Watch this terrific video and pass the word to family, friends, businesses and organizations to support this organization to help keep our historic destroyers afloat.

Wednesday, September 21 – Saturday, September 24
Chicago, Illinois

We will explore the Chicago area highlights via three tours:

• First Division Museum,  Freedom Museum and Cantigny Mansion, plus Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
• Great Lakes Naval Training Center
• Chicago Odyssey, Tour of Chicago

Download these documents for registration and tour information:

2011 Reunion Announcement (PDF)
2011 Reunion Registration (PDF)
2011 Reunion Tour Schedule (PDF)

Thanks again to Barry Dahlberg for another great organization job.

Day 1, Tuesday, September 28

Registration and check-in began at 10:00 AM.  in the hospitality room at the Doubletree Hotel. A total of 51, 27 shipmates and 24 spouses, family and friends registered.

Bill Fortenberry and his brother Dub, Glen and Sue Van Schaack, Ben Bender’s sister and sister-in-law Ann Pickering and Helen Rossi, Ronnie May, Larry Krueger and his son and daughter Larry Krueger and Darla Trujillo, were first time attendees.

This reunion was to be a combine reunion with the USS Rogers who had not gotten together for 3-4 years. After getting together with the shipmates who had done their past reunions, we decided to do the combination. Unknown to all of the planners, some other Rogers shipmates had been planning a February 2011 event. We didn’t become aware of this before the announcements were mailed to both mailing lists. I had many calls from the Rogers shipmates and explained what had happened, advising them they could attend either or both. As a result, none of the Rogers shipmates elected to attend the combine reunion. As it turned out only Ben Bender and I were the only shipmates who had served aboard both ships were there for the Rogers. It seemed like a good idea, but we won’t try that again.

Everyone gathered in the hospitality room at 6:00 PM to renew old friendships and a welcoming reception of   Submarine sandwiches, fruit and cheese, chips, snacks, wine, beer, and coffee. The coming day’s programs   and tours were outlined to make sure all the participants were on board. The  wives of the shipmates were  recognized and thanked for their support.

Day 2, Wednesday, September 29

After breakfast in the hotel dining room, 30 of the group boarded 2 tour buses for the 1 hour trip north to Everett  Washington for a tour of the Boeing Assembly Plant and Museum. We arrived just 15 minutes before the escorted tour began. As we were seated in an auditorium, our guides gave us a short briefing and the rules of the tour. We then viewed a short movie on the history of the Boeing Company before boarding the Boeing tour bus for the short trip from the museum across Paine Field Airport to the aircraft parking area on the north end of the field… As we cruised past the Boeing painting hanger where all the Airliners are given their final paint colors, the Boeing guide pointed out the various planes that were on the tarmac awaiting final checkout before delivery to the various worldwide airlines. As we proceeded east across the highway overpass to the assembly plant located on the far side, our guide explained that all the airliners also traveled across the same overpass upon completion of assembly, and that it was always done in the middle of the night so as not to disrupt traffic. It seems that the sight of a 747 crossing the highway sometimes startle the drivers causing accidents.  At O’Hare Airport in Chicago it doesn’t seem to bother anyone that there is aircraft crossing over the main entrance regularly at all hours of the day.

As we passed along the gigantic assembly building, our guide explained that if you were to walk all the way around you would have traveled three and a half miles. The bus stopped about half way down the building where the entrance to the 747 assembly floor is located. We had to walk about a tenth of a mile to reach the elevator in the center of the building. Boeing supplied a golf cart for those who needed one. We were taken to the third floor level to a balcony overlooking the 747 assembly area. There are four cockpit jigs where the cockpit sections are assembled, then moved to the other side of the area where the two wing assembly jigs and final assembly is located. When all the main assemblies are merged, the airframe is moved toward the main door where internal and other assemblies are added. When everything is completed the aircraft is moved out the 300 foot door and across the highway for testing and painting. As we were leaving, there were several more shipmates taking advantage of the Boeing provided golf cart.

The group reboarded the Boeing bus and proceeded to the next area of the building where the 767s and 787s are being assembled. We were again taken to a third floor balcony situated between the two assembly areas. The assembly methods are similar to the 747 except that the 767 was put together like an automobile line. The sections are constructed alongside the line and assembled at stations as the airframe moved forward toward the 300 foot door. The 787 also moved down an assembly line with sections added as it progressed. The difference between the two lines is that all the modular sections of the 787 are constructed all over the world and shipped to Everett Washington via specially modified 747s and assembled in this plant. The assembly area dimensions are 1200 X 400 feet 100 feet high. This space is large enough to accommodate 24 Destroyers the size of the USS Isbell.

Upon returning to the museum, the crew had lunch at the food court and inspected the various exhibits illustrating the Boeing Products with mockups and sections of actual airframes.

Upon returning to the hotel, the hospitality room became the gathering point until taps.

Day 3, Thursday, September 30

After breakfast, we boarded the coach for the trip to Bremerton Washington via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to visit the USS Turner Joy and the Bremerton Naval Base. Upon arriving at the Turner Joy, we were divided into three groups and escorted aboard by docents for a tour of the ship that included the bridge, forecastle, wardroom, captain’s cabin mess hall, engine room, and boiler room.

When the ships tour was complete, we boarded 2 Navy buses that took us aboard the base on a tour past the four mothballed aircraft carriers, USS Ranger CVA 61, USS Independence CVA62,  USS Kitty Hawk CVA63, and USS Constellation CVA 64. The group had lunch at the Samuel Adams Brew House, the on base restaurant. After lunch we saw more of the base but were not allowed in the shipyard area due to security issues. The buses returned us to the Ferry Dock, where we boarded the ferry back to Seattle. The one hour trip across Puget Sound provided us with a view of Mount Rainer, the Seattle skyline and ships traversing the sound. Our tour bus met us at the landing and returned us to the hotel for another evening of comradeship.

Day 4, Friday, October 1

We started the day boarding the tour buses for a tour of the Seattle area that included the Klondike Gold Museum, UPS Memorial Park, Washington Island, Lake Washington locks, Fishing Boat port, and time to explore Pike Place Market. We returned to the hotel at 3:00 PM to prepare for the banquet.

Cocktail hour began at 5:00 PM. Our Guest Speaker, Ensign Michael Schermerhorn was piped aboard at 6:00 and the banquet began. After welcoming Ensign Schermerhorn and presenting him with an Isbell hat and cookbook, he was inducted as an honorary member of the crew.

The pledge of Allegiance to the flag was followed with the Benediction by Jimmy Pollock.  Ben Lowery conducted the Missing Man Ceremony.  Grace was said by Jimmie Pollock followed by dinner served at 6:30.

After dinner Jerry Thompson was presented with The Lone Sailor Award and declared Ship’ Boatswain recognition of piping our guests aboard for the past eight reunions.
Ensign Schermerhorn, who had also served as our guide at the Bremerton Naval Base the day before, then introduced himself and told  us how he had enlisted 18 years before and risen to the rate of Master Chief before being commissioned Ensign. His service in the submarine forces prompted many questions about submarines and he delighted educating us “Squids” (surface sailors) about the “Bubbleheads” (submarine sailors) service.

Barry Dahlberg discussed next years 2011 reunion that will be held in the Chicago area, outlining the tentative plans and tours. The 2012 reunion was proposed to be held in the Norfolk Virginia area.

The Banquet evening was concluded with the raffle of prizes supplied by the shipmates that represented their home areas.

The seventh USS Arnold J. Isbell reunion was held October 25-28, 2009, in Galveston Island, Texas. Thanks again to Barry Dahlberg for organizing the reunion and providing this report.

Day 1,  Sunday, October 25.

Several of the shipmates arrived Saturday so registration and check-in began early in the morning in the second floor Hospitality Room overlooking the Gulf. The Commodore Hotel is located atop the Galveston Seawall just across the boulevard from the beach. With all rooms facing the Gulf, we could hear the surf at night if the door to the balcony was ajar.  A total of 43 registered, 23 shipmates and 20 family and friends.

Bruce and Joyce Scott, and Rick and Phyllis Waltemath were attending for the first time.
The crew gathered in the hospitality room at 6:00PM to renew old friendships, make new, and tell the same old sea stories while enjoying a reception buffet of supreme subway sandwiches, cheese and fruit tray, vegetable and dip tray, and a cake displaying a picture of the ship and the message, “Welcome To Galveston Island” The ladies all congregated around a table to help prepare and set out the trays and sandwiches, while the guys kept the refrigerators filled with soda, water, and beer.

