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USS Taylor Message Board

Enjoy finding shipmates and catching up!

The USS Taylor Message Board is the place where shipmates, friends and family of Taylor Sailors can connect, reminisce, and swap sea stories. If you’ve wondered whatever happened to someone you served with, this is the place to ask the question. The improved USS Taylor Message Board will make it easier than ever. Please keep in mind that the Message Board is strictly for the non-commercial use by Taylor Sailors, friends and families only. It is not to be used to obtain names and e-mail addresses for commercial efforts, other web sites, etc.

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DateNameShipRate / RankYears on BoardEmailPhoneMessage
12-18-20Frank Ferreirauss taylorfire man1952 /1953Email

Looking for John Tombe and Vernon Duarte

12-18-20Jim Halldd468rm168-69Email

The very first issue of our ancestor newspaper, Continental Navy Times, published to coincide with the founding of the Continental Navy.....the paper is dated 13 October 1775. I was doing some research on some Navy history and stumbled on something amazing, unique and pretty cool. 🙂 The very first issue of our ancestor newspaper, Continental Navy Times, published to coincide with the founding of the Continental Navy.....the paper is dated 13 October 1775. 🙂

12-18-20Ronald Cantrellusstaylor58-62Email

Ronald Cantrell - deceased 10/30/1996 as a result of an automobile accident. Tried to contact Bill Burris by email. We had tried in earlier years to contact Bill.

12-18-20Eric JohnsonDD468seaman8/68-4/69Email

Desron11; Sasebo, Japan; the Gunline,Vietnam;Olongapo,P.I.;Manus Island; crossed the equator at longitude 145-40E on 27 January, 1969 and became a "Shellback"; sailed into Port Kembla & Wollongong,N.S.W.Austrailia; Melbourne, Austrailia; Aukland, New Zealand; Pago Pago Islands and back to Pearl Harbor: CDR Taylor was skipper

12-18-20Tom RoseberryDD 468seaman7/66-12/67Email(702) 353-4553

I'm looking for my friend Sterling C. Purcell who was aboard TAYLOR from 8/66 till early or mid 67 when he transferred to the Vietnam river boats. He then was in heavy action till discharged. Am interested in any recent info. For many, the service was a pivotal experience, and for me it was literally life-changing in all facets. I appreciate this link to memories. Wishing every sailor peace and joy forever, Tom.

12-18-20Gary Anderson (Aka Big Andy)DD 468E5 Store KeeperSummer 67-Jan 69Email(312) 218-4680

Great idea!

12-18-20Vince HayesUSS TAYLORBT31966-1969Email

Hey how's everyone doing

12-18-20Jim HallDD468RM168-69Email

This is so me.....
Long ago I was a Sailor.
I sailed the Ocean blue.
I knew the bars in Singapore...
The coastline of Peru.

I knew well the sting of salt spray,
The taste of Spanish wine,
The beauty of the Orient...
Yes, all these things were mine.

But I wear a different hat now,
Jeans & T-shirts too.
My sailing days were long ago...
With that life I am through.

But somewhere deep inside of me...
The sailor lives there still.
He longs to go to sea again,
But knows he never will.

My love, my life, is here at home,
And I will leave here never.
Though mind and body stay ashore...
My heart's at sea forever.

12-18-20Jim BowlineDD 468Engiman 3rd & 2nd class1964-1965Email

Does anyone remember me served during a Yankee Station Junk or sandpan patrol also Soviet Submarine Survailance. I need info on that cruise.

12-18-20Michael O. WalshDd468QM-31960 -1963Email(529) 468-8950

Hello I am mike Walsh. I served aboard the Taylor from 1960 to Nov. of 1963 and was a QM. At that time we were home ported in Pearl. I worked and steamed with Clifford Santiago SM 2, Phillipe Lufau SM 1, Julius Dandritch QM 1, joe Grow QM SN, Carl Burgois SMSN, Sam McConnel SM 3 & Bobby Lee Garrett SM SN, and many others. I have often wondered what ever happened to those guys after I left the ship for separation at Treasure Island in November of 63. Went back to Pearl once, but Bravo Docks were occupied by theses huge ships that they told me were tin cans. They are way to big to be cans! Small cruisers maybe....not cans! Any one know where I might locate any of these guys? Thanks Mike Walsh 526-5705 QM 3

