USS Hassayampa (AO-145) USNS Hassayampa (T-AO 145)

What's New

07/14/2014 - HASSAYAMPA Brownsville ETA - July 30, 2014
07/04/2014 - Full-view of almost 200 photos by Mike McCullough, plus supplements, showing HASSAYAMPA movement from Suisun Bay to Mare Island to the Blue Pacific are currently online at The Beginning of A Final Voyage
07/02/2014 - I have finished a Final Voyage section on this website and have it up and running but not yet for full viewing. I am taking the time to make sure that things are appropriately displayed and that links are functional. I will have it operational on Friday, July 4, 2014. I feel that that day can not only be a special day for this country, but I feel that it can also be a special day in the lives of former Hassayampa officers and crewmembers -- and I am one of them. I would hope that something of this magnitude could be unveiled on a special day.

06/12/2014 - I have received nearly 200 photographs from Mike McCullough, a naval photographer, who has been documenting the transiting Hassayampa from Suisun Bay to Mare Island to the Golden Gate Bridge to the Blue Pacific on Hassayampa's final voyage. I am currently working up a Final Voyage section for this website and will have it up and running when I am finished..

06/01/2014 - USS/USNS Hassayampa (AO-145) (T-AO 145) has been transferred from the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet and has been awarded to All Star Metals, LLC of Brownsville, Texas for recycling. She will be towed to Mare Island, California Drydock Number Two for minor inspections and then towed from there to All Star Metals in Brownsville. Currently, All Star Metals is in the process of recycling the historical USS USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) in its yard and is cognizant of military comradery. Understandably, many men and women who have walked the decks of Naval vessels that ultimately must meet the same recycling fate, have close ties to their former commands. In view of this, All Star Metals has taken proactive steps in understanding and identifying to the thoughts and feelings of prior military personnel that have had anything to do with the vessels that it undertakes to recycle.

01/01/2014 - Hassayampa continues to reside in the Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay, California. There will come the day, though, that a final voyage will take place someday, somewhere....

10/28/2012 - I have completed the Apollo 11 Page which is now on-line and can be assessed by clicking here, from the Photo Album Page and also from the Home Page.

10/05/2012 - Have been working on creating an expanded Apollo 11 Page, thanks to Bob Fish, Trustee, USS Hornet Museum and Chris Lamb, former USS Hornet Executive Officer, from sources commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11's historic trip to the Moon and back. Bob Fish is the author of HORNET PLUS THREE, the first authoritative book on the Navy's support of America's race to the Moon and is packed with great detail about the recovery of the epic Apollo 11 mission. Information regarding HORNET PLUS THREE can be found at
http://www.uss-hornet.org/posters/ApolloBook/ and at http://store.yahoo.com/usshornet/

03/18/2012 - Updated History Page regarding separate collisions with USS Buck (DD-761) and USS Stribling (DD-867), both involving USS Hassayampa (AO-145). Inserted report into Sea Story Page from Capt. Patrick Moloney regarding USS Stribling collision in early 1969: HASS ding, stbd side ~ Early 1969

10/07/2011 - Everett, Washington reunion Photo Page is complete and sent to servers.

10/03/2011 - Working on completion of Everett, Washington reunion Photo Page.

09/22/2011 - The Hassayampa National Reunion held in Everett, Washington September 15-18, 2011, was warmly enjoyed by all who were able to attend. Photos are being gone over at the present time and will be uploaded and made available for viewing in a week or so. A warm thank you goes out to Pacific Coast Marine Industries, Inc. of Everett, Washington for its warm reception and the personalized on-site guided tour of its manufacturing facilities that was afforded reunion attendees.

09/22/2011 - 1964, 1973 and 1976 Hassayampa Cruise Books have been copied and are now available for viewing. The 1973 cruise book images are presented as currently best available. They are accessible from the Home Page in addition to clicking on the following link: cruisebooks/ .

06/26/2011 - I have completed the segregating of Photo Album pages into each respective year that we have photos of Hassayampa, both USS and USNS. The Photo Album Index Page now reflects one year at a time and can be assessed by clicking here.