Day 2,  Monday, October 26.

After a continental breakfast in the hospitality room, the shipmates boarded a coach for the 40-minute trip to the Museum Ship USS TEXAS.  We were met at the USS TEXAS by three docents who guided us through the ship, explaining shipboard life during World War Two and before. Due to the foul weather, we were not able to explore the weather deck and above.

The group proceeded on to the Johnson Space Center where we explored the museum on our own. Most of us headed for the cafeteria for lunch before visiting the many exhibits of spacesuits, full size mockups of the space shuttle cockpit, moonstones and video simulators. The highlight of the tour was the guided tram tour into the actual space center facility where we were shown the original control room where most of the first missions were conducted. A short talk by one of the original participants of the space program who had worked there, brought the scene to life. The next stop was the training facility where all the space vehicles are mocked up for the use of astronauts and engineers to train and check designs. As we proceeded along the enclosed catwalk above the floor, our guide explained each station and its use. The last stop was a visit to the immense Saturn rocket laid on its side with panels removed to exhibit key sections of the structure. The foul weather caused accidents for two of our shipmates, John Blackwell, and R. E. Thomas both slipped and fell on the wet steps of the tour tram. John was not injured and continued on with the tour, but R. E. badly scrapped his elbow on the pavement. The emergency team was summoned and the tour went on without Bob, Shirley Thomas, Ben Lowery and Shirley Lowery.  Bob refused a trip to the hospital, and the four were then taken on a special escorted tour down on the floor of the training center and given NASA caps by the staff to make up for Bob’s misfortune. They were returned to the Museum via a NASA VIP vehicle.

Upon returning to the hotel, leftovers from the Sunday reception were enjoyed a second time and the evening was filled with more sea stories, looking at photo scrapbooks, and just plain comradeship.

Day 3, Tuesday, October 27.

The day began with breakfast in the hospitality room before boarding the coach with a step on guide for a 1-½ hour tour of the sights and history of Galveston Island.

After dropping the guide off back at the hotel, the coach proceeded to Seawolf Park on Pelican Island, across the bay from Galveston. We were met by the curator of the park, John McMichaels, who welcomed the shipmates at the Compass Plaza, before giving us the history of the Museum Ships USS STEWART DDE 223 and USS CAVALLA SS 324.  Shipmate Jimmy Pollock then conducted a memorial service for our comrades who have crossed the bar before proceeding to tour both ships. Instead of a wreath, a donation of $100.00 was made to the ships.

Our next stop was the waterfront of Galveston harbor where we boarded the 1877 restored barque ELISSA for a self-guided tour of the ship. All spaces of this beautiful ship were open for inspection including the officer’s quarters, engine room, main hold, forcastle, and deckhouses.
The oil drill platform museum OCEAN STAR was next on the tour, where exhibits illustrate the techniques of offshore oil drilling. The remainder of the afternoon was used for shopping on the Strand, the streets of the original city of Galveston, and the evening was again a session of sea stories and visiting.

Day 4, Wednesday, October 28.

Following breakfast, the coach picked the group up at 9:00 AM for a short ride to the Lone Star Aviation Museum where we toured the hanger containing many warplanes dating back to pre world war two. During our visit there were a B-17 and a B-24 being prepped for take off. We were allowed to visit the planes and their crews on the tarmac, getting a close up view of the activities and a personal history of both planes as well as a technical question and answer session.

Before the planes took off, we moved on to the Moody Gardens where the shipmates individually explored the aquarium, various I-Max theaters, explored the gardens, and had lunch. It seems as though most of us ended up on the paddle wheeler Colonel for an hour boat ride on the Offatts Bayou.

In the evening, we all convened at Joe’s Crab Shack restaurant just across the parking lot for the traditional banquet.  The cash bar opened at 5:00 PM as the shipmate gathered and made ready for the banquet. At 6:20, 20 minutes late due to a mix-up in the kitchen, the banquet program began with the piping aboard of our guest speaker, Master Chief Pacific Fleet John Minyard. After his introduction Barry Dahlberg conferred honorary membership to the crew of the USS Arnold J Isbell and presented with a copy of the ship’s cookbook. Jim Walters led the Pledge of allegiance to the flag. Ben Lowery and Barry Dahlberg presented the Missing Man Ceremony. Jimmy Pollock said Grace as the soup and salad was being served. We had a choice of four seafood banquet dishes or any thing on the menu.

The program continued after dinner with Master Chief Pacific Fleet John Minyard describing his position on the Admirals staff to represent the enlisted personnel and recommend enlisted policy to the Fleet Commander. The master Chief told us how the Master Chief program consisted of of a series of consisting of Master Chief of the Navy,  three Fleet Master Chiefs (Pacific, Atlantic, and Europe). There are also Command Master Chiefs for other lesser commands.  He brought us up to date on the attitudes and intelligence of the present day sailors, their skills and the problems the Navy faces to inspire these men to achieve their maximum potential in the service. The new sailors have a different attitude than those of our period, especially with the co-ed navy, it’s accepted as if it’s the normal thing to do and both sexes work together without problems. Separate facilities have been created aboard ship to accommodate both men and women and the practice will extend in the near future to submarines. He presented a sample of the new undress uniform that is now in the process of fine-tuning the design that will replace the traditional dungarees and chambray shirts the enlisted all wore during our tours of duty. After a short question and answer period, Ben Lowery continued the program with a request that we establish a new project, that of filling in the history of the USS Arnold J Isbell with first hand personnel stories of events that happened during our times aboard ship and publishing them on Dan Davis’s web-site. R. E. Thomas was called to the podium and asked to relate his famous sea story of purloining a ham right under the Exec’s and Captain’s nose without repercussion. He gave an exceptional presentation, complete with sound effects, illustrating exactly what we want to get for the history. Part of the reason of picking on R.E. to tell his story, was to get him up front so that we could present him with an award for his fabulous efforts of procuring raffle prizes and conducting the raffle at the 2004 reunion in Baton Rouge LA. Those of you who were there will know how much he contributed to the success of that reunion. We have been waiting 5 years for him to attend another so his award could be presented.

Ben Lowery followed up with a narration of the Tsunami that washed several men overboard including Chuck Ehaney, resulting in the loss of two of the sailors.

Joe Clark was recognized as a plank owner and presented with an award by Ben Lowery.

Joe Kiefner and Jim Walters conducted the raffle of items brought by shipmates and several Ships’ Cookbooks. Evelyn Dahlberg was the first winner and selected the “Tinman” handmade of tin cans by Joe Clark as her prize. When all the prizes were distributed, Jimmy Pollock conducted the Benediction and the crew retired to the hotel.

Contributed by John Viola (HM3, 1951-54)

Date: 5/11/2002 12:28:17 AM
Name: Clark Hodges
Email: shaark@attbi.com
Served From: Jan 67
Served To: Dec 68
Rate/Rank: Ltjg
Comment: ASW & Navigator under CO’s Lechliter & Walker

Date: 5/12/2002 10:44:56 PM
Name: Mark Woods
Email: mpwoody@san.rr.com
Served From: Aug. 1966
Served To: Late 1968
Rate/Rank: MM2
Comment: Great to see the Arnold J. website. I spent 3 years 9 months in active duty, the whole time on two cans. I went aboard the Isbell in August 1966 at Long Beach Naval Station (Mole pier) from bootcamp in San Diego. I was from Hawaii back in those days. I made 1-1/2 deployments on the Isbell and transferred aboard the Edson (DD 946) halfway through the my second WestPac (late 68′ I think) for more steaming time and 1200 psi propulsion plant experience. The Isbell was a 600 psi plant with stick-shift controls. I was a MM2 when I left the Isbell. There are a lot of memories of my time on the Isbell. She was a steamer and rode real hard in Typhoons, especially the one out of Yokosuka in 1967. I remember 33 plus knots after overhaul at LBNSY in, I think, late 1967 or 68. I was one of the snipes that continued the age old tradition of painting out the b’s on the stern name of the Brinkley Bass, so it read rinkley ass. It caused liberty to be secured for the whole ship in Long Beach one time. The Command finely had liberty called about 2200 because there were a lot of upset crew members not being able to go home while in-port. Oh well, all in fun. We were just trying to keep up with tradition. I recall the following ports-of-call while serving on the Isbell:
Long Beach
Pearl Harbor
Midway
Guam
Hong Kong
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Olongapo City (Subic Bay)
Leyte, PI
Yokosuka, Japan
Portland Rose Festival
San Diego
San Francisco (Treasure Island)
Acapulco, Mexico

Has anyone heard from Paul Smith (MM2) from Alaska? He was onboard the Arnold J. during same time frame as I.
Woody

Date: 5/15/2002 8:37:14 PM
Name: robert dery
Email: robert dery @earthlink.net
Served From: 1957
Served To: 1960
Rate/Rank: eocs
Comment: i was icfn dicharged a ic3. i had a total of 28 years of
servace in the usn. i ended my service in the seabees and
retired a senior chief.

