USS Pickaway (APA-222)

Navy BBS

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MaryDean Pritchett wrote on July 11, 2015

Deceased

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City and State: BULLHEAD CITY AZ

Unit: USS PICKAWAY

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: The details we have are very sketchy. I'm looking for information on the death and life of Comer Lee Pritchett jr. Any help would be helpful.

Keywords: USS Pickaway

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Thomas E. (T.E.) Moore wrote on April 14, 2015

Send Email To THOMAS E. (T.E.) MOORE

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: For skillful maneuvering of his ship in the Inchon Amphibious attack Sept. 1950, despite hazards
of extreme tidal and current conditions, and constant danger from floating enemy mines, The
Bronze Star Medal with Combat V was awarded to : Captain Samuel H. Crittenden,Jr.,USN,
USS Pickaway-APA-222. Well Done APA-222.

Keywords: Korean War --- Inchon Landing --- USS Pickaway-APA-222 --- Captain Samuel H. Crittenden,Jr.,
USN, --- 6-Korean War Battle Stars.

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Joe Reed wrote on February 22, 2015

Send Email To JOE REED

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City and State: AMARILLO TX

Unit: USS PICKAWAY/NAVY

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I WAS ON THE PICKAWAY FROM 15/3/1955 TO 28/8/1958 I WAS ON THE PICKAWAY DORING THE DRILL OF RETAING IOWO JIMA IN 1955. WE WENT TO BED THAT NIGHT WITH (4}SHIPS AND IN THE MORNING WITH ABOUT 400 SHIPS ,THE SEA WAS BAD OVER 25 FT.HIGH ,AND WE HAD TO MAKE A MAIL RUN. WITH MAIL AND MOVIES ON BORD WE TOOK ON ABOUT 4INS OF WATER.

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Herman Meyers JR. wrote on June 29, 2014

Send Email To HERMAN MEYERS

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City and State: TX

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: father served on pickaway think 1952 herman a Meyers cook any one remember him?

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Marvin Puckett SR. wrote on January 19, 2013

Email Update Needed

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City and State: HUMBLE TX

Unit: USS PICKWAY APA222

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: i remaember only the good guys great places and liberty
we had. my best is the 30 days as station ship in at the
end of the korean war. i was sorry to read that thommason
passed. if anyone is around yet iwould ike to hear from
you

Keywords: pickaway

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Marvin Puckett SR. wrote on January 19, 2013

Email Update Needed

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City and State: HUMBLE TX

Unit: USS PICKWAY APA222

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: i remaember only the good guys great places and liberty
we had. my best is the 30 days as station ship in at the
end of the korean war. i was sorry to read that thommason
passed. if anyone is around yet iwould ike to hear from
you

Keywords: pickaway apa 222

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Marvin Puckett SR. wrote on January 19, 2013

Email Update Needed

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City and State: HUMBLE TX

Unit: USS PICKWAY APA222

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: i remaember only the good guys great places and liberty
we had. my best is the 30 days as station ship in at the
end of the korean war. i was sorry to read that thommason
passed. if anyone is around yet iwould ike to hear from
you

Keywords: pickaway apa 222

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Angela O'Curran-Lopez wrote on November 11, 2012

Send Email To ANGELA O'CURRAN-LOPEZ

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father served in the US Navy in the late 1947 through maybe 1951. He
was on the USS Pickaway and served in Korea. If anyone remembers him
or has any photos with him in it i would love to see. His name was John
O'Curran and he passed away when I was just a little girl.

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Cheryl Spurlock wrote on April 28, 2012

Send Email To CHERYL SPURLOCK

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City and State: WATERFORD MI

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father, Jim Frederick, passed away on March
20,2012 from pancreatic cancer. He was 84. If you
think you may have known my father, please share. He
served on the Pickaway in 1946. He served again in
the Korean War.

