Welcome to the USS Surfbird Association WEB Page Visitors Log
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Name: Gary Duncan city: Staunton My dad, Virgil Duncan served on the Surfbird during WWII. The stories he told me about the brave men he served with inspires me to this day. Dad passed away in 2005. However, I know for a fact that one of the main reasons he was such a great father was because of his experiences serving in the Navy, and aboard the Surfbird.
Name: Donald G Fletcher City: Apple Valley I Was ON The Surfbird In 1952 To 1954. I Would Like To Hear From Some Of You Guys If You Remember Me. You Can Contact Me At My Email Address.
Name: Richard Hastings
City: Olney I was stationed aboard her tempduty Mid October 1967 - mid November 1967. Rich Hastings was RM2 and stationed at SASEBO comm Center CFAS SASEBO, JAPAN
Name: Billy Jack Baskett City: Abilene Hello all you old rascals. Wish I could get together with those I served with from 1951-1954. If you read this and served with me, please contact me.
Name: Susan Kelly Peterson City: Easton My father, Andrew C. Kelly, served on the Surfbird in the Pacific Theatre during WWII and while he didn't talk about much when he did you could tell he was proud of his service. I remember him telling me that "his" ship was in the movie Caine Mutiny.
Name: Virgil Hoadley City: Simi ValleyState: CA Sent: June 2, 2010 at 09:58:06
If you are visiting the library of the Greatest president in recent history please drop by.
Name: Edward B. Sinclair City: Portland Was in Sasebo with MinDiv-33 Jan 1964 through August 1966 and saw Surfbird regularly.
Name: Bob Chetwynd City: LEYLAND ENGLAND
State: England Best wishes to you all
City: Upper Marlboro State: MD Sent: March 29, 2010 at 10:58:19
My brother, Arthur Waddell Rush from Durham, NC, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2010. I saw in his obituary that he was a member of the crew of the USS Surfbird from 1961 through 1963 and was a charter member of the USS Surfbird Association. Arthur and his wife Elaine attended the reunion of the Surfbird in 2007. I wanted to let the organization and those who are also a part of the Assocation know about his passing. Info regarding the funeral service can be found at the funeral home's website www.ellisdjones.com.
Name: Ellenmary Kelly-DeTore City: Freehold Was showing my son the ship that my Dad, Andy Kelly was on During WWII, he has become interested in learning more about the War since playing War Games on his XBOX Gaming System.
Name: Jeff Crocker City: Gig Harbor One of my fondest memories is of sunset over Siberia seen from the deck of the M/V HELENKA B... salt spray coming over her bow. Gambling on beating the ice to Wainwright, Alaska, with a full load of heavy equipment chained to her deck. Hoping we don't run out of lube oil on the return trip...her twin Detroits sucking it up. ahhhhh...those were the days...
Name: Arthur J. Haber (Son-in-law of Stanislaus J. Sowinski) City: Pauma Valley California (San Diego County) I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Charlie Vandervort at the funeral and memorial services for Stanislaus J. Sowinski, Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret) on Monday, January 18, 2010, and exploring the website for the USS Surfbird Association. In addition to his illustrious naval career, including a tour of duty on the Surfbird, Stan Sowinski was an accomplished artist without equal. I'll be forwarding a link to Mr. Sowinski's website where his work, and a brief biography with photographs, can be enjoyed by all.
Name: Terimarie Kurator
City: San Luis Obispo My father, Joseph T. Kurator served on the Surfbird, not sure what years. He recently passed away 11/8/09. Would love to hear from anyone who knew him.
Name: Bill Klemme
City: Anchorage Saw the helenka B coming into Anchorage port last week ,and google it to find more info on this boat,wow what a story.
Name: Robert Sewell
City: Bremerton My uncle Bill Emery was on the Surfbird at the end of WW2. He was a Cheif Electicians Mate and very proud of his service on the minesweepers. He commissoned the Tide which was sunk when it hit a mine the second day of the DDay invasion and eventually was sent to west coast and the Surfbird. My aunt and I were talking of his duty during WW2 and she mentioned the Surfbird so I looked it up. My uncle told me that it was very stressful when they were sweeping around Japan, they knew the end of the war was coming and everyone wanted to survive to see it happen. You have a nice web page....Bob Sewell
Name: Larry R. Kietzman
City: Topeka I would like to know if any of you guys serving between Dec. 1962 and Sep 1964 remember the approx. month we were in typoon (Joan) I believe off the coast of Phillipines. Blackerby Miesner, Cox, Rio, myself (on Radar Watch) were active in getting the ship safely to port. The XO Steve Ralph was sick in his rack and the Captain was also unavailable. We tied ropes around our waists and went down from CIC to check on equipment etc. I remember the Captain saying we were to get a letter in our record for this accomplishment. At that time, I was the Yeoman for my rate (notwithstanding my other duties, Radar, deck watches, shore patrol etc. and I never typed any letters. I didnt question this but felt we deserved it. Further I need to know the date we went to degauss ships in Vietnam, approx. Aug and Sep 1964. The website says 1963 as well. We went into the town of Na Trang several times if you remember. Please let me know if you can help me. I do remember typing a letter to Sec. of Navy requesting Surfbird be given the Ex. Medal for these operations/ Why didnt we get Vietnam service medal for the shore-line degaussing work we did several times. I had secret clearance and knew we were bombing Laos at the time; I know most of you didnt know this.