12-18-20Jim HallDD468RM168-69Email

LITTLE KNOWN NAVY HISTORY! DID YOU KNOW....that during WWII a Japanese Submarine was sunk by an American Destroyer who used "Potatoes" to sink her?! In 1942 the USS O'Bannon DD-450, an American destroyer, was dispatched to the South Pacific to face off against Japan's Naval Forces. By the end of WWII, the USS O'Bannon earned more service and battle stars, a total of 17, than any other American destroyer. On 5 April 1943 when the USS O'Bannon came across a large Japanese submarine, the RO-35, which was cruising on the surface and oblivious to the approaching ship. The USS O'Bannon decided to ram the sub to sink it. At the last minute, however, they decided against it because the CO of the USS O'Bannon feared the sub was a minelayer, a ship/sub used to lay out sea mines, and if it was rammed it would blow up the destroyer as well. Because of this quick withdrawal , the USS O'Bannon found itself moving directly parallel to the RO-35. On closer inspection, Ernest Herr, a Sailor on board the destroyer, stated that the Japanese Sailors were sleeping on the deck. The sleeping Japanese crew quickly woke up and found themselves directly across from their enemy. The USS O'Bannon was at a disadvantage because it was too close to the sub to lower its guns and the sub had 3-inch deck guns at the ready. Faced with the sub's guns, the USS O'Bannon crew began to use whatever they had at their disposal to fight the Japanese. Reaching inside nearby storage bins, the USS O'Bannon crew began to pelt the Japanese Sailors with the barrel's content. Inside the containers were potatoes and soon an epic potato battle began. Either the Japanese were not used to potatoes or were expecting the worst since they believed the potatoes were actually hand grenades. The Japanese Sailors were too preoccupied with throwing these potato grenadesÂť overboard, or right back at the USS O'Bannon, that they were not manning their deck guns. The USS O'Bannon took the opportunity to gain distance as their enemies were busy handling their potato issue. Once the USS O'Bannon was far enough away, they properly lower their guns and began firing at the sub. The Japanese started their decent into the water. Before the RO-35 was fully submerge, the USS O'Bannon damaged the sub's conning tower. After the Japanese sub disappeared from the surface, the destroyer maneuvered over the sub and delivered a depth charge attack. After the war, information was released that the Japanese RO-35 submarine did, in fact, sink as a result of USS O'Bannon's actions. Upon hearing about the potato incident, the Association of Potato Growers of Maine sent a plaque commemorating the event. It was mounted near the crew's mess decks. The incident became known as the "The Maine Potato Episode"!

12-18-20Richard Erwin Armstrongdd468qm31963-1967Email(806) 789-9570

I'm glad to have found this website. Would like to hear from some of the friends that were made during our on board time. Michael Thames - are you out there somewhere????

12-18-20Jim HallDD468Rm12/68-6/69(+-)Email

I know there are a couple 468 shipmates that were also on Oklahoma City. We just returned from CLG5 reunion in Branson & had one heck of a good time.

12-18-20Glenn Stafforduss taylor dd-468rmsa-rm212/63-5/66Email(336) 476-5912

i remember typhoon erma and the 40 ft swells and one time being at sea 66 days do not miss it.

12-18-20Clayton Starindd468mmfn aft eng rm68 69Email(928) 713-7095

Good ship,good times,Would like to hear from T.Vanguilder tm3,Appleby, and others from those years..

12-18-20Jim O'NeillDD 468LTJG65-67Email(804) 212-8911

The next reunion will be in Charleston, SC from 21-25 September 2014. Please consider attending. More information will be forthcoming as plans firm up.

12-18-20Jim HallDD468RM168/69Email

http://youtu.be/kr4_RC4oZ4s – Good video of 2250 ton DD's

12-18-20Eric HiltonDD 468CS367-69Email(941) 539-8740

To all my shipmates who served with me on Taylor from 1967- 1969. It was some of the best times of my life. But some of the most enjoyable times were playing guitar and entertaining the crew on the ship and in the clubs in Japan, Australia, PAGO PAGO and Hawaii, with my good friend and fellow band member Don Vanucci.

12-18-20S. A. (Al) MosierDDE 468TMSN59-61Email

Does anyone know what ever happened to the Korean boys we found at sea and saved their lives? What ship did we transfer them to? Also they would be about 60 or 70 years old today. Did they end up coming to the USA? Any info would be appreciated.

12-18-20Gordon E. Mcdowelluss taylor dd/dde468et21/61-12/63Email(707) 554-3053

Sorry missed reunions.. will now keep in touch for future info.

12-18-20Jim HallDD468RM168-69Email(717) 840-0150

Jim Oneil, just viewed Suez photo group, interesting....have passed it on to OKCity Yahoo group.

12-18-20Richard ArchibaldDD 468BT-31/67-4/69Email(781) 329-3291

hello im still around, would like to hear from my shipmates.

12-18-20John Theoharisdde468yn21953-1954Email

would be happy to hear from anyone.

