Page Twenty

Page 20

Hoo Yah! Deep Diving Diecks

Guess who? 
Here we go; Jackie Lee, Delta Platoon, 67,, ST-1,,, Moses Marquez,, Kilo platoon ST-1 69 ?,,, UDT-12 Doc..”Don’t spemd too much time on the shitter or a mortor will get you, Don’t remember name. Doc Beaver w/cigar,, UDTRA class 29 staff Doc… Sorry about that Doc,, I hit the wrong key and lost it all,,, VN’s are Duck and Moanie,, ex-field grade capt VC,, worked with Kilo platoon,, was kia on brake in op..It was suggested that as platoon LPO I take the op,, I flat turned it down because of Gene Tinnen and Curtis Williams,,, our J.O was directed to take it… Young Lt Jg Dave…. I tried to talk him out of it..But he was high pressured by our Lt OIC and the Black shoe CDR of Sea Float,,,, They said if he couldn”t handle the job they would send him home… Shortly after insurtition the two platoons encircled each other and took each other under fire.. The rest is too painful vto talk abour,, But peapol ask, “How Are you ??? I always reply,,”Glad to be alive”

Jackie Kee,, Boot Camp Photo,,#2 M

ses Marquez Kilo Plt Sea Float, 69..UDT-12 Corpsman Doc Beaver UDTRA class 29 training dive.. .The VN hugging Mone,, Duck, KIA’ed as point man on a brake in op,, when LTJG Dave (it will come to me),, KIA’ed on a brake in op,, I as LPO refused to take the brake in op as it sounded just like a Jean Tinnen op where my good friend CCurtis Williams almost went down as well.. I’mv looking on my past e-mails for your posting address,, I’m sending you a CD,, Go off by yourself and listen to it,, Try not to cry; 

“Thanks for all you’ve done for all of us DOC” DEEP DIVING”

Doc; 

Not sure who the diver on the safety line is, although I took the photo while using a diesel boats services to conduct lock in and outs for FNG’s,, I was SM! then and in the DV locker ST-1, At the time I was running the show… Have many more SDV & Sub-ops photos..

 Hoo Yah, Deep Diving”

DEEP DIVING DIECKS


From: Bob Diecks
To: Tom Frank Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2015 
Subject: Photograph 

Frank; 

Hope all came thru and right side up.. The last one is for you,,,I’ve many more,, I guess the little 16 mm camra I used to carry on my dog tag chain paid off in the end… 

As soon as I work out this machine I’ll pass more on to our Vietnam Vets and Frogman Friday,,

And Doc Rieo as well…. Hope these photos help Dee’s Family work things out,,, The one thing I realy remember is the bloody big snake he brought home in a sack in Delta Plt’s gun box,,, Bolldy big bugger too,, in the end it excaped in Coronado and was never seen again… 
Glad to help… 

Hoo Yah Deep Diving Diecks “Down in New Zealand”

Email to Deep Dive from:   Robert Ross


to:  Bob Vasmer-Diecks 
From:  Robert, Kati,  Ross Jr.

Subj:  Long ago and far away in San Diego; you taught me to SCUBA Dive 

Doc Rio:    Will you please put this msg on page 20 my web page.   I’ll respond to this fellow and one other and ask for a photo and a copy of his Diver OD with my NAUI / PADI number on it. 

Thanks and Cheer’s & HOO YAH, DEEP DIVING DIECKS

Email  From: Robert ROSS <ross.rj4@gmail.com> Date: Sun, Apr 28, 2019 
Subject: Re: Long ago and far away in San Diego; you taught me to SCUBA Dive
To: <diecks38@gmail.com>
Cc: Robert ROSS <ross.rj4@gmail.com> 

On Sat, Apr 27, 2019  Robert ROSS  wrote: Bob Diecks; back in October of 1976 I was just out of Corps school and attached to the Pharmacy Balboa Naval Hospital Pharmacy. One day I happened to look up at the bulletin in the Pharmacy and saw an ad for a SCUBA class It said to contact Bob Diecks to sign up. 

The date on my original NAUI card was 10-76 and your instructor # is 3390. It made me think back; I don’t know if you remember that night our class was working in the pool; you said we (the instructors) are going to strip you of your diving gear and you are not allowed to surface for any reason. My partner was a Pharmacist and we knew each other from work. Well in the end of that session in the pool we were sharing gear and we were the last two to surface. 

My name is Robert Ross NAUI registration # 457221. When we dove the La Jolla trench just before graduation it left a lasting memory that I still dream about to this day. 

I still continue to dive to this day even at 64 years young. Thanks for the memories and for putting up your website. I hope it was ok to just drop you a line. We knew each other way back when…I hope your well and doing your thing. It’s an honor to write you. 
Go Navy 
Robert Ross

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Doc; 

I sent you a wee bit of package post today.   Lets see just how long it takes to arrive in The Lone Star State ?? More to follow… I hade the lady at the post office put some lovely NZ stamps on it for you or any kids you know that collect stamps… I think you asked how old I am,, 01 April 1940,  75 and remember where I was on V-E & V-J day.   I’ll be changing to diecks38@gmail.com very soon… All’s well here with our family,, Take care mate 

Hoo Yah Deep Diving


Doc; 

That’s a roger,, Berry,,, Ted Cassa and Jumping Joe Jenkins,, Had not seen jumping Joe since BMCS George Rush’s Wake,, George was NCDU, UDT-12,  I bought my yacht ARMOREL from George & Jan,, We called her mother “FROG” This reunion must of been in early 85 as I drove up from The Baja B.C.S. for it,, and on April 05 0f 85 I sailed out of Mexico after five years for Tahiti.  That was the last time I saw Leon Rauch.  He was walking  with a stick,  when I asked him about it ? He gave me a bloody great wallop with it… When I was running my Sports SCUBA classes at USNTC I qualified his Son as a diver.

Its a bloody long string and we’re all laced together “Your Brother”, “HOO YAH DEEP DIVING”

 P,S, The other fellow is Ted Kassa, I next saw him when he came down to  New Zealand. to visit Dave (Jolly Green Giant) Bodkin just after my son ODIN WAS BORN AND DAVE & SHARON WERE ANCHORED IN MANGONUI WITH US.


Bob Diecks via yahoo.com 
Doc; 

Received your msg & links,, Thanks.  Good J-O-B,, How did you hook up with the Poway FRA ?? 

I sent them some info because they have been sending me their news letter each month,,, And I don’t know how that got started… 

So about Armorel, Which is the Celtic meaning of Sea Princess,, I retired on 17 Sept 76 and on 05 Jan of 77 I bought Armorel from George Rush,, BMCS NCDU/UDT-12,

George & Jan Rush (Mother Frog) were members of the CYC,  George & Jan had just returned from a five year cruise down to The Canal Zone,  Thru Mexico and return 

I bought the boat,, Joined the CYC and moved aboard…In the early 80’s I sailed out passed Pt Loma,, turned right and went down to the Sea Of Cortez for a few years of Diving and fishing,,, 

05 April I departed The Baja for Tahita and the islands of the South West Pacificd,, Cooks,,Tonga,, Fiji and on to New Zealand, arriving on 09 Dec of 85.. 

.I spent the first two years going thru a complete rebuild of Armorel and after that sailing out to Manerva Reef and Tonga every april and returning to N.Z. in December to avoid cyclones in the Islands,, But thats another sea story,, I’d like to write a book “Trails Thru The South Pacific” 

One year in The Kingdom Of Tonga I met up with Jerry Fletcher,,, The USS John R. Bruton ships Capt & Crew on The King of Tongas’ 50th Birthday.  But thats another sea story.. 

I traveled to Mother England to meet past owners of Armorel,, Got invited to The Royal London Yacht Club on Cows Day by Lady Heath and met Big Ears HRH himself who was the Commodore of the RLYC…I’ve had a good time of it because of Armorel.

She was once owned by Glenn Yraghboure of the lime lighters,  His first boat.. He still is in the music business and posts me his latest discs… I can send you a video disc of Armorel sailing from Mother England to San Francisco in 1959,, 

Send my your posting Address. So I’ve said too much and am boreing tou to tears old timer….. 

You asked how I got the name Deep Diving ?? When I learn a bit more about this machine I’ll pass you some paperwork to back up the story.. 

