USS South Carolina CGN-37
I was a member of the First Increment of the Pre-Commissioning Crew for the USS South Carolina, DLGN-37 (changed to CGN-37 after commissioning). I was initially assigned to the Pre-Commissioning Crew of the USS Nimitz, CVN-68, but it was behind its construction scheduled and my orders were cancelled. I was still on the USS Enterprise, CVN-65, and the ship was preparing for another cruise to Vietnam. I then requested the South Carolina and was glad to receive my orders. When those orders…
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Boy, I feel like the young buck here. LOL. I was a plankowner on the USS Mahan(DDG-72) from 1997 to 2000. I was also an honorary plankowner of the USS Fort Fisher( LSD-40) due to being christened on the bridge, the day of commissioning. Nice to meet you gentleman.
I am a Plank Owner of USS Yellowstone AD41. 1980 to 1984. She is no longer a member of the fleet. A good ship.
I served aboard the USS Hornet CVS 12 from 1966 TO 1970 at Bremerton Washington where I helped to decommission the old girl.
I am a Plank Owner of the USS Kalamazoo AOR-6.
She is no longer a member of the fleet, but she was a good ship,
with an awesome crew.
I am a plank owner of the USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST-1197
Plank Owner: USS Frank Cable (AS-40).
USS BLANDY DD943 - recommissioning in 1970 after an extensive anti-submarine warfare modernization. including SQS23 Sonar and ASROC. We reported in 1969 - 10 chiefs (I was YNC) and Chief Engineer. Commissioning skipper reported early in 1970 while XO had all the troops down in Norfolk going to school. Shortly after I left, they switched out to the ModSquad plan (LCDR CO, LT XO); didn't hear much good about that.
I never knew decommissioning crews were considered plank owners until now! I was given orders to help decommission USS Pickaway, LPA/APA 222 in 1970, and received a 6 month early out when done. I'm not sure I spent even 5 minutes aboard her, as all I did was walk up the gangway, sign in, and leave. I spent the next three months on APL-9 next door.
That had to be the best duty of my entire 3 1/2 year career. I worked 5 days on, 2 off, then 2 days on and 5 off. It was like having a vacation every other week, and since my hometown was only 100 miles away, I spent my time at home.
The work was really back breaking. I had to check in each morning just to make sure I was still hanging around. And I had to get the mess cooks up in the morning once, then learned that they got each other up so no need for me to roust them out of their racks. During meals I had to operate a clicker taking a head count. To this day I don't remember any real work involved, and don't remember being bored, so I must have found something to do between meals.
Plankowner, USS Cushing DD-985
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