I was stationed on the USS Sphinx 84-86

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Keywords: ARL-24 DDG-6 DD-969 HSA

New Orleans to the Mekong

Comments: Graduated bootcamp at Great Lakes back in 1967 at the age of 17. Arrived at New Orleans to the Uss Sphinx and was on the helm down the Mississippi on our way to Viet Nam. Spent only 8 months in country because it took us 3-4 months to get there due to break downs and training. Once in country I was a coxswain on one of the lcvp's. Anyone out there remember the this time? Thanks Lee

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Sphinx website

Comments: Sphinx has website. www.usssphinx.com Feel free to browse and post comment Thankyou

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Once a Sphinxter ALWAYS a Sphinxter

Comments: I found this website by doing a web search for Agile Lion / Jittery Prop. Last I heard Sphinx was supposed to be a museum at Dunkirk light house or something. Sorry to hear of plans to scrap her.

I was onboard 1987-1988 I worked CIC as an OS2 then. Getting spotlighted by the Patrol Boat was a definite bonus event. Got to love that 30 degree radar blind spot port aft ! It was also a fun time begin able to tell an Army Colonel that "my station has a permanent communications difficulties status with that call sign until further notice" after he tried to tell the CO what he "will and won't do" with his command. I remember Calle J the yard period pierside Rodman, and several port calls in Guatemala. I still have some black jade that I got there. I also still have the laminated cards signed by CTIC John J Piccinetti JR the Party Chief in my Wallet. I served a short time with Mr Ferris who posted earlier. And with most of the names he listed on his contact wish list. my direct email is cornfed62@hotmail.com

I took orders to Sphinx from USS South Carolina in order to get West Coast orders. My next ship was PreCom USS Princeton (CG59). We Made port calls to Vladivostoc USSR and then did Desert Storm with accompanying underwater mine strike.

Keywords: Sphinx JCS SPEC OPS Agile Lion / Jittery Prop, USCENTCOM, Panama Canal Zone, NAVSTA Rodman, CIC, Gulf of Fonseca, El Salvador, Honduras, Squatting Dog,

Flood of Memories

Comments: I was googling for the Sphinx to try and copy a picture of it and one of the other ships I served on,lo and behold I find this site.Bud Taylor met up with me in Boston as part of a precon crew for the Montgomery DE-1082.He told me they cut her up at Bremerton.When I read the first couple of comments,I thought someone was full of b/s. Live west of Ft.Worth and would be willing to help with pictures,but will not surrender originals.So much ground to cover,I don't have room here and only recognized one name at the top.

Keywords: Inside engine repair shop

So sad to see our ship not saved!

Comments: Found out recently that USS. SPHINX ARL-24 deal to become museum feel thru and she being scraped! I was so hoping to be able to take my kids to see thier old man's first ship! as a museum! USS. SPHINX was my first ship and we all know you never forget your first!-lol. Looking back now, it was an inceditible expierience! I was a deck seman while assigned in USS. SPHINX, (from early 1985-to fall of 1986) and we had a damn good crew! I have run into or heard from a few of my old shipmates over the years but currently am not in touch with any of them! Anyone serving same time that I did, feel free to e-mail me at "sixgun45@hotmail.com"! I still have my old ballcap from the ship, lots of photos and even more memories!!! My GQ station was aft 40mm gun and firing those things was like being in a time machine back to WORLD WAR II! I also flew in country to honduras a few times on UH-1 helicoptor a few times, like being in Vietnam movie,lol; anyways she wasnt pretty, sure as hell wasnt modern or fast but guys she did her job and got us all home! I am working on book about my military experiences and whole lot of sea stories so hearing from anyone from those days would be great!!! I retired in 2004, after 20 years service as a BM1(SW/AW)! I was a helicopter crewman on SH-3's, was a P-3 Orion crewman and served on 3 other ships; USS. CARL VINSON CVN-70, and 2 crusiers USS. CHANCELLORSVILLE CG-62 AND USS. SHILOH CG-67! Was an interesting carrer but it all started on USS. SPHINX ARL-24...she will live on in our memories and sea-stories! A toast to the old girl! Best regards and fair winds and following seas!!!

