Remembering the USS Satyr (ARL-23)

Last Updated 08/25/00

Jimmy Estes     Lonnie Smith     Harold Best     Leonard L. Martin     Thomas Smith     Richard Pettit     Terry Beck

Ronnie Barnes     Joe McMillan    Dr. Norman L. Crawford     Steven Nease     Sam Dong VNN     Joe Dale

Arthur Kitchen      Dempsey Bumpass     Curtis G. Altom     Capt. Grant Carson     Paul Morrison     Thomas Griffiths

Steven E. Elicker     Jim Westgate     Frank Halmsteiner     Leroy Robbins     Thomas R. Gibbons

From: Jimmy Estes SN USS Satyr (ARL-23) 5/67 - 5/69
           298 Horseshoe Loop
           Columbus, MS 39701
           Home phone: 601-327-4314
           Work phone: 601-434-2203
           E-Mail: estesj@tilc.com

I reported to the USS Satyr in New Orleans, LA (June 1967) when she was just returning from mothballs. I was a plank holder for the recommissioning in early spring of 1968. Sailed from New Orleans through the canal to San Diego and on to the P.I. and into Vietnam where I spent 10 months in country.     Top


From: Lonnie Smith PC3 USS Satyr (ARL-23) 67-69
           3730 Militia Drive
           Titusville, FL 32796
           Home phone: 407-268-2808
           Work phone: 407-824-1856
           E-Mail:
LONBAR@HOTMAIL.COM

I was among the pre-com. group that started our tour of duty at the NavSta San Diego. From there we were all sent to New Orleans where the Satyr was once again commissioned. The long trip across the Pacific to the mouth of the Mekong Delta River was quite a ride. I was the ship's postal clerk. The original crew was divided up into three groups as far as the tour of duty was concerned. I was among the first group to be transferred to another duty station. I spent the next year at Subic Bay, Philippines. I left the Navy in Feb. 1970. I am now living in sunny Florida working as a musician at Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort. WE, MY wife of 22 years and three children, have been in this area now for twelve years.     Top


From: Harold Best EN3 USS Satyr (ARL-23) 69-70
           6750-48 Ave. N.
           St. Petersburg, FL 33709
           Home phone: 727-546-0426
           E-Mail:
ALPHA1091@JUNO.COM

I joined the Satyr when she was in the Gulf of Siam, in the fall of 1969. She was supporting operations aimed at rooting the Viet Cong out of an area called "CA MAU"-a third layer forest/swamp that could only be cleared of enemy by inserting manpower and engaging the enemy. The canopy over the area was far to thick to access the swamp from the air. This operation was being conducted by U.S. Marines and Navy Seals.

Enroute to the Satyr we sat down the DC3 we had been flying for the night ... We landed at an Army Special Forces camp on the Ca Mau peninsula. I met my first Seal Team member at the landing strip.

The Army treated us well, inviting us to their makeshift non com club in the camp to swap stories that night. While there we were introduced to their mascot-a large python the guys kept in a chicken wire cage in the middle of the camp.

Later during the night the camp was mortared by the V.C. and a firefight ensued. It was my initiation to Vietnam ... Fresh off a nuclear submarine with virtually no combat experience, I didn't know which way to run.

The next morn-after all the action was over my buddy and I passed the snake cage on our way to breakfast ... only to discover a mortar had landed very near the cage, knocking it over. The camp mascot was no where to be seen ... He had escaped.

Needles to say, I was happy to catch a helo out and get on my way to the "Green Weeny."

HARE     Top


From: Thomas Smith SF3 USS Satyr (ARL-23) 9/67 - 4/69
           5288 12th St.
           Port Arthur, TX 77642
           Home phone: 409-985-8597
           Work phone: 409-985-0942
           E-Mail:
Vnar23@AOL.COM

I reported to the pre-com detail at San Diego September of 67, then went to New Orleans in Jan of 68. I guess it was better that we operated in the rivers because at sea we were a hazard to navigation. I think we ran into everything between New Orleans and Viet Nam. We hit a destroyer tender in San Diego.  We tore down I don't know how many feet of dock in New Orleans, we even ran over a mooring buoy with our on bosinmates on it. But joking aside we had a great crew and we worked very hard and did a great job. I am proud to have served on HER.     Top


From: Richard Pettit GMG3 USS Satyr (ARL-23) 9/69 - 3/71
           1581 S. Fairplay Way
           Aurora, CO 80012
           Home phone: 303-368-8474
           E-Mail:
repettit@uswest.net

We had an enrep - and afterwards we were sitting around the forward hatch. It was covered with an aluminum cover and we felt relatively safe around edges.  We had this one little SN that decided to crawl to the middle and going to catch some rays.  Well that cover collapsed, and the SN, myself and another guy fell into the well deck.  The SN used the cover like a sail and was unhurt, while I broke my shoulder, and the other guy really hurt
his back - I want to say that he broke it or something. 

