Welcome to the USS The Sullivans DD-537 Guestbook Forum

Navy Emporium
Please view our commemorative USS The Sullivans DD-537 products in our Ship's Store!

++++USS The Sullivans DD-537 PLAQUES - ENGRAVINGS - GIFTS - PRODUCTS ++++

Bruce Kahler
Years Served: 20
Jason,

I am the current president of USS The Sullivans Association (DD-537 / DDG-68). We were formed in 1958 and currently have over 700 members who served aboard DD-537 and a few dozen that served or are serving aboard DDG-68.

Our organization has a web site: http://www.ussthesullivans.net/
I have been very busy adding history to the site under Kahler's Korner
Read it and enjoy.

We are always looking for crew members and would appreciate knowing any you find that are not already members of our organization.

VR

Bruce Kahler, CTMC USN (Ret)

Ted Bojanowski
Years Served: 1956-1957
Nice to see the new website.
I was RM2 on the DD537 in 1956-57, where our major effort was in the Red Sea during the First Arab-Israeli War. Since the Suez Canal was cluttered with sunken obstacles, we proceeded down the west coast of Africa, crossing the equator with appropriate shellback ceremonies, but, when we heard that the obstacles were removed from the canal, we headed back north to the Med and then through the Suez Canal to our base of operations at Massawa, Eritrea. Our mission, which was then classified, was successful. (We also delivered a PC as a gift to the Eritrean government.) Our relief did not show up, so we were required to spend 60-days instead of 30 in the Red Sea. And it was really hot !!!
The DD537 during my stay also participated in the tracking of the signals of Sputnik I. Other Navy ships around the world at the time also listened in for the beep-beep of Sputnik I in order to verify that it was actually a Soviet satellite circumnavigating the globe.
Ports of call: Massawa, trip to Asmara, Athens, Palma, Barcelona, and the Azores.
DD537 also participated in Arctic exercises in November 1957 after engine breakdown mid-Atlantic and return to Argentia for repairs. After Arctic exercise, a visit to Plymouth, England, with crew allowed to proceed to London for recreation.
Earlier DD537 visited Santiago and Havana, Cuba, with successful shakedown at GTMO, Cuba. During the return from Cuba during a gunnery test of the 5 inch gun, an Eastern Airlines plane reported being fired on, so we quickly ordered a stop to the gunnery exercise.
Oh, what good memories.
Ted

Douglas Hoch
Years Served: 1957-1960
:P

Ed Boyle
Years Served: 1962 - 1965 Machinist Mate 3rd Class
I was on The Sullivans during the Cuban Missle Crisis and LT Rauth was our Division Officer (Great Man) I met a lot of great men during my 3 years on that ship, I am proud to have served aboard her. The U.S. Navy sure changed me from a boy to a man, a great experience in my life.

I was originally from Long Island N.Y., spent 11 years in Lake Charles Louisiana. Worked for Northrop/Grumman for 40 years and reired to Palm Coast ,Florida in 2005

Moloci Nestor L. GM2
Years Served: Nov. 1955 to Sept. 1957
This was a time in my life that I will not soon forget, I was proud to
have served, but two trips to the gulf was a bit much. The second trip
was a winner not only did we have a time making fresh water but we also started to run out of food. We did not know there were that many ways to fix cold cuts and rice. I also think that someone forgot to send us our
mail we received two bags of Fourth Class Mail. Our First Class Mail
was received when we got back to Newport, R.I. Needless to say our
Morale was close to an all time low at this point. I was also one of the
Ships Master at Arms in 1957. USS The Sullivans DD 537

Carl DePoy
Years Served: 1962-63
I was first assigned as a radioman to the USS Abbott (sister ship), transfered to the USS Daniel A. Joy DE 585 then got a swap to USS The Sullivans in Newport RI.The most memorable time for me was the trip up the east coast from Norfolk to Newport in a Noreaster storm. Four days of hell on the water, and the biggest scare was anchored in Gitmo bay at condition three. All in all a good ship and a great crew. My wife and I realy enjoy the reunions and are looking forward to the next one in Buffalo, Sept 09. Hope to see all my old shipmates and swap sea-stories and down a few! Carl DePoy RMC (ret)

Tom Charlton
Years Served: 1961-1965
I was a Machinest Mate 1st class working in BRAVO 4 under Engeering Officers LT Hinkle and LT Rauth, MPA ENS Shaw. From the Cuban Missile and Dominican Republic Crisis to DESLANT ENGEERING SCHOOL Ship and Reserve Training the SULLY performed with her We Stick Together Spirit.

I Retired from the Navy on 10 March 1977, served on three other Destroyers, an Air Craft Carrier and a Landing Ship Dock (LSD) and never found such a unique Spirit.

I retired in 2001 from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and live in Ocoee, FL

Fred Shaw
Years Served: 1957--1959
I went aboard The Sully in 1957 as an RDSN and got off in 1959 as an RD2, after shipping over. Made two Med cruises and a Gitmo shakedown after a refurb in the Boston Naval Shipyard. While in the shipyard, I was assigned to the Armed Forces Police and lived the good life in one of Boston's finer hotels. Not bad duty! Had many good times aboard DD537 and have been to see her a couple of times in Buffalo, where she is permanently berthed. Took my son with me to one of the annual Field Days and showed him my bunk. He couldn't believe we actually lived like that. I remember having to go up a ladder and a small hatch to the 02 level in rough seas in order to get forward. I don't think I could make it through that hatch today.

I also am a member of the USS The Sullivans Association and enjoy the reunions every other year.

Gene D. Vineyard
Years Served: 1963 & 1964
This is a very nice web site.
I came aboard the Sullivans in early 1963 and served on the deck force with a lot of great guys. Had thoughts of joining the radio gang, but was asked if I would instead consider becoming the ships Postal Clerk. Took over from a guy who was was just filling in (Grasso) I beleve was his name. He was from New York and was getting out. Really enjoyed my time serving aboard the Sullivans under Captain Chapman. I left the Navy in 1965 and caught on with the U.S.Postal Service. Retired from the Postal Service in 2003 with 41 years and 6 months service. Would be happy to hear from past shipmates in the 1963 & 1964 service period.
As well as others. Finished my service aboard The USS Barney DDG6 as a 3 Class Postal Clerk.

Gene (gpvine@aol.com)