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Tom Moss wrote on April 23, 2012

Email Update Needed

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City and State: IA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father,Leon L.Moss,served on the USS Picaway,I
believe in the 1940's.Don't know too much about his
service,as he never talked about it much,except for
spending time in Sinapore.He was always known as
Peewee,to his friends.Have pic of The USS Pickaway and
the crew from the time of his service.Was wondering if
anyone knew him.
T. Moss

Keywords: Peewee USS Pickaway

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Jerry Walker wrote on February 9, 2012

Send Email To JERRY WALKER

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I'm sitting here referencing 2 documents my father
left me as he passed from this life to his life with
Christ. One document is from the Headquarters Task
Unit that confirms dad was part of the 1948 Atomic
Energy Tests at Eniwetok. The other is called DOMAIN
OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON. Evidently a certificate for
crossing the 180th Meridian in the USS Pickaway. I'm
sure my father was on board with many of your fathers
during this time. God Bless you all.

Keywords: USS Pickaway,Domain of the Golden Dragon, Eniwetok
Atomic Energy Proving Grounds, Marshall Islands, CPL
Joseph Walker.

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Doris Glawson wrote on November 10, 2011

Email Update Needed

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City and State: KIRBYVILLE TX

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: my dad is Bobby Len Anderson I have A large picture
of the ship with all the crew ..my dad was in korean
and japan .he was on this ship in the 50s he passed
away at the houston va hospital 1-2-98.He was from
Bastrop La.He died with cancer.He married Doirs Lewis
in 11-22-1953 ..He was a charther..loved fishing and
women..I was born in 1957 and am the baby of the
family.i know he missed the ship while in japan and
got in lots of trouble on ship....he said he move
lots of stuff in and outhe was he has told lots of
stories bout the ship..he had a friend last name
blackburn..last seen him in Austin Tx my picture
shows a lot of the ones on the ship...May the Lord
Bless all of you ..you all are the best...GO NAVY

Keywords: pickaway

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Cheryl Spurlock SR. wrote on March 15, 2011

Send Email To CHERYL SPURLOCK

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City and State: STERLING HEIGHTS MI

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: served on the Pickaway in 1946.

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Pete Kneeland wrote on February 23, 2011

Send Email To PETE KNEELAND

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City and State: HOUSTON TX

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: W.E. "Buzzy" Rao QM3 departed this life in 2005. He and I served on her from 1965 - 1969. I was the one that "landed" a Mike boat on an Australian sub during a typhoon in Manila Harbor trying to deposit drunken Aussie sailors aboard. I was a QM3 but also held a Coxswains badge so at 2 am they rousted me for a last run to the beach. The waves were so high that I could only see the sub from the crest of the waves. Being hoisted back aboard nearly killed us all. BM1 Charlie Kibodeaux and "Bulldick" Ferrier got the credit for saving us.

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Jim Thomasson wrote on December 21, 2010

Send Email To JIM THOMASSON

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City and State: MEDFORD OR

Unit: HQ BATTERY 5TH BATT.10MARINES 2NDMARDIV

Service or Relationship: Marine Veteran

Comments: Do any of you Gentlemen remember Mel Thomasson he was a Boiler Tech.on the Pick from 52-54 I believe I have the Picture of the ship and his campaign ribbons and what not but they are in storage presently soon to be out and posted on a couple of sites. Mel passed away in 97 living in Mukilteo Washington survived by wife Joan two sons and two daughters who reside in Oregon and Washington

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Melissa Ozburn wrote on December 4, 2009

Send Email To MELISSA OZBURN

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My grandfather just passed away in October, his name was Harry Dean Ozburn and he served on the Pickaway during the Korean War. I was just wondering if anyone remembers him. He said he was a cook.

Keywords: USS Pickaway APA 222

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Robert Bullock SR. wrote on August 2, 2009

Send Email To ROBERT BULLOCK

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City and State: NEWPORT RI

Unit: OPS

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Though it has been a few years since the requests were made on LPA
222 by Jessica Sanchez and John Bonham, I feel compelled to answer. I
served on the Pickaway beginning in Feb. of 1968 until she was
decommissioned. I was a Signalman and made E-4 while serving on
board. We did a cruse to Alaska for a forth of July celebration where I
got to see my brother who was in the USCG at the time. We assisted
landing operations off Coronado with Marines and Mike boats. We
went into the yards at Long Beach for refitting for a West PAC and it
was then decided that LPA 222 would be decommissioned. We were
towed back to San Diego and our entire crew was picked to remove
most of the equipment and then strip and paint everything. I was
assigned to the mast crew. Lost my wedding band as it slipped from
my finger while needle gunning beneath the radar perch. It bounced
off of the deck and into the harbor in San Diego. Our crew was also
assigned to do the same for two other ships, one being the USS Bexar,
also an LPA. By the time we finished the three ships, I knew nothing
about my rate, as all I did was chip paint and repaint for a year.