05/30/2011 - The 1962 and 1963 Hassayampa Cruise Books have now been uploaded to the site. There is now a linking system for the Cruise Books that have now been, and will be, uploaded to the site: cruisebooks/

05/29/2011 - Thanks to Mark Banyon and to his e-mail regarding cruise books, l have been able to secure the 1962 Cruise Book pages of USS Hassayampa and have uploaded them to this site. The 1962 book consisted of 90 pages, including front and back covers. All told, there are four Cruise Books available at that site which I have access to: 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1976. I will start on the others in a day or so. The 1962 Cruise Book can be seen at cruisebooks/1962/

05/11/2011 - Am in the process of segregating Photo Album pages 1981-1991 and 1990-1991 into respective photo years and should be done by the end of the week. I have Reunion Page updated as to current happenings -- have completed paperwork to reserve a block of 30 rooms for our Everett, Washington Reunion in September. I also have some info to add to the History Page and our new Sea Story Page.

04/28/2011 - A major change will take place in the near future regarding the 1981-1991 Photo Page. It has slowly been increasing with number of mages and is now of such size that the respective years, really, need to be represented on their own. That change is currently underway and will be completed at a later date when things are correctly in place. There is currently an impressive addition by Capt. Pat to that which is already there, and the quantity of images is now getting to be so huge that it might just take forever for the page to load if the page is not broken up into separate years.

04/28/2011 - As explained in the last message, the 2011 USS/USNS Hassayampa (AO-145) (T-AO 145) National Reunion will be held in the Seattle, Washington area Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 15-17, 2011. (There will also be an allowance for spill-over activity into Sunday, September 18th) The selection city near Seattle is Everett, Washington. Everett was chosen because it is a major U.S. Navy town and DEFINITELY not as expensive to go to than Seattle proper. The planning process is underway: reunion/2011 This year's special-guest-package will include Rear Admiral Herbert (Herb) M. Bridge (U.S. Navy, retired) who will only be available for a jam session on Thursday, September 15th due to a prior commitment in California September 16th and 17th. There is much more to come. Please visit the Reunion Page for up-to-date info.

04/28/2011 - First of all, my apologies for not updating this What's New Page for some time. A lot has happened since the last entry, mostly pictures being submitted and then posted without being mentioned here, and then information regarding the up-and-coming (now) National Reunion of HASSAYAMPA that was voted last year in Oklahoma to happen in Seattle on the second weekend after labor day, 2011. Photos have been added for the following years: 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974 and the year-group 1981-1991. Former Commanding Officer Robert Olds submitted images for 1973-1974, and Captain Patrick Moloney (USNS) submitted new images for 1981-1991. These are incredible shots and definitely worth viewing by all us ol' saults and sea dogs.

10/09/2010 - Completed transcribing Ken's Deck Log Sheets and have entered the information on the History Page; I plan on spending some time doing research regarding incidents at sea that might have resulted in close calls of collisions while doing underway replenishments. I have received several e-mails regarding one thing or another regarding situations like these.

10/08/2010 - Am currently working on transcribing copies of Deck Log Sheets received from Ken Mapes (1972) regarding racial tensions onboard Hassayampa on October 16, 1972 in addition to Hassayampa collision with SS Pioneer Moon as Hassayampa was departing Subic Bay, Philippines on October 16, 1972; will insert information within respective date range on History Page when completed. Have also been working on information assembly regarding near collision with a carrier and a destroyer during course change maneuvering exercises.

09/29/2010 - Webmaster has just been updated with information regarding former Commanding Officer Roger Box and his attaining the rank of Rear Admiral. Thank you, Captain Pat.

01/17/2010 - I have added a page to the site that describes the various naval and military Operations that Hassayampa was engaged in during her life at sea. These descriptions have been taken from the on-line dictionary/encyclopedia Wikipedia and can be seen here.

01/16/2010 - I would like to bring everybody's attention to what I believe the most vivid addition was to this site during 2009: the submission of a new image of the infamous USS Preble refueling that took place in February 1976. It is truly awesome. The specific image can be seen simply by clicking here or visiting the Photo Page for 1976 which will give you a little history of that underway replenishment as well.

01/16/2010 - Although I have made many changes throughout the website during the past year, I just haven't listed them on this "what's new" page; for that, I suppose, I should receive lashings, but I do beg your forgiveness. I will try to keep with tradition and revert to updating this page as necessary.

