I grew up hearing stories from Dad about his time in the Navy. I was rather young and although I can't remember the specifics, I know he enjoyed his time in the service. He was proud to serve his country. I listened to the stories of how he traveled the world with wonder.

If anyone out there remembers my dad and especially if you have any pictures of him from his time of service I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Please email me at herno73@yahoo.com.

Thank you and God Bless,

Christopher R Hernandez

Chas. S. Chase (ET1 at that time)

Aquila9chase@aol.com

With kind regards to all,

Ben

I’m looking for anyone that may know or remember my father. He was on the USS John R Pierce from 1945 to 1956 I believe. He was a GM2. I grew up hearing about all the stories from his experiences in the Navy. My father had a lot of pride and respect for his country; he was a true Navy man. My father passed away on July 11, 2006. Everything about his experiences was instilled in me and I will never forget it. I’m very proud to say that my father was one of many many veterans to serve and protect our country.

I have several photos that belonged to my father that I would love to post. I don’t know who I need to contact or how to go about doing that. He has one beautiful picture of the USS John R Pierce with all the sailors on deck while they were in Venice, Italy. He also has several drawings(he was a very talented man) of when he was in Adak, Alaska working at the Dental Clinic at the US Naval Base and he has a photo where he had painted the US flag on the ship. Does anyone remember that?

I have many pictures of my father and sailors.. Some of their names are J.N. Robbins, Donnie Ford, Kenneth Broom, Melvin Hill, Donald Clark. Does anyone know of these men?

I also believe my father was a member of the USS John R Pierce DD753 Sailors Organization Inc., I have many newsletters that he had with the name THE FIERCE PIERCE.

If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. Like I said I would love to be able to post some of the pictures and drawings my dad has. You can contact me at mlrbkr94@wildblue.net. if you have any information about my father and how I should go about posting these photos and stuff.

Thank you and God Bless,

Michi Robertson

I served as a plebe midshipman aboard the Pierce during the summer of 1950. During our six week cruise we visited Portsmouth, Maine; NY,NY; Panama; and were scheduled to hit Cuba on the way back to Norfolk, but Korea broke out and we were diverted to GTMO.

It was a memorable introduction to sea going life. My memories are of a happy ship, good friendly crew, and lots of both hard work and fun times.

Sincerely,

Capt. Edmund M. Waller, SC, USN(Ret)
Ewseadog@aol.com

From: Robert Littell
lit753@gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 12:11 PM

This is in answer to the question from B S CHAPMAN about a John R. Pierce captain named Williamson. I was a Lt. j.g. on board the Pierce from 1956 to almost 1960. Captain Williamson was the third commanding officer I served under. He was, as Mr. Chapman said, a mustang – he came up through the ranks. The biggest incident during his time as captain took place in Iskenderun, Turkey in the late 1950s. A commercial tanker holding JP4, jet fuel, for the American planes flying out of Adanna, Turkey, exploded. If I remember correctly, three sailors were killed in the explosion, the others abandoned ship to the safety of shore. The Pierce was in Rhodes when we were ordered to proceed at full speed to Iskenderun to see if we could do anything about the burning tanker. We passed north of Crete (among other things I was the ship’s navigator) and could see the flames from the tanker long before we entered the Iskenderun bay. We anchored and John Macon, the engineering officer, took the longboat around the burning tanker. When he returned, we had a war council in the ward room. John reported that some of the plates on the tanker were red hot. Most of us thought it was too risky to go alongside – after all, we had tons of explosives on board – but Captain Williamson decided to take that risk. We tied up to the burning tanker in the dark and our sailors went aboard with hoses to fight the flames. It took all night to put out the flames. At dawn the tanker was smoldering but no longer burning. We found the body of one of the dead civilian sailors and someone put a wooden cross on it. Another destroyed relieved us after a few days and we sailed to Beirut for liberty. The Pierce and Captain Williamson received many messages of congratulations from various admirals for having put out the fire. As I remember, a sailor on the destroyer that replaced us died as a result of taking two Lloyds of London insurance people down into the vast tanks that once held JP4 – he was asphyxiated, I believe. The second destroyer was replaced by the Turkish salvage vessel Imroz out of Istanbul. While we were in Beirut, we saw a newspaper with a photograph on the front page of the Imroz and the tanker – both were in the air, the result of a new explosion (probably the fumes in the enormous JP4 reservoirs on the tanker) that killed some thirty Turkish sailors on the salvage vessel.

