The 80's (page 1 of 2)If you KNOW who you are searching for, click the down
facing arrow on the box below and scroll through the list of names until you
find them. Once you find the persons name, click on it and then click the
"go to selection" button. This list contains all the crew members
listed in the registry for the 80's including any additional pages (e.g.,
page II, etc.). I was an E3 Boatswain's Mate serving on the Forrestal from 1983-85.She was in dry dock during most of my tour. When I Got out she was moving back down to Jacksonville Florida. I really enjoyed my tour aboard her and all the friends I met. I've been happily married for 13 years and have three wonderful children. I'm presently employed as an Auto body and paint technician.
I reported to the Engineering Department onboard the FORRESTAL in December of 1985 from Yeoman "A" School at NTTC Meridian, MS. I worked in the Logroom for Captain Weaver until I was moved to the Weapons Department in March of 1986. I then worked for Commander Monroe, Gun Boss, in the Weapons Department Admin. I earned both my Enlisted and Aviation Warfare Specialist Pins. My brother and I were one of three sets of brothers onboard. The JAP brothers worked in Engineering. The JACKSON brothers, well, one worked in Personnel and the other was attached to the wing. Then there were the BAKER brothers, KILLER B's. Interior Communications First Class (AW/SW) William Shane Baker worked in Forward and Aft IC shops as well as the MC Shop and is currently serving onboard the USS CARR in Norfolk, VA. Myself, Yeoman First Class (AW/SW) am currently serving as Assistant Admin Officer, Naval Air Weapons Station, Point Mugu, CA. We both are having rewarding careers and served as a link in the chain onboard our first command, the USS FORRESTAL, FIRST IN DEFENSE! I went to Forrestal out of boot camp in October, 81. I was in V-1 division for 6 months. I got my A-school orders the day the ship set sail for Gitmo. Went to LPH-12 after school. I was sorry to here about the fate of Forrestal. Some of you would like to know that the anchors went on CV-74. Check out CV-74 web site. I work for Detroit Diesel Allision in Pittsburgh, Pa. Me and my I have a 2 year old son. contact me at ddec@home.com I served on the FID from 1987 until 1992. I maintained the CATTC DAIR radar system. I am currently a webpage designer in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
I had the pleasure of serving on THE FID from, Sep1986 to Oct1989.I served with the Airwing, attached to HS-15, (Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Fifteen) out of NAS Jacksonville Fl. I did most of the "86 cruise and the "88 cruise along with all the "work-ups" I was also there when Captain Pieno took the ship up the Mississippi River to the 1987 Mardi Gras!! We were actually pierside, not 5 blocks from Bourbon St.! I met a lot of fantastic people on THE FORRESTAL, most of which I am still in contact with. As of now I am stationed at NATTC Pensacola. I will be instructing "A" school again(this is my second instructor tour). If you wanna chat, contact me at EWENDYP@GULFTEL.COM Deployed aboard FID twice with VAW-122 the "F'n Steeljaws," in '87 and again in '88/'89. I was an NFO and an O-3 when Iroled to OLA. Great years, great shipmates, and great memories! 1015 Brown StBelle Vernon PA 15012412-929-6843AO2 G-4 Division Weapons ElevatorsServed from Jan 88 to Sep 91 I proudly served the FID as corpsman around 1985-1987 I wish to obtain more information regarding reunions and how to obtain any FORRESTAL material such as Hats so on.....I can be reached at 2404 West Olive Ave., Fullerton CA92633. I am also searching for lost shipmates seving with me during my time. Your response to this request would be of great help....My Best Regards. I was Aboard the mighty FID from NOV 86'- MAR 89'. I was in the OC DIV. (CATTC).it was the greatest job one could have. I stayed out of the service for five years and then loined the U.S. Army in AUG 94. ( I know whatyour thinking, this guy must have fallen off the flight deck, while we werein port). I'm currently stationed at FT. Sill, OK. in the field artillaryschool as a supply sgt. Talk about a small world; OS2 Shane Thompsonwho was on board from MAR 89' until sometime in 92' is in my unit here at FT. Sill. He worked up in CIIC, and talk about even a smaller world,my next door neighbor who is also in the army, was on board with theEA6 guy from Whiby Island. I was one of those lucky guys who got to spend 118 DAYS straightat sea during the 88' cruise. Anyone remember Benadorm, Spain!!! or New Orleans????. Great time had by all. Until next time. Fair seasand calm winds. I was aboard the Forrestal from 8-84 to 3-88,made the 86' pleasure cruise and NATO 87 and then Mardi Gras in 88.I was also anboard FROM 4-90 to 9-90 before I was shanghiad over to the Saratoga in the middle of the Red Sea.I have been out of the navy since 2-92 and I now live in Salt Lake City,Utah.I work for the post office. Served in IM3 Division/ AIMDduring 1986-1990, Made the following deployments: 1986 Mediterranean1987 NORLANT/Ocean Safari 871988 MED/IO/NORLANT ~ Operation EARNEST WILL/Northern Wedding 88 (with USS Theodore Roosevelt)1989-1990 Mediterranean ... after the fire in Mayport. I was stationed onboard the "FID" from December1984 until January 1988. I remember our favorite phrase, "FID...First In Dirt." I never cleaned so much brass and polished so manydecks in all of my life. All in all, it was a good time during mynaval career. I made two MED cruises, one of which was the "PleasureCruise" and one additional cruise during Operation "Northern Wedding."My most memorable experience was during our first cruise...we positionedourselves off of the Libyan coast and held a "steel deck" fourth of Julypicnic...equipped with ready Tomcats, just in case we needed a fireworksdisplay. Forrestal was a turning point for my career, and I haven't lookedback since. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! I can't tell you how nice it was to see the words FID HOMEPAGE. I was FID sailor from Jan 88 - Jun 91 and to anyone else on during that tenure, yes I made the 88 IO!!! I was a YNSN/YN3 attached to VA-105 "GUNSLINGERS", but please don't dismiss me. To this day,I sport my FID Belt buckle and am DAMN PROUD OF IT!!! There's not many ships anymore that retain the pride that She DOES!!!! Those infamous words"Red Diamond Alert, Red Diamond Alert" still ring in my ears. I WAS, AM, AND ALWAYS WILL BE PROUD TO BE A "FID SAILOR"!!!! Today, I'm a YN2 on shore duty at the Liaison office in Charlotte MEPS. My email address is dibbs@cyberdude.com SAIL ON PROUDLY FORRESTAL (Oh and how is George these days)???
The last time that I ever saw the Forrestal I had my sea bag over myshoulder and was running to my car. I was excited to end two years ofservice on board during which time I made two Med cruises and a trip tothe Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal. On my first cruise in 1981, I losta good friend, PH2 Mike Adams, when the helicopter he was a crewman incrashed at sea, two days before the end of the deployment. He was agreat human being. I hated duty on board the FID but made the best ofit. And frankly, many of the senior enlisteds in charge of OP Divisionwere laughably incompetent, evidenced by their response to Mike's death:we were forced to continue the "field day" cleaning of the ship's photolab when word of his death was confirmed. This left me with an eternalbitter taste of Navy leadership, later confirmed by actions of superiorsashore during the remainder of my enlistment. Now, I am a photojournalist for the Evansville (Ind.) Press. Also I havea wife, two step-children and a daughter from my first marriage. Atdinner time I tell sea stories of my experiences, good and bad, to thechildren and hope one day I'll be able to take them on a tour of theship; once my home in what now seems a lifetime ago. As for incompetentleaders, they also inhabit the civilian landscape, especially inWashington D.C. I served on FID as an Ensign and JG during my first tour from Sep 86 -Sep 89 as Second Division Officer and Signals Officer. I made some of thebest friends I've ever had. Loads of great memories; even the 108straight days of the '88 cruise don't seem so bad now. I'm now a cryptologist and attending the Naval War College in Newport, RI. My email is marktiff@home.com The Forrestal was my first ship. I got there in May 81 and went straight to 1 Aux machinery room. I left 1 Aux in March of 82 as an Airdale and went to V-1 of the Air Department. I left the FID in January of '85 while it was in the yards up in Philly. I was a MAA up in the yards for 2 years so some of you old MAA's can look me up. The time I spent in "THE HOLE" has got to be, so far, the worst time I have had in the Navy. I'm an ABH now since 82 and have been happy ever since. I am now the LPO on the USS Wasp LHD1 in V-3 Division and just went over 16 years in January '97. I'm Looking for some old V1 shipmates or some old snipes, if they don't have bad feelings for me leaving them. I was on the Saratoga from '86 to '90. I know alot of FID sailors went to the Sara. Alot of ya'll might remember me by the nick name of "Taco" which a good childhood friend gave me when we got to the FID. He was a snipe too and worked in 1 main, his name is Kris "Smitty" Schmidt. I'm still in and will retire in Jan 01. I'm stationed inPax River MD. Email: jferrera@tqci.net I was so surprised to hear the FID was alive and well. I knew the FID was decommissioned so I just presumed she was gone forever. I toserved aboard the mighty FID from 1987 to 1989 and yes I also made the 1988 IO tour. I worked on board the FID as an Intelligence Specialisttrained in photo interpretation and mensuration. I was one of the people who would respond from CVIC to the call "SNOOPY TEAM AWAY" over the 1MC. I'll never forget those 108 days at sea, and the passage through the Suez Canal on our way to our first port call in Naples Italy. I still have the picture with the 108 displayed across her bow sitting on my desk at work. I've always been proud and I always will be to have been a United StatesSailor aboard the MIGHTY FID. After getting out of the Navy I pursued a career in the computer field. Currently I'm working in the State of Michigan as a Systems Engineer. I'm expecting my first child in the next two months and I'm sure once my boy is old enough he'll want to see apart of his fathers life. Thanks to everyone who has helped in keeping the FID and all the memories alive. Rest assured I will see the FID again someday. Not only will I be able to tell my son stories about my stay on the FID, but now I can take him and show him the FID in all her glory. If anyone wants to contact me and talk about old memories of the FID, feel free, I'd love to hear from fellow shipmates. My E-mail address: jgabri@ctp.com Remember the FID burgers, a true FID sailor would NEVER forget???