01/11/2009 - I have just completed a major overhaul and updating of the Ribbons and Awards pages of the site bringing into view retroactivity of awards made in recent past plus adding several other features of information. While researching these topics, I discovered that former Gunnery Officer Carlson LeGrand went on to become Rear Admiral Carlson M. LeGrand and was the Navy’s former deputy judge advocate general. I have also come across the name of Admiral Julian Lake, (a former commanding officer of Hassayampa) who apparently was an electronics wizard of some kind who went on to become Vice Admiral Julian Lake, Commander, Naval Electronic Systems Command Headquarters. I have added their names and information to the History Page where there are eight other individuals listed as having Hassayampa history prior to attaining flag rank. I believe that you will find interesting reading on this site's History Page; I further believe that Hassayampa is one of the most decorated and memorable fleet oilers that the U.S. Navy has ever had, if not THE most decorated and memorable fleet oiler that the U.S. Navy has ever had. I challenge anybody to find a better one. I have also added several 'new' photo images of Hassayampa on various pages of the site. Those, you are going to have to look for, yourself......while you are learning about THE most decorated and memorable fleet oiler the U.S. Navy has ever had. Enjoy!

11/20/2008 - It appears that there are several websites that depict Hassayampa as having been scrapped back in December 2005. Maybe I should be a little more alert as to what's 'out there' pertaining to Hassayampa. In any event, Hassayampa is Alive and Well and continuing to rest peacefully along with a few of her sisters in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, California. This is continued good news for all us 'ol salts.........
photo_suisun-bay.html
three_sisters_0604.html
http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/19/19145.htm

Copy of e-mail received yesterday by webmaster:

From: Gary Priolo (gppriolo@gmail.com)
Sent: Wed 11/19/08 4:52 AM
To: Terry Kuehn (terrykuehn@hotmail.com)

Terry,
Thank you for your email concerning Hassayampa. I am not sure where we came up with the information that she was scrapped. Perhaps this information was mistakenly added to her page at Navsource when it was intended for the Mississinewa's page. At any rate, we will make a change to reflect that she is still in reserve at Suisun Bay. This change will be included in this Friday's update. By the way the Navy's Naval Vessel Register (NVR) shows her as being transferred to the Maritime Administration and not scrapped.

12/08/2007 - Updated Apollo 11 Space Page with image of USS Hornet (CVS-12) approaching Apollo 11 capsule after splashdown.

11/16/2007 - Have created an Operation Dominic page for reference regarding "Atmospheric Nuclear Testing 1946-1962."

03/11/2007 - Have created an Apollo 11 Page in recognition of the importance of USS Hornet (CVS-12) and the Apollo Space Program. Please click here for a photo essay of the Apollo 11 splashdown recovery mission.

03/09/2007 - Have just been supplied with photo image of USS Hassayampa (AO-145) refueling USS Hornet (CVS-12) 36 hours prior to Hornet picking up the Apollo 11 Astronauts and crew fresh from their lunar excursion, and it has been added to the 1969 Photo Page. Needless to say, Hassayampa History Page has now been updated, as well. This refueling took place on July 22, 1969. Bob Fish, Trustee, USS Hornet Museum met recently with former Hornet XO Chris Lamb for the purposes of securing images of this refueling operation. The efforts of Mr. Fish and the Hornet Museum will go down in Hassayampa history.

01/01/2007 - 2006 went so fast........ Here it is 2007 already. It's OK, though, because there was a fantastic Florida National Reunion and a real neat Bremerton, Washington Regional Mini-Meet. For pics of the Florida National Reunion please click here shere the images are displayed on the USS Hassayampa Website. For pics of the Bremerton Mini-Meet please click here. NOW, FOR 2007, The National Reunion will be in Las Vegas during the last weekend of September and the Pacific Northwest Mini-Meet will be in Portland, Oregon on April 21st. I'll try to have my nose more to the Hassayampa stone this year than I did last year. Looking forward to a wonderful year -- hey, it has a "seven" in it.

10/09/2005 - USS/USNS Hassayampa (AO-145/T-AO 145) 2005 reunion in Springfield, Missouri went off without a hitch. Former shipmates from around the country mustered for Hassayampa's fourth National Reunion. It was decided that Jacksonville, Florida would be the site for Reunion 2006.

