Locating our Shipmates

[Don Jones]

I have been putting together a spreadsheet of all of the contact info I have found but there is still a long way to go. Take a crew of 800+ and add almost 30 years and you can imagine how far and wide everyone has spread. The two best things we have working for us is the internet and each other. If anyone has any info about any of the original crew please forward it to me. A first name or even a hometown goes a long way when all I have is "John Smith...California" to go on.
Andy has all of the pictures of the Plankowners posted so please take a minute to look them over and let me know what you can about any of them.


Thanks

Don Jones (HT2 1979-1981)  

[DocOpsahl]

Don,
   I believe that Pete Latham, CAPT DC RET is located at
115 Bon St, East Greenwich, RI 02818

Good luck and thanks for tracking me down
Mike

[Don Jones]

Doc,
Thanks for the heads up. I will contact him and invite him to the party!


Don

[vinny]

Hello Don, my name is Vincent Thurman,I was a BTFN assigned to MP2 when the ship was commissioned.I retired from the Navy and was once again assigned to Nassau for my twilight tour,as MP2 LCPO in 1996.I'm living in Houston Texas (Katy).Nice to hear from all you guys.

[ahopkins]

Don:

Thanks for working to put this together.  I am very interested in returning to Norfolk for a NASSAU reunion and will spread the word as much and as far as I can.

Al Hopkins
Plankowner
1979 - 1982

[ftg2 kinney]

Great Website,,,,I'm a Plankowner  as well, 79-81. Combat Systems

Mike Kinney

[Don Jones]

Mike,

Great to hear from you. I have added you to the "found" list. If you know the location of any other Plankowners or even have an idea on where some of them may be let me know so I can find them too.

 

 

Don Jones

HT2 1979-1981 

-----Original Message-----
From: ftg2 kinney (via Nabble) [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:50 PM
To: Don Jones
Subject: Re: Locating our Shipmates

Great Website,,,,I'm a Plankowner  as well, 79-81. Combat Systems

Mike Kinney

[YN3 Mullen]

Count me as another shipmate that has been found.  My name is Shawn Mullen (YN3 Mullen in the picture of the Executive Department).  I found this site by accident while Googling the Nassau.  I reported to Pascagoula in January 1979 and was onboard until February 1980 when I transferred to the USS Inchon (LPH 12).  Of the three ships I was on, the Nassau is the only one still floating.  

Ah the Summer nights in Pascagoula in 1979.  3500 Lakeside Drive.  My friends onboard were primarily Joe Donovan, Jim Diley (who was my room mate at Lakeside Drive) and Matt Moles.  Of course, I remember everyone in the Executive Department and it was great seeing old faces after so many years.  I sure would like to hear from anyone who knows me, particularly the officers I knew:  Commander Iannucci, Phil Russell (who I worked for during most of my tenure -- I was the legal yeoman), Luther Barr, Dave Barish and Craig Jenks.  Special note to Craig:  I live in Philadelphia and I remember you are from this area.  I sure hope you remember me -- you were one of my favorite people on the ship.

I don't know how many plankowners you've found so most people may not know of my memories of my time on Nassau.  However, I do have some stories:

Matt Moles had a green MG.  As you pulled up to the area where Nassau was docked there was a left curve, with a parking lot off to the right.  On a wet day Matt lost control of the MG and we ended up in the parking lot.  I believe we uprooted a chain fence pole among other things.  They had to file a formal investigation on it.

During the Commissioning Liz Taylor came out of Captain Kearns' office just as I was leaving Commander Iannucci's office.  Captain Kearns was behind her and asked me to show her where the bathroom was!  I escorted her I think about 20 feet to the designated Lady's room.

I have a few more that are not for public discussion but those two stories may be remembered by other folks.  In any event, if you know me and see this and want to talk please contact me at [e-mail].

If you folks are interested I think I have some Nassau-related things:  I know I have all my performance evaluations -- can't think why on Earth you'd want to post them but you're welcome to.  I think I have a Plankowner's certificate.  I may have some other certificates.  I'll look when I go to work on Monday.

[umpierres]

Greetings Shipmates my name is Berardo C. Umpierres better known as ( Bernie ) I was part of the engineering dept electrical division if you look at the photo I'm in the 2nd row third from left I happen to have found the website by mistake didn't know there was one, anyway I read there is going to be a 30th year reunion that's exciting you guys can count me in just e-mail the details and I will make plans to be there and sharing stories and good times with old shipmates, gotta go ( Go Navy ) and may God Bless you all.        

