USS SPOKANE VISITORS' LOG

This visitors' log is for sharing memories and comments from shipmates, their families and other visitors. Contact me at bob@uss-spokane.com

    ...I recently received my father's "Standard Statement of Service" form from my mother. The document shows that my father was assigned on the USS Spokane from 10/2/47 - 2/3/48. I looked over the crew roster, and did not see his name listed. I am new to researching his naval assignments, and he has been deceased for 21 years, so the only info I presently have available is the aforementioned form. How can I get his name added to the crew roster? Also, I would be grateful for any advice or links which might be helpful in my research.

My father's name is Lamar McNiel and he used the nicknames Mack and Junior, although I not sure if he used those as far back as his naval service. The form shows his rating as "Cox." I retired from the USAF and unfortunately have no knowledge of navy ratings/ranks.

Thanks for the lovely site! Yours is the first I have come across of his many assignments!

    I went aboard the CL 120 the day before it was commissioned in May 1946. I remember Patrice Munsell, opera star at the Met, singing the national anthem. I was in the 1st Division and was sight setter in mount 2. I transferred from the ship in September of 1947. Seeing the names of so many shipmates in the roster brings back many happy memories.
Best wishes,
Phil Keils

    I came across your website while searching for something else. Happens often when I search the WWW. You have a great website. I was sad to read that you had to cancel the 2004 reunion. My dad served in the South Pacific from 1945-1948. I don't know what ship he was on but your site gave me some good ideas to search for it. He passed away in 1995. Thank you for your service to the United States. Take care and God bless.

    I am interested in the Atlanta & Oakland class light cruisers and I visited the USS Spokane museum at the Naval Reserve Center in Spokane a couple years ago when I was visiting my daughter. (She lives about 2 miles from that center.) I enjoyed my visit to that museum and would like to visit it again when I visit my daughter later this summer.

    My father was a plankowner aboard the USS Oakland CL-95 during WWII. He is still alive and doing very well for being 84 years old. Sadly, the only thing left from the "Flying O" are memories and the main mast which is on display at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park at the Port of Oakland (the former site of the Oakland Navy Supply Depot).

    Anyway, back to the reason for this email.... When I last visited, I was told that there was a possibility of the museum being moved. Looking at the website this morning, I noted that the address of the USS Spokane museum is listed as still being located at the Spokane Naval Reserve Center. When I was last in Spokane, I noticed that the gates to the reserve center were always closed and locked (but that was always mid-week) when I drove by. After the 9/11 tragedy, I realize that the security for our military installations has been heightened, and I was wondering if the public still has access to the USS Spokane museum, or if I'd have to get cleared and make an appointment to visit.

• NOTE: There is a fundraising campaign in Spokane to establish a new combined-services museum at the Spokane airport. The new museum would include the exhibits from the Spokane Sea Services Museum. See the web site at http://www.armedforces-aerospacemus.org/

    My name is Bill Rupert, ex Radarman, K Division, USS Spokane, plankowner, who left the Spoke in April 48 to go to GCA School in Olathe, Kansas. I left with Frank Lewis, ET, K Division who also went to Olathe. We both found out that the Airdale Navy isn't for seagoing sailors. I guess that's what caused me to finally retire as a Sergeant Major, US Army....I think this web site is a fine idea.

    I want to thank you for your USS SPOKANE website. My brother Carroll L. Merrill, Ohio, served on the USS Spokane from October 1947 to January 1950.

    Browsing your web site has been an emotional journey for me. I was only six years old when my "big brother" left home to join the Navy. I remember sitting in a chair, curled up in a ball, praying or more like hoping the Navy would not take him [the Army rejected him a short time before because of his age I believe]. He went on to serve 4 years and 2 months at sea and/or foreign service. In 1951 he was discharged and married shortly after separation from the Navy, beginning a new life and leaving little sister "behind" for the time. Unfortunately, he died in November 1960, from cancer, leaving a wife and four small children under the age of eight.

    Gone forever was the chance to get to know him again, to ask him about all the post cards he brought home England, France, Gibraltar, Sicily, Italy, Istanbul and Turkey [many survive today including the 1947 USS Spokane Christmas Menu]; what was it like to leave one ship and have to go on to another one...the questions go on and on. I winced when I read the USS Spokane was scrapped in 1972, another bit of my brother gone forever.

    Today, I am trying to piece together his life from the time he entered the Navy until he was discharged. I sent away for his Navy record but it didn't put the places into a time perspective, it provided a great deal of important information I did not know before but failed to allow me to put the place "pieces" together.

