WAR STORIES FROM PARADISE
You have traveled back to 1983!
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
1983 and1984
NAME = Eddie T.
MY QUEST = To follow
the Bald Eagle
VT of a SWALLOW = 11
meters per second, or 24 mph.
E-MAIL = opeat@tecoenergy.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = USSOCOM
RANK/RATE/JOB = Operation
Specialist
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Other
MY WARSTORY = I was there
a few times and had a great time. I am a disabled vet and proud that I
served my county. I just want to share a brief moment about my first time
there. I was award R&R by my CO after I had done some 'Great TS Stuff'.
Need to know only sorry guys. But I got to take a Helo ride (me only onboard)
to the island and have three days off. I was told there was a girl under
every bush!!! I was told that there was great food and beer (not really
a drinker but would like to have a beer). I was told that the base club
had some really beautiful ladies. Man!! After over 100 days underway and
those 17-20 hour days, I was ready to sleep!!! Yes, sleep!!! Have a real
meal that was not cooked in pure grease, was not burnt (what is this tonight?).
Was not stinking up the galley (darn, is the Circus onboard?). And was
not still flopping in your plate!!!
So, I get to the island and a Navy Commander comes and greats me and seems
pleased to see me and meet me as well. He wants to hear of my cruise and
my job working with the combat center, etc. etc. I liked him right away.
He had a really nice guy kind of feeling about him. Not a phony like most
officers I have met and have been. I forgot his name (Williams?).
If anybody knows let me know. I get to my room and unpack and then go to
this club there. I see a bunch of drunks and some sober people. I only
see one lady. She is about four feet wide wearing kakhi shorts and is a
LTJG and hanging out by the pool table. I shoot a game with her and talk
about my cruise. She is a really sweet lady. I think her first name was
Diedre. So this is the women on the island...all rolled into one. But,
I liked her. I love people and love to talk to people as well. I was glad
to see a lady. We talked about her family, her dogs and cats and what she
did (radar, sonar kinda stuff). I get a beer (San Miguel) which we
called 'skunk beer' when you get a bad one once in awhile!! After my many
trips to the Phillippines you know what I mean. I nursed tat beer all night
long since I am not a real drinker. I drink once in awhile and never got
drunk in my Navy career. This is true. I am still this way. So, I have
no drunk stories to tell. No, I did not boff the LTJG either. I did
enjoy her company for a short time. Just too much too do on a short R&R.
But I had a great time. Even got sunburned on my 18 inch guns (arms) and
back. My neck looked like it was on fire for a few days. OUCH!!!
I want to talk about a Hammerhead named Hector. I was up on the bridge
one day on watch chatting with my CO. I looked down on the starboard side
and saw a young whale approaching the ship. It rammed it's head into the
bow about three times. I said ' Wow! Look!! There is a whale by us. It
must be a young one. Maybe it's sick or lost from it's mom. Hey!! It is
bumping the ship with it's head'. At that time a guy on watch with me looks
through a sent of binoculars and said 'Damn. Shit!! That's a shark'!! So
I went down and up to the bow as fast as I could and watched this monster
swim for about a bit and then it left. Somebody near me had a camera and
took some photos. We think it was about 25 ½ to 27 feet long. Now
when I get to the island (as mentioned above) I went on a tour and went
fishing and went diving. I saw some of the boats you could rent out that
had some bit marks in them. I got a few photos and if I ever find all my
Navy stuff I will add them to this site. I saw a boat that had the motor
chomped on and was pulled off by Hector. Now, these are stories I am getting
from the locals (military) and they really believe Hector is the one that
goes after anything that moves. This is his territory and don't mess with
him. I heard of guys who claimed the have gaffed him once or twice and
he holds a grudge for all of this. Maybe so? I anybody has been there after
'86 let us know if you heard of stories of Hector. I want to know if he
lived a long life. They can live up to 40 years and some have been known
to live up to 50 years.
Yack, Yack, Yack. I got lots to say but not enough time to say so about
all of my adventures. It is a wonder I am still alive after all I have
done. Bangkok, Vietnam, Cambodia, Africa, Germany, Italy, Spain,
Down Under (hmmm the women there), the Phillippines etc. I have been all
over the world and lived in more countries and grew up in more countries
than almost anybody. I should write a book on my life living in other countries.
Man!! I have some stories to tell. My dad was a USAF pilot for 33 ½
years so we traveled all over the world.
1980 to 1984 RBRM - 1993
with BJS
NAME = John L
MY QUEST = Returning
just for the Expat club sunsets and Margaritas
E-MAIL = johnjel1234@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = USA
RANK/RATE/JOB =
Contractor with RBRM and BJS
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 = After
having been gone from the island for approx. 10 years I took a job with
BJS to see how Diego had developed. I had been there from 1980 with
RBRM during the construction years.
In 1982 the Navy approached RBRM and told us they had 10,000lbs of frozen
lobster tail they wanted to sell. Since we had our own food budget
we bought the lobster and started Surf & Turf every Friday night at
the expat mess hall.
When I returned in 1993 I was in the O club and noticed that someone was
getting a lobster dinner for their birthday. I thought "No it couldn't
be the same lobster we bought in "82." Guess what! It had no taste
and was really tough.
So much for lobster at the "O' in 1993. By now I would think it is all
gone.
1983
NAME = Larry Rushing
ETCS US Navy
MY QUEST = Enjoyment
of Life!
VT of a SWALLOW = Depends
on how tall the building is, or if he sees the Radar Dish!
E-MAIL = dragonlarry@worldnet.att.net
NATIONALITY = U.S.A.
(Texas)
SERVICE = US Navy
UNIT = USS Cape Cod AD
43
RANK/RATE/JOB = ETCS
US Navy Retired 1985 from USS Cape Cod AD 43 in San Diego
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 = I have
a picture taken at the Chiefs Club on Diego Garcia, am trying to figure
out how to send it to you!
We had picked up some
Hermit Crabs off the Beach, wanting something to do, we staged a "Crab
Race" on the Bar of the Chief's Club!
The "Cape Cod" was also
nick named the "Cape Coed", with 1000 Men and 200 Women on board.
We had just left the
Phillippines, Stopper over to take over from the Yousemity, Serviced
a few ships and then went on to Mombasa Kenya, on to Baharain from there.
Cape Cod was on its "Maiden
Voyage" and we all shared a great time in our lives, as well as doing our
Jobs to the best of our abilities.
Our visit to the "Foot
Print of Freedom" was a Highlight in our Cruise!
I remember we were there
for the Columbus Day Parade (Phillippino's dressed as Indians?) and Pete
Brag won the Sail Boat Race!
march
1983 to april 1983
NAME
= RAY MURO, SR.
MY
QUEST = To recon the area, and go where no man has gone before....
VT
of a SWALLOW = When it hits your head you'll know
E-MAIL
= raymsrI@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY
= Hispanic/american indian
SERVICE
= U. S. Navy 1980 - 83 USMC 1986-1990
UNIT
= TAD VRC-50 USS America CV-66
RANK/RATE/JOB
= Aviation Machinist Mate (AD) Airman USN 0944 Fire Direction Controlman
USMC
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
MY
WARSTORY = "Dodge" was an unbelievable experience. The day we flew off
the boat we landed and were given billets in some WWII Quonset huts that
was the first sign, then went down to the lagoon and ran into some filipino
national who were TAD from Cubi Point chow hall to find out that not to
mess with the crabs. Fished in the lagoon for the better part of
the night and got drunk and staggered back to the house. I
was told that the only way you could sleep around this place was either
DRUNK, or suffer the consequences of being sober. Well drunk, it
was and the mosquitos didn't bother at all. The following night sober....
Pulling the sheets up over your head is a good idea to keep the little
critters away, but you will steam bath all night long under the sheets.
The deck was a few 1X4 butted up together, which allowed the skeeters to
find their way up from below. The temperature was around "London Broil"
and the brits were as honory as ever. Something right out of gilligans
island.
1983
to 1984
NAME
= oliver neal
MY
QUEST = to live
E-MAIL
= nteadoro2004@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY
= usa
SERVICE
= navy
UNIT
= radioman
RANK/RATE/JOB
= radioman e-3 got out after 4 years and went into law enforcement in colorado.
