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I SERVED ON THE ISBELL 1953 TILL MAY 1954. RODE HER MANY MILES DURING THE KOREAN CONFLICT. WAS ON THE TORPEDO GANG AT THAT TIME. A REAL EXPERIENCE FOR AN OLD SAWMILL MAN. I AM FROM OREGON, THE TIMBER STATE. HAVE SAWED LUMBER MOST OF MY LIFE. WENT IN NAVY IN JULY 1950 NOW I TEL EVERYONE I AM JUST 80 ANDA BIT. SURE GLAD TO HAVE THE REFURBISHED ISBELL ON MY COMPUTER. I SAW IT MANY TIMES IN HARBOR OF BREMERTON, WASHINGTON. ANY MATES SEE THIS PLEASE REPLY
My father-in-law served aboard the U.S.S. A.J. Isbell (869). His name is George O. Atkinson. The picture I have of the ship is different than the one on the web page. She has two guns forward and one single self standing stack rear. Did you know Lcdr. Atkinson? Thank You, David M. Stundon, U.S.A.F., Ret.
The difference you see is because of changes to the ship after it was sold to the Greek Navy. We got it back and it was scraped ………I don’t recall your father in law while I was on the ship 1951 to 1954
My father, TM2 John M. Rooney also served aboard the Isbell during the Korean War. He passed away January 1, 1992. While growing up during the seventies I heard several good stories and actually met a few of his shipmates. I believe his service aboard the Isbell was probably some of the most interesting years of his life. Maybe some of you sailors from that period knew him. Thank you for the opportunity to post a reply on the Isbell website. Paul D. Rooney
That photo on the cruise book first page was from the time we rescued a marine pilot who went in the water while trying to land on the Yorktown in rough seas. Do you recall that…. I’m the guy sitting on the engine holding a bandage to his head…
Dear Sir, Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I will check with my Brother-in-law and find out his title, rank and exact years he was on board and write you what I am able to acquire from the Naval Records. Sincerely, David Mitchell Stundon
David….I did know your father in law after all. Memory after time is very slow. Lcdr Atkinson was our Exo.. I remember him as a pretty sharp guy…sorry for the lapse..
My Dad is Roger D. Jones. He served on the USS AJ Isbell (DD 869) from December 1951 until returning to Puget Sound, Bremerton, Wash in late 1952. He was a fireman, served in the engine room. He died in 2007. He told me many stories of his service on the Isbell. I specifically recall his story of the two men who was killed during rough weather. Does any one recall Roger. I would like to email you.
Hello Doug. I was the Hospital Corpsman on The A.J Isbell in the fall of 1951 to July 1954…I knew your dad.. Sorry to hear of his passing. I would like to hear from you…email…jackv8331@msn.com
Mr. Viola, thanks for responding. I do not know what to say. I’ll tell you a little about him. My Dad, Roger died in February, 2007 after having a major stroke in December, 2006. He remained in good health for most of his life. He was a great Dad. He married my Mom, his high school girl friend, Annie Belle Webb not too long after being discharged from the Navy. He was married to her almost 50 years before she died in 1999. They had two boys, may brother and I and he had 2 grand children before he died. Roger was a truck driver for all of my memory. He was a charter member of our local fire department and later became fire chief. Roger was very active in my brother’s and my lives as well as being very active in our community especially where sports was involved. He coached both of us in little league and baseball, football and basketball. We all went camping, hiking, swimming, playing and were all out of doors a lot.
Please tell me how did you and my Dad know each other? I have a few photos of him maybe in Japan. My Dad spoke of his time on board ship with honor. He did not speak a lot about it, probably because I did not ask him a lot, but when he did he had very vivid memories of many times and things that happened.
Thanks again for responding to my request.
I hope to hear back from you.
Doug, I have written a book about our three tours to Korea and our contribution to the war. Its name is ,”The second Truth”. I am still refining it but soon intend to publish it. Its informative and describe whats it like to be in a forgotten war.. I knew your dad like everyone knows everybody in a small town.
Mr. Viola, I look forward to buying and reading your book. Please make a post when it is published and I will make the effort to find it.
I recall my Dad was a fireman on the Isabel. I know that ment he worked in the engine room. He always said that everybody on board a ship was a firefighter. He would say that you put out the fire or you sink. I do not know how much his stories impacted me but I have spent my entire working life as a firefighter and paramedic. Now I am a county fire marshal in N.C. and work with many veterans.
Thank you for your service to our great nation and for compiling and writing the book. I look forward to reading it.
I must say reading these post just brought a huge smile to my fathers face as he remembered his service from 1952 – 1956 aboard the USS AJ Isbell…His name is John Krokos….The old pictures and stories still come out when we all get together.