They sent him and me to the USS Dallas (USCG Cutter) via PBR - not a fun ride in the open ocean.  We were sent to Dong Tam and he eventually went to Japan. They sent me back the best way I could.  I caught a medivac helo and ended up in a firefight somewhere in the delta.  Flew back to Dong Tam - hitched up with some Seals and went to Rach Gia, and a PBR base, then via helo to Solid Anchor, and the Satyr.  Lots of fun.

If anyone remembers this, and the guy who was hurt - I'd sure like to know.

Smooth Seas and Fair Winds to all!

March 23, 2000 Update

Article:  Refugee Flotilla.  Ron Dredge, I believe it was Powell "Butterfly" and myself were out on the BID Boat, making the rounds as usual.  We were armed with a Shotgun, and an M2 Carbine and a load of concussion grenades.  It was pretty dark and little or no moon, as we about to round the stern there was this huge Black thing floating down the river towards us.  We made our normal call to the ship and all they would say was to "Stay out of their way" and "Keep Quiet".  No explanations or anything.  Needless to say everyone was alert for the rest of the night.  A couple of days later the Stars and Stripes printed the article that I sent to Bruce.  Ron Dredge signed the bottom

March 23, 2000 Update

One night after either a "Beer Party" or a "USO" show, Turner (ET3) had the forward bow watch.    He had partaken more than he usually would have, so I went forward to sit with him for a bit.  He had discovered that he could almost get an "Air Burst" by holding the grenade a little longer than just pulling the pin and throwing the grenade.  Physics says that you have to have one hell of an arm to get a grenade to explode in the air, but it sure made for some dandy geysers.  Well he was going to demonstrate how he got the geysers, and he pulled the pin, dropped the spoon/handle and reared back to throw it and as his arm was on the way forward  his hand hit the "Salt Water Wash down" pipe and he dropped that damned grenade.  He looked at it a bit and I did too before I realized what had happened.  I pulled him over the low port stantion and made a wild grab for the grenade and missed as I was going over the opposite stantion, with *#$* as it went off.  I just knew that all those cases of grenades were going to go off too.

I ended up getting bounced off the railing and onto the deck.  I couldn't see anything, (my eyes were flash burned) and I had this horrific ringing in my ears, I just knew all them grenades had blown up and I was dead.  But I could feel the deck and some guys pulling me up.  I later went back to the bow and there was this dandy 1" impression where the grenade  was when it went off.

I read a message a couple of months later, about this young sailor was on a YRBM who had dropped a grenade on the flight deck, instead of walking away he jumped on it.  Well it was "Tap" for him.

Note:  The Armory and Magazines were directly below where the grenade went off.

March 23, 2000 Update

One night after we brought the ferry from Neak Long and during the crew change for the BID Boat we noticed that the LCM was sitting kinda funny alongside the pontoon.  The LCM was loaded with LRPS & C-Rations, which we offloaded, and we started to move the LCM back to pick it up with the A-Frame.  The engine compartment was full of water, so we tried to move it with the LCVP/BID Boat but with the current and added weight we couldn't and it went down by the stern. That stupid boat would not sink.  It just moved to the middle of the River with its Bow Ramp waving at us.  The next morning, we took the BID Boat and pulled a mooring line to it, after having some difficulty tying a double bowline in it (That was as funny as a barrel of monkeys with a football watching that evolution).  We could not get the BID Boat close enough and long enough to get the line on the Tie downs, so Snuffy planted the Bow Ramp up against the LCM and I got onto the LCM (Mike O'Neal has a photo of me on the LCM) and we got the Mooring line secured to it.  We eventually got the LCM alongside, after burning up the Port Anchor Wench, and snapping a 3" Nylon Mooring Line, with the assistance of an Alpha Boat and moving the ship to position it alongside.  It was pretty interesting watching them raise the boat, but also tragic in losing the Army Diver in the process.

