors in NTC's seamanship division supervised the rigging with standard Navy fittings obtained from salvage and mothballed ships. The Recruit was commissioned Rear Adm. Wilder D. Baker, commandant, Eleventh Naval District, on July 27, 1'949. A commission pennant was broken and the ensign and Union Jack was hoisted. It served as a school for all recruits going through basic seamanship indoctrination. The ship's deck was an exact replica of what a Sailor could expect in the fleet. The Recruit had cleats, chocks
and mooring lines and operated as any standard Navy ship. Sailors learned rnarlinspike seamanship, ground tackle operation, cargo booms, deck fittings, lift boat handling and signal equipment. Besides the regular classrooms, a company of recruits would stay on board from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. each night to polish watchstanding skills. The recruit went into "drydock" for three months in 1954 for an overhaul and minor repairs. For almost 18 years, the Recruit served the Navy, but in 1967, something unusual happened: automation got the better hand. Technology is supposed to advance one's life, but in this case, it marked the end of the Recruit's commission.
Navy civilian employees making a, card-index inventory of vessels in the San Diego area, found themselves baffled by one particular card, which, when placed through the computer for classification, was continually rejected. The computer determined that the ship was neither afloat nor tied up ashore. It was not in drydock, not undergoing repairs or rehauling, not in 'mothball' and was crewless! The ship had no boilers, engines or screws and when they discovered the computer could not classify USS Recruit as a commissioned vessel, it was decommissioned on
March 7, 1967
In 1982, the Recruit was old and weathered. Repairs took place to transform the ship from a training destroyer escort into a training guided missile frigate. The new ship had a wooden anchor and was armed with three-inch wooden guns and, a wooden depth charge launcher. The classrooms were modernized and enlarged now accommodating up to 80 Recruits for training. By 1996, the ship's fate was still undetermined. It was sparred from demolition and some plans call for it to be turned into a maritime museum. Only the future will determine USS Recruit’s Fate.
The 2008 Reunion in St. Louis, MO
The countdown is on for the September 2008 Reunion to be held the 18-21st. The itinerary is as follows:
| Thursday: | Check in time to the hotel is 3:00, the Tour Ticket
Sales/Distribution time is 12:00 to 4:00. For those arriving early,
you are welcome to go to the Association Meeting Room after 12:00. The
Association will pick up tickets for those who have ordered them, but who
cannot be there to pick up prior to 4:00pm Wine and Cheese get together 5 pm to 6 pm Thursday night buffet at 6 pm |
| Friday: | Gateway to St. Louis Introductory Tour Friday, September 19, 2008 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Saturday: | Our Military Heritage Saturday, September 20, 2008 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Ships Association Business Meeting, 3:30 pm (Tentative time) Reunion Banquet at 6 pm |
| Sunday: | Depart. |
Directions to the Doubletree Hotel is as follows:
DIRECTIONS
TO
DOUBLETREE
HOTEL ST. LOUIS AT
WESTPORT
FROM NORTH OR AIRPORT: 70 WEST TO 270 SOUTH, EXIT PAGE EAST 16A, TURN RIGHT ONTO LACKLAND, FOLLOW LACKLAND UNTIL ROAD TAKES A SHARP TURN TO THE LEFT WHERE IT TURNS INTO CRAIGSHIRE, 11 STORY BUILDING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD
FROM SOUTH: 270 NORTH, EXIT PAGE EAST 16A, TURN RIGHT ONTO LACKLAND, FOLLOW LACKLAND UNTIL ROAD TAKES A SHARP TURN TO THE LEFT WHERE IT TURNS INTO CRAIGSHIRE, 11 STORY BUILDING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD
For those of you arriving by air, the phone # for the hotel shuttle is 314-434-0100 .
For those of you who are camping, this is what is available:
For those of you interested in camping in the St. Louis
area, we have listed below is the campgrounds & RV Parks:
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1) Casino Queen RV Park (Full service park located across from Gateway Arch) 200 S. Front St. East St. Louis, IL 800-777-0777 Rates are $22.95-32.95) |
2) KOA St. Louis West (Long pull-throughs, full hook-ups some with 50-amp electric. "Kamping Kabins", pavilion playground (Open March-Oct.) 18475 Historic Rt. 66 Eureka, MO (636) 257-3018 or 800-562-6249 Rates: $24-$42 |
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3) Pin Oak Creek RV Park Big rig sites, restrooms, playground, fishing lake, miniature golf, family activities. Open year round. 1302 Hwy. AT Villa Ridge, MO 636-451-5656 or 888-474-6625 Rate: $27-$40 |
4) St. Louis RV Park Only RV Park in Downtown 900 N. Jefferson (314) 241-3330 or 800-878-3330 Rate: $24-$32 |
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5) Sundermeier RV Park & Conference Center Premier RV Park in historic St. Charles; a Best Park in America. Open year round. 111 Transit St. St. Charles, MO 636-940-0111 or 800-929-0832 Rate: $41-$53 (This one is fairly close proximity to your hotel location for your annual reunion). |
6) Yogi Bear's Jellystone Resort at Six Flags Award-winning camp-resort. Free six-flags St. Louis tickets with minimum stay. 5300 Fox Creek Rd. Eureka, MO 636-938-5925 or 800-861-3020 Rate: $24.95-$44.95 |
For those of you who still need information, Dave or Richard are the contact persons:
Plymouth Rock Reunion Coordinator
David Dortch, BT2
870-236-3725, e-mail: tazrhondave@yahoo.com
Richard Mathis, BMSN
870-566-2619 e-mail: rmathis98@yahoo.com
Additional information is available in the ships website at www.ussplymouthrock.com, or in the last two newsletters.
