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USS MAZAMA AE-9
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Date Name Email City State Comments
05/02/2006 Jim Gaspard "Doc" jgaspard@behringerharvard.com Dallas Texas Welcome to the USS Mazama AE-9 website. Launching Tuesday May 2, 2006.
05/02/2006 Darrell Nelson vike40@charter.net Red Wing MN I was an EN1 in M Div. on board from March 1966 to June 1967.Made the west pac cruise and the yards in Staten Island. Became a shell back and have many fond memories of the ship. I went on to make ENC and retired in 1977. Looking forward to more reunions and meeting old shipmates.
05/03/2006 Jim Reed Moonshiner419@aol.com Clay City Indiana BT-3 "A" Div. 1962-66--Thank you Guys for this website--It will be 40 yrs 12/21/66 was the last time i was on the Mity Mazy--was the best old girl i ever served on ---hoping to be at the next reunion--
05/03/2006 David H. Anderson Anderson3756@aol.com Lyme CT BM-3 2ND DIVISION ROUND THE WORLD /NAM
05/03/2006 Herman C. Smith herman_3072@comcast.net Rexmont Pennsylvania BM2, First Division 1961 to 1963 Recommissioned ship in Chester Pa.
05/03/2006 Reilly, E. EN2 edreilly@att.net Whitehouse Station NJ Guys...Outstanding Job! I had tears streaming down my face looking at all those pics...Thanks for the Memories!!!
05/03/2006 William BM3 Gohde Gohde4u@aol.com Weehawken/Hoboken New Jersey 1ST AND 2ND DIV, CAPAINS GIG, LOTS OF GREAT FRIENDS,GREAT MEMORIES,, DOC THANKS U DID A WONDERFUL JOB, YOUR PAL BILL GOHDE
05/04/2006 John (Jay) Middleton jpm48@hotmail.com Ocean Isle Beach NC I did the WestPac cruise on the Mazy from 3/69-12/69. Last off the ship when it was decomissioned 5/70. Started out in Deck Division-wound up in Ship's Office by the end of the cruise. Was there till we "closed her down".
05/04/2006 Rick Becker rickbtoo@yahoo.com Cedar Falls Iowa GREAT JOB on the web site , Doc, Thank You! I was EN3 in M-Div On board from 1965 to 1967. I made the 1966 World / WestPac cruise. The site brings back many memories !
05/06/2006 Rich DiMase popa146@yahoo.com Jersey City New Jersey BM-3 1st Div.67-69 It's been a long time.Brings back memories.
05/09/2006 Jerry King dd694@adelphia.net San Dimas California Great Page! I have linked you to the AESA. Smooth Sailing!
05/14/2006 Jim Gaspard (Doc) 1966-1968 jgasp95@aol.com Dallas Texas Darrell.....your video is now up and running in several 10 minute segments on the "Video" link of USS Mazama homepage. Enjoy! Thanks for the foresight to record this in 8mm and later transfer to VHS narrate with music. It makes our site special over the others. Doc
05/16/2006 Ed Schardein edschar817@wateroak.cc Lady Lake Fl Came aboard in 1961 at Chester, Pa. when the Mazama was recommissioned. I a WO1 and was assigned as MPA. I later moved up to Lt (jg) and Lt. Was Engineering officer for 2 years before leaving in 1965 for shore duty as Brig Officer at NAS Jacksonville, Fl. The Mazama was one hell of a good ship and the duty was great..many fond memories. This web page is one of the best I've seen, keep it up.
05/17/2006 Joe Price djprice@gotricounty.com Washington North Carolina FA-EM3. First duty station in 1968 - Decommish . WesPac in 69. Didn't know how proud I would be of those guys so long ago. Proud to have been a part of a great history.
05/19/2006 Jim Windhausen jimwind@comcast.net Bowie Maryland Lt.(jg) 1963 - 1965
05/21/2006 Robert Kuchar hdpapa@aol.com Deweyville Texas I seved aboard Mazama 1966-68 as EM-3 this site sure brings back lots of memories. Hope to make the reunion this year and see some old shipmates.