09/12/2005 - Uploaded additional pics of the Pacific Northwest Mini-Meet of April 2005.

09/08/2005 - Have added many pics to the 1972 page thanks to Wally Bennett and Ken Mapes, both crew members of the 1972-1973 cruise. Am also working on posting more pics of the Pacific Northwest Mini-Meet held in Astoria, Oregon. Should have them on site in a day or so.

05/01/2005 - Have completed adding pics to each USS ship that was listed on the Ships Refueled page; because of byte sizes, I have broken pages into three sections: Page One ("A-L"), Page Two ("M-Z") and Page Three ("Non-USS")

04/25/2005 - Am in the process of adding pics to each USS ship that is listed on the Ships Refueled page.

04/21/2005 - The Pacific Northwest Regional Mini Meet was held in Astoria, Oregon April 16th and 17th with 11 Pacific Northwest shipmates in attendance, including Chief Lange from California. Also in attendance was former Commanding Officer W.G. Coulter coming in from Shoreline, Washington specifically for Saturday's luncheon. The local highlight was a tour of USCGC STEADFAST. A pictorial essay of the event can be found at reunion_2005_astoria.html.

03/19/2005 - USS Hassayampa Veteran's Association is scheduling its 2005 Reunion for September 23rd, 24th and 25th, 2005 in Springfield, Missouri. For additional information please visit www.USSHassayampa.com

03/19/2005 - A Pacific Northwest Mini-Meet has been in the works for several months and will take place in Astoria, Oregon on April 16, 2005. For additional information please visit /50

03/18/2005 - Over the last several months, orders have been taken for brand new USS Hassayampa lighters. Zippo Lighter Company was the manufacturer of choice and it came through with flying colors. Scores of lighters were ordered and shipped to those who were interested in purchasing one or more of them.

07/20/2004 - Decided to rebuild this entire site, primarily because pics and images relevant to the various years of Hassayampa's history were beginning to get completely out of sinc. Also updated historical elements relevant to Hassayampa and Hawaii.

07/12/2004 - Modified website directory status somewhat so as to assist in the diversity that this site is evolving into; have also added a section to reflect a small memorial to USS Arizona (BB-39). Also noteworthy, is the fact that this site has had more than 10,000 page views since January 15, 2002.

05/19/2004 -

Copy of e-mail received this date by webmaster:

Subj: USS Barbel Rescue of 87 Refugees
Date: 05/18/2004 10:58:09 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:
To: (Hassayampa Webmaster),
Sent from the Internet (Details)

To Whom It May Concern -

The information on your web-site, regarding the rescue of 87 Vietnamese refugees by the USS Barbel (SS-580), are absolutely correct. At the time, I was serving as the Supply Officer on-board Barbel (I later served as Weapons Officer then Chief Engineer - Barbel was too small to have a 'real' Supply Officer assigned). As I recall, we came across the small-boat rather late in the evening; if it had not been for the keen eye of on of the look-outs, we might have actually hit the boat. The boat was adrift with no fuel, water or food. I do not recall how long the individuals had been at sea when we happened upon them. We brought Barbel DIW (dead in the water) and brought the Vietnamese top-side. We provided blankets, food, water and medical attention as needed. We remained DIW through the night and transferred our new 'passengers' the following afternoon to the USNS Hassayampa (AO-145).

We did receive the Humanitarian Service Medal for our efforts . . . it is good to hear about what has happened to at least of few of those we rescued.

Regards.

J.R. (Rick) Roton
CDR USN(RET)

Served on-board USS BARBEL 1981 - 1985 . . . it was the best time of my life.

04/18/2004 -

The following e-mail text is submitted for historical clarification purposes:

Subj: USS Hassayampa AO-145
Date: 03/25/2004 2:55:29 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: dogy@mbay.net
To: contovi@aol.com
Hi. My name is Charles Dougherty. First let me say that you have a great web page on all of the old fleet oilers. I served on the Hass. 3 years. From 1958 through 1960. She was the best ship I served on. There is one thing I would like to correct. In 58 when I think his name was Locket, "he was a gunners mate" was washed overboard, He was picked up by the Destroyer behind us. Not by a Helicopter from the Midway. I was helping him with the phone line when he went over. I had a death grip on the line or I may have went with him. It was an experience. I haven't looked at the whole page yet, but you have spent a lot of time and effort on this. Thank you so much for bringing back the memories. Charles Dougherty. AKA dogy. R div.

