A listing of our departed shipmates.
We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased to find out about it's humble beginnings.
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son.
The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.
| Day is done | Fading light | Thanks and praise, |
| Gone the sun | Dims the sight | For our days |
| From the Lakes | And a star | Neath the sun, |
| From the hills | Gems the sky, | Neath the stars, |
| From the Sky. | Gleaming bright | Neath the sky, |
| All is well, | From afar, | As we go, |
| Safely rest. | Drawing nigh, | This we know, |
| God is nigh. | Falls the night. | God is nigh. |
(Forwarded by Gordon "Mr. Wonderful" Yaghijan (69-71)
ABIUSI, James Rocco - Utica, NY 44-45, Deceased
*** SN, Ship's Barber(?) - Died 17 Feb 99
 (Editor's note: Nick is second from the right, second row. This photo was cropped from a larger one which appears on page 58 of the Yearling. The yearbook calls this "Item Division.") My dad's name was Nicholas Amodeo (or Nick). He was a member of the "Eye Division" on the ship from 1944-1945. If he were alive, he would have been 82. Any help that you or others can give me, photos or stories, that people can share, would sure fill a void in my life, since he died when I was only 10 in 1973. Thank you so much, Doreen Milito (Amodeo) |
I found the Oklahoma City website and wanted to let you know that one of your shipmates has passed away. His name is Stephen C. Bailey and he served aboard the USS Oklahoma City as an Aerographer's Mate. I was married to Stephen for 18 years and knew him after he had arrived home from sea duty. I wanted to let you know so you can post his passing away on your website, if you would be so kind.
He died on November 1, 2002, from smoke inhalation as the result of a fire that started in his house. He lived in Huson, Montana and worked for the National Weather Service in Missoula. He leaves behind his mother (Florida), a brother (Florida), and a son (our son). His son and I live in Winnemucca, Nevada.
When I was young, the only ship he spoke at length about was the OC. He was aboard during the Okinawa campaign. My dad was a cook, however his battle station was one of the forward anti-aircraft guns. Quad 40's perhaps? He spoke of when one of the ships was hit by a Kamikaze mid-ships, and a friend of his was killed. I don't remember what ship that was. I do know that of his three ships, he prized his time abored the OC with the fondest memories. My dads name was Elmer Baker. He passed away of cancer Thanksgiving day 1999. God bless all who serve.
Thanks for reading this letter. You may use it on your web site if you wish.
BAKER, Elmer - 45-46 Cook / AA Gunner
Hi,
I was thinking about my father today. He served in the Navy during WWII. He
had three ship names tattooed in his forearm; USS New Jersey, USS Gearing,
and the USS Oklahoma City.
Rick Baker.mail
BENEFIEL, Jesse R - Chesterton, IN 1945
*** Died 11 AUG 2005
BRINGLE, William F. - Rancho Sante Fe, CA, 1968-69, Deceased
*** Vice Admiral, Commander Seventh Fleet - Died 19 Mar 99
Retired as 4 Star Admiral in 1974 as Chief of United States Naval Forces in Europe
xxx Read the Obituary
BROWN, John E. - Philadelphia, PA 44-45
*** EM3 - Died 1991
^^^ Email his son Alan E. Brown
BUTCHER, Paul D. - Tampa, FL 74-75
*** Captain - Commanding Officer - Died 02 AUG 92
Retired as Admiral and Deputy Commander of the US Atlantic Fleet
Read the Obituary
CALDWELL, Harold McMillan Bixby "Mac"
*** Died 11 NOV 07
^^^ Read the Obituary
CANNON, Robert C
*** Radioman - Died 17 NOV 01
CARPENTER, Malcolm A
*** Captain, USN (Ret) Died 07 JUL 08
^^^ Read the Obituary
CARR, Robert E - Livingston, TN 77-79 Deceased
*** Chief - NAVSURFPACDAT - Chief Carr served as head of the Navsurfpac Dependants Assistance Team that transported all persons on either shore duty or sea duty (and their families) to and from the Narita and Yokota airports (who can ever forget that first ride!). The DAT team also helped families with transitional and crisis needs while the servicemen were out to sea. Chief Carr died of a heart attack on March 20, 2002.