05/30/2006 Mary Ann Reuter companis@comcast.net Jersey City NJ Dear Doc, My son wanted to do a book report on his grandfather and the USS Mazama. After emailing several retired sailors that had been on board the ship at different times, I was led by several extremely nice men to this website. It made me proud to realize what a wonderful service he made to his country. Please add him to your roster. Charles J. Wertswa Deceased in 69, Served @43-47
06/02/2006 Ralph Hann consultone1@comcast.net West Simsbury CT Served on Mazama in WWII 1944 - 1945. I submitted a name for the memorial page a couple of days ago. I just checked and did not see it there but I did see a new name Charles Wertswa. The name I submitted is Edward Marsh. Ed was my shipmate and the bowman on our #1 Motor Launch when I was the motor launch Coxswain. Ed was in Division 1 as a S 1/c and was killed when we were hit by a Japanese Kamikaze Submarine on January 12, 1945. He was the only sailor ever killed on the Mazama during WWII. Let me know if you need more info. I registered myself a few days ago after being contacted by Bill Gohde. I served on the Mazama from 9/44 to 5/45. Regards, Ralph Hann
06/02/2006 Ralph Hann consultone1@comcast.net West Simsbury CT I am very proud of being a crew member of the Mazama. I know it was a long time ago when we were 17 and 18 years old with so much responsibility. Running the winch on #3 hatch transferring all that ammo and being Coxswain of the motor launch I think back to those days and wonder how the hell did we ever do it? Edward Marsh was my best friend when he was killed that day 1-12-45. If it had not been for me doing the midnight to 0400 watch I probably would have been with him. It was all Division 1 guys that got hurt. I slept in until GQ when I got up and headed for the ladder to go topside to my gun when the explosion hit and knocked me ass over end down the ladder and against the bulkhead. I was a bit out of it and got myself up and to topside not realizing I had hurt my left leg. I refused the Purple Heart at the time as I felt I did not want to be considered a hero. As it went I was hurting until we got back to the states a few months later and then they shipped me to a naval hospital at Treasure Island. I then ended up at St. Albans Naval Hospital in New York where I was discharged 18 months later. A couple of years out of the navy they had to operate on my leg and take a piece of bone out of it. The VA took care of this.Well I look forward to seeing so much more on your site. By the way the videos are terrific and bring back a lot of memories.Best regards and thanks for recognizing Ed he would have loved it. He was a great shipmate and friend
06/04/2006 Rick Becker ricktoo@yahoo.com Cedar Falls Iowa Ralph Hann, Hello from a fellow Mazama shipmate, I'm Rick Becker, age 60, from Cedar Falls, Iowa. I served on the Mazama from 1965 to 1967, I was aboard for the 1966 WestPac/World cruise. I was a EN3 in Mdiv. Most of my responsibility was as throttleman, I kept the ol Nordberg main engines at speed.I read your letter to Doc Gaspard about your experience and the loss of your fellow shipmate aboard Mazama in WW2. I saw the patch on the hull when the ship was in the yards in 1967.Below is a report from the USS Current ARS-22 that came to the assistance of Mazama when it was hit by the torpedo.I found it here............. http://www.geocities.com/jimvasko_94555/history.htm.............. I'm glad you found the web site, Jim did a great job putting it together, although most of the content is from our generation, I'm sure Jim would welcome input from other shipmates from other eras. I have attached some pics I have.Thank you again for your service,Feel free to email me anytime, where are you located? Rick Becker
06/06/2006 Ralph Hann consultone1@comcast.net West Simsbury CT Check out the website under the ammo ship explosions and you will see the Mazama mentioned. Larry is going to put up the Mazama picture as soon as he can. It is hats off to you for getting the recognition the Mazama so deserved. Thank you for a job well done.Ralph
06/11/2006 Gerald "Jerry" Busic PBRLST786@VERIZON.NET Holtsville New York EN-3 in Main Engineroom...come to ship in Staten Island Ship Yard, then took the Med Cruise...Was on ship from 02/09/67 to 04/30/68...Someone did a very good job on this site...Well done...I had never seen the Med cruise book...Boy did I really ever look that young...
