Saturday 05/03/2003 6:57:17pm

Name:

Sandi Padilla

E-Mail:

sandi@gracecenter.org

Comments:

Saturday 05/03/2003 11:43:59am

Name:

MATT BANKS

E-Mail:

MATTBA843@AOL.COM

Location:

DARLINGTON,SC

Comments:

I WAS REALLY PLEASED TO FIND THIS WEBSITE. BEING A FORMER MARINE , I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SPEND 6 MOS IN THE CUBI/SUBIC AREA , WE WERE BILLETED AT THE UPPER MEF. I OFTEN THINK ABOUT MY TIME IN THE RP AS IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES IN MY LIFE. IT SURE BEAT THE HELL OUT OF OKINAWA. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER SUCH A BEAUTIFuL COUNTRY AND KINDNESS OF IT'S PEOPLE, THANKS AGAIN!

Friday 05/02/2003 10:01:15pm

Name:

AZ2 Donald R. O'Neil

E-Mail:

RIMODAD@MSN.COM

Location:

Chicago, IL

Comments:

I arrived on Midway in November 75 after flying an AF 141 from Subic. Served in AIMD Admin for 2 IO cruises. Transferred to VP-9 Moffett Field CA in Dec 77. The Midway lives in my memory as a good ship with a superb crew and lots of Spirit. I look forward to seeing her again in San Diego.

Friday 05/02/2003 3:33:37pm

Name:

James F. Robertson III

E-Mail:

JFRcrash@att.net

Comments:

FT-3, P-2 Gun Fire Control Tec. in Ships Company, Fox Division 1960 through 1961.

Thursday 05/01/2003 8:17:38pm

Name:

Patricia Grizzard Seckora

E-Mail:

rcspas5@aol.com

Comments:

Tuesday 04/29/2003 5:30:05am

Name:

Greg Smith

E-Mail:

midwayman_98273@yahoo.com

Location:

Renton, WA

Comments:

I was a plank owner present at squadron's formation in Apr 73 and went on first cruise aboard Kitty Hawk. I worked as an AE and enjoyed many pleasant memories of VAQ-136.

Monday 04/28/2003 10:29:34pm

Name:

Greg DaSilva

E-Mail:

gdasilva@hvc.rr.com

Location:

New York

Comments:

Served in VA-93 2/74 to 10/75. Roof Rats.

Saturday 04/26/2003 2:22:12am

Name:

Matt Yonker

E-Mail:

teddybearrunner@hotmail.com

Location:

San Diego, CA

Comments:

EX-AIRMAN, V-1 DIVISION, AND RM3, CR DIVISION MAR 1985 - MAR 1987. CURRENTLY
IT1 TRANSFERRING FROM USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) TO FACSFAC, NORTH ISLAND, CA.

Wednesday 04/23/2003 5:44:31pm

Name:

Jerry Boysel

E-Mail:

jerryboysel@aol.com

Comments:

I served two tours on the old Lady, 1957-60 and 61-63. It was a good ship with a good crew.

Tuesday 04/22/2003 12:58:37am

Name:

Robert L Sullivan

E-Mail:

bobandnena@peoplepc.com

Location:

Washington State

Comments:

I was with VA-25 1962 - 1966. Made two cruises with Midway. Like your site. I did add a couple comments about events during the mid-60's. Thanks Bob.

The following emails from Bob need to be shared with everyone. His account of the MiG shoot down by Skyraiders is very interesting. ~ Troy

Email 01:

Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2003 09:35:39 -0700

Subject: ELEVATOR LOSS - MIG SHOOT DOWN?

Sir;

I was aboard during the time the elevator was lost and would like to correct the impression that the elevator was lost due to the fact that the ship was being turned to port. The fact of the matter is that we were taking on supplies using number three elevator as the transfer point for the supplies. I was walking by the open elevator doors when the first wave hit and at that time, unknown to me, lifted the elevator, cocking it in the runners. The wave went partially over the elevator nearly washing the sailors who were moving supplies off, they ran by me and were ok. I proceeded up to VA-25’s ready room at which time they sounded a man overboard alarm. Our muster station was in front of the number three elevator’s doors, which were closed. We were told the elevator had dropped out the bottom of the runners when the second wave hit, lifted it higher, then dropped it snapping the cables. Myself and a friend went up to the flight deck and watched it fall behind the ship and eventually sink. Upon reaching Japan, we had a change of command - got us a brand new captain.

Also I would like to add some information concerning MiG-17s being shot down. One of the MiGs that was shot down was shot down by two pilots from VA-25. lt was Johnson and Hartman flying AD Skyraiders (you know those funny looking aircraft with the propellers on the front!) I heard that they got an award for this. It might have been the Silver Star, but I'm not sure about what it was. I certainly think they deserve mention for this as there have not been a lot of incidents of prop aircraft shooting down jet aircraft.