My father remembers losing the crew member overboard as it was during his first few weeks aboard ship…What a tragedy….
He enjoyed looking at the posted pictures. Mr. Viola It is great that you took the time to put this site and book together….
Always a wonderful thing to be able to bring joy into someones life….so thank you for that.
A little late but just saw your message. My grand father,Giovanni Viola lived in Catania Sicily but came from Pettorino, about forty miles east of Rome..He came here in 1906. I hope this helps you…
I have just completed a book of my nineteen months Korean combat on the A.J. Isbell and soon it will be published. It is called ,”The Second Truth.”( from the Chinese proverb, you know it but really
know it only after you experience it yourself.
My book has been published and is available everywhere books are sold including paper back, hard cover and E-book on kindle and elsewhere..It is in five languages. Type in, johnviolaHm2 and it will come up. I hope everyone connected with the war reads it. Its informative, funny, sad, heartbreaking and mostly entertaining\. Soon it will be in a script form and will be available to movie producers in hollywood.
Mr. Viola, I read your book this weekend (10/10/15) and found it fascinating. I loved it. I can not wait for the next one. I really appreciate your writing this book. It gave me and other readers a glimpse into what life was like on the USS Isbell. I believe it will make a great movie. Thanks again, Doug
Doug, I’m glad you liked it, there will be a before and after sequel. The first Will be my life during the great depression and WW2 war years. Next one will be my life in the manufacturing world. From sweeping the floor to a division trouble shooter. And my best friend teaching me how to master the stock market as a independent investor using chart information. . john
1952-53 Cruise Book
USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869) 
July 1, 2010 at 1:15 am |
I SERVED ON THE ISBELL 1953 TILL MAY 1954. RODE HER MANY MILES DURING THE KOREAN CONFLICT. WAS ON THE TORPEDO GANG AT THAT TIME. A REAL EXPERIENCE FOR AN OLD SAWMILL MAN. I AM FROM OREGON, THE TIMBER STATE. HAVE SAWED LUMBER MOST OF MY LIFE. WENT IN NAVY IN JULY 1950 NOW I TEL EVERYONE I AM JUST 80 ANDA BIT. SURE GLAD TO HAVE THE REFURBISHED ISBELL ON MY COMPUTER. I SAW IT MANY TIMES IN HARBOR OF BREMERTON, WASHINGTON. ANY MATES SEE THIS PLEASE REPLY
November 17, 2010 at 11:40 pm |
Dear Sir,
My father-in-law served aboard the U.S.S. A.J. Isbell (869). His name is George O. Atkinson. The picture I have of the ship is different than the one on the web page. She has two guns forward and one single self standing stack rear. Did you know Lcdr. Atkinson? Thank You, David M. Stundon, U.S.A.F., Ret.
November 25, 2010 at 10:24 am
The difference you see is because of changes to the ship after it was sold to the Greek Navy. We got it back and it was scraped ………I don’t recall your father in law while I was on the ship 1951 to 1954
August 5, 2011 at 12:13 pm |
My father, TM2 John M. Rooney also served aboard the Isbell during the Korean War. He passed away January 1, 1992. While growing up during the seventies I heard several good stories and actually met a few of his shipmates. I believe his service aboard the Isbell was probably some of the most interesting years of his life. Maybe some of you sailors from that period knew him. Thank you for the opportunity to post a reply on the Isbell website. Paul D. Rooney
October 5, 2010 at 10:58 am |
That photo on the cruise book first page was from the time we rescued a marine pilot who went in the water while trying to land on the Yorktown in rough seas. Do you recall that…. I’m the guy sitting on the engine holding a bandage to his head…
November 27, 2010 at 10:14 pm |
Dear Sir, Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I will check with my Brother-in-law and find out his title, rank and exact years he was on board and write you what I am able to acquire from the Naval Records. Sincerely, David Mitchell Stundon
March 1, 2011 at 7:28 am |
David….I did know your father in law after all. Memory after time is very slow. Lcdr Atkinson was our Exo.. I remember him as a pretty sharp guy…sorry for the lapse..
March 1, 2011 at 10:12 am |
David, Whats wrong with me….Check the top of this page and click on to the cruise book.. your father in law’s photo is on the second page….
October 6, 2013 at 5:24 pm |
My Dad is Roger D. Jones. He served on the USS AJ Isbell (DD 869) from December 1951 until returning to Puget Sound, Bremerton, Wash in late 1952. He was a fireman, served in the engine room. He died in 2007. He told me many stories of his service on the Isbell. I specifically recall his story of the two men who was killed during rough weather. Does any one recall Roger. I would like to email you.