06/18/2006 Paul Hartford sarahhartford@yahoo.com Monroe NE EN2 May 1963-Dec 1966
06/21/2006 Jose Orengo orengoj@coned.com Staten Island New York YN3-Ships Office-1967
06/26/2006 Daniel Johnson djohnson480@adelphia.net Copley Ohio Gunners Mate GMG3 1967 - 1969
06/28/2006 Paul F. Palladeno ragman@mobis.com Mobile Alabama Member of the Re-Commissioning Crew, Sun Ship Yards, Chester, Pennsylvania, 1961. BM3, 2nd Division. Took part in the Cuban Blockade in the Fall of 1962. Separated from the Service April 1963
06/30/2006 James Huntsberger JJHUNTZ2U@AOL.COM Montana Wisconsin Glad to have served aboard...Nam Tour.....made many good friends, thanks for the web site
07/06/2006 Harold W. Motte hmotte@sc.rr.com Florence South Carolina Served 1966-68, RM2, Operations
07/07/2006 Jerry & Beverly King dd694@adelphai.net San Dimas California Was aboard the USS Wrangell AE-12 in 1945. Have been active with the AESA since they started in 1999. Jerry
07/07/2006 Jim Reed mailto:moonshiner419@aol.com Mishawaka Indiana You guys did one heck of a job on this web site-It keeps drawing me back here-I'm glad that we are finding the old crew-thank you all again. Jim Reed, BT-3, 1962-66, made Nam/round the world cruise
07/08/2006 Herman C. Smith herman_3072@comcast.net Rexmont Pennsylvania BM2, 1st Division, recommissioning 1961-63
07/07/2006 Jack Sheeran JPS354@aol.com North Clarendon Vermont Doc you did a terrific job. You brought back a lot of memories. I served on the Mazama 1967-69 in A Div - EN3
07/10/2006 Harold Motte hmotte@sc.rr.com Florence South Carolina Hi doc, I am glad to see a Mazama website go up, it really is good. I have enjoyed seeing the pics of a lot of the guys and enjoying the memories the web site brought back to me. As one result of the web site going up, I have been in contact with Al Marcantoniao, the barber, we were friends. He is planning on a trip down here to SC and we will probably see each other after over 25 years. Thanks for your effort in keeping the Mazama and her history alive. Those POD's really made me laugh - especially one about not having contact with anyone from a communist block country, then the movie that night was WELCOME STRANGER. That was a funny one. Thanks again Harold Motte RM2 1966-68
7/27/2006 Tom Shumaker tshumaker@heartlandsettlement.com Reading Pennsylvania Ltjg - 3rd Division 1969-70
07/27/2006 John Weaver johnjweaversra@sbcglobal.net Kent Ohio I was an EN3 and EN2 in M Div. from Sept.1967 through Mar. 1970. I came aboard in Malta during Med Cruise and stayed aboard till after 69 WestPac Cruise. This is a great site, brought back many memories, thanks for doing it Doc.
11/09/2007 Bob Curtis awaywego2003@hotmail.com Maumee Ohio Came aboard for the '69 Westpac as a snipe in "M" Div. stayed on thru the decommish. It was all quite an adventure. Great site.
12/03/2007 Philip Exman philipexman@yahoo.com So. St. Paul Minnesota SM3 aboard the Mazie from December 1962, to Spring of 1965. I was also QM for a short time
12/22/2007 Robert Singer singerr@bellsouth.net Stanfield North Carolina EN-3 Eng.Div. on board from 1962-1965
01/08/2008 John White john.white2@navy.mil Washington dc   Just visiting...
01/10/2008 Richard Cratty rcratty@tampabay.rr.com New Port Richey FL Lt. Served as Operations Officer 1955 to 1957
01/28/2008 James Crawford alicia.jim68@yahoo.com Hudson FL FTG2/3rd Division Aug. '68 to April '70
02/03/2008 James Linville jrlagl@mindspring.com Kernersville NC EN3, A Division, 1968-1969, WestPac Tout
02/17/2008 Val McReynolds valdianne@yahoo.com Micanopy Florida Second Division 1962 to 1965 SN, ran boats.
