Entry: 29255
Subject: MY GRANDFATHER WAS ABOARD
Benjamin Pfaff wrote on November 3, 2002
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My grandfather served aboard the USS WALKE (DD-723) during the Korean war. His name is BERNARD FRANK LEES, he is alive and very well at 73 years old. He took leave of his post for coffee... moments later his substitute was killed in the explosion in June of 1951. He remembers the incident vividly and can not, however, determine if it was a mine or torpedo. He told me that there was a loud metal bang on the hull directly followed by the explosion. personal photographs taken of the hull of the ship show a huge dent directly next to the hole. my grandfather does not own.. or wish to own a computer, but he asked me to attempt to contact any other surviving members of the crew. He also asked me to seek comments on the attack.
Thank you very much and God bless..
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Entry: 25493
Subject: ANYONE REMEMBER MANUEL VALDEZ
Richard Trujillo wrote on May 15, 2002
City and State: SPRINGER NM
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea
Comments: Anyone that knew my father-n-law please inform me.
Keywords: USS Walke
Entry: 22651
Subject: LIKE TO FIND JAMES F.FLORENCE
Joe Kirchharr wrote on January 26, 2002
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea
Comments: Would like to find James F.Florence SN he was aboard 1950/54 the same time that I was.
I am a member of the Walke association and would like to hear from anyone from this period of time
Keywords: U.S.S.Walke D.D.723
Entry: 20892
Subject: WALKE TORPEDOED?
J. G.S. wrote on November 23, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: Hi, Earlier this year I was surprised to read some postings that the Walke DD 723 was torpedoed instead of mined. I can only go by the decklogs I purchased from the National Archives years ago. No where in the decklog of 12 June 1951 is there a mention of a sub contact in the area. The Walke was operating in an 11 ship concentric circle screen. Three hours after the Walke suffered her damage, a sonar contact was made with "a submerged object" and was investigated by the Harry E. Hubbard DD 748. As for the depth charges, the log states "Exploders removed from depth charges on port side throuwer and port stern racks. 24 mark 9 depth charge and 3 mark 14 depth charges jettisoned." Lastly, on 15 June, 1951 while the ship was in drydock #1 Sasebo, Japan, the log states that the hull was in good condition except for the 18' diameter hole from frame 107-180 with the shell plating on the edges bent inward. Does anyone have any official paperwork to support the torpedo theory?
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Entry: 20537
Subject: WALKE WAS TORPEDOED, NO MINE
A. Keith Lybbert wrote on November 11, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State: SPOKANE WA
Unit: VIET NAM VET
Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea
Comments: MY DAD WAS NORMAN K LYBBERT, Eng 3 class THAT TORPEDO THAT HIT THE WALKE DD723 , WAS CHINESE, AS TOLD BY MY FATHER, TO MY MOTHER, THEN TO ME , HIS SON, A.K. LYBBERT.(viet nam vet)
IT HIT UNDER MY DADS BUNK, KILLING THE MAN UNDER HIM. MY MOTHER SAID ALSO THAT HE SAVED 3 OTHER CREW MEN THAT DAY AS THE STORY WAS TOLD TO ME.... I'M LOOKING FOR SHIP'S LOG OF CREW MEMBER, TO FIND OTHERS THAT HAVE OTHER ACCOUNTS OF THIS, AND OTHER STORIES OF THE WALKE DD723 .... YOU CAN REACH ME AT kefebear@hotmail.com not by hitting reply... thanks Keith Lybbert
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Entry: 19846
Subject:
Karen Dennis wrote on October 8, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: -
Comments: Nickname Mutt, Robert E Thomas RD3 Uss Walke DD-723
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Entry: 19707
Subject: DAUGHTER OF SURVIVOR OF KOREAN WAR
Karen Dennis wrote on October 2, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My Father is a survivor of the USS Walke .Robert Thomas is his name . The explosion took place in his department. At that time he was on watch .He talked about loosing 26 Comrades . I have a clipping from the newspaper in Tennessee.Knox Seaman Tells of Blast That Killed 26 of Comrades.This happen on June 12th.My Father just celebrated his 69th birthday Sep.27th 2001
Keywords: USS Walke
Entry: 17525
Subject: REPORT ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL SERVICE
Raymond M. (Ray) Garcia wrote on June 23, 2001
City and State: HARBOR OR
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea
Comments: Just returned from San Diego where I attended the 50th anniversary memorial of the loss of 26 men from the USS Walke. The ceremony was very tastfully done, we went to sea on a boat where services were conducted and flowers were sent afloat by all on board. It was very moving and soulful. The Honor Guard consisted of Sea Cadets and who handled their duties very well even in the windy, seas was a little rough and space was a little tight. During my visit there I acquired a copy of a letter from the National Archives and Records Administration in College Park, Maryland. This letter states that the USS Walke was was torpedoed. We of the association always know that as we have in our collection of many items from this ship a pice of the torpedo. That should clear up the confusion. These records are now open to the public.