Take Care Team Mate 
Thanks again for your efforts 
Hoo Yah Deep Diving Diecks Take Care Team Mate

May31,2015 

To: Doc Rio From: D.D. D. Deep Diving Diecks 

Doc I hope you get my package with the CD and the pictures. In Armdrel’s Cockpit I am anjoying a cigar from “the Manila Hotel R.P.I. On my private 4 ton mooring, Mangonvi Harbcure, Far North, N.Z. Note: The Big bronze bell was made for Armorel in S.P.F. Subic Bay. Manufactured of old silver peso’s in the casting. My son’s God Father, Frank Blackstons had it made for us. He was 2nd engineer aboard a USNS ammo ship out of subic. This bay was where we also spend Christmas with Dave And Sharon Bodkin when Odin was born on 06 Dec 1997. Ted and Helen Kassa also came down by air to visit Dave and Helen. The bellsmith won 3d place, World champ for tone in Switzerland. I always rign out 8 slow bells for the passing of a Teamate. Bob Diecks

 

 

Pictures from Bob “Deep DIve Diecks”  Diecks from Vietnam War Games

PBR Sailor a VN interpreter name: Rio. email: 21Jun2015 RIO, I can not recall the events these photos depict. The only PBR sailor I remember we used on ops was Ray Price, I thinks that is him in the photo but not sure. Jim West is not a name I recall. We should of had a platoon scribe keep a record.
Robert “Pete” LT Peterson

Cheer’s Bob (Deep Diving) Diecks USN-ret..

On Wed, Oct 28, 2015 Jack Strandquist <jack [at] strand3d.com> wrote:

“Cheer’s Bob (Deep Diving) Diecks USN-ret..

Bob Diecks, I’m hoping this is your email address. I found it on the Seal Team Two web site.

You were my NAUI instructor (#3390) in San Diego in 1976. I was just another face, but you did a great job and it influenced the rest of my professional life. At that time I was a young ensign undergoing training prior to landing on my first ship, a destroyer escort, but after your SCUBA class I decided to investigate becoming a navy diver, and in 1979 I was admitted to the Naval School, Diving & Salvage, in Washington, DC, the last class before the school was officially closed (a new school was opened in Panama City, FL about a year later).

My experience in dive school, especially the salvage training, and my subsequent experience on a tender convinced me to pursue a career as an engineer. Thanks for being one of those early, positive influences in a young person’s life.

I hope you are still enjoying your own life and doing well.

Sincerely,

Jack Strandquist

Berthoud, Colorado www.linkedin.com/in/strandquist

Date: Fri, Oct 30, 2015

From: Bob Vasmer-Diecks

To: Jack Strandquist

Subject: Hi!

Jack;

Very Good To Hear from you… I’m still alive and well,, and still diving at 75, I now live in New Zealand with my 18 year son Odin,, British wife Caroline and after 38 years still own our 40 ft. yacht Armorel which I sailed down here from The Sea of Cortez after spend five years there diving and fishing… Sounds as if you’ve done quite well for yourself,, “”Good On You Mate”” My old Team Mate Doc Rio of Seal Team Two runs the web sight and I check in from time to time with photos from down here on ANZAC Day events,, I still fit in my dress blues and make The Dawn Parade with the old Diggers from The Russell R.S.A. on 24 April..

Thanks for checking in with me and bringing me up to date on your activities,, Keep the good news coming Jack..

 

WEBMASTER NOTE:   

Jack Strandquist graduated from the last class at D.S.D.S. US naval gun factory Wash D.C. !   Doc rio graduated in class 4/55 !    Erasmo “Doc” Riojas I was an HM2 at that time.

spikey1971 wrote: 
I was going thru your site and I saw this picture on page 20. It is a picture of airsoft reenactors in Japan or some other Asian country. Not Vietnam era Real SEALs.    

They may be from Japan, Taiwan or even possibly Hong Kong.
Yes, there has been a manufacture of airsoft Stoner for about the last 5 years or so.

Mike Rush     Historian

Lt to Rt. Top to Bottom:

Ensign JT Hall,  AOIC, bryan Yarbro, (my SDV pilot),  next ?? either Dell Griffith or Marcus Presson, Plt LPO, Plt Corpsman  ??  Me: LT. Michael Wood, OinC, Jom Morel, Plt  CPO, Bruce Soltice (R.I.P.)

 

From: John Potter
to Doc Rio,

First let me introduce myself. My name is John Potter and I met you a long time ago when you were at ST-2 (circa 1968). You would hang out with my parents (Doug and Claudette Potter) at the Chief’s club or the E-beach. Yourself, Doc Martin (who ate our grasshoppers – LoL) Dan Z, Bob (the Eagle), Mike B, Frank, and many others visited us when we lived in Italy.

I graduated from BUD/S (class 104) in 1978 (or 79 – I can’t remember as it all was a blur) and my first assignment was at ST-2 with Rudy B, Dennis D, Devoir K (the Bull), Roger G, Tom K, Perrier B, Perrir P and many other teammates.

When I checked into ST-2, I asked about you and I believe you had retired or moved to TX to work in the medical field. Sorry I missed you.

I enjoyed many great years in the teams. However, in 1998 I retired after 22 years. Boy do I miss those good ol days. Thanks to team guys like yourself, Billy (and many other warriors) who paved the way for me and the rest of the teammates to follow.

I’ve attached a picture of Me, my dad and son – Citadel graduation/commission. My dad passed away about 18 months ago. And my mom is currently looking at moving to AL.

Thank you for setting up the ST-2 website. It’s great being about to see old teammates again.

Take care, God bless and I pray Billy and his family…..

John sends…

SOC Kevin A. Houston was killed in action in Afghanistan on Aug. 6, 2011, along with 30 other American sailors and soldiers and airmen when the Chinook-47 helicopter

Standing at midfield an hour later, State Rep. Brian Mannal (D-Barnstable) emceed the football program’s jersey retirement ceremony, making sure to pay a special debt of gratitude to the people whose idea it was to retire the jersey. 

Equally as important, Houston’s former co-captain and best friend Joe Kennedy (Barnstable High School Class of 1994) presented the school with a magnificent shadow box holding Jersey #46 in combination with photos of the late US Navy Seal and duplicates of his U.S. military service ribbons. Stoic throughout his presentation, Kennedy made certain all of those involved were recognized for their contribution to the event, in particular Meg Chaffee and John and Teresa Hardy of the Quarterback Club.

http://www.capecod.com/sports/emotional-homecoming-us-navy-seals-red-raider-football-jersey-retired/

Dennis Sprenkle  ST-2  Photo Album                          

            

Dennis Sprenkle  ST-2   Photo Album

From: Dennis Sprenkle 
To: Doc Riojas+

tDoc, 
Denny Johnson made the disk from some slides I gave him about 5 years ago. Use what you like, you have my permission. 
I was in the 6 th plt. Boink, Thrift, Patches, Nelson, Doc Hammer, Leasure, Lewis, Slater, Fellers, Hyde, Porter, and Duke Leonard. that picture of me was taken by Slater. me, Lewis and slater we’re going somewhere on a slick. 
We were working out of Camau and Hy yen in early 70. 

Dennis Sprenkle

Mike Mc Donald, Richard CYrus, and Michael F. Parrish     sitting:  ? Fred Keener?

From: torr jacobsen (torrjacobsen.com)
to: doc riojas, navy SEAL 
Subj:  michael f. parrish 


I found a picture in your “MI VIDA LOCA”, table of contents, page 20. it is the 2nd listed photo in dennis sprenkle ST-2 photo album. i am assuming that it is a photo of 4 navy seals in a kitchen. you have identified two of seals as mike mcdonald and richard cyrus. i can verify that the seal standing on the far right with the beard is michael f. parrish. 

mike just passed away on sept. 5, 2014, as reflected in your RIP note. mike and his younger brother dick lived just around the corner from me, growing up in jackson, michigan. the two brothers were big men on our high school campus.. sharp, athletic, and good looking. everyone loved them, especially the girls. the brothers, even as boys, represented what you would call.. “mens’ men.” 

my hope is that you would possibly update the picture and include mike’s name. also, if you have any knowledge or information regarding mike when he was in the seals i would be appreciative if you would email me. 

thank you mr. riojas for your service to our country, and to your on going activity with your navy seal family. 

with special regards, torr jacobsen 

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Zelmo,  Jim Glasscock’s rock python in NhaBea, Vietnam

6 th plt. Boink, Thrift, Patches, Nelson, Doc Hammer, Leasure, Lewis, Slater, Fellers, Hyde, Porter, and Duke Leonard. that picture of me was taken by Slater. me, Lewis and slater, Joe Silva, Jerry Waters, Dick Cyrus, Denny Johnson, Danny Sprenkle, Mike McDonald 

6 th plt. Boink, Thrift, Patches, Nelson, Doc Hammer, Leasure, Lewis, Slater, Fellers, Hyde, Porter, and Duke Leonard. that picture of me was taken by Slater. me, Lewis and slater, Joe Silva, Jerry Waters, Dick Cyrus, Denny Johnson, Danny Sprenkle, Mike McDonald 

A salute to Tom Tarbox
By Tiffany Strong
The Herald Gazette Reporter

Source: but no longer there:      http://knox.villagesoup.com/print/Print.cfm?StoryID=165266

CAMDEN (June 27): Tom Tarbox, 74, of Camden began training to become a Navy SEAL even before the SEALs were officially formed. Before the present day SEALs there were UDTs, or underwater demolition teams. The UDTs began training in June 1943 in preparation for the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France. Their efforts were originally focused on demolitions and mine disposal.  

