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In Memorium

Honoring our Departed Shipmates

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Joseph Patrick Daly

Joseph Patrick Daly, passed away right before Christmas 2021 at the age of 86 in Philadelphia where he lived his entire life.  He enlisted in the Navy in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1960.  He served on the USS Picking during the Korean War.  He iss survived by his two sons, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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 Capt. Alan  Dougall

Then CDR Dougall was skipper of the Picking in the late 1950s. He was a frequent attendee at recent reunions. 

CAPT. ALAN DOUGALL, USN (RET.) Alan Dougall died peacefully on Sunday, January 7, 2018, surrounded by his family in Kansas City, MO. Alan was born July 27, 1922 in Los Angeles, CA, to Matthew and Fannie Dougall. He graduated from the California Maritime Academy in 1942 and was immediately commissioned into the U.S. Navy. While visiting the dentist in 1945, he met Lucille Wilson who was serving as a WAVE and they soon married. He served in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters during World War II. During his 30 year career in the Navy, Alan and his family traveled to assignments throughout the continental U.S., Hawaii, Japan and England. Some of his most memorable assignments included commanding the USS Picking (DD 685); his first major command, the USS LaSalle (LED 3); and serving as Commodore of Amphibious Group 3. He also served in Washington, D.C. as the First Naval Aide to the Marine Commandant, and in London as the Commander of US Naval Activities in the UK. After his retirement from the Navy, Alan became a licensed master in the Merchant Marine and sailed the world for another 14 years. His best stories from these years included hauling a tanker full of grain to Russia -- which took a month to unload by wheelbarrow -- and sailing to Iran to fill a tanker with oil, where the deckhands roasted goats on the deck for dinner. Alan was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Wilson Dougall, his parents, and sister, Elspeth Dougall Ament. Survivors include Alan's two daughters, Rosemary Dougall, Bremerton, WA, and Diane Dougall Gee and husband Gordon, Kansas City, MO. He was also cherished by grandchildren, Whitney (Gee) Hosty and her husband Patrick, Cameron Dougall Gee, Hilary Wilson Gee and fiance Bennet Goeckner, and Lucy Hong Dougall, as well as great-grandchildren, Lillian Kathryn Hosty and Henry Alan Hosty (whom Alan proudly called "H. Alan").

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Robert Weldon "Bob" Ramer

Robert Weldon "Bob" Ramer, QM2, served on board from re-commissioning in Jan 1951 to Sep 1951. He served on USS Pennsylvania BB-38 and USS Freestone APA-167 in WWII. Following military service, he became a highway safety contractor in Spokane, WA. He passed away from natural causes on Feb 1, 1995.

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.Keith Moon

Keith Moon was an officer who served on the Picking from 1943-1945. He resided in East Aurora, NY with is wife June. He passed away on 20 June 2017 at the age of 97. He is survived by his wife of 72 years and his extended family.

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Cecil Lenard Crain

Cecil Lenard Crain GM3 who served on the USS Picking in the early 1950's passed away in their home on Feb. 10th 2017.   He leaves his daughter, Colleen Leary, and two grandchildren and one great grandchild and some nieces and nephews.  

Lenard worked at the Ford Assembly Plant in Norfolk Va. as a supervisor of a department.  He and his wife, Dorothy who passed last June, lived in the South Norfolk section of Chesapeake, Va. for over 65 years.  He enjoyed woodworking, building decks, UNC basketball, the Redskins, NASCAR and giving his all to his daughter and grandkids. 

When asked about his military service he told about being on the helm when the ship collided with a carrier near Norfolk.  He saw so much of the world on board the destroyer that he had no desire to travel from South Norfolk when he got older.  Lenard was 86 years on when he died.  He is buried at the Horton Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk Virginia with Dot.  

He will be greatly missed by all as he was the rock of his family.

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Kenneth E. Varns

Ken passed away Thursday morning 27 December 2015 around 1 am.  He had fell Nov. 7th that cased a brain bleed. He was getting better and he was released from Rusk Rehab on Dec. 2 and went home. His death was unexpected. He was in his recliner watching football and went to sleep and when his wife Judy woke up around 2am, he was gone. Ken and Judy were regulars at all recent reunions. He served on the Picking from 1964 to 1965 as a boatswains mate. He and Judy were regulars at our Reunions from 2006 on.  He will be missed by all.

