WAR STORIES FROM PARADISE
You have traveled back to 1977!
Entries are posted by the year the writer arrived, so be sure to check either side of the year
you're looking for to find your old buddies, shipmates, and sweethearts!
I'll update this page as I receive your warstory!
No
anoymous reports -
only if you're willing to put yourself up
to the ridicule of the world will you be entered into this Guestbook!
Send in YOUR Story NOW using the convenient fill-in-the-blanks form!
Please note that the email addresses are those at the time the entry was received.....sorry if they've moved on
1977-78,
1984, 2008
Roger
Hanthorn [roger-tess@hanthorn.com]
I
was stationed in Diego From April 77 To April 78. I was an RM2 and worked
in Tech Control at R-Site. I Spent 4 months moored in the the lagoon on
the USS Proteus May to Aug 1984. I retired in 1990 and worked for the State
of Oregon for 18 years. This job opportunity came up about 8 months ago.
I applied and got the job. When I got my clearance back in Feb 08 my boss
calls me and says "Pack you bags your going to Diego Garcia." So here I
am again back in paradise. Be careful what you say you might just get it.
Lots more buildings now and communications with home are easier and being
a civilian helps but it is still the same place. I liked it when I was
stationed here and in 1984 when I was here. It is 2008 and I still like
the place. Some things never change.
Roger
A Hanthorn
DYN-Marine
Services
Squadron
Communicator
Compsron
Two
1977 Navchapgru
NAME = craig hall
MY QUEST = I have pictures
VT of a SWALLOW = not
sure
E-MAIL = craig@craigandrebekah.com
NATIONALITY = us
SERVICE = usn
UNIT = navchapgru
RANK/RATE/JOB = sw3 out
of it
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real
Story To Tell MY WARSTORY = was there for just a while to off load a ship
so you could have stuff to work with. Please check out my pictures
at: www.craigandrebekah.com
1977-1978
Keith Millett <keithmillett@kcmtruck.com>
My name is Keith Millett
& I would like to consider myself part of the DG Alumni. I was
there with NMCB 74 in 77/78 I think, I can tell you that when I arrived
there we slept in Sea Huts & when I left we were in air conditioned
mods.
Unfortunately I have cooked to many brain cells over the years to accurately
create a timeline of certain parts of my life, i.e. 1976 thru 1982.
I have been able to find a couple of the guys from my battalion, but would
like to find more. We spent a lot of time together in Okinawa, Phillipines
& Diego Garcia as a GREAT finale. Please contact me if you think
you could be of any help.
Thanx, Keith
1977-1978; 1976-1977
The Rick <therick74dg@yahoo.com>
" DAMN! THAT PLACE!!!
"
I did two tours there
back to back, 9mo. each! First with a detachment NMCB 74, then with
the main body. 1976 - 1977 then AGAIN! 1977 - 1978
Yeah, im sure a lot of
people liked it there post circa 1980. After most accomodations were
already built. WITH AIR CONDITIONING!!! Not to mention A POOL! as
in so-called paradise. But for those pre-post years, we lived in
swelltering HEAT! HOT HEAT! and HUMIDITY! in Seahuts. Nothing but
sheet metal banging away on 2X4's and plywood all night. And that
was when there was a breeze. When there was no breeze or wind, it
was worse!
The buzzing of mosquitoes and, bites, we woke up scratching all day LONG!
Those DAMN mosquitoes had landing lights. And you call that paradise?
Ask those who had to stand watch, ESPECIALLY THE ARMORY! You had
to wear long sleeve shirts buttoned all thew way to the neck just to make
the bites less, even at NIGHT! WITH HUMID HEAT!
For us/them, I don't think it was such a nice place, even to just visit!!!!
I want to be DIEGO BURGER, KING! WITH ARCH PALM TREES... if it still
exist? If not REBUILD! and open all night! with donkey walk thru.
I was also THE RASIN JACK KING! made it by the 10 gal. loads. Had
people saving their empty BOONES FARM bottles to pour it in. Because
when the supply ship came in, half the alcohol was gone already! And YES!
I gave it away for free!
Diego, is that place still under the same management?
HELL YEAH! I GOT A LOT
OF WAR STORIES!
" DAMN! THAT PLACE!!!
"
1977-1978
NAME = Brian D Clouse
MY QUEST = Hear from
old friends
VT of a SWALLOW = Let's
see. the terminal velocity of a Bald Eagle is...........................
E-MAIL = bk112479@aol.com
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = Diving Locker
RANK/RATE/JOB = EN2/DV2.
Left the Nav after 5yrs. Finishing up a career as a Supervisor for the
City of Spokane, Wa.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= I'd Like to Share Precious Memories of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing
on Diego Garcia
MY WARSTORY = Jim Grainger,
Pete Holden and I lost a 21' Boston Whaler with 3 sets of scuba tanks,
two tanks of fuel, and the key hanging in the ignition. We had anchored
it just off one the islands at the mouth of the lagoon, while we were on
the island, the tide came in and "popped" the anchor loose. By the time
we came back to where we had anchored it, it was a quarter mile out to
sea. Pete and I dove in and started swimming after it, but it was an out-going
tide and all we were doing was swimming ourselves out to sea with no chance
of catching the boat. We came to our senses and turned back, by that time
we were closer to the other island than the one we had started from, but
we were now swimming against the tide. By the Grace of God, (and being
Navy Divers) we were able to make it to the other island without drowning
or being eaten alive. They finally sent the Mike boats after us just before
dark, and the rescue was made. The Whaler made it all the way to Australia
and was found off the Australian coast by a fisherman, he got into it,
started it up, and drove it home,- he sent the Navy a note of thanks!!
Jan 1977-Jan 1978
NAME = Was Tom Glancy
(before entering the witness protection program)
MY QUEST = To find other
charter members of the "Chicken Chokin Club"
VT of a SWALLOW = Far
as I know its still the same...The fewer, the higher....
E-MAIL = Tom_Glancy@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = Irish American
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = Navy Exchange
Office NFCU REP Sold AMEX Travelers checks
RANK/RATE/JOB = Participated
in the Grand opening of the Diego Burger Joint and worked for Special Services
P/T Helped fill the time and made some xtra dough in the process.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Geo-political Rabble Rousing
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= I am a Born Liar, and Want To Tell About All The Sex I Had on Dodge
MY WARSTORY = Hi
Ted and thanks for keeping up the site for all these years. The first
time I visited I was driving a 386 with 3.1 under the hood. How times have
changed. Looks like things have changed in Dodge as well, I guess it was
an eventuality. Havn't gotten around to pah-roosin the pics yet and
have to admit that a part of me is afraid to do so. I'd kinda like
to remember it as it was however my curiousity will get the best of me
before I travel back through the ether to somewhere in Oklahoma. Lord knows
how I ended up here and its quite a disapointment at times when I whip
out my official looking ID which identifies me as the Minister of Chickin-Chokin
DEMREPDG. No bands play, and not a single vested virgin throws one rose
petal ahead of me or in my wake. So once again I find myself retreating
through the ether to my past where I can at least be a legend in my own
mind. It was only recently that I had the revelation that not one
time in my fifty odd years have I heard the words uttered..."Hey! Lets
move to Oklahoma! Maybe I'll look into one of the jobs you
have mentioned here or return to reclaim my rightful place in the Ministry
of the PROPEOPDEMREPDG.
And to all who have served,
are serving or will serve. If nobody has told you lately, Thank you.
1977-1978
NAME = Thom Rasine
MY QUEST = To find some
very good frinds
VT of a SWALLOW = who
cares
E-MAIL = thomrmcb74@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = NMCB74
UNIT = "A" co.
RANK/RATE/JOB = EO3
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = There are
so many stories that could be told. i went over on the advance party and
came back on the delayed party. What was i nuts. No just short and didnt
want to sit around Mississippi for a couple of months. Any way i remember
filling the water tankers that were used for dust control on the haul roads.
we would be swimming in the tankers as they were being filled. looking
back it was refreshing but a little un safe. but what the hell we were
in-destructible.we worked our ass off all day and some of us at nite. had
a great time on that island of beautiful white beaches and better sun sets.
i was in that last sea hut before it was burned down. now that was a party,
but so was every pay day and weekend. miss all the friends that were there.
and the ones that we said we will always stay in touch. hey life goes on.
any one feel that the culture shock was not going to the rock but coming
back to reallity and wearing clothes. and not acting like a animal. boy
it was like neverland. all the 1st classes and cheifs were drunk and not
realy give a shit. sure would like to here from some of you guys.
july77-nov77
NAME = kevin
MY QUEST = to live by
the ocean
VT of a SWALLOW = 88mph
E-MAIL = later
NATIONALITY = irishgermanamerican
SERVICE = usn
UNIT = alpha co tire
shop
RANK/RATE/JOB = then
ce3 now LIFGR
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Other
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= This is a No-Shit Snorkeling Story MY WARSTORY = john z and I took a
duece and a half to the donkey gate. if you turn right there, there
was a truck trail down to oceanside. we got down ok parked it. couple hours
snorkeling and few bottles annie green springs later we discovered the
tide had been coming in, and fast.
water was washing around
the base of the tires causing the truck to sink some. we sobered real quick.
alot of jockeying the truck back and forth (that shit was worse than snow)
throwing rocks and wood and whatever we finally got it back up on dry land.
the whole time thinking about the poor SOB that did the same stupid thing
beach side with a weps carrier. that one had to be pulled by alpha co if
I remember right. we were not supposed to be down there anyhow.