  Thomas N. Tarbox was born March 7, 1935, in Montana. “My father loved initials,” said Tarbox. “The ‘N’ doesn’t stand for anything, he just liked that my initials were TNT. I used to tell people that ‘N’ stood for ‘nothing.'” Tarbox graduated from high school in 1953 and from the University of Colorado in 1957 with a bachelor of arts in geography.

  He then enrolled in Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., and started UDT training. At the time there were no careers in UDT, so he left and went back to the University of Colorado and started studying to become a journalist. In the summer of 1962 he got a call from a friend telling him about the SEALs. His friend told him SEAL stood for “sink enemy and leave.” 

He left school and enrolled in basic training in Little Creek, Va. Officers and enlisted men train side by side to become SEALs. SEAL actually stands for “sea, air and land,” and the training is considered by many military experts to be the toughest training in the world.

At the time basic training lasted for four months. It was very physically demanding, Tarbox said. “We ran everywhere. There was a lot of swimming and the instructors constantly harass you.”

The harassment is necessary to see if a man is going to break when things get tough, Tarbox said.

There were 91 men in his class when it started, but only 20 finished. “I was confident I could make it through,” said Tarbox. “I would look at the next guy and think if he can make it then so can I.”

Tarbox said men who are afraid of the water or heights or who are claustrophobic won’t make it. “I’m a strong swimmer, ” he said. “I did a lot of swimming with my brother when I was young.

A man may drop out of the course at any time, Tarbox said. To do this a man strikes a brass ship’s bell three times and places his helmet down on the ground. Most classes lose about 80 percent of their trainees due to dropouts or injuries. Tarbox said winter dropout rates are higher due to the cold, and he was lucky his class was in the summer.

Tarbox did make it through and was eventually named commander of the Basic Underwater Demolitions/SEAL (BUD/S) instructors.

The only time Tarbox ever lost a man was in May 1965 in a skydiving accident. “When you skydive, a man who is free falling will wave his arms to let other skydivers know that he is going to open his parachute,” Tarbox said. For some reason Melvin Melochick, a man in his late 20s, did not do this, Tarbox said. The man above Ochick, Jerry Todd, fell into Ochick’s chute, which caused it to malfunction. Ochick died of a broken neck.

“He was my teammate,” Tarbox said.

In 1971 Tarbox volunteered for service in Vietnam. The SEALs were initially deployed in and around Da Nang, training and supporting the South Vietnamese in naval special warfare, including reconnaissance and combat diving.

Much of what Tarbox did during his career is still classified, he said. His son Wit, who lives in Tuscon, Ariz., said of his father, “He didn’t go into details of what he did or where he was doing it. He’s a man of honor and never shared anything that wasn’t to be shared.”

Doc, 

That’s a great tribute to TNT!! You said it so well. Jerry (Todd) and Mel were my Teammates and Stan (Janeka) my Chief. We all talked a lot about what went wrong – Stanley the Expert – as you well know. You never know – “The Sky, so much more than the Sea, is terribly less forgiving of even the slightest mistake!” 

Bravo Zulu on your great page honoring SEAL Team TWO Commanding Officer, Tom Tarbox. If you expand the page, I would be most honored to add a short and very humble addendum. Tom Blais, looking down upon all of us mortals from his place in Heaven, would INSIST upon it! 

Again – Bravo Zulu my Friend, 

Frank Cleary

 From: elsonfamily 
To:  Doc Riojas
Subj:  THE PASSING OF CAPT TNT TAROX. I SHARE THIS WITH MANY WHO NEVER KNEW HIM BUT SHOULD BE SAD THEY DIDN’T Trash     
Date:Nov 8 

Rio,

  YESTERDAY I RECEIVE A NOTE, A VERY SAD NOT FROM ONE OF MY HEROES AND FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, RICK WOOLARD. THERE ARE FEW AROUND LIKE RICK. ONE OF THE BEST TEAM GUYS EVER WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE SENIOR OFFICER IN THE COMMUNITY. HE LOVES THE TEAMS, THE PEOPLE, A MOST LOYAL FRIEND, GREAT FAMILY MAN WHO HAS A WONDERFUL FAMILY. ON 11NOV, VET’S DAY, GARY SINISE WILL AIR A SHOW HE PRODUCED, A FACTUAL, NO BS, NO RAH-RAH CRAP ABOUT THE TEAMS AND THEIR HISTORY. RICK WOOLARD WILL APPEAR IN THAT. WE WILL BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC AND NOT GET TO SEE IT, BUT I’LL FIND IT WHEN I GET HOME. 

AS I SAID, I GOT A NOTE FROM RICK, WHICH HE SENT TO MANY OTHERS ANNOUNCING THE PASSING OF CAPT TNT (TARBOX). SINCE THEY ARE OF SIMILAR CHARACTER AND TOP QUALITY, IT WAS APPROPRIATE AND APPRECIATED TO HAVE RECEIVED THE NEWS FROM RICK. 

CAPT TARBOX, WHOSE NAME IS TOM TARBOX, BUT HAD THE “N” ADDED SO HE COULD BE “TNT” WAS AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING MAN. OLD, OLD TEAM GUY WITH MANY COMMANDS UNDER HIS BELT. I THINK HIS LAST TOUR WAS AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JCS. NO MAN LOVED THE TEAMS AND TEAM GUYS ANYMORE THAN CAPT TARBOX. I FIRST MET HIM AFTER VN AND I WENT BACK INTO THE TEAMS AND TO BUD/S. HE WAS THE DIRECTOR/CO. I HAD PULLED A TENDON OFF MY RIGHT FOOT THURSDAY OF HELL WEEK BUT I FINISHED WHINIG A LOT. 

GOT INTO BUD/S FOR PT ON MONDAY MORNING I WHINED ABOUT MY FOOT AND THE INSTRUCTORS TOLD ME TO SHUT UP AND GO BACK TO PT. I GUESS THE CRYING AND DANCING ON ONE FOOT FORCED THEM TO SEND ME TO BALBOA NAVAL HOSPITAL WHERE I WAS DIAGNOSED AND PUT IN A CAST. THANK GOD, NO MORE COLD WATER FOR A WHILE. I WENT BACK TO BUD/S AND WAS SITTING OUT FRONT WITH MY WIFE. FINALLY THIS SHORT, POWERFUL, POWDERKEG CAPT WALKED BYE. HE LOOKED AT ROSEANNE AND THEN ME. WITHOUT A CHANGE OF EXPRESSION, HE SAID, “NO ONE LIKES A GIMP, MR ELSON” AND WALKED OFF. 

WE DID NOT CROSS PATHS TILL NEAR THE END OF MY CAREER. I WAS OPS OFFICER OF THE NAVY RED TEAM AND WE LOST OUR CO TO ANOTHER JOB. CAPT TARBOX CAME OFF OF RETIREMENT TO TAKE THE POSITION AND I FLEETED UP TO XO. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO HAPPEN TO ME. NO ONE WAS BETTER TO WORK FOR AND NO ONE HAD A BIGGER HEART. SMART, TRUSTING, AND A WONDERFUL LEADER AND PERSON, IT WAS ONE HELL OF AN EXPERIENCE. I CAME TO LOVE AND ADMIRE HIM MORE EVERY DAY AND WHEN WE RETIRED STAYED CLOSE FRIENDS HE WAS TRULY A GENTLE SOUL, EXCEPT WHEN DRIVING. I’D BE DRIVING DOWN THE INDIAN HEAD HIGHWAY AND I’D SEE THIS LITTLE BROWN CAR COMING BEHIND ME DARTING IN AND OUT OF LANES AND THEN GO ZOOMING BY ME. ALL I COULD SEE WAS THIS HEAD WITH SHORTCUT HAIRCUT. HE WAS A DEMON ON THE ROADS. SO WHEN WE ALL WENT OVER TO BSR IN W. VA. FOR ANTI-TERRORISM DRIVING, THE INSTRUCTORS PUT US INTO A CAR TOGETHER. THEY QUICKLY REGRETTED IT. WE HAD MORE FUN, DOING J-TURNS AND BOOTLEGS, AND KNOCKING OTHER CARS OFF THE TRACK. 