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Charles W. Kemmerling

Chuck passed away on Saturday 23 February 2016 due to complications from a recent surgery. Born August 28, 1937 in Monroe, MI. He  married Mary Lou Mack on November 4, 1961 . He joined the Navy  on July 19, 1957. He served aboard the Picking from 1958 to 1961 as a machinists mate and was honorably discharged on July 19, 1961. Retired in 1998 as Superintendent of Maintenance, Chuck was employed by Ford Motor Company in Dearborn for 32 years. Chuck always brought the large size model of the Picking he constructed at most reunions. He donated it to the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg TX during our 2009 Reunion in  San Antonio.

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James H. Horn, Jr.

Jim Horn passed away on 4 February 2016 in Arlington TX. He served on the Picking as a radioman from 1962 to 1965. After discharge, Jim worked in law enforcement. He and Donna were regular attendees at our reunions for the past several years. 

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Don Lehmkuhl

Don passed away due to heart problems in late November 2015. He served as a YN2 on the commodore's staff. He resided in Hamilton, OH. He is survived by his widow Esther. They were regular attendees at our reunions until Don developed health problems.

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Omar I. Lovaas

Passed away on 19 November 2015 at the age of 82 in Valley City, ND. He enlisted in 1952 serving four years. He served aboard the Picking during the Korean Conflict working  in the engine room. He remembered spending 52 days in Korean waters subsisting on rice as the ship's food supplies were low. He detested rice after that episode.

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Joe Worsham

He served on the Picking in World War 2, and earned a Bronze Star for his role as 40 mm gunner in shooting down aircraft on April 6, 1944 during the battle of Okinawa. 

He was killed in an automobile accident in 1947.

 

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Arthur C. Walker

Arthur C. "Archie" Walker, 87, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2014. Archie is survived by his wife of 30 years, Miriam J. Walker; three sons, one daughter, two stepsons, two stepdaughters, 19 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; one sister, Edna Trimarchi. Archie served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he saw action in the Pacific Theater. He also served in the Army in post-war Germany. Archie was a member of the VFW Post 9808 and the Washington and Henry Masonic Lodge. He now rests in the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia.

He joined the Navy at the age of 17 in 1944 and attended some, but not many, reunions and he very much enjoyed reconnecting with the men who mattered so much to him The family would love to hear from some of Archie's shipmates. A family contact is Kristi Orcutt, 10425 Spring Run Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832, (804) 822-0400 or email botnizn@gmail.com.

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Elton Claude Parker

Elton Claude Parker, 95, of McComb, died July 6, 2014, at his residence. He was both born and died at home, surrounded in the love of his family and care. Mr. Parker was born June 15, 1919, in Agricola, Miss., in George County. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a double major in civil and electrical engineering. After graduation, he enlisted with the Navy and was commissioned as an ensign. He completed special training in gunnery and torpedoes. He was assigned to the USS Picking and participated in invasions in the Philippines and Okinawa. Under heavy enemy fire, he directed his boat and crew to a burning naval vessel, rescuing 25 men, for which he received a Bronze Star. He was released from the Navy in 1946. 

Claude Parker is survived by his wife of 65 years Wylene Emmanuel Parker; his five sons, Joe (LuLu) Parker of Katy, Texas; Gene of McComb; Glenn (Ginny) of Canton; Clay (Colette) of Madison; and Pat (Elise) of Magnolia; 15 grandchildren, Maggie, Dan, Emily, Jake, Ben, Kate, Elise, Meredith, Miriam, Benton, Whit, Knox, Quin, Ellen and Cady; and five great-grandchildren. 

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Arthur Emil Kranz

Artie passed away in 2008 at the age of 86. He was a lifelong resident of Farmingdale, New York. He joined the Navy in 1942 and was assigned to the Picking after boot camp. He served through the war as an FT and was discharged in 1946. Back home he married his High School sweetheart Gertrude and enjoyed sixty seven years with her. He worked as a Customer Service Foreman in the New York Telephone Company, now Verizon and was involved as a newspaper columnist, volunteer fireman, in the Boy Scouts and Master of his Masonic Lodge. His estate volunteered his memorabilia that will be turned over to the Picking archives in Philadelphia at the reunion. Artie has a lot of detailed info about the Picking’s WW2 experience which I will post on this website.

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George Chambers

On November 8, 2012 George H. Chambers died from complications of cancer, brought on by exposure to Agent Orange during one of his tours in Viet Nam. He died while being cared for at the VA Medical Center in Spokane, Wa.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Vi Chambers. They have two sons, Eric and Jason. Also three grandchildren. Zak, who is a marine. Tess, who is currently in university. And Noah who is just two years old.
George was born in Ione, Wa. George and Vi have resided in Spokane for the last 41 years. He was 66 years old at the time of his death.