Fegly would have had
our ass. that old duece probably had to go to the heavy shop after that
for tranny work. never did tell anyone in alpha co. my boss was EO1 jackson.
he was good people. i got lot of b/w photos of the old plantation, the
graveyard,the flightline with the 141,s. we used to use det cord packed
with grease to blow the tire bead off the rim of those big earth movers.
did any of you guys do the guam dpylmt in 78?
1977
NAME = Barton Pepper
MY QUEST = To go back
to DG as a space-a
VT of a SWALLOW = 24psi
E-MAIL = Not this time
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = Chaplain with
NMCB 62
RANK/RATE/JOB = Retired
from Navy in 1982, from church work in 1997
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = I did a
lot of fishing in my spare time. Commodore Weiss was an avid fisherman
and caught a 17-lb redfish (or sea bass or the like) and wanted me to cook
it for him. I had it all planned, even down to making hot German
potato salad. The chief at the Officers' Club cooked it in aluminum
foil and it was mush when he got through with it.
The Commodore taught me how to make weights for your fishing line out of
some rocks on the beach that had washed back and forth until they had holes
in them, thus saving you from having to buy weights at the Navy Exchange
(if they had any). I kept all the fish I caught, no matter how small,
fileted them and cooked them in hot oil. He told me to throw the
small ones back, but after I gave him some of my fried fish, fried with
a beer batter, he never said another word.
I worked part-time with the Alcohol Rehab Center on DG as my chaplain's
assistant was in charge of the center. I went out in the small boat
on one of the few days that it was calm enough to take it out, and we caught
four or five grouper and we took them back to the Rehab Center and cooked
them for our dinner.
I enjoyed working with the men of my battalion and the island personnel.
I gave emergency messages to a lot of guys and tried to help them to get
home if it was called for. I saw one guy back in Gulfport who I had
helped to get back, and he said, "I really put one over on you, Chaplain!"
No skin off my nose, I said. I would rather err on the generous side
than to turn down someone who had a bad situation back home. Good
luck to all SeaBees!
1977 and 1980
NAME = Rick Baptista
MY QUEST = Who Knows
VT of a SWALLOW = Who
Knows
E-MAIL = r.baptista@comcast.net
NATIONALITY = White
SERVICE = NMCB-40
UNIT = Pipe rat; Crane
crew; Batch Plant
RANK/RATE/JOB = EO3 to
EOC
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= This is a No-Shit Drinking Story
MY WARSTORY = What can
I say! I stole the truck loaded with Alpha Company, crashed the donkey
gate and chased them fucking brits down the road. To bad Barto got
caught. Sure was a long walk from the plantation to t-Site. If it
wasn't for the human chain at the donkey gate the rest of us would'nt have
got caught. Well there you GO LT. Rock now you know. Well he
always knew but just couldn't prove it. If Bll the Head didn;t hit
that Brit with his sneaker they might have let us go. Well thats one story
of many I can tell. Was a fun place and did alot of drinking.
Having the shits during Shipoff load cause of bad Turkey Ala King.
Looking for Bad Bart; Dan Hosher; Ron Ried etc. Hey Dog Face I thought
that was in Newfoundland I broke your back. Anyway I should be getting
half that check. For all that recall this story send me an e-mail
From: "JOE PRANAITIS"
<thegardner@charter.net>
To: easy501@zianet.com
Date: 22 Nov 2006,
07:36:30 PM
Subject: diego
garcia
I was with a Seabee detachment from n m c b 40. I was stationed there Jan
1977-Sept 1977. I thought that it was a beautiful island. our mission was
the blasting crew. tide haul crew and rockcrusher crew. During low tide
we would drill holes in the coral and pack the holes with dynamite, at
high tide we would blast, then again at low tide we would move the blasted
coral to the rock crusher where we would make different size aggregate
for the concrete witch was used to extend the runway. When I was there
in 77 there was no air conditioning, but I was 19 years old so it was no
big deal. We slept in 13 man hootches. I am glad that I went there it is
an experience that it will never forget. I sure would like to go back there
and check it out and see how much it has changed. Do you know of anyway
to get there on a trip?
FEB-NOV 1977
NAME = JIM SCHOELEN
MY QUEST = TO FIND THE
S.O.B. THAT GAVE ME THE NAME "PUMPKINHEAD"!
VT of a SWALLOW = W.T.F.?
E-MAIL = seabee.hammer@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = AMERICAN
BY BIRTH, OKLAHOMAN BY CHOICE.
SERVICE = U.S. NAVY
UNIT = NMCB 62 DELTA
CO.
RANK/RATE/JOB = THEN-BUCN
NOW-BU1 NMCB 22 (1993-PRESENT)
CURRENTLY OIF 04-06 AL QAIM, IRAQ MY INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There
is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell MY WARSTORY = JUST A KID REALLY
WHEN I LANDED, NAIVE AS HELL. SAT DOWN AT THE ONLY EMPTY SEAT IN THE OLD
CHOW HALL DURING ONE OF THE FIRST BREAKFASTS ON DG. MEET THREE GUYS FROM
THE N.E., KENNY KAER, JOE MARTIN AND SID GATLIN. SPENT MANY NIGHTS ON THE
ROCK PARTYING IN THEIR HOOCH BEACUSE THEY HAD ONE OF THE AICONDITIONED
CANS INSTEAD OF A SEAHUT. MY HUT WAS ABOUT 30 YARDS FROM THE OCEANSIDE
BEACH AND WENT TO SLEEP LISTENING TO THE WAVES.
POURED CONCRETE MOSTLY
WHILE THERE... FUEL STORAGE FARM TANK FOUNDATIONS, RUNWAY APRONS AND BLASTPAD
AND WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
WORKED ON THE CONCRETE
PUMP TRUCK WITH BU2 PAUL EVANS, WHO HAD THIS THING ABOUT FISHBOWLS AND
GOLDEN SHOWERS!
HELPED UNLOAD TWO SUPPLY
SHIPS THAT HAD TO ANCHOR IN THE LAGOON AND UNLOAD ONTO BARGES. WE WATCHED
THE CREWS 8MM PORNO ON THE FANTAIL WHILE WE WAITED FOR THE BARGES TO RETURN.
THE DRIVE BELT BROKE ONE NIGHT RIGHT BEFORE THE MONEY SHOT AND IN THE TRUE
SEABEE CAN DO WITH NOTHING TRADITION, WE FIXED THE PROJECTOR WITH A BLOUSING
STRAP. WORKED LIKE A CHARM.
ALSO REMEMBER THE MORNING
WE WERE LOADING UP ON THE DUECE AND HALF TO GO TO WORK AND MIKEY POLLARD
RIPPED A MORNING AFTER WHITE RUSSIAN NIGHT AT THE EM CLUB FART AND CLEARED
THE BACK OF THE TRUCK.
PEOPLE WERE DIVING HEAD
FIRST INTO THE SAND TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE BECAUSE THE CANVAS COVER
WAS ON AND THE FRONT FLAP WAS DOWN TOO! JOE ELBERT WILL TESTIFY TO THE
CAUSTIC ODOR OF THAT GAS!
I REGRET THAT I DID NOT
GET MUCH MEMORABILIA FROM DIEGO GARCIA. ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SOME...
LET ME KNOW WHERE THE STUFF IS OK?
1977
NAME = Britt Snodgrass
MY QUEST = Just checking
in
VT of a SWALLOW = D0esn't
matter after the first six pack
E-MAIL = snodgrass@ltex.net
NATIONALITY = Texican
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = NMCB 62
RANK/RATE/JOB = BU-3
for most of my 5 year carreer
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Geo-political Rabble Rousing
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= This is a No-Shit Sailing Story
MY WARSTORY = I was on
the last boat unloading the cargo ship so we had to follow it out to sea
to pick up the harbor pilot. I was chosen to hold the jacobs ladder for
the pilot as he came down. We were near the stern of the ship. I looked
down from my precarious position on the edge of the boat to see the enormous
propeller going round and round chopping up the water, the little flat
bottom boat was lerching up and down in open water and I was about to shit
myself getting this guy down without going over the side. It was then that
I knew I had made the right choice to stay on dry land for my Naval career.
Anyone else get a raging (non-alcohol) head-ache from unloading the dynamite?
FEB-NOV 1977
NAME = JIM SCHOELEN
MY QUEST = TO FIND THE
S.O.B. THAT GAVE ME THE NAME "PUMPKINHEAD"!
VT of a SWALLOW = W.T.F.?
E-MAIL = seabeehammer@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = AMERICAN
BY BIRTH, OKLAHOMAN BY CHOICE.
SERVICE = U.S. NAVY
UNIT = NMCB 62 DELTA
CO.