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 = I barely remember the year I spent on the rock, "still drunk",
but I do remember it was alot of fun and alot of plans on how to escape,
I.E.
making
rafts. I do remember it was the place I lost my virginity. Of course with
one of the few women that were stationed there. I still think about you
Barbara. I was working at the com center and the building started to shake
with the ceiling tiles falling down to the floor. Everyone ran outside
and we all
were
thinking that it was the end of days. When the shaking stopped and the
power came back on we went back inside and started to get the equipment
back in order. I have to say proudly that I was the one who sent the first
emergency action message to Hawaii regarding what happened, or at least
I thought I did. I know it's not much, but hey I was there and it
was my claim to fame, I guess. I don't remember all the names of my drinking
buddies, probably cause I was eternally drunk. I heard the donkey on the
plantation side of the rock died of liver failure shortly after I left.
Go figure he could down a 12oz faster than anyone I knew. Hey Barb if your
still around send me some mail, like to talk about whats been going on
with you. nteadoro2004@yahoo.com
1983-84
NAME
= david ranney
MY
QUEST = find out if people can still drive to the plantation and beyond.
VT
of a SWALLOW = i'd have to say 200 ft.
E-MAIL
= davenmarykay@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY
= american
SERVICE
= navy seabees
UNIT
= public works-construction division RANK/RATE/JOB = builder 3rd class
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 = while stationed on diego garcia,
i and my fellow seabees had many adventures.
we made a kayak and crossed the lagoon, and while paddling a shark came
up beside the small craft and was nearly as long as the 12 ft. boat that
was only inches out of the water, cooler of beer was strictly ballast.
it swam for awhile and then disapeared.
and also the plantation offered alot of fun.
but the biggest event had to have been the earthquake that interupted our
peaceful island i believe in october of 83. it registered 7.2 on the scale
and we were told one of the "columns" holding up the island itself, cracked.
the filipinos were running around the island with life preservers on. it
was pretty scary.
all in all. it was quite a one year span that was quite out of the ordinary.
dave ranney usn seabees
81-82,
83, 99-00
NAME
= Andy Bigelow
E-MAIL
= cdrcab@mailcity.com
NATIONALITY
= USA
SERVICE
= Navy
UNIT
= NMCB 62 and NAF
RANK/RATE/JOB
= CDR (Ret.)
SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY
WARSTORY = First deployment after joining the Navy and NMCB 62 as an Ensign.
Arrived advanced party and departed delayed party ('81-'82: 9 months).
Last full Battalion deployed to DG. There were no Dets during this deployment.
Living in a Seahut was a unique experience. Nothing like going into the
Seabee Camp's Enlisted Club and sending guys back to their huts to put
on some clothes. At least a towel! Or have a guy try to crush
his fellow Seabee's with a scraper. Be careful of who you pick on
as they may not think it's funny especially around large pieces of construction
equipment. Good thing he didn't know how to operate it correctly.
We did such a great job they let about 40% to 50% of the battalion go home
about 3 months early then the Regiment doubled our workload as we had to
tie up all the loose ends as the last Battalion. Saw the first group of
females, that were perminently stationed on island, arrive. Interesting,
especially when we heard they had been told to stay away from the Seabees
and out of the Seabee camp during their briefings before arriving on island.
Volunteered to go back as AOIC of the "Last Det." with NMCB 62 ('83: 8
months). Chief "Huck" worked hard to complete my JO training.
Tough not being the big boys on the block as the Seabee population dropped
from 900-1000 to less the 150. Could not keep the NAF MA's from chasing
a wayward Seabee into the Seabee Det camp. Always made for an interesting
evening when this happen. Went back as PWO ('99-'00: 13 months).
Things change but still stay the same. PW was located in the old Craft
Shops (leather, woodworking, Audio/visual) we (NMCB62) completed in 82.
Had the power go out 20 minutes before midnight 31DEC99. Not Y2K
just a failed lightning arrester but it made for an interesting 30-40 minutes
at every Y2K party on island unitl power was restored. The original
Seahuts are all but gone though they are bulding new one in the contractor's
camp. Seabee's are back, they realized they still needed them on
island and currently have re-established Seabee Dets on DG. Diego
Garcia is one of the best kept secrets. The family separation is
tough but if they ever do allow families to come on board, nobody will
want to leave. Made full circle - First deployment during first tour
then last assignment before payback tour and retirement.
83 to 87
NAME = Carmen Floyd (formerly
Austen-Smythe)
MY QUEST = To share the
crazy times on the "Footprint of Freedom"
VT of a SWALLOW = Hey
I have the script to the holy grail!!!!
E-MAIL = carmenfad@hughes.net
NATIONALITY = Brit/Amercian
Dual National
SERVICE = Royal Navy
UNIT = Royal Overseas
Police Officer number 4 BRITS
RANK/RATE/JOB = Was ROPO
4, since left RN, now Battalion Chief with Columbia Fire Dept SC USA
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 = Well I
just read Chris Butlers story of the downed Helo..........well guess what?
I was one of the ROPO's that found the hand and foot of the one of the
crew members that washed up on shore on Ocean side, not too far from where
the flip flops or thongs as the US say wash up on the
beach!!!!
I witnessed the docking of USS Carl Vinson's arrival to DG for th first time.
DG was an special place
and will be as long as I can remember it!!! would love to hear from anyone
who remembers me!!!
Carmen Floyd
1983-1987
From: "Carmen Floyd"
<carmenfad@hughes.net>
To: easy501@zianet.com
Date: 05 Oct 2006,
04:10:12 PM
Subject: DG
Dear Ted,
I must say it is a pleasure to visit your site, it brings so many memories back and looking at the photos I remember many of those faces!
You see I was stationed on ‘The Rock” from ’83 to “87!!!! With a couple of breaks in between. I was affectionately known as ROPO 4, with the BIOT Police!!!!!
I was there the night we had the ‘shake and bake, then thought we would all perish from the impending attack of the ‘tidal wave” The only thing I remember was who was zooming who!!!!!
I was also the only female Brit female Cop on the Rock. Things were booming back then, the Seabees were phasing out and RBRM was taking over, Penta Ocean had finished dredging and the deep water basin for visits from carriers like Carl Vinson (after top gun was made) could visit us!!!!
I really miss the smell of fresh mangoes being flown in from Singapore to DG on a C141 courtesy of MAC air!!!
Well now this Brit is a US citizen and a Battalion Chief with the Columbia Fire Dept in South Carolina…..go figure, it was too good to pass up and I decided to hang with my American cousins……………….YEEHAR ( no I do not watch Heehaw!!!)
I just wanted you to know that your site brings me much joy…………….keep it up!!!
Carmen Floyd
Looking for Alice Louise
Eubanks Marsh. She was a dear friend and I miss her terrible. Maybe
someone has contact info. She and Victoria Reinhardt were buddies of mine
in 1983 on the rock.
Scott Zoeller
Construction Manager
Selig Enterprises Inc.
1100 Spring Street Suite
550
Atlanta, Ga 30309-2848
404-898-9007 direct
404-875-2629 fax
seligenterprises.com
szoeller@seligenterprises.com
On and off from May through
August 1983
NAME = Bruce McCausland
(former ET2(SS) on USS BOSTON (SSN-703)
MY QUEST = ...to find
the Holy Grail???
VT of a SWALLOW = European
or African????
E-MAIL = fortbruceREMOVECAPSFORSPAM@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = US Navy (Submarines)
UNIT = Visiting Diego
Garcia on USS BOSTON
RANK/RATE/JOB = I was
outta there after we finished deployment!
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = Okay...The
place we know, the date was July 4th 1983 and we were in-port at Diego
Garcia, actually aside the sub tender...was it the USS Emory S. Land (AS
39)?? Whatever, at the last minute I decided to enter the "4th-of-July
Diego Garcia Bike Marathon" so I rented a single-speed "junker" and entered
the race! I peddeled like hell and somehow finished, much to my surprise,
2nd in my age catagory (whatever that was, since I was 24 years old at
that time) for single-speed bikes. I was aching for days afterwards,
but I still have the trophy from the event and a tee-shirt!
I remember the fireworks that night and couldn't help but find it ironic: Here we were celebrating our independence from the Brits while all this time being "hosted" on their island! Since we had a base there I always thought it rather rude, akin to "thumbing your nose" at your hosts! ...downright wierd!
Anybody else remember
those races?
Mar-Apr 1983
NAME = Nelson Frolund
MY QUEST = To never die
wishing I had done . . .
VT of a SWALLOW = Depends
on what it's hit with- but I think it's about 180
E-MAIL = nfrolund@uqconnect.net.del.for.nospam
NATIONALITY = American,
dammit!
