The Southerland Scuttlebutt

         Volume Number 1                                          Issue Number 2 (Mobile)                                            Fall 2011

 

   Website: www.usssoutherland.com     

 

                                             Officers

 

President                                   Vice President                       Webmaster & Treasurer        Secretary

                Rick Anderson                           John Dooley                            John Jones                                Richard Lohmann

(251) 928-6937                          (318) 232-4266                       (402) 431-1661                         (785) 336-2085

Andy743@bellsouth.net    Doojh@bellsouth.net   Jearlj@cox.net                   TexCarol@rainbowtel.net      

 

Ship Historian                              Honorary co-Vice Presidents                      Ship Store                                                                                                                                                                                      

George Chambers                          Stan  & Rikki Shirey                                     Jim Kumbalek

Gjchambers@aol.com           (410) 822-6805                                             (920) 684-8976

                                                       stan43@goeaston.net                            Jdakumbalek@sbcglobal.net

     

President’s Message

Submitted by Rick Anderson

 

Hello, everyone!  The USS Southerland’s Mobile Reunion is just around the corner and I am continuing to firm up the itinerary.  The banquet details are still in flux since the reunion is a year away, but I will include all that information in the next newsletter.  If anyone has a special request for an activity during one of the banquets, please alert me as soon as possible.

 

As a side note, Marcy and I have visited all the places on the tours, so we think you’ll find them fascinating and enjoyable.  Mobile sits on the second largest delta in the U.S., which also includes Mobile Bay.

 

Unfortunately, due to economic times, Mobile lost the Carnival Cruise ship, “Elation,” to New Orleans.  She will leave Mobile at the end of October 2011.  The powers-that-be in Mobile are currently working to get another cruise ship to home port here.  With a little luck, we’ll have one by next year.

 

Informational websites include http://www.mobile.org/, and the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mobrv-renaissance-mobile-riverview-plaza-hotel/.  I have negotiated a nightly room rate of $109 (double occupancy), which includes a large buffet breakfast every morning.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

 

Below you will find the reservation link for your group to make reservations online. They can also call 1.800.922.3298 and ask for the USS Southerland group to make reservations.

or for online check below 

 

Online room reservations are now just a click away with ResLink!

 

Simply cut and paste any of the two links below and include with your electronic correspondence to your guests. They will be directed to the property's home page with the negotiated rate code already entered in the appropriate field and can quickly make their room reservation.

 

Thank you for the opportunity to be of service, and please feel free to contact me at any time. We appreciate your business!         

 

 

Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel >>

 

 

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/MOBRV?groupCode=USSUSSA&app=resvlink&fromDate=9/15/12&toDate=9/25/12

 

===============================================================

 

 

John Jones, our Webmaster, has posted other areas of interest in and around Mobile on our website.  You’ll be informed of other details as they are finalized.  Until then, have a safe and happy holiday season.  See you soon in Mobile, Alabama!

 

Reunion Itinerary (Tentative)

 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

 

            Arrival

            Welcome reception in our Hospitality Parlor at 5 p.m.

 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

 

Morning:

           

            We will tour The Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.  Lunch at Cubies          will be included.  The trip back to the hotel will include a drive along the gulf coast via Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Cost, including transportation is $45.00 per person.  www.navalaviationmuseum.org

 

Evening:

 

            Attend the Mobile Mystery Dinner Theatre at the Mardi Gras Carnival Museum.  The museum is home to Mobile's Mardi Gras history, and includes displays of many of the extravagant outfits worn by past kings and queens.  Tickets will include bus transportation, a walking tour of the museum, dinner, and the mystery show.

$86.00 per person.

 

Mystery Dinner Theatre: www.mobilemysterydinners.com

Carnival Museum:  www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com

 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

 

Morning:

 

            Board The Pelican and take a safari cruise on Five Rivers’ Delta.  Lunch will be included at a yet-to-be-selected restaurant.  Tickets include transportation, cruise with tour guide, and lunch.  $64.00 per person.                                                                                     www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/safaris

 

Evening:

 

            Join us for our formal banquet at the hotel, the details of which are not yet completed.

 

Friday, September 21, 2012

 

Morning:

 

            We will take a bus tour of Mobile's downtown historical district, and then travel to Mobile Bay to tour the battleship USS Alabama.  Before boarding the ship, we will have a brief service at the memorial site for Korea/Vietnam veterans.  The site is easily accessible for the handicapped.  In addition to the USS Alabama, attendees can also tour the USS Drum, a WWII submarine, and visit the large hangar where several planes are on display.  Lunch will be included in the Ward Room at the site.  The ship is equipped with a large ramp for wheelchairs.    Cost, including transportation: $57.00 per person.  www.ussalabama.com.

 

Evening:

 

            Our casual dinner banquet will have a Mardi Gras theme, and will include a buffet, our raffle, an “open mike” for anyone wishing to speak, and a visit by a member of one of Mobile’s Mardi Gras mystic societies.  Final plans are not yet completed.

 

Membership

 

Remember to keep the Association going.  Money raised from membership dues help with newsletter mailings, cost of maintaining the website, and other incidentals.  Dues are $15 per year or $150 for a one-time life membership.  Checks should be made payable to John Jones—not the USS Southerland—and can be sent to: John Jones, 5112 No. 145th Street, Omaha, NE, 68116.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Submitted by John Jones

 

Our funds currently stand at a little over $5,699.44.  Anyone desiring a more thorough treasury report can contact me directly.

