THE PHOTOGRAPHS BELOW OF VERNON COUNTY SHIPMATES WERE PROVIDED BY VERNON COUNTY SHIPMATES

You are Invited to Mail your Jpeg to: LST1161@webtv.net, to have your Photo of the Good Ole Days posted here. We all remember, but photos have a lasting memory in our Minds

BIG ANDY CHATLOS AND FRIENDS

From: achatlos@mac.com(BIG ANDY) Date: Sat, Nov 3, 2007 LEFT TO RIGHT ANDY CHATLOS,  PASINO,  ED GRANETTIE....  UPPER LEFT  PICNEY+2 MARINES, PICTURE WAS TAKEN AUG  1958 IN OKINAWA. WE WERE ALL ON HER FROM 57 TO 59, GOT DISCHARGED IN AUG 59. SO DID GRANDETTIE,  HE WAS BEST MAN AT MY WEDDING WHICH DIDN,T  LAST LONG EITHER

THE TWO PHOTOS BELOW WERE SENT TO US BY BIG ANDY

Chief; John Duffett sent me these two photos from the Vernon Cty LST 1161 today. They are from 1958 showing Capt Tarbell and three other officers. They are all identified but the face in the background of the photo of Capt Tarbell & Jerry Solomon. I remember him being an ensign but cant recall his name. Sure brings back alot of memories as i stood many a watch on the signal bridge with these men. Thought you might enjoy seeing them. Clint Dickson  Bless You & Yours Hey Andythought you might get a kick out of these also. Clint      ________________________________________From: "Joan Duffett" Date: January 13, 2008 11:30:33 AM PST To: "'clint dickson'" Subject: FW: Navy photos. Bruce Bassett is in the single picture (operations officer) and Jerry Solomon and Captain Tarbell is in the other--a great picture of the captain.   I met Bruce and his wife just befire Christmas in South Carolina, and we had a great time.   Happy New Year!!!  Do you know how to get any patches of the LST.   John

MANNY PENA

Manny Has and was one of the First to Provide this site owner some Great Information about Vernon County. He has become a Great Inspiration in the building of these pages!! He was young and became a seasoned young man aboard that ship by the time he was 20 years old! He served aboard her from 1960 to 1962 just in time for the Cuban Blockade, he left the ship for a period of time and was sent back to the ship in 1965 and was aboard when she loaded troops at White Beach, Okinawa over the Christmas Holidays and landed the marines in DaNang in 1965 and their first landing was with the FMF 3rd Battalion. He left the ship in 1967 while she was on the SOIRAP. His stories of his service aboard her is both interesting and sad, with what the Ship and Crew witnessed and experienced. With his help we will have a real History of a True Vietnam Experience For the Lady someday soon. He is helping us so we can read "The Rest of the Story"

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ART PARTNER (60-61)ERA

Just received the photos above and below from Art Partner today (4-27-04) and got them scanned and on the site for all to see. He said; "Some of the names may be misspelled but he was lucky to remember faces. If You know anyone who's name is not listed I will gladly add it at any time. ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` OUR FRIEND AND SHIPMATE ART PARTNER HAS PASSED OVER THE BAR.......I for one will miss him and his emails about the Vernon County ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Date: Tue, Nov 13, 2007, 8:35pm (PST+3) To: LST1161@webtv.net (Gerold Ricks) Dear Gerold Ricks, I just wanted to let you know that my husband, Arthur Partner passed away on November 8th, after a brief battle of lung cancer among other things. He was a very strong person but couldn't overcome this. Please keeps us in your prayers. thank you,   his wife, Pat.

Chief, it is really nice to see these pictures of Art Partner and other shipmates. Knew some of those snipes. I believe the swim call picture off the ramp, was the same day someone caught a shark off the fantail. If I remember correctly they cut the shark open and found a coke bottle and a rolled up newspaper in it's belly. And, yes, the tank deck had a turntable. It was amazing how the deck gang arranged all the vehicles inside her. There wasa Marine who was squashed between the bulkhead and an APC once during a storm. Thanks for YOUR effort on this history of our ship on this site, and I sure want to get a reunion going. Manny Pena

BILL THIESSEN SERVED ABOARD (61-62)

Hello, my name is Bill Thiessen. I was an EN2 aboard the Vernon County October '61 to Sep '62. Of the 4 ships I served aboard in 10 years, the "itchi itchi roku itchi" was my favorite.  I left her after only one year to go to nuclear power school.  I've waited a long time to give a picture of her to someone who would appreciate it.    We were anchored at Shimizu Japan in early '62. The picture shows the ship with Mount Fuji in the background.There was a "story" behind our visit to Bankok in '62. If you are interested I can tell it to the best of my memory. Question for you: Was there a turntable in the tank deck? I can't remember.

