The messages below are from former crewmates of the The Adirondack posted here so all may read and, if you care to, make contact with the writers.

I will list the name of the writer first, in the order they were received (date), and then if you see someone you know you can jump directly to that message. To return to the menu just hit your "Back" button.

1.  12/15/99  Richard Souza
2.  12/15/99  John Thayer
3.  12/16/99  Ted Branthoover
4.  12/20/99  Peter R. Bingley
5.  05/04/00  J. Cooney
6.  06/05/00  Don Plott
7.  07/28/01  Sgt. Hal Brown USMC
8.  01/30/01  Cotton Young
9.  02/02/02  Sally Ake
10. 03/03/02  Joseph M Albright
11. 04/02/02  Tony Lentine
12. 04/07/02  Ray McIntyre
13. 07/05/02  John Danforth
14. 07/06/03  Mike Beck
15. 08/26/03  Daniel Boone
16. 12/16/03  Richard (Dick) Jaeger
17. 06/16/04  Ernie Pappas
18. 10/12/04  Hy Brodsky
19. 12/11/04  Andrew Johnson
20. 02/08/05  Don Smith

Richard Souza

Subject: Re: Hello Shipmate
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 16:51:11 -0600
From: "RICHARD SOUZA"
To: "Jack Sterling"

Hi Jack, I found your Naval history extremely interesting and enlightning seeing all that ferry information was new to me, didn't know they had such a thing. I too was a QM and reported to the Adirondack after QM school in 54 which in those days the QM/SM rating were combined. Was with PhibGru 4 but I was ships company not in the Flag. Made QM3, then put her in the bone yard. Went to the Achernar AKA-53 then to the Kleinsmith APD-134 and leaving the Navy as a QM2.

Went back in as a SM2 and went to Tin Cans out of Newport, RI which was find with me seeing I lived in Fall River, MA. During my next 24 years and various stations, I again went back to the gators going aboard the USS Pocono AGC-16 which they then changed their (AGC's) designation to LCC which are current in todays Navy.

I have a real nice picture (old) of us (Adirondack) entering Havanna, Cuba in 1555. Also have one of the Pocono. There is a reunion of AGC's but they include all of them and that throws me off because I am only interested in the Adirondack/Pocono. Maybe you could take it as a hobby for the Adirondack to create a reunion. I have done so for the USS Charles H. Roan DD-853, I started with 3, now have over 600 and going on our 6th reunion coming up in SC 2000. I now live in Pensacola, Florida giving my time to Golf, The Roan, traveling, and my wife (not in that order of course). You have some of my history, hope I have not bored you, would be glad to hear from you at your convenience anytime you care to chat.

A shipmate Souza

---

From: "RICHARD SOUZA"
12/16/99 12:53 PM
Subject: Re: Hello Shipmate
To: "Jack Sterling"
Got to rack my brain here...The Adirondack went back to the Med in 54 but I only remember a few ports now, Naples, Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey. We had the flag on board Amphibious Group 4 with a Rear Admiral on board..Went close to the Artic Circle on a cruise to test some new cold weather gear out..The Admiral looked like a Huge Green Martian with the then new (Green) nylon cold weather suit..Of course the lowlifes didnt have the new gear...I have some pictures but I have not bought my scanner as yet..It would be a large task but you could advertise in various magazines to see how many crewmembers you could find off the Adirondack. I have a Janes Fighting Ships book (old) (68-69) does not list the Adirondack but gives the specs of the Pocono (same ship). Let me know how I can help you...a shipmate Souza
John Thayer

From: John Thayer
Date: 12/15/99 11:25 PM
Subject: Re: AGC page...
To: Jack Sterling

Jack, Nice site with a lot of info. You've put a lot of work into it. Didn't have time tonight to read everything, but I will soon. You might contact Bill Gilliam, on the AGC Alliance Page, maybe he'll make a link to your page for the Adirondack.

Later,

John

Ted Branthoover

To: design1@naples.net
From: Ted Branthoover

Thanks for the comeback, Jack.

First of all, just call me Ted. I had enough "Mister" & "Suh", during my time in the Navy and 35 years with PPG Industries, Inc., after I left the Navy.