March 27, 2000 Update

There was a crewman named OSBORN (don't remember his rate).  One evening when I
didn't have too much to do, He was on watch and we got to BS-ing about the world
and Home in general.  The conversation naturally went to family, and our back
grounds.  I asked about his dad and he said he was Air Force, that was
interesting cause my dad was AF too.  I asked where his dad was stationed -
Germany.  This was getting really interesting cause my dad was in Germany too.
Where in Germany was his dad - Wiesbaden, Oh boy small world, My dad was in
Wiesbaden too.  A couple of weeks later I got a letter from my dad and very
regular after that.  It seems that my dad worked for Osborn's dad.  Small World
isn't it.

March 27, 2000 Update

I remember watching these three UH-1 Helos buzzing down the river, about 25 feet off the deck.  They were coming in close formation when all of a sudden the first two helo's pulled off hard Left.  Well when they did that it just sucked all the air from under the third one and it went straight down into the river. There were ARVN's bobbing in the river like wet rats.  Really very funny to see it happen and the UH-1's and LOHC's buzzing around the scene     Top


From: Terry Beck EM2 USS Satyr (ARL-23) 5/70 - 5/71
           17 S Caln Rd.
           Coatesville, PA  19320
           Home phone: 303-368-8474
           E-Mail:
Randahlj@aol.com

I remember standing a lot of DC Generator watches in that hot engine room with some crazy Enginemen-wish I could remember that ENC's name, He really knew his job. O'Neal-I believe we stood a lot of watches down there. We dimmed the lights on the ship quite a few times-usually because your diesels kept crapping out-hope I hear from somebody from E Div.    Top


From: Leonard L. Martin HTC (USN Ret.) USS Satyr (Vietnam)
           17205 Monterey St.
           Morgan Hill, CA 95037
           E-Mail: lmatin500@earthlink.net

I came, I saw, I left, and while I was aboard Satyr I learned a lot about people. Anyone remember that stupid little dog? and who threw it over the side? How bought chief Oby (Nickname) PNC  Greenstreet, Harramen, Souchocky, Tibidoe, So many I cant remember the names, At that time I was DC-2 Martin, R-DIV. Now I'm ret. HTC Leonard L. Martin.

Best to all
LEONARD    
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From: Ronnie Barnes RM3 USS Satyr 1970
           105 Elizabeth St.
           Abbeville, SC 29620
           E-Mail: rgbarnes@wctel.net
  
I served aboard the USS Lredell County (LST 839) in 1969 and finished out my tour aboard the USS Satyr in 1970.    
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From: Joe McMillan MM3 USS Satyr 1967-1968
           P.O. Box 2103
           Trinity, TX 75862
           Home Phone: 409-594-9474
           Work Phone: 281-687-0700
           E-Mail:
jomc@totalzone.com   
I played the guitar in a small band with Stephen Luke and Tommy Hildebrand and went on a three month tour with CMTS ( Command Military Touring Shows )out of Saigon. My primary job on the Satyr was to make water and clean the boilers. I was with the Satyr when it was commisioned at Buck Krieths Ship yard in New Orleans.    
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November 26, 1999

From: Dr. Norman L. Crawford MM3 USS Satyr (9-52 8-54)
           11576 Heathcliff Drive
           Santa Ana, CA 92705
           Home Phone: 714-544-0909
           Work Phone: 714-832-9459

   
I left U.S.S. Satyr in August, 1954 to spend three months in the hospital,  followed by three months of limited shore duty at Long Beach Naval Station (my only shore duty except MM School at Great Lakes); I was then assigned to the George K. MacKenzie D.D..836., MacKenzie was on "Formosa Patrol" at the time so my journey to the ship involved a flight to Hawaii on MATS, then on to Tokyo via Pan Am, then one week at the Naval Station at Yokosuka, bus to Tachkawa AF Base, Flight to Kadena Okinawa, bus to Naha USN/USAF flight to the USS Bennington in a WWII TBM, then hi-lined to the MacKenzie.  QUITE A TRIP! I left active duty in April, 1956 as a MM1.  On to College, with the help of P.L.550, BS in chemistry, Enrolled in the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, graduating in June, 1962.  I have been in practice for thirty seven years and am rapidly approaching retirement--maybe.    
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November 26, 1999