Keywords: USS. SPHINX ARL-24!!!

My Sweet, Green Lady

Comments: You never forget your first, She was mine.

I came aboard the Sphinx in the middle of the Vam Co, south of Saigon, on the edge of the stinking Rung Sat Special Zone.

I was with her up the Mekong when her hull cracked thanks to Ricky Alderman and a case of Talcum charges.

I was with her in Kaohsiung and when she went dead in the Water off the Red Chinese coast, when she got towed to Sasebo, and when she went into dry dock in Yokosuka.

Thats where I left her for a little dry dock work of my own in the hospital there.

Its been 38 years but I still miss my sweet green lady. If you see her of hear where she is, please tell me.

Keywords: Song Vam Co, Song Mekong, Operation Game Warden, Rung Sat, Alpha Boat, ASPB, ARL, Vung Tau, Tan Chau, Nha Be, Nob Bay, Sea Float, Ricky Alderman, Napsinger, RAG TF-117, RIV DIV. French Fort, Kaohsiung

Sphinx Reunions

Comments: Served on the Sphinx 1953-55. Served in Japan and Operation Passage to Freedom in 1954 after the fall of Dien bien Phu. helped relocate 300,000 refugees from Haiphong to Saigon. Have been attending our great reunions at Branson in Sept. I recently wrote a song entitled "Ode to the USS sPHINX". The song gives the history of the Sphinx step by step. I sang and recorded it, but my singing is next to lousy. Some of my shipmates are attempting to help me find a good singer, so that we can make a good recording.. If you would like a 5 min. tape of it to give you an idea of the melody and words, let me know I have about 300 blank 5 min. tapes, (free of charge)

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Possible Last Days of USS Sphinx

Comments: I hate to tell you guys this. I live in Norfolk on the Elizabeth River, and I just spotted the Sphinx (#24) being towed by three tugs to a shipyard upriver for possible scrapping. I Googled the name and found your website. I think it was part of what's been called the "Ghost Fleet," old ships parked on the James River near Newport News and Jamestown. For decades the Navy has been trying to get these vessels scrapped before they spring leaks and allow oil and poisonous material to spread to the neighboring communities. Here's a link for more info: http://hamptonroads.com/pilotonline/special/ghostfleet/part1.html

Keywords: NAS Norfolk; USS Valley Forge;

Sphinx Documentary

Comments: I served between April '87 and May '88. I flew onto and off of the ship via UH-1, and it felt appropriate to leave in the same manner in which I arrived 1 year earler. Alot of great times occured between those two flights and alot of great memories remain. I hope everyone associated with the Sphinx is aware of the ships new home and subsequent reunion this year in Dunkirk, NY. It is planned for the 24-28th of September. Please Contact: George Sharrow 1040 Stoney Creek Road Dauphin, Pa 17018 (717) 921-2963 whitehats@paonline.com

I am working on a film project about the ships new home and the reunion of the sailors who served aboard over the years. ----------------------YOU CAN HELP-------------------------

I NEED YOUR PHOTOS, SUPER 8 FILM, or VIDEO!!

I need as many old photos or film or video anyone has from their days onboard the USS Sphinx. I don't care when you served or how bad the photo is. I don't need the ACTUAL photo if you want to just e-mail me a HI RES jpeg or mail me a photo CD (HI Resolution scans Please). The Sphinx is an old ship, however, I don't think there are a great number of sources out there for archived images of her. Please help out with whatever you can. Please also include as much information about the photograph as you can i.e Approximate date, approximate location and who is in the photo. The more ship that is in the picture, the better. Please be aware that by sending anything to me, you have granted me permission to use it for the purpose of a documentary film project and they will only be used for such a pupose. If you do wish photos or video to be returned to you please include the appropriate self- addressed stamped envelope. Thank you for your support and I hope to see many familiar faces at the reunion.