To answer your questions, "No", I didn't continue in photography.

NAVY SERVICE - I was aboard the USS MISSOURI when the Korean Conflict started. Then served on two DE's, the USS FORMOE and USS RABY. Was transferred to the Amphibs and assigned to the USS ADIRONDACK in 1954, putting the ship out of commission a year later at Portsmouth, VA. Next, was assigned to LST-1081 putting it out of commission about a year later at Green Cove Springs,FL. From there went to the USS POCONO Staff and left the Navy the end of 1957. I am an Amphib sailor through and through.

No, I am not still in the Navy. At 70, you are too old. I am a Professor Instructor in the Navy teaching college courses in Law and Business Management aboard U.S.Navy ships anywhere in the world under the Navy's PACE Program (Program for Afloat College Education). I'm assigned to Cental Texas College for administrative purposes by the Navy. Just had my annual physical a couple of weeks ago and everything is very good. The annual physical is a requirement for qualification to serve aboard ship. Never know where or when my assignment will be until I receive a telephone call and then have to report on Navy Orders within a few days. The teaching assignments last on average two and one half months. The courses I teach are 3 credits which, if passed successfully, can be transferred to any college or university in the U.S. except one.

Tried to get the Web Page on the ADIRONDACK you just put up in the last few days but no luck so far. As you said, the "Search Engines" have not yet picked it up. I am anxious to see the Page. Understand the address is : http://gator.naples.net/~design1/agc-15.html Will try again in a few days.

I am copying our ALLIANCE Historian, Keith Bowsher , USS CATOCTIN (AGC-5) and Bill Gilliam, USS POCONO (AGC-16), our President, for information. Both will be interested in seeing your Page on the ADIRONDACK.

My Mailing address is : 5336 Highgrove Road, Pittsbugh, PA, 15236-1629 Telephone No : (412) 884-2650

Stay in touch.

TED

Peter R. Bingley

From: mktgconsul@juno.com
To: designl@naples.net
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1999 09:54:58 -0800
Subject: U.S.S. Adirondack

Jack: Flipping through various web sites I happened to "google" in the subject ship. I served on the ship from late 1945 to the end of 1947. Have pictures that I took when Admiral Briscoe came on board. Remember a number of my shipmates names and some really interesting stories of the time and crew. I didn't serve on the "Fleet Staff" but was a Yeoman 2nd Class on the port side. Played for the Adirondack baseball team and served as the Captain's yeoman. His name was Captain Meyers. The baseball coach was a Lt. Hayes of Texas. An Ensign, Eastman of Eastman/Kodak family sat on his sack and read comic books all day. He reminded me a lot of Jack Lemmon as Ensign Pulver.

It appears as though since if our dates overlapped so probably did some of our shipmates. My GQ station was the starboard 40mm. Being seventeen, I was glad that some of the gunners mates there came from destoyers and cruisers.

Were you on board when Harry Truman returned from Rio with Bess and Margaret? We manned the rails in the rain in whites and Margaret shipped on the gangplank and her dress went flying up over her head. A couple of thousand swabbies were trying to hold back the laughs as the Secret Service, Harry and Bess tried to cover her legs.

I had gone through the UDT training at Little Creek and as you probably know the Adirondack was to be the CIC ship for the invasion of Japan. Even at seventeen, then eighteen, most of what I did for Captain Meyers was of a rather clandistine nature. I had all of the secret clearances. Lt. Cdr. Stocker was the Exec.

Would like to hear from you and swap stories. Originally I came in via New England as did about half of the crew at the time. NJ, NY and New England. A few from the South and a couple from Puerta Rico. All out of Norfolk Naval Training Station.

Peter R. Bingley

---

From: mktgconsul@juno.com
1/2/00 6:34 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: U.S.S. Adirondack
To: design1@naples.net
Hi Jack:
Glad I finally got your e-mail address correct.

On Sun, 02 Jan 2000 16:02:19 -0500 Jack Sterling writes:



> Hello Peter:

> This is great. You're the first one of the original crew to write since I put the site up on Dec. 16. I'll have to make you the Exec I guess.