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = VP-1 det from
Philippines
RANK/RATE/JOB = Was:
a young E-2, 17 years old (!)
Now: Marine sanitation
systems engineer, and back as reserves
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 = Greetings
fellow fans of Dodge- you know it's funny how we really dissed the place
then, but looking back, and seeing these pictures, you really imagine it
was fantastic. It doesn't help that I write this in the middle of a really
crappy wintry day in central Ohio- the intense green and blue tropical
colors and brilliant puffy clouds seem like a dream now.
Work
I was with my first duty station, VP-1, was a non-rate, and was sent from
our deployment at Cubi Pt, Philippines to Dodge for 6 weeks. My job there
was 7 days a week, for 5 hours a day. I walked the apron doing a security
watch from about 6-11 p.m. every day, carried a radio and a nightstick(!).
Had to phone into the tower watch every 30 minutes. Walking the ramp, checking
to see if the planes were locked and not leaking hydraulic fluid, fuel,
etc. But the C-5 that came once or twice a week was sometimes unlocked
so I'd climb way up into the cockpit and radio in from there. Other times
I'd walk down to the beach just off the end of the runway and if the waves
weren't crashing, radio in from there. Or, go to the workshops and check
in with my VP-1 mates.
The best part though, was every day, having nothing to do but watch the
most incredible sunsets over the water, or down the length of the runway,
brilliant plays of light and color among the fluffy little clouds, orange
and red and purple, the aquamarine of the sea reflected on the undersides.
And the wicked little rain squalls that would quickly move in and over
the thin land dumping an inch of rain and be gone in minutes, leaving that
fresh rain-washed scent.
Play
5 hours of work a day gave me lots of free time- could drink till dawn
with the night check guys, or sail on the lagoon, or just lay on the beach
listening to reggae. I discovered Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, and Grand
Marnier on those quiet days under the shady palms. Drinking was mostly
done out at the point- and mostly with hard liquor mixed in a garbage can
with red punch (mojo) or green kool-aid (bullfrog). We'd go right out the
back of the Modex, a short walk through the palm forest and there were
a couple of picnic tables and campfire remnants 20 feet from the water.
Back then there were only two clubs we could go to- the enlisted club,
which wasn't that great, or the better Merchant Seamen's club, with it's
great hamburgers and Ms PacMan game, which I probably dumped $50 into over
6 weeks.
They showed movies at night in the outdoor theatre- great environment,
warm breeze, a big old rum and coke, and Brooke Shields in "The Blue Lagoon".
Those two kids could have been on Diego Garcia instead of someplace in
Fiji.
We didn't mess too much with the massive coconut crabs that inhabited the
palm forest, but a few of the older bigger (18" wide)ones sported paint
on their backs, usually unintelligible, probably due to the inebriated
state of the artist.
The Accommodations
Anyone here who lived in Splinterville? That collection of wooden huts,
un-airconditioned and rustic as hell, just south of town? Shortly before
I was there, the CO got tired of people bitching about it (hello, that's
what sailors DO) and forbade people from calling it Splinterville, renaming
it Splendidville, and erecting a big sign at the entrance. Yeah, that really
fixed the place up...
By 1983, most sailors permanently stationed there (for the year) lived
in regular barracks that were almost new. We temporary VP guys stayed in
this rediculous building called the "Modex" - a 2-story flimsy shack barely
better
than the modex. Well, it was air conditioned- but because it was so poorly
insulated, every window had an air conditioner crammed into it to keep
the temperature nice and cool. But of course it was dark like a cave all
the time. Which was a nice if not shocking contrast to the brilliant sun
reflected on white crushed-coral roads outside. My glasses always completely
fogged seconds after stepping outside.
The Females
Let's see, if I remember there were 1200 sailors on Dodge when I was there-
and 2000 Filipino civilian men, doing construction and all the service
jobs. We didn't interact too much with them, and they lived in their own
Splinterville. But of the 1200 sailors, 200 were women. Most of them, feeling
the pressure of the isolation, wouldn't so much as talk to a guy in a friendly
way, knowing it was a small community and reputations could be destroyed
pretty quickly. But a few were enterprising and mythically huge sums of
money were supposedly acquired by those providing a badly needed service.
There was a rumour of a particularly ambitious girl who got caught with
$12,000 in the bottom of her seabag while waiting for the flight out after
a year there- more money than she would have been paid by the Navy! Anyone
confirm this story?
Porn
The store in town (a tiny Navy Exchange) had the most complete 15' rack
of skin mags I have ever seen outside of an outright porn/sex shop. It
was amazing, the variety, the fetishes that some of them fed! I never had
to buy any- not that I would have been embarassed, even at the tender age
of 17, because EVERYONE looked at them- they completely littered the bathroom
floor around the stalls attached to the Modex.
The Water
When I was there, there was a massive dredging or some other large contruction
project going on that made the lagoon water very cloudy, so it was good
for sailing but not much else (i.e. snorkeling or scuba). The ocean side
was off-limits past knee-deep water, due to abundant sharks. Another rumour
going around was that a few months back a Filipino fisherman had fallen
off the edge of the reef when he hooked a big one, and had been subsequently
devoured, some parts washing up a few days later. Anyone confirm this story?
Since my Navy time, I went to college and worked in South Florida, lived
and worked in Brisbane Australia for 6 years. Before the Navy I was on
a liveaboard sailboat for a year in the Bahamas, and during my Navy time
spent 9 months in Hawaii and 2 1/2 years in the Philippines. But my 6 weeks
on Dodge were the most purely Jimmy Buffett-esque tropical experience of
my life. Maybe it would suck to be there for a year, but 6 weeks definitiely
wasn't long enough.
Anyway, that's all for now- overall it was a great experience and I'd do
it all over again, even in today's much more "PC" Navy.
1983
NAME = Jon P rasch
MY QUEST = Bad memories
VT of a SWALLOW = 350
million miles a second
E-MAIL = clesncron@aol.com
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = USMC
UNIT = 3rd Btn 6th Marines
K Co
RANK/RATE/JOB = Pfc Rasch
then,
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = There I
was asleep in those Philipino bath houses they cald huts, you know where
they had saturday day night chicken and cat fights.
Which we found out later
ws breakfast. I was fire watch hell I forgot what platoon all I know was
it was hot about 88 degrees 100 percent humidity. Any how pvt Snow came
in drunk and layed down then he gets up goes to the next hut, you could
here screen doors always popping open or closed then silence. screen door
popping then my hot door popping then snow laid down again. Then yelling
and screeming from the hut snow returned from. screen doors popping then
my door popping open and there was Cpl Tomeleski he made the hulk look
scrowny. Where the hell is Snow?. I quickly as any 130 pund guy would do
to a 240 poun dguy who really was my squadleader, I promply pointed to
Snow.With one quick movement this cpl had snow by the throat I could see
snows eyes bulging in the darkness I heard his feet dragging the plywood
floor as he was dragged ouside. I heard his body recieving impacts that
could not be imagened. See Snow was a psycho drunk you get the on the Island
of paradise, early that day another marine pissed snow off he let it slide,
untill he was drunk so he uncorked on hime while he was dead asleep many
things happen but you dont do that. But dont let the Island fool you I
think every 18 year old should stay at least 2 months on her. I was there
in 1983 with 3/6 K Co 2nd marine div and also 2/6 2nd Mar Div Hell the
brits even gave us a short hand gun course it scared the hell out of them
because one of our guys almost shot the instructor the second time I was
there.
Take it easy and leave
the donkeys alone
2/6 2nd mar dif
1983
NAME = Mike Stone
MY QUEST = stroll down
memeory lane ( what memory I have)
VT of a SWALLOW = how
should I know
E-MAIL = jmjjstone@aol.com
NATIONALITY = us citizen
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = Main Power Plant
RANK/RATE/JOB = EN3 at
the time - Did my 4 yrs and got out
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = To many
memories to put down.. Many a drunk day and night.. Working at the MPP
and playing tricks on my co-workers - Almost flipping the van ( on more
than one accasion coming back from MPP) Breaking a bone in my foot while
jogging with a beer ( they told me you could either get in shape or become
an alcoholic during your year on the rock I tried to do both) Spending
two weeks leave in the PI with Dale Naab - My long lost friends Joyce Deyo,
John Pataky, Stepanie Bedwell, Debbie Holbrook and to many others to remember..
