Gitmo, 1968-1969
I arrived here from Norfolk in January of 1968 and departed in August of 1969. I was a commissaryman 3rd class petty officer (cook) at Bay Hill Galley. When working the steam kettles I often had a wet towel around my neck to help stay cool. I lived in a separate barracks across from the galley for all the cooks called the “cook shack.” We had a small patio behind the barracks where we sat in the evenings and told stories and sang country music. Being a cook had some advantages as we could go…
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Gary, my uniform was also khaki shorts, loaded 45, but t-shirt (without rank). In fact for my two years in GITMO from 1960-62, I don't remember wearing dress whites. I must have done so, just don't recollect it. I also lived on Bay Hill, so the Barrel Club was also our hangout.
Did a whole lot of SCUBA, (duty was based around U-2 flights so was typically 3 on 3 off) due to classified nature we had the most unique uniform ever - Tan shorts, t shirt with rank, and loaded 45 acp - was a real hit at the Barrel Club esp. the SP's! For a while had gold rope as we were attached to Adm. staff during most of the missile crisis.
Served atop Crane Hill at the Radar Site from 62-64 tracking U-2 overflights and air surveillance - sat out hurricane Flora on top of the hill NOW THAT WAS FUN!
For Peter St Onge, we have people who were attached to FTG in our reunion group. By the way, St Onge is a name that is popular in the York, PA area. Where are you from?
Peter St.Onge glad to see that you stayed in and retired. we were on the King ddg
41 together in 1981-82 last time i saw ya was in Bath. give me a shout on autecengineer@yahoo.com
was an Instrucor with FTG 1982
It is great hearing from Gary Lennert. Our reunion, which is listed in my February 9th comment, is open to all GITMO vets. We have guys who were there as far back as WWII and some as recently as the last few years. I was there shortly before Gary, in 1960-62. I hope that Gary considers attending this year's reunion.
I just found this site.. Wonderful.. Brings back lots of memories. I saw the comment from Bill Norris who I was stationed with at NSD from Feb 64 till he left when he was transfered to the Ellison DD864. I have great memories of my time at Guantanamo Bay (Feb 64 to Feb 66). I spent every free moment skin diving and sailing (loved those Snipes). I also had a baby sitting company going, worked as a life guard for SS and ran the KG4AN amatuer radio station (I had the original KG4CN call). In Mid 65 I made ETR3 and was transfered to the ET shop on Crane Hill where I spent the rest of my second tour. I met a fantastic group of people there. -- Gary
The Guantanamo Bay Association will hold its 2013 reunion from October 6th through the 10th at the Choo Choo Hotel in Chattanooga, TN. You can get details at www.gitmobay.org. Mike Warman is hosting this year's affair and the first 25 registrants will participate in a unique drawing. You can call Mike at 904-417-8590 or email him at warmantmcret@yahoo.com. Come on down and enjoy a lot of fun.
I was in Gtmo, working at Migrant Operations from 98 till 02. 9-11 was a huge experience for those of us who were there during that time.