02/22/2008 Robert D. Hall hallbob@bellsouth.net Boiling Springs South Carolina Was on USS Mazama AE9 Seaman,GM, on board 1956-1957
02/24/2008 Ronald J. Ott oeaudepus@aol.com Rochester New York TMT-2/DV part of the EOD Team, embarked for the 1967 Med. Cruise assigned to 3rd Division, the website brought back lots of memories of a fine cruise and a great crew. "Doc," thanks for setting this up.
03/06/2008Gregg HeimallGHeimall@aol.comLudingtonMichiganPN3, OPS, 68-69
03/20/2008Robert Bettendorfbobjbett@comcast.netSt PaulMnSeamon 1st class1st div1944 to 1945
03/24/2008patrick g. welchsnpwelch@bellsouth.netdenham springslouisianapn3 early 62-early63 cuban block aid. kennedy assassacation. l year.
03/24/2008Albert P. Gregorski SM2nanaanna7@verizon.netMoscowPennsylvaniaSM-2/Operations/'68,'69
05/31/2008Ed Doyleedandcandee@hotmail.comDepewNY3rd division gunner's mate 3rd class 68-70
06/06/2008 Lt G Hess, First Officer       ***Referring to Executive Officer on the Westpac Cruise of 1966, Jack (John F) Sweeney***
Doc, I first met Jack Sweeney when I was at OCS, he was Naval Schools Command, Newport, RI, Interviewing and Classifications Division Head. Shortly after I got to Mazama he came on board as XO. I was on Mazama for 26 months, my whole tour, after OCS and Supply Corps School. Jack got transferred to Great Lakes before I left Mazama. He and his wife Terry bought a house in Gurnee, Illinois; just west of Waukegan were Great Lakes is located. When I got discharged in October 1968 I got my old job back with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Chicago. My father lived in Allenton, WI and I would drive right past Jack's house on the way to my dad's place; so I stopped by to say hello from time to time. After Jack got out of the Navy he got a job as the Lake County coordinator for an anti drug program and lived in Gurnee for some time. My dad had season tickets for the Green Bay Packers and I got Jack to go along for a game on one occasion. When he left Gurnee he didn't give me a forwarding address. I did hear from him after that when his daughter, Susan Ellen was applying to be a CPA and needed a reference letter from a CPA which I gladly furnished, but I sent it directly to the AICPA. I seem to recall that he moved back East, Terry needed to be closer to her parents, winter too cold, etc. but I lost track of him. When I was at Supply Corps School a Marine Brigadier came by to interview candidates to be the Paymaster for the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam. I was scheduled for an interview in the afternoon. That morning some other guy took the bait and volunteered for the job. So I was lucky enough that I didn't need a Jack Sweeney fix to stay out of the Marine Corps. We should both consider ourselves fortunate. Best wishes, George Hess
06/18/2008 Robert Wicklander robert_wicklander@yahoo.com Lisle Illinois I served on her for few years right after the Cuban crisis
06/28/2008 Jim Bussey jbussey@fsu.edu Tallahassee FL ETN2 USS Mazama Operations Dept 1961 1963 Was on recommishing crew in Sun Ship Yard. Stayed on board untill April 1963
07/26/2008 Robert A Crandall taxmantran@yahoo.com Canton PA I was in First Division Deck from 1967-1969. Made MedCruise and 1969 Cruise to West PAC with the gang of hulagons. We told our sea stories of years gone by that sometime the memories make us cry. The tears were not in vane but this great time drives insane. To remeber all the times of past they will never fade but always last. I know my friend I will see again in 2008 Cinnati Hey Billl catch on the road
08/14/2008 John W Love white-eagle@sw.rr.com Dothan Alabama 1963/64 were my years aboard the lady M... SN 1st div and ops later on... can you list the old crews?
08/15/2008 gabriel w squeglia john mcgee@biohit.com manchester n j sn 2nd div.1964 to 66 nickname seagull.