I still own a navigation “divider” that I swiped from the bridge of the tanker (which hadn’t been touched by the flames), a memento of a great episode in DD753 history.

Bob Littell

Dear Webmaster,

Can you post these three e-mails that I sent answering to people who posted comments on your web? Thank you.

Robert Littell
Former Lt. j.g. on the John R. Pierce from 1956 to almost 1960

Dear Richard Yash,

I was on the Pierce from 56 to almost 60. I was a Lt. j.g. and bridge watch officer (and communications officer) and spent most of my time on the bridge, so we must have surely known each other. To this day I remember the signalmen talking with the signalmen on various other ships by semaphore or using the light.

All the best!

Dear Richard Downey,

I was on board the Pierce at the time of the gun mount (53) explosion. I was check sighting (trying to make sure the guns were pointing at the sleeve and not the plane towing it) in mount 52 and heard the explosion over my earphones. With everyone else I raced aft to help pull wounded from the mount. Then a medic gave me some kind of cream to put on the eyelids of everyone. One of the wounded was Jack Pierce, the son of the submarine commander our ship was named for. He returned to the Pierce months later after hospital. I vividly remember hi-lining our wounded to a cruiser. We learned that one had died almost immediately. My memory is that four died in the accident - the two sailors on each gun who were loading it. The cause of the explosion was a double load - the first shell and powder load misfired but nobody noticed so they rammed a second shell and power bag into the first ones still in the gun. If you have footage I would be thrilled if you could somehow send it to me, perhaps as an attachment to an e-mail (if that is possible). I was a Lt. j.g. on the Pierce from 56 to almost 60. My name is Robert Littell. My mailing address is: "Besse" 46600 Martel, France.

All the best!

Dear David Cushion,

You're right - it was 1956. I was there - at the time I was a Lt.j.g - served on the John R. Pierce (along with Jack Pierce, the son of the submarine commander the ship was named after) from 56 to almost 60. We were in Wexford for the unveiling of the Barry statue. A few years ago I returned to Wexford - the statue is still there. I remember our photograph appeared in Life Magazine - all of us on a reviewing stand in our dress blues. We opened the ship to visitors one day (of the three days we were there) - hundreds of people, a lot of them with children, lined up to come aboard. When we sailed, there were no white sailor hats left on the ship - the sailors had given them all away to the children. When we were ten or so miles at sea, a tug boat came out of the harbor chasing us and hooting his horn. We hove to. He came alongside and the Irish on board handed up a camera that a sailor had forgotten on a table in a restaurant. It was an amazing three days!

Best wishes!

From: "B S CHAPMAN" boycesuds@bellsouth.net

By doing a google search for my father, Kenneth G. Hylind, I came across the navsource website http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/753. It was only after sharing some images that I scrolled to the bottom of the page and found a link to your site, which I did not know about.

Attached are some of the images that may be of interest to you. My father was the Commanding Officer (July 13, 1964 -March 28, 1966). If you publish them on your site we would be pleased to have you say that they were contributed by the Hylind family.