I respectfully accept with the one proviso, i.e., that some of the members of the crew be replaced. Rowdy and restless.

> I served on the ship from late 1945 to the end of 1947. Have pictures that I took when Admiral Briscoe came on board.

Provide me with an address and I'll get some of these pictures off to you for your collection. In handing out "liberty passes" I became a pretty good friend with most ot the crew. Have picures of refueling at sea just after we, the fleet was put to sea because of one of the two hurricanes we were in. Bad experience. We lost two shipmates. One in the mess hall pinned against the bulkhead with the mess table and one trapped in the forward waterways and couldn't get out. No one knew he was there until morning. Also have a couple of pictures of the 40 mm crew at GQ off of Cuba.

The Adirondack also was destined to take the Admiral Byrd and the 2nd expedition to Antartica in early 1946. Politics entered into it as we had already been issued foul weather gear, ordnance and provisions. I believe the Taconic was selected after we were turned down.

Real pleasure hearing from you Jack and hopefully we can at least create a bit more of any awareness of the function the AGC's.

Regards to a shipmate,

Peter R.

J. Cooney

From: JCooney207@aol.com
5/4/00 1:11 AM
Subject: Re: Signed Guestbook
To: design1@naples.net

Could not bring up your site. In fact I can't get into the AGC site that I logged into several years ago. I lost everything on my hard disk due to tech problems. What was the address of the site you saw my name on?

In ref to your inquiry I was assigned to Adirondack soon after commissioning to await discharge. I was RM 3 in charge of Flag Teletype room. There was only me and four Radio school guys in the unit. In fact I was never on the ship when it moved. when we moved from Norfolk over to Portsmouth I went around by Car to keep continuity on the circuits. i was Discharged in May of '46.

I live on the east Coast in Florida and on Long Islan in the summer but i am a Florida resident.

You are the only one thats ever contacted me. Thanks

Don Plott

From: "Don Plott" 1:17 PM
Subject: right arm rates
To: design1@naples.net

Hi Jack,

Just surfing and found your picture of our old ship. Yes I remember when we had right arm rates and left shoulder patches. I served on the AGC 15 during the Korean war and the Fort Mandan in W.W.II.

Have you got your Web site up. I couldn't find it.

Shipmate Don Plott MMR 2 A Division

Hal Brown

From: Halbrownjr@cs.com
7/28/01 10:06 PM
Subject: USS Adirondack
To: design1@naples.net

Jack: My name is Hal Brown. I was in the Marine Signal Detachment aboard the USS Adirondack from March, 1952 until December, 1953. I boarded the ship in Naples, Italy, where we remained until June, 1953, when we were relieved by the USS Pocono. We went into the shipyard at Portsmouth, VA for overhaul. This is where the helicopter deck was added. It was not in 1950. There was a 5" gun on the fantail which was removed and placed on the bow.

We went on a shakedown cruise to Gitmo in the fall of 1953 which included one weekend in Port Au Prince, Haiti. I was transferred in December, 1953.

I returned to Naples (Italy) several times during the 1970s and 1980s (I was an employee of Pan Am until their unfortunate demise). The Seaman's Club in Naples had a 9 foot pool table (it was an old snooker table converted for regular pool) and it was still there. There were also still pictures from USS Adirondack parties on the walls. However, no one around the harbor recalled the ship. I used to hang out at Boston Tony's. Tony was deported from the U. S. He died back in thea 1960s but his place was still there.

Ex Sgt. Hal Brown, USMC

Cotton Young

From: "cotton young"
Wed 1:09 PM
Subject: brother
To:


jack i had a brother that served aboard GC 15 about that time,he was a chief pipe fitter,i served aboard the mount mckinley GC-7 durning operation cross roads in 1946-47,my brothers name was Robert P Young ,he has sinced pass away,and is buried in New Port RI.I know a lot of people servied aboard your ship,just by accident you might have met him .thanks for your time........

