Welcome to the USS Newport News CA-148 Guestbook Forum

Years Served: 1959-1962…Served in OI Division Radarman from 59 -62.

Years Served: Nov,1970 until Feb,1974…It seemed like a lifetime back then a lot of men just counted down the days . I wouldn’t trade any of those days I was living on a Beautiful and Proud USN ship,the last of her kind really,The Lonely Bull. I still find it a crime that the city of Newport News couldn’t swing a little cash,how much have they reaped from the Navy over the years. Quite a bit of Blood,Sweat and Tears have been shed by and for the Gray Lady and her crew over the years she was in service to our Country and she deserved better then a coffin of razor blades. Shame on you city of Newport News for not saving her. She is missed but lives on in her crew memories. I did visit the USS Salem about 2 years ago and saw the Newport News Memorial and displays,it was very nice. Take care shipmates.

Years Served: April 1972 through June 20th 1975…I came on board just prior to pulling out for the WESPAC Cruise from the USS Hawkins DD-873 as a MMFN. I worked in Engine 2 with Stoner, Dennis Sipe, Peter Nairn, Kenny Powell, Sampsel, Pappy Breen, Rose, and others. I transferred to E Division before we got back to Norfolk. I was with the IC gang with Bob Maki, Hugh Mahone, Phil Thompson, Michael Poole, Terry Lewallen, Michael McCall, Ron Gordon, Tim Weddington, Chief Newton Robinson, Zek, Smitty, and others. Like my favorite movie these were The Best Years of Our Lives. I got out IC2, because I was to short to get IC1 unless I shipped over. All my friends were gone and a new duty station just didn’t appeal to me. I went back home to Blessing, Texas after spending time in Ravenswood, West Virginia with Hugh Mahone (Ruble). I went to Angola, Africa for a while and fought the Red Peril. I bought a bar and went to college majoring in Law Enforcement. I’ve been a peace officer for 30 years now and am currently a Patrol Sergeant for the Clute Police Department, Clute, Texas. I was with the Beasley Police Department for 15 years where I was Police Chief, hence the E-mail moniker BeasleyChief. I have 4 children with my first wife; David II (24) (Patrol Deputy with Brazoria County Sheriff’s Department), Amy (19) (lives in Austin, Texas manages aChik’fil-A wants to be an architect), Matthew (16) Football player, Power Lifter, over 1500 lbs.), Michael (14) (Marine JROTC and loves it). My current wife, Candy and I have a son Aaron (10) (in G&T at school). Hope to hear from old friends and shipmates.

Years Served: …very nice,dad would have been proud.

Years Served: 1968 -69 Vietnam Tour…Great memories running the Print Shop with Roan, Fowler, Muller, and Reilly. Proud to have served on the best ship in the Navy!