Watching great sunsets.. Getting in several fights one of which I still
have a scar over the eye.. All pictures I had from that time have been
lost.. I was young and dumb and could not wait to leave and now just wish
I could go back and visit again...If you remember me don't be shy send
an email
1983
NAME = Steve Anderson,
AW1 VP-46 Flight Crew 7 (SS1)
E-MAIL = capt_mustang@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = VP46
RANK/RATE/JOB = AW1,
SS1, OPS/Trng CAC-7 retired USN 1993 MAC(AC) from NAS ALAMEDA
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 there
for the "great quake" of 83, and having lived thru a couple growing up
in southern california, quakes come and go and this one was no different.
I was attached to the OPS dept of VP-46 and living in the old SeaBee huts
in D circle also i think. When the quake started shaking the whole island,
like a rag doll. The funny thing was initially alot of us thought that
others were just rattling our houches. But when we realized what was happening,
We grabbed our beers and walked to the center of the island. This also
was just after the Island got there first or second influx of females.
When we where here earlier, the only women on island were the workers.
But we now had female sailors and barracks going up, quite the development,
but i degressed. We heard lots of the women, and some "male sailors'
yelling we were going to die, we were going to die, and we shoujld all
head to the center of the island to survive. Now as i drank my beer, I
figured, MMMMM die maybe, but the center of island sure wasn't going to
keep us alive, since the highest part of island was about 22feet above
sealevel, and that was the pool i think. So a group of us, including some
mighty cute new female additions to the island, sat around on the picknic
benches and drank and talked most of the night awaiting the worst, which
becasue of the location of the island and its topography, amounted to something
like 6-8foot waves awashing the beaches. All in all, I loved my time
there, from the softball games, the county dancing at the clubs, and the
fine people i grew to call my family when we were far from home.
1983 and 1984
NAME = Daniel Halifko
MY QUEST = Wax messianic
on need to know basis
VT of a SWALLOW = Consult
compression algorithyms
E-MAIL = nad80@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = Merchant Seaman
(Oil field trash)
UNIT = on motor vessels
Trojan Express and tugboat Ellen.F
RANK/RATE/JOB = I was
able-bodied seaman, chief stewart- cook,
now I work in commercial
paint stores
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 was there
the night "The Rock Rocked". The night of the Nov 30 1983
earthquake.I not only
"bought the t-shirt, I SOLD the t-shirt,
to commemorate that night
and still have one.
I am concerned for my brethen that worked there during this recent tsanumi
and I am clamoring for news, here on Dec. 28, 2004.
I was a Florida resident, but oil-field trash civilian working offshore
in Louisana and Texas. The experience landed me two six month contracts
with Offshore Express of Houma, La on the motor vessels Trojain Express,
tugboat Ellen F and a couple other tugboats in DG. I completed the 2 six
month contracts with 2 months overtime, which afforded me 2 wild &
crazy R&R trips to Angeles City, next to Clark Air Force Base in the
Phillipines and a six week delay enroute in Madrid and Ibiza, Spain on
the way back to the states.
On
the night of the earthquake, our tugboat Ellen F. was docked "downtown",
walking distance from Seaman's Club. I was lying in bed asleep, when I
was awaken by a low to medium hum & vibration. First thing I
thought was, the generator was going to blow on this 45 year old rust bucket
on a tugboat. Previouly "Bo", the engineer, mentioned several times that
the generator was on it's last leg. Think of Scotty from Starship Enterprize..."I'M
giving
it all she got Captian....amymore
and I think she's gonna blow."
So, big rumble vibration...I go run topside, preparing to jump over-board
thinking the engine room is going to blow up,when I noticed a wierd small
"chop" in the water, almost like jell-o being shaken when only half solidified.
I saw all the lights go out on the island, and then I knew it wasn't our
generator. I also watched this old make shift tower, that was downtown,
silhoueted in dim moonlight, sway back and forth, just like the palm trees.
Hey, we had electricity...so the next day was business as usual.
But, I am really concerned...how did DG fair on this Dec 27, 2004 earthquake
and tsunami?
November 1983 to December
1984
NAME = Miriam Smith
MY QUEST = Life and fun
VT of a SWALLOW = Are
you kidding?
E-MAIL = mlouise_smith@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = US Navy
UNIT = ASWOC
RANK/RATE/JOB = Data
Systems First 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 was reading
a book called "End of the Earth World News". It was a story about a meteorite
that was to pass close enough to the earth to pull the moon out of her
orbit, then go around the sun and come back and crash into the earth. I
had just got to the point where the meteorite was creating huge earthquakes
and changes in the waether patterns whe I fell asleep.
About fifteen mintues later when I was in that wonderful twilight sleep,
I awakened to shaking. My first thought was, this is just a
dream from that stupid book. But the shaking did not stop. Then I really
woke up. Now I was a little disoriented, but having lived in San
Francisco, I knew that running outside was not the right thing to do, but
could not remember what I should do. Plus that night I had decided to sleep
in the buff, so I wasn't exactly dressed for the occassion.
Now, my roommate and I both liked our privacy, so we had used the furniture
in our room to create some seperate living space for ourselves. As I was
laying in bed trying to remember what to do in an earthquake, I remembered
that we had stacked two short dressers on top of each other and they were
at the head of my bed. So I jumped into action. I stood on my bed,
butt naked, and held onto that dresser through the rest of the quake. And
that is my DG earthquake story.
March 1983 to March 1984
NAME = Michael Slavin
MY QUEST = Correction
of Earthquake Infor November 30th 1983
VT of a SWALLOW = 2.5
mph
E-MAIL = mlsstocks@sbcglobal.net
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = NAVSECGRUDEPT
(Communications) Crytographic Technical Operator
RANK/RATE/JOB = CTOSN/retired
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Please Select a Title For Your Story, or Select 'Other'
MY WARSTORY = I
was there the night of November 30th, 1983, just started the second shift
at work when the quake hit. I worked as an Cryptographic Technician Operator,
possessing a Top Secret SI clearance based on SBC by the NIS. As soon as
the quake hit, I realized exactly what it was (been through several before
in California), and advised everyone to get out of the building ASAP. Of
course everyone was very scared, the whole building was shaking and as
we scrambled outside all the power went out. (The one thing about the "ROCK",
when there was no moonlight/stars out, it is one of the darkest places
in the world)The other strange thing about this earthquake, instead of
shaking hard like solid land in the states, the ground actually "rolled",
it was almost like standing ontop of waves on the water!! I believe that
was due to the coral that the island rested on/was made of.There was alot
of screaming going on and it was "Pitch Black", you could not see your
hand in front of your face!! A couple of us turned on the lights of some
pick-up trucks that happened to be parked right outside of the security
gate. Right when the lights came on the vehicles the inital quake ceased.
I'll tell you right now, when it stopped, I have never ever seen (then
or since) sssoooo many people light up cigarettes, smokers and none smokers!!!
I seem to remember everyone out there that night lit up!!! As soon as everone
had calmed down, backup power came on and we reentered the building to
reestablish communications systems and inspect the site for damage. The
Radioman at the other communication center was typing that the main water
supply line in his building had split and they were taking on water!!!!!Crazy
stuff but all true, we lived throughout the next week with the typical
aftershocks and eventually everything returned to normal. The other thing
I have been reading about the quake that day was the actual richter scale
reading (stated to be between 7 and 7.7)
I have the "Pacific Stars & Stripes" article from the paper dated Dec.
2 1983, It reads as follows: WASHINGTON (UPI)- An earthquake reaching 5.5
on the richter scale jolted the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia Wednesday
but caused no injuies to its 5800 people, most of them U.S. Navy personnel,
nor major damage, the navy Said. The quake, registering between 5 and 5.5
on the scale, knocked out electricity and communications for about an hour,
a navy spokesman said. It caused a minor rupture in a fuel line, he said.
The U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information center in
Golden, Colo., said the quake "was centered on or very near"
the island of diego Garcia,
1600 miles south of Bombay.
The British-owned island is used the United States to stockpile weapons,
fuel and other military equipment aboard ships for use by the Rapid Deployment
Force in the event of a crisis in the Persian Gulf.
None of the 16 ships laden with the equipment was damaged nor was the 12000-foot
runway affected by the quake, the spokesman said.
Actually, the runway did suffer some damage and prevented the larger planes
from landing, for (if memory serves) about a week or two. Obviously, the
Goverment did not want everyone to know that we could not land our biggest
bombers etc...national security and all.
I really would love to go back for a year and just save a ton of money.
