USS Chikaskia (AO-54)

Navy BBS

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Cindie Webb wrote on July 8, 2009

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ROWLETT TX

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Hi, I am looking for anyone that might have served with my dad, Harold L. Graham, on the Chikaskia from 45-46. He is originally from Belleville, Kansas, now lives in Topeka, Kansas. Look forward to anyone that was on the fleet during that time.
Thanks,
Cindie Webb

Keywords: atomic, Operation Crossroads, 45-46, radio man

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John Potts SR. wrote on June 17, 2009

Send Email To JOHN POTTS

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City and State: HOLLAND MI

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

Keywords: My father is looking if there are any reunions or do you know his friends Bob DeBoe or "Smitty".

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Rudy Tietz wrote on May 2, 2009

Email Update Needed

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City and State: GLADSTONE OR

Unit: USS CHIKASKIA AO54

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments:

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Rudy Tietz wrote on May 2, 2009

Email Update Needed

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City and State: GLADSTONE OR

Unit: USS CHIKASKIA AO54

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments:

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Donald Summerlin wrote on April 24, 2009

Email Update Needed

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City and State: SALINE MI

Unit: 1ST. DIV.

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: HAY HAMBY,DO YOU REMEMBER A COXSWAINE TAKING A LIBERTY PARTY TO SHORE AT NIGHT WITH THE XO. ON BOARD IN ISTANBUL TURKEY AND RUNNING THE BOAT AGROUND AT FLEET LANDING..THAT WAS ME,HA HA!! YOU MAY HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOAT CREW? SOUNDS LIKE US..

Keywords: VERY GOOD DUTY

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Rick Goral wrote on February 27, 2009

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: My father-in-law will be hitting the BIG 80 this year
I am looking for some good pictures of AO-54 USS Chikaskia

He served during the early 50s. His name is Felix Strozewski

If anyone could send them via email me I would appreciate it very much

Keywords: Son-in-law

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Joseph DuPont wrote on January 23, 2009

Send Email To JOSEPH DUPONT

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City and State: TOWANDA PA

Unit: NONE

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: I found a book containing dozens and dozens of letters from Kenneth W. Dryburgh to his family from 1943 to 1945. A complete series of letters about the war.
I want to scan them and post them somewhere for posterity. but ultimately I'd like to get this back to what ever family he may have had. If anyone has any leads to Kenneth, I'd like to contact them.

this should be in some library or museum..

regards,
Joe DuPont

Keywords: Kenneth W Dryburgh He served on the USS Chikaskia

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Don Holland wrote on November 9, 2008

Send Email To DON HOLLAND

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City and State: ORLANDO FL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I SERVED ABOARD CHIKASKIA FROM JAN 1962 TO MAY 1965. I REPORTED ABOARD AS AN E-2 AND DEPARTED AS A BM2 AND SERVED THIRTY YEARS IN THE NAVY RETIRING AS A MCPO IN JUN 1991.

DON HOLLAND
MCPO USN RET

Keywords:

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Leonard (Ron) Kik wrote on October 12, 2008

Send Email To LEONARD (RON) KIK

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City and State: GRAND RAPIDS MI

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

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Ellis Farmer wrote on July 4, 2008

Send Email To ELLIS FARMER

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City and State: GRAYS KNOB KY

Unit: 2ND DIVISION

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

Keywords: I served in the Air Force and Navy. I watched the first atomic bomb at Bikini Atoll Marshall Islands.

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John Anderson wrote on May 4, 2008

Send Email To JOHN ANDERSON

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City and State: EAGAN MN

Unit: USS CHIKASKIA AO 54

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: WENT ABOARD THE (CHICK) IN NORFLOK AFTER SHE CAME OUT OF MOTHBALLS AND SERVED ON HER THRU THE CUBAN BLOCKADE, HAD A GREAT GROUP OF RADIOMAN AND WE HIT ALOT OF PORTS TOGHTHER.

IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THEM. I LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND AM HEAVELY INVOLVED IN THE VFW.

Keywords: USS CHIKASKIA AO54
CUBAN BLOCKADE
CUBAN MISSILE CRISES
SNAKES, TWEETYBIRD, SNAKES, MOOSE

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Victor Bolduc JR. wrote on March 20, 2008

Email Update Needed

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City and State: GARDINER ME

Unit: NAVY

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I was onbaord when the ship was recommitioned in 1954
when they blue out ship before intering the canal. We was 129 men counting our Captain. We steamed 8 on and 8 off. Ran aground in the suez canal. etc.
To all our shipmates good luck and success. From Victor bolduc.

