Letters

From time-to-time we will post letters from shipmates, bringing you up-to-date on their lives.

My father, Ralph H. Clayton, served on the Rochester in the late 1940's & early 1950's as a Machinist Mate. Dad was also an accomplished guitarist and singer. The captain at the time supported the formation of a band which became known as the Rochester Ramblers. They were shipmates and friends, and even won local talent contests which was great PR for the Navy.

As a small girl I remember going on the Rochester for a family day. The ship was huge and fascinating to me but my main memory is the ice cubes. They were about two inches square with a hole in the center. I thought that was the coolest thing ever!

Dick Rogers, the steel guitar player, contacted the other Ramblers in 1986 to try to plan a reunion. My husband and I owed a duplex in Nashville, TN and it happened half of it was vacant. The Ramblers decided Nashville was about half way for everyone so they met for a reunion in our duplex. It was wonderful to meet everyone I had heard so much about growing up. They played & sang, and told stories on each other as if they had not been apart thirty years. We even had Channel 5 News come out for a story. The group was able to meet twice more before some began to have health problems.

Dad retired from the Navy in 1971 after a total of 28 years service. Sadly, he died in 2000. However, the memories will live on of these wonderful men, the love they showed for their families and the pride they felt to be able to serve their country. Thank you for the opportunity to tell their story!

From: Ericbeechill@aol.com
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 2:58 PM
To: @ussrochester.org
Subject: Greetings from the Royal Navy

Hi Joe, I was invited aboard USS Rochester several times in Hong Kong while serving in HMS Salisbury, 1959 - 1961 My mate and I played guitar a bit, and were invited to meet some of Rochester's crew who played, I cant remember names, but one guy we only saw the once, apparently he went ashore in Hong Kong, and retuned with a half bottle of whiskey tucked down his boot, the officer of the watch found it, and said, "Ill turn my back and I want to hear a splash" He did hear a splash, but it wasnt the whiskey, the OOW checked again, found the whiskey and the guy was under punishment, pity, he was a brilliant guitarist.

We invited several of your guys round at tot time, to share a tot, my love of country music stems from listening to guys on Rochester. Sorry to hear she was scrapped, Salisbury ended her days sunk as a target for an Exocet missile.

When the Falklands war started, the wife and I had gone down to London to see of all things "Evita" when we came out of the theatre there were signs all over London, HMS Hermes all leave cancelled return to your ship, HMS Hecate ditto, both "Old ships" I felt really guilty, I felt I should be going too. but they managed quite well without silly old buggers like me

If any of those old guitar players are still around give them my regards, and every success to USS Rochester website

Thank you for the great web site. My Father served aboard the Rochester from '56 - 60 as a "Gunners Mate", not sure which turret. My Mother said that I could have his cruise books and all, I just haven't gone to get them yet. They should tell me which one. His name was Galen "Max" Martin, and he really wanted to attend the Rochester Reunions but health matters wouldn't allow it. He passed away on 21 Feb 2001. He had alot of great stories about the times when he was in the Navy. Good enough stories that it had alot of influence on me and I joined and served onboard the U.S.S Forrestal from '81 - 85.

Greg Martin

Joe (Hill),
I just finished a great book by James Brady "The Marine". A novel that covers a lot of the Korean War at the beginning including the Inchon invasion.

The USS Rochester is mentioned several times. On page 233 ,it mentions the bombing of September 17, 1950.

I was on sky look-out covering the port quarter 180 to 270 degrees during the attack. All four lookouts were wearing head phones so we could report all activities. The lookout covering the starboard quarter 0 to 90 degrees spotted and reported the unidentified planes to the Officer
in charge. I don't know what he did . Shortly thereafter we were attacked. We, the lookouts had a grand stand seat. It would be extremely interesting to get their take on what transpired, especially, the one that reported the planes. In any event we were extremely lucky that they missed. I think they were so surprised that they were able to get to our ship without being fired on and got excited and missed. Maybe, if they had been fired on earlier, they would have crashed into our ship, since we were the best target. In any event, I celebrate September 17, as my second birthday and thank the Good Lord I was a Sailor in Korea and not a Marine. Especially in 1950 , they had no chance.

Again, "The Marine" is a great read. Also, "The Marines of Autumn" by the same author.

Ed

I logged in to your website and found it not only very interesting and informative but very well organized. I just started a website for the USS Saint Paul CA-73. I hope I will reach the level of interest the USS Rochester website has.

If you like to cruise on the USS Saint Paul website the URL is:

http://www.uss-saint-paul-ca73.com

Again, your website is great!

From: Frank Dayak EM2 Long Beach,Ca.

Finally took time to read your 8/23/04 article, "Damn the Torpedoes" There is one operation I feel should have been included, that is the ship providing fire coverage for the Marines that were being evacuated at Hungnam. You'll recall the Chinese entered the war and were driving the Marines
down from Chosin Reservoir. I believe this was Christmas Eve of 51. We were not sure if the MIG 51 would be sent down on us. Fortunately they did not come. This was not a very happy time!

Reply from: Russ MM2 Main Propulsion, Throttleman

We went there the first of December and loaded up with civilians, marines, ROK's and the royal highland marines. Sailed to Pusan and then back to Hungnam. Loaded up with marines, US army, ROK's and what was left of equipment and left morning of Dec. 25th. That's when the Navy Seals blew up the town. The Big Mo was anchored over the horizon lobbing shells over our head. The only weapon issued to me was the marine Bowie knife, which I still have. One night I had the duty to haul marines out of their amphibs as they pulled up along our ship. Talk about mad mean MF that night. We also took on 300 Chinese prisoners and one Russian pilot prisoner. During that time we only had 3 meals a day of beef stew and sandwiches. The civilians where only allowed on the main deck. When we took them to Pusan, they left their poop all over the deck. What a mess. The sailors took fire hoses and hosed the ship down.

Dear Ted and Jim (I feel like I know you):

I had to write to thank you for your wonderful account of four young men from Ventura joining the navy and going to war.

Through a Google search on an entirely different subject I happened on the web site for the USS Los Angeles, and quickly became fascinated with it. While there I saw a reference to the USS Rochester - I've lived in Rochester all my life and never knew such a vessel existed. So, I had to check that out. That's when I saw your story. I started it yesterday and finished today (don't tell my boss). Great stuff, guys -- a hell of a story and beautifully written; I loved it.

I never served myself (my dad was wounded at St. Lo; I was born in 1950 and had a high draft number during Viet Nam), but now I feel like I have some idea of what it was like during Korea. Thanks for taking the trouble to share your story, and for serving your country so honorably.

Sincerely,

Terry Benedict
Rochester, NY

Letters From Shipmates and Friends...