Thanks for your time. Respectfully yours,

Robert L. Sullivan

My Reply:

Tuesday, April 22, 2003 10:36 AM
 

Subject: Re: ELEVATOR LOSS - MIG SHOOT DOWN?

Hi,

Thank you for visiting my site and for sharing your first-hand account of the elevator loss with me. Details like this are difficult to find when looking through the official accounts. I will modify the history tonight to your account of the incident.
 

I do have the A-1 Skyraider shared kills on the Air-to-Air Victories page in the Midway section and also in the CVW-5 section. I had thought about adding the information to the history page, but didn't get to it yet. I will add that tonight also.
 

~ Troy

Email 02:

Date : Tue, 22 Apr 2003 17:05:46 -0700

Subject: Re: ELEVATOR LOSS - MIG SHOOT DOWN? ADDED INFO IF YOU WANT IT

Thank you for your quick response. I don't know if you want some additional info on the MiG shoot down, however I will send it. You’re welcome to use it if you think it’s appropriate.

As I recall, there were four Skyraiders and they were out looking for downed pilots. They had survival canisters and rocket canisters on the wing racks. One of our support ships picked up two aircraft coming down from the north that refused to answer the IFF. They called our guys and told them that it looked like trouble. Three of the Skyraiders immediately cleared the wing racks of everything, including the two fuel drop tanks. Lt Johnson's radio had failed earlier, but he got the hint and did the same.

All the Skyraiders went down to treetop level, found a small mountain and started circling it. Two MiG-17s came down and made a pass at the lead Skyraider. At this time the two Skyraiders following him rolled up and fired at the MiGs with their four 20mm cannons (eight total). They missed the first one, but they got the second one with this same method. So you can see how they ended up with one half kill each. I, being at that time the flight deck troubleshooter for the electric shop, was on the flight deck after the landing. I talked to LT Johnson and the others, which is how I came by this info.

Another bit of info (FYI) - the engines were overboosted and the G-meters were pegged out, but these were four happy guys!

Well better get off here before I wear out my finger typing.

Bob S.

Monday 04/21/2003 2:44:05am

Name:

Joe Herrington

E-Mail:

jhandch2002@yahoo.com

Location:

Jonesville, MI

Comments:

Hello Shipmates,
I was on the Midway from 1990 to 1991 when I was transferred to Guam. I was in Hawaii the last time I was on the Midway. I was an AN assigned to Arresting Gear department (I think it was Div. 7 but I'm not sure). I'm looking for shipmates who may have Gulf War Illness. I'm having a hard time getting copies of my shot records during this time of service. Just wondering if there are other crew members with the same problems.

Saturday 04/19/2003 6:39:53pm

Name:

David B Mustard (Cowboy Dave)

E-Mail:

kernelmustar16@msn.com

Location:

Salem, Oregon

Comments:

I served onboard this fine ship from Jan 80 - Jan 82. Was part of OZ division in the land of OZ or "spooks". This was my first ship and duty station in the Navy. Had a great time with a bunch of the best friends and professionals anywhere around. I served on active duty for another 10 years after that and nothing could compare with the Midway and its fine crew (how sick is that). Also looking for a copy of the Midway cruise book for the ships second I.O. cruise Feb-Jun 81 and the two deployments to Thailand and Korea between July-Nov 81

Friday 04/18/2003 2:23:26pm

Name:

Jon Stokes FC3

E-Mail:

daddyOof03@aol.com

Comments:

Midway crew from 89 - 91

Monday 04/07/2003 6:15:27pm

Name:

Paul M. Pringle

E-Mail:

pringlebld@yahoo.com

Comments:

My Father Richard Ivan Pringle was aboard this vessel in the 50's and my step-son is doing a report on it and we did a search on the internet to let him learn more. thank you.

Sunday 04/06/2003 9:59:22pm

Name:

Charles Hegel

E-Mail:

cvhegel@rrt.com

Location:

Breckenridge, MN

Comments:

Great web site, I was aboard from 1957 to 1960, loved it I was a a machinist mate in B division.

Saturday 04/05/2003 1:26:02am

Name:

AMS1 James Barlean (Retired)

E-Mail:

Phlem2k2@hotmail.com

Comments:

Excellent website and photos.
I was in VFA-192 airframes in 1987/88 and TAD to ship's safety in 1989. My sea tour on the Midway was my highlite of my 20 year career. Thanks for bringing back the memories. My favorite 1MC announcement "Miss Piggy on deck with 1000 pounds of mail".