Sally Ake

From:sally
Sun 7:53 PM
Subject: thanks
To: design1@naples.net

Dear Mr. Sterling,

    Thank you for your time in creating the site for the U.S.S. Adirondack. My father served on the ship late 1945-46. I recently found a picture in some things my mother had put away and my sons were quite curious about their grandpa. My father passed 21 years ago so they have never met him to hear stories of his short service time. We know from my mom he was in the signal core and that is about all, so the picture, info and notes from crew were interesting for us to share. Again, thank you for taking your time to bring Grandpa to my boys!

Sally Ake

Joseph M Albright

Subject: Re: AGC-15
Date: Sun, 3 Mar 2002 08:52:28 -0500
From: Joseph M Albright
To: design1@naples.net

Jack,
I was a Yeoman on the USS Adirondack, not the Rocky Mount. On the Rocky Mount, I was a Seaman first class (my name is Dave, I'm typing for my father so please excuse any inappropriate syntax). My battle station was site-setter on the aft 5 inch gun. I served during the Marshall island campaign, at the Mariani island campaign, all all the Phillipine campaigns. I left the ship in April, 1945 to help commission the USS Adirondack where I was Admiral and Chief of Staff's Yeoman.

Tony Lentine

Subject: Shipmate??
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 15:16:47 -0500
From: Tony Lentine
To: "'design1@naples.net'"

Hello,

My father said he was on the Adirondack in 1944, I believe. I am trying to get some more information for him.

My father's name is Anthony Lentine or Antonio Lentine, or Tony Lentine.

Please let me know if you know him, or where can I get some more info.

Thank you,
Antonio Lentine

Ray McIntyre

Subject: USS Adirondack
Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 18:30:09 EDT
From: PerryDiceFarm@aol.com
To: design1@naples.net

I was wondering if you remember my Dad. He was aboard the Adirondack during WW11. His name was Ray McIntyre. He was a radioman. My son is now in the US Airforce and is interested in finding out about his Grandpa's time in the military.

Dad passed away, August 13, 1987.

Thanks,
Elaine McIntyre Perry

Subject: McIntyre Photo
Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 08:26:33 EDT
From: PerryDiceFarm@aol.com
To: design1@naples.net

Here is a picture of my Dad. Thought it may help jog a memory. It would have been 1943-45. Thanks for your message back.
Sincerely, Elaine McIntyre Perry

John Danforth

Date: July 5, 2002
From: John Danforth - jdanforth@tre.state.ma.us

Mr. Sterling,

I have a question regarding the USS Adirondack. My father, James Danforth, served for a period of time on the Adirondack, during the 50s. Do you happen to have any information regarding him or those who served with him during his time period? I am fond of history and would especially appreciate it if you could add anything interesting to my reconstruction of my father's navy days. From the USS Adirondack he went on to the USS Midway and that's where his naval career ends.

Thank you,
John Danforth

Mike Beck

Date: July 6, 2003
From: Michael Beck

Mr. Sterling: I am sending you this photograph in hopes that you might know some of these sailors. My father William (Bill) Dean Beck is the first sailor on the right. All I know about his military career was that sometime late during WW II (1945 or 46), he was assigned to a ship called the USS Adirondack I don't know if any of these other sailors are from that ship. My dad is alive and well and living in Sun City, Arizona. Any information you can provide me with on this photograph or any other information on his time on the USS Adirondack, would greatly be appreciated.

Mike Beck

Jack;

This is the only other photograph I have of my dad in uniform. I will be contacting him tonight and try to get as much information as I can on his years in the service. I hope you recognize him by this picture.

Mike

Daniel Boone
Date: 8/26/03
From: Daniel Boone

I am trying to find some information on a Jack Burke that served on the USS Adirondack back at the end of ww2 for a friend of mine. His name is Leroy Brasswell sometimes know as "Butch". They were together in San Diego for boot camp. Any information would be appreciated.

You can e-mail me at pokefatrulz@yahoo.com or I can be reached at 573-783-6086.

Thank you.

Daniel Boone

More info on Jack Burke
Date: 8/29/03
From: Daniel Boone

Here is all the info that Butch can remember on Jack Burke. Boot camp was from April of 46 to July 46. Jack was a Seaman 2/C, a "Striker" Signal man. He went from the USS Adirondack to the USS Storm(s). I hope this will get us some more info, if not I appreciate all that you have done and so does Butch.

