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41 comments

Waiting for Nuclear Power School

Randall Yarbrough

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JONES, Jerry W.

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Robert Doyle

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VENTURA, David

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BRITCHER, John

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AGEE, Wayne

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ELLIOTT, Gerald

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Don Ramirez

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ALLEN, James (Mike)

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PEROT, Alphonse

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DAVIS, J. C.

Years Served: March 1956 to December 1957…Was Aboard the USS Harlan R. Dickson DD708 when we helped evacuate 166I Israeli Citizens From Haifia, Israel during the 1956 Israel and Egypt conflict. we took these individuals to Suda Bay Crete.

William J. Bell, Jr.

Years Served: 1969 – 1970…I remember the grounding at Cape Cod because we lost our power and had no steering. I worked in the ships office with Dave McBride

Terry Smelcer

Years Served: 1945-1946…I’m Ted Walker’s daughter. Daddy passed away in December 2005. We found a package of letters from a girl back home addressed to him on the Dickson. Interesting historical tidbits such as I’m glad you did not have to be involved in the nuclear tests. Daddy’s twin brother, Fred, also served with him. They left high school in Erwin, TN to join the Navy. Daddy was an EM3C (Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class is what he told me.) After the war and a few years of college, he moved to Newport News, VA and worked at the shipyard and remained in Newport News the rest of his life. Anybody out there remember the twins?

Ted Murl Walker

Years Served: 1970 – 1973…Served as ETN2 with some of you. Enjoyed the two week training cruises. I remember when the engines died during the start of transiting the Cape Cod canal. Remember going aground on the sand bar? I have (somewhere) some movies I took on board. I will try to get them converted to digital. Where can I upload them to?

Richard Carey

Years Served: 1970 – 72…Reiired from being Athletic Director and Swimming Coach after 35 years at Weston HS last summer. Still living in the greater Boston area.

Pete Foley

Years Served: 65-68…They were fun times, even though it was 144 degrees in the Aft Boiler room, while sitting off the coast of Cuba, but Liberty in San Juan made up for it. Sleeping on deck and chillin’ on the fan tail was great, hated Norfolk Virginia though, that town should be wiped off the map. REMEMBER TO VOTE DEMOCRAT IN NOVEMBER!

Nick Sclafani

Years Served: 1970 – 1972…The Harlan R Dixon was my first ship after A school where they tried to teach me to be a Quartermaster. Of course, after 8 weeks as a mess cook when I reported for duty on the ship, I quickly forgot most of what they were trying to teach me. :) I am the author of 34 books and have worked as a ghostwriter on numerous projects. I am also the Founder of I Love To Write Day, a grassroots campaign I launched in 2002 to have people of all ages practice writing every November 15. Visit www.ilovetowriteday.org to learn more. John Riddle Author and Ghostwriter Bear, Delaware

John Riddle

Years Served: 1970-1972…I was on board the Harlan R. as a Shipfitter 3rd class! I remember the time we ran aground at Sandwich, Ma. We listed side ways about 30 degrees and leaning more!Wow what an experience! With no air conditioning hated to go to hot places like Florida or Gitmo etc. A Special hello to Chief Sam Smalledge EMC Paul McIntyre DC3Ken Cornell SF3**to mention a few guys! Serving aboard the Harlan R. Dickson was good duty! Glad it’s over! Regards to all that served from 70-72 !

Joe Puleo

Years Served: 1958-1960…Joined John W. Weeks in GITMO in Dec 1964 as a LTJG to replace the DCA who had been transferred for medical reasons. Was tranferred off in the Spring of 1965 when the former DCA rejoined the ship in Norfolk. Enjoyed my first experience in refresher training at GITMO. Great ship and CO, Capt. Fitzgerald, though my tour was brief.

Joe Guarino

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