Webmaster's Note: Webmaster has amended this site's page to reflect this information.

04/02/2004 - Have created USS Tappahannock (AO-43) site dedication to Virgil Werner {formerly of USS Hassayampa (AO-145)} whose dad served aboard USS Tappahannock (AO-43) during WW-II. Sources of pics and information have been through Internet search and accumulation of available data into one site. Have also added USS Tappahannock (AO-43) to list of sister ships on home page.

02/22/2004 -

Webmaster received this e-mail this date:

"There is a picture on various websites that show the "Hass" in bad weather alongside the USS Preble in Feb. 1976. Many have the comment that says it was "trying to refuel the Preble". Well it did refuel the Preble, about 30,000 gallons as I remember, from Station #3 and I was the rig captain. Then I was a BM2 and LPO of the USS Hassayampa AO-145 1st Division. And a few months later I was given several pictures from the Captain for souvenirs. The "Hass" was my best tour of duty in 20 yrs in the Navy. The "Hass" never tried to do anything, it always did its job. --- CWO-3 (Boatswain) USN RET. J.S. Wolff"

01/25/2004 - "Vietnam was and is the defining period of my life...." Former shipmate Dennis Hitchcock was featured in a PBS web page in May 2002. Came across the article some time back and then forgot I had it. His comments are worth reading, whether you're politically motivated or not. I invite you to read what was found to be most impressive by the staff of PBS. Step back in time and read what Dennis Hitchcock had to say.

01/25/2004 - And a happy belated Happy New Year everyone. I trust that all are well, fit, and spunky and ready for whatever.......... Cheers!

12/14/2003 - Webmaster has just received a web link from Vern Bouwman, formerly of USS Kawishiwi (AO-146) depicting certain relationships of the Neosha Class tankers that served the 7th and Pacific Fleets. Vern has done a phenomenal job of combining USS Hassayampa (AO-145), USS Kawishiwi (AO-146) and USS Ponchatoula (AO-148) information and putting it forward. It is an impressive piece of work.

11/18/2003 - Just received: pics of USNS Hassayampa during Desert Shield/Desert Storm deployment circa 1990-1991 photos showing Big Mama laying off in Sri Lanka Harbor plus a few replenishment photos during Desert Shield/Desert Storm deployment. Photos courtesy Wayne Mincey, RMC(SW) (Ret), USNS Hassayampa (April 1990- July 1991)

11/17/2003 - Have been experiencing server problems for the past several weeks. Things appear to have been rectified. I have updated the home page and the site's hit counter. The USS Hassayampa Veterans Association has just completed its second reunion -- this year again at the Best Western Rancho Grande Motel in Wickenburg, Arizona -- which was held on October 24th-26th, 2003. For Reunion Report 2003, please click here. Vic Alasio, President, USS Hassayampa Veteran's Association, has again utilized his prose and poetic abilities to grace us all with wit, wisdom, facts and fancy. Again, we have been blessed with an officer and crew compliment that's damn hard to beat!

09/27/2003 - Vietnamese Boat Rescue incident photos have been made available by former Captain Pat Moloney, Cargo Mate/Chief Mate 80/81, Master 84/88 and are now incorporated within a permanent page within this website. Webmaster's Note: without the resources of Captain Moloney, Hassayampa's recorded legacy would be nowhere where it currently is. His contributions to the Hassayampa websites have been invaluable and are most greatly appreciated, to say the least! For viewing these historical photos, please click here.

09/27/2003 -

The following is an e-mail received by Vic Alasio, early September 2003, from a survivor of Hassayampa's rescue efforts:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing this email to express my deepest gratitude to those officers/sailors who had rescued the 211(87+124) boatpeople at sea on the 5th & 6th of May 1981.

I was among the first group of refugees, and was eleven at the time, (my birthday is on the 5th of May). Of the total 87 boatpeople, 84 migrated to the United States, one person (male) went to France; my sister and I resettled in Australia.

