Subject:USS Carpenter
Date:Fri, 26 Nov 1999 19:36:11 -0500
From:Robert "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

Hello!   My name is Robert Lane. I was on the USS Carpenter from 1974-78. My first cruise we pulled into Pearl Harbor on my 18th birthday. We were a reserve training vessel at the time. We didn't do any Westpacs or cross the equator, but we had a good time up and down the west coast. Remember Sacramento! Hey old shipmates get in touch. We need a reunion! Keith Moon where are you?   Robert

Subject: USS Carpenter
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 21:04:12 -0500
From: Ronald Coghill "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

Dear Robert,
      I was on the Carpenter from 1969 to 1973. I would be glad to offer any information that you are interested in for this period. I have cruise books from this period.

Thanks for caring!

Ronald S. Coghill
Sonar Tech 3rd

Subject: Shipmate USS Carpenter.
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 21:06:58 -0800
From: Dennis "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

Hello,  my name is Dennis McKeown, I was then known as "Sunshine", I used to hang with Charlie Lang. I was on board from "73-75" I got out in May of 75, I worked the galley as a cook. I am still in touch with Charlie Lang he was a BT, he lives in Gardnerville Nevada, I live in Seaside OR. I dont remember you but it has been a long time, write me.

Subject: USS Carpenter DDK825
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 22:07:00 EST
From: Lou Smith Jr."[email protected]"
To:Destroyers Online
Hi,
 I served on board the Carpenter from 1950 until 1952. Came from the USS Noa, walked across the pier with all my gear in a fart sack. I went aboard in Norfolk, VA we left soon after that. The day before the Korean war started, we had midshipmen on board and were headed for flag duty in Hawaii, then an intermediate good will tour of South America. When we hit the Atlantic side of the canal we were told to cancel the tour of South America and proceed to Hawaii with best possible speed. We did this and stayed as the flag in Hawaii for about the next 15 months before going to Korea. They use to call us the "Galloping Ghost of the Pineapple Coast." Cdr. James B, Grady was the skipper, and a damn fine one too.
Lou "Smitty" Smith, Jr. QM3

Subject: USS Carpenter
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 21:30:19 EST
From: Ken Gunderson "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

 I served aboard Carpenter as a Snipe from 1959 to early 1963. During that time we made 3 WesPac cruises and had a lot of fun. I remember the Red Sea Bat quite well, also going for Stack Gas, and Reletive Bearing grease (how tender I was). We trained, did ORI's, and a hundred other things, some quite unbelievable considering our ages.
 Our family is going to Hawaii in July, 2000, and I hope to take my boys to Pearl, and with a lttle luck, visit Bravo 25. Of course, Carpenter won't be there, but some other ship, and some other crew will be. Tin Can sailors all.
Would love to hear from any shipmate...

Ken Gunderson MM2
[email protected]

Subject: USS Carpenter
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 18:41:31 -0600
From: Greg Eidam "[email protected]" Organization: Prodigy Internet
To: Destroyers Online

Robert,  My name is Greg Eidam. I was aboard the ship from 1965-67. I was a sonarman.

Subject: USS CARPENTER
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 23:49:12 EST
From:"[email protected]"
To:Destroyers Online

Hi Robert,  my name is John McElligott and I served aboard the Carpenter from 61-64. I have been contact with about 30 guys from that time period. I guess you were on board after the fram job. I left when she went to fram. I went to San Diego on the Wiltsie and spent my last 8 months in Nam. I was a RD3 when I was on board. Give me a yell back if you get a chance.  Mac

Subject: Re: USS Carpenter
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 1999 20:30:21 -0500
From: "drehog" "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

Hello robert, found my way around thanks to you. I remember alot about the Carpenter.
We were assigned sometime in 1970 medcap. I also remember alot of the crew from when
I was on there, even have several pictures except I don't know enough about my scanner
and this whole computer thing to use it effectively yet. If there is anything I can
help you with I will be glad to share. I was SEAMAN ELDRIDGE didn't do well with
authority in those days so I stayed a seaman in the ships office under Chief C.O.Wood.
Sat next to Lloyd Scanlyn in the office, he was 2nd class personelman. We went
thru typhoon Anita about July or so 1970 just before going to Bancock Thi. I could go
on and on, but anyway if I can give you any info that would be of interest to you let
me know.