I was part of the Marine Detachment on the USS FORRESTAL from Aug 1987to Aug 1989. This has been my most rewarding service in the Marine Corps. I will always love that ship and it's crew. I am currently stationed at MCAS New River Jacksonville NC and have been in the Marine Corps for 11 years. My email: atklq250@onslowonline.net James K. Plocica I was on the Forrestal between 1983-1985 while the ship was inPhila...then to Mayport. Greetings,
I was aboard from 1986 to 1989, EMG/R-DIV pipe shop, my greatest memories are of the trip to New Orleans and :BENO Station: in the Indian Ocean. Outof all the cruises I have been on, I think that one was the one that stands out the most in my 16 years of service. While stationed in Philly aboard the JFK in 1992 right before they closed the PNSY I was allowed to visit the ole' FID, "that was waiting to be scrapped". I must admit that it was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had. I did not know how much of me was in that old ship until I went to her then. Being the only human on her I walked her decks for hours just to listen and to say goodbye. She was a good ship, with a good crew and even though I never thought I would ever hear myself say this, The navy and I will miss the ole' FID!!!!!!!! Served with VA-83 as an Aviation Electronics Tech during 1982 Med Cruise. I served aboard the USS Forrestal from March of 1986 to July of 1989 when I transferred to NAS Cecil Field Det Astor (Pine Castle). I started out as an Airman Apprentice, assigned to G-2/ weps/ Bomb Assembly. I rose to Third class there, and then transferred up to G-1/weps Flight Deck Ordnance, where I made Second Class. I made two cruises and several Work up's. I was on board with Captain Pieno, Who sailed the MIGHTY FID up the Mississippi River for Mardi Gras In 1987, imagine 2500 sailors making that port of call! I miss the old girl, and think of her often. I especially Think of one outstanding Airman Who I made 3rd class Posthumously, Kenneth Lynch, You couldn't ask for a more 4.0 sailor. God Rest His Soul.
I stayed aboard one week during workups in 1987. As an F/A-18 plane captain, it was my first ride on the boat. And even though it has been ten years since my time with her, I will never forget the lessons learned and the memories of those six days off the VA. coast. To this day I brag about being onboard, chocking and chaining, doing turnarounds and getting chased off the mess deck by the MarDet. I brag because all this happened while onboard a modern miracle of design and technology--the cutting edge of American sea power. I am a sports broadcaster now and because I was so busy in the past few years, I didn't know of the Forrestal's situation until recently. That boat deserves to be saved--it made three generations of brown and black shoes alike. It's mere presence shaped international relations and for that I am proud to have worked aboard one of THE great ships of the American Navy's grand heritage. I served from April 87-April 89 as a Marine in the Marine Detachment. I was a Lance Corporal when I got there and left as a Corporal. It was a great experience and I was proud to serve with some of the Navy's finest. After the FID I went to serve 2 years with 1st BN 6th Marines and picked up SGT. I went on to serve my last 2 years with 2nd Force Recon Co. I am now a civilian/reservist (SSGT.) and own a equestrian mail order business. Our web site can be viewed at www.equineconcepts.com Would like to hear from all who served with me or knew me! Started in the Air Department V-3 as a
blueshirt from 1988-1990 and served onboard until 1992. Became a PH striker
went to the Photolab in 1990 and took alot of photos. Got the last Forrestal
Battle group photo and took about every VIP photo that last cruise. Got off
the boat in P'cola and started Photo School from there to NTC Orlando, and am
now at SEAL Team 8. Still know where some of the photographers are from the
FID and am still looking for others.
I spent the entire tour as a snipe in
#2 Main Machinery Room. Did 3 GITMOs, 3 Meds--too much Naples, an IO, and a
blue-nose--got an expeditionary on that one. Now I'm the proud father of two
young men-one dreams of Annapolis and the other wants to strap Grummins
finest to his butt--anyone with a congressman's ear is welcome to drop a
note; married to the woman who dropped her standards while the FID was
drydocked in Philly-looking forward to stopping by there on vacation this
year; and still occasionally dreaming I'm wandering out into the aft
mess-deck to grab some slop. I knew some fine men, and some boys in trouble,
It was the early eighties; the FID was infested with dope--damn Carter to
hell--until Ron Reagan came by and cleaned house. It had to be done. But the
rot had been deep, too many boys had gotten away with too much for too long.
I watched some kids ruin their lives. But I left a Navy that had a new sense
of pride--a lot of problems--but headed in the right direction. Me, I'm still
keeper of the sacred flame I run some boilers, water treatment equipment, and
air compression systems. I spend a lot of time pressing the keys of the new
gods--key-boards to run equipment, key-boards to order parts, key-boards to
talk to the people that I used to talk to. But I spend the most time
writing--forms to keep the FEDs happy, procedures that instruct people about
how to do the things they've been paid to do for years, notes, minutes,
outlines--and all this at what? a key-board. Hey, the pay's good.
Served onboard July 1987 to August 1989. Was the VA-176 ParaloftLPO then VA-176 Ground Safety Officer. I Made the North Atlantic in 1987,the MED/IO/North Atlantic 1988, and New Orleans 1988. Currently working for the Department of the Air Force at Westover ARB, Mass. as a Federal Firefighter/EMT.
Served onboard Forrestal for 2-1/2
years from June 1987 - December 1989. I was lead technician for the
AN/UYK-65(V) computer system which took care of supply and maintenance record
keeping. My job took me to all corners of the ship enabling me to meet nearly
the entire crew and attached air wing. My shop also maintained all of the
over 500 personal computers onboard. As well as being First in Defense, our
division (OED) was First in Data. I served onboard as Deck LCPO from 1985-1988, she was a great ship and one of the best carriers the Navy had!!!!!! FID will always be number one in my Heart. The Mighty FID was my first ship straight out of Officer Candidate School in Jul 85. I was fortunate enough to be onboard during the marvelous period between Aug 85 and Aug 88 when she went everywhere and could do no wrong. I was Divo for G-4 Weps Elevators, Navigation, and E Division. The crew was the finest I have ever known and set a standard which my three other ships, including another carrier, never quite met. The "Club Med" of '86, the Blue Nose to Norway and England, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and the 108 days of the summer of '88 are the good ol' days to me. Currently I am on exchange with the Canadian Forces in Esquimalt, British Columbia in one of those great shore jobs you always heard about, but did not really believe existed. I continue to run into shipmates from Forrestal in the oddest places around the planet and it seems like time never passed between us. That, I think, is truly the legacy the old girl left us. EMAIL: bryan_bowen@bc.sympatico.ca
It is with great PRIDE that I add my name to this list. I say PRIDE because I am proud to say I was a crew member of the best carrier to ever sail. I served two tours on board FORRESTAL, from April 1980 to July 1981 and From November 1987 to September 1990. I served in the Personnel Office and the Educational Services Office as a PN2 and PN1. I think the thing that sticks out in my mind the most was the had to do with the Ventilation fire we had just prior to a MED deployment. It was just before Eight O'Clock reports and just after sweepers, Someone smelt smoke and it was bad. The crew of FORRESTAL might have saw this as a way to delay if not cancel a six month MED, but the duty section was so on top of every situation that the fire was out and the Hanger bay was clean as a whistle (from the sprinklers going off)before the next days duty section came on board. I remember standing on the pier rounding up some of my duty section and I heard someone from another ship say "That crew is crazy for getting that fire out that way and as I was about to say something another member of the crew said "NO WERE THEFORRESTAL, WERE NOT JUST FIRST IN DEFENSE BUT FIRST IN BATTLE AND FIRST INPRIDE, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT WERE FIRST IN EVERYTHING. I could not have been prouder. FORRESTAL was / is like no other Naval Ship, when you check on board you have to met FORRESTAL standards not FORRESTAL meeting yours. The thing I miss most about the FORRESTAL is my bosses, that is just a term of speech, we were friends: LT. T. GINES, CWO4 George DIVLEY, PNCM Cletus HORSLEY. I am almost sure that they have retired like I have, but like all good FORRESTAL sailors we all left a piece of our hearts on the FID when we left. Now I am just a Department Manager for a large Home Improvement Company. If anyone remembers me drop me a line at PRUITT6@AOL.