For the last 22 years I have endeavored on multiple occasions to obtain information about the crew of the USS BARBEL & the USS HASSAYAMPA but to no success. It was purely coincidental that I have finally stumbled across this web-site. I was extremely thrilled and touched when reading the details of the rescue.

With each line, emotional and sentimental memories are brought back... Although more than two decades had passed, it seems like it was yesterday. I am now 33 years old and currently living in Melbourne, Australia. My occupation at present, is Financial Planner for Westpac Banking Corporation, one of the largest financial institutions in Australia. I would love to attend your reunion dinner, and hopefully, can catch-up with those officers/sailors that served on board the USS HASSAYAMPA during the rescue mission, but unable to do so due to immigration issues. I am also eager to get in contact with my fellow expats.

Please kindly assist me with their contact details and photos of the rescue, if they are available. I would be very grateful if I could obtain copies of the photos of the rescue. They would be invaluable and timeless treasures of family history. Once again, thank you for your compassion and kindness. Your humane action had given us a chance to have a better future in a free and wonderful country like the United States and Australia.

THANK YOU & HAVE A HAPPY REUNION..

Pierre T H Nguyen baogiangnguyen@hotmail.com

PO BOX 2286, FOOTSCRAY, VICTORIA 3011, AUSTRALIA

04/11/2003 Re: USS Barbel (SS-580) Photos have been received from former skipper Pat Moloney regarding USS Barbel and its involvement with Hassayampa in Vietnamese boat people rescues c.1982. Computer scanning and web page workup will follow.

03/31/2003 The USS Hassayampa Veterans Association has once again reserved all the rooms at the Best Western Rancho Grande Motel in Wickenburg, Arizona for our Second Reunion to be held on October 24th-26th, 2003. As we did last year, any overflow will be accommodated at the Super 8 Motel about 1 mile from the Rancho Grande. Each reunion attendee will be responsible for making his or her own reservation, on a "first come, first serve" basis by calling the hotel at 1-800-854-7235 or by e-mailing them at info@bwranchogrande.com. Please inform them that you are with the USS Hassayampa Veterans Reunion group. Also, please convey to them any special needs you may have. This year we have imposed a cutoff date -- if you plan on attending you must have your reservation for both the motel and dinners by October 1, 2003! More to follow....

02/20/2003 Uploaded revised "Ships Refueled" Page; current page depicts vessels identified by former shipmates in addition to the records made available by former Master (Commanding Officer) Pat Moloney, USNS; updated counter on Home Page to 4,931 page views from January 15, 2002 to February 20, 2003.

01/11/2003 Boat Rescue page now on the site; standing by to receive photos from Gary Nielson and Pat Moloney.

01/09/2003 Have just received information re: request for information re: submarine rescue of boat people c.1982; am working up presentation page for this purpose; am to receive photos of operation from Gary Nielson, crew member of USS Barbel (SS-580) 1980-1983 who was active in rescue; will post temporary page shortly describing BARBEL and will link from this page (What's New Page) in addition to elsewhere later; please see notes dated 09/18/2002 and 04/02/2002 for reference to this post.

12/05/2002 Am working on information regarding Hassayampa's involvement with the Gemini 8 Space Program. I will post on this "What's New" page when I have the Gemini Page up and running.

11/19/2002 We have just returned from Wickenburg, Arizona where our first-ever ship's reunion took place November 15, 16 and 17. Very moving and inspirational experiences.
The USS Hassayampa (AO-145) Veterans Association has been formally created and it has been voted that the second-ever reunion will take place October 24, 25, 26, 2003 back in Wickenburg.

11/13/2002 SHIP'S REUNION IN TWO DAYS! -- Wickenburg, Arizona, standby to receive Ship's Company!

09/29/2002 Updated "Ships Refueled" page, adding AMERICA, CHIPOLA, SARATOGA and WELCH to the list. As ever, any additions or corrections are always welcomed. Please notify webmaster

09/18/2002 For current update on Reunion Information please visit
USS Hassayampa (AO-145) Veteran's Association Web Site "We are continuing to continue to standby...."