From: Steven Nease FN USS Satyr (1970)
           PO Box 901 2 Marty South Drive
           Wapato, WA 989951
           Home Phone: 509-877-6458
           E-mail:
stevenease@yahoo.com
   
I was barely 18 when I flew in country aboard Braniff and stayed a few days at Annapolis Hotel. Didn't receive any kind of briefing. We drank and ate at the Montana Club. I left the Hotel with several other sailors in dungarees and white hats. We found ourselves dropped off somewhere in a wide open area that had Vietnamese soldiers in one man pill box type sentry stations. We were told to walk to the river and hitch a ride up river to Satyr. We were lucky to get a ride aboard a PBR. I felt so proud roaring up river with the stars and stripes waving off the stern of that fiberglass rig decked out in green with ordinance up the kazoo! I had grown up in Alaska as a commercial fisherman, and my Dad had tried a Berkley Jet pump powered with a big Packard gas engine. I knew I was on the state of the art jet boat and the thrill was great. Not too long after arriving on Satyr we were "trained" on the M-60. That was OK. I recall later in my tour going up forward and shooting debris in the river and tossing concussion grenades. As an Engineman our dept took care of the AC's and the LCVP. One night's grenades was a sight. Mostly though it was hard awful work under horrible conditions that I am proud to done at my young age.
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November 28, 1999

From: 2nd Lt. Sam Dang (S. Vietnamese Navy, 42 River Patrol & HQ-802/ARL-23)
           7443 Dallas Drive
           Austin, TX 78729
           Home Phone: 512-335-3996
           E-mail:
samdang@aol..com
   
I was South Vietnamese Navy/2nd lieut. I had served in Brown Water Navy and HQ 802 (originally Satyr 23-Mekong Delta region) from 71-74.We turned over the ship to US Navy during the last trip to Subic Bay (Philippine) on those last days of the Vietnam War and later transfered to Philippine Navy.    

November 29, 1999
On March/1975 the HQ 802 on the mission of evacuated Vietnamese refugees from Danang to Vung Tau. The crews of HQ 802 gave a birth to a little girl ( COs of Hq802 was issued a birth certificate to the baby girl and name her after the name of the ship - VINH LONG. After the ship dropped off all refugees at Vung Tau, the girl's family disappeared into the crowd. Twenty-four years later, two months ago a friend of mine (he is an editor for a Community Newspaper in Austin received a hand writing letter from a girl who name VINH LONG ). Amazingly her family somehow came to US. In a letter she is expressing whereabouts of HQ 802 crews and would like to keep in touch with anybody from that ship. I will definitely follow up this story and let you know. I hope someday we will all meet "The Daughter of Satyr - HQ 802". Keep in touch. Thanks, Sam Dang    
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November 28, 1999

From: Joe W. Dale SF1 USS Satyr (7-14-67 to 2-9-69)
           P.O. Box 32
           Winona, MO 65588
           Home Phone: 573-325-4372
           Work Phone: 417-934-2048
           E-mail:
joedale@scan.missouri.org
   
Reported aboard in New Orleans for pre-commisioning duty. Worked very hard playing pool and drinking beer for 7 months of hard duty. One little bar down on the waterfront was freqented for tough games of pool. Space was limited, we had to open the window to find room for the corner shot. Chief Rosenberg worked us very hard. We had to work until Wednesday each week before we could take off. Then we went to vietnam and played.HA It was a great ship the crew was the best.    
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December 6, 1999

From: Arthur Kitchen EN3 USS Satyr (5/70 - 3/71)
           1595 Holly Blvd.
           Mansquan, NJ 08736
           Home Phone: 732-528-1971
           Work Phone: 718-948-1902
           E-mail:
relst87128@aol.com
          
   
I REALLY ENJOYED SEEING THE CREW PHOTOS . YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB. AFTER LEAVING THE SATYR I WENT BACK TO MY JOB AS A NYC POLICE OFFICER . I RETIRED AFTER 20 YEARS I NOW OWN AND OPERATE A LOCKSMITH SHOP WITH MY WIFE OF 28 YEARS JOAN. I HAVE SO ME GOOD PHOTOS AND CREW INFO I WILL SEND YOU. I AM PROUD TO HAVE SERVED WITH THE HARDEST WORKING MEN THAT I HAVE EVER MET.      
ARTIE KITCHEN EN3    
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December 26, 1999

