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CS3 STANLEY KENNETH EDWARDS – 7 April 1961 – August 64

I Stanley Kenneth Edwards was born 20 February 1941 at Auburn, Maine. My eyes are blue and I had blonde hair. I enlisted in the U. S. Navy at Auburn, Maine on 25 August 1960, and went to boot camp, Company 409, at Great Lakes, Illinois.

My first duty station was aboard the heavy cruiser USS ROCHESTER (CA 124). She had teak decks, 8″ gun turrets, and 6″ mounts. Boy, did I do some holystoning! ROCHESTER was decommissioned.

On 7 April 1961, I was sent to USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) where I was put in 2 Division and trained in gun fire control under a nd guy named Adams. The FT rate was slow, so I went to “S” Division, for cooking. I became a commissaryman. It was excellent duty and I gained knowledge and rate during the long days at sea.

The commissary men won the Ney Memorial Award in 1963 for “Most Outstanding General Mess Afloat.” Best Feeding Ship was quite a tradition to maintain. We had great teamwork.

I have always been grateful for the help I had coming up through the ranks. I made lots of friends through the years. Upon being discharged in Long Beach, California on 18 August 1964, I was offered employment as assistant manger of a restaurant chain.

After the Navy, I graduated from Long Beach City College with an AA in Industrial Relations. I have been living in Sequim, Washington since 1978. You can reach Stan at 301 N. 7 Avenue, #54th Sequim, WA 98382.

The Pacific Fleet destroyer U.S.S. FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) has won
the Ney Memorial Award for 1963 after being judged as having the best general mess of any ship in the U.S. Navy. A unit of CruiserDestroyer Force, Pacific Fleet, the Long Beach based ship won out over U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA 34) and U.S.S. VULCAN (AR 5). ORISKANY is an aircraft carrier which serves in the Pacific, while VULCAN is a repair ship operating in the Atlantic.

The Ney Memorial Award is presented annually to the ship and the shore station considered most outstanding in mess management, preparation and service of food. It is sponsored by the Armed Forces Branch of the Food Services Executive Association.

The Ney Memorial Award Committee visited and evaluated U.S.S. FRANK E. EVANS on 10 June whiled the ship was in San Diego. Winning awards in a highly competitive Navy is not a new feat for destroyermen of FRANK E. EVANS. The ship won the type commander’s mess management award for conventional destroyer-class ships in 1962 and was judged outstanding in her annual supply inspection in both 1962 and 1963.

EVANS is one of more than 150 combat ready ships under the command of Rear Admiral Frank Virden that served in the eastern and central Pacific as part of the U.S. First Fleet, and in the western Pacific as units of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Commander N. W. Sanders of Long Beach is commanding officer of U.S.S. FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754).

This Is The Winning Menu

Onion Soup, Barbecued and Fried Chicken, Cream Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Southern Style Green Beans, O’Brien Whole Kernel Corn, Chilled Cranberry Sauce, Apple Pie with sliced American Cheese, Hot Dinner Rolls, Butter Patties, Assorted Salad Bar, Assorted Dressing, Hot Coffee, Fresh Milk, Chilled Chocolate Milk.

This is Who Made It Happen

CDR Nelson W. Sanders, Commanding Officer; LTJG Douglas C. Jacobs, Supply Officer; ENS Raymond L. Hahn, Assistant Supply Officer; CSC Delfin R. Marquez, Chief Commissaryman; BM1 Elmer F. Kelley Mess Decks, MAA. COOKS – CS2 E. W. Marchbanks, CS3 C. A. Maiorino, CS3 S. K. Edwards, SA A. E. Feulner. MESSMEN – SA J. A. Booher, FA D. J. Creed, RMSN J. A. Smith, SN W. S. Kuykendall, SN M. E. Kinney, SA F. D. Eddy, FA F. Rallo, FTGSN R. J. Wichman, FN P. E. Gebhard, SN T. C. Hewson, MMFN J. W. Hart.