AT THE END HE AND HIS WIFE, ALSO A RETIRED NAVY CAPT, SORT OF WITHDREW FROM THE COMMUNITY UP TO MAINE AND BECAME SOMEWHAT RECLUSIVE. I KEPT SAYING I’D GIVE HIM A CALL SOON, BUT ONCE AGAIN, DIDN’T. WE HAVE LOST SOME GREAT EARLY TEAM GUYS THIS YEAR — MY VN PLATOON CHIEF MASTER CHIEF TOM BLAIS AND NOW CAPT TARBOX. THESE ARE REAL MEN, HEROES, WHO SERVED WELL AND DID A LOT FOR THEIR COUNTRY. OUR COUNTRY AND OUR MILITARY IS BETTER FOR THEM HAVING LIVED. I MISS THEM BOTH AND SO DO ALL WHO KNEW THEM.

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Webmaster’s Note:   In  THE BLAST, journal of NAval Special Warfare,  Spring 2015 . Vol.  47,  No. 1  Tom T. T.  is honored and his ST-2 plankowner photo is on the cover of the Magazine.

RADM Karl J. Christoph, Jr., USN RET.     R.I.P.

Rear Admiral Karl J. Christoph Jr. passed away on October 10, 2014. His memorial mass will be held at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church on Tuesday, November 4th at 11:00 am. He will be buried at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis.

(excerpts) from RADM Karl J. Christoph, Jr., USN RET. 

After graduating from the Naval Academy I spent three years on a destroyer. My first CO was an obnoxious jerk who couldn’t find his butt with either hand. I would do anything to get out from under his command. I volunteered to be a CEC officer. That was turned down. I turned in my resignation, but the CO refused to forward it. Finally I saw message come in asking for volunteers for UDT. I didn’t the foggiest idea what UDT was, but if it would get off that ship, so be it. I was surprised that I was allowed to stay with Team One. When I reported in I had a broken hand in a hard cast from playing basketball, and my first request was to be allowed a couple days off to study for the five-day promotion exam to LTJG that was coming up in two weeks. Not the greatest way to start out with a new command.

His service in his own words: 

The son of Rear Admiral K. J. Christoph, himself a pioneer in amphibious operations in World war II, he was also a descendent of one of the pioneers of Coronado, Alvin B. Daniels. Admiral Christoph was raised in Southern California, graduated from Severn School in Severna Park, Maryland before attending the Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1947. In addition to serving as a platoon officer in UDT-1 and UDT-4, he served on the following ships: USS Buck, USS Kula Gulf, USS Block Island, and USS Baur. He commanded USS Pluck, USS Jonas Ingram, USS W E Pratt, USS Kansas City, Amphibious Squadron Three, Cruiser Destroyer Group Three, and Amphibious Group Two. 

He was extremely proud of the fact that he was one of the very few officers who had command in all four elements of the Surface Navy: the Mine Force, Service Force, Cruiser- Destroyer Force, and Amphibious Force.

 

Although he always considered himself first and foremost a Surface Warfare Officer, or “ship driver,” Admiral Christopher participated in operations that would change the course of special warfare in the Navy. Assigned to Underwater Demolition Team ONE in 1950, he was awaiting training when the Korean War commenced. Since the team was short of officers, it was decided to take him along rather than wait for the training class to begin. He participated in commando type raids against rail targets in North Korea before the Inchon assault. One night, during a beach reconnaissance, Christoph was trapped behind a beach south of Inchon. Most members of the team returned to the ship safely, but Christoph had to work his way around the enemy before finding a shot-up, half inflated, rubber boat, and with several others, escaped safely to the USS Horace A. Bass. So confused was the situation that when he returned to the states the following year, he found many of his friends had heard he had been lost that night. 

He also recounted that one night when they had gone ashore on the east coast of North Korea to blow up a railroad tunnel, they found a local guard at the tunnel entrance. When the guard saw them, he threw his weapon away and ran down the track as fast as he could. He was so surprised us that no shots were fired. When they retrieved his gun, they found it was merely a wooden stick shaped like a rifle with a crude bayonet fashioned on the end. “No wonder he ran off so fast!.” said Christoph. 

While loading the tunnel mouth with explosives, three trains came through. The Team regretted not rigging a booby trap on the rails to explode and derail the train while it was in the tunnel. As it was, everyone held their breath worrying that trains would stop and troops would come after them alerted by the guard. However nothing of the sort happened, and the tunnel blew without incident. 

These operations demonstrated for the first time that frogmen could consistently operate beyond the high water mark and deep into enemy territory. This was revolutionary in the employment of Underwater Demolition Teams in unconventional warfare and planted the seed for the development of future SEAL operations. He later served in UDT-4 in Norfolk VA where he provided the East Coast teams with the benefit of his experiences in Korea and they provided him with further training in submersible operations, and he discovered the delights of training in St. Thomas, VI. 

Like all regular Navy officers of the time, his service in the teams was limited to three years.

http://www.1950sfrogmen.com/vol4/vol4lets5.htm

Adm. Bill McRaven“Hook ’em Horns! Erasmo”Doc” Riojas   

WEBMASTER NOTE:   

Jack Strandquist graduated from the last class at D.S.D.S. US naval gun factory Wash D.C. !   Doc rio graduated in class 4/55 !    Erasmo “Doc” Riojas I was an HM2 at that time.

 

John Wilbur and Frank Scollise

LLCDR McNally

Franklin "Andy" Anderson
ST-1 SEALs getting P.U.C. from L.B.J.
Michael S. Suter
shamburgerANDrinney

UDT-3  3d Platoon, Korea 1950

1st Row: Holland, Taylor, Voltmer, Crane     2nd Row: CPO Mateer, Durham, FrSchmidt
, Michael, Vasquez, Walker, Parks Sturgis, Adams, CPO Keene,  LT Johnson

 

 

Heben AND judge Jeanine
Lowell Gosser and wife

MinhAND 10thPlt SEAL Team TWO, ‘nam:  Standing Top Row: Bob Nidrauer, Big Al Ashton, Terry Sullivan, Jerry Hammerle, Mike Bailey (Dog Handler) with camera (I think), MINH in front of him, LDNN Be, Al Quist, Harry Constance, ??, CWO Dale McCloskey (Sp), LDNN?? kneeling: Doc Patchurich? , LDNN, ??? Fellows?

UDT 12  “Alpha” Platoon in the Phillipines 1974.  Laddie Shawe is dead center

Tony Olivera

Tom Keith  AND   wild Bill

Larry Wilsk

Subic Bay Phillipine Islands

TOP Row: Lt. Pierson, Bobby Joy Atkinson, Robert Carruthers, Frank Watton, Robert HaYes, LT. Kinney MIDDLE ROW: Frank Perry, Joe thrift, Mc Cluski, Mel Weiner, Beaver, Lloyd Cobb BOTTOM ROW: “King” Bassett, “Monk” Holland, Fredricson, Martin Mapes, and Paul McNally

Ron Smith

One of triathlon’s pioneers, and a mentor to many during the sport’s e arly days, Ron Smith, died June 29, 2011 . Mike Plant, chronicler of triathlon’s formative years, author of “Iron Will”, and Ron Smith’s friend, honors him below. It’s hard to speak about Ron Smith in the past tense. Even on his next 
to 
last day, none of us would have been surprised to see him swing his feet out over the side of his hospital bed, stand up, shake out the kinks and stride off down the hall, with his b are ass hanging out of his gown, trailing tubes and wires and shedding cancer cells like fleas. No such luck. Ron died this morning, June 29. As in all he did, he went gracefully, without drama or fanfare. Ron was the kind of guy you would have wanted your kids to meet. You would have wanted them to look into those slightly rheumy eyes of his, look into that half 
wrecked but still 

handsome face, and learn how to live. Ron never shrank from a challenge, never gave an inch, but he also gave everything he had to the people around him. He treated CEOs and janitors exactly the same – as if they were people. That’s all. People. He wasn’t a corporate guy not because he didn’t have the brains or the talent, but because his heart was too big. He cared too much ab out being down in the trenches with the crew, hands 
on helping, making sure things were done just right. Don’t get me wrong, Ron could lead; he could, and did, command with authority, but I know that somewhere down deep, he probably figured that if you cou ldn’t do it in flip 

flops or running shoes it wasn’t worth doing. Wing tips, business suits and boardroom politics were ridiculously not his style. In case you don’t know the story, Ron was an early man into the Chart House restaurant chain, and he made a chunk of money, lived in a big house in Rancho Santa Fe. But when he lost pretty much everything in a financial scandal not of his own making, he went from living in luxury to living out of his Volkswagen van, pretty much overnight and, thing is, you wou ld not have known one Ron from the other because there truly was no difference. The van was big enough for his bike and his workout gear and from that point on it was all good. This for sure: you’d want Ron on your team. For anything. He would never let you down. He used a crude term that he must have picked up in his UDT days that I found compelling: “When the shit gets brown…” Whenever I was with Ron, I knew that when the shit got brown he would be there. He would walk through fire and ice for a friend, and I think it’s fair to say we would all do the same for him. Way to go Big Man. You did well. Publisher’s notes: I found out about Ron Smith’s passing earlier today. He was 77. I struggled, wondering how I was going to write about this. And then Mike Plant dropped me the above, unsolicited, and solved my problem. Mike, you wrote it perfect, and much better than I or anyone could’ve.

