Friday 10/31/2003 2:56:48pm

Name:

Craig S. Warren

E-Mail:

cswarren@worldnet.att.net

Location:

El Paso, TX

Comments:

Gentlemen;

Going over your Midway history, which seems very thorough, I noticed what some might consider a significant omission. I was stationed aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41) from October 1958 to February 1961. You mention a five-month overhaul after the 1959-1960 WestPac cruise. Shortly after that yard period, the Midway went through refresher training, operating from Long Beach, CA. Sometime during or near that period, the McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom II and the North American A3J-1 Vigilante were aboard for Carrier Qualifications (CarQuals) prior to entering actual service. I remember this fairly well, because I remember being impressed by the size of the Phantom compared to its predecessor, the F3H Demon. The F4H's tailhook looked like it could have been used to anchor a fair-sized ship. As you know, the Phantom II became one of the finest and most versatile fighters in Naval Aviation history, even to the extent of serving with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps as well as the air forces of several of our allies. I don't remember the exact dates of those CarQuals, but perhaps you can find somebody to help you pin down the dates. I think the Midway's contribution to the development of such a significant aircraft merits being included in the ship's history. I wonder if "Midway Magic" has included this in their forthcoming book on the Midway. The Vigilante apparently was never used much for its initial purpose, being used mostly for reconnaissance.

Keep up the good work on your impressive web site.

Craig S. Warren
Formerly USS Midway (CVA-41) GM Division 1958-1961
Now in El Paso, Texas.

My Response:

This information has been added to the Ship's History. Thank you Craig!

~ Troy (Website Owner)

Wednesday 10/29/2003 6:59:23pm

Name:

Hank Vyrostek

E-Mail:

asvin@earthlink.net

Location:

Greenbank, WA. Whidbey Island

Comments:

I served on Midway, 71 72 73 with VA115 p/p then tad AIMD jet shop. Just watched the old girl getting towed by my house on 9/30/03. Kinda like watching your hometown float by. I'm proud of all you guys, especially my buddies from Yankee Station...see ya at mid-rats...Hank...

Sunday 10/26/2003 5:13:58pm

Name:

Craig S. Warren

E-Mail:

cswarren@worldnet.att.net

Location:

Comments:

Was high-lined aboard the Midway 15 October 1958 along with about 50 others. That was an experience. Was told that evening that "Peking Polly" (a later version of "Tokyo Rose?") had reported that the Midway would be at the bottom of the South China Sea at midnight. The report was a bit exaggerated, because we all know she (the Midway) went on to complete a long and honorable career and will be preserved as a museum and memorial to Naval Aviation in San Diego sometime next year.

I served in GM Division from Oct 1958 to Feb 1961. Arrived as a GFAN (Aviation Guided Missileman Airman) and left as an AT2 (Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class). We were a small Division but managed to disrupt the after mess deck on occasion to send "sidewinders" or "sparrows" to the flight deck or hangar deck.

Had the privilege of serving under Capt. J.T. Blackburn, whose VF-17 had outdone even Pappy Boyington's Famous Black Sheep squadron during World War II. Have mostly good memories from those years and am anxious to see the Midway again, even though she's somewhat modified from when I was aboard. I guess we all change with the years.

You have a great site and I've had a very enjoyable time going through it more than once.

Saturday 10/25/2003 10:12:31pm

Name:

Norman Pattee

E-Mail:

Location:

Stockton Ca.

Comments:

I was onboard for two cruises. From 3/63 to 3/65.Served 3 years in 2'nd div.

Saturday 10/25/2003 12:29:47am

Name:

Keith D. Hubbard

E-Mail:

Komenyay@aol.com

Comments:

Just found your website. Spent the last hour or two going through it. I'm very impressed. Salutes to you and your efforts in keeping anything "Midway" alive. She was (and still is as being prepared for a museum piece), an awesome lady.

Again, excellent job on the site. Not enough adjectives to describe it. Thank you for your time and effort.

Keith D. Hubbard
AOC(AW) (Ret.)
USS Midway (VA-115) 1980-1983 and 1985-1986

Friday 10/24/2003 0:16:48am

Name:

Jeff Adams

E-Mail:

bugsunc1@aol.com

Location:

KY

Comments:

Tuesday 10/23/2003 10:54:44pm

Name:

David L. Coats

E-Mail:

djcoats@pld.com

Comments:

The following is from an email David sent me. I felt it should be shared with everyone:

Subject : Words can't express

I was with VA-93 onboard the Midway for two cruises, Vietnam 71 - 72, and she was called the Midway Magic for a reason. There was no finer ship ever built. I had never then, nor have I ever since ,worked with such professionals.

The dedicated sailors that were on her made their jobs look easy, not because it was , but because they had camaraderie, dedication, and a will to give it their all! We all worked as a team, ship & squadron. we got the job done.

Several of our mates didn't make it back, I will never forget that October night when the whole bow of the ship was on fire after an A 6 crash landed. There were friends laying around, dead or injured. Planes loaded with fuel and ordinance burning, but total disaster was averted by many sailors rushing into danger, risking their own lives in a very real way to avert total disaster.

The time I spent on the on the USS MIDWAY will always be the benchmark in my life," FOR BROTHERHOOD & TEAMWORK !"

I have been honored to have worked with you.