OUR NAVY – OCTOBER 1963

In keeping with Navy Tradition, U.S.S. FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) uses standard stock, six-section, tin trays. These present a problem since most meals over flow the 12″ X 18″ containers. Most FRANK E. EVANS’ sailors realize this, of course, and carefully stack their trays with crisp tossed salad topped with Thousand Island dressing, a slice or two of juicy roast beef, hot baked potatoes drenched in natural gravy and peas and carrots glistening with gently melting butter. Along with this goes a sprightly seasoned bowl of cream of tomato soup and hot rolls. This the poor fellow finishes off with milk, coffee, and rich chocolate ice cream served with a thick cut of light, white cake.

Food, important as it is, is not the only factor which determines the Ney contest winner, however. Cleanliness, serving techniques and management play key roles I the long fight for the award.

Two Supply Corps officers spent most of the final five hour inspection reviewing the ship’s commissary records. Serving techniques include the appearance of the food and the mess decks personnel, the condition of the food when it is served (is it hot?) and the promptness of each meal (does the chow go down on time?). FRANK E. EVANS came through on all points. Along with all these had to come cleanliness. In addition to serving and setting up tables, the mess-men must look out for cleanliness of the mess-decks. Three members of FRANK E. EVANS’ commissary team proudly display their work at the salad bar. From the left are SKSN Thomas R. Keller, “Jack-on-the Dust,” and cooks CS3 Carl A Maiorino, Jr, and CS3 Stanley E. Edwards. SN Earl M. Kinney, takes a sampling of the best food afloat. Kinney was the 3 Division mess man during the rd Ney Award Inspection. Elmer F. Kelley, BM1, mess-decks master at arms, oversees many hours of sweeping, swabbing, waxing, wiping and dusting on the mess-decks. Menus can offer well balance diets, commissary records might be perfect, serving techniques can shine like diamonds but ultimately the mess spaces and the ship must sparkle.

Although the Ney Award honors good food in 1016 afloat and 159
ashore messes throughout the Navy, FRANK E. EVANS’ award belongs
as much to the entire ship as it does to the commissary section.
The five man task force that boarded the ship for the final
inspection literally scattered from keel to mast. While the Supply
Officers combed the commissary records, a Supply Corp Captain and
two civilians from the Food Service Executive Association covered
spaces as far from the galley and scullery as the bridge, berthing
compartments, store rooms and main engine control.

Eleven mess-men, representing every division on the ship, and four cooks had readied the mess spaces. The remainder of the 265 man crew and her 15 officers took care of the rest of the ship. Their work included painting the entire exterior of the ship, welding and repairing those innumerable nubs and joints that always fail at the wrong time, and polishing each piece of brass and chrome on the 377-foot vessel.

The ship had some outside help. After winning the Group C Class competition in the Pacific Fleet for the 1962 Ney Award, FRANK E. EVANS was considered a prime contender for the beg award in 1963. When RADM Frank Virden, Commander Cruiser Destroyer Force Pacific, nominated FRANK E. EVANS for the semi-finals in May this year, he backed his ship all the way. He took an active interest in preparing her for the final inspection.

In the last few weeks before the Ney Award, the ship redecorated its mess-decks, repaired its World War II ovens and renovated part of its scullery room. All this was accomplished under the watchful eye and generous hand of RADM Virden. In addition, the ship’s force installed a new, transparent sneeze shield to protect the steam table. Observing this innovation one quick minded wag on the crew wanted to know if it was installed to prevent irate crew members from throwing food back at the servers.

Two days before the final inspection the Long Beach based destroyer sailed into San Diego Harbor and tied fast to a buoy. During this last 48 hours the crew concentrated its final energies on brightening the most remote corners of the ship. In the midst of this frantic drive to smooth out the finishing touches the Executive Officer called Port Services on an intra harbor radio circuit for a water barge “in order to complete preparations for the Ney Award Committee visit.” The answer came in a drab voice, “You’ll get your water, keep working.”