08/29/2008 (Grandson of Kennith Allen) thollow37@gmail.com     My grandfather Kennith Allen was on the Mediterranean cruise of the HSS Mazama (AE-9) in 1964. I’m really not sure how long he served on this ship, but I do know that he was on a seven month deployment to the Mediterranean from April 27 – December 23 1964.
09/02/2008 Bill Guymer       I was aboard when she was commissioned March 10th of 1944 .. I RECALL "HIGH POWERED NAVY BRASS" AT THE COMMISSIONING-... the entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee was thre ... following is material I got "Office of Chief of Naval Operations Naval Histotry Div .. Washington : "Mazame(AE-9) was laid down 14 April 1942 by the Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa Fla; laucnhed 15th Aug 1943 .. sponsored by Mrs Ed Rickenbacker; commissioned 10 March 1944 Comdr PVR Harris, USNR was there-" Original Message ----- I don't reminder exact diminsions of the main hatch covers but.. approx. 25'-30' long .. 5' wide .. about a foot deep made of heavy gauge steel about 1/2" thick .. secondary hatch covers, exterior was thin sheet metal possibly over some kind of wood .. approx 6' long a foot wide and 2" thick .. I don't recall any other large wooden materials ... perhaps large pieces of wood could have been from mess tables or officers' quarters
09/02/2008   Ragman@mobis.com Saint Peters PA Jim, Four Shipmates living in the South East, located one another In 2008, and agreed to meet in Gulfport, Mississippi, on the Weekend of May 16th, 2008. These Men were part of the Re commissioning Crew of 1961, and Served together through the Cuban quarantine of 1962. Those attending were, Al and Laura Chesson, Don and Charlotte Davis, J.C. And Joy Trull, Paul and Liz Palladeno All those who attended enjoyed the get together, and are currently making plans calling for it to become an annual event.. Tentatively, we are considering Branson, Missouri, in order to make it more accessible to Shipmates of that era, living in various parts Of the Country.
09/02/2008 William H. Runge mrunge@wi.rr.com     I was on the Mazama from 1961 to 1963 and left as a 3rd Class Gunners' Mate I have been in contact with Paul Palladeno - aka ragman about another get together sometime in April of this year. Also have spoken with Albert Chesson who served with us from 1961 - 1963. I have some old pictures as well as other memorabilia I could share. Hope to hear from you. Bill
09/02/2008 Jim Gaspard "Doc" jgasp95@aol.com Dallas Texas (Jennie Sauer - 05/28/2008) I would like to let you know that I have two hutch cover tables that we bought in Annapolis, Maryland sometime in the late 70’s. One is a coffee table and the other is an end table, half the size of the coffee table. They both have brass plaques on them stating they came from the Mazama. We no longer have room to store them and would be happy to give them to a crew member. We are located in Pennsylvania. The coffee table has been used more and shows some aging, the end table was not used as much and in very good condition. I also have a paper somewhere stating these are true hatches. If anyone is interested I will begin my search for those papers.

(Doc - 05/28/2008) Jim and Jennie, very gracious of you. From my calculation the youngest of any surviving Mazamamate is 56. Of course the average is probably in the 60's. I will put this out to Bill Gohde in New Jersey who has the most contact with our crew members.

(Jennie Sauer) We will be waiting to hear from Bill . My Father was killed in Italy in WWII(so you know we are no youngsters) and I know how important it would be to me to get something from his group or anything so I thought these tables would mean so much more to someone that was on the ship than just to donate them to another charity.

(Bill Gohde) this past weekend i went to pottstown, pa, and was given two pieces of furniture made out of wooden hatch covers, from the uss mazama, they were made in annapolis maryland, and at the dock by a studio called ady's which according to gene kronk, no longer exist, bot pieces of furniture come with a wonder brass plate, which says 'WOODEN HTACH COVER FROM USS MAZAMA 1941-1976, ADY'S STUDION ANNAPOLIS DOCKE SIDE" now heres the thing i can't remember what was covering the holes once we open them with the winches??can anyone help me out?? one is a beautiful coffee table and end table which both very heavy wood s o s..hay jay now i have a piece...