Photos Provided By: Chad Wiepking (1967)

Top Left: RD2 Bevel and GMG1 Ray, Top Right: Caviness, Lower Left: Mike Idler, Lower Right: "Boats" Mike Nevers

MORE PHOTOS FROM CHAD WEIPKING (67to68)

A Great Care Package from Aunt Mary!! I was sharing the package of treats with Tex (Caviness) and Snow and another shipmate on my left shoulder (I can't remember his name.

RON WHALEY (CLOSE UP)

Ron You sure looked young then, shipmate where did the years go so quickly? "Be Safe and Stay Well" Ron was a huge inspiration and lots of help to us in building the Home for USS Vernon County Site. Thank You Ron and the years you served the Amphibious Navy

LTJG MCCONNELL AND SKC RICKS

Graphic Provided by Ron Whaley. Ltjg McConnell stayed in the Navy Reserve and Retired as Capt McConnell. Notice the Cachet of the Free Postage from Vietnam.

LTJG MCCONNELL IN 1968, IN VIETNAM, ABOARD VERNON COUNTY

This photo of Ltjg McConnell was sent to me recently by his son, who is now a LT in the US Navy..

Thomas Brett (65 to 68)

Photo on the left was taken in 1965, and the one on the right was taken during "Operation Market Time" in 1967 aboard Vernon County.

More Photos Provided by Thomas Brett

Photo on the left taken in 1967 are all Gunners Mates (LtoR) Jim Wirebaugh, GM1 Kenneth Ray, Todd standing behind Ray and Ron Justice with white hat, then Stenger, Tom, sure is a good photo of Gunner Ray with the handlebars, Thanks for the Photos Tom. Now, The photo on the right is Tom on Halloween 2002, he just had to try that uniform on one more time. He says the only thing that still fits now are the dog tags and ribbons. We all mature more around the waist shipmate as we grow older and age like good wine!!! Tell the gunner hello, I know you have contact with him.

WARREN MACKENZIE

Talk About Tradition!! This Man is the Father of Steve Mackenzie, who served aboard the Vernon County (1968), and The Grandfather of Cameron and Colin Pictured Below!!!

SF3 Stephen Mackenzie (1968) and a Great Story of Naval Tradition!!

Good to hear from you Chief, My youngest son Colin just finished his Naval History class at bootcamp and wants to know more about what my dad and I did in the Navy. Great isn't it! I have lots of 35mm slides of our days on the rivers with the river patrol boats. Attached is a picture of me on the Windham Co.(1170) after I made Shipfitter 3rd, sometime in 1967. I didn't go to the Vernon until 68. One of my jobs was to direct the choppers in and out. I hated wearing that silver asbestos suit! My dad was an Aviation Ordanance Mate during WWII on board the USS Anzio. It was first named the Aluka? Bay, and then the Coral Sea, then the Anzio. He called it a converted jeep carrier. My Sons Have finished boot camp and their schools now and are out in the Navy World!! Once my sons are able to have access to a computer; I will send them your website address. It's really great that you are doing this. later gator S. Mackenzie

THE MACKENZIE BROTHERS GRADUATE!!

Date: Mon, May 3, 2004, 10:44pm (PDT+15) To: Hi Chief, I thought you might enjoy an update on my sons. Cameron graduated from Machinist Mate "A" school in Groton, Ct. and was class Honorman! He just came home this week on his way to Machinist Mate "C" school in Bangor, Washington. After he completes his "C" school he will be going to the USS Pensylvania. Colin reported to the USS Ross DDG71 last month and they left Norfolk for a short deployment with some other ships. He is able to email us often so far. Things have really changed since we were onboard a ship! His address is: mackenzi@ross.navy.mil As you can probably tell; I'm quite proud of both of them and again thanks for all the effort you've put forth creating and maintaining a great website. Steve Mackenzie SF2 USS Vernon County

DAVE WILLARD

Dave recently sent the Photos below to me. He was one of my fine Men in the Supply Department