Name: Charles W. Reeves
I was pleased to see this website and the pictures.
Name: William James Whitman
Had a visit with two shipmaytes today. Edwin Benfore and R.L.King. Both EN-3,s on the bird. Photos will follow . Brother the BS did roll. A lot of good times were related between us. From steam jobs to blow baths!!!
Name: Bob Chetwynd Sir, many years ago, maybe 1964 I was serving on HMS BAROSSA a Battle class destroyer berthed in HONG KONG. We were parked alongside the USS SURFBIRD ! Surfing the web I remembered the name and here we are !!!. I recall the broadcasts on your ships tannoy system clearly LIBERTY GUYS TO GLAMOURISE----- Prisoners muster at the sherrifs office--. It was very entertaining and has stayed in my memory ever since. I wish you all the best and have a good reunion, you will enjoy Laughlin, my wife and I stayed there about 4 years ago -- check out the CARP in the Colorado river!! BOB Chetwynd Lancashire England
Name: Jodi Obert
My friend, Tom White Lt. JG. Eng. Off., was aboard the USS Surfbird AM 383 during WWII. Tom is 89 years young and I'm sure he would appreciate contact with any other veterans who sailed on this ship (or would like to hear first-hand stories of WWII). Tom is in a nursing home now, but is very feisty. He is a pleasure to keep company with and I'm sure would keep you entertained with WWII stories. Please notify me and I will ask Tom's permission to release his contact information.
Name: Dewey C Williams
City: Fresno For years this ship was my #1 pic on my dream sheets. I was a QM in the Navy and retired in 82 after 22 yrs (60-82). My first choice never came up. This is a great site and it is really hard to see the old girl as she is now phisiclly anyway, glad she hasn't been scrapped as most of the ship I served on were. What more can I say but BZ on the site. Dewey C Williams QMC USN RET
Name: James Sutherlin EM-2 / DV-2
A lot of folks have spent plenty of time setting up this web site and organizing the Surfbird Association. To them, I say, Thank You very much. It is fun to occasionally go back into the past and reminisce the old times we have had. Seems like we always remember the good times, and seem to forget the mid watches, or 8 on and 8 off, or a ship bouncing around in rough seas so bad you are wondering if she is going to break in half. Some how, we all made it thru, and now 40 years later, were wishing we could go back. I was in a Naval Reserve diving unit for 21 years after I got off active duty in 1970. In 1988 on our way to Guam for two weeks active duty, a couple of fellow reservists and myself, had our tickets changed to get to Guam via Tokyo vs Honolulu. Once in Tokyo we caught the Navy bus to Yokosuka for a couple of days. Let me tell you it was not quite the same. The beauty of the port was still there, but, with the devaluation of the dollar(even then) the clubs in town were charging over $7.00 a beer, consequently the bars were empty, but the on base EM club was packed. Don't want to take up all this sites bandwidth with my yapping, so hope to see some of you at a reunion someday! Think I'll dig out some old pictures and post them. What ever happened to Mr Vaccaro or Senior Chief Alley?
Name: Brandon Rhoades
LD McMaster is my grandfather. Thank You for serving the country and making America proud.
Name: Kelly Thomas
YOU GUYS HAVE A GREAT ASSOCIATION GOING. I NEVER KNEW THE SURFBIRD HAD SUCH A GREAT HISTORY UNTIL I READ UP ON HER. I NEVER SERVED ON THE SURFBIRD BUT SAILED ALONG SIDE HER MANY TIMES ABOARD THE WAXWING MSF389 BACK IN 1955/56. I WAS A RM AND TALKED WITH YOUR RADIOMEN MANY TIMES. WISH I COULD GET A WAXWING ASSOC GOING LIKE YOU GUYS HAVE BUT NO LUCK SO FAR. REGARDS KELLY THOMAS RM2
Name: Veterans Service Officer - Jane Babcock
Gentlemen I am assisting, Robert Vanover, a former crew member (1965-1967), with a Service Connected (SC) claim to VA for Diabetes. Robert was an Electricians Mate (EM) on board from late 1965 to November 1967. Do any of you remember him? Would you be willing to write "buddy" statements relating to how close you were to shore and if at any time you were on the beach Vietnam? If you would like to get in touch with him I would be happy to pass along any messages or contact information. Thank you for your service, Jane Babcock County Veterans Service Officer SFC (Ret), US Army & Army Reserve janebabcock@co.manitowoc.wi.us
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