Comments

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  Clayton Alan Dobbins July 28, 2011 at 12:01pm

  Hey Larry,
  
  Sorry to hear about the degenerative disc crap; I've got it too. Going to see Joe Mullis in September for a small get together in Milton. He works for Escambia County Corrections; reminds me of Barney Fife!
  Bob Berlucchi is gonna meet us in Pensacola. He is still with the FAA. Some others I knew at Whiting are gonna try to be there as well: Bob Lezon, Joe Stepard, Sue Ball, Marilyn Gamble
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  David R. White July 28, 2010 at 10:47am

  Oops. It was an A4 not an A2 and a T28 not a T38. Long, long time ago.
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  David R. White July 28, 2010 at 10:37am

  Do you remember Lt. Smith in Operations. Older guy at the time. Boy was he a great guy. Actually, what I liked about CATCC was watching the tv monitor and the radar indicator. It was actually more exciting for night quals. Events I remember was the T-38 crash on takeoff, guy survived, then forgot lanyard strap and drowned, A7 dual seater flame out on take off, both survived, and the A2 engine runaway, dropped over angle deck, ejected, never found and the A2 that caught fire about 4 times, almost pushed over side, but finally went out and saved. And then the running aground. Ever see a typewriter fly out under your hands and hit a bulkhead 6 feet away. Quite a noise. Got a new typewriter out of the deal though.
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  David R. White July 28, 2010 at 9:35am

  Larry, looks like you had a wonderful successful career in the Navy. My only regret in life is that I did not stay in the reserves. Not only would I have retained and earned more benefits, I believe that I missed out on a lot fun. Some say the service is boring, but in actuality it is very rewarding. Knowledge gained, friends made, and real adventures from time to time can really fulfill a lot of your life. Thank you for your loyal and excellent service to our nation. All your honors were well deserved.
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  David R. White July 28, 2010 at 9:31am

  I think I got off the ship in June that year, can't remember exactly. I was transferred to VT3 in Milton for my last 20 months in the Navy. I was on the ship when we lost steerage trying to leave port and ran aground. I used to spend a lot of my time off duty behind that clear status board in CIC. I worked in the operations office across the passageway as departmental yeoman from Apr 71 to June 72.
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  David R. White June 27, 2010 at 11:01pm

  My strongest memory of that event was the trip down to Corpus to chopper out to the ship. We left Pensacola 7 am, rode buses nonstop to Houston, took 10 minute break, back on and then Corpus. Took my shoes off on second leg. Wished I hadn't when we got there, couldn't get my boots back on. Went aboard in my sock feet (almost got in trouble). Hurricane we drove back into was a hoot. Can't believe how big those waves where coming over the bow!!
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  David R. White June 25, 2010 at 11:14pm

  Hi Larry. I was on the Lady Lex from 71 through 72. Went through Hurricane Agnes in 72. That was a ride. Got back on base Sunday night, checked in at the front gate only to be told the ship was gone. What!! I missed ships movement, oh no. They drove all of us down to Corpus and choppered us to the ship. Then the fun began. I remember being up on the Weather Office deck, leaning 45 degrees into the wind. Whoa! I worked in the Ops Office across from CIC. YN4 David R. White. Really "did" enjoy my tour on Lady Lex.
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  Randy W. Ellis March 7, 2009 at 7:18pm

  Hey Larry, Randy here. Doing fine. Completely retired now and enjoying life to the max. Had to get out of Memphis, and came to Jax 4 years ago. Worked as an RN since 1991, and I was sick of that. Hav e a nice place in Middleburg and trying to overhaul that room by room. Drop me a line, call if you like, come when you can . 904-291-7866
  3479 Rustic Oak Trail, Middleburg, FL 32068-5812
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  John (Blue Eagle) Maddalena November 1, 2008 at 8:28pm

  Larry, All of my Dad's family live in Ridgeway, Pa. That was why I was asking. It's such a small world these days you never know who knows who. That's really something you getting that award,congrats or in order. Man you just never know when in a split second your going to be put in a life or death situation.
  I remember one night we were about 2hrs. into night ops we had a A-7 hit the round down and slid down the angle deck in full after-burner. Pilot punched out right before the A-7 went overboard. A-7 hit the water and took back to the air and flew un-manned for 45 min.circling the Lex, doing rolls,and all kinds of crazy stuff. We had the pilot back on board, standing on the flightdeck watching his own bird fly it's self, just 50 miles off the coast of P'cola. She finnally ran out of fuel and hit the water 11 miles behind the Lex. I would have never believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes. It damn sure was never a dull moment.
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  John (Blue Eagle) Maddalena November 1, 2008 at 7:12am

  Larry, I guess you missed the Hurricane Camille ride then,that was fun. Spent time at NAMI and Saufley Field to with Taron 1. Oh loved those T-34's.
  I live close to Montgomery,Ala. so go back to P'cola 3 or 4 times a year, the boys love to fish and the wife loves the beach. I love to hear the scream of those jets fly overhead,just something about that sound.
  I see your from Penn. any where close to Ridgeway, Penn.?