E-mail message From: carl.snow@hp.com(Snow, Carl) Date: Thu, Sep 30, 2004, 2:30pm To: LST1161@webtv.net Subject: Turtle Mascot I painted the cartoon turtle riding the bucking LST. My name is Carl Snow and I was a first class radarman at the time. Shortly after Captain Mott came aboard, as a morale booster he instigated a contest for the best representative mascot. I submitted a cartoon very similar to the one shown on your website and won the contest. I was very pleased until I learned that the skipper wanted it reproduced on all the boat's engine covers, the "charlie noble" that is shown in the pictures, as well as on a plaque for the quarterdeck. Since we were at sea, I wound up painting that damned thing about a dozen times altogether. When we pulled into Yokosuka, someone took a copy over to the shipyard and they made it into a mold for plaques that were given out for years.

Just heard from Doug Deyo today 7-19-05, and I was a "Happy Camper" believe me. A young man who done very well aboard the Vernon. He started out as an SKSA aboard and was SK2 before he left the ship. He was sharp and dedicated and I was very proud of him to say the least!!

The Lonely Disbursing Clerk in our Supply Department and I sure would like to know where he is now. This Man and I spent a lot of time in the Supply Office recording on reel to reel tape decks. My Sony Reel to Reel is still like new and works great!

CHIEF STOREKEEPER RICKS

This photgraph was taken with my Argus C4 Camera (American) and it still does great!! The Gator Navy Sailors (including ACB-2) were the hardest working young men that I ever knew along with the Minesweep sailors!! I salute you all!!

A SAILOR'S GREATEST DAY IN THE US NAVY

This was the formal ceremony on the day I was promoted to Chief Storekeeper aboard the Vernon County LST1161. I do not remember the Captain or the XO's names, can anyone help me with that? ThosBrett@aol.com Date:    Fri, Jul 2, 2004, On your photos you have a pic of when you made chief asking if anyone knows the names of the skipper and XO, I was still on there when Ray made chief and the only Captain and XO I had was LCDR Mott and LT Si Manning (WW2 Mustang). Thanks Tom, I remember them well and I still can't remember the Supply Officer's name. I really liked him very much!! "UpDate" Doug Deyo notified me today Jul 19, 2005 and he gave me our Supply Officer Ltjg Wetteroff's name. Saved e-mail message From: gmiller7@midsouth.rr.com(J. Gerald Miller) Date: Fri, Feb 2, 2007, 10:33pm (PST+2) To: LST1161@webtv.net Subject: Vernon County Stuff Chief Ricks, your web site http://community-2.webtv.net/LST1161/USSVERNONCOUNTYLST/page3.html has a photo about 3/4s of the way to the end you entitled "A SAILOR'S GREATEST DAY IN THE US NAVY." You asked the question: "I do not remember the Captain or the XO's names, can anyone help me with that?" In the feedback from ThosBrett@aol.com he stated: "I was still on there when Ray made chief and the only Captain and XO I had was LCDR Mott and LT Si Manning (WW2 Mustang)."  I don't know when you made chief, but LCDR Louis (I think) Mott had an appendicitis attack and was medevaced from the ship to Subic Bay sometime after we departed Vung Tau on 6/21/68 and our arrival at Subic on 6/24/68.  Our new CO LCDR Elmer Poyet arrived on board on 7/4/68 just before the Vernon County departed for Yokusuka on 7/5/68.  The tall individual standing in front of you in the picture is definitely LCDR Poyet.  His XO LT Si Manning is at the extreme left looking down, and the Comm Officer LTjg Joe Clark is at the podium.    A note of perhaps additional interest concerning the XO LT Manning (I think I have the following information correct): he enlisted in WWII and proceeded through the rates from E-1 to E-9.  He then became a Warrant Officer and was promoted from W-1 up to W-4.  Following that he was a Commissioned Officer.  The last I heard of him was about the early 1980's.  He was still on active duty after more than 40 years, was a CDR, and was Officer In Charge of the crew riding the Battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin as it was being towed from the east coast to the west coast.  I found the following entry for Sidney Elwood Manning at the following link: http://www.lonesailor.org/log.php?search=yes&navy_log_id=57238&lname_search=MANNING&fname_search=SIDNEY&page=1&firstname=Si&lastname=Manning  Rate/Rank: CDR; Service Branch: USN; Service Dates: 8/1940 - 11/1982; Born: 5/1/1922, BOSTON, MA.    I have finally begun a long overdue project of scanning my Vernon County slides to my computer.  I'm attaching several which might be of interest:

CHIEF MICHAEL GARCIA

Remember the Pontoon Beer Calls in Nam? This is Mike enjoying his two beers and probably mine too. I usually gave my beer to someone. Still don't care for it. Michael sure looked relaxed there! He went on to become a Chief Petty Officer and retired from the Navy also!