From: Dempsey Bumpass GMG3/SWCS 
           COMSTABRON 20 - Racing Danger 001 (10/69-10/71)
           214 Kathryn
           Daingerfield, TX 75638
           Home Phone: 903-645-3016
           E-mail:
ncdwti4@aol.com
                     
   
I spent over 20 years in the Navy and my tour of duty in RVN was the highlight of my career. The men( we were young but we weren't boys) who served in Nam are the only true friends I have. Hundreds I've never met but friends/brothers just the same. I was a gunner on Strike Assault Boat 001. If I can locate enough Stab brothers and collect enough pictures I will start a Stab web page. Your web site is great. Thanks for the memories. 
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December 31, 1999

From: Curtis G. Altom SKC (USN Ret.) USS Satyr (9/67-7/69)
           2755 Edgemont Rd.
           Quitman, AR 72131
           Home Phone: 501-589-4012
           E-mail:
caltom@alltel.net                   

I have many memories about my tour of duty aboard the Satyr. Some I would not share here, this one I will share. Do any of the shipmates remember when the repair crew who worked on the small boats on the barge alongside got a chicken for a mascot and the CO (LCDR D.C. Rutherford) made them get rid of if, because he was afraid that it might bite some one and they would get rabies, and that night some one placed chicken bones outside his stateroom. How about the beer parties on the barge. Enough said if you want to hear more e-mail me at caltom@alltel.net.     Top


December 31, 1999

From: Capt. Grant Carson (USN Ret., served 7/57-5-85) Naval Advisory Group (Vietnam)
           9030 Drumcliffe Lane
           Dallas, TX 75231
           Home Phone: 214-503-7497
           E-mail:
wmgcarson@aol.com

I visited your ship incidental to conducting an investigation of a friendly fire incident between the River Transport Escort Group, a VNN rice convoy with USN advisors, and Vietnamese forces ashore.  Unfortunately, the investigation revealed that the USN advisors were drunk and initiated the incident.

I was grateful for a bunk without bedbugs and real chow, served hot.  Your ship performed a service that many of you may not appreciate, servicing us visitors.

Later I was fortunate enough to command an LSD (USS Thomaston) at the evacuation of Saigon.  Having been a VNN advisor, I was happy to see 27 little ships of the VNN Fleet Command put to sea with all the VNN and their dependents, several thousands.

Thanks for hosting me on the river when I needed it.

Grant

CAPT, USN (Ret)     Top


January 7, 2000

From: Paul V. Morrison EM USS Satyr (3-69 3-70)
           41206 Cog Hill Drive
           Temecula, CA 92591
           Home/Office Phone: 909-506-5335
           E-mail:
ensby@aol.com

It's been some time since I spoke to you on the phone and since I received your E-mail in regard to the above subject.  I apologize for the delay in getting this to you. I have reconstructed this from letters which were saved by my Wife and by my Mother.  I believe it to be accurate but one can never tell since ships electricians were not privy to the inside scoop but relied on scuttlebutt to get the picture. I hope this helps and would appreciate any corrections or fill-ins that I don't have.

March  29, 69   I depart Saigon arrive Dong Tam and Satyr (Charlie says "HELLO")
??? Long Xuyen ???
April 6, 69 Rach Gia
April 19, 69 Depart Rach Gia
April 20, 69 Arrive Vung Tau, Depart for Sasebo
May  1, 69 Arrive Sasebo
June 4, 69 Depart Sasebo
June 15, 69 Arrive Dong Tam
June 24, 69 Depart Dong Tam, Arrive Ben Tre
June 26, 69 Ben Tre
June 30, 69 Dong Tam (Army artillery friendly fire Incident)
July 15, 69 MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE DISSOLVED
July 19, 69 Depart Dong Tam, Arrive Can Tho (Satyr alone)
July 30, 69 Binh Thuy
Aug 12, 69 Chau Doc ( Met Miss America @ MACV)
Aug 20, 69 Chau Doc
Sept 1, 69 Long Xuyen
Sept 10, 69 Long Xuyen ("A" Frame Incident)
Sept 24, 69 Long Xuyen
Oct 24, 69 Rach Gia
Oct 31, 69 Depart Rach Gia for R&R
Nov 7, 69 Arrive Rach Gia from R&R
Nov 11, 69 Song Ong Doc
Nov 28, 69 Song Ong Doc
Dec 8, 69  Song Ong Doc
Dec 23, 69 Song Ong Doc
Dec 31, 69 Song Ong Doc
Jan 10, 70 Depart Song Ong Doc, Enter Bassac River
Jan 12, 70 Arrive An Long ("Barrier Reef")
Feb 18, 70 An Long
Feb 19, 70 Tan Chau ???
Feb 27, 70 An Long
Mar 7, 70 Depart Satyr for the Real World