I reported aboard FID in JAN 86 and was assigned to A-GANG hydraulics. After attending Cryo school in '88, I finished my tour in the aft O2N2 shop, detaching in APR '90. FID was my first carrier and I will never forget the day I reported aboard-catching the wire in a COD! Nowadays I'm doing my second tour at SIMA MAYPORT. Forrestal was a great ship; I am proud to say that I was a crew member. sonnyb@earthlink.net I served aboard Forrestal from "87" to "92" attached to VAW-122. I served with AT2 Stephens whom is also on this page. I made three MED cruises and loved each one. We had great times. Don't give up the SHIP!! I flew on board the FID as my first duty station, push button crow on my arm (lucky to still have it after being dropped from Nuclear Power school) on May 23, 1981. Those of you who were there might recall this time frame as the beginning of 60+ days underway. A fitting beginning to my Navy Career. I completed that cruise, GITMO, then the next one working in Forward IC, running the Sound Powered Telephone shop. Boy, what a mess! The ship was 20+ years old, made it through Viet Nam, really bad maintenance during the 70's, and was ready for a work over. ENTER SLEP! Designed to bring the old gal back up to modern specs, it had both good and bad consequences. I spent much of my time on the Rapid Response Team, ready to fight those fires the shipyard seemed to keep starting. Then I took her back to Mayport (man do I miss Florida!), went to GITMO, re-enlisted (can you believe it?), and split toured to USS Canopus, AS-34up the road in Kings Bay, Ga. Actually, I requested to get off the ship prior to the start of GITMO in June 85, but E-Div made me come for the first 2 weeks, so I bought a ticket for my wife, was transferred off in Nassau, Bahamas, and had a second honeymoon, courtesy of the US Navy! That is a perfect way to describe my time on the FID. Much of it sucked, but I was able to find a way to enjoy my experiences. I was stuck on shore duty when she was called on to do her last Med. I sure was proud of the old gal! I am currently a recruiter, and have a picture of the FID, signed by Capt. March, proudly displayed on my wall. My last ship was Enterprise, another first of a kind, but no other ship in the fleet has the kind of character and proud heritage as CV-59!!! The best time was the last time, MED Cruise 88!!Mardi Gras, the IO, BENO Station, the whole shooting match. Does anybody remember the Scuttlebutt Bar at the end of the road? I served on the Forrestal from 86 TO 93. I worked in the DC support shop for R-DIV. I now work as a safety inspector in the Gulf of Mexico and live in Ocean Springs, MS. I served as a non-rate airman
apprentice/airman in V-1 Division. I was assigned to the FID directly from
basic training and served there until my discharge from active duty two years
later (yes, I was from the Sea-College Program). From October of 1988 to May
of 1990, I called the USS Forrestal "home". Aside from my standard
90 days of "mess cranking", I was on the flight deck in Fly 1. In
the summer of '89 (St. Thomas trip, for those who remember), I was the Fly 1
"blueshirt" crew leader. By the time the '89 Med cruise rolled
around, I was working out of Flight Deck Control as an elevator operator. I
stayed in that position until I finally left the ship for the last time. I am
a husband, father of two sons, and work as a Technologist in Broadcast
Television now. For a boy straight out of high school, the faces, events, and
personalities of the Forrestal shaped me more than I ever said I would let
them. But now, with time in between, I easily (and with good humor) except
her lessons. I would hate to see her scrapped...for the sake of all of our
memories. Hello Shipmates, my tour onboard
Forrestal lasted from February 1979 to June of 1982 where I served in a
variety of billets from Plane Handler to Aircraft Director. I have many fond
memories of my tour on the FID, including the two Mediterranean Deployments I
made in 1979 and again in 1981. Forrestal was the ship that launched my Naval
Career and I thank my senior leadership and shipmates I served with for my
success. Since leaving the FID, I have served onboard three other aircraft
carriers; the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER serving as Flight Deck Director and
Crash and Salvage LPO, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON as Flight Deck CPO taking her
from commissioning through her maiden deployment. At present, I'm assigned to
the USS KITTY HAWK as the Air Bos'n, the job I dreamed of having since my
days on the Forrestal. To the ship that gave me my start in a very successful
career, fair winds and following sea's. To my fellow shipmates of the FID,
lets us never forget what the USS FORRESTAL CV59 has contributed to the
success of Naval Aviation. I was aboard the Forrestal from Nov 1981 to Sept 1985,I was assigned to the V-2 division. I was a green shirt and worked on the catapults. I made one Med cruise and then went to the great city of Philadelphia for 3 great years in the shipyard. I was honorably discharged in 1985. For those that knew me I was known as Woody. Rock on and save the FID! I served onboard 1986-1990 and worked out of OE02 and I was an ET3 when I reported on board, I made ET2, I was a comm. tech. I made 2.5 deployments, 2 Med and one North Arabian Sea. I am now stationed at Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific, I am ET1(SW)Chiswick Sr. and I am the LPO for N422/OE02 Served on USS Forrestal CV-59 from Jul 85 to Dec 88 as OE Division (Comm) LCPO. Retired from the Navy at SIMA Mayport Dec 90 after 22.5 years of active service. Currently I work for Lockheed Martin Missile and Space at Kings Bay Submarine Base as an Electronics Standards Technician. I was stationed on the Forrestal from 1985-1986 as an Aviation Ordnanceman with Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31). I have lots of great memories of times aboard the FID. Email: sharpe@wave-net.net I served aboard the FID from 1986 until 1991. Enjoyed every minute of the time I was assigned to her. Assigned to the Engineering Department as Propulsion Division LCPO.
I served down in 1MMR and I remember
the Scuttlebutt, Dave! Remember me? I think I liked Ocean Safari '87 if for
no other reason than it was COLD in the mainspace! Loved France and Spain in
'86, Portsmouth, England in '87, and remember one great person when I was
there. MMC(SW) Dave Stevens helped me get my life on track then, and got a 19
year-old kid to get off the alcohol before it was too late. Thanks for the
memories, and if Chief Stevens reads this, call me! My work number is (850)
644-5410. Believe it or not, I'm a computer guru at Florida State now!