Date: 5/24/2002 11:06:53 PM
Name: William H. Russell
Email: tongo@cableone.net
Served From: Aug. 57
Served To: july 58
Rate/Rank:
Comment:

Date: 6/6/2002 5:57:17 PM
Name: Doug Van Epps
Email: dvanepps@alltel.net
Served From: 1971
Served To: 1973
Rate/Rank: rd3
Comment: This is excellent. It has brought back so many memories. I hope to hear from others that served at the same time

Date: 6/13/2002 12:32:02 AM
Name: jackson r tyree
Email: jtyree84@yahoo.com
Served From:
Served To:
Rate/Rank:
Comment: just to let you know one of your crewmen from the 50s has died sn marvin boerner from evansville indiana

Date: 6/16/2002 9:26:10 PM
Name: Mickey Freese
Email: jannamouse@msn.com
Served From: 65
Served To: 68
Rate/Rank: rd2
Comment:

Date: 6/18/2002 4:09:52 AM
Name: Paul Wheeless
Email: pawhl2@aol.com
Served From: 69
Served To: 71
Rate/Rank: BTFN
Comment: This is my second time in the guestbook and I have to write again after seeing pictures if old “old” shipmates. Seeing guess, french, cook, skeeter, moler, rice and “old man” mac again, just the way I remember them 33 years younger. I will be at the reunion. I hope to see all if you there.
Paul Wheeless
My new E-mail is pawhl2@aol.com

Date: 6/19/2002 10:33:37 PM
Name: Bill Carr
Email: williamcarr@qwest.net
Served From: 1954
Served To: 1956
Rate/Rank: RD2
Comment: This is my new email address. Was on the Isbell from 5/54 to 9/56. Was Radarman second class when I left the ship.

Date: 6/30/2002 8:07:34 PM
Name: Max E. Cooley
Email: max5@trilobyte.net
Served From: 05—-51
Served To: 04—-53
Rate/Rank: TM 2
Comment: I was one of the Green SA’s boarding at Sasebo in 51
later transferred to the USS Holister. and served there until discharged in 54, I am in touch regularly with Von Johnston and Henery Chevalier. both of these men served on the Isbell Until late 54. three others have passed on …

Date: 7/10/2002 4:42:50 AM
Name: Jack Miller
Email: deaddog12@juno.com
Served From: 3/56 Mar 56
Served To: Apr 58
Rate/Rank: EM3
Comment: Went aboard out of bootcamp and school. She was at Pier 1 NavSta S.Diego and outboard of Hector. ICFA Sugiama also reporting aboard dropped his seabag between the ships. It was recovered. Oh..did I get sick the two days up to MINSY! Had good times in Wellington, Brisbane and the rest of WestPac. After the second cruise transferred to the Mothball fleet in S.Diego. A very different experience.

Date: 7/16/2002 8:23:17 PM
Name: Hilton (Tony) Vidrine
Email: tony_vidrine@hotmail.com
Served From: 1957
Served To: 1965
Rate/Rank: BT1
Comment: I’m still looking thru the old archives. I’m happy to see a lot of familiar names. I picked up a couple of e-mail addresses from Watson’s e-mail. I guess I’m getting old. I find it hard to dredged up names. I can still see the faces.

Date: 7/22/2002 5:49:29 AM
Name: C. Ben Lowery
Email: loweryvet@alltel.net
Served From: 1950
Served To: 1953
Rate/Rank: RD 2
Comment: The first Arnold J. Isbell reunion will be this Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Charleston, SC. If you are interested email me for information. If you want to get in contact with shipmates, come to this reunion.

Date: 7/27/2002 9:05:41 PM
Name: Dean French (Frenchy)
Email: french@emily.net
Served From: 1971
Served To: sale to Greece
Rate/Rank: BT3
Comment: Updated to add email address.

Date: 8/5/2002 1:31:08 PM
Name: BUDDY S. SWEATT
Email: BUDSWEATT647@CS.COM
Served From: 48
Served To: 52
Rate/Rank: MM2C
Comment: AFTER ENGINE ROOM, GOING TO REUNION. HEY JIM PERINO , YOUR E-MAIL HAS CHANGED AND I COULDN’T REACH YOU.

Date: 8/12/2002 8:43:57 PM
Name: Raymond Reed
Email: rayreed@tca.net
Served From: 1952
Served To: 1956
Rate/Rank: Ens.
Comment: I went aboard the A.J.Isbell in June 1952 as an Ensign, served as Main Prop., Damage Control, CIC,and finally Navigator. Left in June 1956 for 2 years teaching NROTC at Harvard. Left active duty, but completed 28 yrs total in reserve. Retired as CDR USN. I designed the Hellcat insignia for the baseball caps when we changed the radio call sign from ‘Sapworth’ to ‘Hellcat’. Will bring an original cap, first made in Yokosuka, and other memorabilia, when Bud Zumwalt took command. Looking forward to sharing numerous, now humorous, momories of “The best damn destroyer in the Pacific Fleet!”

Date: 8/18/2002 7:34:52 AM
Name: Steve Bilbo
Email: sbilbo@swbell.net
Served From: 12/61
Served To: 8/64
Rate/Rank: RM2
Comment: Great ship and crew. It’s good to be back aboard, and have the chance to talk to old shipmates. Dan, thanks for the super website.
Date: 9/8/2002 5:37:16 AM

Date: 9/29/2002 12:57:56 PM
Name: William C Hurd
Email: wildbill1933@yahoo.com
Served From: 1951
Served To: 1953
Rate/Rank: TM
Comment: I boarded the Isbell in Yokosuka right out of bootcamp, I was on board when the Isbell served on the east and west coasts of Japan (task forces 77 and 95). Some of the guys still in my “senior memory” are Kendall, Meckler, Rooney, Cooley, Tom and John Henry, Spud Taylor, Eversole, Grant Johnson, and Von Johnston. Be seeing you at the reunion. In the meantime, send me an email – be glad to hear from you.

Date: 10/29/2002 8:55:15 PM
Name: William W. Graham
Email: wwgraham@sover.net
Served From: 1-3-46
Served To: 8-2-46
Rate/Rank: Radioman
Comment: I was assigned to the Isbell in Nov or Dec 1945. We were given Pre commission training. Finally came aboard the Isbell as a Seaman First Class Radioman Striker on Jan 3, 1946. Commissioning ceremonies were held Jan 5th. Left Feb 5th for GTMO Bay, Cuba on Isbell’s Shakedown cruise. From Feb 19 to April 8th the ship operated in and out of GTMO. Served with newly built carrier Roosevelt for a while. April 9th we left GTMO Bay for San Juan, Puerto Rico then on April 15th left San Joan for return to New York. Arrived a Brooklyn Navy Yard Apr. 26th. Stayed in New York until June 1st, then left for Norfolk, Va., arriving on June 3rd. From June 15th to the 28th we operated with USS Randolph CV 15 and USS Meridith, DD890 up and down Atlantic coast, going up as far as Boston. We sailed into Norfolk on June 28, then Davisville, Rhode Island and Quonset Point July 14th. On July 15th I received my Radioman 2/3 Petty Officer rate. July 18 left for Guantanamo Bay again with USS Washington, BB 56, the Randolph, CV 15 and Meredith DD890. Arrived Cuba 22nd July, leaving on 24th and continuing the Atlantic patrol. Arrived back at Brooklyn Navy Yard Aug 2 1946 and I was discharged Aug 5th.

