This site is dedicated to all former Isbell officers, crew, and other interested destroyer and navy buffs. It’s important to keep alive the memory of these old tin cans and the good and bad times we all had while aboard.
Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869) was laid down on 14 March 1945 at Staten Island N.Y., by the Bethlehem Steel Co. and launched on 6 August 1945, the day the US dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
The Isbell spent almost her entire life in the Pacific fleet. She missed action in World War II but served in Korea and Vietnam. After her transfer to the Greek Navy in the early 1970s she continued to serve into the 1990s.
“Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile… can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, ‘I served in the United States Navy.'”
President John F. Kennedy
August 1, 1963
United States Naval Academy
USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869) 
June 23, 2015 at 10:12 am |
Soon to be released is my autobiography of my two and a half on tin cans including two years on the A.J. Isbell as the Hospital Corpsman. Nineteen months combat. Funny, sad, historic and heartbreaking. The title is,” The Second Truth.” by John Viola
July 19, 2015 at 7:56 am |
My book ” THE SECOND TRUTH,” about my two years on the A.J. Isbell , during the Korean War, is at the publishers and will soon be available on Amazon, Xlibris and many other book stores. There will be a book review in the New Your Times. John Viola
August 10, 2015 at 10:06 am |
My book , The Second Truth, is available now on Amazon as one of the best books for 2015 and it is on sale . I hope you try it, I’m sure everyone will like it……………………………………
December 3, 2015 at 4:16 pm |
Nice framed pic of the ISBELL on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/161907378157?
February 20, 2016 at 8:17 am |
My book about my time on the A.J. during the Korean War, The Second Truth, is now available in Paper back, Hard cover and E-Book anywhere books are sold.
January 1, 2022 at 1:14 pm |
When we’re you on board?
January 25, 2019 at 8:50 am |
My father served on the USS Arnold J. Isabel as a Captain during the Korean War in 1942 to 1945 In 1945, he was honorably discharged due to an accident aboard ship in which he fell into the ship’s manhole during an attack and he suffered a traumatic spine injury and was in the hospital overseas before being transferred to a hospital in San Francisco, CA. My father was a member of the Masonic Lodge and he passed away in 2016.
January 1, 2022 at 1:13 pm |
If you don’t mind me asking, what was his name? My grandfather was on board at this time and may know him.
July 1, 2019 at 3:16 pm |
I was on the USS Isabell during my 1/C Midshipman cruise the summer of 1969. Last month I found a set of ship’s stationery with the Isabell’s picture on the paper. Do you know of anyone who would be interested in having this item? I served on the USS Agerholm (DD-826) and then FTG GTMO and think that another navy man would like to have the stationery.
Thank you.
Jim Mottern
Captain USNR(R)
March 30, 2020 at 10:57 am |
Jim, this is Ted Guess. I just saw your note here. I would love to get that stationary. My contact information is: 2707 Lake Court Cir., Mounds View, MN 55112. My phone is 763-270-0316
November 6, 2019 at 10:00 am |
Bob Johnson – ST1
Looking for photos of PCF’s alongside Isbell Vietnam 68-69. Will pay expenses if needed. Email: rjohnusn@yahoo.com
February 4, 2020 at 12:04 am |
My dad is LT William T. O’Callahan and served on the Isbell from 1951 to 1953. He was “Gun Boss”. He also served in WWII on destoyers Pope, Chatelaine and Flaherty. I just found John Violas book and read it today. Great book, I wish I could have shared it with him, but he passed away at 94 last week. His funeral is February 8, 1PM at St. Matthews Catholic Church, San Mateo, CA.
January 1, 2022 at 1:11 pm |
My grandfather is William H. Owens and served on USS Arnold J Isabel for seven total years, starting at 17 years old. He informed me today that one of the first places he went while on board was to a bay in Shanghai and while he was there communists took over and they had to evacuate the bay. He then spent most of his Navy time in Korea. He also told me the story of the two sailors who were sunbathing on the bow of the ship when a large wave went over the bow and killed them. I learned a lot more from him today. I would love to connect him more with anyone who may still be around and might know him. Tomorrow is his 93rd birthday.