RANK/RATE/JOB = THEN-BUCN
NOW-BU1 NMCB 22 (1993-PRESENT)
CURRENTLY OIF 04-06 AL QAIM, IRAQ
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = JUST A
KID REALLY WHEN I LANDED, NAIVE AS HELL. SAT DOWN AT THE ONLY EMPTY SEAT
IN THE OLD CHOW HALL DURING ONE OF THE FIRST BREAKFASTS ON DG. MEET
THREE GUYS FROM THE N.E., KENNY KAER, JOE MARTIN AND SID GATLIN. SPENT
MANY NIGHTS ON THE ROCK PARTYING IN THEIR HOOCH BEACUSE THEY HAD ONE OF
THE AICONDITIONED CANS INSTEAD OF A SEAHUT. MY HUT WAS ABOUT 30 YARDS FROM
THE OCEANSIDE BEACH AND WENT TO SLEEP LISTENING TO THE WAVES. POURED CONCRETE
MOSTLY WHILE THERE... FUEL STORAGE FARM TANK FOUNDATIONS, RUNWAY APRONS
AND BLASTPAD AND WATER TREATMENT PLANT. WORKED ON THE CONCRETE PUMP TRUCK
WITH BU2 PAUL EVANS, WHO HAD THIS THING ABOUT FISHBOWLS AND GOLDEN SHOWERS!
HELPED UNLOAD TWO SUPPLY SHIPS THAT HAD TO ANCHOR IN THE LAGOON AND UNLOAD
ONTO BARGES. WE WATCHED THE CREWS 8MM PORNO ON THE FANTAIL WHILE WE WAITED
FOR THE BARGES TO RETURN. THE DRIVE BELT BROKE ONE NIGHT RIGHT BEFORE THE
MONEY SHOT AND IN THE TRUE SEABEE CAN DO WITH NOTHING TRADITION, WE FIXED
THE PROJECTOR WITH A BLOUSING STRAP. WORKED LIKE A CHARM. ALSO REMEMBER
THE MORNING WE WERE LOADING UP ON THE DUECE AND HALF TO GO TO WORK AND
MIKEY POLLARD RIPPED A MORNING AFTER WHITE RUSSIAN NIGHT AT THE EM CLUB
FART AND CLEARED THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. PEOPLE WERE DIVING HEAD FIRST
INTO THE SAND TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE BECAUSE THE CANVAS COVER WAS
ON AND THE FRONT FLAP WAS DOWN TOO! JOE ELBERT WILL TESTIFY TO THE CAUSTIC
ODOR OF THAT GAS!
I REGRET THAT I DID NOT GET MUCH MEMORABILIA FROM DIEGO GARCIA. ALWAYS
ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SOME... LET ME KNOW WHERE THE STUFF IS OK?
1977 - 1978
NAME = James Ash
E-MAIL = zbz55@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = Communications
- Receiver Site
RANK/RATE/JOB = RM2
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Please Select The Category That Best Discribes Your Interest in Diego
Garcia
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Please Select a Title For Your Story, or Select 'Other'
MY WARSTORY = Anyone
still around from the Receiver Site in 1977-78... Resendez, Pullen, Mayo,
Brubaker, Ketcham, Bohannon... ??
June 1977 to June 1978
NAME = John Danforth
MY QUEST = Seek Old Friends
VT of a SWALLOW =
E-MAIL = ddanforth@cox.net
NATIONALITY = United
States
SERVICE = US Navy
UNIT = NavCommSta
RANK/RATE/JOB = RMSN
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = One nice
sunny tropical day while driving form a small motor boat in the lagoon,
I brought a peice of coral in the boat. A small sea snake came slithering
out. The other ship mate I was with, Michael Wright almost had a coronary.
We still had a good time and would have many more memnories of the rock
to tell. I was a young man in those days. There were no women on the island.
Just 300 CommSta sailors and 1200 CB's who were basic animals. Never the
less, I still made many friends with them.
77
NAME = Kevin Brown
MY QUEST = Looking for
friends
VT of a SWALLOW = I'm
not hip to your lingo
E-MAIL = ciythog@verizon.net
NATIONALITY = US citizen
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = Worked in the
paint &body shop with Alpha Co. NMCB-74
RANK/RATE/JOB = CM3-I'm
still in and getting ready to deploy to Kuwait in January 06
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = After arriving
on Diego alot of us stayed up and drank alot of Oly and San Miguel before
we were to report for quarters the next day. I guess some of my fellow
seabees were late for quarters because we got a royal chewing out by Chief
Clark. I'll attempt to paraphrase his rant " ...just because we're
on an isolated island in the middle of nowhere there will be no excuses
for missing muster." He then immediately barfed all over his boots.
I guess he must have had a few the night before, but by golly he hadn't
been late for quarters. Another time one of the seahuts caught fire
and there was a big hubbub about it. My friend and I, Koz he was
called, had had a few drinks and were feeling no pain. We wandered
outside of our module (#9 I think) and decided to go over and watch the
fire. When got there we were apprehended by the MAA and taken to
the brig. Inside of the brig was what appeared to be a dog cage about
5ft. square and about 4ft. high. They put us in there with no explanation
and went back out. My buzz was gone by now and I was really mad.
When they returned later MA1 Stroud told us that someone had fingered us
for setting the seahut on fire. For some reason he now figured we
hadn't and was letting us go free. It was nice to be out of the cage
and free and all but it just wasn't enough after all the crap we just went
through. As I was pondering what I could do to get revenge, Koz walked
over to the MAA's jeep, reached in, and pulled the key out of the ignition.
I was thinking maybe he was going to steal the jeep but to my pleasant
surprise he threw the keys as far into the jungle as he could. We
then walked away with a satisfing feeling of sweet revenge.
feb77 to oct77
NAME = mark coffman
MY QUEST = to win the
lotto
VT of a SWALLOW = what
ever
E-MAIL = markcoffman@peoplepc.com
NATIONALITY = american
SERVICE = usn
UNIT = nmcb62 mars operator
RANK/RATE/JOB = ce3 made
e4 right before my 4 years were up.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Want to Return When the First REAL Club Med Opens
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY =
BEFORE I ENDED UP IN DIEGO I WAS IN PUPLIC WORKS ROTA SPAIN.MUST OF PISSED
SOMEONE OFF BIG TIME.. ANYWAY BEFORE DEPLOYMENT I VOLUNTEERED TO
BE A MARS OPERATER.THATS WAS MY ONLY JOB THERE. IT WAS ME AND SOME PILIPPINO
GUY .? IT WAS A TIT JOB FOR SURE.THE STATION WAS EVEN AIR CONDITIONED.
HAD WAY TOO MUCH FREE TIME.PLAYED LOTS OF RAQUETBALL.PLAYED THE SKIPPER
[CDR.FEGLEY]AND WON. MY
ENLISTMENT WAS UP A MONTH BEFORE 62 CAME BACK TO THE WORLD. WAS NOT INTERESTED
IN REENLISTING...WENT BACK TO MY HOME IN MAINE.WORKED IN A SHIPYARD [BATH
IRON WORKS] AS A CONSTUCTION ELECTRITION FOR OVER 10 YEARS.GOT TIRED OF
THAT AND THE COLD ...MOVED TO SOUTHWEST FLA. IN 1992.... NOW IAM A MAIL
CARRIER FOR OVER 5 YEARS. THE WEATHERS GREAT [EXCEPT FOR HURICANE CHALEY].
RIDE MY HALEY YEAR ROUND SAME ONE FOR 22 YEARS MORE THAN BOTH X WIFES...
HAVE 2 ISSUES OF THE SEABEACON HOMEPORT AND THE MEN OF ALFA. SOME PHOTOS
.WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM ANYONE ESPECIALLY FROM PUPLIC WORKS ROTA.
1977-1978
NAME = ED HOLLAND
MY QUEST = to see if
i can find any of the old timers I worked and partied with.
VT of a SWALLOW = no
idea
E-MAIL = wdgtrplyr@aol.com
SERVICE = U.S. NAVY
SEABEES
UNIT = " A " CO.
cement crew / mixers / hauled bulk cement to the jr batch plants
RANK/RATE/JOB =
EOCN I had all my #$%@ together to make 3rd class but the good old nav.
had just started a wieght program and I was 8 lbs over for my hieght and
they wouldn't let me pin it on.A couple of months later they decided they
were overmanned in my rate EO they started offering early outs. I signed
UP FOR MINE. and suddenly, i;m not only short to get off the rock and go
home to my wife linda, but iwas short in the nav. too. I did like most
of us did when Igot short I got that bottle of seagrams 7 drank it and
tied that " SHORT TIMERS RIBBON" on my hard hat. hell i wasnt short any
more , i was next. we were back in gulfport the 10th of july 78 I
had 10 days to "MUSTER AND MAKE IT" and was headed home to calif.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Want to Return When the First REAL Club Med Opens
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= This is a No-Shit Drinking Story
MY WARSTORY =
Date:
Fri, 16 Sep 2005 14:16:54 -0400
From:
"Steve Stephenson" <Seabee74@verizon.net>
I haven't looked at all
of it. So here is the History I was given when I was on DG in 1977
with MCB-62. I have a few pictures from then, if your interested?
This Native Texan now living in Medford, MA.
Harry Stephenson
Architectural AutoCAD
Draftsman
Millwork, Wood &
Metal Store Fixtures, etc...