Duty free booze/everything, case of beer went for $2.50, Fifth of Jack
Danials $3.00 etc...lots of partying fishing, got tons of pics with just
cases of beer in the frig and nothing else except vitamins.Still have my
stereo system that I bought at the PX.
Also, have a story about Hector the Hammerhead that I will put up next
time. Much love to all that served on the "ROCK", it is a very limited
fraternity that we can all be proud of, especiall to all those from 1983-1984.
Peace to all and Merry Xmas, pray for our troops.
1983
CHRIS BUTLER <cpbhyd@juno.com>
In about 1983 or so I found out where Diego Garcia was, I was a Machinist
mate aboard the USS Savannah AOR-4. We anchored off the coast and were
shuttled in by liberty boats. When we got off the boat in DG it was very
hot and humid. There was not much to do except drink and snorkel and get
sunburnt.
I remember snorkeling in the lagoon with sea turtles and various sea life.
It was real nice. The crew of the Savannah AOR-4 packed along about 100-200
cases of 3.2 beer and had a large drunken picknick. We drank until we could
no longer stand up and then passed out.
The other big event that went down while in DG is that we Lost a CH-46
helo there. The CH-46 was flying around and picking up short timers from
the battle group to fly them to the carrier so they could fly out on the
next transport to the states. ( to get out of the navy ). With about 9
people plus the crew on the CH-46 they flew twards the USS Milwaukee to
get a few more people. When the CH-46 got to the Milwaukee it lost one
of its engines and crashed into the side of the ship and sank quickly to
the depths. Most everyone got out alive but one poor lifer squid. He inflated
his CO2 vest B4 he got out of the helo and was sucked down with the CH-46.
He was due to retire from the navy and was on his way home to the states
but that lifer didn’t listen to the aircrewman B4 boarding the aircraft.
Always remember to only inflate you CO2 vest when you are clear of the
aircraft.
Chris Butler
MMFN
USS Savannah A0R-4
AROUND 1983
Tom MacDougall <Tom.MacDougall@ct-enterprises.com>
Ted,
Found your site yesterday.
Already traded an e-mail with Snake (Seabee warstories from 83).
I was there for a year around 83. Really enjoyed the site.
I will send in my own warstory as soon as I can. I was a bootcamp
Builder when I got there but learned quick.
Thank you for the memories.
Tom MacDougall
Tech Staff
Commonwealth Telephone
Company
100 CTE Drive
Dallas Pa, 18612
570-631-5057
1983-1984
Michael Slavin <mlsstocks@sbcglobal.net>
Trying to locate Lisa
Hamilton and anyone else from C-site, from March 1983 to March 1984.
Left for Hawaii (Pearl Harbor) from D.G, and never saw her/anyone else
from the Rock again. Well except for Don Knapp, my old LPO/friend. Anyone
still out there feel free to contact me "Michael Slavin" @ mlsstocks@sbcglobal.net.
Thanks, and by the way this is really a great site and lol...
1983
JEFF TOBIN <JTobin0328@aol.com>
As I am writing this,
I am raising my glass in salute to you. I came across this little
peace of cyber paradise completely by chance. I'll explain as briefly as
I can. I too am a Diegoian. Arriving on the coral reef the 1st week
of Jan. 1983 and will never forget stepping off that plane and feeling
that humidity hit you in the face. and that smell, I can describe it but
still to this day, 21 years later I swear I can still remember that smell
like it was yesterday. But that smelly, hot & humid little rock was
my home for the next 15 months. and it was probably one of the best experiences
of my life !! My 1st child was conceived on that island and I had the best
tan of my life !! And the EARTHQUAKE !! which is how I came across
your site in the 1st place. You see, I was sitting with some friends watching
a mini series on TV called 10.5, about a killer earthquake in California.
I brought up the DG Quake, which I hadn't brought up in years and later
that night while on the computer typed in "Diego Garcia earthquake" into
my search engine and you popped up. I have totally enjoyed exploring
your pages and the pictures have brought back great memories. I have several
pictures from my time in paradise, will just need to hunt them down. If
you like I can forward them to you and you can feel free to post them if
you like. In closing I would love to become a member of your club. Sign
me up!
NAME = Jordan Taylor
MY QUEST = The Grail
VT of a SWALLOW = European
or African Swallow
E-MAIL = jordant@our-town.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = USMC
UNIT = Security
RANK/RATE/JOB = L/CPL
Head of USMC Comm Det. India 3/9 -
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 = Was
with the USMC reactionary force. I was quiet drunk at the time and we got
activated. The CO sent for me to fire all the comm gear up, and roll. Little
did I know at the time it was because we decided to take on a P-3 Squadron
on in the E-Club. I remember because it all started with a quiet game of
BEER HUNTER. Good times by all!!! Looking to hear from anyone there that
night.
1983
NAME = Ryan Welhaven,
but my nickname back then was Bill
MY QUEST = Talk some
trash about DG
VT of a SWALLOW = F -
you ; )
E-MAIL = viking0369@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = Minnesotan
SERVICE = USMC
UNIT = Marine Detachment,
USS Holland (AS-32)
RANK/RATE/JOB = PFC back
then, retired SSgt now.
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 = Of all
my 20 years active duty, that first deployment I did on the Holland in
1983 was far and away the most wild, mostly due to the 3 months spent anchored
in the lagoon on DG.
There were some strict rules regarding who could get off the ship and when.
Liberty call at 1630 was pretty much it... except for official duty on
the island, or crewmwmbers who needed to participate in the remedial PT
program (which was run by the Marines). Our SNCOIC hooked it up where if
we Marines got off the ship to do the PT program at 1000, we could stay
on "liberty" the rest of the day. It meant that we would have all the beaches
to ourselves in the middle of the day, while the others had to return.
Used to buy a case of beer for around 5 bucks, but it was nasty stuff with
all the junk put in it, so more often than not, in was the hard stuff.
After a quick stop at the package store, off to Cannon Point... Snot-slingin'
drunk by the time the others got on libbo.
On the cruise over from Charleston, the ship CO brought 2 new Dodge vans,
griped down on the helo pad, for use as special services shuttles while
at the island. They said "USS Holland" in huge letters on the sides. At
libbo call, we Marines were assigned as drivers to shuttle crewmembers
in these vans to the softball field for tournaments that were going on.
Of course, all of the Marines off duty would pile in and head out, too.
After we dropped off all the Sailors, us Marines would then go joyriding
around the nether regions of the island in these vans.... ripping around
the jungle, going out to the plantation, and just basically acting like
16 year olds with Dad's car. Of course, there was mass quantities of alcohol
involved (seriously, the driver never imbibed!) and it wasn't at all uncommon
for the driver to return to the softball field after the games with the
van smelling like puke, piss, and beer, and mud splashed everywhere...
much to the chagrin of the returning softball fans.
The Seaman's club was usually the hangout, good strong rum and cokes, ham
and cheese sandwiches, and trying to beat the Galaga video game. The tv
lounge had some really bad obscure videos and we would all booze it up
in there, watch the stupid movies, and go back and do it all again the
next day.
Back then, fighting was a way to relieve stress and boredom, and was partaken
in often... nothing major, just boys being boys. Never saw anything get
out of hand... except once where there was some homosexual advances made
on a drunken Marine by a Sailor on the beach which got ugly and nearly
ended up with a couple of guys getting court martialed for assault, but
nothing ever came of it.
As a ship with a large number of women crew members aoard, there was a
whole lot of romance going on, along with all the drama that goes with
it. My young-azz managed to avoid all that, but I know of a few marraiges
that were made out there.
Have so many more stories... it was an unbelieveable experience!!
1983
"McMenamin, Mark" <Mark.McMenamin@argis.com>
Subject: Earthquake
on Diego Garcia
Sir,
I was stationed on Diego Garcia from April 1983 to April 1984. The earthquake
knocked me out of bed...and I was not drunk. Nor were most of the rest
of the inhabitants that night. I was a forecaster at the Navy weather Office
and the next day we were the ones to contact the Center in Golden Colorado.
The quake actualy occured some miles to the north and at the time there
was a fear of Tsunami (which is a tidal wave caused by underwater Earthquakes.
The fear was unfounded. But with the highest point on the island at that
time being the outdoor theater, you can imagine the concern. Also
, in reference to the killing of the dogs in 1971, there is a conflict.
Your site says the U.S Navy did it but another gentleman claims it was
the British : http://www.granta.com/extracts/1225. In any event.
I like your site. I enjoyed my time there.