When the Ney Award Committee finally boarded FRANK E. EVANS on 10 June 1963, she was primed from stem to stern. With the chicken menu selected and the ship freshly painted a tire crew stood by in their best uniforms. They escorted committee members around the ship and answered their numerous questions. How do you like it aboard? What do you think of the food? Do you have enough to eat? What are the living conditions like?

When the Secretary of the Navy announced the Ney Award winner as U.S.S. FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754), the victory indeed belonged to the whole crew. It was something every man, whether by begging, borrowing, cooking, painting or polishing, had worked to attain. The announcement over the ship’s public address system brought a few scattered cheers and a host of tired, satisfied smiles.

ICFN LAWRENCE P. CUZZUPE 15 April 1964

I, Lawrence “Larry” Cuzzupe, was born 1 November 1944, at Eugene, Oregon. My eyes and hair are brown. My father was Italian and my mother was Irish. I’m the oldest of three. My sister lives in Riverside, New Jersey, and my brother in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Late in 1962, just before my 18 birthday, and before graduating th from Lincoln Northeast High School in Lincoln, Nebraska, I joined the Navy as a “kiddie cruiser.” Boot camp was at Great Lakes, Illinois where I also went to Interior Communications “A” school. My first duty was aboard two training ships: USS LAMAR (PCE 899)in Milwaukee, and USS PARLE (DE 708)in Chicago.

On 15 April 1964, I was received for duty on board USS FRANK E.
EVANS (DD 754). I was assigned to “R” Division. The first advice
I got was to, “Never bring back the movie Shane from the movie
exchange. If you do, something bad will happen to you.” Evidently,
prior to my arrival, the movie had been overdone to the point of
“mutiny.” I never did!!

I remember being in dry-dock at Long Beach. There were two other ships in this one dry-dock with us; a LPH carrier in front with FRANK E. EVANS and another destroyer, side by side, behind it. I regret never getting any pictures of this unusual situation. When we left for Westpac in ‘65, we carried a blaze orange, 16 or 17 ft. remote controlled speedboat on our helo deck. Evidently it was to practice firing on North Vietnamese torpedo boats which were considered a threat at that time. (This was shortly after the Gulf of Tonkin incident.) The boat was launched. Each group was to take turns firing at it. We were second or third. Our gun crew blew it to a smithereens, which ended the firing exercise.

It was a great experience aboard FRANK E. EVANS. I had never been outside the continental U.S. I’ll never forget my first sighting of Diamond Head, all the exotic places we visited, and being out to sea.

It was late 1965. I was twenty-one years old and returned to Lincoln, Nebraska. For the first few years, I had three different jobs, then joined a Vet Medicine Company, which later was purchased by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, were I spent a 30 year career.

In February 1971, I was transferred to the Twin Cities in Minnesota. I was married, had three children, then divorced in 1991. I met my current wife in ‘93 or ‘94. We eventually married in 1999. I retired officially that same year.

My three children are all married. My oldest daughter is the mother of my two grandchildren, Ellen & Ethan. My second daughter is expecting their first child, a girl, October 2008. My son is a firefighter in the Twin Cities and they are expecting their first child, a boy, November 2008. In addition, I have three step-children and five step-grandchildren.

Larry and his wife currently reside at 28163 County Road 50, Bovey, MN 55709. You can reach him at (218) 245-2598 or bacuzz@webtv.net

SN WILLIAM CULBERTSON/SULLIVAN 7 July 1964-68

I William Culbertson/Sullivan was born 16 January 1946, at San Francisco, California. My hair is gray and I have green eyes. I enlisted in the navy at Daly City, California on 24 June 1964, and went to boot camp at San Diego, California.