Line shack 1986-1987, QA 1988-1989. Made all the rides from early 86 to summer of 89, I enjoyed my tour with the FID/CAG 6 team. The T bolts worked their butts off and were the backbone of the Airwing. I am a ADCS attached to the Naval air Warfare center Aircraft Division. E- mail: LLDPLANTY@AOL.COM I served aboard U.S.S. Forrestal from
1987 to 1991. I was just looking through the web and I found this page. I
couldn't believe there was this kind of caring for the old gal. It really
touched me and I am interested in being a member and help save the FID. I
live in Delaware now but originally from Pennsylvania, but only live about 25
minutes from Philly and I see her all the time. She's a little rusted but
looks good considering her situation. I worked in OI division, and I was and
OS2. Well hope to talk more to all my shipmates, maybe I will find a few dear
and old friends. I served aboard the Forrestal from Oct. '79 to Feb. '81, as AMS 2 /AIMD Airframes Shop Supervisor, W/C 510, NEC 7222, Aircraft Heli-Arc Welder. Ships Company. I served onboard 84-87. Currently USCG TC1 serving in the DC area. I would like to know if we earned the Battle "E" for our Gitmo REFTRA in 85. If there are any of the COMMS gang out there from this time please drop a line. Email: hbowen@ballston.com.uscg.mil I joined the Navy back in 1987, and
after several months of "A" and "C" schools, reported to
the FID as an ISSN. I worked in CVIC (OPS/OZ) from March '88 to March '91. I
left for duty in Stuttgart, Germany an IS2. Of all my many memories of
working on the FID, by far the greatest is of working with folks who molded
me as a young, impressionable sailor. I've been on many fine ships since the
FID, but none has given me the same satisfaction as those three years on the
Forrestal. I was on the Forrestal from 83 to 87, my last job on her was the one and only conagraph operator for cats 3 & 4. When I got to the ship she was still in the SLEP period. I never thought that she would be put back together. Some of my duties during this time were firewatch, working along side with the shipyard workers I got to see more of the ship than I would ever been able to otherwise. Then when we went down to Florida I could not wait until we made our Med trip. But I am sad to say that this was my one and only cruise. I got out in Sept of 87, it took me 10 years to realize that the time that I spent on the FID would be some of the best years of my life. Now I work for a national cable co. and married with a 3 year old boy and one more due in March. I can't wait until my son is old enough so I can tell him about the great times and people that I met during my time on the FID. Contact me at: VLEMA21808@AOL.COM I was aboard the Forrestal from 87-91 I have many fond memories and made many good friends including AO2 Steve Strickland its good to hear that you are alive and well, I am presently a civilian working in a textile mill but I am often "out to sea" in my mind, and probably always will be. IT WAS GREAT Served aboard from 1986 to 1989. I
served on the good ship, the FID for three great years. I saw her in Philly
this year and old memories came back. I hope to find some old shipmates. I
would also like to volunteer to help sail her to her final destination. My
Email address is gorgorosof@aol.com. I now drive a Tractor Trailer for Mclane
MidAtlantic, and am happily married with 4 children and an Arf Arf puppy!
Thank-you FID for turning me into a man.. I was a member of the crew during the Persian Gulf War, my responsibilities included the following while stationed aboard: Deguassing Specialist, 400 Hz Generator Specialist, Fire Brigade Electrician. I was stationed onboard from 1988 to 1991. I served from Jan 1981 - Apr 1984. I checked on board as a PNSR and after "I" Division was assigned to the Educational Services Office. I remained in the Training Dept until 1983 when we entered SLEP. I then transferred to Personnel for the remainder of my tour. I transferred as aPN3 in 1984 to PSD Pensacola, FL for those who may remember me I am still on active duty serving as a PNCS(AW) at EPMAC New Orleans DSN 678-1062. I reported to the Weapons Department onboard FORRESTAL in July of 1984 from Aviation Ordnance "A" School at NAS Millington, TN. The ship was in the Philadelphia dry-dock when I first reported on board but soon left for Mayport, Florida to rejoin the fleet. During my entire time on board her I served as part of the flight deck ordnance crew. A job I enjoyed so much that I will never forget. My Tour of duty ended on January 16th, 1987. After leaving the FID I attended the University of Minnesota (U of M) where I received a bachelors degree in Natural Resources and Law Enforcement. I presently live in Glencoe, MN and work for the U of M in the agronomy department as a Junior Scientist. Several years ago I returned to the Naval Reserves, Intelligence Division where I plan to finish my twenty years. My condolences and thanks to the FID and her crew for making my time on board her unforgettable.
I was aboard from Oct 1988 through Sept
1991 in the Executive Division. I'm now a reporter for the Philadelphia
Business Journal, in my hometown, the current home of the Forrestal. I've met
Jimmy Stewart, the gent coordinating the effort to make the FID a museum. I
graduated from Temple University a couple of years after leaving the Navy. My
e-mail address is tjwalsh@pbj.com (OR tjwalsh@dca.net). I was on the Forrestal from 79-82 and served as an EM during that time period and worked in the following shops: Electrical Distribution, (4 main and 1auxmachinery rooms) power shop, A&O shop and did my mess cook tour in S-5 asward room electrician. I have many found memories of the FID and the friends I met there. I left the FID as an EM2 and happily left the Navy for a civilian career. I am currently the Safety and Security Manager for Western Area Power Administration's Rocky Mountain Region in Fort Collins Co. Looking for the old members of the band "WIRED" from the '81 cruise. We played in Benidorm, Naples4th of July celebration and when we "spliced the main brace" on the flight deck. I can be reach at mrbill812.aol.com. Was very happy and surprised to find this home page. Keep up the good work. I had the priveledge of deploying onboard FID from 87-90. At that time I was a plane captain with the fitin 'Bitin VAW-122 STEELJAWS. To this day, I still think back on the sea stories from my days onboard. I'm grounded here at Navy Medical CenterSan Diego for the remainder of my career (9 years) as a dialysis technician. I can be contacted by e-mail at RKinnecom@aol.com. Myyears onboard Forrestal along with my time with the squadron continue to mold my present and future as well. Good memories, great shipmates and experiences to reflect on... I served on board the Forrestal from October 1980 until December 1982. I arrived onboard via COD (mail airplane) from GTMO bay Cuba. Two days after I arrived we made a port call in St. Thomas Virgin Islands. I made the 1981 Med Cruise and the 1982 Med Cruise. When FID went to SLEP in Philly, our squadron transferred to the Saratoga. Most memorable was the Helicopter crash in oursquadron two days prior to returning to Mayport Florida in September 1981.Our CO, Commander Paul Nelson and several crewman died in the crash. Many memorable (and some not so memorable) times occurred onboard FID. In my life, there has not been a period of time so short (four years) with so many different life experiences packed in. To this day, I still maintain friendships that were made onboard. I tell stories and people laugh. Some doubt that all those stories could have come from just two Med cruises. I hope someday to be able to take my children on board Forrestal and show them where I worked and slept for over two years of my life. If anyone out there remembers me from the Helicopter Squadron the flight deck, or the galley (fwd) you can E Mail me at: NavyDoug@aol.com. Thanks for the HomePage!!! Worked in OP Division and got off the boat two days before shesailed to Philly for SLEP. After I left the MIGHTY FID I went to "WATERMELLON U" in Memphis. From Memphis I went to what was then the Atlentic Fleet Audio Visual Center (the P.C. name for the base photo lab) at NAS JAX from which I retired. My email address iskd1gh@banet.net. 59, mighty fine, fly Navy! I am proud to say I served 81-85. I worked on the catapults went on the 82 MED cruise and to the yards in Phili (vents div). I'm trying to find some old buddys so if any of you read this please write. Woody, Jardine you guys I know will read this write. I am presently a military police active duty Portland air national Guard. The FID was great duty and I made a lot of good freinds, had a great time in Philly loved those Jersey girls. I'm married now, ten years and have two girls. I am in contact with a few local FID brother sif any one is looking for any Oregon guys. Write me MEGANOTCH@AOL.COM. I served onboard the FID from November of 1981 through July of 1985, in the Personnel Office. I reported to PN1 E.J. Blanchard and later to PNCS Henry. It is great to read the e-mails and remember the great times I had onboard(although, admittedly, they seem a lot better now than they did back then).After a stint with the Big 6 Accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co., LLP,I now run my own systems consulting firm. Anyone who remembers me is welcome to contact me at agonzalez@cimaconsulting.com. I would love to hear from you. Worked in G-3 hanger deck ordinance, served onboard: 4/86 to 3/89, duties: hanger deck ordinance supervisor, worked closely with the airwing & G-1 division. Went on the Mediterranean cruise from 6/86 to 11/86; North Atlantic cruise from 4/87 to 7/87; Indian ocean ( 108 days at sea cruise) 3/88 to 9/88. email: mcq151@juno.com I served aboard Forrestal from 84 to 85 as an ABH -AA1on the flight deck in V-1 Div. Fly1. I'm looking for a few friends from that time who still live in the Phillyarea. If there are any of you out there e-mail me at Meth4545@aol.com Worked in 3 MMR in 1985 for about 10 months. I checked on board USS Forrestal in May 1989, barely missing Fleet Week at New York by two weeks. I served primarily as the LPO for S-7 Division (ADP). I left the FID on May 1991,waving goodbye to her at the pier in Mayport on what turned out to be her final deployment. I was on the MED 1-90 cruise, visiting many ports, with the highlight being the Bush-Gorbachev summit held off shore in Malta. The FID will always have a special place in my heart as I made Chief onboard culminating with my initiation and pinning while we were drydocked in Portsmouth, Va. I also earned my Air Warfare on board. I am currently stationed at NCTAMS EURCENT, Naples, Italy.