Keywords: USS Pickaway LPA 222

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John Wells wrote on July 31, 2009

Send Email To JOHN WELLS

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

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Angela O'Curran-Lopez wrote on July 10, 2009

Send Email To ANGELA O'CURRAN-LOPEZ

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I am looking for information about my father. Im not sure what years he would have been in, but I know he served in Korea on the USS Pickaway. His name was John O'Curran and he was from West Virginia.

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Ben Powers SR. wrote on March 17, 2009

Send Email To BEN POWERS

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City and State: CROSSVILLE TN

Unit: USS PICKAWAY

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: we are having a reunion for the USS Pickaway in Jacksonville, FL Sept.30,2009-Oct.3rd 2009. Anyone interested in attending contact me and I will send you the info. We have plenty of old ship stories to share.

Keywords: apa222

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Merle Borkowski wrote on January 11, 2008

Send Email To MERLE BORKOWSKI

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments:

Keywords: My husband a Korean War Vet. died Sept. 15 2007.
He served aboard the USS Pickaway.

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Gwen Eich wrote on September 24, 2007

Send Email To GWEN EICH

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I am looking for any information on anyone that have known my father Robert F Stenzel. He was from Wells Minnesota. He was in the Navy in 1944 and believe he was on the USS PICKAWAY. Any help or pictures would be greatly appreciated.

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Jack Myers wrote on September 23, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State: HALF MOON BAY CA

Unit: C-1-1 USMC

Service or Relationship: Marine Veteran

Comments: Its about being a sardine wearing dungarees with about several thousand smelly (no fresh water for showers) troops aboard the Pickaway during the very hot month of July, 1951.Canvas racks with filthy lifejackets for pillows, in Fox compartment stacked 7 high. Greasy galley, hot lemonade, troops heaving over the rail onto those below, slept at night on forward deck hatch cover to get fresh air. Three ships in the convoy including the USS Black with a boiler problem. One week to Kobe and then to Pusan. Recently found that my father was a member of the sea trials on the Pickaway following construction. Sweepers, man your brooms, clean sweepdown, fore and aft. Heave to and trice up!

Keywords: Depart San Diego July 1951 for Pusan, Korea.

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Linda Jones Vaji wrote on February 27, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State: LEWISBURG PA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father, Billy Joe Jones, joined the Navy in 1942 and served on he Pickaway. My father was from Ralls, Texas. I know he was a petty officer - medical. He received a medal which I can't recall the name. I have many many pictures of his sailor friends and of the Pickaway. I was hoping someone out there still remembered him and could share some memories. Thank you.

Keywords: USS Pickaway

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Mike Mullally SR. wrote on October 2, 2006

Send Email To MIKE MULLALLY

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City and State: CLIFTON SPRINGS NY

Unit: NA

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: JUST PURCHASED A SHIPS BELL FROM THE PICKAWAY APA222. LOOKING FOR INFORMATION FROM ANYONE WHO CAN AUTHENTIC THE BELL AND PROVIDE SOME HISTORY. THE BELL RECEIVED SOME DAMAGE AT ONE TIME AND WAS REPAIRED. THE REPAIR EXTENDS VERTICALLY DOWN ONE SIDE AND APPEARS TO BE REBRAZED. THE BELL HAS A WELL WORN BRAIDED ROPE ATTACHED TO THE STRIKER. THE SELLER DESCRIBED THE BRAIDING AS BOSUN'S KNOTS. THE BELL IS APPROX. 10 INCHES IN DIAMETER AT THE BOTTOM AND 5 INCHES IN DIA. AT THE TOP AND ABOUT 13-15 INCHES TALL AND WEIGHS 22-23 POUNDS. IT'S PRETTY WEATHERED AND HAS A VERY DARK PATINA. IT IS STAMPED USN ON ONE SIDE. APPRECIATE ANY HELP AND IF YOUR INTERESTED I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS--JUST SEND ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

