USS Askari ARL-30 Guestbook

Submitted by
Name: Rick Halverson
From: Montana
E-mail: rhalvers@fvcc.cc.mt

Comments:
I served on board from 12/70 to 9/71

Added: Feb 16, 1999

Submitted by
Name: Constance S Richardson, Daughter of Millard Carter
From: Virginia originally, Now Homeworth, Ohio
E-mail: voxz@webtv.net

Comments:
My father, who is now deceased, served aboard the USS Kearny during WWII when I was very young. He would never share stories with us at any age but spoke of the undying comraderie among them on board. This presentation provides an invaluable cultural link to the past personal and civic history for all servicemen and their families. The victory was attained thru team effort which required every position served. The prayers of gratefulness and celebration still echo in Heaven today from all of us.When we're incapicated, a physician walks in and hope arises, and so it was with the ARL as it rounded the bend and the crippled ship's hope and thankfulness arose. God Bless You,Constance (I salute you Dad) 0l/l7/99

Added: Jan 17, 1999

Submitted by
Name: MICHAEL J. KENNA
From: TRUMBAUERSVILLE, PENNA 18970
E-mail: marymike@fast.net

Comments:
SERVED 7/50-4/53 DISBURSING CLERK 2/C TRANSFERRED TO USS SEMINOLE, WHEN THE ARL 30 RETURNED TO THE STATES IN 53. MADE CHIEF IN 59. MEDICALLY RETIRED IN 196

Added: Jan 8, 1999

Submitted by
Name: Merrill F. Davis
From: Columbus, Ohio when I joined the Navy, Now Bloomington, IN
E-mail: mfdavis@bloomington.in.us

Comments:
I swerved on the Askari from June 1952 to July 1953. I was a Personnelman (PNSA, PNSN and PN3). I worked for the Executive Officer, M. C. Thompson, LT, USN. Other names I remember are Julian Craig, PN3, Bill Hamilton, YN3, Paul (Wormy) Cramer, EN3,Babcock DCFN Who Played a mean guitar and could sing almost any song requested. If I searched my memory long enough I could probably think of others, but at the age of 65 and 46 years later, thats a job. I was on the ship for the 1952-53 trip to Japan listed in the history. We were supposed to stop in Pearl 48 hours, but that stop stretched into three weeks because we had a bent prop shaft. While we were in dry dock, we also had our bottom cleaned and painted. We also made a 48 hour stop ar Midway Island to take on fuel, freash waster and provisions. Thee Askari was SOPA enroute with a bunch of LSSLs that were being ferried to WestPac tgo be turned over to the Korean Navy. When we got to Yokosuka, the ships repair crew spent a lot of time fixing the LSSLs up in preparation for the transfer. I was transferred to the USS Belatrix (AKA-3), then to the USS Calvert (APA-32) and my last 15 months of my four year hitch was as ships company at the Receiving Station, Seattle. I was mustered out in Sepember 1955. In April 1956 I returned to active duty in the TAR program in Columbus, Ohio. In total I spent 5 years, 10 months and 10 days o active duty. I then decided to go to Ohio State University, from which I graduated in August 1961. I spent the next 25 years working for the Social Security Administration. While in College I had a short stint with the Post Office. I retired in December 1986 as Area Director, Milwaukee, WI. I have two adult children and two children at home, ages 10 and 12. I wiork in the local school system as a Paraeducator in Special Education. Its been a great life! My best wishes to all former members of the Askari crew. I'd love to hear from anyone who may have been on the Askari during Korean

Added: Dec 21, 1998

Submitted by
Name: Dale E. Bush
From: Born in IN, Worked in WI, and retired in FL
E-mail: DaleEBush@prodigy.net

Comments:
Served aboard the USS Atlas ARL 7 1954-1955. Left the decommissoned ship in Oregon as EM-1 in Dec 1955 to enter college

Added: Dec 12, 1998

Submitted by
Name: L. Gaines Griffin
From: Tishomingo, MS
E-mail: ggriffin@tsixroads.com

Comments:
I served aboard the Askari in 66 to April 67. My rate was BM-3 and I ran one of the LCVP's. Glad to see the Askari has a web site. I am an inspector with the Miss. Dept. of Transportation. Will be looking in later

Added: Nov 11, 1998

Submitted by
Name: RUSSELL COLLYER (DC)
From: BILLERICA , MASS/ NOW IN CLEARFIELD, UT
E-mail: C4819@MSN.COM

Comments:
SERVED ABOARD 68-69. DAMAGE CONTROL.DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO CONTACT AN EM NAMED VANDENBURG, SERVED 68-69 ALSO. CAME FROM CALIF

Added: Nov 12, 1998

Submitted by
Name: Joe Davison
From: Reidsville, Georgia 30453
E-mail: jdavison@pineland.net

Comments:
I served aboard 70-71. Place out of commission in Guam

Added: Nov 8, 1998

Submitted by
Name: Bizhan Askari
From: New Orleans
E-mail: utbee@yahoo.com

Comments:
That is my name. Askari. I have so many things in common with the ship that it is not funny. First of all I'm on active duty in the U.S. Navy, I'm a petty officer 1st class, I'm in the Seabees and I was born on March 2nd, same day that the ship was. If you could give me information about my last name I'm curious as to my relationship with the name and where it came from. I'm stationed at Roosevelt Roads PR. Please e-mail me

Added: Nov 7, 1998

Submitted by
Name: Dee Sessions QM3 USS Askari (70-71)
From: St. Anthony, Idaho
E-mail: dosess@ida.net

Comments:
Roger Metz, how many of your buffies did I brake coming back from Saigon??? I also appriciate the visit to the Tansannut AFB officer club (I used his ID) Ask Roger Metz about my speeding ticket from Saigon with him and Mr. Bohlen. I have to be the only sailor to ever get a speeding ticket in Viet Nam

Added: Nov 5, 1998