I William Culbertson/Sullivan was born 16 January 1946, at San Francisco, California. My hair is gray and I have green eyes. I enlisted in the navy at Daly City, California on 24 June 1964, and went to boot camp at San Diego, California.

I reported aboard USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) 7 July 1964, to the 1 Division. It started out as temporary duty while I waited for st my Radar “A” School to start. Then, LCDR Doehr came down the main deck and tore up my “A” School orders right in my face.

I was aboard FRANK E. EVANS for 3 tours. Made many good friends and a few enemies too. Trained with the Marines to be on the ship’s landing party. Did a lot of growing up.

William currently resides at 364 Morewood Lane, Grants Pass, OR, You can reach him at sullivan52@hotmail.com or 541-471-2252.

FC3 JOHN C. ZARRO 19 October 1950

FTG2 CLAYTON C. WRIGHT 19 May 1961-63

I Clayton C. Wright “CC” was born on 12 August 1942. I enlisted in the Navy at Kansas City, Kansas on 26 May 1960, and went to boot camp in San Diego. I served aboard USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) from 1961 to 1963.

“CC” currently resides at 1569 Navajo Road, Clay Center, KS 67432. You can reach him at cvwright@kansas.net or 785-632-5768.

LLOYD A. VOORHEES, JR. reported aboard about the time I did, August 15, 1950, to the Ship Reactivation Group, San Diego, with our initial group to begin a “Priority AA (Hurry, Hurry!!)” reactivating our DD-754.

Lloyd was our first rated Yeoman (YN3)aboard. The ship’s office could be a morale Plus or a BIG Minus (as most were.) Lloyd was always a big part of the Plus group. He was frequently a phone talker on the bridge at GQ, and I was Damage Control Officer in DC Central.

I would have access to all the sound powered (SP) circuits for training purposes. When under attack by the North Korean shore batteries in Wonsan Harbor (where we spent most of our 1951 deployment) I always valued the bridge control circuit the most when Lloyd was on it, giving a good running report of where the shell splashes were landing. He was always cool, but like most of us, the tone pitch would go up a notch with the near misses, especially the “overs,” which we could hear that whirrr, even below decks.

But I remember Lloyd mostly as a very genial, solid sailor, even though recalled to active duty, never whined about it, did an excellent job. When we got a chief (YNC) before sailing, Lloyd pretty well had the files and reports ready to go into commissioning, 15 September 1950.

-LTJG Emmett Tidd

17 March 2008

Funeral services for Mr. Lloyd A. Voorhees, Jr., 80, of Monroe, were at 2:00 PM Monday, March 17, 2008, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, with Rev. Joseph Puthuppally officiating. Interment followed at St. Matthew Catholic Church Mausoleum.

Mr. Voorhees passed away Thursday, March 13, 2008, at St. Francis North Hospital. He was a graduate of Neville High School, attended North East Junior College and attended L.S.U.

Mr. Voorhees served in the U. S. Navy 1945-47 aboard the Attack Transport USS GEORGE CLYMER (APA 72). He was recalled to active duty and served in the Korean Conflict 1950-1951 aboard the now famous Grey Ghost USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD-754).

Mr. Voorhees was an avid outdoors man. Over time, he served as State President of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Inc.,the Louisiana Wildlife Federations State Legislative Committee, the Cheniere Lake Commission , the Lovely Louisiana Tourist Association Outdoor and Recreation Committee, and was president of the Ouachita Parish Wildlife Unit serving 2 terms, where the Wildlife Unit was voted the most outstanding both years. He also was voted by fellow sportsmen to be the most Outstanding Conservationist in Ouachita Parish in 1959. Mr. Voorhees was a charter member of the Northeast Louisiana Archeology Society, and past member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club, Optimist Club, CYO, Ducks Unlimited, YMCA, Red Cross, and NRA. He was elected in the City of Monroe and served on the Democratic Executive Committee for a four year term. Mr. Voorhees retired from KNOE TV after thirty-eight years of service. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Patricia V. Anders and Mary Voorhees.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Englund Voorhees; sons, Larry and Karl Voorhees; daughters, Jean Voorhees, Barbara V. Ervin, and Krista V. Harvey; seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren; brother Robert and sisters Peggy Voorhees Jackie Voorhees, and Janet Golson; and many loving nieces and nephews.