Have never sent for Plankowner designation and was among those unknown when Ben Lowery made presentations at reunion, SC this year. I always remembered those 7 months on the Isbell and the Radio Shack, Signalmen, and Electronic Technicians Mates gang. My Isbell dates are 1-3-46 to 8-2-46.

Date: 11/10/2002 6:49:13 PM
Name: henry “hank” watson
Email: doc477@excite.com
Served From: 62
Served To: 64
Rate/Rank: mm3
Comment: i was at the reunion and had a blast we had 12 shipmates from the 60-64 era. and we hope to have more the next time. any one wanting to get in touch with any of the shipmates
from that era give me a call. i have most of ther #s

hank watson

cell # 940 841 9100

Date: 11/16/2002 12:58:14 PM
Name: Bill Carr
Email: billwcarr@cox.net
Served From: 6/54
Served To: 9/56
Rate/Rank: RD2
Comment: This is my new email address. Went to the reunion, it was great. Would like to hear from anyone who knew me.

Date: 11/21/2002 9:03:59 PM
Name: Mark Evdemon
Email: markevdemon@webtv.net
Served From:
Served To:
Rate/Rank: RM2
Comment: Nice DD site Dudes. I was not on this ship but enjoyed surfing around. 58-60 I was on USS Beale (DDE-471) and 60-61 on USS Brough (DE-148). God bless the USA and all US Navy sailors.

Date: 12/9/2002 10:35:15 PM
Name: William Craigie “Butch’
Email: craigie3295@msn.com
Served From: 1968
Served To: 1969
Rate/Rank: BT3
Comment: Did one westpac cruise fall and winter 68-69. Worked in foward fireroom. Some old shipmates are “Pig” Vic Deaton, Burlson, Hank the dairy farm from up state NY I think, had a kid we called flash in referance to the way he moved SLOW
Charlie Weems thats about all the old mind can handle Be safe!

Date: 12/18/2002 11:35:15 PM
Name: Tim Kozack
Email: tkozack@AOL.com
Served From: 1961
Served To: 1964
Rate/Rank: MM2
Comment: The early 60′s were a great time for being a sailor on the
Arnold J. No wars, great times on cruises in the Pacific.
Its a shame that those days had to end.

Date: 1/1/2003 7:09:02 PM
Name: Robin
Email: robin65@dreampainter.net
Served From:
Served To:
Rate/Rank:
Comment: Hi! My name is Robin Reeser & I am writing hoping that some of you may have known My Daddy..I am quite sure he served aboard the A.J.Isbell. He also served aboard the USS North Carolina during WW2 & He also served during the Korean War. My Dad’s name was Daniel E. Reeser from Medford Oklahoma
My Daddy passed away on 1/28/99. I have made a memorail website for him & would be honored if you would visit it..even if you did not know my Dad.

My Dad served aboard the A.J Isbell & I am not sure which years because he also served aboard the USS North Carolina. I have made a site in my Dad’s memory & it has several pictures of his days in the Navy scattered throughtout the site but on this page I have alot of his Navy info His name was Daniel Edward Reeser from Oklahoma http://www.geocities.com/browneyes65_us/browneyes65_us3.html
the above url is the page I was referring to but the home page is http://www.geocities.com/browneyes65_us/

below are links to pages with Navy pictures & I would like to know if any of you are in the pics with my Dad http://www.geocities.com/browneyes65_us/browneyes65_us18.html

http://www.geocities.com/browneyes65_us/browneyes65_us4.html

Date: 2/22/2003 4:52:30 PM
Name: Ted Guess
Email: tguess@mchsi.com
Served From: 12/70
Served To: 12/72
Rate/Rank: BT3
Comment: Wanted to sign in again to register my email change. Job transfer has located us in Davenport, IA

Date: 3/25/2003 8:20:24 AM
Name: Mike Kelley
Email: mccsd@mcn.org
Served From: 8/64
Served To: 2/65
Rate/Rank: E-3
Comment:

Date: 7/18/2003 9:11:06 PM
Name: Michael Folsom
Email: msfolsom@charter.net
Served From: 1962
Served To: 1964
Rate/Rank: sogsn
Comment: I came upon this site by pure accident. I reviewed the WES/PAC cruise book. It brought back alot of memories.

Date: 7/19/2003 4:58:37 PM
Name: Jimmie N. Pollock
Email: jnpollocksr@plateautel.net
Served From: Aug. 1950
Served To: Feb. 1952
Rate/Rank: YN3
Comment: Great web site. I served aboard the Isbell for about one year and six months. The skipper during most of that time was Commander Fletcher Hale. I served a few months under Commander Fitzpatrick. I really enjoyed the reunion in Charleston and I am looking forward to the one in 2004, whereever it might be. Hope to see a lot of my old shipmates there.

Date: 9/10/2003 10:38:07 AM
Name: Bill Bangs
Email: bbangs@earthlink.net
Served From: Aug 1970
Served To: Feb 1972
Rate/Rank: RM2
Comment: Thanks to Dan for the great pics of the 71-72 WestPac cruise. I was showing the Web site to some ex Navy guys/gals I work with and all of a sudden there is my picture with Jack Jones!! What a treat!! Now I have to go find all of my slides and send them to Dan.
Thanks Again

Date: 9/13/2003 5:15:06 PM
Name: Donald R. Holman
Email: holmor@comcast.net
Served From: 1951
Served To: 1953
Rate/Rank: Ensign
Comment:

Date: 10/5/2003 8:19:18 AM
Name: Charles Grivakis
Email: chuck.grivakis@rcn.com
Served From: 3-1969
Served To: 10-1970
Rate/Rank: SN
Comment: Email Address Change

Date: 11/14/2003 12:26:52 PM
Name: Steve Benedetto
Email: B175128@yahoo.com
Served From: 70
Served To: 71
Rate/Rank: snipe
Comment:

Date: 11/15/2003 12:27:25 AM
Name: Roy Hein
Email: heinr@newimage.com
Served From: 1969
Served To: 1970
Rate/Rank: FTM-3
Comment: I got hijacked onto the hollister from the USS Truxtun DLGN35 while we were in Pearl Harbor and the Hollister did not have anyone to maintain and operate their Gun Fire Control Directory. On the way back from Vietnam we stopped in Hawaii and I managed to get Hit by a passing car. My knee still hurts, I’ll never forget the typhoon we all went through or the rearming/supply at sea during those rough seas. I’d like to hear from some of the guys sometime. (by the way when I returned to the Truxton I was greeted with my promotion to FTM2 since I made the first cut on the exam I took in Japan).

Date: 11/15/2003 7:08:03 AM
Name: Ben R. Ennis
Email: ennisbr@cableone.net
Served From: 1972
Served To: 1973
Rate/Rank: PN2
Comment:

Date: 11/16/2003 3:46:43 AM
Name: Dale Hastings
Email: jdhastings@comcast.net
Served From: 1968
Served To: 1970
Rate/Rank: RDC
Comment: My name is actually Johnny Hastings. My father was RDC Dale Hastings. I was just looking at ships (I guess dad’s love of ships really rubbed off on me) and I found this site. I saw that Larry Wilson was asking about dad, but his email address came up as invalid. So I figured I’d try and update him on here.
Dale Hastings died in 1971. He was fishing in a john boat in the inter-coastal waterway off of Knotts Island, NC. A storm came up and he was thrown overboard. He drown. He was found after a three day search by the Navy. He was buried at sea off the coast of Norfolk, VA. He was survived by his wife Gaynell, my two sisters Charlotte and Deborah and myself. He also had a twin brother by the name of RMC Gale Hastings. Hope Mr. Wilson finds this. Best of luck to all of you.

Date: 1/25/2004 9:27:15 AM
Name: Bob (Gator) Rawlins
Email: rsrawlins@worldnet.att.net
Served From: 08/1969
Served To: 10/1970
Rate/Rank: STG2
Comment: I was assigned to WA Division, made 1 WestPac. Loved it so much, I negotiated a swap to return ASAP, hence my short tour of duty aboard. Is another reunion being scheduled? Unfortunately, I missed the 2002 reunion. I enjoy hearing from old shipmates. Saw the Greek version of our ship in the Med.

Date: 3/3/2004 7:37:44 PM
Name: Francis T. Kleber
Email: frankkleber@LTSP.com
Served From: 1955
Served To: 1956
Rate/Rank: CDR
Comment: I served as XO for one year under CDR William G, Holly and the second year under Cdr Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. Please see my remarks about ERZ,Jr. elsewhere on this site. He was a superb human being and naval officer!

