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. (more…)
Tin Can Sailors Association is leading an effort to support the long-term preservation of USS Laffey, USS The Sullivans, USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr, USS Kidd, USS Turner Joy, and others. They have produced a video that appeals to everyone to help donate and support the historic museum destroyer fleet.
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.
The crew of the USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869) will gather for their ninth reunion to renew old friendship, make new ones and spin sea stories.
Wednesday, September 21 – Saturday, September 24
Chicago, Illinois
We will explore the Chicago area highlights via three tours:
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.
by Barry Dahlberg
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.
A Korean-era press release featuring two sailors from Missoula, Mont.; Frank G. Lepiane, sonarman first class, and William J. Fuge, disbursing clerk seaman (click on images for larger versions).
Thanks to Richard Villelas for contributing this news article from The Oregonian, reporting on the Isbell’s visit to Portland for the 1947 Rose Festival.
Click here, or on the image below, to read the entire article.
Bill Graham (RM2, 1946) sent some great items from his scrapbook. These go all the way back to the Isbell’s very first days.
A journalist rode the Isbell in 1946 and reported in Newsweek about the inability to man ships due to post-WWII force reductions (click the small image below to read the entire article).
USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869) 