^^^ Email his daughter Rickie
xxx Read the Obituary.
CHICKLINSKI, Wally "Chick" - 44-46 PLANKOWNER Deceased
*** Died 1998 - Contact his daughter Kathy Gleason
COLLIER, Red "Stoney" - Columbus, GA 71-73
*** RMSN - Died 04 JAN 2008 of ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease).
Read the obituary.
CRAPA, Frank - Staten Island, NY, 44-4? Deceased
*** RMSN - Died late 1980's. Married, no children. He spent his life on ships as a radio operator
CUMMINGS, Richard J. - Nashua, NH, Served during WWII, Deceased.
*** Died 20 Jan 99.
DEGROOTE, Chester A. - CL-91 (as reported in the OKC Corral).
DELANEY, Maurice Joseph - 1944, Deceased
*** Died 20 May 1986
|
Jerry B. Delk - Lake Havasu City, AZ 59-62 *** SF1 - R Div ^^^Died 17 Dec 2004
My husband said it was the best ship he had ever been on.(He was on 4 others). He had a lot of good friends on board. I don't remember their names.
We have lived in Az for 14 yrs. Before that, it was Lakewood, CA 8 yrs, Garden Grove, CA 25 yrs. & Temecula, CA 9 yrs. And the rest here in Az. He was an avid fisherman, sometimes he would catch one or two.
I want to thank whomever set this web page up. It brought back many wonderful memories. It would be so nice to go back. Some day I plan on attending one of the Reunions in his name.
Thanks, |
DEVLIN, Michael F. - Levittown, NY 1944-46, Deceased
***
DIXON, Hasque - Bristol, TN 44-46, Deceased
*** Died 16 June 1996
DOAKMAJIAN, Harry - Troy, NY 45-46
*** Died 4 Sept 2007
^^^ Read the obituary.
DONNELLY, Richard "Painless" - HM1 73-76
*** Died 3 October 2003
DUNHAM, Harold - Alton, MO 64-68 #1187 Deceasedmail
*** BMSN - B Division
*** Died 06 NOV 2009 of Mesothelioma, survived by his bride Marilyn (reported by Ken Lewis, ETNSN 64-65)
DYSERT, Roger E. - Alger, OH 44-47 PLANKOWNER Deceased
*** SN - Sixth Division - Gunnery Trainer on 40mm. Died 29 Jan 01 from heart attack
EVANS, Jimmy E. - Chico, CA 65-66
*** Died 15 July 1998
FIORENTINO, Robert B. - Everett, MA 44-47
*** Died 8 March 2000 - SN - 6th Division
GOODWIN, Benjamin - Woodland, CA 60-62 Deceased maggs20@juno.com
*** PC3 - Recomm Crew
^^^ Died 1992
GRIBOSKY, Stephen - CL-91 Plankowner, 44-46 passed away peacefully on February 16, 2008 in Norwalk, CT of heart failure.
^^^ Contact the family via son Philip mail
GUTLOFF, Peter E - New York, NY
*** Died 18 Oct 69 --GMG3 - Died during gunfire support operations near the DMZ. Apparently was knocked overboard after exiting the 5" gun mount. Body was never recovered.
HARRIMAN, Charles - CL-91
*** Died 2000 as reported in the OK City Corral
HENDERSON, Dave - Mandan, ND 61-64 (Deceased) mail to his son Lonnie Wertz
*** MM2
^^^ Died 12 NOV 2009
HOWELL, Jay Stanley - CLG-5 Deceased
*** Died 31 DEC 2001 -- Commanding Officer 1969-71
HUSSELMAN, Billy - CLG-5 73-76
*** OKC Webmaster,
I am writing to inform you and the rest of the crew of the death of Billy R Husselman, FTG3 73-76. Billy died of Lung Cancer on April 1, 2004. He is survived by a son, Jason and a daughter, Gina.