The next reunion is in Portland Maine and then in 2002 it will be in San Francisco. We are always looking for shipmates. Anyone who knows of some one that was on the Walke, have them email me at twin5inche38's@hotmail.com. We are also looking for shipmates who may be left from any of the three ships.
I am also sorry to announce the Captain of the last Walke passed on March 9, 2001. Will write more later with more history. Anyone wants to contact me can do so at either email address.
Keywords: Twin5inche38's
Entry: 16863
Subject: I WANT TO FIND-TOM PETERSON
James Hudson wrote on May 28, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea
Comments: The last time I saw Tom Peterson was in Tulsa, OK.
He's an engineer and was building air conditioning
units for large commercial buildings. Your help
will be most appreciated.
Keywords: Crewman U.S.S.WALKE DD723...Tom Peterson
Peterson was a store keeper 3rd. 1950-1951, Korea
Entry: 14365
Subject: SEEKING INFORMTION
Melissa Nelson-Turnquist wrote on January 17, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State: HARKER HEIGHTS TX
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: i am trying to find out about my dad whom inever got to know until the weeks before he died. I am trying to get a picture of who he was. I know he loved the navy. I want to know if any one remembers him, has stories of him, anything at all. pictures would be way cool. are there reunions for this ship for the 1964 time frame? I would love to go and meet those who served beside him. anything please.....may the lord bless you and keep his hands on all of you. thank you, melissa nelson turnquist<><
Keywords: uss walke 1964 EN1
Entry: 12730
Subject: 1950-54
Raymond M. (Ray) Garcia wrote on November 4, 2000
City and State: HARBOR OR
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea
Comments: Served on the U.S.S. Walke, Phillips, Evans, Bremerton and for a very short time the General Mann. Date of service was 1950-1954.
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Entry: 12727
Subject: 50TH ANNIVERSAY OF THE TRAGIC LOSS OF 26 WALKE SHIPMATES
Raymond M. (Ray) Garcia wrote on November 4, 2000
City and State: HARBOR OR
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea
Comments: From the U.S.S. Walke Association, Plans are now in process for a memorial service in San Diego on the 50th anniversary of the loss of 26 men. June 12th is the date and if you are interested contact mem11pap@aol.com or windy@pe.net. We also have yearly reunions and a newletter. We pay dues of $15.00 per year to help pay the cost of the newsletter. It has been a great opportunity to see old friends.
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Entry: 10225
Subject: WALKE WAS TORPEDOED, NO MINE
James Hudson wrote on July 9, 2000
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea
Comments: Att: Midshipman Zetts.... Korean war data:
The U.S.S.WALKE DD 723 was not hit by a mine. It
was hit by a torpedo. Two subs were detected at
almost the same time we were hit. If it was a mine
then why all the depth charges. Besides, it blew
in like a "shaped charge", hit just farward of
#3 mount in the after deck. Subs trailed Task Force 77 all the time and we don't know if Russian or Chinese.
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Entry: 5565
Subject: MY GRANDFATHER'S DD
Andrew Zetts wrote on December 10, 1999
Email Update Needed
City and State: ANNAPOLIS MD
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: Sir, I am very curious about the life of the U.S.S. Walke DD 723. My grandfather was aboard a ship of the same name. I have been told, however, that there were *2* "U.S.S Walke" One was sunk during the war, and the other was built as it's sister ship or something. My uncle tells me that my Grandfather was commissioned aboard the 2nd U.S.S. Walke. I am wondering how much of this about the DD 723 is true. Were there 2 U.S.S. Walke's ???? And if there were, could you please tell me anything and everything you can, or where I can find information regarding the current status (if any) of the ship? This would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Thank you very much,
Midshipman Andrew Zetts, USN
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