Date: 4/13/2004 2:41:26 PM
Name: Blodgett, Thom
Email: thomblodg@hotmail.com
Served From: 1958
Served To: 1960
Rate/Rank: seaman
Comment: looking for Mccormic, Kilion (from Texas, and Gerard (California. I hope to go to the 2004 reunion. I served some time on the deck crew and some time as a Signalman.

Date: 6/16/2004 12:38:59 PM
Name: jack jones
Email: Farrah@centurytel.net
Served From: 1970
Served To: 1972
Rate/Rank: OS2
Comment: e-mail me

Date: 9/14/2004 1:27:41 PM
Name: Samuel P. McCutchen
Email: sammccutch@aol.com
Served From: 9-1950
Served To: 9-1952
Rate/Rank: LTJG
Comment: Electronics Officer

Date: 9/20/2004 5:41:23 PM
Name: Richard Brott
Email: brichcon@worldnet.att.net
Served From: 1957
Served To: 1960
Rate/Rank: EM2
Comment:

Date: 10/4/2004 11:13:19 AM
Name: chris Parise
Email: capjkp@earthlink.net
Served From: 1980
Served To: 1984
Rate/Rank: sgt
Comment: This was my fathers ship which I found looking up the mighty mo at pearl. His name is Patrick Parise he went on the 56-57 cruise he is in the picture of the baseball team lower left front row. I am putting together a scrapbook for his 70th birthday. Please send me anything you might have thank you.

Date: 11/13/2004 1:24:25 PM
Name: Ben Matus
Email: BPgardenpeople@aol.com
Served From: 8-59
Served To: 1-61
Rate/Rank: QM3
Comment: Rescuing the fishermen in the South China Sea is what I remember most. We steamed thru shoal waters at 30+ knots to get them out before they died. Then they wanted to bring their catch aboard!!

Date: 2/6/2005 9:15:07 PM
Name: David Lybarger
Email: dlybarger@msn.com
Served From: 1967
Served To: 1971
Rate/Rank: RD5
Comment: Served with the best Radar Gang in the Pacific Fleet from 1967-1969.

Date: 3/15/2005 4:13:49 PM
Name: JOHN P. DIBBLE
Email: JPDIBBLE71@AOL.COM
Served From: 2-59
Served To: 6-60
Rate/Rank: BTC
Comment: OUTSTANDING DUTY. GOT OFF AFTER MAKING WARRENT AND WENT ON TO LT. RETIRED IN 1971 WITH 26 YEARS.

Date: 6/6/2005 8:25:33 PM
Name: Jerry Henderson
Email: jdhendt@iezpc.com
Served From: 52
Served To: 53
Rate/Rank:
Comment: I was on the Isbell for about 13 months before I transferred to teletype repair school. This was in the early 50′s. My skipper was Francis J. Fitzpatrick & the XO was Oliver Atkinson. Lot of good friends in those days like Ensign MacEwan, Jim Wharton, Larry Diebel, Doak Walker, Pete Boatright, D. J. Brown, Frank Cunningham plus Spurgeon, Bass, Vasquez, Holland, Walters, Chief Spann and many more. Maybe I will make the reunion when it comes to San Diego.

Date: 6/25/2005 3:27:09 PM
Name: Denny “ROSY” Thompson
Email: dennyt1@msn.com
Served From: 1950
Served To: 1952
Rate/Rank: Seaman
Comment: I just found this site. And I have not been buried in a cave. What a surprise. So many names and faces to recall.
My best friends were TJ Ward and John Meckler both killed in that horrible accident at sea. I was on my way topside when it happened. Knocked me off the ladder to the deck. Also close to Be Bop Shivar and Grant Johnson and Tom Gibson. I’m really close to San Diego so I hope to see you then.

Date: 7/11/2005 11:06:47 PM
Name: Robert L. Middleton
Email: middleton2412@bellsouth.net
Served From: 1960
Served To: 1963
Rate/Rank: RMC
Comment: Robert L. Middleton RMC retired, was on the Arnold J. Isbell from 60-63. He made Chief on this old tin can, and many happy times were had. Bob passed away from Lung Cancer on December 1, 2001 in Oroville, Calif. Do any remember him? Sincerely, Louise Middleton

Date: 7/28/2005 9:26:31 PM
Name: Edward J. Le Blanc
Email: MidSouth1069@yahoo.com
Served From: 1948
Served To: 1951
Rate/Rank: ET1
Comment: I am sorry to report that fellow shipmate Edward J. Le Blanc from Baton Rouge, La. passed away on April 21, 2005 at his home here in Baton Rouge. He had suffered a short bout with ALS. He and his two brothers, Leo J. and Emmitt Charles all served on the Isbell during the Korean War deployments. His rank was Electronics Technician, 1st Class. E.J. is survived by his wife Elaine, two daughters three grand children. –Christopher W. Le Blanc.

Date: 8/20/2005 3:16:40 PM
Name: Daniel Stanley
Email: linkbeltdan@msn.com
Served From: 55
Served To: 58
Rate/Rank: SO3
Comment: Thanks for the website, brings back alot of good memories. Had the great honor and pleasure to be phone talker on the bridge during SS and anchor detail for then Capt. Zumwalt. We all new he was destined for greatness.

Date: 9/11/2005 4:50:00 AM
Name: Bobby Prather
Email:
Served From: 52-
Served To: 55
Rate/Rank: BTGFN
Comment: Born in the back woods treated like a dog hit me with a stick jumped like a frog

Date: 9/17/2005 2:03:15 PM
Name: Barry Dahlberg
Email: evba@usa.com
Served From: 1956
Served To: 1957
Rate/Rank: ET 2
Comment: I hope to see many of you at the 2005 Reunion in Alexandria Virginia.
If you can’t make this one, plan for the 2006 reunion in San Diego.
The toughest part of orginizing a reunion is getting addresses for the mailing list. If you are not getting the mailings, please e-mail your address to me and I will see that you are added.

Date: 11/12/2005 9:26:07 AM
Name: Steven Degraziano
Email: ltdgolf2000@yahoo.com
Served From: 71
Served To: 72
Rate/Rank: sm
Comment: Was onboard for West Pac and got early out just before ship left fleet to Austrailia, flew home from the Manila. I regret this now however. I still have some photo’s and memorabelia of thoses days.

Date: 12/26/2005 11:13:57 AM
Name: David B. Chamberlain
Email: screenman1045@aol.com
Served From: 1957
Served To: 1961
Rate/Rank: SOG2
Comment: Good site. Sure would like to link up with sonar/radar/et’s that were aboard during the period I served.

Date: 12/30/2005 3:21:14 PM
Name: Harry Cotronis
Email: starhawk001@yahoo.gr
Served From: 27NOV73
Served To: 02MAR76
Rate/Rank: STSN
Comment: I am one of the Greek guys who took over the ISBELL right after it was decommissioned and trasferred to the Greek Navy on 04DEC73. If anybody, like Dennis Bird or Phil (Ship’s Office), Jeff or Bruce (Sonar), Jim Vanderdose, Mike (the Italian speaking guy who was discharged the same day the ship was decommissioned) and anybody who might still remember anything from these days, please let me know. Great site guys !

Date: 1/10/2006 5:42:43 PM
Name: Fred C. Isele
Email: Jim.Isele@grace.com
Served From: early
Served To: mid 60s
Rate/Rank: HMC
Comment: Fred C. Isele was a hospital corpsman aboard Isbell in the early/mid 60′s. He was a Chief Petty Officer. I remember going aboard Isbell when I was a kid. He is a WWII, Korea, and Vietnam vet. His first ship was USS Burrows (DE-105) during The War. Other ships (that I can remember), USS Nipmuc (a tug) and USS Frontier (tender). He was in the Navy for 25 years. He is 82, lives in Waukegan, Illinois. We lost my mother in 2001, and he has been adrift since. He’s OK otherwise, still cranky and still ship-shape. — Jim Isele

Date: 1/11/2006 3:17:55 PM
Name: Arnold Hans Borgen
Email: choochooeagle@yahoo.com
Served From: 61
Served To: 65
Rate/Rank: EM2-EM1
Comment: New email address Keep me posted on 2006 San Diego reunion, might be able to make it.