On board for 1982, work-ups and Med cruise. Rode her to Philly for, "SLEP" and departed with new orders to a VP squadron. While on board the FID I was in V-4 division, Aviation fuels. We delivered nineteen million gallons of JP-5. After I transferred to VP squadron I became an aviation structure mechanic on the P-3 Orion. After my discharge in 1984 I moved back home to Wichita, Ks where I am now working for "The Boeing Co.". When I hired on with Boeing they put me to work on "Air Force One". All of a sudden I was looking at being laid-off so I had to make a transfer with-in the Company. So I decided to put my "Damage Control" experience to work for me. I am now still with Boeing but not working directly with airplanes, I'm with the Boeing Fire Dept. working as a Fireman, EMT. Believe me, being at sea on board the FID, fire fighting knowledge is a very positive plus.
I served as a Plane Captain through the work ups and Med-Indian Ocean cruise in 1982. I look back and speak of my experiences on the flight deck and living on the FID often, including that great port of Benadorm Spain, WOW....I got out of the navy in 84 and continue to work on aircraft to this day. Thank you for the memories and experience. I have a few pictures from that 82 cruise and others from old shipmates. Please visit my page entitled "Welcome to Flight Deck's World". I keep this page updated and I am always on the road fixing Planes, and take a computer with me for communication with family and friends. While researching US Naval Ships, I was surprised to find my old ship had a web page. And found out what happened to some of my old shipmates. So here is my story: I served onboard the mighty FID from 1986 to 1988as an ET3 working out of OE02. I provided repair and service for the HF,UHF (LOS), and SATCOMM RADIOs. I made the cruise to the FJORDS of NORWAY with a stop-off at PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND. My buddy Gary R. Chiswick took me to London (THANX). Went sailing up the Mississippi River (on a carrier NO BULL)and enjoyed MARDIS GRAS 87. XFRD in 88. I learned a lot from her. I just decommissioned one of the smallest yet closest knit ships before reporting onboard the one of the largest sailing combatants in the world (The Mighty Forrestal). I am an ET1 currently stationed at Naval Air Warfare Center TSD, Orlando, Florida.
I was assigned to CATCC (carrier air traffic control center) from 1989-1993. I have numerous fond memories of the old girl; however, cleaning toilets is not one of them. I currently own a lumber yard in Boerne, Tx and have a beautiful wife and daughter that have to endure my "sea-stories" whenever I get the urge. If any of the AC's or anyone else who may remember me gets the urge to swap salt, please E-mail me at lumber@gvtc.com. By the way: "Skinny Brown" or "Stan the Man" (you know who you are) I still feel the ET's should have done the PMS on the "42" antenna's. An electrical environment is no place for an AC. The FID was a great ship and my hat is off to all of my shipmates and anyone who has served on board such a fine piece of machinery. Nice job, as a former crew member it was nice to see a web sitededicated to my first ship. In 1980 I was but a young boot camp when I recieved orders to the Forrestal, she is like that first and special girl friend who you can never forget I was only on her for one cruise in 1981 apon returning I had recieved orders to A school and never to return. During that cruise we were wrote about in the news paper as "the other carrier" as the USS Saratoga got all the head lines...:-( ....Capt Armstrong had played over the 1mc the conversation between the pilots as they intersepted the aircraft. as I said I was just a young boot camp but my time on the Forrestal was an important learning experience. There was one other time I will never forget it was Christmas and I had dressed as santa claus for my neighbors kids after doing that me and some of my fellow crew members thought it would be fun to go and vist it some other crew members kids so off we went the last place we visited was my chief's. He got this bright idea of going to the Captians house, well one thing lead to another and off we went. Now as a young boot camp you can imagine I was nervous well all went well and to this day somewhere with all my other photos is a pichter of me as santa claus with the captian and his wife on my lap. Again great job on the web page and keep up the good work. email: Yaz69@aol.com Served 6-86 to 10-89 as a boiler tech third class (BT3) in B Division. Served onboard 1986-1988 as the Assistant
DCA, AFT Propulsion Group Officer. My best memory: 1987 REFTRA * 650 Repair
Party Folks and 5000 total crew/airwing members trained their tails off and
then handled everything the GITMO Team could throw at them. My funniest
memory: A few weeks after REFTRA, I had my feet up on my desk thinking that
all I had to do was coast a year. Captain Weaver (CHENG)called at that moment
and informed me that I was moving to Aft Propulsion. OPPE was coming up (We
did well on that one too). I currently work as a Management Analyst for the
Defense Logistics Agency. I served on FID from 89-91,Lt(JG) Allbritton was my very first divo, where is SMCM(SW) Roebuck? I served aboard the USS Forrestal from 12/86 to 2/91as an ABH. I came aboard as an Airman Apprentice after attending AT school in Millington, Tennesee and left as an ABH2 in February of 1991 for new orders to Milton (Pensacola), Florida for a shore duty tour in Crash & Salvage. While stationed onboard the USS Forrestal, I served as V-3 Division Training P.O.,Hanger Deck P.O., Safety P.O. and other miscellaneous collateral duties. While stationed in Milton, Florida, I served as the Assistant Site P.O. and Training P.O. of Outlying Field, Brewton, Alabama until my forced discharge on 5/93.Following discharge from the US Navy, I went to work in my Father's business as an Industrial Technician and Sales and Service Manager from 5/93 to 2/96.From 2/96 until the present I have opened my own Industrial Sales & Service Company (Biz-Tek) in Houston, Texas, and I am doing well. I deployed aboard the Forrestal from 86 - 90
as a member of the VA-37Bulls. Made two Meds, North Atlantic and Caribbean
cruises. Looking back on my 10 1/2 years in the Nav' I consider those days
onboard the "FID" the best. I also served at NAS Meridian MS
(OMD/SAR) and on the Nimitz (AIMD & V2). I'm currently the PC/Network
Technician at Schreiner College in Kerrville, TX. I was AD3 Catts in VA-105 (shaft drive 105).I did all the work ups upon her return from dry dock in Philly. Then did the Med cruise, more work ups and then the Nato cruise where we all got our Blue Nose certificates. Remember the northern lights? That was quite an experience! I think mine is the first 80's entry for a VA-105 squadron members. I remember losing an F-14 on our med cruise, I won't mention the name because I am not certain but I did Recover this nice pilot on many occasions at CAG meetings sponsored by our squadron. I would also like to pay tribute to LCDR Speicher. He was a fellow VA-105 Pilot who was later shot down in Desert Storm. LCDR Speicher was one of the finest pilots in the Navy. He was also one of the nicest people I have ever met. I am now an aircraft mech in NJ and at least once a month I find myself driving within view of the FID and remembering all those good times we all had. I would love to hear from any and all flight deck trouble shooters from the 87 NATO cruise. In 86 I was in the mech shop but always longed for the flight deck. Email: dcsharp@axiomnet.com I served on board FID from 1988 - 1990 in V-3 division as an airman ("Sea College" program). Upon my departure from the Navy, I returned to Cleveland Ohio and attended Cleveland State University where I earned a B.A. in Philosophy (yea, "Philosophy" if you can believe it). I am currently working as a technician at the Sherwin William's Co.. where I assist in the development of color matching software. I am currently a member of the Naval Reserve serving in Amphibious Construction Battalion Two Det. 605 out of NRC Cleveland as a Construction Mechanic CM2 (yea, I'm a Seabee now... go figure). I would like to take a moment here to say hello to all of my former shipmates and wish them all well; I hope things are going good for all of you. Thank you, and in the immortal words of CAPT. Thomassy, "have a Fiiiiiiiiine Navy day!!!!!!!". I did the cruises in 1988 and 1989-90
while serving with VAW-122. Working on the flight deck during night ops was
an exciting and unforgettable experience. The ports of call were excellent.
Seeing the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Roman Coliseum, Big Ben and other
great things was impressive. I also enjoyed going to New Orleans during Mardi
Gras and St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. All in all, it was a great time in
my life. I had a great job and I met a lot of good people.