 

WEBSITE

 

If you have not already done it, send John Jones a profile of your service time.  He will add it to the “Member Profiles” portion located under “Interesting Links” on the main page of the website.  Include the following information:

 

Ÿ  Name

Ÿ  Dates of service

Ÿ  Dates served on the USS Southerland

Ÿ  Other duty stations

Ÿ  City and State where you currently reside

Ÿ  E-mail address

Ÿ  Remarks

 

You can also include a digital photo of yourself and your spouse, your old Navy picture, your spouse’s name, your birth date, marriage date, and hobbies.

 

 

 

SEEKING INFORMATION

 

Additionally, John Jones is seeking information about any USS Southerland captains.  Below, you will find them listed, five of whom have death notices after their names.  If you have any accurate information about one or more of these men, please e-mail him at jearlj@cox.net.  Thanks in advance.

 

U.S.S. Southerland Captains:

CDR Russell Champion Williams Jr. Dec 22 1944 - Oct 18 1945

CDR Duncan Patterson Dixon Jr. Oct 18 1945 - Oct 4 1946, died Dec 12, 1997

CDR Donald Ellsworth Pugh Oct 4 1946 - Jun 16 1948

CDR Merrill Merritt Sanford Jun 16 1948 - Oct 3 1949

CDR Edward J. Mulquin Oct 3 1949 - May 8 1950  died May 8, 1950

LCDR Manley Conroy Osborne May 8 1950 - May 13 1950 (Acting CO upon the death of Capt Mulquin)

CDR Homer Earl Conrad May 13 1950 - May 16 1952, died on Dec 11, 2007

CDR Otis Albert Wesche May 16 1952 - Mar 19 1954  died  April 15, 2002

CDR Parker Broadhurst Armstrong Mar 19 1954 - Jan 13 1956

CDR John Francis Felter Jan 13 1956 - Jan 10 1958

CDR Verner Utke-Ramsing Jan 10 1958 - Jul 16 1959

CDR George Orkovic Jul 16 1959 - Sep 23 1961

CDR Francis Edward Field Sep 23 1961 - Jun 14 1963

CDR William Lee Hough Jun 14 1963 - Jan 18 1964, died January 4, 1999

LCDR Richard J. Stinner Jan 18 1964 - Oct 6 1964

CDR Murrel C. Brite Oct 6 1964 - Feb 15 1966

CDR Eric Neil Fenno Feb 15 1966 - Sep 9 1967  died Jan 12, 2010

CDR Richard Boyden Macfie Sep 9 1967 - Jun 19 1969

CDR William E. Kennedy Jun 19 1969 - Mar 19 1971

CDR Jon C. Woodyard Mar 19 1971 - Aug 11 1972

CDR Peter Stevan Roder Aug 11 1972 - Feb 16 1974

CDR Robert Morgan Wellborn Jr. Feb 16 1974 - Jul 16 1976

CDR Bruce W. Hulbert Jul 16 1976 - Oct 13 1978

CDR Michael Harry Freeman Oct 13 1978 - Feb 26 1981

Ship History

Submitted by George J. Chambers

SCPO, USN Retired

 

First Allied Man-of-War into Tokyo Bay

The Story of USS Southerland DD/DDR/DD 743

(1944-1997)

 

USS Southerland, a long hull Gearing-Class fleet destroyer, was commissioned in December 1944.  Before deploying to the Pacific Theater in Spring of 1945, she was converted to a radar picket destroyer, mounting special radar and other electronic gear.  She participated in the final 3rd Fleet strikes against the Japanese homeland and was given the honor of leading the parade of allied warships into Tokyo Bay in August 1945.  The Southerland was also the last WWII warship to haul down her ensign.

 

For more information, or to purchase my book, please contact me.  I have included a form that you can fill out and send to me and I will send you a copy of the book.  Thank all of you in advance.

 

 

 

First Allied Man-of-War into Tokyo Bay

The Story of USS Southerland, DD/DDR/DD 743

(1944-1997)

 

$30.00 including postage (prepaid)

 

Name:________________________________________________

 

Mailing Address:________________________________________

 

                            ________________________________________

 

                           (City) __________________________(State)_________

 

(Zip code)______________

 

E-mail:________________________________________________

 

 

 

Make checks payable to:

George J. Chambers

14161 Elystan Circle

Westminister, CA 92683-4823

 

 

SHIP STORE

 

Shipmate Jim Kumbalek, can work directly with you to purchase hats, emblems and shirts with the USS Southerland DD/DDR 743 logo.  Contact him at 920-684-8976.

 

 

In Memoriam

 

Ÿ  William Filipovich, passed on June 11, 2001.

Ÿ  Bob Johnston, Plank Owner, Signalman/Striker, passed in February 2009.

Ÿ  Joe Holland, Captain 1960-1962, passed on November 24, 2009.

Ÿ  Stan Koehler, Plank Owner, passed on October 7, 2010.

Ÿ  Wes Harman, 1949-1953 FT2, passed on January 25, 2011.

Ÿ  Penn Michelini, Plank Owner, passed on March 24, 2011.

Ÿ  Robert Ziebold, MM2 Plank Owner, passed at 9:30 a.m., March 27, 2011.

Ÿ  Peter Bach, Plank Owner SOM3, passed on August 2, 2011.

 

 

ROSTER

 

Shipmate Stan Shirey continues to keep our shipmates’ roster up to date.  Contact him with changes at (410) 822-6805, e-mail stan43@goeaston.net.

 

 

REUNION UPDATES

 

Stay updated on the latest information about our next reunion by visiting our website at www.usssoutherland.com.