I crossed in about june 1984 on board the uss chandler ddg 996 on our way to fremantle australia. our co was trying to become a full bird so he passed on many ports of call to boost his status. They made him stop in australia as he refused that port of call as well.( I was a radio man so I saw all the messages)

I became a golden shellback in late 85/early 86 on a med cruise onboard the uss jesse l brown ff1089.

we did a suez canal transit and ended up in singapore on our way to the maldives. Lybia acted up and we had to return to the med. Reagan ended up bombing tripoli a couple weeks later. all in all fun was had by all on both occasions.

Sweets