Kirk Alan Anthony  R.I.P.

 Kirk Alan Anthony, 56, Born: July 10, 1957Place of Birth: Lawton, OK died on 29 May 2014 in Cedar Park, Texas. Kirk graduated BUD/S Training with Class 133 in Coronado on 12 July 1985 and served in SEAL Team ONE.

 

   In Loving Memory of
SO1 (Navy SEAL) Patrick Delaney Feeks 
    “ Cry Havoc, let slip the frogs of war!”

K. I. A.

Patrick and Emily Feeks

Navy Seal Patrick Feeks of Edgewater, Md., who was killed in Afghanistan, honored by crowds in hometown tribute     7:41 PM, Sep 3, 2012

Feeks was killed when a U.S. military helicopter crashed during a firefight with insurgents in southern Afghanistan. He will be buried Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks of Edgewater was among seven Americans and four Afghans killed in the helicopter crash northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan on Aug. 16.

Feeks is survived by his parents and wife.

                      

Feeks, Thomas M CIV USNA Annapolis 

1June 2014  

 Thanks so much for putting the tribute to Pat up on your web site. Pat would be very pleased.  Approval from his SEAL brothers was the only praise he would accept. Pat wife Emily is also in the Navy. She is a CTR1 who has been in for about 15 years. She was assigned to Support Activity One (SA1) supporting NSW when she and Patrick met.. She had deployed to Afghanistan and the PI.

 She left SA1 last October and is currently at Special Operations Command in Tampa Fl. the Community has been fabulous in supporting her as a NSW Sailor and a Gold Star Spouse. It has been tough all the way around.  Our daughter Regina is a Navy LT assigned to the USS Gridley (DDG 101) as the Damage Control Assistant. She graduated from the Naval Academy in 2010 and has been assigned to surface ships in San Diego ever since. 

 I spent 28 years in the Navy as an aviator, mainly flying P-3 aircraft. I retired in 2000 and went to work at the Naval Academy where I have taught and worked for the last 14 years. So we are a real Navy family and understand what Service means.  But the loss of Patrick hit us all pretty hard. He had a boundless supply of energy and a presence even when he was a kid. The Teams refined this and gave him a real sense of direction and purpose.  Thank you again for the coins and keeping his memory alive.  

Regards,  Tom

Feeks, Thomas M CIV USNA Annapolis

Doc Rio,  

Found another picture you might like. Pat joined the Sea Cadets in 1997  when we were living in Rochester, NY (I was CO of the NROTC Unit at the  University of Rochester). In 1999 the Sea Cadets offered a 3 week Mini-BUD/S summer training program in Little Creek.  It coincided with the East Coast Reunion. The Cadets were invited and  got to meet some of the notable figures in the SEAL community. Pictured is Pat with Dick Marcinko. Pat met Dick again in 2005 at a  signing for one of his books.  Pat had the picture to be signed and we all laughed because Dick was wearing the same shirt. 

Regards, Tom FeeksRegards, Tom Feeks

                                        Patrick and Emily Feeks

 In Loving Memory of
SO1 (Navy SEAL) Patrick Delaney Feeks 
    “ Cry Havoc, let slip the frogs of war!”

K. I. A.

YES, WE DID! Boehner announces special committee on Benghazi – See more at:https://specialoperationsspeaks.com/index#sthash.kuarGfGA.dpuf 

https://specialoperationsspeaks.com/index 

YES, WE DID! WE DID IT! Thank you for 2 years of your support and hard work…

NOW IT BEGINS! Just today, Speaker of the House John Boehner announced that he will allow

 the House to vote on forming a Select Committee on Benghazi, saying: 
“Americans learned this week that the Obama Administration is so intent on obstructing the truth 

about Benghazi that it is even willing to defy subpoenas issued by the standing committees of the 

People’s House. – State Department scandals were ignored or swept under the rug while 

Hillary Clinton served as Secretary of State, critics say. Photo: AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana 
“What difference, at this point, does it make?” 
Hillary Clinton famously and furiously demanded to know during Senate questioning about the 

Benghazi attack. That was last year, and finally, we’re getting some hints about the answer.

Thomas E Retze

 

MASTER CHIEF TOM BLAIS — a personal view and assessment 

04May 2014 4:13 PM ,  Virginia Beach, Virginia
From:  Steve Elson


to:   TO MY MANY TEAMMATES AND FRIENDS, WHETHER WE HAVE MET OR NOT –
BAND OF BROTHERS WHO SHARE A GREAT ADMIRATION AND LOVE FOR ONE OF OUR LONG TIME TEAM LEGENDS —
DMCM TOM BLAIS 

I talked with Eva (who used to baby-sit our own daughter some 35 years ago) about a week ago; she told me her Dad had been moved from the unassisted care side of his apartment building to the assisted care side. I know many of you have seen the sitreps coming out and while very well written and informative, I got a different impression of where the Chief is living and how he is doing emotionally as well as physically. 

Chief Blais is a SEAL Team icon and legend as we all know. He has some unique qualities to say the least and while he means different things to all of us, I reckon we each share our own special view of and relationship with him. He had the unique quality of being able to read people well and tailor, especially to those in his training classes, his own individualized brand of “torture” to help weed out those who didn’t belong and to develop those who did. I personally am glad I was NOT in his class; he probably wouldn’t have tolerated all my whining. He was a Godsend as our VN Plt Chief. He did a lot to help me grow up (sometimes disputed by my wife, kids, and friends) and became part surrogate father, mentor, protector, and dearest friend. 

Since we moved out west in 2008, I haven’t been back to VA Beach in several years when the Chief was still living on his own near the Creek, ignoring his many injuries, and charging along he was wont to do. We have talked frequently over the intervening years. So when Eva explained his situation, I knew I had to go up and see The Chief. I flew up to BWI landing at 0100, rented a car and drove all night down to VA Beach, and spent all day,and part of the evening as well as few hours the following morning with the Chief. Eva had described his condition pretty accurately but somehow I hadn’t been able to shake the vision in my mind that he would be in bed with tubes and IVs in him, sleeping most of the time, and uncomfortable. Eva did say that he was doing well, happy, laughing, and enjoying the many visits of old Frogs and SEALs. But the impression of a subdued and withering Chief lingered on haunting and greatly saddening me. To be honest, I was somewhat apprehensive about the visit. 

I had quite an uplifting surprise walking into his room, finding him sitting on the bed, proffering that Chief Blais strong handshake, a big laugh, and typical Chief Blais greeting. No tubes, no medicine, and pretty much nothing obviously “medical” or life sustaining excepting oxygen nasal cannulas. He was lucid, talking, gesticulating, and seemed to be having a great time. As Eva had described, he said this was one of the happiest and best times of his life. A morning phone call from one of his Class 38 trainees and one of my all time heroes, Rick Woolard started the morning off with a laugh and good feeling.

 Rick is so sincere and such a strong person that his messages convey. People are calling from all over the world, literally. The word “hospice” had conjured up some pretty frightening images. So for those who haven’t had the opportunity or good fortune to visit the Chief and are concerned about his environment and state, I’d like to share a few vignettes of each. Some of the e-mails I have seen are very informative and well-written but don’t quite capture the feeling of warmth, happiness, and fun I experienced while there. A couple times, I saw the Chief quietly talking and laughing with each of his daughters, Eva’s wonderful husband, and grand kids. I left for those were private moments. Of course, I stayed when other old Teammates came to visit. 

The Chief lives in a beautiful apartment building in a square shape with one side assisted living (where he now resides) and the other unassisted. It is a great place http://www.kiscoseniorliving.com/senior_living/Virginia_Beach_VA/zip_23451/kisco_senior_living/5768 — clean, beautifully decorated, warm, and staffed by truly caring folks, from the people who perform the janitorial duties to the food prep folks, and other care givers. I didn’t really see many “medical” people and there was nothing that smacked of my view of “hospice” care. 