Thank You,
David L. Coats

Monday 10/20/2003 10:30:31am

Name:

William J. Alexander

Location:

Homestead, Florida

Comments:

I was proud to have served on the Midway Magic from 81-86. I went on to serve on various other ships but none of them could compare to CV-41. I'm currently looking for anyone out of V-1 Div. between those years. If you can help I can be contacted at 537 NW 9th Ave Homestead, Florida 33030. This pertains to a claim that I'm filing with the VA.

Saturday 10/18/2003 11:43:54am

Name:

Howard N. Freeman (Ford)

E-Mail:

upd807@hotmail.com

Comments:

Ship's company, MM3 M-division 1960-1962

Saturday 10/18/2003 11:11:43am

Name:

David L. Scott

E-Mail:

dalscott@indiana.edu

Location:

Bloomington, Indiana.

Comments:

Served onboard USS MIDWAY 1974-1976, Was onboard for the Frequent Wind Operation! Was a Yeoman 3rd Class, Work in the MAA Office and the XO's Office. Went by the name of Scotty.

Thursday 10/16/2003 9:09:35pm

Name:

Wayne Mance

E-Mail:

dollbabylpn@yahoo

Location:

Harrisonville, MO

Comments:

I served aboard the Midway from 1973-1975. I was in Crash and Salvage V1-Division. Am looking for old shipmate Craig Clemens aka Lunchmeat.

Sunday 10/12/2003 5:51:36pm

Name:

STEVE BLECHEL

E-Mail:

USSMIDWAY151@AOL.COM

Comments:

SERVED VF-151 LINE DIV. '77-'79
ICQ #100818418

Sunday 10/12/2003 1:31:45pm

Name:

chuck sitnik

E-Mail:

chuckmxr@hotmail.com

Comments:

VA-115 Power Plants trouble shooter USS Midway 75-78

Saturday 10/11/2003 2:04:16pm

Name:

Tom Skiba

E-Mail:

tskiba@cfl.rr.com

Homepage URL:

http://www.cfl.rr.com

Location:

Orange City, FL

Comments:

I commissioned the Kitty Hawk. I was assigned to the second division. I took the shake down cruise and to South America, to California. I was discharged in 1961. I was proud to be a plank owner and a shell back on the Kitty Hawk. You can contact me on the above site.

Thursday 10/09/2003 12:43:51pm

Name:

Corbin, Mark AO1 (VFA-87)

E-Mail:

corbinm@vfa87.navy.mil

Comments:

Awesome pictures!!!! I've, for the longest time, was trying to find pictures of NATTC Millington. Thank You for that! Have any more???? I was in Millington a little bit before you, I graduated AO 'A' school in May of 1988. My first tour was Intruders with VA-52 at beautiful NAS Whidbey Island, WA. I'm now in the F/A-18 community on the East Coast. It's a small world, Great pix.

AO1(AW) Mark R Corbin.

Tuesday 10/07/2003 7:05:39pm

Name:

David C. Lepard

E-Mail:

dclepard@adelphia.net

Location:

Buffalo NY

Comments:

I SERVED ONBOARD FROM 87-91 IN AIMD IM3 SHOP 8. IF ANY 8 BALLS REMEMBER ME DROP AN E-MAIL ID LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

AE2 LEPARD.

Monday 10/06/2003 5:12:38pm

Name:

Noel Thomas Barker

E-Mail:

chaznoel@aol.com

Location:

Hayward Ca.

Comments:

Volunteer on USS Hornet (May '95)

Sunday 10/05/2003 2:48:21pm

Name:

Kansas Traveler

Comments:

Really cool site! Easy to navigate for spirits flying in the wind... beautiful design work. Anyone who has ever been associated with the Navy - or knows someone who is/was - will enjoy looking at all the pictures, stories and links. You must be a very creative and considerate man to develop such a wonderful place to reminisce, and learn more about the "sailor" and Navy life. I am sure it takes a lot of time, and I will check back again to see more! Thank you for everything!

Saturday 10/04/2003 9:06:48pm

Name:

Morris Zebede

E-Mail:

moe22161@netzero.com

Location:

New Jersey

Comments:

Served ships company 1980-1981 in Supply (cook)

Wednesday 10/01/2003 6:55:12pm

Name:

Brian Goodwin

E-Mail:

brian@foss.com

Homepage URL:

http://community.webshots.com/user/brgoodwin

Location:

Mountlake Terrace, WA.

Comments:

I have never been in the Military, but yesterday I had the privilege to go aboard the USS Midway with eight other Foss Maritime employees to cast her free of the mothball berth she has occupied for the better part of a decade. Three of us plus the Navy pilot stayed aboard for the short trip through Rich Passage out to Elliot Bay. For those three hours standing atop the superstructure with the wind in my face looking down on the massive flight deck I couldn’t help but imagine the roar of aircraft taking off, landing, and the hustle and bustle of the thousands of sailors on deck and below. The thought of those hundreds of thousands of men and women who have served on this great ship over her nearly fifty years of service was quite awe inspiring to say the least.

She isn’t real pretty right now, but I know that the next time I see her in San Diego as a museum, she will be as beautiful as all of you remember her.

She is being towed to Oakland, CA by the Lauren Foss which should take approx. seven days averaging about 4 knots. There she will be spruced up and then on to San Diego, her permanent home.