Waiting to hear from you, Daniel

Richard (Dick) Jaeger

From: Debbie Harkleroad
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 11:28 AM
To: 'Jack Sterling'
Subject: RE: USS Adirondack

I am trying to find anyone who remembers my father. He served on the USS Adirondack while stationed in Naples, Italy from 1951-53. His name is Richard (Dick) Jaeger. I believe he was a Boatswain's Mate.

Ernie Pappas

Subject: Re: Adirondack
From: erniepappas@juno.com
Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 22:35:49 -0400
To: design1@naples.net

Hi Jack:

Thanks for getting back to me. I am still around and glad to know that an 'Adirondacker' is also.

She was my first ship after Boot camp and Class "A" EM/IC school in Great Lakes and I was part of the decommissioning crew in Philly in '49.

No one else from that era has been in touch and I thank you for responding.

Stay well.

Ernest H. Pappas
_______________________

Subject: Re: Adirondack
From: erniepappas@juno.com
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 09:26:26 -0400
To: design1@naples.net

Hi Jack:

I guess 'snipes' are permitted to converse with 'QMs' and visa versa, aye?

Thanks for the mail. As it is summer and being 'snow ducks' my wife and I are at our 'home' on Long Island, NY.

When the snow flies [actually mid October ±] we head for Fort Myers, FL. There we live aboard our Krogen Manatee trawler at the Fort Myers city marina. We were going back and forth using the 'ditch' and outside [when possible] but quit that and just enjoy winter in Florida, as of 1998.

We are well aware of Tarpon, Pappas' Restaurant[no relation], the sponge docks and enjoy the area when we go there occasionally. We were even in Naples this Spring!

Take care and 'smooth waters',

Ernie
_______________________

Subject: Re: Adirondack
From: erniepappas@juno.com
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 11:07:54 -0400
To: design1@naples.net

Hi Jack:

I started out as an EMFN but I became an experiment at Class 'A' school. They were trying to see if the EM & IC schools were compatible so at the 'half way point', they took the took the top student [me] out of the EM class and put me in with the IC class to check out their teaching methods. I guess it worked! Turned out to be a great rate for me.

I am a baseball lover and I do like the Red Sox. I have found it difficult to get tickets for Spring Training and so far have only been to see the 'Miracles' play. Actually, a lot of fun!

I am also familiar with St. Albans Naval Hospital. Not my favorite place but I am familiar with Great Lakes Naval Station Hospital [no fun there] and Newport News Naval Hospital, where I had tom learn pinochle or die of boredom.

Up! We own a 1984 Manatee named Oracle. have had her since 1991 and hug her every chance I get. Oh yes, we do our best to clog the highways and bring economic relief to Florida to support the locals habits. What else do retired people do, aye?

I tried checking your home page but it would not come up. I'll try it again later.

Stay well and have a good day!

Ernie

Hy Brodsky

Subject: HELLO
From: Hy & Arlene Brodsky
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 17:58:16 -0400
To: design1@naples.net

Jack or whoever---I’ve been looking for contact for a ship I called home from 1945 until my final “permission to leave your ship, sir?”in the last week of August 1946 I was frozen for some reason or other even though I had served out my term of enlistment(went in when I was 17) At my age and with other degenerative age factors, things a becoming hazy but those great memories linger on. I was with the flag and an ETM and to this day I tell my kids and grandkids how I admired and was dedicated to Admiral Briscoe. He was a very special man and I grin when I hear him address me as Ski when for one reason or other I would be with him. I don’t remember two many shipmate name. I do remember a Warrant officer or Lieut. Nissley(sp?) and there was a young MIT Lieut. There was a great chief in the flag but I don’t remember his name. I remember that most of my duties were centered around radio central. I do remember TDQs and the like. I remember I don’t know what the heck I was doing with the teletype equipment but I do remember that I was a hotshot with a lot of the experimental uhf and other such equipment. I do remember I had a striker who was a Yalie named Siegel.

Thanks for the ear.