I got sent to the FID by the detailer as "punishment " for deciding to leave the Navy at my EAOS. PCS'd with 7 months left and went on the 86'Med cruise a week later. I decided if this is what the Navy was going to do to me I would make the most of it. I spoke to all that I could and managed a guided tour of the mainspaces, observing a launch cycle on the deck and a recovery cycle on the LSO platform. I was (and am ) aircrew, so my biggest coup was a ride on the "Whale" for a cat and trap. All in all I had a great time, some wonderful experiences and avoided the "punishment "that the detailer had in mind. 4 years later I came back to the Navy and went to the America for 4 fun-filled years. There is no comparison between the boats. The FID will always be first. I would like to hear from any shipmates I served with in V-3 div. from 87to july 89 I had some very good times on FID. I now live in Kentucky and manage a salvage warehouse doing great, hope to hear from someone soon. Email: dlg@kih.net I served onboard the FID 1981, 1982 Med cruises as an AT with HS-3 and the 1986 Med cruise with VS-28 in IM3-AIMD under Senior Chief McBride. I would like to let PH3 Glenn Fawcett know that I haven't forgotten PH2 Adams. While I was serving my TAD I was assigned to the Master at Arms Force and he happened to be my partner for the entire cruise until his untimely death. To this day when I think of how my friends lost their life so close to pulling into port it still brings a tear to my eyes. He was a very fine person. I also served in the S-3 division which was a very forgettable time being I was stuck in the 120 degree heat of the laundry. I really enjoyed my time aboard and wish to someday take my children through her and let them experience where a major part of my young life was spent. I guess the highlight of my travels though was when we transited the Suez, I still have my "I did the ditch" patch and T-Shirt for running the thirty minutes on the flight deck. I will also never forget the hurricane Tiger Cruise that we had, to this day people still do not believe we actually lost an aircraft off of the bow! Oh, what memories. Enough of my babbling, I know work for Johnson Controls World Services as a Vibration Analyst at Cape Canaveral Air Station and live in Titusville, Florida. My email is rproctor@ix.netcom.com. If there is anyone out there that remembers me from HS-3 or AIMD please get in contact. I would really like to hear from you. May the Forrestal live forever! Eamil: rproctor@ix.netcom.com I was aboard the FID from 85 to 88. Rate: ATAN, IM-3 DIV, AIMD, VAST shop. I had a lot of fun during those years, although I lost track of all my shipmates mainly because I went to the Army to fly helicopters. Currently I teach the AH-64A Apache helicopter at Ft. Rucker AL. Its fun but I still reflect back on the good old Navy days. If any of you guys from the VAST shop see this, drop me an e-mail at: ah64ip@hotmail.com I served on board the Forrestal from Dec 1988 until June 1992. The last two years I served as the ship's rescue swimmer for deck department. I was there to enjoy the last two Med deployments. The friends I met I will never forget, I'm always looking for those friends. I'll never forget the first time I came onboard. It was two weeks before Christmas and I came on at night and the lights that were strung from bow to stern was totally overwhelming. I can be emailed to at JCMIVF@aol.com. I would love to hear from anyone who was in the department then. I'm especially looking for BM2 Martin L. White. Currently I'm married with one son. I also work for the local phone company in Des Moines, IA. I'm really looking forward to talking to every one again. I served aboard the FID during the work-ups and cruise of '89-90with VA-105. I spent a lot of time TAD to either ships laundry or forward bake shop. But for the cruise I went to the Line shack. I served aboard two more Carriers before I got out. And I will say the FID and the 105th were the best, nobody could hold a candle to them. My berthing was below the numbers on the bow. And i worked nights so you can only imagine what it was like trying to sleep with the shuttle smacking into the water brake every 30-40 seconds. I wouldn't trade it for the world though. Thank you CAPT. Thomassy and LT'S Kime and Wilmore, as well as AMCS Sanders and AMCS Gibson, you five influenced me the most. you were my mentors. Now I work the Everett, Wa. Flight line for Boeing delivering 747's I served as Chaplain aboard the USS Forrestal from 02 DEC 1984 - 31 JAN 1987. The Forrestal was a magnificant ship with a crew that made her the best in the fleet. I shall always treasure the memories of my service to the crew of the Forrestal and hope efforts to restore her to a museum are successful. Although I have since left Naval service, I continue to function as clergy and have been licensed a professional counselor. My days aboard the Forrestal were a special time and I salute all who served aboard her. Served between 1986 and 1989. I worked in ADP department (S-7)performing data processing and other computer related tasks for ship's company. Currently I am a computer programmer in Orlando, Florida (civilian).
I served onboard FORRESTAL from February 1981 to February 1983 shortly after the ship was drydocked for SLEP in Philadelphia. I had some great times aboard the ship, and met some great people. I remember Hobie Dixon, Mike Collins, "Battle Bob" Thompson, "Duck" Chapman, Dexter Johnson, Danny Barber, Rob Shadwick, Rick Losh and Timmy White. I am now serving here at NCTS with John Lizzimore, another former member. I remember those geedunk runs and how I made out with the profits (they let me keep the change). I remember what I learned from life back then and how I apply these lessons now here at NCTS Washington as a CWO. I also remember the hard times: working for that damn Ensign who was an LDO and how he'd forgotten what it was like to be an enlisted man (you know who I'm talking about) wondering why the RM1 in the teletype repair shop never made chief (he was an outstanding leader) and seeing the same happen today, wondering why all those good people got out of the Navy. They would make outstanding chiefs today, no doubt. Remember the MED cruises and the steel deck picnics? Splice the mainbrace and how some of us ended up getting blitzed out of our minds that day? Where are all these people today? E-mail me, so we can have our OWN reunion! john_rudolph@hotmail.com Worked in Air Dept., V-2 Div. LCPO, May 15, 1979 to May 6,1985. I served in the Plat-Lens shops of V-2 Division, and as Air Dept.3-M Coordinator. Retired in 1991 from Fleet Training Center, Mayport in1991 and I am instructing electronics at ITT Tech in Jacksonville, FL. E-mail: markaman@mediaone.net Was stationed onboard the Forrestal from 1981-1983. I went on to Med cruises and two to th I.O. I was part of the ship's company and worked in AIMD. My email is mederos@datastar.net
I remember my first day coming aboard CV-59. New Years Eve, 1980. I was afresh meat newbie straight from A school. I remember looking up at the FID and thinking "That is one big honkin' boat. I 'll never find my way around." I spent my whole enlistment on Forrestal, and rode her into Philly to drydock.In between, I got to see more of the world than most people ever get to see intheir lifetimes. Benidorm alone was worth it all. (Mmm, Benidorm) I got to work with the most wonderful asylum of BB stackers anywhere. I got sent to Fallon, Nevada, where Weps froze their asses off and still impressed the staff with how fast we could build ordnance. (And how much beer we put away.)Through the Suez and into Egypt, and across the Artic Circle, (Blue Noses unite!) the old girl always got us safely home. I am honored to have been an "Airdale Snipe" on the FID. I was stationed on FID during the cruise of 85-86 and was a second class ordnanceman (AO) attached to VA-176.Upon ending my 6 year enlistment I was employed by consolidated railway(conrail) as a test maintainer, now I am a 15 year (thanks to my Navalservice) employee of the U.S. Postal service responsible for bulding equipment and grounds at an area office. I look back at all my times at sea including onboard the Indy, I really loved being on the sea!! I first reported aboard the Forrestal a PRAR in October of 1987. My tour there saw the final three cruises and promotions up to PR2 before I left in March of 1992. I served with AIMD and worked in the Paraloft03-222-0-Q for the entire tour. I have to say, there will never be another like her. Served onboard Forrestal from 11/01/87 through 03/01/91.ABFC (AW) and ABFCS (AW) while on Forrestal. Presently still serving at Nattc Pensacola as ABCM (AW). I served onboard Forrestal from December 1987 to August 1990. I worked in the Electrical Division office for some of the Navy's best EMs and ICs. I also served a stint in the Engineering Log Room. I still remember the first time I saw Forrestal. At that moment, I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life. As it turned out, serving onboard Forrestal was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much about the Navy. But more importantly, I learned even more about the world and how great we have it here in America. After my service, I went on to graduate from Indiana University with degrees in Journalism and Political Science. I worked as a reporter for two Indiana newspapers, and now I work for the top public relations firm in Indianapolis. I will always be thankful for the lessons I learned while onboard Forrestal and for the men who taught me: LCDR Bryan Bowen, EMCM(SW) Nick Tenerelli, LCDR Lyn Thompson, ICC Bill Baraw, EMC Mervyn Callahan, EM2 Kevin Oyler and EM2 Paul Foust. Thanks guys. Thanks Forrestal. E-mail: mcatee@cmpr.com During the Med cruise of (86 or 88) a group of us from IM3/AIMD went on a tour of Rome through special services. On the second day of the tour we were requested to return to the ship in Naples. When we arrived in Naples the ship was gone! What a site, the harbor never looked so big. We were sent to some small base (air force i think) where we waited for instructions. We slept in an old barracks that was converted into a gym. We waited there for transportation to the ship (helos). By the end of the second day it was our turn to fly out to the ship and we were back on board by 10pm that night. When we were back aboard we were given the good news...we would be pulling into Naples the next day which just happened to be our liberty day!!! I worked in the ships armory(G-5 weps) from 87-91 have alot of greatmemories from those times and had alot of great friends but have lostcontact with most of them.If any of yall from weps would like to drop mea line or anyone elese that I knew,you can reach meat(overbeck@webtv.net) I was a PH on the FID from 1/87 -5/ 91. I did two med deployments on her, and if it wasnt for a bad knee, would have done 3. I think its great that someone out there is dedicating timeto her memory. Really nice job!!! If anyone knows the e-mail address of my old best friend named MarkCarducci, please e-mail me. I see his name on the register, but no e-mail address. Last I heard from him was about 2 weeks before I got married almost 5 years ago and havent heard from him since. I can bereached at either jaguars_fan@juno.com or jaguars-fan@att.com. Im still live in Jacksonville with my wife and two little girls. Mark, if your out there...find me!!! I served aboard the FID from 1978 to
1982. I enjoyed it so much, Icame back for seconds. Served my 2nd tour aboard
from 1987 to 1992. Iretired in 1992 from the FID when it was home ported in
Pensacola. I nowwork in Civil Service at NAS, Jacksonville, Florida. Of all
the AircraftCarriers that I served aboard in my 38 year career, she was
definitely thebest. She sure lived up to her name of "The ship with a
heart." It had acan-do spirit and never ever missed a commitment. This
page is a fantasticidea. Bravo-Zulu to Mr. Routt for establishing it and for
keeping it going.I had so many outstanding shipmates on the FID, from
non-rated on up to theSkipper and Admirals that were aboard. I still miss the
old girl. I neverwill forget the New Orleans Madri Gras trip, the 108 days in
a row at sea,George the Ghost, Steel Beach picnics, transiting through the
Suez Canalwhere you could spit and reach shore in some spots, the Blue Nose
cruise,the Dallas Cheerleaders, The President's visit (President Bush),
"Ask theChief", the splashing of 2 of Gadaffi's aircraft, and best
of all theoutstanding shipmates I served with on board her. To you all,
"Thanks forthe Memories." You will all live in my heart forever.