HAPPY TRAILS
MIKE

Keywords: NA

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Roger Litscher wrote on July 25, 2006

Send Email To ROGER LITSCHER

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City and State: DUBUQUE

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Do you know my dad Raymond Litscher? He served on the USS Pickaway during the end of WW II or in Korean war.

Keywords: USS PICKAWAY

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Mark Hill wrote on February 9, 2006

Email Update Needed

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City and State: CICERO IN

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Does anyone remember my Dad? His name was
Virgil Hill. He was from Southern Ohio.
While working in Oregon, I was talking with a Navy
Vet from the Inchon Invasion. He was on an
Aircraft carrier. When I told him my Dad was on the
Pickaway, 1948-1952, and at The Invasion. He
laughed and said "What kind of boat was that" I
researched and found out it was a landing craft.
My Dad died in 1962, I was 16 months old. He
never got a chance to tell me the story of that day.
Must shove off now. God's Speed....
Mark Hill

Keywords: USS PICKAWAY

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Franklin Burd SR. wrote on December 11, 2005

Send Email To FRANKLIN BURD

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City and State: HEALDTON OK

Unit: USS PICKAWAY APA 222

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

Keywords: BIlly Byrd,I served on Pickaway from 1960-1964,my first enklistment. I wound up in R division. Worked in the carpenter shop. Left Pickaway for C Welding school after re up.Last ship USS America CVA66.Would like to contact any shipmates abord the Pickaway who served during any part of this time. Please contact me . Thank you

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Raymond (Ray) Shaw wrote on July 21, 2005

Send Email To RAYMOND (RAY) SHAW

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City and State: SHAWNEE MISSION KS

Unit: RETIRED

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Hi, My first enlistment was Navy. Was never a
crewmember of the Pickaway, but you guys hauled
me and a bunch of others from San Diego to
Guam in the spring or early summer of 1949.
Left the Navy in February 1950 and spent next 23
years in the Air Force, retiring in 1974 after Nam
POWs were returned. Lots of good memories of
Navy days and the period aboard the Pickaway.
Hope all of you enjoy the reunion.

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John Bonham wrote on May 3, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State: OAKLAND CA

Unit: DENTAL OFFICER, USS PICKAWAY

Service or Relationship: United Nations Veteran - Korea

Comments: Lost info on San Diego USS Pickaway Reunion later this year, would like to see it again, along with address to respond,
Thanks,
JLB

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Jessica Sanchez wrote on April 15, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State: LAKEWOOD CO

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My grandfather was in the Sandstone test series and I have spent the last 10 years of my life going through his files and gathering information pertaining his time on this ship. I'm now wondering what happened to the U.S.S. Pickaway APA 222. I'f you know I'd sure like it if you could share the information with me! If you knew him please contact me! His name is Alfred M. Sanchez.

Keywords: Operation Sandstone, U.S.S. Pickaway APA 222

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Florence Hall wrote on May 14, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ALTAVISTA VA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My Dad said he stood on the deck when that set off the atomic test for all three times. He also chiped the lead paint off the ship. His name was James Edward Messer from Annistion, AL.

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George Cone wrote on September 20, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments:

I was ahips company on first voyage to Korea.
San Diego to Pusan in July 1950 with 5000 U.S.
Marines. Seventeen days at sea and I got sick
on the last day. Sea Sick that is.

The Pickaway went to Yakasuka, Japan and
loaded another 5000 Marines and proceeded to
the Inchon, Korea invasion. The only air raid
I was ever in was in Inchon Harbor. The North
Koreans had one surplus WW2 prop fighter come
over us and a British Cruiser blasted it before
we got to battle stations..