Resume: http://www.geocities.com/gonga_1/res.html
Career Search: http://www.geocities.com/gonga_1/
U.S. Navy Seabee 1974
-1978
* Engineering Aid "A"
School
Port Hueneme,
CA. 09/74-11/74
* NCBU-407 12/74-12/76
Corpus Christi, TX
* NMCB-62 01/77-05/78
Gulfport, MS
Diego Garcia
Deployment 02/77 -11/77
British
Indian Ocean Territory
SEE
STEVE'S HISTORICAL DOCUMENT!
Feb 77 - Nov 77
Harry A "Steve" Stephenson
<cadguy54@yahoo.com>
My Quest: Locate
some old buddies from NMCB-62 & NCBU-407
UNIT: NMCB-62 Soils
Lab & Survey Crew
Currently: Autocad
Draftsman in Custom Architectural Woodwork & Millwork. Bad industry.
At least I still have
pictures and willing to share them. I'd like to find Jerry Wolfe, Ken Myers
& others NMCB-62. Also find Jim Thomas of Va., Bill State & Arthur
Manckin & Darcy, etc from NCBU-407 in Corpus Christi, Texas from Dec.74
till Dec. 76.
Feb.'77 to Sept.'77 as
part of NMCB62.
NAME = Ken Cavanaugh
E-MAIL = kencav44@yahoo.com
SERVICE = NMCB62.
UNIT = RANK/RATE/JOB
= Steel worker; fab. re-bar,tanks on cosway, steel swimming pool
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Irritated World Citizen/Communist/Religious Extremist
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = I can't
believe no one has pass on the story of the returning advanced party from
Diego. The airline running the strech8 claimed someone from a small group
of 200+ said there was a bomb on the plane when we arrived in anchorage
Alaska.
Oh yeah the airline people
were on strike. So volunteers came forward to admit there transgressions
the steward, yeah he was a short fat guy, could not pick out the culprits.
What happened next was
genius
200+ Seabees lined the
condors of anchorage international air port in utilities and placed all
the cash they had between their booted feet International passengers walked
by Japs mostly and actually attempted to pick up the loose cash a few even
asked if we were at war Airport security ran around screaming pick up the
money
Fuck you was the basic
reply
Finial the Alaskan State
police arrived
Investigation and integration
the airline then sent us downtown to a hotel and that where the spider
monkey bar was the monkies were freed by some of us and are welcome at
the bar was terminated
1977 - 1978
NAME = Allen Porter
MY QUEST = Looking for
roomates in public works dorm.
VT of a SWALLOW =
E-MAIL = karpmed@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = american
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = antenna maintenance-public
works
RANK/RATE/JOB = HTFN
MY INTEREST IN DG IS =
My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= This is a No-Shit Drinking Story
MY WARSTORY = Does anyone
remember Christmas Eve.1977 in a public works dorm?
We were all standing
in a circle passing fifth of booze, talking about our families stateside.
When everyone woke up the next morning
we all discovered none
of us had made it to our rooms. We were all still in the living room
where we had been the night before.
And remember rhe crazy coconut crab catching craze?? That was me!!!
Can write to me at:
PO Box 215
Medford, OR 97501
Jan. 1977 until Nov. 1977
NAME = Joe Burton
MY QUEST = Hoping to
hear from some old pals.
VT of a SWALLOW = As
long as you're swallowing booze, who cares about the terminal velocity?
E-MAIL = Joethemusicguy511@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = NMCB 62 The "E"
battalion in 1977
RANK/RATE/JOB = BUCN
got out after 4 yrs.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= There I Was, Passed Out in the Club
MY WARSTORY = I was one
of the lucky (?) ones who resided in the 4-man trailers. They had
air conditioners but the condensation was so bad we had puddles in the
floors most of the time. We named our hut "The Wondercave."
Roommates Gordon Boswell (a rich kid who wanted to be a Seabee), Al Frank,
who was infatuated with his biceps (good right cross, by the way) and Smitty
the "town drunk." Other friends-Ricky Dean Campala, Buffalo Bob Mayes,
and several more I can't remember after all these years. I think
it would be safe to say that none of us drew a completely sober breath
during the entire tour at DG. Besides, I worked at night at the EM
club on the beach (the old prefab building we used before the real one
was built). I think it was called "The Combined Rates Club" or something
like that. It even had a stage where Shep and the guys jammed on
the weekends. Anyone remember them? They always closed with
"Free Bird." Not bad, either. I can't remember the name of
the group, though. The White Tide??? If any of you know me
please write. I have only one picture from DG and it is from one
of our many drunken picnics. I still have dreams about that place.
I would like to visit sometime, though. Knowing I wouldn't be there
month after month eating coconuts. However, what about the great
prices for the booze? You'll NEVER find Chivas Regal and Crown Royal
that cheap again!
Aug 77 - Aug 78
NAME = Sam Wilcox
MY QUEST = find others
who were there with me
VT of a SWALLOW = infinite
E-MAIL = sam.wilcox@verizon.net
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = SATCOMM
RANK/RATE/JOB = ET2
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= I'd Like to Share Precious Memories of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing
on Diego Garcia
MY WARSTORY = Watching
guys swimming naked in the lagoon being told to get the hell out because
SECDEF and wife were coming down the beach on
a tour.......:>)
1977
NAME = Craig Hall
MY QUEST = to help others
remember
VT of a SWALLOW = don't
know
E-MAIL = chall3897@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = NAVCHAPGRU
RANK/RATE/JOB = SEABEE
SW3 NOW MILLIONAIR LIVING IN ALABAMA DON'T ASK HOW
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = To start
off with I went to Boot camp in San Diego Ca.that was in Aprial of 1974.
The year before DG I was in Gtmo for one whole year with one trip to Montigo
bay for R&R. Not sure what year I was in DG 76 or 77. What month did
the cargo ship come in with the TNT and yellow paint. Well I was only there
to off load the cargo ship. But, long enought to feel your pain. I remember
the hours of unloading TNT off the ship in the lagoon. The day we lost
a RT forklift into the water and how it was done.(long story) Then the
pallett came apart and painted the mike boat, yellow from front to back.
This all happened in just about a weeks time. Then fishing on the barge.
Going over to the other side and taking pictures of the Plaintation house.
I remember my war stories and tell them from time to time but sometimes
wonder did they really happen. Only two of your stories told about the
dress code; that it was nude when ever possable. With me being a young
Christian at the time, what an experance, for me. How, about the
chips and the bread that came in a can,and the milk in a 3 sided box. I
did not drink anything but Coke and now I can't stand the tast of Coke
even to this day in 2004. All I had to do was to take pictures, collect
shells, and sleep. And I even now still have the shells. After my
hot trip to DG I went to Naples to do air cargo. Then left for C school.
After C school went to Adak Alaska for my last year in the Navy.
Any one remember me please write back. Thanks Craig sorry about my spelling....
1977
"Frass, Steve" <SteveFrass@clearchannel.com>
Ted,
Thanks for the great web-site on Diego Garcia! I was there from January
to September 1977 with NMCB-62 as the Battalion photographer and POIC of
the Camp Cummins Photo Lab. I was checking the web for info on the Tsunami
damage to the island and found your site. IT IS AWESOME! Keep up the great
work...
Sincerely, Steve Frass
Jan 77- Jan 78
NAME = William J Yetter
MY QUEST = looking for
people station on Diego
VT of a SWALLOW = depends
on the day
E-MAIL = sandpiper@i-1.net
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = US Navy
UNIT = Public Works,antenna
mainttenance
RANK/RATE/JOB = EO1 retired
May 1982 Live in Panama City Fla
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= There I Was, Passed Out in My Room
MY WARSTORY = just looking
July 1977- March 1978
and November 1979- July 1980
NAME = Kevin "Samurai"
Eddy
MY QUEST = To find a
Red Roo patch for my riding vest.........oh yeah living free and ridin'
free as well
VT of a SWALLOW = I'm
not sure but it ain't near as fast as those chickens were!
E-MAIL = thejuggernautone@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = Texan of
course.
SERVICE = US Navy
UNIT = NMCB 133
"Kangaroo Can Do"
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
MY WARSTORY = I found
this site looking for patches for my riding vest......................
I have perused it the last 2 days and realize now how much I miss those
I served with and those I still call friends even though I have not seen
or spoken to them since.......... to those on the 79-80 tour (that I remember
anyway): CE3 T.J. Avallone, ET3 J. Bellgraph, EA3 R. Brown, EACN
S.B. Coats, BU2 R.D. Crissey, CM2 L.J. Cruz, BU3 C. Dains, Bu3 R.
DeWitt, BMC J.M. Ezell, EO2 C. Green, SW3 R. Gustad, EA3 J.E.
Messenger, CMCA W. Mitchell, CM2 R. Moeller, BU1 R.A. Moody, CMCN K. Overstreet,
BU1 D. Pullen, BU3 T. Pullman, EO2 D. Rath, CM3 L. Sullivan......
oh hell the list goes on and on .................these were good guys one
and all. I personally am proud to have been a Seabee with them.
