USS Askari ARL-30 Guestbook

Submitted by
Name: Dennis Miller
E-mail: thinman@erols.com

Comments:
I was on Askari from 1/69 to 1/70. I left her as an EN3. I was with the inside engine shop and worked mainly with transmissions. I stood BID patrol on the Mike 6. My most memorable time was in Sasabo while in dry dock. I'm looking for another engineman by the name of Wilkens. A short stocky guy. I don't remember the exact spelling. He was shot in the face with a 12 gauge while on watch. I have quite a few pictures from my time on board

Added: Aug 3, 1999

Submitted by
Name: Terry Sater
From: Manchester, MO
E-mail: tmsater@inlink.com

Comments:
I am looking for a friend of mine that was on the Askari in 68/69; Corky Martin, ETR3. He was from Texas, but I don't know where in Texas. I went to ET school with him, and then hung out with him in the Mekong Delta, when I was with River Assault Squadron 13. Can anyone give me help in locating him? Terry Sater 278 Glandore Manchester, Mo 63021 Day phone, (636) 532-2000 Home phone (636) 227-1412 Home phone

Added: Jul 30, 1999

Submitted by
Name: M. K. Fryer
E-mail: kent.fryer@gteogden.com

Comments:
Really enjoyed the visit. I served on Askari 67-69 (extended tour) in the engine repair shop. I don't think about it much anymore, but when I do it feels good and I always smile. Thanks for the memories

Added: Jul 8, 1999

Submitted by
Name: Don Brower
From: 7912 Coventry Road; Severn, MD 21144
E-mail: donbrower@aol.com

Comments:
I was aboard the USS Luzerne County (LST-902) Jan 1968 to Jan 1969. The best way you will probably remember this ship is with the mine attack on the USS Westchester County (LST-1167) in 1968. We were in Vung Tau at the time and were ordered to the location of the mining and take all necessary equipment on board to replace the 1167's replenishment duties. I can remember the reefers we set up on the main deck along with other equipments taken aboard. The 902 resupplied the Askari and the other two Riverine Support ARL's for three weeks until another LST from the same squadron as the 1167 was able to continue the resupply requirements. This was a memorable time in that it seemed the duty was 24 hours around the clock. I was the Chief Snipe and was involved in every part of the operation for that three week period. If anyone remembers this please feel free to send me any memories you may have. Lt. Don Brower ,at that time

Added: Jun 24, 1999

Submitted by
Name: Peter Porambo
From: San Diego via New York
E-mail: PeterPorambo@webtv.net

Comments:
RM1 Served 6/68-5/69 made Singapore (just barely) served as moral petty officer (kept beer and soda flowing at barge parties)

Added: May 16, 1999

Submitted by
Name: Rick Halverson
From: Montana
E-mail: rhalvers@fvcc.cc.mt

Comments:
I served on board from 12/70 to 9/71

Added: Feb 16, 1999

Submitted by
Name: Constance S Richardson, Daughter of Millard Carter
From: Virginia originally, Now Homeworth, Ohio
E-mail: voxz@webtv.net

Comments:
My father, who is now deceased, served aboard the USS Kearny during WWII when I was very young. He would never share stories with us at any age but spoke of the undying comraderie among them on board. This presentation provides an invaluable cultural link to the past personal and civic history for all servicemen and their families. The victory was attained thru team effort which required every position served. The prayers of gratefulness and celebration still echo in Heaven today from all of us.When we're incapicated, a physician walks in and hope arises, and so it was with the ARL as it rounded the bend and the crippled ship's hope and thankfulness arose. God Bless You,Constance (I salute you Dad) 0l/l7/99

Added: Jan 17, 1999

Submitted by
Name: MICHAEL J. KENNA
From: TRUMBAUERSVILLE, PENNA 18970
E-mail: marymike@fast.net

Comments:
SERVED 7/50-4/53 DISBURSING CLERK 2/C TRANSFERRED TO USS SEMINOLE, WHEN THE ARL 30 RETURNED TO THE STATES IN 53. MADE CHIEF IN 59. MEDICALLY RETIRED IN 196

Added: Jan 8, 1999

Submitted by
Name: Merrill F. Davis
From: Columbus, Ohio when I joined the Navy, Now Bloomington, IN
E-mail: mfdavis@bloomington.in.us

Comments:
I swerved on the Askari from June 1952 to July 1953. I was a Personnelman (PNSA, PNSN and PN3). I worked for the Executive Officer, M. C. Thompson, LT, USN. Other names I remember are Julian Craig, PN3, Bill Hamilton, YN3, Paul (Wormy) Cramer, EN3,Babcock DCFN Who Played a mean guitar and could sing almost any song requested. If I searched my memory long enough I could probably think of others, but at the age of 65 and 46 years later, thats a job. I was on the ship for the 1952-53 trip to Japan listed in the history. We were supposed to stop in Pearl 48 hours, but that stop stretched into three weeks because we had a bent prop shaft. While we were in dry dock, we also had our bottom cleaned and painted. We also made a 48 hour stop ar Midway Island to take on fuel, freash waster and provisions. Thee Askari was SOPA enroute with a bunch of LSSLs that were being ferried to WestPac tgo be turned over to the Korean Navy. When we got to Yokosuka, the ships repair crew spent a lot of time fixing the LSSLs up in preparation for the transfer. I was transferred to the USS Belatrix (AKA-3), then to the USS Calvert (APA-32) and my last 15 months of my four year hitch was as ships company at the Receiving Station, Seattle. I was mustered out in Sepember 1955. In April 1956 I returned to active duty in the TAR program in Columbus, Ohio. In total I spent 5 years, 10 months and 10 days o active duty. I then decided to go to Ohio State University, from which I graduated in August 1961. I spent the next 25 years working for the Social Security Administration. While in College I had a short stint with the Post Office. I retired in December 1986 as Area Director, Milwaukee, WI. I have two adult children and two children at home, ages 10 and 12. I wiork in the local school system as a Paraeducator in Special Education. Its been a great life! My best wishes to all former members of the Askari crew. I'd love to hear from anyone who may have been on the Askari during Korean

Added: Dec 21, 1998

Submitted by
Name: Dale E. Bush
From: Born in IN, Worked in WI, and retired in FL
E-mail: DaleEBush@prodigy.net

Comments:
Served aboard the USS Atlas ARL 7 1954-1955. Left the decommissoned ship in Oregon as EM-1 in Dec 1955 to enter college

Added: Dec 12, 1998