LTJG EMMETT H. TIDD 16 August 1950

Emmett Hulcy Tidd was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on 6 October 1923, son of Colonel Luzerne M. Tidd, U. S. Army, Retired and Mrs. (Vallie B. Williamson) Tidd. Emmett graduated from Central High School, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, then attended the University of Oklahoma at Norman, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman in December 1942, and while at the University of Oklahoma was a member of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit. Upon graduation, he was commissioned Ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve, 24 February 1945. He transferred from the Naval Reserve to the U. S. Navy in November 1953 while serving in the rank of Lieutenant, and advanced progressively in rank to Vice Admiral on 5 March 1974.

After receiving his commission in 1945, he had duty training a pre-commissioning crew of the destroyer GYATT at Norfolk, Virginia, and upon commissioning of the USS GYATT (DD 712), July 2, 1945, joined her as First Lieutenant. After shakedown training in the Caribbean, that destroyer had a variety of duties in the Atlantic in addition to local operations with aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. He was detached from the GYATT in March 1946 and released from active duty. While on inactive duty, he was active in the Naval Reserve Training Program.

Ordered into active naval service (the first Naval Reserve officer recalled to active duty in Tyler, Texas, for the Korean hostilities), he reported aboard the moth-balled hull on 16 August 1950 for duty in connection with the reactivation of the USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754). That destroyer was re-commissioned on 15 September 1950 and was in the first division of reactivated destroyers to reach Korea, arriving in January 1951. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, “For meritorious achievement … while serving as Bombardment Intelligence Officer on the Staff of Commander Wonsan Bombardment and Patrol Element, during the periods from June 11, 1951, to June 19, 1951 and June 28, 1951, to July 13, 1951. LT Tidd was detached 2 February 1952.

During the period March 1952 to April 1954, he was in the Officer Procurement Office in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Department, Washington, D. C., after which he served as Operations Vice Admiral Emmett H. Tidd Officer in the destroyer USS RADFORD (DDE 446). While on board that antisubmarine destroyer, he took part in the evacuation of Tachen Islands, located off the Chinese Coast. Detached from RADFORD in April 1955, the next had duty as Operations Officer, Antisubmarine Warfare Officer and Gunnery Officer on the Staff of Commander Escort Destroyer Squadron ONE (subsequently re-designated Commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-FIVE), which was engaged in advanced hunter/killer experimental tactics in the Hawaiian and Western Pacific areas. In November 1956 he assumed command of USS FORCE (MSO 455), and was engaged in special operations in the Pacific and Atlantic while deployed to Panama.

From August 1958 to June 1959 he attended the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College., Newport, Rhode Island. From July 1959 to April 1961 he served in the strategic Plans Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department. On May 3, 1961, he was promoted to the rank of Commander and assumed command of the destroyer USS RICHARD B. ANDERSON (DD 786) on the same day. During his command of the Anderson, the ship participated in “Operation Swordfish” and was the standby firing ship, and platform for the surface scientific camera party nearest ground zero, for the first operational firing and detonation of the nuclear warhead on an ASROC (Anti Submarine Rocket). This period also included operational deployments in the Eastern Pacific with the Third Fleet during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and with the Seventh Fleet Fast Carrier Striking Force. In April 1963 he took command of the guided missile destroyer USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG 2) and in July 1964 was detached to return to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations for duty again in the Strategic Plans Division. “For meritorious service from July 1964 to July 6, 1967…” he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Navy Commendation Medal.