Keywords:

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Lynn Richards wrote on August 7, 2007

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City and State: MANTUA UT

Unit: USS CIKASKIA

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Went aboard the Chik July 1951 while the ship was in dry dock at Long Beach. After overhaul the AO54 served in the Military Sea Transportation Service, transporting oil to military bases from Alaska on the west coast to Maine on the East, passing though the Panama Canal six times. In the fall of 1952 the Chik was oufitted with guns at Mare Island for preperation for refueling ships off the coast of Korea.Our home base was Sasebo Japan.

I served as MM2 in Auxillary equipment mainenance (A Gang) I would like to hear from any of the old gang.

Keywords: USS Ckikaskia Korean Ware (A Gang)

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Andy Gerrier wrote on May 10, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State: LIVERMORE FALLS ME

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: My old hermit buddy Albert Devost served on the Chikaskia approx. 1965 to 1968.He is from Rumford,Maine.I sure would like to find someone who served with him to suprise him. Thank You Andy airmobile@gwi.net

Keywords: Chikaskia [ao-54]

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Thomas Aguillard wrote on October 9, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State: MOBILE AL

Unit: 1ST DIVISION

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: great ship great guys like to hear from some

Keywords: 1st div bm1 bill bailey bm2 long bm2 jim mason akia mellonhead andy kirk 2rd div tim barry cwo4 ships boson

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Walt Miller wrote on August 15, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State: CA

Unit: ENG DEPT.

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: We commissioned the Chikaskia in Mare Island in 1956 as a Transport Aux Oiler, to be home ported in Houston. We sailed her for thousands of miles in that one year, hauling oil out of Bahrain and Aruba, while never coming close to Houston. Anyone out there during this period, would love to hear from you.

Keywords: Chikaskia

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Al Uvietta wrote on May 14, 2005

Send Email To AL UVIETTA

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Joined Chick crew at Honululu '51, traveled the world as MSTS TAO54 then after outfitting at Mare Island joined Korean Service hauling oil from Yokusuka and Sasebo Japan to Korean waters. Served as EM2 and Master at Arms. Transferred to LST 859 as Chick rotated back to USA.

Keywords: Korea campaigns K4-K7, All major US Ports, Panama, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Guantanamo, Alaska, etc.

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Ken Klingbeil wrote on April 7, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: I served aboard the Chik 62 -65 ships serviceman laundry

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Tom Hamby wrote on March 11, 2005

Send Email To TOM HAMBY

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City and State: OH

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: i served aboaard the chik in 62-64...

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Joe DiStefano wrote on December 8, 2004

Send Email To JOE DISTEFANO

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City and State: PHILADELPHIA PA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I am a reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer (daily newspaper). I wrote a story about a recent tanker oil spill in the Delaware River, and I received a call from a retired contractor, who told me the spill was nothing beside what happened when he served on Chikaskia in 1946. He said it was badly damaged (9 of 27 tanks opened, 150,000 bbl. lost) in an accident also involving USS Nevada (a subject of the test) during preparations for nuclear test in Pacific. Taken to Bremerton, Wash. for repairs. I would be interested in correspondence with anyone who has information on such incident. Thanks.

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Jim Hamby wrote on September 10, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit: 1ST DIVISION

Service or Relationship: -

Comments:

Keywords: The 1st and 2nd Class in charge was B1 Bailey and Bm2 Long...ship recomissioned in Baltimore MD

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James (Jim) Hazen wrote on July 28, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: PARKER CO

Unit: USS CHIKASKIA AO 54 E DIVISION

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Contact me for swapping sea stories.

Keywords: Quartermaster Richards, Boatswain Thorne, Electricians Mate Jack Wright, Gunners Mate Henry Hargus Hoover

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Dwayne Otte wrote on May 7, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: DAVIE FL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM MEMBERS OF SHIPMATES FROM RECOMMISSIONING CREW 62-65

Keywords: RECOMMISION CREW

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Douglas Lester wrote on April 22, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: MD

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: BM2 LARRY L. LESTER passed away 08/29/84 twelve days before his 45th birthday.buried at waco,TX.

Keywords: posted by stepson

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Eddie Gunn wrote on October 8, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: will you please give me more info about these and other past wars. for i am working on an papper that could change peoples point of view of some people and show my thanks to inlisted personal and veterans a like. thank you for your time.

Keywords: hambugar hill, korea war etc.