Date: 1/11/2006 3:40:09 PM
Name: Arnold Hans Borgen
Email: choochooeagle@yahoo.com
Served From: 61
Served To: 65
Rate/Rank: EM2-EM1
Comment: Retired EMC 1 Nov 79. Maybe able to make the 2006 reunion in San Diego (living in western Arizona), keep me posted.
Fire destroyed lot of old addresses etc. Looking for John L. Blackwell, Renolds, Those snipes of 61-65 ers.

Date: 1/31/2006 9:02:05 PM
Name: Tom Passanisi
Email: tom@passerve.com
Served From: 1969
Served To: 1973
Rate/Rank: OS2
Comment: This site brought back a lot of wonderful memories and names that were hidden in the back of my mind. Nice job Dan! I am getting old now {55}married for 20 yrs to Linda,4 kids, 5 grandkids, hvac and plumbing contractor in Elyria, Ohio website www.passerve.com

Date: 3/24/2006 3:09:42 PM
Name: Larry Ovian
Email:
Served From: 69
Served To: 71
Rate/Rank: BT2
Comment: Was playing on the kids computer when I found this site I have many pictures I would like to share but don’t know how. Reunion??? when and where//

Date: 3/25/2006 8:05:15 AM
Name: Bob Williams
Email: bobwilliams_2@yahoo.com
Served From: Oct ’69
Served To: Feb ’71
Rate/Rank: Ltjg / ASW Ofcr
Comment: I joined the AJ Isbell in Long Beach in the fall of 1969. In early 1970, we departed for a Westpac cruise. During this deploy, I recall for one stretch being at sea for (approx) 45 days straight with no dry land. We alternated assignments between S Vietnam gun fire support and Gulf of Tonkin aircraft carrier SAR off N Vietnam. At end of deploy, Isbell was selected to go to Singapore, Sydney, and Auckland for R&R with stops in Amer Samoa and Pearl on they way home.

Date: 3/29/2006 9:49:45 PM
Name: Lepisto, Jim (lippy)
Email: acnkansas@yahoo.com
Served From: 7/58
Served To: 6/61
Rate/Rank: SOG2 P2
Comment: Came aboard @ Vallejo (yards) as a SO striker out of SO school, Served under Ens. P.C.Stout and Enoch Abdul Arden Ben Freerstien Jr.;2 westpac tours, 1 at sea rescue of 110 Phillipean divers grounded on a reef, numerous at sea sub chases and exercises. shot on the ships pistol team ( worst shot award) cruise book photographer, off. Navy photographer , Captains 1JV talker @ special sea detail for my first year on board. Many fond memories. Did a lot toward helping me grow up.

Date: 4/4/2006 2:24:50 PM
Name: DENNIS STEFANOFF
Email: NELL@HUBWEST.COM
Served From: 1971
Served To: 1972
Rate/Rank: MM2
Comment: I SERVED AS WATER KING AS AN MM3 WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED ON BOARD LATER SERVED AS TOP WATCH IN MAIN CONTROL AS AN MM2 I MADE THE 71-72 WEST PAC. THAT WAS A GOOD TIME IN MY LIFE, I MADE ALOT OF GOOD FRIENDS.MINITRE,LOGHRY,GREAT WEB SITE AND PICTURES BRINGS BACK ALOT OF MEMORIES. IT WAS EVEN GOOD TO HEAR FROM BOWEN. IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HEAR FROM OTHERS.

Date: 4/5/2006 7:07:50 PM
Name: BILL YOUNG
Email: BYOUNG33@COX.NET
Served From: 12-63
Served To: 8-64
Rate/Rank: elect.
Comment: Trying to find Marty or Fred Bear. I believe they were from Indiana. Also did we receive some sort of recognition for being in the was zone for an extended time. It was the first Nam tour the Isbell made.

Date: 4/26/2006 7:15:25 PM
Name: Ronald (Ron) White
Email: ron_m_white@yahoo.com
Served From: Dec 66
Served To: Oct 67
Rate/Rank:
Comment: This site brings back memories. I made one WestPac cruise (1967) and remember Hong Kong, Taiwan and Subic (who could ever forget Subic!) I think I have some photos of then. If I can find them I’ll send some.
I was an ET1 while onboard. My main area of responsibility was the AN/ULQ-6 and some crypto gear. I never liked the ULQ-6 because it was designed to make our small destroyer look like an aircraft carrier to an enemy radar. Made you the first target. Thankfully never needed to use it for real.
Do remember chasing carriers all over Yankee station. Followed the Kitty Hawk quite a bit as I remember. One day during their unrep they dropped some gear in the water. We tried to pick it up. One of the boxes was a brand new O’scope. Ours were older and we would have liked to find get if for sure.

Thanks for the websit and all the effort you put into it. Since I live is San Diego I’m going to try to make the 2006 reunion.

Date: 5/16/2006 2:22:19 PM
Name: Don Friedman
Email: NNod1@aol.com
Served From: 1968
Served To: 1969
Rate/Rank: SK3
Comment: hello……………… just orbiting around the web and found your web site on the isbell my name is don friedman………. i was aboard the isbell from jan 1968 to sept 1969 on the west pac tour during the viet nam era…….. i was a e4 3rd class storekeeper i reside in vernon hills illinois and just want to say hi to all my buddies who served aboard the isbell……….. lets see i’m 56 years old and was 18 at the time……….. long time ago

Date: 5/16/2006 5:17:57 PM
Name: Jay Isbell
Email: wjisbell@hotmail.com
Served From:
Served To:
Rate/Rank: Grandson
Comment: Hi Dan! what a wonderful web site and thanks for all the hard work you have put into it! I clicked on the link to contact you but it required a password. If I get hold of you I might be able to scan a couple of things you might like for your site.

Date: 5/28/2006 9:58:57 PM
Name: James Thomas Ford Sr
Email: Jford_bham@yahoo.com
Served From: 1947
Served To: 1952?
Rate/Rank: FN
Comment: First of all, it’s an honor to communicate with the Isbell’s crew. Thank you, Mr. Davis for bringing this together.

Sadly, I must convey this message due to my grandfather’s passing in June of 1995. He often told me about the time he spent aboard the Arnold J. Isbell and the voyages to far-away places.

I can’t thank everyone enough for preserving her memory and especially our freedom. God bless you all.

James

Date: 6/5/2006 6:13:55 AM
Name: Gunnar F. Will
Email: Volksqbk@aol.com
Served From: July 1954
Served To: July 1957
Rate/Rank: ET1
Comment: I came to the Isbell right out of Class “A” ET School @ Treasure Island. I worked on the Air & Surface search Radars, along with their associated repeaters, IFF, Loran, ECM, and the VHF/UHF transmitters & receivers. My first cruise was with CDR Davis, & my final two cruises were with CDR Zumwalt. I went to Pago Pago, American Samoa, crossed the equator & went to Wellington, NZ on my last cruise .

Date: 7/12/2006 4:24:24 AM
Name: Richard Dodge
Email: radodge@cox.net
Served From: May 1953
Served To: September
1955
Rate/Rank: SK3
Comment: I was in the supply division…a storekeeper. I enjoyed my
time on the Isbell…and in the Navy. I have been in touch with a
couple of old shipmates…Don Moleski who was on the Isbell the summer (1954) we were in dry dock at Mare Island….and Raymond
Paul Avery, who lives in Georgia and was the baker during the time
I was on the ship. I am retired…and I am looking forward to the
reunion this October. I live near Imperial Beach. My e-mail is
radodge@cox.net and my phone 619-423-2707

Date: 7/21/2006 5:18:18 PM
Name: Earl F. Lehman
Email: EarlFL@verizon.net
Served From: 1946
Served To: 1947
Rate/Rank: MaM3/c
Comment: I am Earl F. Lehman, served aboard DD-869 in 1946 and 1947. Rate MaM3/c (Mailman). Stood radar and sonar watches in CIC. Remember seeing the first jet operation on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. The carrier was the Franklin D. Roosevelt CV-42. The plane was an Army Air Corps Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star rigged with a tailhook. Plane guard destroyers were DD-869 and, I believe, Fechteler DD-870. It was too much plane for the arresting cables. I now live in Holiday FL. E-mail EarlFL@verizon.net.