Hope this helps                        
Best Regards, Paul    
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January 10, 2000

From: Thomas Griffiths EN3 USS Satyr (1-68 3-69)
           1515 Pebblewood Land
           Williamsport, PA 17701
           Home Phone: 570-322-4303
           E-mail:
tsgriff@csrlink.net

I wound up in New Orleans on the Satyr in Jan. of 1968 after being sent to Assault Boat Engineering School and Swift Boat Training in Coronado, Calif. and a few more schools in San Diego. I think it took us 33 days to reach Vung Tau. I worked in the D.C. Gen. room then the A. C. Gen. room. My brother, Joe, requested duty with me on the Satyr and upon the completion of boot camp was sent over. I think we were in Dong Tam at the time. I left the Satyr the end of March 69. I finished my enlistment on the USS Orion, a sub tender stationed in Norfolk, Va. in September 1970. A few of the guys I remember are Bob Lerch, Ben Wojtas, Joe McMillan, Bob Bonner, Mike "Shorty" Bronnenberg, Bob Silkensen, Rick Dalton, Sheleton, and Chief Fisher.     Top


April 8, 2000

From: Stephen E. Elicker  SN USS Satyr (12-69 11-70)
           2974 Hanover Pike
           Hanover, PA 17331
           Home Phone: 570-322-4303
           E-mail:
selicker@blazenet.net

From what I can remember LCDR R.T. Fellis was Commanding Officer when I came on board and later was assumed by LCDR Giganti.  While going thru pictures on this site I was amazed because I saw pictures almost duplicating what I have.  The pictures sent by Pettit and O'Neal were uncanny.  I remember Pettit, Fiola, Fisher, Manning, Lackey and Brown.  I am also sure I served with Swank and Stapleton.  I have many good slides and coincidently one of Richard Brown and Ron Fisher (Snuffy) and pictures of the USO show with the girls in pink, white and black dresses.  Also have one of Wes Compton.  I was assigned to the First Lieutenant's office as the deck yeoman.  Most of my pictures are on slides so I'll need to figure out how to send them to you.  Who can tell me the black sailor's name that we used to call sugar bear?  He was a lot of laughs.  I will send you more if my memory allows. Thirty years is a long time. I was 18 years old at the time.  By the way, my favorite service related story now is that after spending 12 months in Viet-Nam, my next duty was with VP-24 (based at that time in Patuxent River, Maryland) which was deployed to Keflavik, Iceland."  Talk about going from one extreme to the other! Also, Sam Crawford was somewhat responsible for my going there.  If I remember correctly he left the ship in 1970 (not 1979) right before me.  He told me his next duty station was in Patuxent River, Maryland.  I asked him how I could get a gravy train like that and he recommended I put in for Yeoman A school and then ask for Patuxent River on my dream sheet.  Yea, like all of that was going to happen.  Well, I put in for the school, I was accepted, and I got my first choice on my dream sheet and I was off for Patuxent River which is only 150 mile from my hometown of Hanover, PA.  I was home every weekend for two years except when we were deployed to Iceland for 4 month intervals (annually) and when I was on call for the weekend. Thanks, Sam.     Top


April 8, 2000

From: Jim Westgate EN2 USS Satyr (9-67 5-69)
           8667 24th St.
           Fremont, MI 49412
           Home Phone: 231-924-2521
           E-mail:
jwest@ncats.net

Assigned to Satyr 9-2-67 in San Diego where crew was assembled, went on leave on 12-10-67 and returned home to Michigan. Reported to New Orleans after after leave. Stayed with Satyr until enlistment up 5-1-69     Top