Some names of sailors I'd love to see at the reunion, if anyone is still in touch with these guys, let them know about this:

Ron Shelton, Ron Knight, Duane Finley, Larry Shaw, Rich Powell, Philip Goodson, Baby Doc Overton, Paul Pressey, Lewis Chenney.

Kyle Ferris kferris21@hotmail.com

e-mail me you my address if you wish to send by mail.

Keywords: Keywords: Rodman,SHIT HOT,Gulf of Fonseca, Spray & Wipe, Atlas(Cerveza), Ancon, Calle "J".

1985-1987 USS Sphinx Plankowner

Comments: I was on board Sphinx from 1985 - 1987 as an MSSN. Shipmates called me "ski" because of my long polish name. Memories include: sunsets on Puget Sound, those stranded shark fishermen in their capsized canoe, the Panama Canal passage, Olympic National Park, Mission Beach in San Diego, Seattle, passing the USS Iowa, El Rincon, Guatemala City and Friday nights in downtown Bremerton.

I have been in school ever since getting out of the Navy. I have several degrees including Speech, Health Service Management, and Nuclear Medicine. I also hold a dozen or more licenses and certifications in various medical fields. I currently am the Technical Director and Chief Nuclear Medicine Technologist at a large Cardiology Practice in Phoenix, Arizona. I'm married, no kids. I spend free time working and welding on my 4 X 4 Jeep and rock crawler Bronco. I also started boxing and kickboxing a few years ago.

I have not seen or heard from anyone since leaving Sphinx in Charleston, South Carolina. Any fellow Sphincters can contact me at mitochondria@cox.net.

Keywords: I remember shipmates: Jocko, Ewert, Orrel, Baby Doc, Morris, Coddington, Warner, Schlapa, Capule, Boyd, Roskelly, Holbrook, Tiny (Wren), Cooper, Hudson, Mac, Condit, Westlund, Hendersen, Stamm, Quinn, Woods, Moore, Sherwood, Veaughn, Santaella, Bennett, Morales, Avery, Jensen, Robinson, Hester, Hinkle, Lloyd, Vasquez, Robbins, Howell, Roane, Murray, and Smith, to name a few.

Friend of the Sphinx

Comments: It's nice to hear occasionally from Sphinx veterans who found my obscure Navy Times article about the ship. My by-line (Robert F. Dorr) has appeared on most history articles in the paper siince the year 2000, but this one has special meaning to me because of my indirect connection with the ship in the 1980s.

Now, I'm the author of a book about American helicopter pilots and crews in combat. "Chopper: A History of American Military Helicopter Operations from World War II to the War on Terror" (Robert F. Dorr, New York: Penguin, 2006) was published recently and is being well received.

Robert F. Dorr robert.f.dorr@cox.net (703) 264-8950

Keywords: Sphinx

uss sphinx 1950

Comments: Serived on uss sphinx in 1950 and worked in carpenter shop while in san diego.transferd to lst 1081 heading for norfolk.discharged in 1951.i also sereved in the navy 1943 to 1946 on lcs 108.

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USS SPHINX

Comments: The Sphinx was my first ship. Arrived in Rodman Panama Apr 87 and transferred off Mar 88. Was a deck seaman assigned to the stinger det. Now SK1 at PSA Atalantic in Norfolk. Too bad the decom her, wouldn't have mind doing sea duty after a great short tour onboard.

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LSE and GMG

Comments: I was an LSE onboard the Sphinx and a Gunner's Mate. Yes, the time we entered deep into the Gulf of Fonseca, Nicaragua and saw actual palm trees we gunner's were thinking a Hind would pop up and mow our WWII quad 40s down. Little did any one know was that a piece of the aft gun turret broke making that gun in operable- we gunners did not know how we would handle the situation if something "hot" occurred.

But we came, we saw, we left- I guess only the CT's got anything real out of it?