I am Billy's ex-wife Kathy. We met in Yokosuka when I was a Dental Tech at the U.S. Naval Hospital. We were married in Yokosuka and were together for 21 years.
Kathy Tackel
ISBELL, Charles "Tony" - CL-91, Deceased
*** Died January, 2000 (as reported in the OKC Corral).
JOHNSON, Ned E. - Bowie, TX, 1976-78, Deceased
*** Corporal - Marine Detatchment
^^^ Died 1980 after a courageous fight with Leukemia.
JONES, Frank - Marine Detatchment - Died 18 NOV 2006
^^^ Condolences can be sent to Terry Jones, 264 Bielby Road Lawrenceburg, Ind. 47025
Admiral John Kirkpatrick was born in Oklahoma City in February 1908 and graduated from the Oklahoma City Public Schools before attending West Point, Marion Institute and, in 1931, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. In 1932, Kirkpatrick married Eleanor Blake of Mangum. During World War II, Kirkpatrick served 54 months at sea as a gunnery officer aboard the USS North Carolina and later served on the USS Alaska and the USS Oklahoma City. After the war, Kirkpatrick entered the oil business and in 1950 founded the Kirkpatrick Oil Company.
Prominent civic leaders in Oklahoma City since the 1940s, the Kirkpatricks have given much to the communities and state of Oklahoma through their generosity and philanthropy, including multiple arts and education organizations. Their works are continued today through the Kirkpatrick Foundation.
The Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum was made possible largely through the support and generosity of the Kirkpatrick family. |
KRILL, William "Doc" - Imperial Beach, CA 70-74 {Deceased 2001} For further information, contact John Sprinkle
*** HM1
Seaman Melvin C "Frenchie" LaBruyere
Our dad, Seaman Melvin C LaBruyere (Frenchie), served aboard the USS Oklahoma City (CL-91). He joined the OK City in the 1946 when she returned from Tokyo Bay on her last voyage.
Our dad was selected as part of the mothball crew and stayed assigned to the US Pacific Reserve Fleet until discharged in 1949.
I have three siblings and our dad told us that if the Navy had not kept him in that boneyard his whole enlistment, he would have made the Navy a career. He loved boats and being on the water.
He died last thursday, 17 April 2008. We have many photos of him and some of his mates. I have attached a photo of him. Please post the photo and this info on the association web page. I would be honored for anyone who knew him to contact me.
|
LEE, Ron - 1969-73, Deceased.
*** PO2 - OI-Division - Died in auto accident 09 Feb 74
LEMIEUX, Leroy - CL-91 (as reported in the OKC Corral).
LONG, John J - mail to his daughter Virginia
*** Photographer's Mate 3 - best buddy was Joe Miller from Lubbock, TX
^^^ Died 1992 - John had many interests: sports, singing, guitar playing, camping and his family. He left a trail of smiles in his wake no matter where he went. He was a genuinely nice human being
MCCOY, Raplh Lindsey, Jr. - Mayflower, AR Deceased
*** ETN2 - OE Division - Killed in action in South Vietnam, September 22, 1971.
MEDLER, Ron - 70-75 -passed away 26 May 08 in Lancaster, CA.
*** RMCS
MILLER, Dick - SD, 64-67 Deceased
*** GMM - Died in trucking accident a few years after discharge (as reported by his friend James Zachary)
MORAIS, Charlie - Endicott, NY 44-46
*** Died 17 June 2003
MUNCY, Gerald, CL-91 Deceased
*** Died March, 1999
NELSON, Denton O - 44-46 PLANKOWNER
*** Died 12 JUN 2006
Michael James O'Campo
Right: This is my brother Michael James O'Campo and me, taken in 1965 when he was on leave. Above: This photo of Mike was taken in Spring, 1969.
Thank you for not giving up on my sending this information to you. Michael James O'Campo was born April 29, 1948. His job on the ship, per his letter dated Jan. 20, 1969 was "working for communications, 7th fleet flag allowance, and I am part of the Operations Department".
He was so very proud of his position and the military responsibilities he was given in this position. He was off the coast of Viet Nam and heading to the Philippines and then to his home port of Yokosuka, Japan when he wrote this letter.