09/18/2002 -

This e-mail just in -

"In response to the question of the rescue from the sub:

I have photos of the sub with pax onboard
I have photos of our xfer to the Hass using Hass whaleboat

The sub was the Barbel. ( I'm pretty sure, but there were three boats in that class [the B-Girls]; it was one of them. Last Diesel boats in the USN. Check her record. She would have got a Humanitarian Svc Awd out of it.
We picked up another boat that day. Total Boat people for the day (and I regret I don't have the breakdown) was 211 Viet Namese rescued that day. A good day's work!
Sea Story...
I was Cargo Mate, #3 in the chain of command...there isn't anything like it that fits comfortably in the Navy chain so work with me here. 7th Fleet Oporders were to give directions and provisions to boat people. Nothing more. I was a A Viet Nam Vet and anyone who tried to get out of there was going to get a fair deal by me. I went down to the boat with a fire ax and tested a few planks for soundness. Sumbitch!!! That boat was taking water. She was unseaworthy as I radioed to our Capt. We had to take those refugees aboard.
I stayed in touch for a while. Of our 26 refugees on that two wound up as MD's one in San Jose, another in Paris.
Best Regards
M/

---[end of e-mail]

webmaster,

Please see entry dated 04/02/2002 for Request for Information

07/27/2002 For current update on Reunion Information please visit
USS Hassayampa (AO-145) Veteran's Association Web Site "We are continuing to standby....""We are continuing to standby...."

05/12/2002 For current update on Reunion Information please visit
USS Hassayampa (AO-145) Veteran's Association Web Site "We are standing by....""We are standing by...."

04/02/2002 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: an e-mail was sent to this webmaster seeking information regarding the following:

"The USNS Hassayampa picked up an overloaded boat of Vietnamese escaping the communist country and (my friend) was on it. This was in 1982 (I think). The story goes, first a U.S. submarine surfaced in the Pacific near the boat of refugees and created a temporary tent city on top of the sub for them to stay. Later the Hassayampa picked them up and took them to Singapore. (My friend) would like to know the name of the submarine that rescued him before the Hassayampa came along and took them to Singapore. Do you know of a way to find out what the submarine's name was? Would the USNS Hassayampa have a ship's log somewhere?"

Any info regarding this incident would be greatly appreciated. Please e-mail any information you may have to webmaster

03/25/2002 Updated Ships Refueled page; and if anybody is interested, a battleship page has been added to this site. I hope nobody minds.

03/23/2002 Made up a little Poster Page (a little for laughter and a little for some serious afterthought); modified home page a little to reflect an image of the cap that Vic has been working on so diligently; official Muster List now stands in excess of 112 members with 49 of them planning to attend the November reunion; sent an e-mail to the quarterdeck hotel and requested that they reserve their entire complex for the Wickenburg Stampede; as of this date we have had 2,004 page visits to the site; it is hoped that reciprocal linking will facilitate information being passed to the world regarding the fine ship HASSAYAMPA; USS Hassayampa is truly being blessed by certain individuals bearing stars.

03/08/2002 Cold War Veterans Recognition Certificate information

03/03/2002 THIS IS WORTH A SEPARATE ENTRY: "USS Hassayampa" is now well-entrenched into Internet search engines; anybody now searching for the Hass will now be directed to the web sites that Vic and I are currently operating. Later this year when we combine our sites, all activities will be directed to, and emanate from, the USS Hassayampa Veterans Association web site. Hoooooorah!

03/03/2002 Have received input and feedback re: ships refueled, ports of call, photo identification and hotel accommodation requirements and have updated pages accordingly, including "7th Fleet" information; our guest book has been temporarily disabled during a Bravenet reconfiguration period and should be back up in a few days

03/01/2002 Vic is working on cups, hats and shirts; photo of cup is on home page; we've been spidered by the search engines (hot d...!); 43 members planning to attend reunion in November; Hassayampa has been submitted to two web rings; things are moving right along; deleted questionnaire regarding ship's store items ~~ members have indicated items of choice

02/22/2002 added temporary photo page 10 with photo and text courtesy Midway Joe and temporary photo page 08: photos taken from USS Fletcher (DDE-445) 1968 (notice the Hass's forward 3-inch gun mounts); installed palm-treed image of USS Hassayampa on all pages of this site; e-group membership now stands at 37; the USS Hassayampa Veterans Association has reserved 50 rooms at the Best Western Rancho Grande hotel in Wickenburg, Arizona for the Wickenburg Muster to be held on November 15-17, 2002; each attendee must make his or her own reservation which will be accepted on a "first come, first serve" basis; call the hotel at 1-800-845-7234 or e-mail them at info@bwranchogrande.com, ask for Cassandra and be sure to tell her that you are with the USS Hassayampa Veterans Reunion group; also, convey to them any special needs you may have; Hassayampa coffee cups in planning stage (more information later)