 

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Woodrow Wilson Hubbard

Woodrow Wilson Hubbard passed away at the age of 98  on 8 August 2012. He was from Bedford County, Virginia and served on the USS Picking from 1942-1945. He sailed on the Picking when it left New York, went through the canal, and went to the Pacific and was involved in the following Campaigns of the Philippine Liberation, Leyte Gulf, Aleutians, Okinawa, and various other campaigns. He was very proud to serve his country even though he was drafted by mistake, he still went and served. He was preceded in life by his wife of 70 years Edna Dillon Hubbard. He always wanted to attend the reunions, but Health Problems prevented that.

 

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Ray Corbin, BT3

Served on the Picking from 1966 to 1969. Passed away in 2009.

 

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Thomas Francis "Lenny" Leonard., LtJG

Thomas Francis Leonard was a LtJG on the Picking from the summer of 1968 thru decommissioning in 1969. He served as Damage Control Assistant. Passed away in August 2011.

 

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Daniel J. Martinez, RMSN

Served on the Picking 1969-1970. Passed away 5 June 2012.

 

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Richard Wedemeyer, LTJG

Served on the Picking 1959-1961. Passed away 12 May 2012. He is survived by his wife Jane. Dick served in the Engineering Department after coming aboard as a new Ensign. The Wedemeyers attended the 2007 Reunion. They planned to attend the 2011 Reunion but Dick's health problems prevented them from joining us..

 

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Robert Francis Lizotte, TM3

Bob was on the Picking from around 64 or 65 until he transferred off in 66. While stationed in San Diego, he married Gene Smith. Following his 8 years in the Navy, Bob and Gene moved to Yakima. Bob passed away on 4 February 2006.

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Charley Turner, SM3

Charley Turner of Troy, Tennessee served on the Picking from 1954 to 1957. He passed away on 29 October 2010 while fishing, one of his favorite pastimes.  He was also a long-time radio amateur with the call WD9ART.

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Robert J. "Dep" Deputy, SO1

Dep passed away on 26 November 2007. He served on the Picking from 1951-53. 

He was born on 9 February 1931 in Little Rock, Arkansas and moved to Los Angeles with his parents a few years later during the great depression. He married his teenage sweetheart, Norma, in 1953 and was the loving father of two daughters Darlyn and Denise. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Andrea, Christopher, Audrey and Melanie.

“Dep” took his duty to his country very seriously and he enlisted in the Navy in 1949, completing his first tour of duty during the Korean War. He later was active in the Naval Marine Reserves as a lieutenant commander.

While serving his community as a Los Angeles Police Officer, he began his journey as a physician of 41 years when he went to Los Angeles City College as a pre-med student. His education continued at USC and then UC Irvine, School of Medicine. He completed his internship and pediatric residency at Los Angeles County General Hospital.  He was a dedicated doctor who received many honors including being nominated by his patients and recognized by Physician’s Associates as their number one pediatrician for five consecutive years. 

His avocations included competition race cars, owning race horses, attending his beloved USC games and events, running marathons (after the age of 40!), flying and was a daily visitor at the Pasadena Athletic Club.

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Johnny F. Miller

Johnny Miller BT1 passed away on 3 March 2006. He served on the Picking from 1960-1965. He originally got out in 1948 but reenlisted in 1950. He completed 20 years service in 1965 and retired.  He then returned to his home state of Minnesota. He is interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. He is survived by a son, Jerry, who informed us of Johnny's passing.

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Tom Slabowski

Tom Slabowski QM2 served on the Picking from 1954 to 1958.  Tom has been the editor of The Picking Pulse since its inception. Tom and his wife Fran attended most of the recent reunions. Tom passed away suddenly on 22 March 2006 at Levittown, NY.

The XO at the time, LCDR Guy E. Thompson sent the following tribute to Tom:

"When I was XO of PICKING I picked Slabowski, then a QM3, to fill the billet of the QMC whose time on board was up.  Slabowski was one of the most eager learners I ever had.  There were several  occasions when I was so proud of what he was doing that I told the CO -- the late CDR John J Reidy.  CDR Reidy shared my pride in Slabowski's work and learning.  He made my job easier and more pleasant and he was a huge help on several occasions when I was faced with some very real navigational problems.  During those times where I was going beyond what was shown in various manuals he was with me every step of  the way.  He was a shipmate of whom one can be proud."

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LCDR Josef Seger

Mr. Seger passed away on 2 February 2006 At Palm Desert, CA. As I recall he was XO sometime in the late 50s or early 60s timeframe.

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Jerry Reinhold

Jerry Reinhold served on the Picking from 1952-1956. Jerry and his wife Jean hosted the 2001 Reunion in West Reading PA. He passed away on 22 January 2006.

