USS ROCHESTER (CA-124) Association
N e w s L e t t e r
Vol. I, No. 16  August 2002

Registrations for Reunion Great!
Overflow Hotels Available

Germantown, Md. – Reunion Countdown: 3, 2, 1. . . Only three more months to October! The good news is that the reunion registration is going great and the hotel has already registered 114 rooms to ROCHESTER Association Members. (As of July 1) They are selling out fast, and very soon, we will be registering shipmates at the overflow hotels. They are nice, friendly hotels, almost side-by-side, just a few blocks away. If you call the Radisson and it is sold out, you can ask the Radisson operator to transfer you to the overflow hotels. They are the Tazewell Hotel, at 245 Granby Street Norfolk, Telephone 757-623-6200; and the James Madison Hotel at 345 Granby Street Norfolk, Telephone 757 622-6682. The room rates are the same as for the Radisson. If you need a registration package, you can contact the editor (Garry) or you can access a package on the www.ussrochester.org  web site.

As a reminder, we are going to have an “Inchon Harbor Bombing” display at the reunion, so if you have any relics, photos, or other items of interest regarding that event, please bring them along.

Agenda - Schedule of Events

Please note that we have a draft Reunion Agenda on a separate page. Recommend you plan your activities around the major events.

Notes
We have contracted with a photographer to cover the events of the reunion. He will also take portrait quality photographs of attendees immediately prior to the Banquet on Sunday. So, come all spiffed up, ready for inspection.
Considering our ‘not so stellar’ record of having reliable photography at our previous reunions, we searched out and found someone with a ‘stellar’ photographic past. He is a retired PHCM with extensive experience in portrait photography, and he has covered many, many reunions. Master Chief Charles Pedrick has promised that he will come through for us. He has asked that if any group wants a group photo, please contact an Association Officer about it by the first day of the Reunion. A Reunion cruise book with everyone’s photo will be made available. We have seen the books that he has done for other Ships, and they are really nice, for an affordable price.

Tour Notice!

For those of you who have signed up for tour Option E “Naval Base & tour of a Navy Ship,” we have a bit of a required change. Because of additional security concerns, we cannot get on board a ship on Sunday. However, in place of going aboard, the tour buses will take a slow cruise of the piers, and we will get to see more of different ships that are in port. Everything else will be the same. Lunch will be served at the Officers or Chiefs Club, just as before. If you want to change or get a refund, please contact Joe Hill before September 13 so he can adjust his books and inform the tour company. (I am going on this tour. I think that the tour around the piers will be more enjoyable than a ship visit. I will get my ship visit on the Battleship WISCONSIN. ed.)

Portland, Or. – We wish to thank Mrs. Carol Mitchell for her generous donation to the Association in the name of her husband, Thomas F. Mitchell. Our best regards go out to Mrs. Mitchell and her family.

Lone Jack, Mo. – Received a letter from Mrs. Margaret Gunsallus informing us that her husband, and our shipmate, Albert Richard Gunsallus, was buried February 19, 2002, in Higginsville, Mo. She noted that he enlisted in the Navy January 8, 1951, was assigned to the Rochester, promoted to BT2, and was separated from the Navy in October 1954. His older brother Charles, who is now in a nursing home in Trenton, TX, was also assigned to the Rochester at the same time as Albert. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Margaret and her family.

Glen Burnie, Md. – Got a note from Bob Fleming, my neighbor, here in Glen Burnie. Bob, stop in for a cup of coffee when you have a chance! (ed.)

Zephyrhills, Fl. – The following note was received from Mrs. Evelyn Senella of Zephyrhills. “Your shipmate Nick E. Senella passed away Oct. 1st, 2001. Will you please handle this information for me? For those who knew my Nick, they will agree, no better man walked the face of the earth. Thanking you for tending to this, God Bless, Evelyn.” To Evelyn, we thank you for sharing this with us. No greater tribute can be paid to a man than to have it said that he was a true friend and a good shipmate – unless it is a note like this from his wife. Our best regards.