12-18-20Robert Kinch) KenshaloUSS Taylor DDE 468SN04/56/-09/57Email(559) 313-3594

Hello to all my old shipmates

12-18-20Frank CracchiolaDD 46866-67Email(818) 997-3325

looking for anyone who remembers going on river boats in 66-67 in Vietnam

12-18-20Jimmy (Jc) MarsdenDD 468GMG312/68-6/69Email

Served on the Taylor from last dry dock at Pearl Harbor, through her last West Pac cruise and crossing of equator, until her decomissioning.

12-18-20Thomas Young Jruss taylor dde 468electrican app1959-1961Email(678) 965-5549

was a trusty sheelback april 26, 1960

12-18-20Waymon WatersUSS Taylor DDE 468SM 354-58Email(704) 263-9193

I hope all shipmates of the Taylor will have a Merry Chrismas and a happy and prosper New Year.

12-18-20Delfin LabaoDDE 468SO26/58- 7/60Email(323) 850-1918

Reside in Los Angeles- Big hello to all former shipmates..

12-18-20Charles Robninsonuss taylor dde468mm 33/59to12/62Email(662) 588-1399

hello to everyone

12-18-20Richard (Dick) MeredithDDE 468LT jg (SC)11/56 to 2/58Email(419) 223-5376

Looking forward to attending my first Taylor reunion at San Diego in Oct. 2012.

12-18-20Clarence ZiglarDDE 468Rm35/54-8/58Email(336) 731-7959

Will be glad to write, talk, with anyone who was a shipmate.

12-18-20Keith VeerkampUSS TaylorEmail

I am the daughter Of keith veerkamp. I am looking for anyone who may have known my father. Please email me I would love to talk with you. Also Any chiefs still out there?! My husbands CPO Pinning in Aug, and are inviting all chiefs! But I need your info. Hooyah! and Thank you all for your Service

12-18-20Lee RiveraDD-468EN31965-1968Email

..

12-18-20Ron HeathcottDDE 468BT-33/64-8/66Email(928) 287-1197

Would like to hear from former shipmates. I`m also looking forward to San Diego reunion.

12-18-20James Haledde468mm161-64Email(616) 755-3400

email update

12-18-20Ralph SterlingDD468Seaman?1951-1953Email(985) 502-8173

My father cannot remember all the details and years but, he speaks highly of his time on the Taylor and its commanding officers. We live in the New Orleans area and could not attend the reunion. He has lung cancer at the time. He beat it. I am very proud of my Father! If anyone remembers him he would love to hear from you. Well Wishes

12-18-20Lew BowersUss TaylorRD260-63Email

For those of you who wish to respond to a post you see here, hi-lite the desired email address, copy it then paste into your TO:(address line) of your email to that person. This was the suggestion I was given by our web master and it works. Lew Bowers

12-18-20Lewis BowersDD 468RD23/60-6/63Email

Greetings to all of my formers shipmates. Would like very much to hear from any or all of you. Lewis (Lew).

12-18-20Jim Halldd468rm12/27-6/79Email(717) 840-0150

Can't make the Sdiego reunion, will try in 2014 on the right side of lower 48!

12-18-20Jimmy Don Hudginstaylorbtfn & yn307/59-06/61Email(575) 631-6734

looking for my bt buddy from Hawaii that we cleaned the boilers together.

12-18-20Waymon E Watersuss taylor dde 468sm 354-58Email(704) 460-4350

Have a grate Memorial day to all of the ship mates of the Taylor on this year and to all the love ones .

12-18-20Werner Tenzeruss taylorpassengerApr-52Email(334) 673-2030

My family and I came over from Germany on April and landed in New York on April 27, 1957. We will be celebrating our coming to this country 60 years ago this Friday. I am forever gratiful for the opportunity to come to America.

12-18-20John Colombouss taylor dd 468fn12/68-12/71Email(907) 310-9174

Good ship,good crew, happy holidays!,turn to.

12-18-20Wil Ridingtontaylorfn5/66-3/68Email

hoping more taylorsailors plan to attend this year's reunion. been to the last two and they were a good timewith great people!

12-18-20Harold DoemelDD-468BT-31965 -1969Email

I see a few names that I remember.I use to be in the forward fire room.e-mail if you remember me.

12-18-20Richard (Dick) MckenzieUSS Taylor DD468M363/66Email(817) 559-7261

Looking For James Dudley 64/66 or Any Who Remember Me. Would be great to hear from any old shipmates

12-18-20Ronald Moseruss taylor dd-468bt21964-1968Email(208) 697-4043

error--taylor was not my last ship, as noted.

12-18-20Waymon E. Watersu.s.s. taylor dde 468sm 38/54-7/58Email(704) 263-9193

please add my name to the directory

12-18-20John E KellerDD/DDE 468MM353-56Email

I am the granddaughter of John E. Keller - he passed away in 2003 from cancer. Im looking to get into contact with anyone who might have known my grandfather.

DateNameShipRate / RankYears on BoardEmailPhoneMessage