Mark MCMenamin USN (ret)
I serverd Twice Once in
the Battalions and PW. Last time 83 to 84
NAME = Vincent Peluso BUCS (SCW) Back then called Snake!
MY QUEST = To re-visit the second best duty station, the best being Winter
over on the Ice
VT of a SWALLOW = To busy working to notice or to drunk to remeber
E-MAIL = seniorvinnie@aol.com
NATIONALITY = US Italian Made!
SERVICE = United States Seabees
UNIT = Last visit 1983 to 1984 Public Works "Builder Shop"
RANK/RATE/JOB = On the Island I was a Second Class now I am a BUCS, Still
Active Duty for one more year, that will be 26 years, Just intrested in
reading about DG, and hopefully getting a coin for my Shadow Box,
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = This is a No-Shit Drinking Story
MY WARSTORY = Arrived on the Island Paradise for my second tour, the year
was 1983, I was heading to Public Works as a BU2. Arriving there I was
given a room in Splender Ville (SeaHuts) Stayed for a week or so then moved
into those really great BEQ Rooms, Three Roomates.
The Regular Navy was arriving more each day, Mainly the first non-CEC Officer
as the "CO". Girls were arriving also, and the Work was great. Now the
Two intresting stories all happen in a span of a couple of months. We were
traveling on a Saturday evening on DG1 in the builders Dodge Power Wagon,
it was New Years eve, "if I remeber right! We had just left our BU
Shack that we had built back in the scavy, It had power and a fan (Hard
to come by back then). As we were driving back to camp, security pulled
us over and then the ture wit of the Seabees came out, As my buddy and
I are standing in front of the "Old Man" a week later, The "CO" kept hitting
is fist on the desk saying, "This is not Dodge City any more" "You F---ing
Seabees need to wake up" Then with the remark only a True Seabee
could say, back then (Not today) The "CO" said to my Buddy. "Tell Me why
you were drinking and Driving" " And I want the F---ing Truth" My
Buddy a BU3, With a calm responce said. "Well Captain, "I was to Fuc---g
Drunk to walk" That cost stripes!!! Well the next story! DG had a Earth
Quake! I was told 7.4 Big one. And the Higher ups were talking about a
tsunami coming, and every one was to meet by the pool. Barney and me decided
that all the structures needed visual inspections so we dressed in
our uniforms and told the MA's that we were inspecting the BEQ rooms
for Structual damage, needless to say, in our state we could'nt see
a crack in the wall. Our mission was to drink as much free booze from every
room as possible. Then, We ran to the builder shop cut out surf boards
from PLYWood and proceeded to return to the pool. Now mind you the Girls
were newly arrived and the panic mood was high, because of the potential
Tsunami, In our drunken state we decided to make note that since a tsunami
was coming We had surf board for sale. This went over like, Well you had
to be there as we were being chased and swore at to no end, but brother
were we laughing.
There are alot more intresting days and nights.
Later.
Snake!!!
October 1983
NAME = AJ Durham
MY QUEST = Be all that the good lord have me to be.
E-MAIL = aj.durham@verizon.net
NATIONALITY = African American
SERVICE = USMC
UNIT = K Co3rd Bn6th Mar2ndmarDiv
RANK/RATE/JOB = Cpl
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = There I Was, Passed Out on The Beach
MY WARSTORY = We were the security force for the island for seven weeks.
Our regimental Co flew in to see us and was shock at our chow hall.
The flips were our cooks. we had all the damn wild chickens walking around.
Every none and than a stray cat would ambush a baby chick. Never
forget being caught on the far side of the runway and the rains came in.
Needless to say, that was were we stayed that night. We had a buffet
of them big ass banana crab. I turned twenty on Diego. It was, me
a fifth of brass monkey, canadian mist, a six pack of Old English 800.
I pasted out in that little picnic area beside the hanger where the sold
the booze at.
Stayed horny, I was there when those navy gals were turn tricks with officers.
Anybody that was there at the time give me a holler.
P.S I was the Armorer for the detachment there. We left there and went
to P.I.
We were there for the 1983 Marine Corp. Ball.
1983, 1984, 1986, 1987,
1991, 1992, 1993
NAME = Dave (K9) Hardy (nice picture of me!) ed note: on http://www.zianet.com/tedmorris/dg/brits.html
MY QUEST = For you to contact me
VT of a SWALLOW = |African or European?
E-MAIL = Linda.Hardy@amserve.net
NATIONALITY = Brit
SERVICE = ROPO
UNIT = K9
RANK/RATE/JOB = Ex-ROPO ex-RN (Royal Navy) now merchant navy. Yes
I have just returned from the Gulf as well.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Decided to Join A Monastery, But Couldn't Find One
Stateside
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing
on Diego Garcia
MY WARSTORY = Been there, seen it, done it, couldn't get a t-shirt 'cos
you had already bombed the placed out.
\regards \\k9
\\dave hardy
May 83-84
NAME = Bret Wolcott
MY QUEST = Take a trip down memory lane
VT of a SWALLOW = Huh?
E-MAIL = ut1scw@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = USN SEABEES
UNIT = PWD Water Plant
RANK/RATE/JOB = Just a boot camp out of A school then. About 680
days til retirement (UT1). Counting down the days just like being
on Diego again. WOW.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = I am a Born Liar, and Want To Tell About All The
Sex I Had on Dodge
MY WARSTORY = What a culture shock, leaving the states for the first time
and ending up on an island whose name is bigger than the land it represents.
Had a great time there. Those were the days when the Seabees swarmed
all over the rock. Mojo parties seemed like every night at the grass
shack. The earthquake sticks out most in my mind. 30November83, about
midnight if I remember right. 7.6 was the Richter scale reading.
Just got to bed with some of the guys still out in the lounge doing their
thing. Imagine waking from a sound sleep with your rack bouncing
about a foot off the floor. Thought the fellas were messing with
me until I put my feet on the floor and felt it rolling underneath me.
Got to the door to the lounge to find Dave Vadbunker standing calmly in
the doorway. Must have balls of steel....like most Seabees. That was just
the start of a very very long night. Up until the next evening fixing
water leaks, holding my breath every time an aftershock hit, hoping the
island would hold up, which it did. Enjoyed the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders
coming. Worked at the trouble desk then, held up a trouble
call for three days so I could go fix it, I had duty the night they came
in, and get a close look at those beauties. All that wait just to
fix a leaking showerhead, it was just about bedtime when I arrived with
my partner, didn't get as good a look as I'd have like but did get to see
some in their nightgowns. It did the trick at the time. Thought
I was going to get killed when I got back to the lounge and showed the
fellows that I was there. They were kinda pissed that they weren't
invited to help out. Those days are long gone but definitely not
forgotten. The friendships that were formed there and the memories
are some of the best things to come of it. Oh yeah, I still have
a clip of Sammy, the thoroughly scrumptous maiden, that graced the pages
of Cheri magazine next to an article that some hard partying Seabees sent
in. Outstanding article guys. Made another trip to DG in 91-91
with NMCB 7 det. Had a great time....as usual. Actually thought about
ending the career the way it started and go back for another year but I
think I'll hold on to the memories that I have and finish it out where
I can be with my wife and children. To the people who haven't been
to DG and are reading these stories, you don't know what you're missing.
1980 through 84.
ROB HODGES <hawkeye6936@attbi.com
See his 1980 entry...
1983-1984
FRANK NAASE <agfn631@optonline.net>
DG was one of the greatest
tours I had. I volunteered but had no idea what I was in for. The first
day was hard. My roommates came off of shift and made sure that I
was welcome. Everybody at R-site and C-site were really likeable. The Hail
and Farewells were great. We just seemed to be one big family.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
83w/VP46 first full P3
deployment
NAME = Michael Dion
MY QUEST = To communicate
with NAF shipmates
E-MAIL = M80on@hotmail.com
READ HIS STORY ON THE
1981
PAGE!
1983-1984
SAM CLUES <sclues@tampabay.rr.com>
Dear Ted,
May I take this opportunity of saying thank you to you for creating such
an EXCELLENT site and collection of other sites and links about Diego Garcia.
I was stationed there from January 1983 until January 1984, I was with
the Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel. I was personally a Royal Navy
Physical Training Instructor assigned to the Royal Marines Detachment as
well as fulfilling the duties of customs officials.
Your site has brought back some wonderful memories and recalled a bunch
of things I had since forgotten about DG. I even spotted a good friend
of mine, Steve Penberthy (another PT Instructor) in one of the pictures.
