Dave Sweet, RD-2

During the 65-66 cruise the Calcaterra had an Amateur Radio Station on board. Guy McKeon, ETC, was the primary operator of this "ham station"KC4USS.   K1ZBR/Maritime Mobile was McKeon's callsign. . Here is a QSL card that Chief McKeon sent to a ham radio operator in New York City, Dec. 3,  1965. Click on cards for larger view.

After returning to Newport, Rhode Island aboard USS Calcaterra, I submitted a second  Request for Transfer to USS Thomas J. Gary. I already had orders to the USS Willis A. Lee DL-4, but had not yet reported to the Lee.  Someone suggested that I walk over to the Atlantic Fleet Personnel office in Newport, and speak with a Chief Warrant Officer, whose name is long forgotten. He told me to submit another Request for Transfer and there would be a good possibility the orders would be rewritten. Above are scans of the second  Request, and the Naval Message directing me to USS Thomas J. Gary vice WA Lee.

Dave Sweet, RD-2 and Glen LaVanchy, RD3 . Photo taken in Callao, Peru, seaport for Lima. August, 1965.

Here are 2 sets of Shore Patrol Orders while visiting Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France.  I can remember the Marseille experience, we had to be accompanied by a local policeman because of the language difference and our unfamiliarity with the city . He didn't speak English nor I French. But it worked out, we both survived and at the end of the shift he bought me a few drinks. I don't remember the Barcelona assignment, at all.

Here are 2 other documents pertaining to my transfer to USS Thomas J. Gary. One is a letter written to Fleet Personnel by the Calcaterra's XO that indicated that I was interested in a transfer to USS Mills or USS Thomas J. Gary. I recall putting in for a transfer in April, 1966.  The other document is my actual orders to USS Thomas J. Gary.