May 5, 2000

From: Frank Halmsteiner RMC USS Satyr (6-69 7-70)
           424 Chelsea
           Fairfield, CA 94533
           Home Phone: 707-429-4639
           E-mail:
HALMSTEINER@MSN.COM

I DON'T REMEMBER TOO MUCH ABOUT MY TOUR IN VIETNAM, I GUESS I JUST WANTED TO GET IT DONE AND GO HOME. I DO REMEMBER THAT THE RADIO GANG WAS SOME OF THE BEST SAILORS I EVER WORKED WITH. I DON,T KNOW IF ANYBODY REMEMBERS ME I TRIED TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY AND LET THEM DO THEIR JOB. THEY KNEW ALOT MORE ABOUT SHIP COMMUNICATIONS THAN I DID. THE REASON THE NAVY SENT ME TO THE SATYR WAS TO BE THE CRYPTO REPAIRMAN(THANK GOD IT NEVER BROKE DOWN) I REMEMBER A RADIOMAN FROM FRIDAY HARBOR WASH., WHO I THOUGHT WAS ONE OF THE BEST. I DON'T REMEMBER HIS NAME, SO IF YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT PLEASE LET ME KNOW     Top


May 13, 2000

From: Leroy Robbins SF1 USS Satyr (7-67 5-69)
           12702 Greenshire Drive
           Houston, TX 77048-4012
           Home Phone: 713 738 3847
           Work Phone: 281 497 7295
           E-mail:
robby@ev1.net or robbinsl@ev1.net        

Hi there fellow Shipmates. I have some good memories and I have some that's not so great. But thanks to God, I am able too bury the bad ones and will just share one or two of them here with you. I was assigned to the USS Satyr in July of 1967 where it was undergoing repairs. I was fortunate to meet some very great guys as the commissioning crew was being formed, we had a ball in my home state of Louisiana but I found New Orleans to be a bit WILD! We finally got the GREEN MONSTER (SATYR) underway for San Diego, Ca. We came through the Panama Canal which was exciting to me. I remember watching the ships antennas hitting the tree limbs as we pass thru some narrow spots in that canal But we made it to San Diego then to Long Beach and back to San Diego, Ca. One Saturday evening while in San Diego, our Eng. Officer was on the main deck when he spotted this female coming down the pier clad in a short mini skirt. He calls out on the 1mc
"ANYONE WANTING TO SEE A MINI SKIRT, LAY UP TO THE MAIN DECK, STARBOARD SIDE"! Needless to say, the Satyr took on a heck of a starboard list. We left San Diego, Ca. headed for the war zone but somewhere in between San Diego and Vietnam, the GREEN MONSTER quit on us, and left us powerless until a chopper brought us the repair part. Our first night in country was a scary one. That night the entire crew, Officers and enlisted got the scare of our lives. It was later learned that the bid boats would drop concussion grenades in the water to wad off swimmers. No one told us anything  like  that was to be expected  thus we thought we had been mined. GQ was set and damage control crews went thru out the ship looking for damages and flooding. The crew of the bid boat knew it was our first night there and it was their  thing to scare us by throwing the grenade as close to the ship as possible. I am sure they were bursting their sides from laughing so hard. I left the Satyr in Japan where  she returned for repairs to one of her screws. I reported on board the USS PRAIRIE AD17 where I advanced to Shipfitter Chief. I was later transferred to the USS YELLOWSTONE AD27 and from there I was assigned  to the start up crew at FMAG in Mayport FL. where I called it quits SEPT. 11. 1975. I married a wonderful woman in 1971. We have two daughters and two grand kids. yes I am spoiling the grand kids but that's my job and I am good at it. We now live in Houston, Texas and I am still working. My phone number, E mail and home address are listed here. Feel free too use any or all of them. I would like to hear from you guys.

                              Leroy Robbins HTC USN RET
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June 5, 2000

From: Thomas Gibbons SF3 USS Satyr (3-46 9-47)
           P.O. Box 757
           Tellico Plains, TN 37385-0757
           Home Phone: 423-253-7066
           E-mail:
liz@tellico.net

To those that may have been aboard when I was----- the trip from China to Japan escorting a yard tug, crossing from Kobi, Japan to Pearl towing an APL and escorting Yard Patrol boat.  If you remember any of these things please contact me!     Top

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