U.S. Fourth Fleet will be dual-hatted with the existing commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO), currently located in Mayport, Fla. U.S. Fourth Fleet has been re-established to address the increased role of maritime forces in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of operations, and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to regional partners.
"Re-establishing the Fourth Fleet recognizes the immense importance of maritime security in the southern part of the Western Hemisphere, and signals our support and interest in the civil and military maritime services in Central and South America," said Roughead. "Our maritime strategy raises the importance of working with international partners as the basis for global maritime security. This change increases our emphasis in the region on employing naval forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests. "
Effective July 1, the command will have operational responsibility for U.S. Navy assets assigned from east and west coast fleets to operate in the SOUTHCOM area. As a result, U.S. Fourth Fleet will not involve an increase in forces assigned in Mayport, Fla. These assets will conduct varying missions including a range of contingency operations, counter narcoterrorism, and theater security cooperation (TSC) activities. TSC includes military-to-military interaction and bilateral training opportunities as well as humanitarian assistance and in-country partnerships.
U.S. Fourth Fleet will retain responsibility as NAVSO, the Navy component command for SOUTHCOM. Its mission is to direct U.S. naval forces operating in the Caribbean, and Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies to shape the maritime environment
When Veterans Retire
When a good Veteran leaves the "job" and retires to a better life, many
are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already
retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what they are leaving behind,
because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of
camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those
past times. We know in the Military life there is a fellowship which
lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet. We
know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step
and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing
of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.
These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people
suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and
always will look at the rest of the Military world with a respect for
what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing.. Never think for one
moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the "job"
and merely being allowed to leave "active" duty.
So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in
your heart you never forget for one moment that "Blessed are the
Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God," and you are still
a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.
Article contributed by Mike Verhagen, MM3
Dues Increase
As we have mentioned before, the 2 year dues charge will increase from $20.00 to $25.00 as of September 25, 2008. If you wish to beat the increase deadline, you can send in your 2008-2010 dues to Paul Mohawk, Treasurer, USS Plymouth Rock Association, 5558 Canyon Lands Drive, Ft. Worth, TX 76137. Make checks payable to USS Plymouth Rock Association
"I was in the process of deleting old messages from my Inbox and noticed this e-mail from Gary Bailey, CPL, USMC from Madawaska, ME. I was on the ship at the time of this incidence. Maybe someone else remembers this. Bill Provencal, Newsletter editor."
I was on Alpha co ,2nd Shore Party Bt summer of 58 Beirut, Lebanon landing off the USS Plymouth Rock. We were on our way up thru the Dardanelles to Istanbul, Turkey & a sailor was presumed lost overboard. The word was he was never found, Only recently Have I learned his last name was Mullins a African-American & a cook also that he was found off the coast of Italy, how much longer I don't know. He & other sailors used to play cards & found out he had loaded dice. This probably was investigated but it is a human interest story which I guess we know no ending but he was a US sailor & needs to be remembered no matter the story We departed Norfolk,VA, May 1,1958.Got underway for Gibraltar & points West 1,Oct.1958.Cherrio
Last Newsletter's "Z"Gram - Comment On
Having spent 3 1/2 years on PR (1974-1978) as the leading DK and getting my commission from there, the ship has many fond (and certainly more than one not so fond) memories for me. I see that several of my shipmate contemporaries are members. I do have a particular story to relate in reference to your Z Gram comments below. I was stationed in London before PR in the Zumwalt era. At the time I was a cashier converting US$ into UK Pounds at a very favorable rate. For about a month, it was not uncommon for people to withdraw all their savings in US$ to convert to UK Pounds and make significant profit by taking the cash to their local bank and redepositing them into their UK Pound accounts then reverse the process thereby gaining a return around 15% for their effort. They could do this several time a day, hence a significant line at the window to take advantage of the situation. When the Z Gram came out, we made a sign that said "Z Gram XXX states that no person shall wait in line more than 15 minutes so if you have been in this line for 15 minutes, please leave." It lasted about 10 minutes before the Captain forcibly removed it with the scowling comment "You guys are NOT funny!".