Subject:
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2000 19:04:44 -0800
From: "Terry Criswell""[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

Yea! I remember you,TERRY CRISWELL boiler operator 74-78. SAC.was kick ass lota boat for a river huh! loved it. Did'nt know it then, but the best times of my life. If any crew had a reunion, it should be that one.

Subject: USS CARPENTER DD825
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 01:21:11 EST
From: [email protected] "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

Hello, My name is John Fink.  I was on the USS Carpenter DD825 from 1961 to
1965.  I was a IC2 when I got out.  I have a cruise book from 1963 WestPac
and pictures of the Carpenter before she was "FRAM"ed.
John Fink IC2

Subject: tin cans
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 08:47:39 -0800
From: "Bert&Pat" "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

My name is Bert VanHouten I served aboard the Carpenter 53-56 made 3 trips
to korea with task force 77
I was a MM2 when I got out in November 56. I have agood picture of her taken
in 53 had a lot of good times
aboard and ashore.If you ever have a reuion I want to go.

Subject: USS Carpenter DD 825
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2000 00:45:19 -0500 (EST)
From: [email protected] "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

I was an original crew member (plankowner) aboard the Carpenter as
commissioned DDK 825 on Dec. 15, 1949. When I transfered off her in
1952, I was among the last 10 original men.

I do have many memories and stories to contribute, if needed. Somewhere,
I have a photo album with many pictures of crew and ship.

I tried to contact other crew members through the Tin Can Sailor
association and hoped to put together a 50th year reunion in 1999, to no
avail.

My 4 years in the Navy aboard the Carpenter are hard to forget! Nor do I
want to forget the "good" parts.

I anticipate hearing back from you and will share any information. The
Carpenter and Owens were the first two destroyers classed as DDK
(Hunter-Killer) but later changed to DDE and then DD after the Weapon
Able mounts were removed. I had the "distinction" (?) of firing the
first Weapon Able and blistering the mount paint and burning all wiring
due to a flaw in the design. We did not attempt to fire the aft mount.

Ed Van Wert

Subject: DDK825
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 16:32:18 EST
From: [email protected] "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

I am a plank owner and was also on precom in Norfolk 1949. Happy to provide
what little I know. CO was CDR Grady (later served under him at Retraining
Command Camp Elliott) XO was LCDR DeVenter (a real wild character) I later
ran into him when he was a four striper running PacMissileSys Command and I
was a PNCM. I live in Hemet CA e-mail..."[email protected]"  If there is anything
else I can send along please let me know.  I attempted a DDK825 reunion about
18 months ago with little response - maybe 10 to 15.

Subject: USS Carpenter
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 18:19:26 EST
From: [email protected] "[email protected]"
To:  Destroyers Online

Hi Robert.  I was on the Carpenter from Feb. 1954 to Oct. 1957.  We made
three WESTPAC tours during that time.  My last cruise included Sydney
Australia,  Samoa,  Manus Island, and all the other usual ports of call.
I am attending the TinCan Sailors National Reunion in San Diego, Ca. June 18
thru 22, hope to see "Pirates" there.
Jimmie D. Kennedy RD1

Subject: RE: Crews List
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 17:22:23 -0600
From: Willis Curtis "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

 I was on board the Carpenter from 1968-1970. Began as a "deck ape" and ended
as a GMG3. Having that crow tacked on was a real pleasure! I remember seaman
Eldridge (from an earlier E-mail). He was a good fellow who always smiled.
My closest friends from the ship were John Schemanski from Michigan, Pete
Seifken from New York, Gary Marshall from California & Steve Lane from
California/Idaho. I came from Alabama, the only southerner in the group. Our
captain was named Kay. There was a Lt. Struck, whom we all "loved". We made
it to Vietnam, Tokyo & Yokoska(sp?) Japan, the Phillipines, Hong Kong,
Bangkok and Midway. It wasn't much fun then, but now, I have only fond
memories...I hope others from the Carpenter will discover this address. It
would be wonderful to communicate with those we lived with 24 hours a
day/month after month. Even though I never see those shipmates mentioned
above, I probably had stronger ties to them than many of my friends in the
present......Barry Willis.