    Your site has provided me a valuable service. I can't explain how much it means to me. Thank you very, very much. May God Bless.

My name is John F. Kelly and I'm on the roster. I forget what the division designation was, but I was a Gunners Mate striker on the 5 inch mounts, if that's any help.

    As for Lester Beardsley, he was a Seaman First also. I do forget what division he was in on board. Our connection was our Chicago connection, and we spent a lot of time on liberty and such.

Hi, my name is Simon Growick and I served on the Spokane from 1947(?) until September 1949 when my enlistment expired and was discharged. I was an HM2, although I originally was a pharmacist mate until the rate and insignia was changed from a red cross to a caduceus (if I am spelling it right).

    I was on the Spokane when it went overseas twice, first when it was in the eastern Atlantic (?) fleet and then when it relieved the Juneau at Gibraltar and joined the 6th fleet in the Mediterranean. I still have a menu for a special meal served on the Spokane either for the ship's anniversary or Thanksgiving dinner. I am now semiretired and teaching part time .... I came upon the website quite by accident while I was surfing the web.

    Sincerely, Simon Growick

My father served on the Spokane apx 1949. I have a photo of the Spokane when he was in Venice, as well as a copy of the ship's newspaper, The Spoke. His name was Walter Caddell and his nickname was Buddy. I dont know if you might have served with him or not. He was in an automobile accident in 1963 and passed away 11/22/64. If you knew him I would appreciate hearing from you but I would like to see his name listed in your crew compliment, if that's possible. E-mail me and I will get whatever info I can for you.
Thank you from a proud son.

I can't begin to tell you how pleased I was to receive your email today concerning the USS Spokane, its website, and the reunion you have planned! I called my Dad just now and read your email to him over the phone and he sounded more interested in it than he has been in anything for quite a long time and I thank you for providing that opportunity. Dad is 70 this year and not doing at all well.

    He cares about as much for the Internet as my teenaged daughter cares about paying for the telephone bill, but you sure do have him interested in seeing your site. I followed the link to the ship and read him selected sections of the text and he wants to come by some time this week and see the website. Although I'm sure he'd like to, it's not going to be possible for Dad to attend the reunion in Spokane. But he'll derive a lot of pleasure "surfing" the Spokane site, I can assure you.

    Bob, I notice that he's not listed in your crew roster. Could you possibly prevail on your son to modify his code to include him as soon as possible? It would please him so much to see his name on the list when he comes over. His name is Thomas W. Quinn, Jr. and was a 2nd Class Damage Control during his tour on the Spokane ("DC2" he tells me; I was Army so it makes no sense to me). He doesn't remember when he first came aboard, but says was part of the crew that went to Bayonne to pick up the ship and thinks he left in Sep or Oct 1948. He says that he was indeed a plankholder.

    Thanks so much!

My name is Walter Starner and I served on the Spokane. I was in the 4th division. I came aboard in the fall of 1948 . Walt.

I WAS EXTREMELY PROUD TO HEAR FROM ANY FORMER SHIPMATE OF THE SPOKANE. YOU TALKED WITH MY OLDEST SON, HIMSELF A FORMER NAVY MAN, WHO SERVED ON CARRIERS DURING THE VIETNAM AFFAIR.

    BOB I WAS A PLANKOWNER OF THE SPOKE, HAVING PUT IT IN COMMISSION BACK IN MAY, 1946 AT BROOKLYN NAVY YARD, UNDER THE OLD HAMMER-HEAD CRANE.

    I WAS A MACHINIST MATE THIRD CLASS, WORKING IN THE AFT ENGINE ROOM FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS, AND THEN MOVED OVER TO THE "A" DIVISION AND MY DUTY STATION WAS OPERATION OF THE SHIP'S EVAPORATORS, MAKING THAT GOOD DRINKING WATER FOR ALL. I LEFT THE SHIP IN THE SUMMER OF 1948 AS I WAS CONSIDERED A SHORT-TIMER.

    BOB, I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU CALL HOME NOW, BUT I'LL SEND YOU MY NAME, AND ADDRESS, AND HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER, AS I SEE WE HAVE MUCH TO TALK ABOUT.

    SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST, AND NOT THE LAST MESSAGE, THANKS FOR CARING ENOUGH TO CONTACT ME.

    GEORGE W. MILLER MM3/C "M" & "A" DIVISION

USS SPOKANE NAVIGATION · TOP of Page  · Main Page  · Reunions

· Specifications · Ship's History  · Spokane Museum · Crew Roster  · Photo Gallery · Visitors' Log