[NewtonH]

Hi, I came across this site after my dad Newton Henderson was talking about his good old navy days. He was in the assault div (engineering) I just wanted to let you know he's all doing very well. He still can't believe I found this site and that it has been 30 years. He doesn't think he'll be able to make it to the reunion because he's living in Wisconsin now. But if any of his old navy buddies wish to contact him. They can shoot me an e-mail. [e-mail]

Thanks!

[jwalker]

hey my mane is joe walker .i served on the nassau from june 79 till may of 82. i was in aimd im4 div.i think it is awesome that you are having a 30 yr reunion i may be able to make the saturday meeting . i still live in va about 2 hrs from norfolk.i found this sight googling the nassau.great to see the old pics and stirring up old memories. hope to see you guys in july.

[Tom Winkler]

Mike Kinney! You lived in Kentucky right? I sent Andy a picture of you coloring on that hunk of plywood we had in Radar Repair.  If I remember correctly I took you part way home one time. Let me know if I have this right or if I am all wet.
I have enjoyed looking at this website and remembering the good old days. I have stories that I can tell and some I can't. I have memories that are as vivid as if they occasion was yesterday and I have an active immagination and a history of substance abuse so some of it might be an illusion!
I will look forward to seeing people who I recognize and trying to guess at the few of you who look different after almost 30 years.

[MurphinPT]

Mike,

How's this for a belated response to your January post?!
I've been "out of it" for a while...

I recall you... we shared a GQ station on top of the island with those weird alternate targeting thingies I never understood (and which we never used even in a drill, if I remember correctly). You always a a good wit and some wry comments to share... I remember when we shot up some barrels for target practice off of Gitmo you muttered, as one sank: "There's one barrel that won't be bringing Communism to our shores..."

I never appreciated how nice that GQ station was until later when I got moved to a repair locker... but I always enjoyed being up there with you guys.

Best,
Murph

[ftg2 kinney]

Hi Tommy and Mr. Murphy,,,,,I have really warm memories of you both. Yes Tommy you gave me a lift to Kentucky once and yes Mr. Murphy, we had an awesome GQ Station topside.   It's a hoot that we can still recall so much of it, particularly considering how determined we were to kill as many brain cells as possible back then.

[MurphinPT]

Hey there Mr. Kinney! Brain...? What brain...?

Learned a lot on that ship from you guys... all of you!

Still learning, and a work in progress...

-Murph

At 06:32 PM 8/16/2009, you wrote:

Hi Tommy and Mr. Murphy,,,,,I have really warm memories of you both. Yes Tommy you gave me a lift to Kentucky once and yes Mr. Murphy, we had an awesome GQ Station topside.   It's a hoot that we can still recall so much of it, particularly considering how determined we were to kill as many brain cells as possible back then.

---

Murph in PT

[ftg2 kinney]

Some javascript/style in this post has been disabled (why?)

 Hey Murph, great to hear from you.....if you're doing the facebook thing look me up or give me your handle. You;ll need a high tolerance for liberalism though.

Mike

-------------- Original message from "MurphinPT (via Nabble)" <[hidden email]>: --------------

Hey there Mr. Kinney! Brain...? What brain...?

Learned a lot on that ship from you guys... all of you!

Still learning, and a work in progress...

-Murph

At 06:32 PM 8/16/2009, you wrote:

Hi Tommy and Mr. Murphy,,,,,I have really warm memories of you both. Yes Tommy you gave me a lift to Kentucky once and yes Mr. Murphy, we had an awesome GQ Station topside.   It's a hoot that we can still recall so much of it, particularly considering how determined we were to kill as many brain cells as possible back then.

---

Murph in PT

[Tom Winkler]

Mike, did you see the picture of you coloring on that piece of plywood we had up in the radar shop? You haven't changed a bit. OK, maybe a little.
It is amazing to me how well I remember things from those days, or should I say how well I think I remember them. In the course of my life when I have been sitting around a bonfire indulging on things that can alter one's conscience state I have recalled tales from that period of my life. While I am inclined to say I keep it real, occasionally I may have bent or fabricated for my audience. Truth be told how many people would appreciate the humor in the Chief directing someone to store a rouge matress in a fan room and getting caught by The XO?
It's too bad you couldn't have made it, I know there were people who would have really liked to see you, including a wide grinned ex-junior officer biker from out west (who will remain nameless) who I had the pleasure of visiting with. How can a guy not still call him Mr. Murphy?
Next time,

[ftg2 kinney]

Tommy,

Those long forgotten memories do tend to creep in from time to time. My pride in us and our service grows with each passing year, the fact that we were an all volunteer force makes our time spent even more a source of pride. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

I would have really enjoyed visiting with you and Murph and hope the opportunity presents itself again. I'm proud to have served with you both, smart and clever people are always at a premium and Nassau had more than its share. It's a shame we're so spread out.