Houston, Tx. – Then, we received this note from Mrs. Dorothy Warren: “Dear Mr. [Joe] Hill: My husband Roy M. Warren got the invitation to the reunion but I’m very sorry to tell you Roy passed away on October 25th, 2001. He would have love to come, but it seems you loose more every year. I miss him very much. Dorothy.” Dorothy: We will miss him, too, and we send our best regards to you.

Rochester, NY – The Association received “The Crews News,” a monthly publication of the Rochester CA-124 Division, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp. Congratulations to PO2 Cadet Foster, who was promoted to PO1, and PO3 Cadet Cole, who was promoted to PO2. Keep up the good work. Lieutenant Allen, the unit’s XO, wrote a wonderful article entitled, “Stand Tall.” He challenged the Cadets to Stand Tall and demonstrate pride in being an American. Stand Tall, every time you have the opportunity to say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the National Anthem. Stand Tall and answer quickly when called upon to help at home, in school, at church, a neighbor … . The Association wishes to thank LT Allen for his sincerity, and we join him in his challenge to Stand Tall.

Association Officers

New Members
WELCOME ABOARD, AGAIN

Edward Berman
Modesto "Ben" B. Bayna
Juan J. Ryan
Haskell B. Wade
Jimmie D. Norris
Robert W. Roswold
CAPT John A. Webster, USN. C.O. 1957-1958.
V.E. "Gene" Smith, Sr
J.J. Hunt

2002 MEMBERSHIP DUES
Cookeville, TN---- Dues for the Year 2002 were due on January 1, 2002. The Association operates from these dues, and your continued faithful membership is appreciated. Without your loyalty there would not be an Association. If there is a question, you can contact Treasurer, Joe Hill, at 4011 Ditty Road, Cookeville, TN 38506-7663; Telephone 931-432-4848; FAX 931-432-2534; e-Mail: joehillsr@multipro.com. You can also pre-pay your 2003 membership, if you wish. Thanks.


Ship’s Store
The Ship’s Store will be open during the reunion in Norfolk on Friday and Saturday. See the attached Agenda sheet for Ship’s Store Hours. (P.S. If you’d like to work in the Ship’s Store during the Reunion, please let us know. We need some limited help.) Wild Bill Hummel, Ship’s Storekeeper, says he’s stocked and ready to sell.


-- TAPS --
The following shipmates were reported to have passed away recently. If anyone has additional or different information, please let us know.

NAME ST YR DIV ON BD

George Vear FL 2001 7th 46-47
Virgil R. Osborn CA 2002 T 51-54
Everett Wynn IN 2001 54-58
Charles W. Shelly ID 2001 M 54-57
P.J. Krupa PA K
Donald J. Worthington OR 3rd
Nick Senella FL 2001 B
Roy M. Warren TX 2001 2nd 50-52
Bobby L. Vinson NY 7th 57-58
John E. Wisse Jr CT 5th 51-54
Thomas F. Mitchell OR 2001 S-2 53-54
Lester "Jerry" Nelson FL 2002 E 53-57
Albert R. Gunsallus OR 2002 B 51-54
William G. MCCormick WI 2001

Reminiscences . . .

Received a great letter from Charles Allsopp, down in Indialantic, Florida. Mr. Allsopp was the Chief Engineer of the Rochester from 1948 – 1951, and he related a tale about some Rochester exploits, Engineering style, during the Korean War era:

“We needed mine sweepers off the Korean coast. All that was available were about eight WWII mine sweepers recently returned by the Russians to us and supposedly overhauled by the Japanese in Yokosuka. These guys frequently came under fire from North Korean shore batteries in carrying out their missions. One day the Captain called me up and showed me a message from one of the mine sweepers stating that his galley equipment, radar, sonar, and other [equipment] needed repair; during the next in-port period, could we send some engineers over to help them. It was suggested that during the next in-port period they come along side. LT Perry, our Main Propulsion Assistant, was put in charge of this project, which solved most of the problems. The success of the mine sweeper repairs, I believe it was the Pirate, resulted in requests from most of the remaining mine sweepers, and we had one along side during most of the in-port periods. We didn’t think much about it at the time, just doing what had to be done to fight the war. Quite a while later, the Captain was at a meeting when he ran into the Squadron Commander of the mine sweeps, who showered him with appreciation for the repairs performed by the Rochester for his force. Nice going, Lt Perry, whereever you are. You did such a good job, you made it look easy!