All day long there was a constant stream of people, some of them like Herschel (who comes daily and who I haven’t seen in years), rolling through. Talking, laughing, BSing, and just having a good time. Crazy Herschel D. is great medicine as are others the others I saw: Ken McDonald, Harry Coleman or one I never met – Randy Wise; it seemed like most of the First Colonial Staff came into hug the Chief (mostly woman) daily and spend some time talking/laughing with him. As you would expect, the Chief’s presence is well known to most of the staff.

 When I came through the side entrance, I passed through the first door and then had to press a button and put my face on camera where I was asked who I was and what I wanted. When I told the lady I was coming to visit MC Blais, she started laughing told me to tell him that Norma sent a big hug. These are NOT hospital rooms, but actual apartments – very nice, roomy, clean, and comfortable. Residents on both sides of the facility decorate their outside doors and apartments as they wish. Many have a dried floral arrangement on the door and one resident has a lot of American Flags and “Support Our Troops” stickers all over the door. The halls are attractive and soothing. Naturally, the Chief’s door looked like the entrance to a SEAL museum — the inside even more so. His living room has a TV and pictures of his family. There is a corner with religious artifacts. And there are UDT/SEAL pictures and memorabilia everywhere. I loved looking at his plaque from his entering the UDT Training Class in 1947 and then going to UDT 2, UDT 21, and finally ST-2. Also many don’t realize that he went through UDT Training Classes 4 and 16. He briefly got out of the Navy and when he came back, they made him go through twice. To the best of my knowledge, that makes him even more unique in the community. 

Daughter EVA and me

(After I saw this picture, I realised that the Chief looks healthier and better than I, even though I am just a kid.) 


I had expected to get a few waking moments with The Chief during the day between hours of napping. There was no napping and it was GREAT spending so much time reminiscing and BSing. The Chief’s memory (excepting a few moments of “Where the hell did that damn word go?” that I have all the time) is amazing. I wish he HAD forgotten some of the incidents. Had a few times when talked seriously about life, its meaning, good and bad things we had done, his wonderful family, and the tragedies experienced. He thinks he had a heart attack, loves his doctor, talks about getting better, working out, breaking boards with his feet, and yes (surprise) chasing younger (40, 50, 60??) women. He is the same of ebullient, self-confident, crazy, confidence-inspiring, and fun-loving Chief we all remember and love. 

We did talk about the end of life whenever it comes and how important it is to enjoy every moment and all your family and friends — which he is doing. In the end I left a satisfied and happy man knowing how well he is doing and how much he is enjoying the calls, cards, and visits from his many friends and admirers. I was sad to have missed Rick Woolard who, perforce, was out of town and I would have loved to been there when our VN Plt Commander Bill Gardner (I haven’t seen him since VN) visited. But it is gratifying to know so many care and remember that “love of our fellow Teammates is so strong. Medically, it seems almost impossible that the Chief will get up and leave the room — to break boards or chase woman. But who the hell knows? 

The Chief never let minor things like the difficult or impossible get in his way. Whatever happens and when it happens, he seems to have made peace within himself, loves his immediate family as well as his UDT/SEAL family, and when he does go, there is little reason to be sad except we won’t get to see or talk to him in person. He is one of those rare people in our lives who will ALWAYS remain within us. Many of the things I have accomplished are in some part due to his influence on and caring for me. Few have accomplished as much for so many special folks as has he. 

Don’t hesitate to call him and harass him like Herschel or just talk a bit. He loves it and keeps him going. Make every moment of his life, however long, moments of joy and friendship. 

I was honored and so very happy I got to see the Chief, talk with him, laugh, be rude and crude, and in the end hug him and tell him I love him. These days, rather than sad, dreary or depressing, are a celebration of the amazing life of a Great MAN! I thought I was going up to say “Goodbye” and go for his benefit. In the end, I realised he did far more for me than I for The Chief. 

Steve Elson
LCDR Ret. SEAL

Tom Blais
David M. Tapper
LT John "Jack" Lynch R.I.P.
Pres. Bush, V.Pres. Dick Cheney, SEAL "wheels" & Roy Boehm
Navy SEAL Thom Shea

The Incredibly Touching Thing a Navy SEAL Says Kept Him Alive During a Deadly Battle: ‘I Thought I Was Dead or Alone’                        Apr. 21, 2014                              Elizabeth Kreft

Thom Shea
Thom Shea
Thom Shea
Dave Hall, U.S. Navy SEAL

Outrageous video: Injured Navy SEAL berated on his own porch as he lowers American flag May 6, 2014 by Cheryl Carpenter Klimek 
A Navy SEAL veteran has released shocking video surveillance of a neighbor berating him while taking down his flag on his own porch. 
David Hall of Virginia Beach served for 21 years, suffering a severe leg injury in Iraq in 2004. Since a homeowners’ association dispute a few years ago, Hall says the neighbor harasses him relentlessly. Hall posted the video to YouTube to shed light on the way veterans are treated.

Robert “Bob” Marine Wood     R.I.P.

Robert “Bob” Marine Wood, 92, of S. Dennis, MA, died, November 1, 2013. He was  born in Brockton on April 18, 1921. His Naval service began at the Great Lakes Naval Station.  As a Radioman, he volunteered for BUD/S and served in UDT-1 and UDT-3 during WWII.   (UDT is the precursor of the  Navy SEALS).  His Military Decorations WWII: Bronze Star Medal,  Pacific Theater with 1 Star, European African Middle Eastern Campaign with 1 Star, World War II Victory Medal, and the Navy Good Conduct Medal. 

Chuck Jesse Bob Gallagher Roy Dean Matthews and Richard "Hook" Tuure
Michael Jaco THE INTUITIVE WARRIOR
Eugene Paluso

“Welcome Home” is a new series being produced by Sleeping Dog Productions, Inc. It tells the story of Viet Nam Veterans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-CTKFzWjjw&sns=em

Navy: SEAL Died in Dive Full of Safety Lapses
13 comments Honolulu Advertiser | Apr 21, 2014 | by William Cole 
The disappearance last year of a Pearl Harbor Navy SEAL who was spearfishing with other unit members on a training free dive off Kaena Point was accompanied by sweeping procedural and safety violations, according to the Navy’s investigative report.

Command Master Chief Larry Wilske Command Master Chief Wilske is a combat veteran of the US Navy He is running for United States House of Representatives in Primary Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 http://www.larrywilske.com

The Combat Veterans For Congress PAC is endorsing the 90th Combat Veteran For Congress; he is a fiscally conservative candidate who will work to rein in the out of control spending by Congress and the Obama Administration, will work to reduce the national debt, will work toward unleashing the private sector to grow once again, create jobs, and stimulate private sector business investment. Command Master Chief Larry A Wilske, USN (Ret) (SEAL) of San Diego, California, a 30 year Veteran of the US Navy, www.larrywilske.com, is running for the 53rd Congressional District of California represented by six term Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA-53) 

Donald L. Zyski    R.I.P.
 1928 – 2013
Born on November 12, 1928 and passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2013.  Donald was a resident of Valley Springs, California. Donald graduated with UDT Training Class 006 on 21 November 1952 in Coronado and served with UDT-1 during the Korean War. 


Donald Leonard Zyski of Jenny Lind, CA passed away on November 6, 2013 of natural causes. He was 84. He served his country in the Navy from 1945 to 1955 and was as a member of UDT-1. Following his military service, he then went on to work for Grey Hound for 24 years.

From: Dillard Blancett
date: 10Apr2014
To:  “Chip”  

  Chip I’m sure you recognize Tractor Dan, I think the big fellow is
Worthington on the left. The guy wearing the mix gas rig is Ron Neal. I
believe the instructor was Schultz
.

From:  Michael Gustafson 
To:       Doc Riojas


Here’s one from the scrapbook taken many years ago. UDT12’s 2nd platoon. — with Ronnie Faulkner, Mark A. Cummings, Cant Remember, Wayne Waters, Ron Relf, Daryl Jacob aka Jake, Dave Bantone, Michael Suter, Ken Roper, Mark Shipman, Randy Albracht, Daryl Chamblee, Wayne Vought, Ross Miller, Gordon Evans, John Timmerman, Mark Lyle, Harry Arhendt, , Dean Cummings and Doc Shrier.