It is incidentally the first time I had researched DG using the internet
and I have been online for over five years, god knows why it has taken
me so bloody long to do a search? But I am real glad I did. I have spent
loads of time reading through the pages and looking at some of the pictures,
it is pretty amazing how the place has developed in nearly twenty years.
When I left in Jan 1984, and yes I was there for the earthquake, a company
called RBRM (Raymond, Brown and Root, Molem) were the construction company
building literally everywhere. One of the problems that the earthquake
caused was a slight crack in the runway, which at the time was being widened
to accept the B52's I believe. The accounts I have read about the earthquake
are indeed very accurate, especially about waking up in the morning in
a pile of empty beer cans.
Another 'funny' about the quake is that shortly after we had 'accounted'
for everyone and reassured ourselves and others that we were ok, the Brit
Rep, at the time Cdr Tony Hodgson, called all the Brit Party NP1002 into
his office to get and give a debriefing. He allowed us all to call our
families in the UK immediately so that we could inform them of the situation
before they heard it via the UK media and prevent any unnecessary panic
for them.
Anyway, after all the calls had been made, we were all sat in his office
and suddenly one of our ROPO's (RN Police) said "Hey boss, what about the
"Flips" in the R&R Center?" He did of course mean the Philippino workers
who stayed out at the center. Right away two of the ROPO's said "We'll
take the Land Rover and go check on them".
As it happened the Land Rover only managed to drive some of the way due
to some fallen trees on the road, they ended up about a few miles short
of the R&R Center so decided to go the rest on foot. Armed with only
small flashlights to find their way, the two ROPO's managed to progress
a few hundred yards when they heard some rustling and shouting in the distance.
As they got closer they realised that the voices were indeed the two Philippino
workers. As the two came into the light (obviously delighted to see some
other humans!) they were ecstatic with joy and when their euphoria died
down one of our ROPO's quipped; "Well guys, it looks like we're the only
four left on the island!" ................. To which one of the workers
fainted and the other ran away in hysteria! I guess you had to be there
to really see the funny side. By the way it took them a further 15 minutes
to find the one that ran!
Ted, as I said, you have rekindled many memories for me and for that I
again thank you, I have even dusted off the four full photo albums I have
and started to find some good pics to perhaps start my own web page and
add a link to yours. But if you require any photos please do not hesitate
to ask.
I would love to be able to make contact with some of the friends I made
on the island during my time; some names that immediately spring to mind
are: Tommy Keener (Seabee), Tom Pendleton, Mr. Lee Leftridge who ran Special
Services (although he was in his sixties back then and I would be surprised
if he is still with us). Is there a contacts or re-union link on your site
at all that could possibly help me locate some folks? I now live near Clearwater
Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida, yep it's the golden sands that I just
couldn't stay away from!
Who knows I may still yet have another beer with those fellow DG's..............
Yours sincerely,
Sam Clues
Diego Garcia 1983-84
June 2, 1983 to August
28, 1983
NAME = Steven L. Beverly
MY QUEST = To be the
most stylish dressed in a Vulcanized Ruber Chicken Suit
VT of a SWALLOW = Hopefully
Massive
E-MAIL = SBeverly5@aol.com
NATIONALITY = United
States; SERVICE = U.S. Navy; UNIT = USS HOLLAND (AS-32) Resident Tender;
RANK/RATE/JOB = YN2 Then - Now - Director of Operations for a National
Van Line
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 Sailing Story
MY WARSTORY = My time
on "THE ROCK was absolutely amazing - my other shipmates thought it was
hell - I thought it was paradise!!!!!!! We just happened to have
177 women aboard the ship - The first ship to circumnavigate the globe
with females attached. I learned to sail - first on 14' Lasers -
then on a 22' Two mast boat. Sailing in and out of all the traffic
in the lagoon was great. Fishing with a 9 ton storage supply crane
was out of this world the red snapper was used for bait to catch 7' - 8'
sharks. - I also learned how to scuda dive and grabbing the shell of a
big loggerhead turtle and letting him pull me through the reefs was out
of this world. I have just told my wife that I am going to hitchhike
to Hawaii and then catch a Tramp Steamer to Diego Garcia to catch up on
some fishing and to reminisce.
I hope someone (anybody) can help me with my quest to return to "The Rock"
When we left "The Rock" we went to PERTH Australia, just in time to catch
the boys from FREEMANTLE retuning with the AMERICA'S CUP - what a party
that was - the whole continent was drunk for 2 weeks.
My best to everyone on "The Rock" - HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!!!!
Sincerely,
Steven L. Beverly
162 Circle Drive
Torrington, CT 06790
Sbeverly5@aol.com
SEND PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS
1983-1984
MICHAEL BROWN <mlb1052@home.com>
I was on DG with the Marine Detachment from Aug 83 to Nov 83, I loved it!
It was like paradise! Where else can
you go and wake
up to sunny days almost all the time, tropical breezes, and coconut crabs!!!
I retired from the Marine Corps in 1999, and have been around this earth
3 times. Been to about 45 different Countries and I must say that
the most picturesque place is DG! Would go back to visit in a heartbeat!
Semper, Mike Brown
Aug 1983 - Aug 1984
NAME = Scott M. Simms
MY QUEST = To find the
Grailie Hole
VT of a SWALLOW = African
or European? With or without coconut?
E-MAIL = swwis@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = Passport
says "US"; SERVICE = USN retired; UNIT = T-site for 12 mos and R-site for
one; RANK/RATE/JOB = ET3/2 in 1983. Retired CWO.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= I am a Born Liar, and Want To Tell About All The Sex I Had on Dodge
MY WARSTORY = Donkees
(two, not sure of gender)--I was a T-siter and got rather fit between olympian
sessions of beer-guzzling and a port/report watchbill. Took me ten
months to get fast enough (as well as the stamina) to catch a donkee while
screaming through the T-site antler field naked--no shoes either.
10/11/01: In Singapore
now en route Hawaii after spending the last two weeks, or so, on Dodge
as a DoD C4I contractor.
1983-1984
MICHAEL V. AMBROSIO <michael_ambrosio@merck.com>
I realy enjoyed reading through the opinions of people who were on Diego
Garcia. Some were funny, some scatheing, but all entertaining.
So with that I wanted to add my own thoughts/experiences:
I was stationed on D.G. in 1983-84. I was only 19 yrs old and it was my
first duty station out of A-school. I actually had two first impressions.
The first was in the air on my way in - The water was SO BLUE! Used
to seeing the gray waters of New Jersey I was in awe!. My second
one was after I got off the plane - My GOD, it's HOT!!! There was
an earthquake that year, something like 7.6 in the Richter scale.
My first (and last, actually). I didn't sleep for three days.
My complaints were few actually. The rain, the isolation (until I
got to know people), stale smokes, constant shortage of everything in the
company store, rosey palm. But - I made some friends that I still
have today. Played softball year round. Great picnics. Fed
beer to the drunken donkey. Among other things.
Well, that's my two cents. Thanks for the memories!
Regards, Michael
Ambrosio
83 NMCB 62
NAME = Bill Witter
MY QUEST = To find the
holy grail; VT of a SWALLOW = African or European?
E-MAIL = chillwill57@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = AMERICAN;
SERVICE = USN; UNIT = NMCB 62
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
MY WARSTORY = Too many
stories to list. Last full body deployment, first women on the rock, Missy,
a very large acetylene bomb in the middle of the night,and more coconut
than you could shake a stick at!!!!
1982-1983
SCOTT SHEFFIELD
<sscheff98@home.com>
I was there for the earthquake.
I was working in R-site, It was the end of my shift, the third shift
had just arrived. Then a roar approached which sounded like a squadron
of low flying B-52's. My supervisor said "Earthquake"!!! at that second
98 % of the staff was out the door. Me and My supervisor and another guy
from Jersey were the only one's left from our staff. Copiers the size of
Volkswagens were rolling across the floor. Ceiling tiles fell, I prayed
for the shaking to end so that I could live! the power went out abruptly.
After the quake ended I was instructed by my supervisor to do a perimeter
observation to assess any building damage. I peeked out the door and saw
the prettiest site. US MARINES in defensive positions around our building.
I was impressed with their rapid response!!! As I walked pass the
emergency generator it decided to go on. Yikes. Enough to make you shit
yourself. To my many good friends that shared that experience I will never
forget the camaraderie and cohesiveness under such a potentialy deadly
occurence. Hip Hip Hooray for the "Footprint of Freedom" Scott
Sheffield.
