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

Herb Mesler in Subic Bay, P.I., circa 1958

Hi Everyone,

I just found this photo of NAS Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Philippines where I was a Radioman in the U S Navy.  I arrived in March of 1958 and left two years later. 

As you can see Subic Bay was/is beautiful, and just about the perfect natural harbor from typhoons.  Perfect for  U S Naval Base, Naval Station Subic Bay.

I was a Radioman and worked in communications, in the OPS Building shown in the distance.

I loved my time while I was stationed there as it was a totally new experience and adventure for the young kid that had never been out of the USA. 

Although as those of you who were there with me know it was hot and humid I lucked out as I loved the weather.

Cheers!
Herb

New 2010 Walton Reunion Info

USS WALTON DE 361 REUNION

Hampton Inn- Sea World/Airport 

3388 Greenwood St. San Diego,Ca. 92110

Oct.-13-17-2010

Rooms rates: $ 89.00 per night –1 King or two Queen per room.

Complimentary breakfast, Airport Shuttle & parking.

Phone#1-619-299-6633

Ask for USS WALTON rates. If you have special needs, notify them

when you make reservation. Cut off date is September 13-2010

Wed: Registration Oct 13——2:30 P.M.- till ?

Thurs A.M.: —-Tour USS Midway:  Two Hour Narrated

(Tour& Lunch –$ 54.00 per person)  

 Thurs P.M.: Recption at Hotel

Fri 15^th:  City tour, Seaport Village, {shopping},Former Naval Training Center.$47.00 per person

Sat evening Banquet –$34.00 per person -choice of Grilled Tilapia —Grilled Chicken

Or Grilled Steak & chicken . Dessert ,coffee& tea

For more Info please e-mail  Mary or Jerry Hudson:  marjer67@ktis.net

Son of a WWII Walton Vet

Hello Ed,

First off Sir, Thank-you for Replying to my request.
Dad never really talked much about his time on the Boat. Maybe I never really asked that many questions.

The one story that I do really remember is that when he got his first cooking duty, it was making Corned Beef. He puts the Beef in the ovens and goes about other duties in the Kitchen. Well, it was quite a few hours later and the CO came in the kitchen and asked Dad what the hell was going on. Sailors were waiting to eat and there was no food. Dad told Him that the Meat was still pink inside and didn’t think it was done yet. The CO said that it was Corned Beef and that it is always pink when cooked. He preceded to tell Dad that it would be Tougher then shoe leather, but at the time there was nothing else they could do.

Guess the Mates ate it but probably were not to happy about it.

Bill

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)