In June 1968 Captain Tidd assumed command of the destroyer tender USS EVERGLADES (AD 24) and was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Third Navy Commendation Medal. “For meritorious service … from August 10, 1968 to December 10, 1968…” while deployed to the Mediterranean in command of that tender.

In May 1969 he reported as Chief of Staff and Aide to then Vice Admiral Zumwalt who was Commander United States Naval Forces, Vietnam and Chief, Naval Advisory Group, Military Assistant Command, Vietnam. “For exceptionally meritorious service … (in that capacity) from May 1969 to May 1970… ” he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Captain Tidd next had orders to take command of the newly modernized guided missile cruiser, USS COLUMBUS (CG 12) in Norfolk. However, in May 1970 while en route from Vietnam, he was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral and his orders to USS COLUMBUS were changed: to report to the CNO, for duty, Washington, DC.

In June 1970 he became Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Vice Chief of Naval Operations for Decision Coordination, Navy Department. On detachment, he was awarded the Legion of Merit “for exceptionally meritorious service…” In August 1971 he assumed command of Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla SIX, and while deployed to the Sixth Fleet he was embarked in the USS AMERICA (CV 66) as Commander Task Group 60.2 and CTG 502.2, until relieved in March 1972.

On 5 April 1972 he assumed command of the Navy Recruiting Command with orders to “prepare for the end of the draft and commence recruiting the All Volunteer Force.” On December 13, 1973 he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the second award of the Distinguished Service Medal for his outstanding service as Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. On March 5, 1974 Rear Admiral Tidd was promoted to Vice Admiral. He continued to serve as Commander, Navy Recruiting command until relieved in May 1975.

On 7 June 1975 Vice Admiral Tidd assumed Command of the Naval Surface Force, US Pacific Fleet. During this period, the final consolidation of all Cruisers, Destroyers, Frigates, Amphibious, Mine Warfare, Service Force Ships, Tenders and Repair Ships, the Special Forces (SEALS), and Amphibious Warfare Schools of the Pacific Fleet, were all consolidated under one Command: the Commander Naval Surface Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet. When the task of consolidating the Naval Surface Forces, Pacific Fleet was completed, Admiral Tidd requested retirement. After over 33 years of service, he was retired from the Navy on 31 July 1976 with the permanent rank of Vice Admiral. On behalf of the President of the United States, he was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of the Third Award of the Distinguished Service Medal, “For exceptionally meritorious service … .” At that time, the Naval Surface Force of the Pacific Fleet consisted of 183 ships and over 55 thousand people.

In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal with two Gold Stars, the Legion of Merit and the Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars and Combat “V”, Vice Admiral Tidd has the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with star, the Naval Reserve Medal; American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; China Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; Korean Service Medal with three stars; United Nations Service Medal; and the Vietnam Service Medal. From the Republic of Vietnam, he has the National Order of Vietnam (Fifth Class), Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal (First Class) and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. He also has the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Badge.

Admiral and Mrs. Tidd have two sons and a daughter-in-law serving on active duty in the Navy: CDR Mark L. Tidd, Chaplain Corps, USN; CDR (Captain, Select) Kurt W. Tidd, Surface Warfare Officer, USN; and Kurt’s wife: LCDR Eileen Scanlan, U. S. Navy Medical Corps, specializing in Internal Medicine. She is a veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm and was decorated with the Bronze Star for her combat tour in Iraq with the First Armored Division.

In retirement, Vice Admiral Tidd served on the Board of Directors of Atlas Van Lines, Inc. and for ten years was a volunteer on the Board of Directors of the Armed Services YMCA, serving as their Chairman in 1981and 1982. Vice Admiral and Mrs. Tidd reside in Arlington, VA except for an average of about 180 days each year, traveling and camping in their motor home which they affectionately call, “The Great White Whale.”

RD2 LESLIE S. THOMAS 19 February 1954

Leslie S. Thomas was born 10 April 1934, at Montezuma, Kansas. He had four sisters and one step-brother.