Very Sincerely, Charles Allsopp.”

* * * *

Louie Roybal tells a story that I have no doubt is true.

Nobody could make up a tale like this. You’d have to know Louie to fully appreciate the essence of this yarn. Louie was in boot camp company 358, I was in 359. We flew overseas to catch the Rochester, came aboard ship almost the same day. We were in the same division, went ashore together, and learned a lot about the world in a lot of the same places. Although I’d never correct Louie, I did take the liberty of replacing two or three of his phrases with the words that appear below in brackets. Here’s the story he told me: “Garry....... Oh those dreadful General Quarters!!! But Oh!!! [CDR] Red Balsh was [scary]......... I can say that now, I am out, and I only have [scary] thoughts about [a particular event].
This happened on the ROCHESTER on our return to the USA from Yokosuka Japan, I believe it was December l956. Remember we graduated from Recruit Training San Diego in October l956, went on 2 weeks leave back home in our brand new uniforms, and I was a sailor. Yippee!!!!!!

After my leave I made my way to Treasure Island FFT USS ROCHESTER overseas. I ended up in Yokosuka Receiving Barracks. The ship was in the Philippines -- so wait I did. In the meantime I took sick and went to NAVHOSP Yokosuka. While there I met a fellow sailor from the Rochester who told me the ship was returning to the States that night at midnight. I reported aboard that same day as the Hospital released me so I could catch the ship.
Well, I was a Recruit -- I knew where our berthing quarters were and the mess hall on the way to our quarters and the same going to the Personnel Office. That’s all I knew.....

It must have been the next day after getting underway that General Quarters was announced. I had been shown where my General Quarters Station was. All I remember was it was Starboard side, a 3" gun mount. General Quarters sounded. We all left the Personnel Office, heading where I don't know. I do remember going the wrong way, aft on Starboard side getting knocked all over the place by sailors going forward on that side of the ship (starboard). I made it topside, but where was I? In a few minutes there wasn't anyone around, just me.......... It wasn't long before this TALLLLLLL officer came up to me; I was going around in circles not knowing "where in the hell I was." This Officer, I later heard that he was call "RED DOG". I guess because of the color of his hair.

He asked me "Sailor, what are you doing"? Why aren’t you in your battle station? I answered, "I don't know where it is". I just came aboard... I wanted to cry and I think I [wanted to wet] my pants. Right away I knew I didn't like the Navy or him.... He told me to come here as he opened what I found out later was a paint locker near where we mustered on Starboard side. He put me in there, locked the door. It was pitch dark in there, I was scared, I didn't know what I had done (was this the real Navy, was I in charge of the paint locker during General Quarters). Anyway, after all the shooting which seemed to go on for about 3 years that the hatch opened and there standing was this TALLLLL Officer with our Division Officer at that time LTjg A.J. JANUS. I really don't know what happened after that, I was just glad to be out of JAIL and every time I would see that "Executive Officer" I would run to the opposite side of the ship. Later on I found my General Quarters Station and I would go up there "real fast" so as not to get caught by that old man. He was old to me, for I was just an 18-year-old recruit.......

Garry, I am now afraid of the dark and I am allergic to paint and I am hard of hearing because they would not stop firing those 3", 5" and 8" guns.

That’s it for now. Shipmate, Louie Roybal

Sailor’s Home

Pale blue light of coming night
Stars shine OH, so very bright.
With wild winds upon the sea,
Out on the ocean I’d rather be.
With rising swells and ocean smells,
Only time upon the ocean will tell.
Carefree gulls glide through the air.
Whether it’s bad weather or fair.
Porpoise break the water blue,
Dolphins swim along with you.
Home is the sailor out to sea,
there’s no place I’d rather be..
-- Roy O. Frease (5th Div., ’49-‘53)

Attendees Registered with the Association