November 9, 2013 at 10:26 am |
Hello Doug. I was the Hospital Corpsman on The A.J Isbell in the fall of 1951 to July 1954…I knew your dad.. Sorry to hear of his passing. I would like to hear from you…email…jackv8331@msn.com
November 14, 2013 at 11:00 am |
Mr. Viola, thanks for responding. I do not know what to say. I’ll tell you a little about him. My Dad, Roger died in February, 2007 after having a major stroke in December, 2006. He remained in good health for most of his life. He was a great Dad. He married my Mom, his high school girl friend, Annie Belle Webb not too long after being discharged from the Navy. He was married to her almost 50 years before she died in 1999. They had two boys, may brother and I and he had 2 grand children before he died. Roger was a truck driver for all of my memory. He was a charter member of our local fire department and later became fire chief. Roger was very active in my brother’s and my lives as well as being very active in our community especially where sports was involved. He coached both of us in little league and baseball, football and basketball. We all went camping, hiking, swimming, playing and were all out of doors a lot.
Please tell me how did you and my Dad know each other? I have a few photos of him maybe in Japan. My Dad spoke of his time on board ship with honor. He did not speak a lot about it, probably because I did not ask him a lot, but when he did he had very vivid memories of many times and things that happened.
Thanks again for responding to my request.
I hope to hear back from you.
January 9, 2014 at 12:53 pm |
Doug, I have written a book about our three tours to Korea and our contribution to the war. Its name is ,”The second Truth”. I am still refining it but soon intend to publish it. Its informative and describe whats it like to be in a forgotten war.. I knew your dad like everyone knows everybody in a small town.
February 15, 2014 at 6:24 am |
Mr. Viola, I look forward to buying and reading your book. Please make a post when it is published and I will make the effort to find it.
I recall my Dad was a fireman on the Isabel. I know that ment he worked in the engine room. He always said that everybody on board a ship was a firefighter. He would say that you put out the fire or you sink. I do not know how much his stories impacted me but I have spent my entire working life as a firefighter and paramedic. Now I am a county fire marshal in N.C. and work with many veterans.
Thank you for your service to our great nation and for compiling and writing the book. I look forward to reading it.
April 30, 2014 at 10:16 am |
I must say reading these post just brought a huge smile to my fathers face as he remembered his service from 1952 – 1956 aboard the USS AJ Isbell…His name is John Krokos….The old pictures and stories still come out when we all get together.
My father remembers losing the crew member overboard as it was during his first few weeks aboard ship…What a tragedy….
He enjoyed looking at the posted pictures. Mr. Viola It is great that you took the time to put this site and book together….
Always a wonderful thing to be able to bring joy into someones life….so thank you for that.
December 25, 2014 at 9:42 am |
A little late but just saw your message. My grand father,Giovanni Viola lived in Catania Sicily but came from Pettorino, about forty miles east of Rome..He came here in 1906. I hope this helps you…
May 25, 2015 at 6:32 am |
I have just completed a book of my nineteen months Korean combat on the A.J. Isbell and soon it will be published. It is called ,”The Second Truth.”( from the Chinese proverb, you know it but really
know it only after you experience it yourself.
September 27, 2015 at 7:30 am |
My book has been published and is available everywhere books are sold including paper back, hard cover and E-book on kindle and elsewhere..It is in five languages. Type in, johnviolaHm2 and it will come up. I hope everyone connected with the war reads it. Its informative, funny, sad, heartbreaking and mostly entertaining\. Soon it will be in a script form and will be available to movie producers in hollywood.
October 12, 2015 at 7:56 am |
Mr. Viola, I read your book this weekend (10/10/15) and found it fascinating. I loved it. I can not wait for the next one. I really appreciate your writing this book. It gave me and other readers a glimpse into what life was like on the USS Isbell. I believe it will make a great movie. Thanks again, Doug
October 14, 2015 at 7:27 am |
Doug, I’m glad you liked it, there will be a before and after sequel. The first Will be my life during the great depression and WW2 war years. Next one will be my life in the manufacturing world. From sweeping the floor to a division trouble shooter. And my best friend teaching me how to master the stock market as a independent investor using chart information. . john
January 1, 2017 at 8:54 am |
My book The Second Truth about the Korean war on the A.J. is on YouTube– https:www.youtube.com/watch?v=skhRalk4420
January 5, 2017 at 9:11 am |
John Viola correction https:youtu.be/skhRalk4420
April 8, 2020 at 5:18 pm |
My Dad Charles Mayfield is listed above. I have his Navy book.