Since its commissioning in December 1942, NS Mayport has grown to become the third largest fleet concentration area in the United States.
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  • Rodger Joye December 22, 2011 at 6:13pm

    Bobby,

    I remember being on the Pratt in Mayport and tied up to the pier ahead of us was the Forrest Royal while she was being transferred to the Turkish Navy.

  • Ronald Earl Bereman II December 22, 2011 at 4:16pm

    Not only were Bobby Jack and I on the same ship at the same time we were both assigned to OC Div.  

  • Bobby J Colwick December 22, 2011 at 2:42pm

    Thanks Ron Bereman for making me aware of this site.

    I, like Ron was assigned to the Mayport Naval Satation 66-67 aboart the USS Royal as a Radioman. I would imaging that some 44 years later I would not recognize the place. I remember making daily trips to the post office on shore to pick up mail/telegrams etc. I also remember one of my shipmates gaining access to telegram forms and obtaining an approved leave while he was restricted to ship. I remember a light snow in the winter and seeing snow in the tops of the palm trees there...The "geedunk" truck's daily visit to pick up "slim jims" and other goodies was a regular. I coul go on....good times...good memories...

  • Ronald Earl Bereman II December 14, 2011 at 8:48am

    Bill, Very nice talking to you, stay in touch.  Ron

  • William H Trammell December 13, 2011 at 10:00am

     Ron, I was assigned to new construction of the USS Dubuque, she was commissoned Sept. 1 1967 and was de-commissioned Jun  2011, 44 years of service, good ship with good crew.

    Several shipmates retired to Pascogoula (and then worked in the shipyard) but enjoyed the fishing and a few of the watering holes.

    MMCS Steve Rodeen and his wife Sandy lived by VanCleave, the wife and I visited them often until they both pass away.

    Yeah, we had some really old chiefs back when we were in our early twenties, now all the chiefs look like teens...  Have a good day... Bill

  • Ronald Earl Bereman II December 13, 2011 at 8:24am

    Bill, I just read your profile where you "arrived Pascogoula April 67"  My wife is from Vancleave, Mississippi, her father and brother both worked at shipyards in Pascogoula.  I served with MMC Moore who lives in the area and worked at the yards after he retired.  We go over there every Thanksgiving and I try to work a lunch in with the "old Chief" John is five years older than me but when we were at Mayport on the Royal I thought he was at least 103!

  • Ronald Earl Bereman II December 13, 2011 at 8:10am

    Bill, Like you said change is to be expected.  Not only the area changed but the Navy we knew changed.  Standing inspection before liberty, heading down Mayport Rd to a "Locker Club" to get out of uniform trying to not look like sailors (never worked, the shoes gave us away)  then changing back to go back aboard. I spent four years active and two years in the active reserve, I wanted to go back active but my then wife said she would divorce me if I did (a few years later she married an active duty sailor, oh well) "They were the best of times and the worst of times"    

  • William H Trammell December 12, 2011 at 8:49am

    Ronald, I remember both ships. Mayport is  not the same, alot more commands. even Airdales. Mayport Rd is wall to wall businessess, Neptune and Atlantic Beaches have some streets block off. 

    Change is to be expected after 40-plus years, always great to talk to someone who has been there and done that...Take care.....Bill

     

  • Ronald Earl Bereman II December 12, 2011 at 8:21am

    William,  I was on the Forrest Royal DD 872 and the Harwood 861 64-67 if we were in port we were in one of those bars.  Norberg knew more about ships movement than BUPERS did, you could run that tab up to the last payday before you got underway.  I never knew anyone to "walk" on their tab because you could always get a beer when you were broke (often) and Norberg was a great guy.

  • Rodger Joye December 10, 2011 at 2:19pm

    SERVED ON WM V. PRATT (DLG-13) IN MAYPORT FROM '[68 - '72).  LIVED IN A DUPLEX MOBILE HOME IN A TRAILER PARK RIGHT OUTSIDE THE GATE.  REMEMBER GOING TO JAX LIQUORS FOR A MIXED DRINK FROM THEIR DRIVETHRU AT THE CORNER OF MAYPORT RD. AND ATLANTIC BLVD.

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