“Tom” to some, “Les” to others, and “slush-fund man” to a few, was very well liked aboard U.S.S. FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) where he served as a radarman until 1957. He was a good friend to fellow radarman Charles “Chuck” Swengel who, after service, visited Tom at the Amoco gas station that he owned.

In 1958, Tom married Nancy A. Mallory. In 1966 they moved to Dodge City, Kansas where Tom was the owner of Les’ U-Haul. They had two children: son Scott of Dodge City, and daughter Leslie Ann Thomas of Wichita. Both Scott and Leslie Ann’s Jr. high school principal was named Frank E. Evans.

On Sunday March 7, 1982, Leslie S. Thomas died of an apparent heart attack. According to his wife, Les had not had any apparent physical problems, but he was overweight, smoked, and was always in a high stress job. He was a member of the First Christian Church, the American Legion, and the VFW, all of Dodge City.

In 1998, Nancy Thomas’ address was P.O. Box 333, Sedgwick, KS. Scott was owner of Sedgwick Body Shop in Sedgwick, KS, and Leslie Ann was married, living in Galva, KS.

BT1 GLENN A. TERRELL 20 September 1950

BT1 Glenn A. Terrel served aboard USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) in the forward engine room. He died 15 January 2003. His last residence was 501 Bentwood Drive, Woodstock, GA 30189.

RD2 CHARLES FRANKLIN SWENGEL 7 January 1955

I Charles Franklin Swengel was born 24 June 1936, in Nebraska. My eyes are brown and so was my hair. In 1953, my senior year of high school, I enlisted in the USNR and served on weekends at the Naval Air Station, Olathe, Kansas. I joined the regular Navy 3 June 1954, at Kansas City, Missouri. I went to boot camp at San Diego. I was 17 years old.

I, on purpose, “washed out” of cryptology school at Imperial Beach because I did not want shore duty in the Aleutians. I’d joined the U. S. Navy to see the world aboard ship and pursued that goal.

As initial cryptology acceptance required a “secret” clearance (FBI, in home neighborhood with schoolmates interviewed, etc.), when I got aborad USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754), I was assigned to file and up-date BuNavOp manuals when not doing mundane side cleaning, yes over-the-side with a bucket, brush, and “Babbo” powder cleaner. I had little conception what the charts, tide, or buoy markers and depth changes really meant. But I knew it was important and made the changes accurately, despite some being outrageously funny at the time, say Peru or Scotland or India. In my adulthood, and with more maturity, I realized the need for such manuals to be up-to-date irrespective of DD-754 being back-andforth from Long Beach to Westpac; dry-dock at Hunter’s Point in San Francisco Bay, etc.

I later took correspondence courses for Radarman and served as such for the last couple of years aboard DD 754. In addition, I was a mail clerk because no Teleman was assigned in port or going into port. I sold money orders, stamps, etc. as might be expected, but really liked the mail duty because it allowed me first man ashore, via the Captain’s Gig, to get the mail sacks. Since the PX or “geedunk” was usually near the Post Office, I could buy the 25 cent malt or hamburger as respite from “SOS” or other ship’s food, which I liked, generally. My worst duties pertained to the 5″ guns in the loading areas or magazines. The blasts really “shook” or startled me.

Generally, my two and a half years aboard FRANK E. EVANS, my only ship except in transit, are recalled with favor and admiration. I never knew of any drug use, contraband, or illegal activities as I’ve overheard others tell about.

As it turned out, I lived less than a mile in Kansas City, Kansas from LTJG Hopson, on the bridge that fateful 3 June 1969. By then, I’d been home 14 years, but what a coincidence of two young men from middle America even being on the same “tin can.”

Chuck currently resides at 12546 Augusta Drive, Kansas City, KN 66109-3196. You can reach him at cswengel@wycokck.org or 913-721-1053 (H), 913-573-5221 (B), or 816-868-7436 ©.