02/16/2002 Official Muster List now stands at 81 members; as to our planned reunion in November, 34 members currently have intentions of showing up for The Wickenburg Muster, including former Commanding Officer Captain William G. Coulter; Hassayampa website is beginning to be linked from various other websites. (Maybe we'll become famous.)

02/08/2002 uploaded Ports of Call Page with preliminary information subject to continuous additions and corrections

02/07/2002 Vic Alasio has begun a Hassayampa Crew List page which will be updated as newer information becomes available; if anyone has any corrections or additions to the Crew List, please please contact Vic at vic@alasio.com and he will make the changes immediately

02/07/2002 individuals interested in attending the reunion in Wickenburg, Arizona in November of this year are asked to please go the "sign-up" page on that site and fill out the form that is provided and submit it -- this ultimately will be the only way for us to know in advance as to how many rooms and what accommodations may be needed for that event.

02/06/2002 Official Muster List now stands at 75 members strong and growing; we now have at least one shipmate on our list from each year the Hass was in commission, from a couple of Plank Owners to members of her last crew; ports of call information currently being submitted to webmaster for creation of Ports of Call page for website; Ship's Store voting questionnaire is being responded to, and product lines will soon be investigated.

02/03/2002 after several days of server problems and whatever, site is up and running: checked linking and cross linking and everything appears to work; have seen membership rise to 32; this is great.................

01/29/2002 deleted dead links from Sister Ship links section; added Guest Page link from home page; created Ship's Store questionnaire link on home page

01/25/2002 updated history page and home page; brought counter up to speed and fine-tuned Hassayampa history; continuing to search the Internet in hopes of acquiring additional information; visited Neosho the other day to say "Hi"

01/22/2002 updated history page and added temporary photo page 09; reported to group as to home-state addresses; continuing to work on Hassayampa history for later insertion into site; had contact from USS Neosho e-group moderator; informed him of progress with Hassayampa e-group and Hassayampa website; moderator stated he would pass the word; I will visit Neosho's e-group and say HI and wish them all a Happy New Year.....

01/19/2002 hearing a lot from many that cruise books and photos will be forthcoming; 227 page views since December 15th; have credited and labeled each photo on this site's temporary photo pages (now we have names or some information to go with the photos); let's keep-a-hummin' guys; this is great!

01/18/2002 am working through proposed site plan for web site layout; created temporary pages for all uploaded photos of last several days of crew members to temporary photo pages 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 so all can see; some images may be a little large kb size, but the wait will be worth it; HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND GENTLEMEN!

01/16/2002 am working on formulating input data sheets to facilitate data base management for present, and future, members of group; am attempting to make contact with Rear Admiral Paul O. Soderberg who, during 1972-1974, was Supply Officer aboard Hassayampa; placed solo photo of Hassayampa on a temporary photo page 01 (this image is 441kb in size (about 3 minutes at 28k speed) and has the Hass surrounded by palm trees; many of the photo images that we are receiving will have to be worked to decrease their kb size for uploading quality; am receiving names and addresses to facilitate future planning

01/15/2002 placed hit counter on home page

01/15/2002 busy going through posts and websites and photos and memos

01/13/2002 launched temporary web site with Photo Album and brief History Page

01/13/2002 have exhausted current list of names

01/12/2002 sent out 7 invitations to join group

01/11/2002 sent out 3 invitations to join group

01/10/2002 sent out 24 invitations to join group

Along came New Year's Eve and nine days later resumed work on e-group

Sent out first wave of invitations to join e-group. There were 9 invitations in that group

Began looking closer at information on Internet than I had before. Began listing names with e-mail addresses

Decided to create Yahoo E-Group HASSAYAMPA

12/30/2001 searched Internet for Hassayampa and found same kind of information

Historical ---- Searched Internet periodically for information on USS Hassayampa and found bits and pieces