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Robert H. Jackson wrote on January 31, 2003

Send Email To ROBERT H. JACKSON

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City and State: HALE MI

Unit: USS CHIKASKIA AO 54

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Looking for shipmates Herb Love,Fred Stout,Robby Roberts,Dowling

Keywords: QM3 USS CHIKASKIA AO 54

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Justin Roesch wrote on November 26, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: TIJERAS NM

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I lost my great uncle to the cold hands of cancer last year. Soon after his death, I realized great men too often receive little gratitude for what they contribute in life. As a result, I'm trying to track down info. from any shipmates on during WWII. Please, any information from that era would be great, even if you never personally knew my great uncle. I'd love to hear any memorable stories you might have.

Keywords: Edsel Gunn during WWII

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Normand Gregoire wrote on August 9, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: CHESAPEAKE VA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: Looking for shipmates served aboard as QMC and Ships Career Counselor 1968 thru 1969 put the old Chick out in Phildelphia

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Ron Rybacki wrote on April 5, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: MERRITT ISLAND FL

Unit: USS CHIKASKIA AO-54

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: looking for former shipmates/friends, especially james evans gmg2,and walter carlson ft1.

Keywords: 1959-62 recommishioning crew

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Marcel Vales wrote on March 16, 2002

Send Email To MARCEL VALES

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City and State: YORKTOWN HTS NY

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: Both John Blasso who I am still in contact with and myself were on-board from 1968 to decomission.
Looking to hear from any one on baord at this time or if any reunions are planned.

Keywords: Signalman 1968-69

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Ernie Smith wrote on February 18, 2002

Send Email To ERNIE SMITH

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City and State: FLORENCE SC

Unit: SHIPS SERVICE

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: I served aboard the chic from June 1966 thru September 1969. Names I remember are Grady Redd (suppy) Sonny Tudor (laundry) Mike Stillwagner (barber) Clay Neil (gunners mate) and many more that will come to me as soon as I sign off. Some of the best times of my life were spent aboard the Chik and I would love to know where everyone is today.

Thanks,

Ernie

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Doug Van Ess wrote on February 11, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments:

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Duane Yardis wrote on January 14, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ALBUQUERQUE NM

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: Looking for shipmates
I was aboard form 1963 to 1966.

Keywords: ( CHARLIE )

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Sidney Bobe wrote on January 11, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit: S-DIVN CHIEF STOREKEEPER

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: Any body still doing the reunion?
By the way, the reason the AO54 had to be drydocked in Seattle was the "hot" hull.

Keywords: Remember Getting a lot of skivies,tshirt, socks,hankies,white hats December 1946?
I was the CSK that came aboard in SanFrancisco, and when trying to learn about all those Cartons with oil stains at bottom? discover ALL containers oil stained had been surveyed down there during BIKINI tests after the Oil King goofed (just a little)--
anyway, since all those clothing and small stores no longer existed officially per navy Bureau Supplies and Accounts Manuals --I got "informal" permission to get sizes and distribute same!!!!
While on active duty with Army during Korea, I was the only WW2 veteran wearing WHITE Navy skivies(Ha and ha!
Does any of the crew fron the Bikini time span remember this? The only other 'stores' on board at that time was a SKDisbursing 3rd?

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Ken Hernandez wrote on April 5, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My Dad was Raymond G. Hernandez. He was a Yeoman onboard the Chikaskia. Does anybody remember him. He passed away 2 years ago on St. Patty's day. (17 March 1999). He was very proud to have served on the Chakaskia.

Keywords: USS Chikaskia AO-54 Early 50's

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Douglas Koktavy wrote on February 12, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: My dad, Jack D. Koktavy, served aboard the Chik during Korea. Dad passed in 1980 so I never heard too many stories. Anybody remember Jack from Minneapolis?

Keywords: U.S.S. Chikaskia, Korea

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Ken Dryburgh wrote on February 2, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State: LANOKA HARBOR NJ

Unit: WWII

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: WWII

Keywords:

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Roger Smith wrote on July 13, 2000

Send Email To ROGER SMITH

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City and State: STONEVILLE NC

Unit: USS CHIKASKIA AO 54

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: would like to know when next reunion is and any who served on board during this time to get in touch.

Keywords: bm2 lpo 2nd div on ao54 1967 1969

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Clarence Pentico wrote on February 29, 2000

Email Update Needed

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City and State: WAUKESHA WI

Unit: NAVY

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Looking for any information about my ship. Heard it was Scraped in 1969??

Keywords: Inlisted 10/2/50
Boot Camp- Great Lakes 10/2/50 to 12/24/50
Guam 1/51 to 9/52
USS Chikaskia 11/52 to 7/54
Discharged

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Herman Reynolds wrote on November 8, 1999

Email Update Needed

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City and State: GRANTSPASS OR

Unit: E DIVISION

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: any body on the old chik during korea i would like to hear from you

Keywords: USS Chikaskia AO 54 E Division

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