God Bless. I was privledged enough to have served aboard USS Forrestal twice. FromOctober 1979 until July 1984 I served in V-2 division Plat/Lens branch.From Sepetember 1989 until March 1992 I was also attached to V-2division Plat/lens branch as well as V-0 Division as Tower Supervisor. Imet many great people during this time and had many laughs and hardshipsalong the way. Any of my fellow shipmates that wish to may contact meat: merlin1960@hotmail.com. Hope to here from some of you soon. I was on board the Forrestal in late 82, I was attached to the airwing in VAQ130 and sent tad to AIMD in V- 3 Div working in the 690 shop. I was there for about 2 months, I was then sent to the mess decks.
I was privileged to spend almost half of my Navy career aboard FORRESTAL (9/75-2/80 and 9/83-2/89). When I first boarded the "Mighty FID" at Pier 12 In Norfolk, VA.in September 1975, I was just a couple of years' away from completing what I was SURE would be a single four-year hitch. But when I departed the FORRESTAL for the last time in February 1989, I knew that I had left part of myself behind with her. During my time aboard FORRESTAL, I spent all but just a few months serving in the Electrical Division with some of the finest Engineers the Navy had ever known. I made several Med and North Atlantic cruises aboard her, as well as celebrating our country's Bicentennial celebration in New York harbor and a SUPER 1986 Mardi Gras as a member of her crew. Both of my daughters were born while I stood the watch as Electrical Load Dispatcher in Central Control, and I was initiated as a Chief Petty Officer by the FORRESTAL CPO MESS on a cold January night in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. But the fondest memories I have of the ship are of its crew. I'd like to say "Thank You" to my many shipmates that I was privileged to serve with during my 9-1/2 years aboard the FORRESTAL...you ARE the FORRESTAL, which is why the "Ship With a Heart" will never die. I presently work as a Information Systems Consultant, Prudential Insurance Company. As a JOSA, I reported onboard USS FORRESTAL
(CV-59) in June 1984 during its SLEP period in the Philadelphia Naval
Shipyard. I worked in the Public Affairs Office, X-5 Division. During my time
onboard, I did a variety of jobs including editor of the FORRESTAL Flyer,
editor of the ship's familygram, editor of three cruisebooks, broadcasting
LPO (programming the TV shows, doing the evening newscast, running the radio
station, etc.) and overall tour guide. My best achievement was my weekly
radio show, "Saturday Night Love Songs." Using my radio name NICK
LEWIS, I played dedications to the crew mailed into me by their wives and
girlfriends. I departed the FORRESTAL a JO2(SW), going on two major
deployments, two North Atlantic cruises and one Caribbean cruise (with a port
call in New Orleans for Mardi Gras). Today, I am a Chief Journalist, assigned
to the Public Affairs Office, Commander Naval Submarine Force in Norfolk, Va. I was a non-designated striker while I was stationed onboard from May 84 toSept. 86 I finally stuck for ET and left the FID. I had the experience ofleaving on one of the mail planes for NAS Jacksonville, I swear the wheelsdipped when we took off. I remember plenty of night watches on the aftquarters with all the ghost stories in mind, of the sailors who parishes inthe fire talking to you on the sound powered phones. And also making the"bug juice wine" in deck's 2nd division, while under way (or not). Icurrently run my own computer service business and also am the NetworkAdministrator for the City of Mankato, MN. I was just surfing the web and came across this site and was excited tofind a place that remembers the FID. I arrived onboard FID in 1986 as anOS2 and was assigned to OI Division. I transfered in 1991 to RTC Orlandoas OS1 and retired there in March 1995.I have a lot of fond memories.The only person here that I remember is Mark Carducci. If you read this contact me at junky54@ilnk.com. It will be nice to hear from you. I was an AX2 in OPS/OE-14, the ASW module, from Aug 84 through Jan 89. I have a lot of good memories from my time spent on the FID, and am glad to see this website for her. Keep up the great work. It's good to see some familiar names on the register, including John Mutch (my first Division Officer on CV-59), Bill Jukes, and Gary Chiswick. I am currently a Principal Engineer-Manufacturing at Osram Sylvania in Hillsboro, New Hampshire. I can be reached at sheppard@conknet.com or sheppadu@osi.sylvania.com I served on FID from Jan 88 to Aug 91.I was in Rdiv-pipe shop,cht shop,and the metal shop.I was on for Mardi Gras(what ablast),BENO(what a drag),and provide comfort.I was always the "REDNECK"of the bunch!The thing I loved the most about the FID was the greatfriends I met and the great Captain Cole.I would love to hear from myshipmates and can be reached at jduck@emeraldis.com.I must go nowbecause it has taken me 45 minuets to type this little bit in! I first stepped on the Forestal at
the grand age of 17years. Never seensomething so big that could float in my
life. I spent three good years as aworking the flight deck in V-1 Division
along with some really great people.I was an aircraft director(Yellow Shirt)
working fly three before I left in1989. I am currently a corporate pilot
flying a Gulfstream Jetinternationally for an investment company out of New
York City. I will neverforget the time spent on Forrestal. By the way I see
her almost every weekas I fly into NY. as she sits there in the Philli ship
yards waiting for achance to someday see action again!! PS. Thanks for
everything Chief Long! The last time I seen the FORRESTAL was in Philly. It was the Decommissioning. I was on the Connie at the time. I checked aboard during the good old slep period. one big mess to me and i was new at it. I work the flight deck in V-2 division and also the Asst. Cat Capt for the last year. I only made one Med. cruise and one North Alantic. I see a couple names that I worked with. I served on the FID from 1986 to 1990, first as an ABE on Cat 2, then as ajournalist in Public Affairs as editor of the FID Flyer. I remember manyof the people on your list. It was a great time in my life that I'll neverforget. I currently work for an HMO in Madison, WI. My e-mail address isanalzita@itis.com, shipmates, drop me a line. I must say that I was very pleased to find this wonderful website for the FID.I served from 81 to 85 in the Admin. Dept. Currently I'm living in NorthCarolina with my wife (who I met while in Philadelphia) and our son. I served aboard the FID from 1983 to 1989. I was assigned to the RapidResponse Team while in Philadelphia and made MM2 there. I spent therest of the time in 3MMR eventually making MM1 and becoming LPO. It wasa long tour, but Forrestal was the best experience of my career. Amcurrently an MMC on shore duty at NAVSTA Norfolk. greg.jackson@erols.com I served aboard from 1981-85 and was an Aviations Fueler and switched over to interior communications. I was also in Pliladelphia and serverd in the Honor Guard at many eventsin the Philadelphia Area. Anyone who served with me or remembers meplease e-mail me. I would like to hear from you. I served aboard " The FID " from Sept. " 80 until May of '85. I was in "A-Div". I was an E-4. I worked in the "Airconditioning and Refrigeration shop". A/C & R shop for short. Myduties were taking care of all the a/c's on the ship. I also worked on therefrigerator's too ( loved working on the ones in the chief's mess, yum, yum ).My last year I was a MAA in Philadelphia. I had up's & down's on the Fid. I only think of the good times I had and the good friend's that I made. Long live the FID. Ijoined it in Mayport and left it in Philly!!!! Email me at: bgaldemi@suffolk.lib.ny.us I reported aboard USS Forrestal on 05 January 1989 as anundesignated airman into Air Departments' V1 Division where for about the next twoyears my responsibilities ranged from working the ouji board (a board used toindicate the location of various aircraft on the FLT DK) to dropping the massivedeckedge elevators to chalking and chaining the aircraft. After that Idecided to get rated and chose to go into the Aviation Ordnance rating where iwas then transfered to Weapons Department's G5 division which was the shipsarmory (after they changed the division numbers around G5 became the dept officedesignation) my responsibilities were to issue various small arms to theships security members as well as to respond to the infamous "Red DiamondAlert" where we gaurded the armory with everything from the m1911 to the m-60later on I was transfered to G1-Hanger div. where I was responsible for thesafe handeling of all ordinance being transfered on the Main deck. Before mytransfer to the USS Carl Vinson on about March of 1992, I made the lasttwo deployments into the Med. after my discharge from active duty from theUSS Constellation I am now Employed with Stevens Transport where I now drive80,000 lb Kenworth trucks coast to coast. I will miss being in the Navy asI met a lot of great people while I was in. Email: seawollff@aol.com I served onboard Forrestal Sept '81 to
Oct '84 as an EM2 in A&O andDistribution Shops. Made the '82 Med-Cruise.