Sincerely, Hy Brodsky

_____________________

Subject: RE: HELLO
From: Hy & Arlene Brodsky
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 13:32:51 -0400
To: Jack Sterling

Jack-thanks so much for the reply. Why this contact is so important to me, I don't know-BUT IT IS! The only guys I might remember or who might remember me would be those on board from about shakedown time to the end of August 1946. I remembered another name-Tyson. What is the Adirondack website address? Maybe I've missed it. Jack, please overlook any typos; I've been smacked with macular degeneration but there is an optimistic outlook by the MDs.

Hy Brodsky

Andrew Johnson

From: "Meg Johnson"
To: mktgconsul@juno.com (Peter Bingley)
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 12:12:56 -0500
Subject: Re: USS Adirondack

Hi Peter:

Unfortunately he has passed away so I am trying to piece things together from his war photos and other things he left to me. He was quite a photographer throughout his life so there are many photos. From his patches I know he was a Third Class Petty Officer and signalman (pre1948 patch) as well as a Gun Pointer First Class. His boot camp photo is from 20 July 1943, Company 366 at the US Naval Training Station in Sampson NY. He served on the USS Brooklyn from 1943 until at least November 1944 when the Brooklyn returned to New York City. The Brooklyn was in the Mediterranean and provided gun support for the invasions of Sicily and Southern France.

I am unsure about the next period of his life. He has many photos from the summer of 1945 through September/October 1945 at Fort McKinley, Great Diamond Island off of Portland, Maine. This is also around the time that Fort McKinley was reportedly retired from service. The next photos are in September 1945 are in Woodbridge, NJ with crewmate friends.

The final group of photos I've mentioned are in January 1946 aboard the USS Adirondack in Norfolk, VA in dock, with the JFK and Mississippi in the background. There are also two photos of friends -- Dick Foerch and 'Roger' Moore apparently aboard the USS Adirondack, and one of James C. Trimble operating a 12" searchlight on the USS Adirondack. He may have left the USS Adirondack and service months later because he was married in September 1946 and my mother was born in Dec 1947 in Altoona, PA. He served as Quartermaster for the Tyrone, PA VFW chapter. He returned to active service during Korea, serving on the USS Elkhorn an oiler from 1951-1952 near Korea and Japan. I am attaching photos of my grandfather in that time period - James Charles Trimble II and all of the photos I have from the Adirondack period. I am interested if any of the names or photos will fit with things you know. I am also attaching a list of names from my grandfather's photos of friends and crewmates. If you can help with more details of the Adirondack's activities in and around September 1945 (when commissioned) through early to mid 1946, or any crew listings that might help.

Thank you and best regards,

Andrew Johnson

Columbus, OH

Subject: RE: Regarding the USS Adirondack...
From: "Meg Johnson"
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 22:07:37 -0500
To: design1@naples.net

Jack,

Did Peter send along all of my original message? To summarize, my grandfather James Charles Trimble was born, lived and died in Tyrone, PA and also lived in West Chester PA. He also had a brother Harrison in the Navy.

Jim served on the USS Brooklyn in the early 40s. After returning from Italy/Southern France he spent some time in Great Diamond Island (Portland, Maine) in the summer of 1945. In late 1945 (perhaps as early as October) he somehow found his way to Norfolk and took the pictures sent along, which he labeled as January 1946. Unfortunately I don' know anything more about this time of his life. He was married in September 1946 in PA. He later served on the USS Elkhorn in Korea. He left behind a gunnery patch (from the Brooklyn I suspect) and a signalman's patch (from the Adirondack and/or Elkhorn I suspect).

Do you know of any good place to access records for the Adirondack -- perhaps in the National Archives? Hopefully I will be able to convinve my mother to make a military records request in order to find out more.

Regards,
Andrew Johnson

Don Smith

Subject: USS Adirondack AGC=15
From: "Don Smith"
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2005 11:36:55 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

I served aboard the Adirondack in 1951 -1953. I went aboard in Naples Italy and came back to Norfolk in 1953. I was a Radioman 3rd class... Are any reunions planned for the future?

Donald Smith