We next went back to Pusan and picked up
about 4000 ROK troops and headed for Wonsan,
Korea. We turned around at twilight and
turned around again at dawn, back and forth
for about 5 days while minesweepers cleared
the way for us.; We had sailors and marines
with M-1 rifles shooting at mines that were cut
loose by the sweepers.

We lost two mine sweepers: USS Pirate and
the USS Pledge. When we entered the harbor at
Wonsan the mast of one of the sweeps was visible
as we passed by.

At this time, Bob Hope and his crew was
landing at Wonsan to put on a show. However.
the city had not been taken and they had to lay
low until the US and ROK troops arrived. This
is a true story. We watched the C-47 land but
we left the harbor after unloading the ROKs
and didn't get to see the show.

I only stayed aboard the Pickaway about six
months, but I will never forget my first cruise.

Keywords:
Marines, Mines and ROKs

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Stephanie Moore wrote on April 22, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: EMPORIA KS

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father served on the Pickaway from December 1944 to April 19, 1947. His rating was COX. Does anyone remember him? I am looking for any information as dad passed away in 1997 and never shared anything about the war. He received the World War II Victory Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Medal with one star. What can you tell me about the significance of these medals?

Keywords: USS Pickaway 222

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Marilyn Van Meter Scroggins wrote on April 10, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: VALLEY SPRINGS CA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: World War II Victory Medal - American Theater Award - Asiatic-Pacific - Theater Medal China Service Award - Philippine Liberation Ribbon - Good Conduct Medal. Receving Station San Francisco, Ca.(ship's Co.) Recomended for Reenlistment- Eligible on 9-8-53.------U.S.S. Bexter, U.S.S. Renville, U.s.s. Pickaway APA-222, US Navrecsta San Francisco, Ca.

Keywords: (HUGHES Co.)Holdenville, Oklahoma "Troy" Loyal to his group. More ways than anyone would ever Know.from 1942-1949.----- Sl.Cs3

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Dan M. Tucker wrote on April 2, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: GOODLETTSVILLE TN

Unit: U>S> NAVY RETIRED

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Would like to hear from any of my old Shipmates Who were aboard Pickaway in 1955

Keywords: Participated IN Retaking of IOWO JIMA 1955.I served in U.S.Navy from Dec.1944- Jan 1975

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Will Green wrote on November 2, 2002

Send Email To WILL GREEN

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City and State: CASTLE ROCK CO

Unit: A DIV. SHIPS CREW

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Hi Shipmates and Friends
I was aboard the USS Pickaway from 1952-1954 as an Engineman.
We just had our forth reunion in Indianapolis, Indiana. We had a lot of fun and heard a lot of sea stories. The next reunion (2003) will be in Seattle, Washington.

I have the Pickaway web site at: http:///www.angelfire.com/co2/pickawayapa222/
apa222.html

Contact me if you have any questions.
Your Pickaway Friend
Will Green

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Howard A. Ellis wrote on September 2, 2002

Send Email To HOWARD A. ELLIS

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City and State: CA

Unit: DEPT OF ARMY COMCTR, PENTAGON

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: As a Pentagon communications NCO (Sgt.), sailed aboard the USS Pickaway in Dec. '47 from Port Hueneme, Ca., to Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, S. Pacific with Joint Task Force 7, Operation Sandstone. JTF-7 included men of all military services plus civilians participating in Operation Sandstone, a series of three atomic bomb test blasts to occur on or about July '48. The tests were spectacular and spectacularly successful and we sailed aboard the Pickaway to San Francisco, debarked for Camp Stoneman and processed out to furloughs prior to returning to duty stations. Great ship, great crew, great experience. Never dreamed back then one day I'd have a Navy SEAL son...life IS good. HAE

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John Bonham wrote on June 27, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: OAKLAND CA

Unit: USN DENTAL CORPS

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Served as Dental Officer aboard Pickaway from March 1953 ro July 1954. I have reason to believe the ship is is the Mothball Fleet in Suisuin Bay near Benicia California. Though her ID numbers have been painted out the bow dent known as "The Dent" (courtesy Capt. Edwards) should make her easy to identify. May try to find her soon. I dont think she ever went to the ship breakers. Has anyone else seen her?

Keywords: USS Pickaway APA 222

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