Mike was in an auto crash near Eureka, California, with his fiance Sandy; they were both killed in September, 1969. Mike had been discharged from the military on a hardship, to take care of our mother, after our stepfather had died in July 1969.
Notes to Bonnie can be sent to her e-mailaddress. |
OGARD, Harold Andrew "Tug" - Omaha, NE 43-45 Deceased
*** WT2 - Plankowner - Died of cancer in 1984
Send mail to his daughters or to his grandsons.
PAGE, Alvin James DECEASED- Wilmington, NC, 44-45, PLANKOWNER ajcw@dellnet.com
*** GM3 - Turret 4
^^^ Retired Captain from Piedmont Airlines, wife Betty and I are blessed with 4 children and 8 grandchildren
^^^ Died 15 Feb 01
PALMER, Robert "Bob" - Boiling Springs, SC 44-45 PLANKOWNER {DECEASED} mail
*** CSSN - Messcook seaman then Baker striker. Missed the shakedown due to scarlet fever. One of my buddies was Dick Perry
^^^ Originally from L.I. NY, I moved to SC after retirement from the Postal Service. Divorced with 2 children and one grandchild. Bob died on December 12, 2003
PAULSON, Ernest R - {DECEASED} - 69-71
*** RD3 - CLG-5 - Died 26 Sept 89
^^^ His daughter Angela Wilson would like to hear from anyone who knew her dad
PICHE, Francis A - Green Island, NY - CL-91 - Died March 2, 2005
PIKE, Thornton, CL-91 (as reported in the OKC Corral)
PISKORSKI, Frank - Hastings, NE 60-62, Deceased
*** RM1 - OR-Division - Radio 1 Message Center, died 1999
ROOKASIN, Gilbert - Bridgeport, CT, 44-45, PLANKOWNER, Deceased mail to son in law Keith Deutsch
*** EM
^^^ It is with great sadness to tell you of the passing of my father-in-law Gilbert Rookasin a couple of years back. He always spoke very highly of his experiences on the ship and was in fact involved with the building of the Oklahoma City as one of the first electricians. During his last couple of years, he often brought out his yearbooks from the ship and pointed out people and told stories of the ship, always bringing a smile to his face despite his Alzheimers.
SARVER, Ben W - Norfolk, VA 60-62
*** Captain of the newly recommissioned CLG-5 - died 13 Mar 97
^^^ E-mail his son-in-law
SCHULTZ, Alvin G - Deceased, 43-45 PLANKOWNER dalesmb@yahoo.com- E-Mail is for son Dale
*** SN - 2nd Division
^^^ Died 20 Dec 72 of Cancer. Survived by wife Barbara and children Dale, Richard, Paula and Steven. The family is anxious to speak with anyone who kew Alvin. His name is misspelled as Shultz, A.G. on page 30 of the first cruise book The Yearling.
SCHUMACHER, Carl J. Jr. - 44-45
*** LT(jg) - Died 17 AUG 05
xxx xxx Read the Obituary
SHERMAN, Arthur M. - Norfolk, VA, 1964-67, Deceased
*** RMC - OC Division - Died 1995.
 My dad, MM3 Joseph J. Shevlin, 44-45, a proud Plank Owner of CL-91, passed away 09 DEC 08. Infromation sent by his daughter, Carolyn Meechan |
TRIPLETT, Joseph C. - 1960-63, Deceased
*** MM3 - died 09 AUG 63 in an auto accident while on leave.
VALENCIA, James R. - Sacramento, CA 1970-72, Deceased
*** SN
^^^ Died 21 March 87, Murder Victim
VAUGHAN, Craig - 1971-73, Deceased
*** FTG3 - Died 1976
WATSON, Robert A. - Cambridge, ME, 1944-46, Deceased
*** SC3 - Ship's Cook and Butcher, died 14 May 97
WILLCUTT, Roy - Visalia, CA 44-46 nhradiv7@aol.com
*** SN - {Died 1986} E-mail is for his son