One in particular includes a drawing of the Pierce on the cover of the Christmas day menu 1964. It is signed "Sweeney." The menu is also included where there is a "Sweeney" listed. (The menu portion was not published on the navsource site) I do not see a "Sweeney" on your site, but it says "mess Deck Personnell BM1 MMAA" Christmas of 1964. My father saved his artwork among his most important papers. It shows the Pierce bathed in the light of the Christmas star. It was that kind of effort and heart that my father always admired and valued. He had great respect for those who gave thier best effort. He spoke so highly of the men who served on the Pierce, and of that spirit of excellence they embodied. According to him, they were effecient, dedicated and frequently went above and beyond their duties. I'm sure this was one such example. No doubt it reminded him of the men and spirit of the Pierce. As it says in the Welcome Aboard brochure: "They are a proud group that man destroyers"

Also not published on the navsource site was the prayer on the inside of the 1965 Christmas card. It speaks to the "heritage of work, brotherhood, and freedom of body and mind" which seems to capture the essence of the experience. As your site is more about the people, I thought you might be interested.

There also seems to be a mistake on the dates of the Commanding Officers so I have included change of command materials.

We have other photos are marked official and do not know the policy on them. If you do (know the policy that is - whether they are released for publication after so many years etc) , and you would like them please let me know.

Sincerely,
The Hylind Family

Editor's Note: You may view the pictures mentioned above by visiting the main page and clicking on "Contributions by the Hylind Family" on the menu posted on the left.

Good Afternoon,

I would like to say thank you for contacting us.

My name is Cecil Thompson and I was aboard the Pierce from April 1962 until December 1964. Your father was my CO for around 5 months. I was transferred off the ship while on a Med Cruise. We were in Valencia Spain. I was a Radioman. I careered the Navy and was transferred to the fleet reserve in Jan 1977.

A little back ground – The USS John R Pierce Sailors Organization was formed in 1991 by former crew members. Most of the folks who formed the group were aboard in the late 40’s and early 50’s. We have held annual reunions ever since except for 2005 when we were scheduled to go to Biloxi but hurricane Katrina had other ideas.

I am the current president of the group, and messages sent to the web master are forwarded to me. (I am not the Webmaster).

The ship was sold for scrap some 35 years ago so the photos while marked “Official” can be shared but not sold. We would love to have them.

At the upcoming Norfolk reunion (65th anniversary) of the ships commissioning we are trying to put together a slide show of old photos of the ship, personnel, documents etc. Anything dealing with the Pierce would be appreciated, and rest assured we will make note the data was contributed by the Hylind Family. I will be happy to pay for any reproduction costs.

One of the things we are looking for is a 1964 cruise book or any cruise for that matter. If you have one I would be willing to have it copied.

We would love to have you attend the reunion in Norfolk. If interested I can send you the information.

Thank you so very much……

Cecil Thompson

Hi Mr. Thompson,

Thank you for your reply. It's nice to meet you. There is an official photo of my dad in his whites with what looks like a giant boom box piece of equipment draped in a dark cloth and attached to a microphone. I wonder if you were somehow involved in that technology. Did you get involved in all audio work on the ship as a radio man? (I'm sending that photo for that reason) [Editor's note: see the phot at the "Contributions by the Hylind Family" subpage link from the main menu, front page.]

I have not come across a cruise book. I'm not sure what it is. From the sound of it, it would seem to be a record of cruises. We do have two "family grams" my father wrote from September 10, 1964 and December 10, 1964 which may help reconstruct some of the history. The last was written from the Spanish port of Valencia where you transferred. I will scan them in if you don't already have them. Let me know. Did you receive the images I attached to the email that was forwarded to you?

I am relieved to know about the issue of sharing "official photos". I have scanned in the photo of the Pierce going through the Suez canal (Oct. 25 1964) at 600 dpi , because if the image is enlarged the crew can be seen. It' a really good official photo showing everyone in action. It looks like the file size was reduced when I uploaded it though. If you want higher resolution it would exceed the size that can be emailed but I can send it to you on other media. Let me know. (I think Kinkos can print onto large paper, and at the higher resolutions maybe the men at the reunion could make themselves out. - just a thought) There are also men in the background of another change of command photo. I've adjusted it so the faces that were in shadow are more recognizable.

