USNS Dutton. 1980

Hi Shipmates, 21 November 2022

While perusing the Guest Log I managed to read a couple posts from ladies that served aboard the ships of the "Not Real Navy" which made me curious as to how many women served aboard them. During the nine years I was affiliated with the ships, I remember only one woman that road the ships. She was a Programmer from "Informatics." At the moment, I cannot factually recall her name; my brain is telling me "Elsie Moore" if my memory isn't in fabrication mode. All I can remember is she was a Fantastic Programmer and worked for "Informatics" who did a very large portion of the SASS OLHP (On Line Honey Program). Another two programmers from Informatics were Claude Creswell and Bill, whose last name escapes me. Last I checked Claude is still active in software development.

So, any of you ladies that served aboard our ships, please let us know what you did, when and where you served. We'd love to hear from you.

To everyone: Wishing You-All a "Blessed Thanksgiving" which just happens to be this Thursday.

Best Always

Christine

Hi Shipmates, 20 November 2022

It is with much sadness that I am reporting the passing of Lt David S Crestin. He was the XO when I reported aboard the Bowditch in February 1966 while the ship was docked in Lisbon Portugal.

Dave passed away peacefully 05 November 2022. He was a great Naval Officer and Friend. The memories of his friendship and loyalty will never be forgotten.

God Bless Dave, see You when we meet again . . . .

Chris Headley

I had fabulous duty on this ship and great ports of visit in the North Sea. As only a E-4 ETR ...I was shocked to be handed a menu and very good chow! I do remeber some excellent personal names: Max Fuentes who was our HM1 corpsman , who served in Nam and was a great friend. Lee Everett was our Bread man and supplied me with eggs, Bacon and fresh bread after that horrible Mid-watch. Then there was a LTJG from Texas who was a very good officer and friend. All the other guys were very helpful to me in fulfilling my duties on the ship, since I never went to "A" school for Electronics !!! I was amazed I passed the test, but I studied my ass off!!! Anyway , Thank you to the people for taking the time in setting this website. I wish I could reach out to some of my Shipmates, if they are alive and kicking? I'm 75 now. Time always catches up! I have a photograph of some personal , when I was on the ship, but unfortunately I don't remember their names. Maybe I could some how post it on your site? Take Care and stay Patriotic in these Crazy times!! God help America!!!

A couple shipmate updates:
I'm sad to report that ET2 Dave Strause from the '70s Bowditch crew passed away in November of 2021 as a result of COVID. Some of you may remember his Scottish wife Linda, who joined us at many inports in So'ton. Dave and Linda raised 2 boys who went on to take the whole family into the big-time, Hollywood special-effects business. Look up "Greg and Colin Strause" and "hydraulx" in Wikipedia for the whole story. Linda now lives with one of their sons and is doing well.

PH3 Jim "Burd" Harris and I talked a while back, and he's living in Staunton, Virginia as a retired pastor there. He was always an amazing artist, and he now does it commercially. Check his stuff at: jim-harris.pixels (dot) com

Ron Hauser, my old buddy from Bunker Ramo who replaced me on the Michelson, lives near St Louis on a lake with his and wife Robin's extended family nearby. A pimped-out boat and a quiver of rods keep his fishing Jones well alive.

ET1 Dennis "Flash" Johnsey lives outside Austin, Tx and fiddles with vintage Corvairs to keep himself out of trouble. One Southampton inport, Flash and I took a pair of rusty, old bicycles on trains and a hovercraft to Paris, and the debauched trip is documented in photos on this site.

As for me, I've lived in Colorado for almost 45 years now, and I retired from the wonderful world of software development at HP in 2013. Overall, it's been a helluva ride, hasn't it?

Many kudos to John Hansen for building this wonderful Website from the one started by Earl Adams, who passed some years ago. Big kudos also to Phil Brooks and Chet Headley for their superhuman efforts to retrieve Earl's content as the foundation for John's site. A pretty amazing feat by all three of you and much appreciated.

Spent 6.5 years on the two ships, mostly the Mickey-Maru. Enjoyed those years, some of the best in my young life at the time. Would love to do it again but at 82, I don't think long at sea periods would be beneficial to ones health; it's a young person's game.

This coming 23 January 2023 will be my 60th anniversary of joining the US Navy, one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

I usually wear a Navy ball cap. Quite a few folks will thank me for my service. My response is: "I got more out of the Navy than the Navy got out of me. I gave them 8 years of my life, they gave me a Lifetime."

I do miss the ships and the folks that crewed them: Navy, Navo, MSTS/MSC/ Contractors, NASL/NSSNF and anyone else, including the "Spy" among us. Yes, the rumors you may have heard are true to the extent that he was there amongst us US Navy crew. I'll leave it at that. He did receive a "Comeuppance, just not the Firing Squad.

No longer in Texas, relocated to a much nicer and warmer place last year called Phoenix. Grew up in the Akron Ohio area where the average annual sunshine is 67 days. I have experienced more sunshine since coming here than I would experience in 5 years in the Akron area.

Christmas and the New Year are just around the corner. I want to wish one and all a Very Blessed Christmas and New Year!!!

Also want to thank one and all for your service to our Country.

We have a mid term election coming up in a few days, please vote like the survival of our great country depends on it. Remember, we were protecting our country from Communism. Your vote can do the same.

We were lucky to have served in the "Not Real Navy." There were only about 2500 Naval Personnel that ever served on our ships.

Best Always

Chris Headley

Great shipmates and interesting ports of call

I arrived as an SK2 and left as an SK1. Worked hard, played hard, and enjoyed my tour. Miss you guys and gals, my shipmates.

That was perhaps my most enjoyable duty.

From an existing member/contributor, I just thought it was worthwhile to let youall know that there are still folks like me out here that still check in to this site to see any new shipmates or info about the ships.