Dillard Blancett 

Apr 30 2014
to  Doc Riojas

I’s sorry Doc,

 I know I should be more pacific, I’ll try to be more clear.Lt. Dan Mann was Lt. Gill’s XO on the Mighty Mo when Dan was killed on april 7 67. He was just a great guy everybody really liked him, he was in my class#35, Ron Neal same class #35 was killed from same incident, Donald Boston was also killed the same day, I think he was in class #34. 

What I was trying to do was send you pictures of some of the team members that I knew that was killed in VN. Some of the pic’s weren’t taken in VN but are the only pic’s I had of them. That pic. Of Dan Mann was probably when we were in training at Coronado, of Boston when we were doing training dive in subic Bay in 66 same with Ron Neals diving Pic.— the pic.

 Where I spoke of the grill, was our only cook out with both Lt. Graham & Lt Gill’s group. The guy in pic. With no shirt on and green pants w/back to camera is chief Ruth, he’s the cook facing the grill in front of him. 

I think I have another pic. Of the cook out showing the grill. We were welcoming Lt. Gill’s group when they got to Nha be by having a cook out.

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

Thu, Apr 10, 2014
From: Dillard Blancett
to: Doc Rio

Forgot to include name of one guy on the sub. The guy in back with hair up in the air is Frank “Bullitt” Bird. Pics. Of three guys with on sitting was taken on USS Weiss.

Dillard Blancett 
to: Doc Riojas

May 1 1914

to me L to r Chief Ruth/ Gill, seal officer? Guy with towel, Doc. Jones. Some of these pic. Are Ron Kelmell’s. If you want, send him an E Mail and ask if they can be used-he has some really good ones. rrpopseal@bellsouth.net-. If he says it’s ok-he may want to send them-he’ll remember all the names and details. If that works out then we can all work on it together.

Thanks dillard

Larry Nelson
An original Navy SEAL, Chuck Jesse, recounts experiences November 12, 2013
Wilbur Roy "Pat" Patterson R.I.P. 1931-2014

Obituary LCDR Wilbur Roy “Pat” Patterson, U.S. Navy (SEAL) Ret., passed on to smoother seas at age 82 after a long illness. 
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Alicia Ann Smith Patterson LCDR Patterson retired in 1974 following twenty-four years of service having served in USS Mullany (dd-528), Underwater Demolition Teams 4, 21, 22, 13 & SEAL TeamTWO

He was a decorated Veteran of the Vietnam War. 
He was a Third Degree Member of Knights of Columbus Council 10804, Virginia Beach, VA. 
LCDR Patterson entered UDTR Class 11 in Aug. 1953 and graduated Nov. 1953.
 – See more at: http://www.hollomon-brown.com/obituary/LCDR-Wilbur-Roy-Pat-Patterson-USN-Ret./

Virginia-Beach-VA/1369453#sthash.aEhwOT5k.iOsAnDMt.dpuf

 

Wilbur Roy “Pat” Patterson

x

05May2014
To:  Doc RIO
From: Jack Detweiler
Subj:  RE: LTJG Walter F. Merrrick, II Inbox x Jack Detweiler <jdetweiler1129@att.net
Dear Doc: 

We’ve never met, but I’m trying to track down a classmate of mine from USNA Class of 1970. I discovered this web page: https://www.sealtwo.org/photoalbum03.htm …where the following quote appears: 

“Doc Riojas, The photo of the monkey and the two other SEALs does not show me unless you think I am the monkey. They are HMC Charles Hill on the Left and Frank Czajkowski on the right. It’s ok though they were both great operators. The monkey’s name is Wally. He was named in honor of LTjg Walter Merrick our AOIC of MIKE Platoon at ISB Ben Luc RVN.—John” 
I also found a second reference to him at: https://www.warboats.org/mst2bremmer/mst_seals.htm : Mike Platoon, SEAL Team One (7 Sept 1971 – 7 Dec 1971) — LT Michael S. McCrary; LTJG Walter F. Merrick 
As none of us in our company have ever been able to contact Wally since graduation, if you can provide any clarification regarding whether this is the same “Wally Merrick” I’m looking for, I’d appreciate anything you can share. At this link: http://www.e-yearbook.com/sp/eybs?school=71&year=1970&s=walter+merrick&sort=1&rpp=15&bSearch=Search+Yearbooks … Wally’s 1970 photo is in the upper right-hand corner of the first photo labeled “1970 image 707” 

Thanks for any attention you can provide to this matter. 
Kind regards, 
Jack Detweiler

WEBMASTER:   I had to have an account to be able to access the larger images on the USNA 1970 class photo album.   RIO

 

 

Jack Detweiler 
Date 11May2014
to: Doc Rio and, Doug, John, Maurice, Steve, tommycox 
Subj:  “Uncle Wallopin” Wally

From USNA 70 yearbook:

“Uncle Wallopin” Wally hails from the backwoods of Tijuana, B.C. Actually, he’s from a small villa to the north called Chula Vista, but this is merely a rest station. 
Wally was known for having borrowed more and returned less than any ten people in the history of the Academy. 
Wally is adept at all sports, but he particularly enjoys scuba diving, skiing, surfing and wrestling during study hour. He also received his numerals in J.V. soccer. 

Wally will long be remembered as one of the big stinkers of the Thirty-Fifth Company, and for leaving his head print in the walls of houses from time to time. 
Wally’s talents all point to one possible service selection. His ability as a diver and fighter, and his adventurous spirit combine to foster an avid desire to become a SEAL. 

Guys—just want to thank you all for your assistance. Although we have (2) good “leads,” we have not yet been able to find Wally. 

(1) Wally has a profile on Linkedin at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/walter-merrick/14/133/b59 ; one of my classmates who is on Linkedin tried to contact him at TGS Enterprises in New London; however, his Connect To setting is blocked unless one also knows his email. So he sent TGS and email and begged for an email address. (We still don’t know if he is there or not.) 

(2) For those who might want a snapshot of what Wally did after departing the service, I found this profile at http://www.indeed.com/r/Walter-Merrick/ec2c1c7d6df55e68 which had him at the Connecticut Department of State as recently as January 2013 (I even called Middlesex Hospital where he did time as a paramedic—they confirmed he did work there but don’t know where he is now.) 

(3) I also found this reference to Wally at http://www.partnerpoint.com/Company-Directory/Detail/True/UserID/20399.aspx which provided contact information for: Walter F Merrick (associated with TGS Enterprises in CT) 
55 Riverbend Dr Mystic, CT 06355 Age 66 (Born Apr 1948) 
(860) 536-6132(860) 536-6132 (but, this number is not in service)


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Famous Navy SEAL shot in U.S. parking lot Hero drives self while bleeding to get treatment

Christopher Mark Heben

Christoper MarkHeben
chrisHebenWOUND

“It was as if someone folded you in half,” Heben, 44, said Wednesday. He was released Tuesday from Akron General Medical Center. The argument, he said, started after a car backed into him as he walked in the parking lot.He said he exchanged words with the car’s driver. The driver, Heben said, told him, “You got a big mouth white boy. You need to learn some [expletive] respect.”Heben said he then told the driver: “Look dude, in my world, you have to earn respect” and offered to “help him out right now.” 

When the driver turned to a passenger in the front seat, Heben said, his SEAL instincts told him to “blade” and turn so the front of his body was not exposed. In an instance, he was bent over in pain. “I felt like a mule kick to my stomach,” he said. Heben said his SEAL instincts kicked in, and he gathered himself and jumped into his truck to catch up with the car.“They cruised out, and I got in my car as quick as I can,” he said. 

After the two cars left the parking lot and headed north on Cleveland-Massillon Road, Heben realized he was bleeding and put a finger in what he believed to be a bullet hole in his lower abdomen. Heben said he began sweating and his vision became blurry. “I go from seeing stars to looking like I am looking through a lava lamp into a kaleidoscope and obviously I am going into shock,” he said. He realized he could not continue to chase the car and decided he needed to seek help. 

He said doctors removed a metal object from his stomach, but he did not know what type of bullet it was.He said had he been wounded more seriously, he probably would have called 911 instead of chasing the shooter. “I was adrenaline fueled and pissed off, and I was definitely on the hunt,” he said. He said he wanted to at least get a license plate number, which he did not get, but did manage to get a description of the car, a gray low-profile sports car with tinted windows and a raised spoiler on the back.

http://www.stripes.com/news/navy/ex-navy-seal-recounts-being-shot-in-parking-lot-hunt-mode-kicking-in-1.275929?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+starsandstripes%2Fgeneral+%28Stars+and+Stripes%29#


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CHRIS HEBEN LIED !     READ THIS INVESTIGHATION:   

Conservative Navy SEAL Arrested For Fabricating Story About Being Shot By Black Mob

http://kstreet607.com/2014/09/09/conservative-navy-seal-arrested-for-fabricating-story-about-being-shot-by-black-mob/

Navy SEAL Chris Heben was shot in the stomach in a parking lot at 5 PM yesterday by “3 gangbangers” according to his Facebook. 