Date: 7/30/2006 5:49:58 PM
Name: James R. Foster
Email: foster29@bellsouth.net
Served From: 1950
Served To: 1952
Rate/Rank: GM3
Comment: James R. Foster, Gunners Mate 3rd. Class. I served from 1950-1952 on the Isbell, I was on board for most all of the Korean Conflict. I am planning to be at the Ship’s Reunion in October in San Diego. Now live in Ormond Beach, FL.

Date: 9/10/2006 7:14:57 PM
Name: James Chapman
Email: tenmile1934@bellsouth.net
Served From: 13-Dec-63
Served To: 9-June-64
Rate/Rank: SO1
Comment: Thank you for the Arnold J. Isbell web site. I was on board for only six months and that was 43 years ago, so I have trouble recalling memories. Dave Desidero, retired Commander, was an SO3 on the Isbell the same time as I, and he found my name on a Sonar site and sent me an e-mail. We used to ride together and his e-mail was a real surprise after so many years. If my memory is correct I caught up with the Arnold J. in Subic Bay and I believe she was in Long Beach dry dock in June 1964 when I was transferred to shore duty at Fleet Sonar School, SanDiego. August 1967 I went to the USS Bausell DD-845 and decided, with my wife’s help, to leave the Navy after 13 years. We had five kids and did need help. No regrets as I had a good 30 years at Y-12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Date: 9/13/2006 4:04:59 PM
Name: Tom Schmitt
Email: schmitt23@sbcglobal.net
Served From: May 1967
Served To: February 1969
Rate/Rank: Lt (SC) USNR
Comment: Two deployments to WESTPAC. Operations included Northern and Southern SAR, Sea Dragon, and Gun Line at the DMV, Danang, and Vung Tau. COs Lechleiter and Walker. Upon leaving the AJI, I became a purchasing officer at the Boston Naval Shipyard until May 1971. Thereafter: Naval Reserve. Currently located in Pasadena, CA.

Date: 9/15/2006 4:47:36 PM
Name: Rick Lenzen
Email: rjlenzen@mchsi.com
Served From:
Served To:
Rate/Rank: SK3
Comment: Enjoyed your web site, I served on the USS Carpenter DD825 and was on two West Pac’s, one the same time as the Isbell, 71-72.

Date: 9/16/2006 4:15:25 PM
Name: Raymond Salisbury
Email: pegaray@cox.net
Served From: 1954
Served To: 1956
Rate/Rank: EM2-EM1
Comment: Left the Isbell to Sub School; Served on 3 Boats; Retired EMC(ss) 1966

Date: 1/9/2007 7:27:24 PM
Name: Charlie Weems
Email: kionaharley1@yahoo.com
Served From: 1965
Served To: 1969
Rate/Rank: BT2
Comment: I served aboard the dizzy izzy 1965 to 1969 in the forward fire room B.T. 2 Those of you who know Joe James a.k.a Pahoo from Yakima Wa. I still see him occasionally.

Date: 5/6/2007 8:38:51 AM
Name: Tom McRae
Email: tjmacs@twinvalley.net
Served From: 1965
Served To: 1965
Rate/Rank: RD2
Comment: I only served in Isbell for a couple months in 1965. I
was an RD2, having served in Renshaw (DD499), on my way to
discharge barracks on TI when the 4 month involuntary
extension was announced. Left Renshaw in Yankee Station
and was in route to TI from Subic when we got the word. Reported aboard the Isbell a week or two prior to the ORI
for deployment to VietNam. The same night we pulled out
for Nam an OpNav message came in counting any voluntary
extension time toward the involuntary extension time. I
had extended 3 months to make the cruise in Renshaw. I
left the Isbell when we pulled in to Pearl and was
discharged on 11-02-65. I remember that prior to getting to Pearl we spent several
hours off the Southeast coast Oahu looking for a guy who
fell off the carrier. A guy fell off one side and while
they were swinging to avoid him another guy fell off the
other side. The first guy was recovered. Never found a
trace of the second one.

Date: 5/15/2007 3:51:06 PM
Name: Chuck Staab
Email: chuckstaab@charter.net
Served From: 1967
Served To: 1970
Rate/Rank: YN3
Comment: Served with a great crew of enlisted and officer personnel. It would be
great to see some of them after all these years.

Date: 7/23/2007 6:47:31 PM
Name: Bill Noble
Email: bnobleaero@sbcglobal.net
Served From: 1962
Served To: 1964
Rate/Rank: SO3
Comment: I was a sonar-man aboard the Arnie J from 1962 through 1964. I was released from active duty in 1964 as a third class petty officer at the Long Beach Naval Station where I first joined the ship in 1962. I was one of seven sonar-men transferred from Fleet ASW school in San Diego, CA. The ship made two cruises to West Pac during my shipboard duty.

Date: 12/22/2007 8:08:38 AM
Name: Chris Galbraith
Email: cplongboards@cox.net
Served From: 1967
Served To: 1969
Rate/Rank: GMG3
Comment: She was a great ship, and I did my 1st
tour in Viet Nam on her, during the Tet Offensive. There were 3 of us who made 3rd class at the same time and I was transfered to the U.S.S. Truxton and did my second tour in Viet Nam on her. Wishing all along I was still on the Arnold J.

Date: 1/3/2008 6:57:05 AM
Name: William Pruitt Patton
Email: mindytebow@att.net
Served From: 1947
Served To:
Rate/Rank:
Comment: My name is Mindy Tebow. I have been working on a scrapbook and ran across the picture of my Dad’s ship taken August 14 1947. His name was William Pruitt Patton. He passed away August 5, 2006. He would have loved this web site. I ran across it by accident looking up his ship. I wonder if anyone served with him remembers him. Thanks Mindy.

Date: 1/17/2008 3:20:04 PM
Name: Lloyd Meredith
Email: llm1247@kingwoodcable.net
Served From: October, 1945
Served To: June, 1946
Rate/Rank: Seaman 1/c, Signalman Striker
Comment: My name is Lloyd (Red) Meredith. I served on the Isbell from October, 1945 until June, 1946. I picked up the ship (brand-new) in Brooklyn and immediaately sailed for Cuba on it’s maiden shake-down voyage. We served along side the newly-built carrier Roosevelt and the destroyer, Meredith DD890. We sailed to Boston in mid-1946, at which time I left for discharge from Bainbridge, Md. I don’t remember many names, so anything you can do in regard to crew members’ names will be appreciated. I emailed W. W. Graham, but my email was returned undelivered. Does anyone have information on him?

Date: 1/19/2008 5:22:45 PM
Name: Eldon M Hornbacher
Email: eldon@vcweb.org
Served From: 1965
Served To: 1967
Rate/Rank: EMCM
Comment: Would like to hear from any shipmates who served with me.

Date: 1/30/2008 3:05:17 PM
Name: Scott Horr
Email: horr50@ct.metrocast.net
Served From: 1968
Served To: 1971
Rate/Rank: MM2
Comment: Served about Isbell from 68-71, made two WestPac’s. hope to make the reunion in 2008 at battleship cove. Living in CT I might be able to help people coming in from out of town.

Date: 3/6/2008 10:07:32 AM
Name: Peter Miller
Email: cappuget@yahoo.com
Served From: September 1964
Served To: Spring 1965
Rate/Rank: SA, Electronic Tech striker
Comment: Hi. I served on the Isbell, DD 869 from about September 64 until the spring of 1965. Long, long time ago! I was attached to the deck force. I remember the 1st Class “Boats” was Al Bender and the 2nd class boats was Jack McGown. I will always remember Jack’s painting school. I joined the ship in drydock at Long Beach California. We completed the drydocking after the first of the year if memory serves me correctly. We did sea trials off of the coast of Baja. I remember participating in a large scale opeartions called “Overlord,” I think. Could be wrong about that one. Seems to me the 3rd class “boats” was a fellow named Baskin. I did complete ET school at Treasure Island in 1966.

Date: 3/12/2008 3:17:46 PM
Name: Eddie Strachan
Email: edstrachan@bellsouth.net
Served From: June 68
Served To: Jan 72
Rate/Rank: SM2
Comment: Served for 3 tours in Viet Nam. Many interesting times. Certainly enjoyed being in Hong Kong for 20 + days. As someone else mentioned, I do remember shooting near the sailboat on our way to Hawaii. One of my fondest memories was when I left the ship being “dinged” off as “Second Class Signalman Strachan departing” by the Captain as I was being highlined to another ship during refueling. Went to San Diego and Long Beach last month. Nothing looks the same. Presently living in Fairhope Alabama. If you served when I did feel free to e-mail.