Of course I have to separate these guys from those guys though I am no
less proud of how I fell about them. But lets face it without Hotel Co.
who would have gotten paid? Ate? Got supplies or those rare R&R leaves
we heard about.... SK3 G. Pasley, SK3 T. Holian, SK3 C. Leber, DK3
D. Barnett, SK3 J.A. Koenig, SK2 W. Miller, YN3 M.G. Bland,PC3 P.V. Bradley,
MS1 R.S. Collins, MSSN D. Collins, MS2 E.E. Crane, SK2 T. Dale, DK1 M.R.
Felker, YNSN M.D. McCarthy, HM3 D.J. Henry, PNSN M. Scott, MS3 D.R. Patitz,
MSSN F.X. Porter, SK1 K. Payne, PN3 W. Payne, JO3 J.R. Powers, SK3 A.V.
Filyaw, SK3 N.F. Fobar, YN2 R.F. Gray.
Come on.. Freddy (SN
F. Geist), Drac (SKSN M. Griffin) or Squirrel (SK3 D. Swoope) would I forget
you three....
To the guys from 77-78 133 Diego Detachment that started that POL pipeline
namely: Jerry, Billy, Mule, Drew, Chris, Browny, Martinez, Chief Cortez,
Mask, and the rest of you guys on page 140 of the cruisebook that (I can't
remember your names) in typical fashion the names were left off of......
Anyway to all of you and all of the others before and since.
Well done gentlemen. well done. Kangaroo Can Do. ......and did!
Oh yeah by the way the 77-78 detachment built what we called a Bar-B-Que
Cart..... has any body seen it? the Kangaroo was on the tongue and
it even had a grill and cooler...... I have pictures
oh yeah I've got pictures............
March 77 - Oct 31st 77
NAME = Mark Webster
MY QUEST = to find the Omega
VT of a SWALLOW = depends on the day.....
E-MAIL = not this time
NATIONALITY = Heinz 57
SERVICE = USN Retired
UNIT = NMCB 62 , Base Galley aka Reindeer Inn
RANK/RATE/JOB = Was a MSSA when I was stationed on Diego Garcia. Retired
in 96 as a MSCS (SW/AW)
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Other
MY WARSTORY = One afternoon after getting off the Galley Watch, myself
and two mess cooks proceeded to put away five bottles of Boones Farm Strawberry
wine (each) one afternoon. Being I was 6 foot tall and weighed in at about
125 pounds the wine and 120 degree heat really did a number on me. One
of the Battalion Projects was to build a swimming pool on the rock, well
I guess I found it sometime that night and woke up about 2:00AM. I was
in a about a 12 foot pit covered with cuts from the coral rock. Made it
back to my little white trailer and passed out. Who cares about wasting
away in Margaritteville, I did my thing in Paradise.
1977
NAME = AL BRANDT
VT of a SWALLOW = 75 mph
E-MAIL = maybe next time
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = MCB 62
UNIT = Cm 3 mechanic shop
RANK/RATE/JOB = Got out in 1980 and still turning wreches
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help
Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = This is a No-Shit 'How I Put One Over On My Senior
Chief' Story
MY WARSTORY = One night we heard that the chiefs got in a new food
supply and at that time it wasen't unheard of to be naked.Well about six
of us went to the Chief Hut,all butt naked and with there backs to us we
went into the kitchen and started packing out ice cream,eggs,steaks you
name it and they never figured it out.There are so many thing to say Herman
the Hammer head we played with, stealing MRS and running around in the
ocean all night, We where alway stealing something getting drunk and doing
somthing fun. They use to sound a horn at the shop just before they
blew a tire off a TS-24, rest would fall on our heads.
JAN-SEPT 1977
NAME = Joseph Pranaitis
E-MAIL = thegardner@charter.net
SERVICE
= USN
UNIT = NMCB40
RANK/RATE/JOB = EO THIRD CLASS
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = I REMEMBER BEING
THERE FOR NINE MONTHS AND IT WAS FINALLY OUR TIME TO GET OFF THE ROCK.
I REMEMBER GETTING ON THE PLANE AND WE COULD NOT LEAVE BECAUSE THE PLANE
BROKE DOWN. THEN WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT PLANE TO SHOW UP WITH THE
PARTS SO WE COULD GET THE HELL OUTA THERE. DO YOU GUYS REMEMBER THAT?
I AM REALLY LOOKING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH BILL TUTTLE & JOHN SHILTS
OR IF ANYBODY KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME.
November 1977 through
October 1978
NAME = Rickey D. Green
MY QUEST = To figure out why one year on Diego effected my life so profoundly
VT of a SWALLOW = I have no freaking idea
E-MAIL = rgreen@direcway.com_nospam
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = Navy Sea Bees
UNIT = Driver for Commodor Weiss at 30th NCR and office errand boy
RANK/RATE/JOB = Got out in 1978 as a EOCN
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = OMG I cant believe I have found this place. Man I got
so many stories I could write a book. But mainly i would just
love to found out what happened to so many of those men that I served with
and respected during my time on Diego. What happened to Master Chief
Cava, Donald Dawson, Senior Chief Bolte, Lt Steven Hart, Master Chief Depolis,
Ed Fraber, Kieth Olsen, and so many others whose faces I see but the names
I cant recall. I loved Olympia beer, and getting drunk and
partying back then. I am glad to be alive after some of those hangovers.
But what the hell was it about that place that I have never been able to
shake it from my mind. I still on an occasion dream about Diego.
Everyone is always there. Its like I want to go back. There
is so many good memories. In the 30th NCR our tour was 12 months.
I spent most of my time there when NMCB 74 was there, under Commander Fort.
I was there at his Command change ceremony. He was A good man.
I felt Commodor Wies was a little hard on him. But Weis (Slap Happy
Jack)was hard on everyone so it seems.
I wish I could hook up with some of yall and just say hi. I was there
the night they showed the Rocky Movie and everyone started Yelling and
throwing the beer cans. That out door theate was a hoot.
There is so much To tell but I won't If you remember me get in touch Maybe
I will remember you.
1977 - 1978
NAME = Mike Runnels,
ABF1 ret.
MY QUEST = To circumvent
Mars
VT of a SWALLOW = Red,
Blue, or Brown?
E-MAIL = mrunnels@lifecell.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = U.S. Navy
UNIT = NavSupFac Fuels
branch
RANK/RATE/JOB = ABFAN
then (man that was so much fun)
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Want to Return When the First REAL Club Med Opens
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= I'd Like to Share Precious Memories of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing
on Diego Garcia
MY WARSTORY = Well way
back then when there were no women (not real ones anyway) on the island
and I was just this young buck running about doing what all those higher
up types told me to, it seems there was a USO show scheduled to bring us
some live entertain and good sites (real women that is). Well I was
out at "T" site or "R" site or one of them sites with my 1200 gallon refueler
truck and as usual not paying attention to what I should be doing and yep
you guessed it, overfilled the tank (for the emergency generator)and had
it get all in my eyes. Man that hurts let me tell you, well anyway,
off the supply types rushed me to Medical where the ol doc decided I had
chemical burns (duh) to my eyes and (here is the sad part) decided to put
patches over my eyes. "What? No way doc, there is a USO show tonight, I
gotta see it man!!!" Well push comes to shove and the doc wins with the
story of how I might lose my eyesight and all soooo, on go the patches
and me into depression. (time passes) Later on of course I am going
to that show, patches or not, at least to listen to the tunes and hopefully
at least get a peak out. My kind and considerate buddies had decorated
my big white patches with bug eyes and red streaks (of course I saw this
later)and the show was pretty good from what I heard. I got a few
peaks off before I got my hand wacked and afterward we all went over to
the e club for drinks and so I could drown my sorrows at not getting to
see anything. Lo and behold those wonderful ladies showed up and
of course the room was abuzz with excitment at thier mere presence and
long story short I was able to get me a hug from one of them and was about
the happiest squid there (hey it's all good when you are alone).
So there is me story from long ago.
If ya knew me then and
want to send me a line I will try to remember ya and will surely answer
you at the least. Take care and may all the gods that are watch over
you. (hehe to much game playing there, but that is another story!)
1977
NAME = DAN HERRICK
MY QUEST = LOOK UP OLD FRIENDS
VT of a SWALLOW = DEPENDING ON TEMP AND TYPE WITHOUT ADDITIVES CHUG A LUG
SLOW
E-MAIL
= flytyer@pa.net
NATIONALITY = USA ALL THE WAY
SERVICE = NAVY NMCB 62
UNIT = BROVO CO.
RANK/RATE/JOB = UT3 FORM GOT OUT IN NOV 1977
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing
on Diego Garcia
MY WARSTORY = ED SWOPE REMEMBER PICKING OUT ALL THE CORAL OUT OF CUTS?
ED AND I WERE DRINKING A FEW AFTER A HARD DAY NEXT THING I DON'T REMEMBER
IS THAT WE WERE TOLD ED AND I JUST STARTED TO BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF EACH
OTHER ON THE SOFTBALL FIELD. WE WOKE UP AND WONDERD WHAT THE HELL HAPPEND.
JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT STUFF THEY ADDED TO THE BEER WAS NO GOOD. ANYWAY
HOPE ED IS OK. ALSO THE BIG MID DEPLOYMENT PARTY WITH THE COCONUT
THROWING CONTEST WON BY YOUR TRULY. AND THOSE DAMN PLYWOOD HUTS MAN WHAT
A VIEW. PERK PARKER REMEMBER THE MULES BOTH FOUR LEGGED AND BANISTER WONDER
WHERE HE IS NOW? PERK IF YOU READ THIS CONTACT ME YOU TO MULE. WAS TUFF
TAKING MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN HANDS. THOSE MULES LOOKED GOOD NEAR THE END
OF DEPLOYMENT AND OF COURSE THOSE SOFTBALL GAMES AND ALL THE BETS AND DRINKING
MAN OH MAN THE GOOD OLE DAYS. HOPE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE IN NMCB 62 FROM
76 TO 77
I was on Diego in 1977
NAME = Gary Hylan
MY QUEST = To find people I knew when I was there.
E-MAIL = gehylan58@msn.com
SERVICE = U.S Navy
UNIT = I was with a detachment from NMCB 133 POL Pipe Line Project
RANK/RATE/JOB = At that time I was a UTCN right out of "A" school and when
assigned to NMCB 133 I said to myself "GReat" They just came back from
Diego. I won't be going there.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help
Me Remember!
MY WARSTORY = This is another story about how well the Navy plans. NMCB
133 det was there(I don't remember what month) to start the POL pipe line.
We got there and had no equipment. We grabbed an old hootch and pulled
the ends out of it. We were able to locate an old set of dirt conveyor
rollers which we put into the hootch to roll the pipe in and out before
and after sand blasting. The pipe was then painted and then we waited for
our equipment.
At the time I was there I was not a happy camper but now I look back on
this experience with some fondness. The beer sucked so I took to drinking
wine. Great place to buy stereo's. I still have half of what I bought.
I have some hearing loss due to those stereo's blasting party's.
I was stationed in Diego
Garcia from May 1977 to March 1978
NAME = James J. Volpone
E-MAIL = JamesVegas56@aol.com
NATIONALITY = I'm USA
True Blue! But my ancesters are Italian, NO SHIT!
SERVICE = I was In The
Navy Seabees, MCB-4, Homeported in Port Hueneme, Ca.
UNIT = I was, and still
am a construction mechanic thanks to my training in the Seabees
RANK/RATE/JOB = My rank
was a reluctant E-4(CM-3)my reluctance was that I wasn't sure I was ready
to be a *"Fly". * Ref:Fly= Someone in charge!
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = I was talking
to some guys at work about my adventures while in the Navy and all my fine
duty stations and and couldn't help but talk about my time spent on the
Island Diego Garcia.First of all anytime I mention this place NO ONE ever
has heard of it, or about it. But Diego Garcia will always remain imbedded
in my memories as one of my most challenging task the Navy assignded to
me during my 4 yr. tour, and I'm very proud of my contributions to the
Island. I was assingned to the pier project, and was Involved in the driving
of the first pilings ever drivin for the pier off the causeway. I was trained
in Port Hueneme to operate the Mike-8 for the pier project in Giego, but
due to the coral eating more than it's share of piles, we never got far
enough over the water to acually ever use the Mike-8. The coral reef would
break away and our piles would just disappear, we would then send our divers
down to weld a new pile to the existing pile sticking out of the coral
and resume our pile driving efforts.I can remember every time we hit a
pocket in the coral while we were over the water, the crane would learch
on the falsework and alll of us scrambling to find deep enough water to
dive off into!The crane that we were using was an old(even for the Seabees!)Pima
rubber tire crane that was already understood to be too small for the pile
driver, so when a pile went through the coral and there was no resistance
to the pile driver the crane would just about go over the side, This is
no Shit!We would stand watch on the barge at night , we used it the early
stages of our driving operations to float the piles and the other crane
on, I can still remember trying to sleep on that Iron, banging float for
4 hours at a time , but I just knew I was protecting all back in the States,
this too is No Shit!One of my other projects on the Island was not originally
a project for our 50 man Detachment from the main body, but sucked in no
less!While working out at the pier one day LT.Dempsy, Our Det. commander
asked me to assist the pool project( constructed by MCB-62)in the gunniting
operations , scince none of them had been trained on the "SQUEEZE CRETE"
concrete pump, and I had been in Homeport prior to my Deployment to Diego
Garcia, I was the only one on the Island who knew how the Damned thing
worked! I, eager to please, agreed to operate the pump during the gunniting
operation and the results today are your beautiful on Island Pool facilities!The
Commander of MCB-62 was so appreciative of my work there that I was givin
a letter of Appreciation and put in my Navy records. My motivation was
that of an 20yr old Calif. Kid eager to show up those east coast boys,
and alot of pride in the Seabees and MCB-4. My time spent on the Island
was at the time not to my liking, but has grown into fond memories of one
of my greatest adventures as a construction mechanic with MCB-4,Det. Diego
Garcia to present! NO SHIT ! Former CM-3, James J. Volpone
1977
NAME = Brad Parker
MY QUEST = Currently
questless
VT of a SWALLOW = If
you have to ask.....
E-MAIL = parkerbp74@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = USN Seabees
UNIT = NMCB 62 Bravo
Company Runway Crew
RANK/RATE/JOB = E-3 then,
Make 3rd while there, currently retired.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Other
MY WARSTORY = I mess
cranked for about six weeks when I got there. Worked in the scullery
where it was typically about 120 degrees and 100% humidity. We used
to clear the place by hollering "mail call, mail call" and "eat it and
beat it, this aint no restraunt". They came and got me for a picture
when I made Third. Since I'd been in the galley since arrival, I'd
been working every day in t-shirts that said Reindeer Station across the
front, and all I had to wear for my picture was a LONG SLEEVE shirt that
had been in a ball in the bottom of my locker, just one big wrinkle.
No one cared, I put in on, they pinned my crows, and they got their picture.
Went to the club to see Shep and the boys jam on Saturday nights.
They were actually quite good. They place used to degenerate into a drunken
brawl. One night the Skipper and the MC came by to see what all the
commotion was about, and while they were inside someone went out and pissed
all over their Jeep seats. They let it slide. All in all it
was a good tour, but I wouldnt do it again. Come to think of it,
it pretty much sucked.
77
NAME = Wm. ( Joe) Schick
MY QUEST = You Know who
you are. I have'nt forgot the loan.
VT of a SWALLOW = Very
tasty BBQ
E-MAIL = joeschc@aol.com
UNIT = MCB 62.
RANK/RATE/JOB = Steel
worker; fab. re-bar,tanks on cosway,steel in fresh water tanks and more
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = I will
save this for anuther time,great sight. Been here lets see......7 hours
and will be back for more. I do have a story or two. Be Safe
"Joe"
1977
NAME = Thomas W. (Tom)
Treece
E-MAIL = TWTREECE@msn.com
NATIONALITY = US; SERVICE
= Navy; UNIT = NMCB 62, Bravo Company Projects and Camp Maintenance; RANK/RATE/JOB
= brand new UT2 on Diego. Retired in 1999 as UTCS.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
MY WARSTORY = Had a great
year in Diego Garcia in '77. Worked with quite a few quality people
as well as some just down-right interesting people: UT1 Woods, UT1 Cleversey,
CEC Kippenhan, Jack Biggs (who died in 1994), Ed Swope, Jim Lewis(from
CBMU 302), UT2 Perky Parker. Enjoyed staying at the "Plantation"
guest house.
NMCB-40 1977 also NMCB
40 1979-80 SEE his 1979 story!
NAME = Rick Baptista;
E-MAIL = rbaptista@mediaone.net
sometime from 1977 to
1978 kind of a blur
NAME = rick lehner
MY QUEST = to find missy
the beer drinking donkey and members hut 76/spruceblaster
VT of a SWALLOW = which
type? answer me these questions three.
E-MAIL = lehnerr@netzero.net
NATIONALITY = cauc; SERVICE
= navy mcb 1 special detachment; UNIT = spruce blaster/ operate
rock drill/ blasting detail/ ; RANK/RATE/JOB = got there as an eocn left
eo3...went home on the 141...told was going back to the rock on next rotation
or i could go home as there are no detachments when a battalion is stationed
there....guess which one i
took? got home to reserve
duty made eo2. went to p.r. on my two week active duty....guess who
was the duty battalion? yep mcb 1 got to see some of the old guys....got
to do some more blasting while there. also had to run a rock drill again...so
what else is new. now i'm a social worker after getting injured as a iron
worker after the navy, again go figure...peace
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = wow, where
do i start? there sure was alot of drinking there. seems all the pic's
i have i'm holding a bottle of canadian club. am trying to remember it
all. some of the stories helped. i remember spot the chicken living under
our hut (76). we worker wicked hours based on tide charts, so it was always
back in the truck to fly rock city. drill, blast, haul to the leach field,
haul to the rock crusher. sent to blast 40K yards of material. we did it
in less than six months. job well done right? thought we could go home
early.... yea, navy told us get 68K yards instead. got it one day
before hopping
the 141 home.. mcb 133 was the bat when we arrived then they got relieved
by mcb 74. j.b. hager was our 1st class in charge (our den mother) elmer,
bovat, kuntz, feazal, mo, barry, etc. some of the guys in our team. any
of you still around? ok. best story....we had to get rid of all the expired
dynamite on the island ( the unstable stuff ) no eod team so we got the
job. we didn't know what it would do. put it in one of our
blown out holes and when it went it rocked the island. we had to steal
a bulldozer one night to move the rock and the gunny chased us down the
haul road,,,, like where did he think we could go? does any one remember
that crap in somolia or something and them telling us we might have to
go? does anyone remember not getting mail because the chinese wouldn't
let planes fly
through their air space?
how about sea snakes? crazy place for sure. wonder what it's like now???????boy
did we do alot of drinking, i think that was the past time, that and chasing
coconut crabs and the brit rep getting pissed at us...