He put a finger in the bullet hole and chased them to get a vehicle description, then drove himself to the hospital. I know this will not receive any attention from the media, so I just wanted to share it with you all. 

Christopher Mark Heben
Joel Lambert
Joel Lambert
Joel Lambert
Kevin, Lindsey and their son,Lacz, Movie Actor in "American Sniper"
Adm. Sean A. Pybus
Adm. Sean A. Pybus
Clint Bruce
Daniel J. Cabel
Gary "Doc" Welt R.I.P.
Daniel Cabel

 MEMORIAL WALL  for Men Killed in SOUTHCOM AOR

SOCSOUTH is building a memorial wall to recognize all the special ops folks killed in training or operations in SOUTHCOM AOR. We’d like to be as accurate as we can to ensure all sacrifices are recognized. 

We’d like to provide unit, location, date, and a brief description of the event (i.e. diving accident) and below are some we are some we are missing some info on. We’re hoping some of the team mates out there might be able to fill in some of the blanks. 

SN Raymond Fauls Jr., died in Puerto Rico in 1964 (questions – unit, date of death, cause of death) 

CM2 Robert Fleming, died St. Thomas 1965, (questions- unit, date of death, cause of death) 

GMG2 Joe F. McCarthy, died in training, Puerto Rico 09 Feb 1981 (questions – unit, cause of death) 

PO2 Daniel Langelier, died in training, Puerto Rico 13 Oct 1983 
(questions- rate, unit, cause of death) 


Also, for special boat units/teams I’ve found only one death in SOUTHCOM AOR, which was EN2 Michael Uyeda, SBU-24, who was killed in an explosives incident in Honduras on 12 Dec 1984. Hopefully that is it but if anyone knows of others we’d like to be sure their sacrifice is recognized at SOCSOUTH memorial. 

Thanks greatly. 


v/r rick 

Richard Green USSOCOM History Office 
7701 Tampa Point Boulevard MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5323



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Raymond Fauls Jr.    Robert Fleming   Joe F. McCarthy  Daniel Langelier  Michael Uyeda

1-800-I-AM-UNHAPPY1-800-I-AM-UNHAPPY FREE – Volume 1: A former Navy Seal’s inspirational, spiritual,
straight-talking, sometimes irreverent, often humorous path of …
life and leadership as we should know it          by Chris Bent (Author)

Hello Harold, “hfrogman;       Doug Braca BUD/s class 106 here.    


FYI: I spent my time on the West Coast and the East Coast and finished/ retired as a BUD/s instructor 1994.
Me and Mad Dog Madison were in a SEAL Team 2 Winter Warfare Platoon together what seems like a long time ago.
Randy Large was  BUDS Class 06 / 106 / 206 / 306


Douglas  Braca

 Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School SEAL/EOD Technician (NEC 5327), Bomb Disposal/Diving
 Frogman University Combat Swimmer, SEALology 
1979 – 1980 
Hoo-yah 
Activities and Societies: Running and swimming all day long

Harold Dunnigan is a BUDS Class 06 graduate, is a retired LA Lifeguard, a recently retired NSW Reservist, and lives in Santa Monica. He is coordinating the Class 06 get together for the BUDS Class 306 SQT Graduation in 2015. 

Doug Braca is a BUDS Class 106 graduate, retired SEAL, retired San Diego Police Department and now working Anti Terrorism consultant. He was the senior enlisted in Class 106. He lives in San Diego.

Frank Sayle
Glen Grinage
Michael F. Parrish R.I.P.
Bointnott and Riojas
Tom Keith on TV talking about the Killing of O.B.L. yr. 2014
Doc Riojas and Ed Mc Queen

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class David Hansen of Staten Island.   Hansen is a 30-year-old SEAL who was already a figure to admire when he was named the Sailor of the Year for the entire Pacific Fleet in April.

Billy Hoffman
DickCouch
Dick Couch
Richard A. Pearson
Pamela Russell
Don and Diane Blazer Shipley
West Coast SEALs
Glen Grinnage
Steve Robinson
Middle Doc Erasmo Riojas

From:Bill Langley
To: Doc Riojas
Date: 24 Dec 2013
Subj: Tom Blais


Doc, 

I talked to Tom Blais, Jim Cook, and Chuck Newell yesterday. We had good conversations and laughed about old times with the teams and UDT/R. They were instructors when I went through training and they were great instructors. They all said “Quit, you stinkin trainee”. But I didn’t think they really meant it; so I kept my helmet on and stayed away from that dreaded bell.

 I really enjoyed your action packed Christmas letter. I will turn 74 on 29 Dec, Rudy’s birthday is 20 Jan 1928 (he will be 86 but looks 12 years younger), and yours is 14 Aug 1931 (as if you didn’t know; and you look 15 years younger). 

Take care and Happy New Year to you and your special family.

 In Christ my brother, Bill Langley

BUD/S Class 130 Roster

A Look Back At The World War II U.S. Navy Frogmen: My Piece On The Underwater Demolition Teams, Forerunners of Today’s Navy SEALs 

ChiefEMDavisUDT5NavyFrogmenWWII

A Look Back At The World War II U.S. Navy Frogmen: My Piece On The Underwater Demolition Teams, Forerunners of Today’s Navy SEALs 

A while back I wrote a piece for Counterterrorism magazine on the World War II U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) frogmen and how those brave and resourceful men influenced today’s U.S. Navy SEALs. 

You can read the piece via the below links: 

http://home.comcast.net/~pauldavisoncrime/pwpimages/WWIIFrogmenJPG1.jpg 

http://home.comcast.net/~pauldavisoncrime/pwpimages/WWIIFrogmenJPG2.jpg 

http://home.comcast.net/~pauldavisoncrime/pwpimages/WWIIFrogmenJPG3.jpg 

Note: The top photo of UDT frogmen ashore in the Philippines was taken by my late father, UDT 5 Chief Edward M. Davis. My father is shown in the middle of his team in the above photo. Posted by Paul Davis at 1:28 AM Labels: Chief Petty Officer Edward M. Davis, Counterterrorism Magazine, U.S. Navy SEALs, UDT 5, WWII Underwater Demolition Teams

A 1991 graduate of Phillips, Kristensen was serving as a U.S. Navy SEAL when his helicopter was shot down on June 28, 2005, during an ill-fated rescue mission in a mountainous region of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Kristensen and his team were attempting to rescue four fellow SEALs trapped in an intense firefight with the Taliban during Operation Redwing.

“History of U.S. Navy SEALs in Coronado” Exhibit Opens May 2 at Museum of History & Art 
Posted by Coronado Historical Association on April 26, 2014 
Sign Up For Alerts Coronado was the birthplace of Navy SEALs and is still, today, a center of SEAL operations. The Coronado Museum of History & Art presents the real-life history of SEALs in Coronado.

Tom Blais and Nancy montgomery

Lt. – Rt.:   Chris Bent    and   Dick McCarthy                    Yes.  I am the prepared and manly looking Yalie.    Dick looks the opposite with his brain heavy head squooshing his body. He was propped up for the photo

American Hero Stories: A Navy SEAL Bill_Robinson Journalist Posted: 04/14/2014 Updated:

I am not writing this new, regular column because nobody else writes one like it–though nobody does–or because I love this country–and I do–or because these stories need to be told. Though those are all true and good reasons. I write “American Hero Stories” because Americans who work as taxi drivers or lawyers or doctors or waitresses need to hear them to truly understand how important the sacrifices of our American heroes really are to all of us. It’s one thing for us to walk around enjoying our everyday lives in comfort, bliss and obliviousness superficially saying when it’s convenient, we “support the troops.” But is quite another (better) thing entirely to know, understand and respect the courageous sacrifices these brave men and women make with their families everyday. And, to hear about these extreme sacrifices first-hand from the people who made them. (Wherever possible, I will refrain from editorializing and instead rely upon the storyteller’s own words.)

Historical Military Pay Rates 


The Defense Finance Accounting and Service (DFAS) maintains an archive of historical pay charts dating back to October 1, 1949. You may find it interesting to see how the current military pay compares to what servicemembers made in the past. 
The dates below reflect effective dates for the military basic pay rates, which may differ from the effective dates for the various allowances and other pay entitlements. These charts are intended for reference only and are not for official pay purposes. These charts are all in PDF

http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/charts/historical-military-pay-rates.html