Keywords: ARL-24 1980s

uss Sphrinx

Comments: sailed on sphrinx from Guam to Washington State remember first night in Guam i was a new corpman and they had a big fight at em club because others were making fun of our green ship several had to come back to sick bat to get stiched up. Great times

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1984-1986 member

Comments: I was an SKSN and now SK1 hopefully make Chief this time.i had served aboard and recomissioned the Sphinx and cleaned up alot of mess from it after it got nuked. I was a meber of the flight deck crew and worked in S-1 div with SK1 alfreado SK3 Brock and Chief and the Suppo How could i forget the Suppo he was my sea dad my very first and took me in to be an SK I thank him for that to this day i have been doing retailing and everything an sk is taught. If there is any one in the S-1 div or S-2 or S-3 that want to write to me feel free to email me at JHUGHES15@juno.com I new all the gunners i was on mount 41 for GQ we had the best people loading and yes i was the BM1 was the elevation and iwas the trainer what a job

Keywords: I was stationed on USS SPHINX ARL-24 from Nov 84-NOV 86

Reunion

Comments: Sphinx reunion again in Branson. Week after Labor Day. WW-II, Koreaq, Vietnam vets all show up. Call me at 270 247-0611 for details

Keywords: Reunion

Was my first ship!!! 85-86

Comments: I served in USS. Sphinx ARL-24 1985-1986. She was my first ship! It was an amazing experience! Any former shipmates 1984-1986 feel frre to e-mail me at sixgun45@hotmail.com

Keywords: The USS. Sphinx ARL-24 1985-1986

PreCom 1985

Comments: I left the Sphinx in Feb. of 1986....The experience I'll never forget....after leaving the Sphinx I was stuck in Honduras....the held over in Panama before making my way to Charleston for my processing out.....I ran into one other shipmate since my days on the sphinx, en2 Mike Bahr....He's doing well. My Military Carrer is still progressing, at at 41 years old I'm embarking on a career change in the NY Air National Guard, I will be going to School to be a C-130 Flight Engineer,I found the Air Force to be a much better deal......out of 21.8 yrs 17 of them are airforce....not to bad. Hey if anyone wishes to contact me....send me an emailor AOL IM: smac3rd

Keywords: I was known as MAC.....M-Divison Main Propulsion....Oh yeah i was an Engineman EN2

Looking for Don Berry

Comments: Would like to locate Harry Donald "Don" Berry (SN) who originally was my shipmate on USS Cohoes (ANL78) before Cohoes deployed from San Diego. His new ship, USS Sphinx, sailed alongside Cohoes to Hawaii, Kwajalein, Kusaie, Ponape, Guam and Subic between May and July 1968.

Keywords: Cohoes,ANL78, AN78, Kusaie, Sphinx

Bob Dorr's story

Comments: Bob Dorr's story about the U. S. S. Sphinx is in this weeks "NAVY TIMES". Go to navytimes.com and look under COLUMNS. Find DAMN THE TORPEDOES and click on "for subscibers only". The story is very interesting and a must read for former Sphinx crewmen.

Stephen O'Brien (1950-53)

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Article about Sphinx

Comments: I'm the author of a weekly history article aimed at young readers and published in Navy Times newspaper. I write these "5-minute history lesson" articles from my home in northern Virginia where the phone number is (703) 264-8950.

I'm writing an article about the USS Sphinx (LST 963/ARL-24).

I need to talk with sailors who served aboard this ship, which has a very elaborate and interesting history. I would like to talk to anyone who served on the Sphinx at any time---but this very urgent. I need to hear from you right now.

Would you like to help?

Best wishes

Bob Dorr

Robert F. Dorr 3411 Valewood Drive Oakton VA 22124 (703) 264-8950 robertdorr

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What a great first ship.

Comments: I recomissioned teh Sphinx in 1985. We assembled here in Norfolk then flew the crew out to begin the process. Wow. Headed south from Bremerton and never came back. 12 x 12 box off the coast of Nicarauga, liberty was Rodman Panama. I transfered off by flying a UH-1 into Palmerola AF were I stayed for 3 days till they could get us a flight to Norfolk.

Keywords: The first ship I served on.