4/77 - 9/77
NAME = Doug Ewald
MY QUEST = Putting names
to the faces I remember
VT of a SWALLOW = Couldn't
stand the canned beer.
E-MAIL = cadmaddo@juno.com
NATIONALITY = American;
SERVICE = U.S.Navy; UNIT = NMCB 62 Bravo Co. Runway Detail, Dug trenches
for conduit for apron & approach lighting
RANK/RATE/JOB = Not another
rock! Join the Navy , see the world.
MY WARSTORY = Dug
a hell of a lot of coral rock 6 days a week 10 hrs a day. Installed conc
juntion boxes and pvc conduit around apron and approach to runway. All
grunt work. Chow was bad, beer was worse. Liquir was cheap.
Slept in the old sea
huts till we moved into the a/c'ed tin cans. Did pull duty at the officers
mess skullery, where the food was better. Worst time was when we
were ready to leave the commercial pilots went on strike and we were held
over a week or two till they could arrange C-141's to fly us home. On the
plane we sat backwards and I was next to the planes skin and froze my rear,
even with my seabag in between. Stopped in Iran to refuel. It was
warm and hazy, pretty soon we realized there were snow capped mountains
around us. They made us all go inside a hanger so we couldn't see military
planes landing? Stopped in Germany for a good breakfast in the night. Landed
somewhere in New York State, Albany? Some 24 hrs later.
Check out militaryconnections.com
God bless America,
Doug "big E" Ewald
1977and1978
NAME = Roy Crain
E-MAIL = RMN876@aol.com
SERVICE = NAVY
UNIT = NMCB74 A co.
RANK/RATE/JOB = cmcn
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= There I Was, Passed Out in My Room
77-78
NAME = DICK MOORE
MY QUEST =
VT of a SWALLOW =
E-MAIL = DMOORE@YAHOO.COM
NATIONALITY =
SERVICE =
UNIT =
RANK/RATE/JOB =
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Homosexual Interest Only
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Please Select a Title For Your Story, or Select 'Other'
MY WARSTORY =
Editor's Note:
hmmmmmm... is this for real, OR a very queer input????
1977?
NAME = Mike Glenn
MY QUEST = Truth, Justice
& the American Way.
VT of a SWALLOW = 0 ....
(terminal)
E-MAIL = xglenn@excite.com
NATIONALITY = US; SERVICE
= USAF; UNIT = 9th AMS; RANK/RATE/JOB = Msgt, Retired (1988)
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = Part of
a group that set up for possible SR-71 (spy plane) operations from DG....
We brought our own hanger and some initial support equipment and set it
up. We bunked in the Gym on cots (only 2 barracks had been constructed
at that time) Outdoor theater & chow hall was operational but not much
else. Had both doors of the gym open with big fans blowing for air circulation
& remember coconut crabs walking through one door and out the other
(like they owned the place). Found some beautiful colbalt blue & deep
red coral on the ocean side (close to old gun positions). Seemed like at
about 3:30 every afternoon you were going to get wet....but rain didn't
last very long. The CB's were doing a lot of building downtown and they
was a lot of work going on to modify and extent the runway and A/C support
area. Only spent 2 weeks there but it was an interesting time! Enjoyed
swimming in the protected bay? area....
1977
NAME = Thomas
MY QUEST = To Discover
myself
E-MAIL = Thomas2001@Hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = Cauc/hawaaian
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Please Select The Category That Best Discribes Your Interest in Diego
Garcia
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= There I Was, Passed Out on The Beach
MY WARSTORY = Total Blackout
Dec.
1977 till Jan 1978 - 379 days
TOM <talgg@telpage.net>
MY QUEST = To search
where no man has ever search before. The deepest recesses of my memory.
VT of a SWALLOW = The
fewer, the higher
NATIONALITY = Irish American;
SERVICE = Nav; UNIT = Plank owner, NavSupFac (just barely,
and have the Friendly 40 plaque to prove it); RANK/RATE/JOB = Sh3
did 6 yrs active @ eaos e-5
MY WARSTORY = Greetings
to all of those who have past through the gates of the the D.G. International
airport. It was a memorable expierence for me as I had the opportunity
to pass through my beloved P.I. on the way. About a 3 day layover as I
remember. It was memorable because my first order of business was
to find the head. With a knowing groan and the tell tale burn, I
realized that my love of loves had shared with me the desease known as
the CLAP.
It was a fitting welcome
to "the rock". Following are the "facts" as I remember them. How
I got there, and the most memorable events while there.
My navy career began Oct. 21, 1975 as a result of a nudge from the judge,
in my hometown "somewhere" in Pa. (yea I was one of those).
Boot camp is another story for another time but my first duty station (USS
Ashtabula AO51) was wat finally led me to the unforgettable Rock.
The fleet navy (why does "fleet" always remind me of an enema"? was at
the time probably the most lax in recent history. Viet Nam was officially
over and the non career Vets aboard werre slowly trickling (or being thrown)
out. The uniform was recently changes from "Cracker Jacks" to the
wonderful "bus driver uniform" which lasted for the rest of the seventies.
This didn't stop me from going to the Navy Exchange at the first opportunity
to have my picture taken in a set of borrowed Cracker Jacks to send home
to make all the people back
there at least think
I was a "real" sailor.
I don want to give the impression that I in any way promote the use of
drugs (anymore that is) But lets be truthful, Pocalolo was prevailant at
the time. Arriving at the airport in Honolulu the 3 fresh "boots"
(myself included) were picked up at the airport by the ships duty driver,
(a career E-1) and the conversation quickyy lead to the avilability of
something
to numb our minds.
Lo and behold the driver reached into his pocket and produced the most
disgustingly thin "j" that I had ever seen. Then proceeded to tell us to
"go easy" on the miserable excuse for a "j". I laughed and paid no
attention. About 10 minutes later we arrived at the brow of the "bula".
The driver now realized the error of his ways for he had the task of carrying
our seabags onto the ship for us because it was the best we could do to
make the 3 story climb to the QD. (Discovery of Maui Wowie 101) I've
included this to give those who served later an insight to the atmosphere
during the 70's.
We were a seagoing ship. The litterally kept us at sea making west/pac
and IO cruises for the next 2 yrs except for a couple of months in late
1977. While in the yards at Pearl, I lived ath the "Y" on Hotel
St. I had run into some trouble
with some local Samoans
(at least 2000 lbs. worth between them) over the fair market value of some
Pocalolo, which was long gone. (I had stiffed (very stupid)
them, not proud but truthful). I was "the barber" in a one chair
shop and had a pretty good raport with the Co. (he loved my haircuts) so
with hat in hand, and on bent knee I request a transfer to isolated duty...anywhere.
He asked for no explainations ( who says that "don't ask and dont tell"
is a new concept?) my request was granted, paperwork prepared and I was
off to NavSupFacDiego Garcia. My intention was to clean up my act
and start cting like the Sailor that my mother wanted me to be.
This was short lived.
Shortly after arriving and were indoctrinated, (you know, the speech about
all the dangerous creatures of the sea, off limits areas, and the guided
tour, recapped by the "Brit Rep" and threatened with life in a British
Prison for any infractions. My first order of business was
to swim among the dangerous creatures, (nude of course) Sneek through the
Donkey gate, and Mail 50 dollars to a friend in Pearl to send me an oz.
To help make "the rock" tolerable. A Postal clerk suspected the contents
of my "care package" when it arrived and greatfully hand carried it to
me making me promise to (not be stingy and warned that it was a stupd thing
to do as the Brits were very serious with their threats) I hid my stash
in the jungle and ever couple of days I would make the trek to the old
coconut stump and partake in changing the atmosphere. Several weeks
later while at the stump I heard footsteps approaching from behind.
I quickly looked over my shoulder and to my horror it was "the Brit Rep"
My life flashed before me and I pictured myself spending the rest of my
life in a British Prison cell... "Hey Mate"! he said as I swallowed
the remninats as well as my tongue. He began questioning my presence
on that log , lucky for me I was not in forbidden territory.
I mustered up as much fortitude as my condition would allow and began spilling
my guts to the British officer. "Sir, I said, I arrived
here about a month ago from Hawaii where there were an unlimited numer
of females, (a lie) and I've found myself recently fight the pangs of lonliness
for a female".... He Looked with profound pity and asked me to continue.
"well sir, I came out here to...ah...well...um...ahh...well you know sir...I...I...was
um...
The gleam in his eye signaled that he understood my plight but he decided
he wad going to have some fun with this young sailor for a while.
With a questioning look he asked, "What are you trying to say mate"?
pretending impatiencience. Again I uttered a series of "uha's" and
"uummmmm's".... and "well sir you...know's" before he finally decided to
let me off the hook... "So you were toss'n off mate"?