During Slep in Philly Iwas tad to MAA. Also got married to a wonderful woman I
met in Mayport, wehad a double wedding with MM1 Waltich, we now have three
kids and twograndkids. I have a lot of good and bad memories of my days on
the FID. I retiredin April '94 as EMC(SW), now I am an Electronics Tech for
Darlington, Inc. acontractor for Naval Space and Warfare Systems Center
Charleston, SC(SPAWAR), Commercial Satcom Branch. I am also the Webmaster for
this page http://www-chas.spawar.navy.mil/NISEEast/Codes/544. I can be
reached at jacob@darlington.com orjacobm@spawar.navy.mil I reported to the FID in June of
1986, just before she pulled intoNaples for her first port call of the Med Cruise
of that year. It wasexciting just getting there, after driving across country
from SanDiego to Jacksonville and then flying that big bird across
theAtlantic to Sicily where I got to ride in my first (of too many) helo.The
Navy paid for my first meal in Europe, at some hotel we stayed atin Catania
before leaving to catch the ship. I figured, what the hey,if the Navy's
paying, I'm getting the best thing on the menu! So I gotsomething I've never
had before, Steak Tartare. It was delicious! Ithought nothing of it until the
next day (after an eventful ride overthe straights, and subsequent return to
Sicily after an engine blewout on the helo - another story totally!) when I
reported aboard andmet my new Chief (and soon to be mentor) DSC(AW) Tom
Meadows. He askedabout the trip over and I told him about my great meal.
Well, he toldme about the incidence of TB in Italy and how it was
transmitted! Iwas worried for the next three or four TB tests we submitted to
(whichwere numerous, seems as though the OS's were Tuberculosis Marys),
butfortunately nothing ever turned up. I spent 3½ years on the FID, oneMed
and one IO cruise with the most profitable 108 days I ever spentat sea. We
had the greatest coke mess - until the guy who ruined it byre-selling flight
jackets caused all those investigations onprofiteering! I was in OE Data
Division, working for Tom Meadows - hemade me a Chief Petty Officer - working
alongside the some besttechnicians I have ever known. I remember Rich Goebel
and DuaneSheppard (Shep) and a few others vaguely that have posted on
thissite. The others I fondly remember Greg, Dana Caproon, Tim Brown,Herbst,
Wayne McFadden (Mac), geez there were around thirty of us DS'sat a time and
my memory is really bad for names. That's what cruisebooks are for, anyway!
I'll never forget Tom and Gerson Cedeno,though. I had a great time there
(thinking back upon it at least). Icame there from a tour as an instructor on
the MK92 Fire ControlSystem, turned around out of DS A and C school, and had
never eventroubleshot an NTDS Console! And I was a DS1! Another instance
I'llnever forget (no matter how hard I try) was when I was telling Dana tofix
a certain problem in one of those consoles and he said, "You'rethe First
Class Work Center Sup - you fix it!" I learned then thatwhat they taught
me in school wasn't worth a crap, I had to learn fromthe guys that worked for
me. And teach me they did! I may not be ableto remember all the names right
now, but that's because of all theother memories I'm trying to hold onto from
that ship. What a tour ofduty. I served aboard the Uss Forrestal from1981-1985, in CR division, and went to the Philadelphia Naval Yard forthe entire overhaul. I was a Radioman 3rd Class, and left for NavcommstaKey West in 1985. I remember good people in my division, like Rudolph,Lizzimore, Shadwick, Vera(God where are you guys?)....there are just toomany to mention......If anyone from Cr division is reading this, pleaseemail me at MarkinFla@prodigy.net.......Hope to hear from yousoon.........Mark I served on the FID as an AO2 from '85 to April '88 when I left the Navy. Ijoined active reserves long enough to make AO1 (again). During my tour I was assigned to G2 mag shop and G3 hangar bay ordnance. The '86 Med. cruiseand the 87 ocean safari were terrific. We were able to visit a bunch of newplaces (Naples, Naples, Naples) and spent way too much money. While I'vemoved back to NC and work as an analyst programmer for Energizer I stillmiss the bomb builds and days at sea. Anyone know what happened to "Chris","Critter", or "Pappy" from G3? WKeith@Asheboro.com Attached to the Forrestal from June 1986 to June 1989 with VAQ/132.Worked on the flight deck as a troubleshooter. Currently living in SouthCarolina, married, and am employed as a Project Superintendent with aconstruction firm. E-mail address; superjay9898@yahoo.com
I was attached the 'zippo' from 80-83 when the Rampagers VA-83 was dep aboard her, TAD to AIMD Big 7 shop (which was the only AIMD that had all 7 electronic systems for the A7 in one shop, Radar, Computer, INS, heads up display, PMDS, ASKU and ADC, it made for a rich learning enviorment). I helped run the MARS station, I even helped the guys up in the TV station and TV repair shop, 7F repair party (shoreing) for something to do during GQ's, all of this plus my normal duties maintaing the Fire Control systems for the A7-E, then we would hit the ports and it would be PARTY TIME!!! That was how I got tha nickname 'Burnout' LCDR Strickland Asst. AIMD OFF was the best Officer I had the pleasure of working under. Should of went with him to Pax River, to do the R&D thing.. AQ1 Jim Inman ((WD7WDW) I think that was his callsign) & AQ1 'Pappy' Bishop, where two of the best teachers I had for electronics. Bill Bednarz (Sorry about the spelling Bill) we had some good times flying around Jacksonville and Orlando, I wonder if your still with the robotics div of Kodak? Mike M. ( the 'Tin Bender'), from Redding, CA I would love to find you and say Hi. Further tours VT-27 (T-28C) Corpus Christi, TX, SERE inst (9505/9502) @ Warner Springs, CA, VA-95 (A6-E) Whidby IS, WA, and the last on at the Rag outfit (FA-18 up to Night Attack version) at NAS Lemoore, CA. I am now the Software Development Manager/Tech support/IS/SA along with a few other hats @ a small company that writes software for the design of printed circuit boards (we focus on RF design) and packaging design, here in the heart of the Silicon Valley. My Email is Mike_Burnett@msn.com any old shipmates (shi@mates) drop me a line. Served on onboard 1987-89. |
Mark Zoccoli