Date: 3/13/2008 1:34:45 PM
Name: Bob Koch
Email: bfkoch@uci.net
Served From: January 57
Served To: 1958
Rate/Rank: GMSN
Comment: Transferred to Arnold J Isbell, January 57 from Point Mugu, Calif where I worked with a Seabee unit. Was an Ordinance storekeeper, armory, magazines and worked on gun mounts. Stubbed my toe was transferred to USS Wiltsie, DD 716 for my last year before discharge in Sept. 59. Elmo Zumwalt was skipper when I went aboard.

Date: 3/26/2008 4:13:23 PM
Name: John Viola
Email: jackv8331@msn.com
Served From: 1961
Served To: 1954
Rate/Rank: HM3
Comment: Changed my e-mail address. Would like to hear from anyone from the Korean war years.

Date: 4/20/2008 8:31:51 AM
Name: William Ray Bright
Email: jburd1600@aol.com
Served From: 1948
Served To: 1951
Rate/Rank: SN
Comment: William Ray Bright passed away 9 April 2008 and was buried with Military Honors on April 15 at Oakdale Cemetery in Glendora CA, he was 79. He was aboard ship from 1948-51. He was a Coxswain during the Korean War. A memorial website is set up for him at www.MeM.com. Email is his son-in-law Jon Burdett.

Date: 5/27/2008 6:21:52 AM
Name: Michael J Montano
Email: mjmontano@dawnfoods.com
Served From: 1972
Served To: 1972
Rate/Rank: SA
Comment: I served aboard the AJ Isbell from Nov 1972-Decommission. I was part of deck force. Joined in Calif. Now live in New Mexico. Arrived as a SA Transferred to Radio School after decommission. Finished Navy tour at 7th St. San Diego Comm Center.

Date: 6/10/2008 8:23:05 AM
Name: Norman G. Walker
Email: walkerng@roadrunner.com
Served From: 1950
Served To: 1954
Rate/Rank: RM3
Comment: Served on board during the Korean War
1950-54 with some of the best men found anywhere in the U.S. Navy. I am proud to have served with them.

Date: 7/13/2008 9:41:31 AM
Name: Bill Carr
Email: billwcarr@msn.com
Served From: 1954
Served To: 1956
Rate/Rank: RD2
Comment: Made all reunions except last one. Not sure about next one because of travel expense. Live in Apache Junction, Arizona. Kept forgetting license plate number so I got new one that I will never forget, DD869. Does anyone out there know what happened to the following personnel: Ltjg Sneddon, Adrian Billy Conn, Richard Shivers, Paul Blair, Richard Matson, Louis Baca,
Horace Mercer, Richard Rietcheck.

Date: 8/7/2008 11:09:44 AM
Name: Dorsey Rose
Email: drose@surfsouth.com
Served From: 1957
Served To: 1958
Rate/Rank: MR2
Comment: Was shanghied from Bremerton Wa. for the west pac cruise of 57 – 58. Did not want to go, just married with unhappy wife. BUT that was the way it went. Served with good guys. Don Olson MM2 – Larry Lozon MR3 and others in the R gang. Retired from General Motors and living in southern Ga.

Date: 9/5/2008 6:42:08 PM
Name: Richard Villelas
Email: villelas1@cox.net
Served From: 1957
Served To: 1958
Rate/Rank: BT
Comment: It was great to see your website and actually read of so many personnel who served on the old lady. I was assigned to the Isbell as my frist ship on 14 April of 1957 and served aboard until 24 June 1958. We went to Westpac soon after and I made Golden Shellback on my first cruise. Bribane, Australia was unforgettable and so was the rest of the stops we made. After all this years I still have my cruise book from the A.J.. I enjoyed the cruise so much I transfered back to Westpac on another DD (USS Jenkins DDE447) and ended home ported in Hawaii. I was assigned to the forward fireroom as Fireman BT. After I got out I Finished college with my VA educational allowance. I had a great job with the City of Tucson, Arizona until I retired 3 years ago.

Date: 9/12/2008 6:03:20 AM
Name: Robert L. Middleton
Email: REDHATKID9010@bellsouth.net
Served From: 1960
Served To: 1963
Rate/Rank: RMC
Comment: This is to notify you of the history of a shipmate of the Isbell. Robert L . Middleton. He was on the Isbell during the 1960 – 1963 period. He was a Radioman 1st. Class when he reported to duty there. He remained aboard until the summer of 1963 after making the rate of Chief. He was then transferred to the U.S.Naval Reserve training Center, Covington, Kentucky, as an instructor and handled their communications. He was stationed there till September 1966 when he was sent to the USS Topeka CLG 8 at Long Beach, Calif. He remained there at that command until he retired on January 1969. He passed away on Dec. 1, 2001 in Oroville, Calif. I was scanning your site to see if there was any updates and pictures that I could find. We lost all our photos and any cruise books that we had in Sept. 2001 because a forest fire destroyed our home. I was able to copy the pictures for my own use the pictures that were on the web site that Steve Bilbo published.That has been my only real contact with the ship and the cruise pictures. -Louise E. Middleton, wife of Robert L. Middleton

Date: 1/14/2009 7:13:18 AM
Name: Timothy G. Thorne
Email: thetinkert@aol.com
Served From: January 65
Served To: June 66
Rate/Rank: SN
Comment: I served aboard the USS Arnold J. Isbell, from January 1965 till it arrived back in the USA in 1966. I was transfer, by high line with others,
from an oilier out of Subic Bay. My duty was weapons yeoman, and starboard lookout. Most of our sailing was in the Gulf of Tonkin, on SAR duty. We operated with the USS Burkley, DDG 15, which was a newer class ship.

Date: 4/14/2009 9:34:38 AM
Name: Gene C. Wallace
Email: libgene@comporium.net
Served From: November 1950
Served To: May 1951
Rate/Rank:
Comment: My name is Gene C. Wallace. I went aboard the Isbell in San Diego right out of boot camp in Nov. 1950. We spent one week going out daily for training and the next week we took aboard stores. We sailed to Sasebo Japan by way of Hawaii and Midway Island. Those sailors on Midway thought they were going to load up at the ship Store but we were like their store. We had very little. That Island was full of Gooney Birds. We were better of on the ship than those Island sailors. I was assigned to the second Division as a seaman recruit. During my stay aboard the ship off Korea we made a run against an underwater contact dropping some depth charges. While I was aboard we never did any shore bombardment. One night during the cold winter of 50-51 we picked up a sampan load of refugees off the Korean coast and took them in to Pusan. I happened to be on mess cooking at the time and they used the mess cook racks for those people and the joker that used mine peed on the mattress. I was transferred to the New Jersey when she came over in May 51. She had mostly a reserve crew so they pulled a lot of sailors from different ships to fill her complment. I went to the NJ reunion in 2002 and met one of the guys that transferred with me. By the way I enlisted fro Lancaster S.C, and after 6 years in the Navy and 14 Years in the USAF I am back home after retiring in 1971 from Mcguire AFB N.J.

Date: 5/5/2009 8:29:29 AM
Name: Randy Petty
Email: pettyson1@insightbb.com
Served From: December 1971
Served To: December 1973
Rate/Rank: Ltjg
Comment: I retired from USN in July 1, 1991 as LCDR. Currently live in Kentucky.

]]> http://ussarnoldjisbell.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/guestbook-archive/feed/ 15 Admin http://ussarnoldjisbell.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/1962-1964-photos-henry-watson/ http://ussarnoldjisbell.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/1962-1964-photos-henry-watson/#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:29:09 +0000 Admin http://ussarnoldjisbell.wordpress.com/?p=583 ]]> Click here for photos contributed by Henry Watson, 1962-1964.

Henry provides updates on these guys he served with:
Tim Kozack: tkozak@aol.com
David Sumstad: poppydave369@aol.com
Tom Beagley: tbeagley@msn.com
John Tankersley: twintam44@msn.com
W.D. Stockton: oldnavydd723@aol.com
Jim Young MM2 was killed in a car wreck after he got out
James Yaw MM1 passed away in ’95 or ’96