As for the reunion, it sounds great. Is it a family event where children of all ages are invited? I have health troubles that may prevent me from going, but others from the family might want to attend with their children.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Over and out
The Hylind Family

Ronald Fair
rfair3@tampabay.rr.com

I have been looking through your site, and I do not see the name of my grandfather. According to my grandmother he was the Chaplain on the ship during WWII. I am not exactly sure of the dates, the think between 1943 - 1945. My grandfather died in 1998, but I know he would have liked to have been remembered for his service on that ship.

Sandy Smith ~ Westminster, MD
ssmith@hilltopaog.org

I served aboard the Pierce from 72 to her decommissioning. At the time she was in reserve out of Brooklyn NY. I was awarded a plank owners plaque upon her decommissioning. I would like to know if I can have my name appear on the list of crew members?

Earl J. Grillot Jr.

Thank you for your consideration.

Bill Davis wgladx@centurytel.net

I saw a car in Avon Ohio today with Ohio Registration DD-753

I served on DD-786 Uss Richard B Anderson.

Are any ships crew from the Pierce living in the Ohio Area that are also on your roster?

Look forward to hearing from any of the John R's crew who I might have served with, especially anyone now living in Arizona! My E-mail add is rgvar4@aol.com.

My God! Time flies when you are having fun!

Glad to be onboard again

Sincerely,

I just want to say that your website is well done. The history of the Pierce is very interesting too. I am dropping a note to you because my older brother, Marshall Elting served on board the Pierce as Sonarman back in the early sixties. He eventually transferred over to the Minesweep group out of Charleston, SC.

One of his experiences while on the Pierce was when they were coming back from the Med, they encountered quite a storm while crossing. He and several others had the responsibility to go on deck and tie-down the depth-charges. During this task, Marshall was swept overboard but very fortunately was located and picked back up after a number of hours in the water.

Marshall is no longer with us but I can assure you that if he were alive today, he would be a very active member of your group.

I would like to hear from any shipmate that rode the ship at this time, from December 29th of 1944 until about June of 1946. Some of the crew may remember me as I was the ships welder in black gang and at times I had to help the deck apes with critical welding on the top side.

Please drop me an email and I will answer you. I am now 85 years old, retired after from the US naval ship yards where I worked myself up to the highest potition as a super attendant of the structure group.

Arthur Scarpa
authurscarpa@aol.com

Some sea stories from Arthur...

When the ship crossed to the Pacific coast went to SRF San Diego for minor repairs. On the last day in port we had liberty at noon, I told Emmons to come with me to Long Beach and we would a good time visiting some of my friends.Now Emmons was not a liberty hound as he was a good family man. WE hitch hiked up with out any problems and stayed until about one AM, then started to hitch hike back.The first guy that picked us up and dropped us off at intersection where there was no traffic light. At that time the Pacific Coast Highway was just a two lanes and dark as hell, we had our dress biues on and because of gas rationing there was very little traffic. After a very long time we got in the middle of the road and a young swabbie in beat up old Chev.picked us up. We had to do something drastic as the ship was sailing to Pearl Harbor at six AM. and at time if you missed the sailing it was a General court martial.The kid wanted Four dollars to take us San Diego and we agreed to pay him when we got there.

We didn't have a dime between us . When he got to his station he told us we would have to fine another ride to the ship .Emmons grapped him by the neck and told him if he going to live he had better take us to our ship.We got to it just in time as it was just about to leave. You got to remenber Gus was six foot 180 Lbs With a very long red beard . After that Gus never made another liberty at Pearl or Japan or China never. The only time he left the ship was when he had to get on the bus at SAN Francisco to start his discharge routine,so he could go home as the war was over then.

Thanks for the Info. about the other Arthur Scarpa In MASS. I sent him a E mail asking a little Info.about himself. I asked for his middle name. I do not have a middle name. What is the Switchboard.?

Art Scarpa