09/02/2008 Jim Gaspard "Doc" jgasp95@aol.com Dallas Texas To all who did not Know the USS MAZAMA AE-.9 was commissioned by none other then
Champagne Bottle used to Commission USS Mazama AE-9
Note: This item is currently in storage. This champagne bottle (in pieces inside the case) was used by Adelaide Rickenbacker, the wife of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, to launch USS Mazama (AE-9) on Aug. 15, 1943. Donated by Ms. Adelaide F. Rickenbacker. Click on the champagne bottle to view a larger version.
09/04/2008 George Hess       Doc, I first met Jack Sweeney when I was at OCS, he was Naval Schools Command, Newport, RI, Interviewing and Classifications Division Head. Shortly after I got to Mazama he came on board as XO. I was on Mazama for 26 months, my whole tour, after OCS and Supply Corps School. Jack got transferred to Great Lakes before I left Mazama. He and his wife Terry bought a house in Gurnee, Illinois; just west of Waukegan were Great Lakes is located. When I got discharged in October 1968 I got my old job back with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Chicago. My father lived in Allenton, WI and I would drive right past Jack's house on the way to my dad's place; so I stopped by to say hello from time to time. After Jack got out of the Navy he got a job as the Lake County coordinator for an anti drug program and lived in Gurnee for some time. My dad had season tickets for the Green Bay Packers and I got Jack to go along for a game on one occasion. When he left Gurnee he didn't give me a forwarding address. I did hear from him after that when his daughter, Susan Ellen was applying to be a CPA and needed a reference letter from a CPA which I gladly furnished, but I sent it directly to the AICPA. I seem to recall that he moved back East, Terry needed to be closer to her parents, winter too cold, etc. but I lost track of him. When I was at Supply Corps School a Marine Brigadier came by to interview candidates to be the Paymaster for the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam. I was scheduled for an interview in the afternoon. That morning some other guy took the bait and volunteered for the job. So I was lucky enough that I didn't need a Jack Sweeney fix to stay out of the Marine Corps. We should both consider ourselves fortunate. Best wishes, George Hess
09/04/2008 Scott Sharts (Grandson of Cheif Sharts) scottsharts@att.net     my grandfather, cheif sharts passed away on 1/29/05, i wish he could have seen the website that you put together it would have meant alot to him. it is really great to see the cruise book and i look foward to watching the videos this weekend, thank you for all the work you've put into this site its amazing to see the pictures of places i've heard about all my life. pops would ask me occasionally to look on the internet for info of the ships he was on i wish he could have seen this
09/14/2008 Lt. JG Robert Henke (retired) janbob22@juno.com Jackson Wisconsin Lt. JG 1955-57 Navigator Mediterranean Cruise 1956
09/17/2008 John Hager jhager6@stny.rr.com Binghamton New York Seamen Apprentice. First Division. 1967-1968
09/17/2008 Donald Carlson doncarl@midcoast.com Rockland Maine ETN2 I was aboard the Mazama form 66 to 68 as the electronics technician.
09/19/2008 Richard S. Lavallee bultu@comcast.net Manchester NH YN3 - 67-68 - Jim Gaspard, you did a great job on this website. I've been waiting a long time to see somthing like this. I receive a magazine every now and then lists reunions of military ships and units and I've always looked to see if the USS Mazama would ever show up. Never saw it. Thanks to Gerald O. Busic for sending me the flyer entitled "To a possible ex-crew member of the USS Mazama AE-9___". You found the right guy. This is great.
09/24/2008 Wayne C. Thomson wthomson@comcast.net Brockton Massachusetts 3rd class Storekeeper / 2nd Divison - on board from 1966 til 1968.
09/28/2008 Rick Williams w1rik@hotmail.com Cape Coral FL Came aboard as an FTG2 during the 67-68 Med cruise. After a break in service, I returned and retired an FCC (SW) in the reserve program. Still remember many of the faces in the cruisebook. Thanks for the memories and advise of any re-unions.
10/03/2008 Wes Schirman lo-n-wes@q.com sun city az 1944 to 1946 momm 3/c "E" div.