Subject: USS Carpenter
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 07:58:16 -0700
From: Parsons Richard C Civ OO-ALC/LHY "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

Robert, I was stationed on board Carpenter as an ET from '78 to '80.  We 
were a reserve trainer at that point and I was one of the active crew.  I
remember the trip up the river to Sacramento it was great because they let
us take family so my Dad and Uncle both old salts got to take one more
cruise.  The most memorable trip was to Alaska, Anchorage was a wild city.
We also spent a lot of time in San Diego.  It would be great to hear from
any old shipmates, my email is "[email protected]".

Richard C. Parsons
Equipment Specialist
LHY-GTACS
DSN 586-1224

Subject: USS Carpenter
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 11:24:44 EST
From: [email protected] "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

  My name is Don Madden.  I served aboard the Carpenter from 1966 thru 1968.
I made 2 WESPAC cruises and crossed the equator.  I'd be interested in hearing
from any old shipmates.  I was in operations, an ETR.  Thanks, Don

Subject: another division heard from
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2000 14:58:56 -0500
From: "Buchen" "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

Robert,

I am Burt Buchen, former Storekeeper Third Class and Carpenter Crewmember
from '69 to '71. I have an old Welcome Aboard brochure if you want it. I'll
have to mail it, though, because it is too faded to reproduce. I think
Eldridge probably printed it out since he was in that office the same time
period I served. I remember Dave as a pretty nice guy.

During the Westpac cruise I went on, the Carpenter was detoured to Korea. We
cruised back and forth sticking our toes across the line that demarked North
Korean waters to challenge them to try to do something to an armed vessel as
they had the Pueblo in '68. They left us alone, but I remember that the
Russian Pacific Fleet was playing games outside Vladivostok, and we set a
course to disrupt their maneuvers. Carpenter was awarded the Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal (Korea) for that trip.

My fondest memories, oddly enough, are of "unreps" in the Tonkin Gulf. It
seemed eerily peaceful with all the people on deck in Mae West life jackets
with tee shirts over them running around under red lights. Breaking away was
always exciting. The Aircraft Carrier USS America would snap a spotlight on
her flag and play the Satrs and Stripes Forever," and the Witchita and
Galveston played Glen Campbell's "Witchita Lineman" and "Galveston" as they
broke away.

The web page is quite interesting. Thanks.

Burt Buchen

Subject: USS Carpenter
Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2000 22:50:15 -0700
From: "sandra brackett" "[email protected]"
To: Destroyers Online

My name is Allen Brackett I served aboard the carpenter from 1963 to 1965. 
I would enjoy hearing from any of you guys from that 63 cruise. Also would
like to get a hold of a cruise book from same.
                                                   Flags

Subject: USS Carpenter DD825
Date:    Thu, 27 Apr 2000 10:52:37 -0400
From:    "Charles J. Allard" "[email protected]"
To:      Destroyers Online

Robert, When I served on the Carpenter in 1957, it was designated as DDE825, 
and the Captain was Cmdr. M. E. Bustard. In looking at the Navy's site on
decommissioned ships (http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/lists/decoms.html), 
I found the following for the Carpenter:
Award date:  07/19/1940
Keel date:  07/30/1945
Commission date:  12/15/1949
Stricken date:  2/20/1981.
 
I will search for more information in my old files and in the attic.
Thanks for doing this. 
Chuck Allard