Nick
Nicholas B. Clark, Sr.
LCDR, SC, USN (Ret.)
Plymouth Rock was laid down by Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, Miss. 4 May 1953; launched 7 May 1954; sponsored by Mrs. Francis C. Denebrink; and commissioned 29 November 1954, Commander D. Bontecou in command.
After sailing in January 1955 to Norfolk, her homeport, Plymouth Rock conducted shakedown off the East Coast and in the Caribbean. In the summer of 1955 she transported men and equipment to early warning sites in the far north. In March 1956 she deployed to the Mediterranean for amphibious operations, returning in October. During 1957 she made numerous trips to the Caribbean, and again resupplied the Arctic Distant Early Warning Line.
From May to October 1958 Plymouth Rock operated as a unit of the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, participating in the landing of U.S. Marines in Lebanon in July. After developing the concept of "vertical envelopment" by helicopter assault in early 1959, she made a Caribbean cruise to Puerto Rico and Cuba. In February 1960 she participated in Operation Amigo, carrying support helicopters and other equipment for President Dwight Eisenhower's visit to South America. From March to December, she again deployed to the Mediterranean.
During 1961 Plymouth Rock made several cruises to the Caribbean and one to the Mediterranean, including work on project Mercury and project ASROC. During 1962 she made several deployments to the Caribbean, and was a member of the blockade force during the Cuban Missile Crisis. On 7 May 1963 she again deployed to the Mediterranean, returning in October.
In 1964 Plymouth Rock made two Caribbean cruises and then took part in Operation Steel Pike I off the coast of Spain, the largest amphibious operation since World War II. Early 1965 found Plymouth Rock on another Caribbean cruise. From 28 January 1966 to 7 March she was involved in H-Bomb recovery operations off Palomares, Spain following the Palomares hydrogen bombs incident.[1] Late 1966 found her once again in the Caribbean, providing for the victims of Hurricane Inez in Haiti. After three Caribbean cruises in early 1967, Plymouth Rock deployed to northern Europe. She made two more Caribbean deployments in 1968. From June to July 1969 she again deployed to northern Europe.
Plymouth Rock was decommissioned 30 September 1983 and transferred to the Maritime Administration 8 November 1989 and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Her name was struck from the Navy List on 24 February 1992 and she was sold for scrapping, 25 August 1995, to Peck Recycling, Richmond, VA, for $268,707.
Photos contributed by Ron Bonacci, MM2 Unitas Cruise XXII, 1981
The Plymouth Rock at pier side in Callao, Peru. 1983. Plymouth Rock
under tow down James River as she passes Naval Base, Norfolk. Plymouth Rock in the
"decom phase".
Washington - The new E1-E6 Service Uniform (SU) will be available for purchase in Great Lakes and California Navy Exchanges starting July 31, according to NAVADMIN 190/08.
The SU is for year-round wear and replaces the summer white and winter blue uniforms. It is authorized to be worn for office work, watchstanding, liberty or business ashore when prescribed as the uniform of the day. The new uniform is the result of significant research and input from the fleet.
"Over 500 Sailors participated in a six-month wear-test, evaluating four diverse uniform concepts, designs and colors," said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson. Overwhelmingly, the approved SU design was selected above the other three. Sailors will have up to 24 months to purchase the new uniform, depending on their duty station location. The mandatory wear date for all E1-E6 personnel is July 2010. Clothing replacement allowances for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 were increased to cover the purchasing of two sets of new uniforms by July 2010.
Basic SU components include a short-sleeved khaki shirt for males and a short sleeved khaki overblouse for females; black trousers with black belt and silver buckle for males and black beltless slacks for females.Collar insignia consists of miniature silver anodized metal rank insignia for E2-E6. Petty officers will wear large silver anodized metal rank insignia on their garrison cap. Males must wear a white undershirt. Optional components include a black, Eisenhower-style jacket with epaulets, black pullover v-neck sweater and black skirt, beret and handbag for females
Plymouth
Rock (LSD-29),
Chesapeake Bay, July 1964.
Navy
Trivia
Fathom: Represents the span between two outstretched arms of a person of average size--about 6 feet.
Skipper: The captain or master of a ship is called the skipper. The word was introduced in Britain during the fourteenth century and was derived from the Dutch schipper, itself derived from schip, meaning "Ship".
Tar: First recorded in the mid-seventeenth century, the expression originates from the seafarer's custom of treating his clothing with tar as a protection against the elements.
