Category Archives: US Navy

Underway Replenishment

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Underway replenishment (UNREP) is common method for transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way. A classic image is this one of a supply ship servicing the USS Oriskany (CVA-34) and another ship at one time:

oriskany_03

Aircraft carriers can also provide replenishment on a limited basis to their escorts.

Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, as shown here in some pictures I took from the flight deck of USS Oriskany while it was refueling the Waldron (DD-699).

Dear John

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This past Memorial Day, I was reminded of a story I’ve told many times, about how war impacts people. As an Electronics Technician, assigned to Dà Nang, Vietnam, I often worked on the radio and radar unit of the boats that routinely ran supplies up and down the rivers of Vietnam. That funny looking tower on the roof was used to test small craft radar units. Of course, while working on the units, I talked to many of the crew … Continue reading →

The Korean Madonna

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Back in 1975, the USS Tripoli (LPH-10) visited Busan, South Korea.  While there, I visited a Roman Catholic priest who was assigned to a local parish.  I spent the weekend with him, meeting parishioners and attending Mass with them.  After Mass, an elderly lady approached me and handed me a roll of silk. When I unrolled it, I found this image; This image is hand painted on silk.  The flowers in the background are formed into the shape of the … Continue reading →

Joining the Navy

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Back in 1964, the economy wasn’t doing too good.  As a high school graduate, with a “college prep” background, I couldn’t even get a job in a supermarket.  My parents didn’t have enough money to allow me even to attend a state college.  Eventually, I gave up job seeking and decided to join the navy. At one point, while in high school, my school counselor had arranged to get me an appointment to the Coast Guard Academy.  Working with the … Continue reading →