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Robert William McKinley

Robert McKinley passed away on 14 January 2006 at the age of 85. He served on the Picking in World War II while she was stationed in the Aleutian Islands.

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Neal O. Grant

Neal Grant EN3 served on the Picking during the Korean War from 1954-1956. He was born on 2 December 1935 in Bailyville, ME and passed away at home in Enfield CT on 23 December 2005.  The Grants attended the 2005 Reunion where we all had the opportunity to get to know him.

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Donald G. Hale

Don served in B Division from July 1955 to January 1957. He passed away on 15 August 2005.

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Joseph Tuszynski

Joseph passed away on 9  June 2005. He was a World War II vet who served on the Picking. He is survived by his wife, Marie.

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Ronald D. Doll, Sr.

Ronald Doll passed away on 31 May 2005 in Kissimmee, Florida. He was born on 10 October 1921 in East Stroudsberg, PA. He was a SO1 and served aboard the Picking from 19 April 1943 to November 1945. 

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Ernie Cruz

Ernest Cruz passed away on 11 April 2005 at age 82. He was a member of the WWII crew on the USS Picking from the shake down cruise in 1943 through the de-commissioning in 1946. Ernie transferred to the Picking after two years on the battleship New York. Ernie always anticipated attending the Picking reunions to visit with his valued friends and the experience a special 'R&R'

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Nicholas Gaglio

Nicholas Gaglio, a WWII Picking shipmate, passed away on 18 March 2005 after a long bout with Parkinson's disease. Nicholas had not be able to attend reunions in recent years due to his health. He is survived by his wife, Theresa.

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Robert "Doc" Bushman

Doc Bushman passed away on 8 February 2005 according to his daughter. Doc was a World War II veteran who attended every reunion as far as I know. He had signed up for the 2005 Reunion. 

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Richard E. Barker, ET2, USN

Richard Barker of Alvord Texas passed away on 5 November 2004. He served on the Picking from 1957 to 1960. He is survived by his wife Sandra and his children Richard Jr., DaLynn, and David Barker. He is also survived by his older brother Alvin who is a Navy Pearl Harbor survivor (who served on the Oklahoma, Louisville, and the St. Paul), and two sisters Harriet and Kathryn. He lost another brother in 1953 who was Navy, Charles who served on the Bunker Hill.

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Virgil Hodges

Virgil Hodges of Portland Oregon passed away on 8 August 2004.  Virgil was Gunnery Officer when I was aboard the Picking in the late 50s. 

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Fred D. Bakken, BM1

Fred Bakken passed away 3 June 2004 at age 76. Fred was a real gentleman who served in the Deck Gang. He retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief Bosuns Mate after having served from 1946 to 1967. He met and married his wife in Sasebo, Japan. They raise five kids and have 3 grandchildren. His daughter, Shirley Hammond passed on this sad news. Shirley is looking for any stories about Fred or pictures of him that she can share with Fred's  grandkids.  Contact Phil Finkle for her contact information.

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CDR Raymond Keough, USN

CDR Raymond F. Keough, United States Navy, Retired, passed away in June 2003 after a brief illness. Commander Keough was born in Portland, Maine on September 17, 1925. He graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy and the University of Maine. He was a highly decorated veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, having re­ceived the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device for action in Vietnam as the Command­ing Officer of the USS Picking, DD 685. His last duty with the Navy was as Commanding Officer of the Fleet Training and Mine Warfare School in Charleston, SC. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1973, Commander Ke­ough became the Chief Engineer for the Port of Miami where he remained for twenty years. After retirement from this position, Commander Keough and his wife returned to live in Mt. Pleasant.

He is survived by his wife of over 51 years, Millicent, one son, Kevin Keough and his wife Mary-Ruth Keough of Aubrey, Texas, two daughters, Kimberly Dierks and her husband John Dierks of Manhattan, Kansas, and Karen McCay and her husband Gordon McCay of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Michael McCay, Amy Polk and her husband Kevin Polk, Kate Ann Keough of Aubrey, Texas and one great grandchildren, Tyler Polk.

He was a member of the Retired Officers Association, South Carolina Irish Historical Society, Navy League, 88 Club, East Cooper Republican Men’s Club and the Societe Française.

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Ralph Gibbons

Ralph Gibbons passed away on 25 Sept. 2002. He was one of our WWII veterans.

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Pat Zitnik, GM

Pat and his brother Jim (still living) served on the USS Picking DD-685 in the 60's and sailed a WESTPAC tour in 1961/62.  Pat Zitnik passed away March 21, 2002, and is interred at Riverside National Cemetery at March Air Force Base, Riverside, CA. He had a military funeral with honors.

