U.S.S. Walton (DE-361)

LT Larry Dugan Honored in Oregon

The state of Oregon knows how to do right by it’s servicemen and women.  They recently honored LT Larry Dugan (USS Walton 1961-63) with a Honorable Service medal.  Here’s a picture of the medel and of LT Dugan. 

Shipmate Carlos Cruz Herrero passes at 89

Carlos Cruz Herrero: May 3, 1920 – March 13, 2010, Resident of Dublin, CA

A former shipmate, Carlos Cruz Herrero passed away peacefully at 89 years of age in Pleasanton, CA.  A native of Agana, Guam where he lived until 1939 when he enlisted in the US Navy serving until his honorable discharge in 1970.  A Master Chief Petty Officer, Carlos served aboard the USS Portland, USS Cumberland Sound, USS WALTON (DE361), USS Epperson, USS Los Angeles, and the USS Kittyhawk. 

He was stationed at Treasure Island, Alameda, Kodiak, and Pearl Harbor.  A decorated veteran, he served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.  While in the service he was awarded  the Navy Unit Commendation, Asiatic-Pacific Citation (8 stars), World War II Victory Medal, United Nations Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal as well as numerous good conduct awards.

  Upon discharge he worked for the US Post Office until 1991.

I know that all of Carlo’s shipmates send their prayers to his family.- Ed

Playing with the Subs by Tom Loftis, 1958

Hello Shipmates,

One of the things we did week in and week out was leave Pearl Harbor on Monday along with submarines from the sub base Pearl and practice ASW for a few days and then return back to Pearl on Friday.  Thursday, May 7th. 1958 was not routine.  We were steaming with the USS Silverstein (DE 534) and the others of our squadron exercising ASW with a sub named USS Stickleback (SS415) when at 13:15 the Sub fired a dummy torpedo at the Silverstein then went into a steep dive.

Racing at 17 knots, the Silverstein headed for the sub’s position to simulate depth charging. At 100 feet the sub’s main power unit failed, throwing the diving planes out of control. Raising swiftly the sub surfaced 200 yards from and directly in the Silverstein’s path. The DE could not stop in time to avoid a collision and struck the sub’s port side just forward of the conning tower. The DE cut about half way through the sub and miraculously no one was seriously hurt.

The USS Walton along with the other DE’s were standing by to assist and take the sub personel aboard. The sub rescue ship Greenlet arrived and attempted to take the sub in tow but as soon as the Silverstein backed out of the hole the sub sank bow first in two miles of water. 

I stil have the article I cut from the Honolulu news paper with pictures.  All in all it was a successful day at sea considering we lost no sailors. It was a much quieter evening that night at the old Block Arena over at the Sub Base where we all hung out rather than going down town.    

Tom Loftis,  SF2  USN.

See also Wikipedia history of USS Stickleback   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Stickleback_(SS-415)

Walton survives typhoon….in 1945! by Al Banks

Hello Walton Shipmates,

I served on the Walton from 1944- as an electrician and an 18 yr old kid.—we operated out of Subic Bay, Philippines with the submarines –and we escorted convoys into the Philippines. I remember we escorted a freighter from Shanghai to Hong Kong in a typhoon.   There were mountainous waves I heard that a DE capsized in one of those storms.

That was quite an adventure for me—I am 83 now –I wonder if there are any of the original crew left? That was our home and it stood the test it kept us alive and we were proud of her. There is still a restored DE at Albany, NY called the SLATER.  – Al Banks

Paul Naples Pics: WesPac Cruise 1962

Here are some photos provided by Paul Naples (RD3) from the Walton’s WesPac cruise in 1962. 

Scene from downtown Saigon, Viet Nam

Saigon Girl

U.S. planes brought up by “Jeep Carrier” to Saigon, Vietnam.   Snyder (SM1) on right.

Vietnamese Junks in South China Sea 

Underway refueling from the AO

Vietnamese patrol vessel (HQ 06) steaming along side USS Walton

USS Walton in Moji Japan with visitors on board

San Francisco Fire Tug welcoming the Walton home from Viet Nam

Floating Restaurant, Hong Kong, “You want lobster?”

Walton sailors, Sullivan (RD3) and Vetlesen (SM3) in Hong Kong restaurant

U.S.S. Walton: Witness to History: A-Bomb Test, by Tom Loftis

Hello Walton Shipmates,

In 1956 I was on board the Walton as a young E3 / Shipfitter striker, home ported at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. All of a sudden a group of scientists came aboard and supervised the installation of what they called a water wash down system. We had never heard of such a thing before this.

After installing the wash down system we deployed to the central Pacific (Marshall Islands). We spent a couple of weeks there anchored off an Island called Eniwetok.  While the construction crew was working under the guidance of the scientists building a large platform on the beach we were taking shore breaks by duty sections playing ball and exploring the Island.  Then in May 1956 the Walton, along with other ships, took our station around the Island and observed the detonation of a 20KT Atomic Bomb.

Many of us, including the scientist, were standing on the main deck with purple goggles on watching this explosion.  As they were counting down I felt like I should not be exposed like that so, at the last minute, I stepped behind mount 51.  I did not get the full effect of the Gama radiation like the others did but I did get enough to peg out my DT-60 and Film Badge.

We all ran inside and dogged the doors closed as the base surge was approaching. We had our water wash down system energized. Afterward those of us in Repair Division (SF / DC) suited out and took our AN-PDR 27 Radak instrument out on deck to monitor hot spots. We scrubbed down hot spots for a couple days until the DCA and scientist thought we were at a safe level. You can read all about the “Operation Redwing” of 1956 at http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Redwing.html .

I reported aboard the Walton in late 1955 and remained there until April 1959. In 1958 the Walton transferred to San Francisco, Treasure Island as a Reserve Trainer. I still have many fond memories of the West Pac cruises and all the good friends.   

Tom Loftis, SFFN, A & R Division.

Thanks for the story Tom.  You were indeed, a witness to history.  Since you didn’t mention any health problems, we are all glad you survived the radiation exposure.  – Ed