Welcome to the USS Intrepid CV-11 Guestbook Forum

Years Served: 58 – 60…Signalman in OS Div. Was on the bridge when we collided with the tanker.

Years Served: 58 – 60…Signalman is OS Div. Was on the bridge when we collided with the tanker.

Years Served: 1968-1971…Assigned to the IM1 Division in the first AIMD afloat. Cruised both the Tonkin Gulf (long cruise) and the Gulf of Mexico (short one while Lex was in the yards). Toured the Far East and the Caribbean. Crossed the equator twice. Did 2 yard periods, Charlestown and Philadelphia. Stationed in both Norfolk and Quonset Point. Arrived first class and left selected for Chief. Great experience and lots of memories.

Years Served: 1961 to 1963…i was in the 2nd div from march 1961 until may 1963

Years Served: 2 years 1956-1957…Aboard during the refit from strait deck to angled deck. Hurricane bow.

Years Served: 1970-1972… Served V-2 Cats

Years Served: 3 years 1965-1968…CIC RD3 from Chicago Area

Years Served: 1957 – 1959…served with VA-76

Years Served: 1960-1962…Looking for crew members, especially the Med Cruise 1960-1961.

Years Served: 1966-68…Went thru a Hurricane, the Suez Canal and a Vietnam tour. I was AE in the weather section. Lots of memories. Very historical ship.

Years Served: 1966 – 1969…Served 1966-1969

Years Served: 1968-1973 last three on Uss Intrepid…I was in CR division. Communications. Have a lot of fond memories of the Intrepid. We went on two Med cruises.

Years Served: 1967-1971…DC 2 1967-1971 looking for Chris & Walter Jones brothers DC’s in R Div same years, Jessie West DC R div.

Years Served: …USS INTREPID The USS Intrepid, a mighty ship was she, in 1943 she was set upon the seas. A mighty ship was she, her bow did rip through waters deep, and her wake was fine to see. Upon her decks, her war planes were set, for battle ore the open sea. Her sailors proud, to sail her ore her briny seas, for now at war their country called and set their ship to sea. Across oceans wide, she sailed with pride, to engage their enemy. Neither Kamikaze, nor bombs from planes above, could sway the Fighting I. For her Captain bold, and her crew did hold the line, and the Fighting I took it all in stride. In February of 44, the Fighting I took a hit, below the waterline. Her Captain bold, his story told, her port rudder jammed up hard. Captain Sprague, gave this order, bring her hard to starboard. Well all went fine, until that evil wind did climb, and blew them in the wrong direction. Now her crew was bold, and smart I’m told, this day they became true sailors. For if they had stayed their course, but with some remorse, they would have sailed into the Japanese home waters. Now the crew did scurry, without a worry, did sow with needle and thread all the canvas aboard her, This modern ship of war, now tattered and torn, did sail home to Pearl. Her patch worked quilt, was a sight to see, when she came limping into Pearl. Her decks were ripped aside, and some men did die, and we give honor to their names. From off her decks, came props to jets and helos in later years, each did find their wars of men. I was one of many men, who served onboard this grand old ship, Captain J. L. Abbott was in command. I met him once, night opts were under way, I was messenger of his watch. The sky was dark as pitch, the jet’s tails lit bright, when they too flight into the night. I stood on tip toes, watching jets in flight, wonder took me there into that star lit night. I came down from off my toes, unto a pair of white buck shoes. looked into those steely eyes, it was my Captain tried and true, Captain Abbott id smile at me, for he understood a young man’s thrill to be at sea, to see his heroes take flight ore that briny sea, pikots of his navy taking to the air, night opts were a wonder to me then, and to that youth I knew back when. now my hair has turned to gray and my eyes have dimmed with age, I miss her now and that Captain I knew back then, for now I know I shall never see my ship again, nor that Captain who sailed the open seas with me. copyright,Oct.,2006

Years Served: 1961 – 1963…Some of the best years of my life!!! 1961 – 1963

Years Served: DECEMBER, 1955 – SEPTEMBER, 1957…I WAS IN THE NAVIGATION DEPARTMENT-HAD A GOOD BUDDY RAYMOND REYNOLDS FROM HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN.

My Dad, Al Clark Rivers served on the U.S.S. Princeton in 1949. We just found a letter he wrote for home where he talked about picking up, in quotes, “jets” something new and he described as “really fast planes.” It’s personally valuable to our family as a historical documentation of evolving capabilities of our armed forces, especially for a young 20 year old sailor but he loved his time in the Navy and always spoke fondly of playing his saxophone and clarinet on board and with another sailor from our South Carolina hometown, Jack Rivers. Does anyone remember my Dad? Sadly, Father passed away in 1994 but we honor his service each year as do we all of you who served and protected our Country. You’re a living testament to our men and women serving today and an example of the embodiment of patriotism we value today. With my eternal gratitude. Ed Rivers.

Served August 1957 to Dec 1959 Flight deck damage control fire fighter. Part of V1 division. I love it.

I served on the Intrepid from Feb. 69- Jan. 71 in C.I.C. loved being there….Enjoyed going to Cuba..

My father served from 1964-1966, he had a radio show on board. His name was Joe Blackburn; I’d like to hear from anyone who really knew him, his best buddy was a Bob (Robert?) Gallemore.
I was born while he was aboard that ship and I’ve been reading old letters he sent to my grandmother. Claims he was THE radio/TV guy and “most decorated DJ in the history of the armed forces.”

I’d love to hear from someone else who was there, if this was the case or just the beginning of his issues with reality.

My maternal grandfather was a Navy man and my husband was a Marine; my respect and thanks to all of you!