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Jack E. Kelly, MM2, USN

 

1940s                                             1960s

Jack Edward Kelly (born Aug. 8, 1924) boarded the USS Picking Sept. 21, 1943, in Brooklyn and served throughout WW II on her as far as we know.  Jack attended one reunion - in Indianapolis, I think - before he died suddenly June 11, 1966, leaving a wife and two daughters.

His widow and his daughters would love to hear from any of his old shipments. They can be reached at:

Barbara Kelly Sjerven
504 Cornell Place
Tyler, TX  75701barbosc@cox-internet.com

Susan Roomberg skrassociates@cox.net

Rebecca Kelly Bendel  missrscarlett@gmail.com

 

 

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Edward McCue Dullen

Edward Dullen served on the USS Picking from 1943-46. He passed away on December 22, 1953. He was born on June 10, 1926 and lived in Beech Creek, PA. Was honorably discharged as a Seamen, First Class, V-6

 

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World War II

Joseph Waclawski (5 Aug. 2004)

Leroy Steiner (19 May 2004)

Harold Sikula (June 2003)

Matt Mirantz (22 Mar. 2003)

Hal Sikula (2003)

Steve Malecki (2002)

Ralph D. Gibbons (2002)

Emerson Jones Jr. (2002)

Edward Sisson (2001)

Lloyd St. Ours (2001)

Joseph Bouschor (2001)

John Smouse (2000)

Kenneth Cowlin (2000)

Bernartd Vanderriner (1999)

Robert Maher (1999)

Robert Brooks (1998)

Robert Frey (1997)

Joe Mulally (1989)

Eddie Boye (1973)

Ray Carl

Hugh "Pappy" Clark

Fred Bowman

Roman Jablonski

Milton Rolle

VADM P. J. Semmes, Jr.

David R. Gardner - Kansas City, Mo.

John F. Gulliford

David C. Hall - State College, PA

John D. Hammonds - Pasadena, CA

Edward R. Inglis - New York, NY (6 Apr 1960)

Lee. E. Johnson - Albuquerque, NM (Jan 1962)

George L. Kielty - Luzerne, PA

Leon Krautman - Brooklyn, NY (10 Feb 1954)

John Otis Kirgan - Columbus, IN (15 Mar 1965)

Jack E. Kelly - Corpus Cjristi, TX (11 June 1966)

LCDR Wynkoop Kiersted III

CRD Raymond Starr Lamb

Norman E. LaBrie - Riverside, RI (12 March 1959)

Carl S. McCoy - Palisades Paekm NJ (Feb 1964)

Willard P. Scott - Ponce de Leon, FL (22 July 1945)

Robert L. Starr - Decatur Ala

Douglas V. Smith - Shreveport, LA (Dec 1965)

Robert L. Scherrer - Durant, OK (14 Sep 1965))

Robert E. Woods - Eagle Rock, CA (2 Mar 1959)

Joe B. Worsham - Temple, OK (1 Nov 1947)

Bernard F. Wantz - Woodborn, OR (11 Apr 1963)

Richard Schmidt - Minaketo, MN (26 May 1972)

Edward E. Boyd - Staten Island, NY (21 Sep 1977)

Walter Chowning - Indianapolis, IN

Marvin Coon - Cockeysville, MD (7 Sep 1981)

Ray W. Carl - Reading, PA

Carl Eidel - Valencia, PA

Robert W. Sabders - Greensburg, PA (Dec 1982)

Joseph M. Ferreire - Corning, NY

Kenneth G. Hopper - Peru, IN

Heister Hower - Kingston, PA

Vinko J. Juricich - Besser, PA

Richard Kephardt - Minneapolis, MN

Stanley E. Makuch - Fall River, MA

Charles K. Meyers - Indianapolis, IN

Stanley J. Wozniak - Martins Ferry, OH

Stanley Kowalozyk - New Britain, CT

 

Post World War II

Norman Asman (March 26, 2004)

Lyle Davis (2003)

Wilford G. Burns (2003)

Warren Siddons (19 Feb 2001)

Harry Dalton (2001)

Alva Effrick (2001)

Willard Kimber (2001)

Jack Manley (2001)

Elliott Sherman (2001)

Thomas L. Davies (2000)

Donald Mitchell (2000)

Robert Patton (2000)

Irving Swartz (2000)

Emile Toups (1999)

Sterling Clark (1998)

Ernest Gifford (1998)

Frank J. Zakashefski, Jr.  (25 Sep 1995)

Rocin Lee Beckins (1966)

Orvil Winters

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Please send pictures and brief biographies of our departed comrades for posting on this site. Email them to Phil Finkle at k6eid@bellsouth.net