1983
DAVID KESSLER <thebbk@yahoo.com>
SERVICE = US Navy; UNIT
= VP-46; RANK/RATE/JOB = ET-4 back then/ Now - civilian (Thank GOD!!!!!)
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Want to Drink A Lot, Cheap
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = I was one
of 5 members of VP-46 to head out there ahead of the rest of the squadron
"to get things ready" they said. It was bad enough to be out in the midle
of nowhere - but to be there without your unit, well - no mail or anything
for over a month.
While I was there I learned that they put formaldihide in the beer to keep
it "fresh". The only thing to do was drink the hard stuff, and there was
a little of it available at some liquor store that was never open.
I was there for the quake in 1983. In fact, I had just stepped off the
van that brought me back to town from the airfield. I was working nights
in those silly mobile maintenance vans they had set up as an AIMD (aviation
intermediate maintenance dept.). I was walking past the outdoor theater
towards the new 3 - story barracks when it hit. As a California native,
I had been in a few quakes, but this was the strongest by far. Having been
on the island for a good
amound of time by then,
I was hooting and hollaring and cheering the quake on. It was GREAT! Everyone
around me was getting very pissed, but it was exciting. When it was over,
we weren't allowed to go into our barracks for awhile, so I went and got
my boogie board and headed for the beach. If we were going to get wasted
by a tidal wave, I was at least going to get one last good ride out of
it! Unfortunately, the tidal wave never came, but from time to time - up
until I left the island a month later, water would suddenlt rush up the
island pretty far. The waves were great, but unpredictable....
All in all - I look back on the experience as very tough, but rewarding.
I still have pictures that I took and developed in the old photo lab they
used to have there. I have some incredible sunset shots and some pics from
cannon point. I can't mention cannon point without mentioning the girl
who "pulled a train" out there one night. I got out there too late. They
had just started exporting women to the island in masses. Oh well.
Oct. 83 to Mar. 85
NAME = Randy Collins
MY QUEST = play stratego
all nite and hop to PI
E-MAIL = rcllns1@aol.com
NATIONALITY = usa
SERVICE = navy
UNIT = Rsite tty repairman
(ET shop)
RANK/RATE/JOB = RM3,
Honorable discharge 85. R and D lab tech BFGoodrich.
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 = Et3 Ski
and I had spent the day drinking Mojo getting ready to go the the First
Airborne Rock and Roll Division USO show. (Robin Zander, Rick Neilson ect.)
We were so wasted I don' remember much about the show but at the end Zander
said all we need are a couple of sailers on stage and we were there.
Jumped over the fence and on the stage. Got to sing "born to Be Wild" on
stage until DG cops grabbed us and asked for Ids. We broke loose
and ran off stage and into the crowed then to the barracks. They were the
best of time and the worste of times.
I heard a lot of bad stories about DG before I got there but it was the
best time of my 4yr hitch. Anyone know were I can get some good coconut
crab?
1st Time December 1975
(3 months), Second Time May 1978 (4 months), Third Time January 1979 (3
months), Forth time March 1982 (18 months) August
1983 - December 1985
NAME = Jack Kaltenhauser
E-MAIL = arizseabee@email.msn.com
SEE HIS 1983 ENTRY...
MY QUEST = To return
safely to the land of the Main Exchange
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = US Navy Seabees
- Brown & Root Civilian
UNIT = CBMU 302 Det Paradise
(1st 3 times) Electric Shop Supervisor (NSF PWD) 4th time - General Foreman
Brown & Root the last time
RANK/RATE/JOB = CE1 Honorablely
discharged
MY INTEREST IN DG IS
= Professional Adventurer Looking For The Ultimate Get Away
SUBJECT OF MY STORY:
= Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = It is 2130
I had just finish with the "S's" and was going to cop some well desired
sleep when the world when Rockin & Rollin. I dove under my rack
(I lived in the tiltup barracks on the 1st floor.) The phone rings
it is the EM at the MPP call to tell me that the engines were jumping off
the floor. The power goes out. Time to go to work, Paul Denton and I bail
out of our room and head for the MPP, the tower calls and has no power
and and S3A on approach with no gas to "Bingo". It is DG or the water.
We go to the emergency generator and find it running but the main breakers
are open. We decide to "Smoke Test" one time. It holds, we
have runway lights. Now Security is calling, They want lights in
town ASAP to help calm the troops. We start check out the system.
Open all the UG lines feeding the sites and turn on the Main Overhead lines
into the Waterplant. I am standing in a room full of High Voltage
equipment
when aftershock #1 hit
it is almost 7.0 and I get real nervous. Everything holds and as
soon as the shaking stop we turn on the lights "downtown".
By
the time we get everyone (all the sites) back on station power the sun
is up. We get a look at the damage to the new messhall, the road cracks
at the donkey gate, the swimming pool which has raised up out of the ground.
No one is hurt, we all have our memories.
Boy I hate earthquakes.
ROGER PAGEL <rcscsp@aol.com>
I was there as a CM2
PWD "83-84" complained about when I was there, missed after I left.
1983-1984
GARRY PRESTON <garry_preston@agilent.com>
My quest: to brew
VT of a SWALLOW: african
or european
Nat: us; Branch:
Navy NSGD; Rank: CTM3
I got there new years eve 1983. Hung over from formaldihide (?) laced beer
Jan 1, 1984. Gawd, that stuff was awful!
I worked at C-site and
started a short sheet on day 1.00001. Fixed, put together, and maintained
dozens of bikes because I had access to the tty ultrasonic cleaner.
An endless source of beer from gratefull patrons with rusty (imagine that)
chains.
War storeis? Got a few. Pouring beer down the donky at the
plantation. Not sure how it works now, but then we needed permission
from the brits to go over and needed one kakki for every 10 E6 and below.
I put together 3 trips. On the last one we emptied about 6 cases
of beer all over the inside of the C-site bus on the way back. The
next shift was pissed.
At one late night party we decided that since there were no vollyballs
to go with the court we should just adapt and play real jungle ball with
a coconut. I dont think any one got hurt but....
The day donky burger II first served pizza using tomato soup instead of
tomato paste. Pass the formaldihide!
I
missed the earth quake but got plenty of tremmors.
About half way through the tour my lpo made a deal with some one on a supply
ship to bring us San Migel from
the P.I. It went
way to fast.
Tonka trucks at the ships store?
The green flash when the sun set!
Beer races. More beer races. More reer bases...
I remember when the brit marine killed the philipino guy. That sucked.
Everyone sitting in the barrack lounge watching the muppets. That's
as good as AFARTS got except for the super
bowl. They were
funny... or was that the beer?
1983, 1978, 1979, 1985
DANIEL KELL <dan.kell@attws.com>
I was in the US Navy
from 74 till 88. I made several trips to dodge. First two were in
78 and 79. You basically lived in a tent if you were transient aircrew.
I
was with VP-46 in 83 for the first full deployment. Lived in D circle
in I think D6, south side of the circle straight shot
into the head. While
there in 83 we had an enormous earthquake. A 7.2 or 7.3 that lasted 142
seconds (some crazy person timed it), I woke to standing up next to my
bed. Caught my bottle of scotch and a small carving there were on top of
my locker and only then realized we were having an earthquake. My drunken
hut-mate, Kevin McGovern, woke up about that time and started yelling at
the people that were beating on our hut (coconuts falling onto the tin
roof) I yelled at him to get out and stepped out the back door just in
time to see the water heater in the head trailer shoot across the floor
showering water out the top. Reminded me of a headless chicken running
around fountaining blood. (sorry, grew up on a farm) Earthquake ended,
I went back to bed. Suddenly people started running around yelling
tsunami, run to the middle of the island (the lagoon? that seem fucking
stupid). At the time the two high spots on the island were the pool and
a big pile of sand out were they were building across from the control
tower. So I got my bottle and went over to cannon point to watch the tide
come in. We went from low tide to just higher than high tide in about 30
seconds. This
was about an hour after
the earthquake ended. Total damage: some really scared merchants, whose
ships changed directions at anchor abruptly, a wooded pier that washed
away, a tilt to the water tower down town, some cracks in walls, and the
4 foot pile of cans I walked past in B circle the next morning.
I was also Commodore of the yacht club in 83. We only had laser then and
one San Juan 24 that was on the bottom when I got there. It was pulled
out and in use when I returned in 85. But the