MICHAEL GARCIA and FRIENDS

Here we have Michael Garcia, Bob Garcia and Pacheco.. This must have been taken during the Cuban Crisis in Gitmo..No Girls!! Someone help us Identify the rest of this Group, Michael would really like to know!!!

Photos Furnished by Wayne Pittman (1968)

Left Upper: E. A. Bennett, Charles Holt, Wayne Pittman, Pete Sloan....Upper Right: James Mercado...Lower Left: Doug Deyo, Wayne Pittman, Pete Sloan, Charles Holt....Lower Right: Shot of the Main Deck from the Bridge

Photos Provided by Wayne Pittman (1968)

Upper Left: Wayne as Phone Talker on the Bridge....Upper Right: Larry Willis and Wayne off the Coast of Nam below the DMZ...Middle Left: Getting a little sun bathing on the way to Subic...Middle Right: Larry Babb and Wayne...Lower Left: Danang Harbor Test Drive..Wayne in the drivers seat, E. A. Bennett (shot gun) and A. C. Smith in the back....Lower Right: R. R. Moungie, Wayne Pittman, E. A. Bennett and A.C. Smith in the Back

CROSSING THE EQUATOR ON THE VERNON COUNTY...GRADUATING FROM POLYWOG TO TRUSTY SHELLBACK

E-mail message From: Manny Pena................................................ Date: Thu, Feb 6, 2003, 11:07am These were sent to me by RMC Don Abernathy Retired, and he said it's okay to put them on the website. I was on watch that day we were crossed (6 July 1960), but everyone had to go through initiation to get a certificate. YOU WERE GOING TO ATTEND NO MATTER WHAT. I was number 100 something to go through the gauntlet of firehose hazing. With the suicide nozzle attached and pushing you back, all the while getting "strapped" Everyone, except our CO Mr. Longton, and a few of bos'ns were the only Shellbacks on board. Even our XO Mr. Passantino, had to go through it. He thought he was going to get away with not having to do it too. Everyone on watch was relieved by someone after he got his "LICKS" in. The main thing that was memorable was the slide they erected from the deck house to the deck. You slid into a pool that, a concoction was made of week old, putrified barrels of chow saved for this occasion. It was at least 3 feet deep, mixed with sea water. You climbed up a ladder and slid, head first into this mess. Man, did it smell. Smelled worse when you followed 100 plus men. They got us back for Polywog day. The VERNON COUNTY was the FIRST LST to cross the line of the squadron. Saw lots of water for a 17 year old. ABERNATHY is 1st on the left. He was an RM3 at the time. The names escape me for the moment. But, there might be someone who is looking at these that might know some of the men. I will try to remember and let you know. Manny

MR STILLMAN AND 2ND MAN FROM RIGHT..RMSN FRED DERELETH

WARDROOM PHOTO (69-70 Era)

This Photo was taken in the South China Sea on the ship's main deck while underway from Vietnam to Hong Kong. It shows the then entire wardroom in full dress whites with swords (Gerald Miller says: "As I recall a chief, probably ENCS R.M.Been, had both the "deck and the con" during the few minutes required to take the picture". Seated Left to Right: Ltjg Peterson (Supply Officer), Ltjg Merritt (Engineering Officer), Lcdr Thames (CO), LT Reynolds (XO), Ltjg Gerald Miller (First LT), Ltjg Biese (OPS Officer), Those Standing, Left to Right, are: Ltjg Warner (COM Officer), Ltjg Lortz (Gunnery Officer), Ens Lindberg (Asst First LT), Ens Roberts (Main Propulsion Asst), Ens Raper (Damage Control Asst) and Ltjg O'Toole (Damage Control Asst).

This License Plate Frame can be ordered by clicking on the Web Link Below

SHIPMATES IF YOU ENJOYED THIS PAGE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD TO THIS WITH YOUR PHOTOS AND EXPERIENCES

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