I shook my head yes and he began to laugh outloud. ( I still hear
that laugh in my sleep sometimes nearly 25 yrs later)... He made some comment
about watching out for the coconut crabs and I could still hear him laughing
after he walked out of sight. You may be wondering what pertainance
this has to the history or anything interesting about life on "the rock".
The story dosen't end here. Several days later I was waliking on
the sidewalk (one of the few) in front of the Newly built Navy Exchange
office where I worked. To my horror, coming owardsme was none other
than the Brit Rep, , the Co. and The base Chaplin. It's diffacult
to salute and hide you face at the same time so I saluted brisky as they
passed. Not seeming to pay me alot of attention, I prayed
the events in the jungle
were forgotten. After several moments and out of earshot, I
turned to see the three of them standing about 50 feet away intently listening
to the Brit Rep who was apparently telling a vary funny story. The
three looked directly at me, began to laugh. Everytime the Brit Rep
saw me in the future he extended what became known as the official "Diego
Garcia Chicken Chokin Salute". I used my resourses working in the
exchange, and had 500 t-shirts made and delivered to me with the official
"Choke ur Chicken in Diego Garcia" Logo (my personal design) and sold them
for six bucks a piece making a hefty 1500.00 from the first order. in all
I sold about a thousand. Some of you may have seen them. With this
I end one of many "No shitters" that lay buried in my 2 remaining brain
cells. Following is a list of the highlights of my year on the rock.
I will never forget or regret the expierence.
1.Arrived Dec, 1977
2.Started the "Chicken
Chokin Club" Around March of 78(meetings held nightly. by-laws read ...
"no quarum was needed, just start without us)
3.Hosted The "Hank and
Horaschmit" show on afrts radio With ensign Pete Moon) 4-7 every sunday
morning
4.Worked with Pete Moon,
Senior Chief Manny Cruz, Sh1 Jim Long, Sh1 Smitty and Sh2 Mullins to develop
the concept and create what was known as "The Diego Burger". Jim Long and
I had the honor of cooking the first "Donkey Burger" and selling it for
about 35 cents I think. We also operated it for several weeks until
we were able to hire help.
5. Appropriated the Chaplins
jeep and with much wisdom decided to drive it in the newly dug (very deep)
which was dug along the road for the massive fuel lines. Rolled the
jeep and and with greater wisdom decided that if we couldn't get it out
that we better bury it. After several attempts of doing this ourselves
we paid a CB 50 bucks to do it for us and he counseled us and convinced
he could get it out and we could clean it and return it before morning
without being discovered. (it actually worked)
6.Bought about $3,000.00
worth of stereo equip. 600 cassette tapes, 200 albums, and recorded 6 or
8 10" reels of borrowed music. None of which ever made it to me when shipped
home. Took about 3 years to get the navy to pay for it finally with
the help a congressman. (must have been karma)
7. Helped to organize
and promote the 1st Annual D.G. Marathon Race (tip to tip) (couldn't get
the rights to t-shirt sales on that one)
8. A civilian concern
did a poll on the drinking habits of military personel on isolated dute.
(NO shit) Results... We drank about 30 times the National Average! Congratulations
to all who participated! It also resulted in stopping the policy of 24
hr a day beverage sales. The CO proclaimed that all establishments selling
alchohol would be closed promptly at 2:am
and remain closed until
7:am daily. (this is also a no shitter) *Footnote...beer of choice on the
rock at this time was Olympia.
9. Bob Hope visited the
Island and brought Miss America from 1968. The Seabees, (in Proud military
fashion) wore raincoats, as it was the monsoon season. Not long into
the show, they opened their coats and rendered a "one eye snake salute"
to Miss America. Bob got pissed off, stopped the show and vowed never
to return to Diego Garcia. (Also a no Shitter as I was there. Not in the
front row though)...
10. Last but not least,
the one thing that I didn't do, not one single time during my 379 days
and nights on Diego Garcia was...get the clap.
The Expierence was not
all fun and games. I did find time to Manage the NFCU Branch office, and
the Official representitive of American Express. (my day job) Still found
time to cut hair by appointment just to keek current on my barbering skills.
Was enlisted once due to an inspection of MCB4 to officially work as a
barber. In a single day 5 of us cut the hair of 1500 SeaBees. Most never
removed their hats. There were periods of Boredom on the Rock though
not many. During one such period of time and due to our fine (and I mean
that) diet. I was in the head taking a "navy" and took the most impressive
dump I had ever seen...(true story) I was so impressed and overjoyed
that I invited a visitor to our hooch. (for the minimal price of 2.00)
to behold my fine work of art. He was a cajun from New Orleans (and
a SeaBee). He was so impressed that he spread the word around and
I profited 18 dollars from the side show. (ahhh...simple pleasures) I felt
guilty so I treated them all to an all you can eat...extravaganza at...
you guessed it The
Diego Burger. If
this submission is approved, I would like to apply to the powers to be
for the Position of Minister of Masturbation. Every government needs
one. Cheers Mates, An aspiring official government official.
77 - 78
DIXON BENSHOOF <dixonb4@earthlink.net>
UNIT = NMCB 74
A Co.; RANK/RATE/JOB = CM 3
MY WARSTORY = I don't
really have a new story to tell. I think we all had similar experiences
while we were there. Atleast those of us who came as late as I did. I use
to hear stories about the guys who came to DG first. I am so happy it was
not me.
Feb- Nov 1977
DWAIN P LANCASTER <dlel42096@aol.com>
MY QUEST = I'd love to
see what it looks like today
NATIONALITY = American;
SERVICE = Navy; UNIT = EO3, Hauled Cement from silo to batch plant for
paving the turning aprons.
MY WARSTORY = When we
got to the Island, the chow hall was an old Butler building in the cantoma
area. It had so many rust holes in the roof that when it would rain, pieces
of rust would sometimes fall into your food. We built the new chow hall
before we left. I was in NMCB 62, which is now decommisioned. We also built
the Marine barracks, and started on the pier. Back then, the only way to
call home was through the MARS station. I can remember waiting for hours
to call home just to have the radio go down before you could make the call.
No women at all. Lived in seahuts. Remember washing a Q-tip for the last
three months because the ships store ran out. A couple of suicide attempts
from real young guys that shouldn't have been sent there. Not a good duty
station in '77. To this day whenever I see a 141 I get a lump in my throat,
we loved you guys. We killed alot of donkeys when we were there, I buried
them with a dozer at the dump. After we built the turning aprons the donkeys
would wander across the runways and the airforce said no mail unless we
get rid of the donkeys. Surprized to see some in your pictures. Didn't
drink while I was there, could stomache the formalnihide in the beer DAMN
I can still taste it. My son was born while I was there. Didn't see him
till he was 8 mo. old. Got mail on Wed. Stole alot of cargo nets. We made
hamocks out of them. Burned my share of "shitters". Our wives would send
us pot, in jars of peanut butter. Had to smoke entire stash in one night
because the Brits would find it if we didn't. We didn't call it dodge back
then, we called it "the Rock" I remember that the Brits confiscated all
our good Porno when we got there and told us they were going to burn it.
Months later we found out they kept it for themselves. I worked the landfill
the last two months we were there because the guy that was running it got
badly burned and medivac to the PI. We had two P-3 Orions there at all
times. Sometimes would be used for medivac. Place sure has changed in 23
years. Looking for others from Alfa Co NMCB 62. To all pilots that flew
C-141's, thanks.
Sep 1977 to Sep 78 (submitted
9 Jan 08)
NAME = Mark Halley
MY QUEST = To retire
from federal service this year
VT of a SWALLOW = Immediately
after impact, 0.0 mph
E-MAIL = halley53@excite.com
NATIONALITY = U.S.A.
SERVICE = U.S. Navy
UNIT = CT 'O' brancher,
worked Ft. Chagos commcenter
RANK/RATE/JOB = Then,
I was a CTO2. Left the Navy after 9 years in Dec 1980.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Other
MY WARSTORY = Just checking
in and updating my email address. My original post is still here.
[his original posting
follows - submitted in the Dark Ages]
Sept 1977 - Sept 1978
What is your Quest?
To stay ahead of that shark that found me in the lagoon.
What is the Terminal
Velocity of a Swallow? At the equator, or what? Better yet,
what's the last thing to go thru his mind when he hits the pavement?
I already signed your
book, but couldn't leave all the personal data from where I was surfing.
I spent nine years in the Navy as a CT 'O' brancher and got out in 12/80
as an E-6. Got a electronics degree and did bench work at the Charleston
shipyard in shop 68 for a few years. Quit that and got hired by the FAA
ten years ago. Basically I'm still a tech controller after all these years.
I think I had one of the best jobs in the Navy, nine + years in and only
3 months.
Every island with a military
base is called the rock, but D.G. is the real thing. What a year.
Spent a lot of time on the ocean side beach getting the 100% tan
and knocking down quarts of frozen Annie Green Springs Plum Hollow
Wine. Saw the biggest shark in my life snorkeling in the lagoon. Tipped
a jeep over on the shell top road heading towards the plantation
side. Almost put it right on top of my roommate, a CTM named Doug.
The best line I ever heard from anybody was the night at the outdoor theater
when the band was doi
