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++++USS Hazelwood DD-531 PLAQUES - ENGRAVINGS - GIFTS - PRODUCTS ++++
Years Served: 1961-1963
First ship I served on - many great memories of great people and interesting events. Two events stand out: First, the Cuban Missile Crisis; and, second, the Thresher SAR....
Love to hear from any shipmates from those days or any time who also served on this great ship!
James McGinty (Mac)
Years Served: 5-62- 2-64
I remember the Captin said we had the fastest tin can in the Atlantic. I remember Cuba,USS Thesher, and the St James accident. It was a good ship and good crew.
Years Served: 1961-1963
Hazelwood was the fastest DD of that day - due to the removal of two guns aft and the addition of the hangar deck, the ship would literally plane at full power. Coming out of the Boston Naval Shipyard, we did a full power run with no ammo aboard, only ten percent fuel and a winter injection temperature almost freezing. We had a certified bell book that showed the ship turned 41+ knots.
A lot of us won a lot of bets - she was a true Greyhound.....:)
Fletcher sailors were real destroyermen.....:)
John Vargesko
Years Served: 1964
Summer, 1964 cruise to Ponta del Gata, Azores, Gibraltar, Palma Majorca, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal. Departed Massachusets, convoy with USS Bristols, and USS Sulivans.
Watched Erma la Duce about 30 times. What a HOOT!
William Askew
Years Served: 1943
i was one of the four guys that jumped from the depth charge racks of destroyer mcgowan (dd 678) to the forecastle of hazelwood after she was hit ----- we each were awarded the bronze star with a -v-
Richard E Weiner
Years Served: Apr 52 - Oct 54
I strongly remember the time we ran through Hurricane Carol and bounced around the N Atlantic for a few days before we could enter port. What a hoot that was and on the other hand I also remember a pleasant cruise through the Cape Cod Canal, our 'round the world trip in 53 & 54.
Remember lots of outstanding sailors in DESDRON 34 and these memories, among others, will stay with me forever. I stayed in for 30 years but my earliest years were the fondest.
Ted Winzig
Years Served: 1962-1963
Hey Frank, Remember the Captain would challenge other destroyers in the Naragansette Bay by flying the road runner flag. I would stand on the forecastle during a 40 plus knot run and the tobacco would shake out of my cigarettes that were in my top pocket. What a Ship
What I wouldn't give to be back on her right now
john durrant
Years Served: 1958-1960
i helped keep the forward fireroom running smooth for a couple of memorable years along with piatt, toney,harris, stateley, ramsey& mazza.
Robert Bulach
Years Served: 1961 - 1963
Great memories! I was proud to be a part of the ET gang during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the search for the Thresher! I also enjoyed our runs at Pax River when Captail Lily managed to swamp a few small boats as we tested our drone
Phil Brigman, RM2
Years Served: 61-64
Mr. Rytell, I remember the Cuban crisis and the trip to the med and the quickness of our ship. I have been in touch with Winzig and Bohnovic and we are going to the reunion next April in Philly. Will you be there?
Ronald Beaudry
Years Served: 2
I was the ships Yeoman in early 1960s.
Murray Palladino
Years Served: Served from Dec. 1942 to 2 Jan 1946
Served under the command of Comdr. Hunter Wood Jr. First Captain of The 531 I am very proud of being a plank owner. The 29th of April 1945 is a day I shall never forget and always remember in my prayers those who loss their lives.
Jim Julian
Years Served: 1/58 -1/61
The Hazelwood will be having a reunion in Jacksonville in 2011. You can get information on a blog site http://dd531-reunion.blogspot or you can email me at dd531reunion@earthlink.net If you have not gotten an email from me about the blog, please contact me so I can get you on our email list.
Jim Julian
Years Served: 1/58 -1/61
OK, I messed up!!!!! The address for the blog is http://dd531-reunion.blogspot.com I forgot the dot com
Years Served: 1961 - 1963
Looking to contact shipmates
11 comments
My father William S Davis S1/c (40mm Gunner) served on the USS Hazelwood until it was hit by a kamakasi on 4/29/45. He was badly injured and ended up on a hospital ship and was later discharged. If anyone has pictures please send. Thanks!
My uncle Paul gwinn Sk1 was killed in the kamakazi attack 4/29/45…. He had 3 Brothers in ww2 also,one was my father. I own the family farm in wv where they were all raised.
My uncle Paul gwinn Sk1 was killed in the kamakazi attack 4/29/45…. He had 3 Brothers in ww2 also,one was my father. I own the family farm in wv where they were all raised.
On board 1959 to 1962, in the afternoon fireroom, was a BT2, had great guys like Horace Jackson, Donald Hooper, Chico Elder and the late Cletus Skrabak.
We were a Blessed crew !
Just wanted anyone on site to know my dad Clinton J Starke passed away November 3rd.